RTX130B

Features & Benefits

• Provides a Complete Solution for QAM ITU-T J.83 Standards, Annex A (DVB-C), B, C, and VSB Signal Generation by Integrating a QAM and VSB Modulator, Up-converter, and MPEG Generator in a Portable Form Factor
• New: Integrated IPTV and Video over IP Stress Test Generation for Hybrid STB Test, or Migration from RF to IP Interface Technology
• New: Suite of Test Streams Provided as Standard and Optional Multiplexer Software Provides Complete Stream Creation and Generation Tool Set
• Real-time Updating of Time Stamps and Time Tables for Error-free Looping From Disk
• USB and GbE Interface for Loading of Transport Streams for Optimum Flexibility in Storing and Managing Transport Stream Libraries
• Integration with Automated Systems Enabled by Ethernet Remote Control using SCPI (Standard Command for Programmable Instruments) Command Set
• Quick and Easy Interpretation of Complex Structures by Utilizing a Large Color Hierarchical Display of Transport Stream Components
• Optional Tools for Transport Stream Creation and Analysis to Support Compliance and Stress Testing of Video Products Using MPEG-2 Technology
• Integrates with Tektronix Monitoring Tools for Powerful and Cost-effective Transport Stream Monitoring, and Error Recording

Applications

• QAM, VSB, and IPTV Consumer Receiver Design and Manufacturing Test
• Evaluation of Professional QAM, VSB, and IP Video Broadcast Equipment
• Performance Verification of QAM, VSB, and IP Video Broadcast Systems
• Simulation of Digital Terrestrial, Cable, and IPTV Broadcasting Transmission
• Scheduling of Stream Playout and Recording for Broadcast and Production Line Applications

QAM and VSB MPEG RF Signal Generator

Set-top Box manufacturers, broadcasters, and cable operators are providing new, advanced services to customers. These services require new consumer devices that have embedded DVRs, HD tuners, advanced video decoders, data broadcast capability, and telephony/internet connection to support advanced service offerings. The tasks of software engineering and the time scale for design verification and conformance testing are increasing significantly with this advanced functionality.

RTX130B is designed to meets these needs for:

• MPEG digital TV Set-top Box, Integrated Digital TV, and MPEG consumer device software development
• Equipment manufacturers and broadcast operators who need a solution for design evaluation and testing in their MPEG transmission environment

RTX130B Product Information

In the digital terrestrial broadcasting and cable environment, powerful RF-modulated signal generation functionality is required in a portable form factor for design, test, and maintenance.

The RTX130B QAM and VSB RF Signal Generator offers a flexible, affordable solution for design evaluation and conformance testing of digital video products conforming to the DVB-C / ITU-T J.83 standards, Annex A, B, C, and ATSC (8 VSB) standards for digital terrestrial and cable TV systems.

Integrated ASI and IP generation capability negates the need to purchase a separate ASI or IP Player and provides a consistent user experience regardless of which physical interface is used to generate streams:

• Supports ITU-T J.83 standards, Annex A (DVB-C), B, C, and ATSC VSB, for modulation of streams played from disk
• QAM modulation mode*¹ of 16, 64, 256, and 8 VSB
• Frequency: 50 to 860 MHz in 12.5 kHz steps
• 36/44 MHz IF output
• RF Output Level, 45-58 dBmV in 1 dB steps
• DVB-ASI/SMPTE310M and SPI transport stream input/output for recording and playout from hard disk
• IP generation capability for developing and testing hybrid STB solutions, developing multiple CPE designs, or migrating from RF to IP STB interfaces
• Protects investment through inclusion of IP generation with support for IPv6 and TTS standards
• With the RTX130B you can select the combination of RF modulation options required when ordering, and can add further modulation options when needed, protecting your original investment

*¹ Not all constellations are available in all QAM modes.

The RTX130B is the optimum tool for design and evaluation of consumer QAM , VSB, and IPTV equipment, such as set-top boxes and integrated televisions, devices requiring a directly modulated RF or IP input. The RTX130B can also be used as a signal source for end-to-end broadcast system evaluation and maintenance.

As an integrated solution, RTX130B removes the need to purchase a separate transport stream generator, QAM and VSB modulator/up-converter, and IPTV signal generator. DVB-SPI and ASI/SMPTE310M interfaces are also provided as standard, allowing recording and playout of MPEG-2 Transport Streams.

The RTX130B offers continuous, error-free transport stream looping for long duration playout, and PCR Jitter insertion for stressing MPEG product designs. Users can continuously loop test streams, including updating of all time stamps, continuity counters, and time tables to perform long-term simulation of off-air signals.

Support for IP Stress test playout with capabilities for error insertion (IP Packet Drops, Checksum Errors, Sequence Errors and Packet Jitter), burst mode (both timing and packet number based), and manual error generation capabilities provide a complete solution for validating IPTV equipment designs. Advanced Mode provides protocol header customization capabilities for source and destination ports and addresses, setting MAC address, transport checksum, network checksums, and user editing of any packet header field parameters. Session replication functionality is provided to simultaneously encapsulate and play a TS over many IP sessions to simulate an IPTV environment.

Ethernet network control functionality enables remote control of functions like Play, Record, Clock Rate, and PCR Jitter Insertion using the SCPI (Standard Control for Programmable Instruments) command set, allowing easy integration into ATE and automated broadcast environments.

An optional scheduler application enables the RTX130B to be used as a simple MPEG stream server for prerecorded broadcast and manufacturing test signal transmission.

Offline Stream Multiplexing and Analysis Options

The addition of the MTS400 offline MPEG toolset to the RTX130B platform provides the broadest, deepest stream creation and analysis tool set on a highly portable platform. Ideally suited to commissioning and debug of complex MPEG transmission systems the analysis options offered with the RTX130B provide offline transport stream multiplexing and analysis capability with additional options for data broadcast analysis and generation. A separate data sheet is available covering the MTS400 Series Stream Multiplexing and Analysis options in greater detail.

Performance You Can Count On

Depend on Tektronix to provide you with performance you can count on. In addition to industry-leading service and support, this product comes backed by a one-year warranty as standard.