Shasta Series

Digital Routing Switchers

Model 64D, 64x64
Serial Digital Video Router

This compact, 7RU high system is based on a third generation 1.5gbps low jitter GaAs switching matrix. The modular design allows for easy in-field expansion from a 32x32 up to the full 64x64 size by simply adding modules as needed. This all new design is complete with high performance support circuits, resulting in outstanding performance and value.

Model 128D, 128x128
Serial Digital Video Router

This family member shares many components with the 64x64 and our larger Ponderosa Series systems. Like the 64x64, the 128D is a very compact (14RU high) and modular in design.

Model 128E, 128x128
Serial Digital Audio Routing Switcher

Measuring only 4RU high this extraordinarily compact system is based on I/O increments of 32. Systems as small as 64x32 can be expanded up to the full 128x128 by plugging in modules as your system needs grow. During expansion the system remains in the field.

Analog router compatible designs

The key to designing a routing switcher frame that can be used for either analog video or serial digital video is to design the digital video routing switcher firdt then adapt analog video signal processing citcuits to work in the same frame. Sierra Video Systems has taken this approach with the Model 64D and 128D . These routers can be ordered as an entirely analog videok router woth excellent performance specifications. Later, when your needs change to digital, the 64V or 128V can be upgraded to digital video by replacing the analog modules with digital modules.

For analog audio systems, Sierra Video Systems offers the very cost effective Tahoe Series reuting switchers in sizes up to 128x128 two channel audio in a 9RU frame.

Rugged High-Quality Construction

For over 16 years Sierra Video Systems has become famous for the rugged construction of our products. Shasta Series systems are nearly indestructible. These ststems are built to last over 25 years in the most severe service, such as, mobile units and air-pack cases.

In addition to being ruggedly constructed, these systems are easy to service. All modules plug in from the front of the frame except for the individual video input circuits. The redundant power supplies are separately connected to every module to prevent any possibility of a single point failure. The Model 64D and Model 128D include redundant power supplies as standerd. Each of these supplies is rated at 200% of the normal power consumption required. The Model 128E and Model 256E use our proven linear power supply system that has never failed in over 10, 000 routing switchers in our popular Tahoe and Sierra Series. Redundant power supplies are available for the Model 128E and Model 256E.

No matter what your application, Shasta Series routing switchers are built to work trouble free day after day, year after year.

THE AUDIO SIGNAL PATH

Our engineers have paid careful attention to the design of the serial digital audio routers in the Shasta Series. The result is a very compact, modular design with several unique features. Some competing designs can only handle one data format through the switching matrix by using a multiplexed switching scheme to save on matrix crosspoints. The Sierra Video Systems design is a true matrix switch. Unlike a multiplexed design, the matrix switch approach, when used properly, protects the system from a single component, or digital, not affecting all outputs adversely.

SIERRA VIDEO SYSTEMS: A COMPANY YOU CAN COUNT ON

Sierra Video Systems manufactures a complete line of digital and analog terminal equipment:

8x8 through 32x32 Shasta series product brochure
256x256 to 1,024x1,024 Ponderosa Series Large Digital Video and Audio Routers product brochure
RS422 data routers and on-air tally routers product brochure
Technical Bulletin: Multi-stage router design yields a fully redundent system with failure protection
Technical Bulletin: Serial Digital Audio Router Design Issues
The Sierra Video Systems Generic Serial Protocol and Windows® router control software - on line

THE VIDEO SIGNAL PATH

In medium to large systems, cable lenghts can grow quite long. Automatic cable equalization is critical. The Model 64D and Model 128D feature a separate shielded metal enclosure for each input equalization circuit. Up to 300 meters of high quality video cable can be used at data rated up to 360 Mbps . At slightly shorter cable lengths, the equalizer can recover error-free bit rated over 600 Mbps.

Proper board to board connections are made by using balanced transmission line, source and load terminated connections. Most competitive systems either use unbalanced or single-end terminated lines. The Sierra Video Systems approach may cost more, but the reduced internal jitter levels are well worth it.

At the heart of the system is the switching matrix which is bases on third generation, state of the art, 1.5 gbps GaAs (Gallium Arsnide) switching arrays. The high speed and low jitter of these parts makes proper inter-board connection essential. It also reduces the internally generated jitter to a level that allows the output reclocking circuits to be relied on for other purposes than internal jitter reduction.

After the switching matrix, each channel has a reclocking circuit. Unlike an equalizer, a reclocking circuit locks aVCO to the incoming signal. The VCO Output is used to latch the incoming data, greatly reducing high frequency jitter. Standard Shasta Series systems are shipped with four auto select VCO frequencies: 143, 177, 270 and 360 Mbps. By special order other data rates can be used up to 600 Mbps. Jumpers on each output circuit allow the reclocking circuit to be bypassed entirely worth very little additional jitter.

Each video path is completed with a balanced ECL to SMPTE 259M line driver with two outputs used. Each block of 32 outputs has a separate monitor output on the front panel which is totally exclusive of the other outputs of the system. These extra outputs are handy for checking sources and destinations of the router with external test equipment.

requiring no additional rack space. For 75 ohm operation, the multi-pin connectors connect to BNC adapter panels, the 75 ohm adapters for the 128E, which are normally mounted on rear rack rails behind the router require 12 rack units. The adapters for the 256E require 24 rack units.

Sierra Video Systems unique digital audio genlock system (optional) provides clickless switching. There is no need to externally synchronize your audio inputs. A built-in rate translater on each input will either rate shift-free running inputs or convert other sampling rates to the desired sampling rate. The rate translator on each input can be turned on or off via the router control system. This control is needed when the audio input has to pass through the system along with the system's "native" data rate.

Inputs and outputs can work equally well in either 75 ohm inbalanced or 110 ohm balanced configurations.For 110 ohm operation, terminals strips connect directly to the multi-pin connectors on the rear of the router

High Performance Mid-sized Video and Audio Routing Switchers for Demanding Broadcast and Post Production Installations

Shasta Series Performance Specifications

Serial Digital Video Routers
Data rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143, 177, 270, and 360 Mbps per SMPTE-259M-A,B,C,D
Data types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 or 10-bit serial digital video
Input cable equalization . . . . . automatic up to 300 meters for 143, 177 and 270 Mbps
200 meters for 360 Mbps
100 meters for 600 Mbps
Input return loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15dB @ 270 Mbps
Cable type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Belden 8281, PSF 1/3 or equivalent
Output level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800 mv +/-10%
Output jitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 ps p-p worst case
Output return loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13dB @ 270 Mbps
I/O connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75W BNC
Number of outputs per channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Serial Digital Audio Routers
Data rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Kbps – 8 Mbps
Nominal signal level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 V p-p for 110 ohm systems
1V p-p for 75 ohm systems
Input return loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 dB @ 5 MHz
Output return loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 dB @ 5 MHz
Input/output impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 or 110 ohms
Signal connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 balanced lines per 25 pin “D”
Plus removable terminal strips for 110 ohm system
or
BNC converter panels for 75 ohm systems
Reference input for clickless switching . . . . . . . . . . . . . Looping hi-Z 110 ohm balanced
Control
Control panel port:
Network type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RS485
Maximum number of remote panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Recommended cable type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Belden 8451 (shielded pair)
Data rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.6 Kbps up to 10,000 ft, 31.25 Kbps up to 5,000 ft
Personality and host ports:
Type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RS232/RS422
Data rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2, 2.4, 9.6, 19.2, 38.4, and 115.2 Kbps
Mechanical & Operational Characteristics
Frame Height:
64D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7RU (12.25")
128D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14RU (24.5")
128E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4RU (7")
256E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8RU (14")
Frame Depth:
64D and 128D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12"
128E and 256E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16"
Weight:
64D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 lbs
128D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 lbs
128E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 lbs
256E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 lbs
Input Voltage: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 VAC or 230 VAC ±10%
(64D and 128D are auto-ranging, 128E is switch selectable)
Power Requirements:
64D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 VA
128D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 VA
128E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 VA
256E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 VA
Operating Temperature Range: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 - 40 degrees C