802R-PCI Video Test
Generator
User Guide
Contents
Installing generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Connector pin-outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
VGA connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
EGA connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Using Video Generator Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Installing VGM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Quick tour of VGM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Viewing system information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Installing firmware and gateware upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Initializing the generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Calibrating the generator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
About self-calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
How to calibrate generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Calibrating frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Downloading bitmap images. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Advanced tasks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Creating video formats and images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Automating generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Using VGM to create a test sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
802R-PCI Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A)
iii
iv
Chapter
Installing generator
To install the generator:
1. Turn off your computer and monitor to protect the generator from possible electrical
damage. Leave the power cord connected with the computer, until step 4.
2. Remove the cover from the computer.
3. Touch the metal part of the power supply case inside the computer to discharge any
static electricity that you might have.
4. Disconnect the power cord from the computer, even though the computer is turned off.
5. Hold the generator by its edges, and insert it into a PCI slot.
6. Secure the backplate attached to the card.
7. Replace the computer cover, and plug in the computer.
8. Connect a display with the generator.
9. Turn on the computer.
The generator displays the SMPTE133 image, using the DMT0660 format, the first time
it is started, or initialized.
2
Chapter 1 Getting Started
Connector pin-outs
VGA connector
Pin
Description
Pin
Description
1
Analog red video
9
DDC/EDID +5 VDC out
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Analog green video
Analog blue video
10
11
12
13
14
15
Digital ground
No connection
No connection
DDC/EDID serial data
Horizontal sync
Vertical sync
Digital ground
Red analog video ground
Green analog video ground
Blue analog video ground
DDC/EDID data clock
EGA connector
Pin
Description
1
Ground
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Red intensity
Red
Green
Blue
Green intensity
Blue intensity
Horizontal sync
Vertical sync
802R-PCI Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A)
3
Using Video Generator Manager
Video Generator Manager (VGM) is a Microsoft Windows-based program used to operate
the generator. The 802R-PCI generator requires VGM 3.0.4 or later.
VGM is available on the Resource CD included with the generator, and from
Installing VGM
To install VGM:
1. Log onto Windows with Administrator privileges.
2. Locate setup.exe from the Resource CD or Quantum Data website.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Quick tour of VGM
This section demonstrates basic VGM features.
To tour VGM:
1. Connect the generator with a display.
2. Select Start > Programs > Quantum Data > VGM to start VGM.
3. In VGM, select Generator > Connect.
4
Chapter 1 Getting Started
4. In the Select Port dialog box, choose PCI Card, and then click OK.
Connections pane
VGM adds the generator to the connections pane. VGM may be connected with
multiple generators, but can control only one generator at the same time.
5. In the connections pane, double-click the generator name to open the generator view
window.
6. Click the
icon, if it is not already selected, to list the available video formats.
The left pane displays basic properties of the format currently being used by the
generator. For detailed format information, click the
sort formats by different properties.
icon. Use this detailed view to
7. Double-click the format you want to use.
802R-PCI Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A)
5
8. Click the
use.
icon to list available images, and then double-click the image you want to
9. In the toolbar, click the video gate buttons
10. Click the icon, and then double-click the NewSeq sequence to open the default test
sequence in the Sequence Player.
to gate R, G, and B output.
11. Click the play button to begin playing the test sequence.
12. Click the Unload the Sequence button to exit the Sequence Player.
13. Select File > Close View to close the generator window.
14. Choose Generator > Disconnect to disconnect VGM from the generator.
6
Chapter 1 Getting Started
Installing firmware and gateware upgrades
This section describes how to install firmware and gateware upgrades, which are available
which controls the user inteface, defines built-in formats and images, and other functions.
Gateware code is used to program the FPGA in the generator.
VGM 3.0.4 or later is required to install install firmware and gateware updates.
Important: Always check the release notes for release-specific installation instructions.
Installing firmware updates removes any objects you created and stored on the generator,
such as formats or images. Backup any custom objects before installing a firmware
update. Updating gateware does not remove custom objects.
To backup custom objects:
1. Connect the generator with VGM.
2. Open the generator view window for the generator.
3. Open any custom objects in VGM, and then save them to your computer.
To install a firmware update:
1. Connect the generator with VGM.
2. Select Tools > Archiver > Update Firmware.
3. Click Browse, and then specify the firmware.bin file you want to install.
4. In the Generator Selection box, select the target generator, and click Flash.
After the firmware is installed, the generator calibrates itself, which takes about one
minute, restarts, and then displays the SMPTE133 image.
To install a gateware update:
1. Connect the generator with VGM.
802R-PCI Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A)
9
2. Select Tools > Archiver > Gateware Upgrade.
3. Click Browse, and then specify the gateware file (*.xsvf) you want to install.
4. In the Generator Selection box, select the target generator, and then click Program.
VGM displays this message when the update is complete.
After VGM copies the gateware file to the generator, VGM will disconnect from the
generator.
5. Read the release notes provided with the gateware update before proceeding.
If the gateware update does not require a firmware update, restart the computer, which
restarts the generator, and activates the new gateware.
If the gateware update requires a firmware update, do not restart the computer, or you
may be unable to install the firmware update. Refer to the release notes for special
instructions.
6. Reconnect the generator with VGM.
10
Chapter 2 Operating Procedures
Initializing the generator
Initializing the generator restores it to factory settings, and erases all user-created objects.
To initialize generator:
1. Start VGM.
Connecting VGM with the generator is not necessary.
2. Select Generator > Special > Forced Init.
3. Choose the PCI Card option, specify the port used by the generator you want to
initialize, and then click OK.
4. Confirm that you want to initialize the generator, and delete any user-defined objects
from the generator.
5. Wait for one minute while the generator initializes and calibrates itself before
connecting the generator with VGM.
802R-PCI Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A)
11
Calibrating the generator
About self-calibration
The generator can calibrate itself. Once calibrated, the generator does not require periodic
calibration. There are no physical controls to adjust. All calibration is electronic.
Self-calibrating generators output very accurate analog video swings; more accurate then
can be measured with most oscilloscopes. By comparing the output of these products with
a chopped precision DC voltage source, swing accuracys better than 5mv and
component matches better than 3mv have been routinely measured.
Given that the calibration circuit has a swing measurement accuracy of 5mv, calibration
of a nominally 700mV video signal should yield an actual video swing of between 695mV
to 705mV. In the worst case, this would represent an error of 0.7%.
The generator output consists of a buffer amplifier (with near 0-ohm output Z) and a
75-ohm source resistor. The resistor is inserted between a buffer amplifier output and the
output terminal of the generator. The calibration circuit measures voltage at the output of
the buffer amplifier – not at the output terminal, therefore any errors in the internal source
or external load resistors will not be calibrated and will remain.
This could potentially add an additional 1% error to the mix. So a nominally 700mV video
signal should yield an actual video swing of 688mV to 712mV at the output terminal into a
1% 75-ohm load. In the worst case, this would represent an error of 1.7%.
Our current swing spec is 14mV (or 2%).
Using the Tektronix VM700T, which has a measurement uncertainty of 0.5% (or 3.5mV at
700mV), we would expect readings between 684.5mV to 715.5mV video, when the
generator output is within 1.7% of 0.7Vp-p (in the absolute worst case). Using a typical
oscilloscope, which might have a swing measurement accuracy of 14mV. In this case, we
should expect readings between 674mV to 726mV under the same conditions.
How to calibrate generator
To calibrate the generator:
1. Connect the generator with VGM.
2. Connect a display to the generator, and display any static image.
3. In the VGM connections pane, select the generator, and then choose Tools > CMD
Terminal.
4. In the CMD box, enter SCAL.
completed.
12
Chapter 2 Operating Procedures
Calibrating frequency
All frequencies associated with the generator are derived from a common frequency
reference, which can be calibrated using the rate calibration command RATC.
To reduce all frequency errors to zero:
1. Measure any convenient frequency from the generator using a very accurate frequency
counter.
For example, measure the horizontal TTL separate sync frequency with the DMT0660
format loaded and the horizontal rate temporarily set to 100KHz. Do this by typing
FMTL DMT0660;HRAT 100E3;ALLU
on the command line and measuring the TTL horizontal sync frequency.
2. Divide the frequency that you expect by the frequency that you measure and enter that
ratio using the RATC command.
For example, if you measure 99.9955782499875 kHz, when you expect
100.000000000KHz, then divide 100.000000000KHz by 99.9950002499875kHz and
type
RATC 1.0000442194553987
This will raise all rates output by the generator and make them exact.
802R-PCI Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A)
13
Downloading bitmap images
Use VGM to download 8-bit or 24-bit bitmap (.bmp) images to the generator. Images
cannot be stored on the generator.
To download a bitmap image:
1. Connect generator with VGM.
2. Load the Raster (flat black) image, which clears the display.
3. If the image uses 24-bit color, send the PELD 32; FMTU commands to set the
generator into 24-bit mode. Otherwise, no commands are necessary.
The PELD command temporally changes the color depth of the current format.
After sending these commands, you can enter PELD? to confirm that the generator is
in 24-bit (32) color mode.
4. Select Tools > Image Download.
5. Select your generator from the Select a Generator list.
The Screen Dimensions group displays the size and color depth of the current video
format.
6. Click Browse, and specify the image you want to download.
7. In the X and Y boxes, specify the coordinates, in pixels, of the top left corner of the
image in pixels, relative to the top left corner of the display (0,0).
8. Click the Download button.
14
Chapter 2 Operating Procedures
Advanced tasks
Creating video formats and images
Use VGM to create or modify video formats, and to create images. The images provided
with the generator cannot be modified.
For information about creating formats and images, see VGM help.
Automating generator
The Quantum Data SDK provides an Application Programming Interface (API) that you
can use to create Windows-based applications that control the generator automatically.
For more information, see the SDK, which is on the Quantum Data Resource CD included
802R-PCI Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A)
15
16
Chapter 2 Operating Procedures
Overview
In a production environment, where you might need to test several combinations of format
and images, a test sequence can be used to automate the process of selecting formats
and images.
A test sequence consists of steps. Each step specifies the format and image to display,
and the duration of the step.
You can create multiple test sequences, and store them in the non-volatile memory of the
generator. About 1500 steps, from all sequence files, can be stored.
18
Chapter 3 Creating Test Sequences
Using VGM to create a test sequence
You can use VGM to create and run test sequences.
To create a sequence using VGM:
1. Connect VGM with the generator.
2. Double-click the generator name to open the generator window.
3. In the generator window, right-click the NewSeq object, and then choose Edit.
4. In the Recall Data dialog box, click Yes.
5. ]In the Sequence Editor, select your generator from the Generator list.
6. The NewSeq file, which is a template for creating new sequences, contains default
steps. Modify these steps, and values, as needed.
802R-PCI Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A)
19
7. Select the field you want to change, then double-click a new value from the list on the
left.
8. Select Edit > Edit Sequence Name, and then specify a name for the sequence. This
name is displayed as the sequence name on the generator.
9. Select File > Save to save the sequence (.seq) file to your computer. This name is used
only as the name of the file stored on your computer, and may be different than the
name of the sequence.
10. Select File > Close to close the Sequence Editor.
11. In the buffer pane, select the new sequence object, and then select Generator > Send
Data.
20
Chapter 3 Creating Test Sequences
12. In the Data Transfer dialog box, select the generator on which you want to install the
sequence (in case multiple generators are connected with VGM), and then click OK.
The sequence file is now stored on the generator.
To play a sequence:
1. Connect VGM with your generator.
2. Double-click the generator name.
3. In the generator window, right-click the sequence you want to run, and then choose
Open.
4. Use the Sequence Player to run the sequence.
5. Click Unload the Sequence to stop running the sequence, and to return the generator
to normal operating mode.
802R-PCI Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A)
21
22
Chapter 3 Creating Test Sequences
|