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Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board (75 Ohm)

Part Number: AS-CIB-3GSDI-002-A

  • 3G-SDI interface solution for the Tamron AFZ cameras, the Sony EV-series and Harrier series cameras.
  • Simultaneous analog video output (PAL/NTSC) in 720p50/59.94/60 modes.
  • HD-VLC™ mode for long cable length applications.
  • 75 Ohm micro-coax connector.
  • Supports all HD modes up to 1080p60.
  • Compliant with SMPTE 274M and SMPTE 296M.
  • Video mode selection switches and built-in test pattern.
  • Selectable TTL/RS-232/RS-485 comms port for camera control/communication.
  • Single VISCA programmable 3.3V PWM output channel.
  • Kits for mounting the interface board to Tamron or Sony cameras available.
  • Interface boards and cameras can be purchased as pre-assembled modules.
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  • Description

  • Product Specs

  • Downloads

  • Ordering Info

  • Videos

Description

Products Specs

Downloads

Ordering Info

Videos

Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board

The Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board provides real-time low-latency 3G-SDI output for Tamron autofocus-zoom cameras, Sony EV-series cameras (eg. FCB-EV9500L, -EV9520L) and Harrier 10x, 36x, 40x or 55x AF-Zoom Cameras. In addition, the interface board can also provide simultaneous analog output in Standard Definition (SD) when the camera is operating in 720p50/59.94/60 modes, along with options for cropping or scaling (for 16:9 displays).
The interface board provides a cost-effective solution to take full advantage of the high definition digital video provided by the camera. It connects directly to the camera’s digital output to provide superior image quality and supports all the 3G-SDI and HD-SDI modes of the camera up to 2.97 Gbps.

On power up, the camera video mode is selected by the DIP switch settings on the board. The video mode along with other interface board specific modes may also be controlled by serial communications. RS-232, RS-485, and TTL interfaces are supported.

The camera interface board comes with a built-in test pattern which conforms to the SMPTE RP-219-2002 specification. For OEM customers meta-data can be inserted into the video stream via custom firmware. Active Silicon offers custom design services for camera interface boards and can adapt the product if it does not meet all your requirements.

Camera solutions with 3G-SDI camera interface board

In applications where space is at a premium, the interface board may be closely fitted onto the side or the back of an autofocus-zoom camera. Active Silicon provides mounting kits for this purpose (see order information). Alternatively, OEMs may design their own mounting solution making use of three M2 counter-sunk holes in the interface board (see product photo). The 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board can be purchased as board only or as assembled camera solution.

HD video transmission over long distances

HD Visually Lossless Compression (HD-VLC) is a technique for compressing HD image data into a lower data rate SDI stream. This mode can be selected via the DIP switch or via serial commands. Significantly greater cable lengths can be overcome in this way (three to four times the distance). It also allows for a better ability to pass through multiple slip rings. A HD-VLC decoder is needed at the other end of the cable to convert back to SDI and other formats. We recommend the BlueBird SDI Adapter, which converts HD-VLC (and 3G/HD-SDI) signal to HDMI, USB and SDI, as required.

Watch our video demonstrating this technology and the products involved by choosing the video tab on this page.

More about high-definition, real-time image acquisition using long cables and how it is possible to transmit video digitally over twisted pair cables up to 150m, coax cables up to 700m, and with fiber optic offering the option of many kilometers in our white paper “High-Definition Long-Reach Video Transmission”.

We are happy to discuss your system requirements and are looking forward to delivering the product you need. Contact us for more information.

General product information

Video Mode on Power-up:

On power-up, the camera interface board will read the SW1 DIP switches and set the camera video mode accordingly. If the DIP switches are set for ‘Default Camera Mode’ then the camera (and camera interface board) will power-up in the video mode last set on the camera.
For more information see the section on Video and Control Mode DIP Switch (SW1) settings in the Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board datasheet.

Status LED (“LED1”)

The interface board is fitted with multi-color LED to indicate camera status.

Test Pattern

A video test pattern output may be selected by (a) driving pin 1 of connector J2 low, or (b) sending the appropriate VISCA command over serial/USB communications.

Analog Video Out (Pin 3, J3)

Standard resolution composite analog is simultaneously available in HD modes 720p50 (for PAL) and 720p60/59.94 (for NTSC). There are two options for the analog output, selectable via serial control:
(a) the 1280 pixel wide HD image can be cropped to 960 wide by cropping a 120 pixel strip off each side to make a 4:3 aspect ratio Standard Definition (SD) signal, or alternatively,
(b) by pre-warping the image, such that when displayed on a HD monitor in the monitor’s stretch-to-fit mode, the original full-width HD signal will be displayed correctly at 16:9 aspect ratio.
Both methods ensure the displayed pixels remain square and that the image is not distorted.

Note: the analog video output must be connected to a 75 Ohm terminated analog display/input.

Serial Control Commands

The camera may be controlled by serial VISCA commands (J3). The VISCA serial signal is routed through the interface board and to the camera. However, this serial signal is also connected to the camera interface board; extended VISCA commands (not used by the camera) may be used to control the interface board.

For information on camera operation using VISCA serial commands, refer to the camera’s user manual. For information on interface board operation using extended VISCA serial commands, refer to the section on Camera Interface Board VISCA Commands in the Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board datasheet.

Camera Interface Board VISCA Commands

The VISCA protocol can support connection of up to 8 cameras in a network; each camera is assigned a separate address. The default camera address is 1. To differentiate camera interface board specific commands from camera commands, the interface board is pre-assigned a fixed VISCA address of 2.
VISCA commands are composed of a series of hexadecimal format numbers that are sent to the camera.
For a list of the commands refer to the section Camera Interface Board VISCA Commands in the datasheet.

Note: When listing VISCA commands a blank space is introduced between each byte to aid legibility. The numbers sent to the camera/interface board must be sent without blank spaces.

Analog video output is supported only when the camera is operating in 720p 50/59.94/60Hz modes. It may be selectively turned off if not required to reduce energy consumption. This may be useful in some use cases, e.g. battery powered applications.

PWM Output:

A single 3.3V PWM output channel (J2) is enabled and controlled by interface board VISCA™ commands. Both the frequency and duty cycle of the PWM can be controlled.

Connector specification

KEL30 Connector (J1)

The interface board is fitted with a 30-way miniature connector to link to the video output connector on the camera.

Connector type: KEL USL00-30L.

Mating cable: KEL USL20-30SS-010-C (100mm length) or KEL USL20-30SS-005-C (50mm length) 30-way micro-coax cable. This micro-coax cable can be supplied as an additional item (see ordering information below). Other lengths available subject to minimum order quantities.

Input/Output Connector (J2)

The interface board is fitted with an industry standard 4-way connector for Vsync/PWM signal output and test pattern/reset control inputs.

Connector type: JST SM04B-SRSS-TB

Mating cable: Suitable cable can be purchased as part of a cable kit (see ordering information tab).

See Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board datasheet for pin assignments and control options.

Power and Control Connector (J3)

The interface board is fitted with an industry standard 9-way connector for power, serial control and analog video out.

Connector type: JST SM09B-SRSS-TB

Mating cable: Suitable cable can be purchased as part of a cable kit (see ordering information).

See Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board datasheet for pin assignment and output options.

JTAG Connector (J4)

Test connector used in manufacturing for circuit verification.

3G-SDI Output Connector (J5)

The interface board is fitted with a Hirose H.FL Micro Coaxial Connector (75 Ohm).

Connector type: Hirose Micro Coaxial Connector (Receptacle), part number H.FL-R-SMT(01).

Mating connector: Use mating cable with 75 Ohm characteristic impedance, for example Hirose part number H.FL75-2LP-084H-A-100. This cable can be purchased as part of a cable kit (see ordering information).

Video and Control Mode DIP Switch (SW1)

The interface board is fitted with a 4-way DIP switch to select various video output and control modes.

The DIP switches to select the Video Format are read on power-up only. Therefore, to change mode using the DIP switches, power down the camera, set the switches and then power up the camera. DIP switches will only be effective for the operating modes supported by the camera currently in use.

See the Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board datasheet for the configuration of the DIP switch SW1.

Communications Mode Selection (SW2)

The interface board is also fitted with a 2-way DIP switch to select the serial communications standard. It allows to choose between RS-232 VISCA communications, RS-485 VISCA comms with RS-485 termination enabled, RS-485 VISCA comms with RS-485 termination disabled and TTL VISCA communications.

Seethe Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board datasheet for the details and configuration of the DIP switch SW2.

Digital Transmission Standard Selection (SW3)

The interface board is fitted with a 1-way DIP switch to select the SMPTE or HD-VLC digital output standards.

OFF = SMPTE compliant output.

ON = HD-VLC compressed output.

Conformance

3G-SDI:

Compliant with SMPTE 274M and SMPTE 296M.

Approvals:

Active Silicon makes the following approval statements:

CE
In accordance with the CE Marking regulations, the Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board is not a finished product and is supplied for further integration into a finished product that will be CE marked by the final manufacturer/integrator. Therefore, no CE marking or Declaration of Conformity is required or allowed.

RoHS3
This product is compliant with the RoHS3 requirements (Directive 2015/863/EU).

REACH
Please contact Active Silicon for the latest formal REACH declaration (EC 1907/2006).

EMC
This product is designed to be compliant with the following requirements when housed in a suitable enclosure:

  • EN 55022:2010 (Class A) and EN 55024:2010 (EU Directive 2014/30/EU Electromagnetic Compatibility
  • FCC Rules for Class A digital devices

UL
All printed circuit boards used in this product are manufactured by UL recognized manufacturers and have a flammability rating of 94-V0.

Mechanical Overview

See “More” tab above for a mechanical overview diagram and find a 3D CAD model and a mechanical overview under “Downloads”.

Physical and environmental details

Dimensions:

45mm by 38.5mm.

Weight:

8g (interface board only, no cables).

Power Supply:

8.25V to 15V

Power Consumption:

0.65W – Typical power at 1080p60 (board only), values will vary with camera/operating mode.
Note: this does not include camera power.

Storage Temperature:

-20°C to +70°C.

Operating Temperature:

-5°C to +60°C (ambient environment).

Relative Humidity:

10% to 90% non-condensing (operating and storage).

Ordering Information

Part number Description

AS-CIB-3GSDI-002-A

Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board. Analog composite output (when in 720p50/59.94/60 operating modes). Support for HD-VLC compression technology. Board only, no cables included.

AS-CIB-3GSDI-002-A-CC

Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board with High Performance Acrylic conformal coating (ElectroLube HPA).

AS-CIB-3GSDI-002-EVAL-B

Evaluation kit for Harrier 3G-SDI, and all Harrier 3G/HD-SDI camera assemblies. The kit contains power supply, cabling (AS-CIB-CBLKIT-002-B), 30-way micro-coax cable (AS-CIB-USL30-100MM, for connecting camera with camera interface board) and the Harrier Evaluation Board with PC serial interface (via USB UART). Not included: Camera and camera interface board.

AS-CIB-USL30-100MM

30-way micro-coax cable for connecting the interface board (J1) to the camera. Length 100mm (Manufacturer: KEL, part number: USL20-30SS-010-C).

AS-CIB-USL30-50MM

30-way micro-coax cable for connecting the interface board (J1) to the camera. Length 50mm (Manufacturer: KEL, part number: USL20-30SS-005-C).

AS-CIB-CBLKIT-002-B

Cable kit for AS-CIB-3GSDI-002-A containing H.FL micro coax cable, BNC adapter and control cables for J2 and J3.

AS-CIB-BRK-001-A

Bracket to fit the interface board AS-CIB-3GSDI-002-A to the side of a Tamron MP3010M-EV  camera after removing the original base bracket.

AS-CIB-BRK-007-A

Metal bracket, screws and spacers for mounting the AS-CIB-3GSDI-002-A to Sony FCB-EV9520L or EV9500L cameras and Harrier 36x, 40x or 55x AF-Zoom Cameras.

AS-CIB-BRK-009-A

Metal bracket, screws and spacers for mounting the AS-CIB-3GSDI-002-A to Harrier 10x AF-Zoom Camera.

Harrier AF-Zoom cameras

The Harrier 3G-SDI Camera Interface Board is compatible with all our LVDS output cameras. Watch this video to learn more about Harrier AF-Zoom cameras:

 

HD video transmission over long distances

If you look for long cable length solutions that guarantee high quality HD video transmission over greater distances we recommend HD-VLC technology.

Check out our white paper on Long-reach HD video transmission technologies and our video: