Automatic Changeover Unit
ECO8020 Datasheet
The ECO8020 is a highly versatile automatic sync and signal changeover
unit with configurations and capabilities required to address modern master
sync application and other advanced sync timing application. This
changeover unit offers exceptional reliability, stability and high availability
and is designed with optional high bandwidth input changeover capabilities
for HD/SD and/or 3G-SDI signal environments.
Features & Benefits
Switches analog black burst, HD tri-level sync, AES/DARS, word clock,
LTC, as well as SD/HD/3G-SDI signals - all the timing and
synchronization signals required in modern broadcast, production, and
post production facilities
Scalable product architecture to fit various application needs
Electronic Fast Switch function for near glitch-less sync source
switching, minimizing disruption in operations
Automatic or Manual changeover mode
Front panel LED fault indicators for each individual channel as well as
the status of the power supplies
Dual hot-swappable power supplies ensure continuous availability of
reference signals
Easy to manage with Web-based interface for configuration and SNMP
for status and alert information
Applications
Sync generator and time reference generator system for broadcast,
studio, mobile, and post-production facilities
Master or slave (genlock) operation for distributed system architectures
This changeover unit can be used with the following signal generators to
form the complete sync generator system, which offers extra redundancy
for the critical timing and synchronization system in the facilities.
A pair of Tektronix Master Sync / Master Clock Reference Generators
(SPG8000) for most broadcast facility timing applications
A pair of Tektronix Test Signal Generators (TG8000) for more
advanced post production facility timing applications
Instrument configuration
The ECO8020 provides up to 20 user-configurable channels with high
density BNC connectors and four LTC channels through the breakout
cable. Each channel consists of primary and backup inputs, and an output.
The base configuration has five 50 MHz Electronic Fast Switch channels
with options for 15 more 50 MHz Electronic Fast Switch or 3 GHz Relay
Switch channels in groups of five channels each, plus four optional
LTC channels.
The 50 MHz Electronic Fast Switch channels support black burst, HD tri-
level sync, AES/DARS, and word clock signals. The 3 GHz Relay Switch
channels support SD/HD/3G-SDI signals as well as most analog reference
signals.
For applications that require more than 20 high density BNC channels, two
ECO8020 instruments can be configured to work as a single system which
practically doubles the number of channels available (up to 40 high density
BNC channels and eight LTC channels).
ECO8020 Automatic Changeover Unit front panel and back panel
www.tektronix.com 1
Channel configuration
Channel configuration can be set either via the front panel or the ECO8020
Web User Interface. Signal amplitude fault detection level follows the
setting of the channel configuration. Detection on individual channel may be
disabled, giving the option of disabling switching to the backup unit on
failure of signals not critical to the facility operation.
Changeover switching
When operated in the switch-on-fault mode, the ECO8020 will automatically
select the backup sync source should any of the primary inputs fail.
However, in the unlikely event both sync sources are faulty, the ECO8020
will not alternate between the two sources. If necessary, this function may
be overridden with the manual sync source selection. Manual source
selection also facilitates periodic testing of the changeover function.
50 MHz Electronic Fast Switch channels
The Electronic Fast Switch function, which comes standard with all 50 MHz
Electronic Fast Switch channels, significantly improves the changeover
switching speed and thus minimizes disturbance of the reference sync
signals when switching between primary and backup inputs. The Electronic
Fast Switch channels have latching relay backups that engage on loss of
power to maintain the selected signal path.
Optional 3 GHz Relay Switch channels
The optional 3 GHz Relay Switch channels are optimized for SD/HD/3G-
SDI signals, but are also usable for most reference signals. These channels
utilize high bandwidth latching relays to preserve the selected signal path
upon a loss of power.
In addition, these channels are equipped with the Tektronix patent-pending
"Relay Check" function
1
. When this function is enabled, the instrument
automatically checks the signal level on each 3 GHz Relay Switch channel
before and after every changeover switch to determine the condition of the
relay contacts of these channels. If it is determined that the relay contacts
may have nonconductive coating (such as oxide) buildup, the instrument
will cycle the relay rapidly for 20 times to wear through the layer of
nonconductive coating in an attempt to restore the relay connections (relay
self-cleaning attempt).
Optional LTC channels
The optional LTC channel connections are pin-compatible with the
Tektronix SPG8000 and TG8000
2
generators, so these signals can be
connected with standard 15 pin D-SUB cables. The same cable can be
used to carry GPI connections, which allow the SPG8000 to trigger a
changeover on certain error conditions such as loss of genlock.
Front panel controls
In association with the LCD display, front-panel controls are provided for
source selection, operating mode, resetting the fault indicators, and for
disabling the front-panel controls. LED fault indicators are also provided for
each individual channels as well as the status of the power supplies. When
the unit is connected to an Ethernet network, these functions are also
available from the ECO8020 Web User Interface using a Web browser on a
computer connected to the same network.
Optional backup power supply
The optional hot-swappable, redundant (backup) dual power supply system
(Option DPW) virtually removes the risk of sync loss due to power supply
unit failure, minimizing disruption in operations. Unique to the ECO8000
and ECO8020, the unit periodically tests the backup power supply to verify
its performance. If the test fails, a fault will be indicated on the LED fault
indicator as well as an error message for backup power supply replacement
- providing extra assurance that the backup power supply will be ready
when needed.
Each power supply module has both AC and DC indicator LEDs. These
LEDs continue to operate for 10 minutes after the loss of power. This
allows quick troubleshooting in the event of supply or AC power failure.
Alarm and status reporting
Alarm and status information can be reported through SNMP, GPI, email
notification, and/or the ECO8020 Web User Interface.
1
The Relay Check function on the 3 GHz Relay Switch channels operates only on channels that are connected (terminated).
2
The TG8000 generator must have a GPS7 module installed in order to support LTC generation.
ECO8020 Automatic Changeover Unit Datasheet
2 www.tektronix.com