COBHAM SOLO4 User manual

Brand: COBHAM

Model: SOLO4

Type: User manual

domo

2 Manor Court T +44 (0) 1489 566750

Barnes Wallis Road F +44 (0) 1489 880538

Segensworth

Hampshire www.domo.co.uk

PO15 5TH

Page 1 Specifications subject to change without notice

SOLO4 Central Receiver

Users’ Manual

Version 1.4

17June 2008

Cobham Surveillance

Domo Products

11 Manor Court, Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth,

Hampshire, PO15 5TH, England

T: +44 (0)1489 566 750

F: +44 (0)1489 880 538

1 Table of Contents

1 Table of Contents .......................................................................................... 2

2 Change History .............................................................................................. 4

3 About this Manual.......................................................................................... 5

4 Introduction.................................................................................................... 6

5 Warranty and Support ................................................................................... 8

5.1 Warranty Cover ............................................................................................... 8

6 Safety, Compliance and Approvals .............................................................. 9

6.1 Safe Operating Procedures ............................................................................. 9

6.2 EMC / Safety and Radio Approvals.................................................................. 9

1.3 CE marking...................................................................................................... 9

7 Getting Started and Basic Operation ......................................................... 10

7.1 Which Model do I have? ................................................................................ 10

7.2 Controls ......................................................................................................... 11

7.3 Getting Started with the Central Receiver ...................................................... 12

7.4 Connecting the Central Receiver in a Typical Roof Top Installation ............... 13

7.5 Powering on the System ................................................................................ 18

8 Advanced Operation.................................................................................... 21

8.1 Central Receiver PC Controller Application Software..................................... 21

8.2 PC Requirements for operating the Central Receiver PC application............. 21

8.3 Connecting to the Central Receiver ............................................................... 21

8.4 Introduction to the Central Receiver Controller .............................................. 22

9 NETSTREAM IP Output Option ................................................................... 29

9.1 What Type of Network is Required for IP Streaming ...................................... 29

9.2 How do I control the IP Streaming Option ...................................................... 29

9.3 How do I decode the Streaming Video Services ............................................ 30

10 Microwave Relay Output Option.............................................................. 31

10.1 How do I control the CRX-Relay Option...................................................... 31

10.2 How do I decode the CRX-Relay Video Services ....................................... 32

11 Video Stream Player ................................................................................. 33

11.1 General Information.................................................................................... 33

11.2 Decoding Multicast Streams ....................................................................... 33

11.1 Encrypted Streams ..................................................................................... 35

11.2 Main decoder window................................................................................. 36

11.3 Decoding Locally Stored Files .................................................................... 39

11.4 Miscellaneous application options .............................................................. 39

12 Fault Finding............................................................................................. 41

12.5 Indicated Faults .......................................................................................... 41

12.6 Fault Symptoms ......................................................................................... 42

13 LED Indicators .......................................................................................... 43

14 Special Connector Pin Outs..................................................................... 44

14.7 Receiver Audio Connectors – 5-pin 0B Lemo ............................................. 44

14.8 Receiver Data – 15 pin D Sub Socket......................................................... 44

15 Control Protocols ..................................................................................... 45

15.9 RS232 Control – General Principles ........................................................... 45

15.10 Packet Structure Sending (from PC)........................................................... 45

15.11 Packet Structure Reply (from controlled device) ......................................... 46

15.12 CRX Unit addresses ................................................................................... 47

15.13 Multiplexer Command List (Unit address 5) ................................................ 47

15.14 Receiver Command List ............................................................................. 49

16 Re-Licensing the Unit............................................................................... 52

16.15 Generating a serial number file................................................................... 52

16.16 Programming a new license code............................................................... 52

2 Change History

Version

Main Changes from Previous Version

Edited By

1.0

Initial Release

1.1

Product codes updated

1.2

Re-licensing section added

1.3

Updated EMC specification

NMcS

1.4

Added fault finding for PAL / NTSC setup issues

3 About this Manual

This manual describes the operation of the domo SOLO4 Central

Receiver digital wireless systems. The manual is divided into three

main sections.

• Getting started and basic operation

This section describes to users how to deploy and use a domo Central

Receive system.

• Advanced operation

This section describes the operation of the system in more detail,

concentrating particularly on how to operate the system remotely using

the PC control system.

• Technical reference

This section provides technical specification and control protocol data

and will be of interest to those integrating the SOLO4 Central Receive

system into larger systems.

4 Introduction

The domo SOLO4 (and SOLO2) product range enables the user to

build wireless digital microwave video systems. The domo SOLO4

products have been designed to provide rugged point-to-point links for

high quality full frame rate video, and audio, even in non line of sight and

urban environments.

Existing analogue systems suffer from impairments such as video noise,

loss of colour information and poor image quality when line of sight

cannot be maintained, and solutions based on wireless internet

standards and PC platforms deliver poor quality video.

The domo SOLO4 system is a digital system that uses the COFDM

modulation technique, which effectively eliminates the problems caused

by multi-path and reflections.

The domo SOLO4 Central Receiver system, is a highly flexible solution

for use in permanently installed central receive applications. The

Central Receive system can be supplied with the following flexibility.

• Four built in receivers.

• Four way diversity.

• Built in rebroadcast transmitter for down link (option)

• Built in ethernet for network control and streaming of received

video.

• 19’’ Rack mount configuration, for indoor rack or easy

integration into outdoor box.

The domo central receiver is typically installed at a permanent elevated

receive point and is receiving and decoding the transmissions from up to

four transmitters simultaneously. The transmissions are received

through one of four antennas typically mounted on the four corners of

the building for omni coverage. The multiple video and audio outputs

are typically viewed locally or are down linked using the built in

rebroadcast transmitter to the domo Down Link Receiver.

The domo narrow bandwidth modulation offers unpredicented spectrum

efficiency, while also increasing the system sensitivity and therefore

range.

The central receiver and down link receiver have comprehensive On

Screen Display diagnostic capability to show link quality and spectrum

analysis. Security of transmission is ensured by the use of optional

AES128 / 256 bit encryption algorithms (optional).

Features:

• Four simutaneous video reception and viewing.

• Comprehensive Demodulation 8 / 7 / 6 / 2.5 and 1.25MHz

• Up to four way Maximum Ratio Combining antenna diversity for

fade and multipath elimination.

• Built in options for rebroadcast or IP network distribution

(optional)

• Rack mount hardware solutions. Weatherproof outdoor

solutions available on request.

• Comprehensive On Screen Display (OSD) diagnostics for link

analysis, including spectrum analyser.

• Internal AES 128 / 256 (optional)

• Monitor Video output, selectable between any of the four

channels and a quad split mode.

Applications:

• Police metropolitan and urban observation

• Key building surveillance

• Military command and control posts

• Airport Ports and Terminal security

• Border control

• Major Incident Support

Users:

• Police Technical Support Units

• Police Silver and Gold Command

• Special Forces

• Cutsoms and Excise

• Security Services

IMPORTANT NOTE

The SOLO4 and SOLO2 product range has been specifically designed for government

security and law enforcement users, the equipment will tune across frequencies that are

only available to licensed government users. Non-government users should employ the

equipment restricted to the license exempt bands only typically 1.389 to 1.399GHz and

2.400 to 2.483GHz.

5 Warranty and Support

5.1 Warranty Cover

domo offers a 12 month standard product warranty. During this period,

should the customer encounter a fault with the equipment we

recommend the following course of action:

• Check the support section of the website for information on that product

and any software/firmware upgrades. If fault persists;

• Call our support line and report the fault. If fault persists and you are

informed to return the product please obtain an RMA number from the

domo support department, and ship the equipment with the RMA

number displayed and a description of the fault. Please email the

support section the airway bill/consignment number for tracking

purposes.

• If you have extended warranty provisions then domo will send an

immediate advance replacement to you. Under most circumstances

this must be returned once the fault item is repaired.

Depending on the nature of the fault domo endeavor to repair the

equipment and return it to the customer within 14 days of the item

arriving at our workshops.

Obviously it is impossible to cater for all types of faults and to manage

100% replacement part availability, and delays are sometimes

inevitable. This is why domo recommend that its customers take out an

extended warranty (which includes advanced replacement of faulty

items), and/or hold a basic level of spare parts, which can be held by

domo on the customer’s behalf.

Please contact domo for details of packages that can be tailored to meet

your individual needs, whether they are service availability, technical

training, local geographic support or dedicated spares holdings.

6 Safety, Compliance and Approvals

6.1 Safe Operating Procedures

• Ensure that the power supply arrangements are adequate to meet the

stated requirements of each SOLO4 or SOLO2 product.

• Operate within the environmental limits specified for the product.

• Do not subject the indoor equipment to splashing or dripping liquids.

• Only authorized, trained personnel should open the product. There are

no functions that required the User to gain access to the interior of the

product.

6.2 EMC / Safety and Radio Approvals

The equipment has been designed to meet and has been tested against

the following harmonized EMC and safety standards:

• EN 301 489-1 & EN 301 489-5

• EN 61000-3-2:2000

• EN 61000-3-3:1995

• EN 55022:1998, Class A

• EN 61000-4-2:1995

• EN 61000-4-3:1996

• EN 61000-4-4:1995

• EN 61000-4-5:1995

• EN 61000-4-6:1996

• EN 61000-4-11:1994

• EN 60950:2006

The license exempt equipment (SOL2TX-138139, SOL2TX-240248,

SOL4TX-138139 and SOL4TX-240248) meets the following radio

approvals.

1 EN 302 064-1

1.3 CE marking

The CE mark is affixed to all SOLO4 and SOLO2 products, and the CE

Declaration of Conformity, as well as the technical file are available on

request.

Getting Started and Basic Operation

1.4 Which Model do I have?

Each SOLO4 Central Receiver unit is marked with a serial number and

product code label. The diagram of the label is shown below.

• Product Code Panel. Give product code and manufacturers

information.

• CE and Serial Number Panel. Gives CE mark and product

serial number.

The domo product code and options can be referenced in the table

below..

Product Code

Product

Accompanying items

SOLCRX444

SOLO4 Central

Receiver. Base

model,

antennas, down

converters, IP

streaming, RF

relay not

incuded.

Cables:

TNC RF Cable 3m – 4 off

5pin lemo audio cable 2m – 4

off

Dtype Null modem Control 3m

1 off

15way Dtype – data break out

cable 1 off

CD with operating software

and manual

SOLCRXT-115140

Microwave Relay

Downlink option

LBand

None

SOLCRXT-228255

Microwave Relay

Downlink option

SBand

None

NETCRXIPUP

IP Video

Streaming Option

None

AES128 / AES256

AES128 or

AES256

Decryption

Option

None

domo made in UK

SN 123456

CE SOLCRX

Note: Receivers are made frequency specific by the addition of the appropriate

downconverters.

1.5 Controls

There are no external user controls on the domo SOLO4 Central Receiver,

control is achieved using the PC application, connection from the PC to the CRX

can be via IP Ethernet interface or via the RS232 Interface.

The domo SOLO4 Central Receiver is fitted with 5 LEDs on the front panel. The

position of the LEDs is shown on the diagram below.

The LEDs have the following meaning

LED

Colour

Meaning / Use

Power

Solid Green

Flashing

Green

Flashing

Amber

Booting Up

Flashes once per second when operational, flashes faster when

control messages received

Warning – Typically seen when unit is trying to stream or

rebroadcast more data than allocated

Status 1

Red

Amber

Green

No Lock on Receiver 1

RF Lock on Receiver 1 but no decoder lock

Receiver 1 fully locked and decoding

Status 2

Red

Amber

Green

No Lock on Receiver 2

RF Lock on Receiver 2 but no decoder lock

Receiver 2 fully locked and decoding

Status 3

Red

Amber

Green

No Lock on Receiver 3

RF Lock on Receiver 3 but no decoder lock

Receiver 3 fully locked and decoding

Front View

Rear View

LEDs

Status 4

Red

Amber

Green

No Lock on Receiver 4

RF Lock on Receiver 4 but no decoder lock

Receiver 4 fully locked and decoding

1.6 Getting Started with the Central Receiver

Cables and Connections

This section describes how to connect the domo Central Receiver in a

typical application. The diagram below shows the front and rear panel

connections of the domo Central Receiver.

The picture below shows the domo SOLO4 Central Receiver.

The domo SOLO4 Central Receiver is supplied with the following

cables.

• Four off Audio cables

• Four off RF TNC cables

• One of null modem control cable

• One off data break out cable

Front Panel

Rear Panel

1.7 Connecting the Central Receiver in a Typical Roof Top

Installation

The following section describes how a Central Receiver should be

connected when used in a typical permanent roof top installation.

Location of the Central Receiver

The domo Central Receiver has been designed so that the

downconverter units are mounted remotely from the receiver unit, and

connected via the 3-5 metre TNC cable.

Note: If a longer cable run is required between the Central Receiver and the Down

Converter, the DCX High Gain down converter should be specified. The DCX will typically

drive 25-50m of cable.

The domo SOLO4 Central Receiver is a standard 19’’ rack unit

equipment and is designed to be mounted in an equipment rack or

shelter and must not be exposed to the elements. The receiver is

neither splash resistant, nor waterproof, so it should not be exposed to

moisture. The domo SOLO4 Central receiver is not self cooling and is

fitted with equipment fans. It is essential that sufficient free air space is

available on both sides of the Central Receiver to allow and unrestricted

flow of air through the equipment. Failure to do so may damage the

Central Receiver.

In a typical installation the Central Receiver will be installed on the roof

of a tall building, in this situation, the Central Receiver will either be in a

weatherproof box (domo can supply on request) mounted to the parapet

wall of the building, or will be installed in an equipment rack typically in

the lift house of the building.

Diversity, Antenna Positioning and Use of Down Converters

Note: Domo down converters can be damaged by static electricity discharge when

connecting antennas. It is suggested that only antennas with built in DC path to ground

are employed to avoid static damage. If this can not be achieved then antennas should be

shorted to ground before connection to the down converter.

The domo SOLO4 Central Receiver is a quad diversity receiver and will

give optimum results only when all four antennas are deployed. The

downconverter boxes should be connected to the receiver, by

connecting the 3m TNC cables supplied between the down converter

connector labelled ‘RX / IF OUT’ and the receiver connector labelled

‘ANT A / B / C / D’. Care should be taken not to over tighten the TNC

connectors. Where longer cable runs are required the DCX high gain

down converter should be employed.

The downconverters convert the RF signal down from microwave

frequencies to the UHF band, which allows the signals to be run along

longer cables without degradation. In the case of the domo SOLO

Central Receiver 3 metre long cables are provided, allowing the

downconverters to be positioned remotely from the receiver.

It is important that the downconverter be positioned very close to the

antenna - long cables should not be used between the antenna and the

down converter because this can degrade system performance.

The downconverter units should be connected directly to the receive

antenna, but where this is not possible a short length of low loss RF

cable such RG213C/U should be used. System performance will be

degraded by the introduction of RF losses at this point.

The down converter should be screwed or strapped to a flat surface or

pole, using the integral mounting holes on the unit. The down converter

is weather proof, and has no special cooling requirements. If the

downconverter is mounted where it is exposed to the weather then the

connector labelled ‘ANT / IN’ should face upwards.

The antenna itself should be separately secured, the TNC connectors should not be

expected to take the strain of the antenna.

Typically antennas and down converters will be positioned outside,

usually on the roof of a building or a vehicle. In a typical installation one

antenna will be mounted to face out from each corner of the building,

giving a 360 degree coverage area. For long range requirements high

gain sector antennas can be employed and the domo ANT12S or

ANT12L are ideal for this purpose. When these 12dBi sector antennas

are deployed on each corner of a building 360 degree performance can

be achieved with 12dBi gain.

The domo Central Receiver uses an advanced diversity technique

called maximum ratio combining to construct a good spectrum from two

potentially damaged received signals. To get the best results from

diversity, the antennas should be physically separated by at least

100cm.

Sometimes better results can be achieved by separating the antennas

further, or by positioning them on different corners of a building. The

optimum antenna placement depends on the environment in which the

equipment is used and the signal path, and is often limited by physical

factors (accessibility for example).

The domo Central Receiver is supplied without antennas since the

optimum choice of antenna will depend on the operational scenario. For

short range or mobile applications, omni directional antennas such as

ANT2L or ANT2S will be most suitable whereas for longer range fixed

links, or where mobile transmit activity is happening in a defined 120

degree arc the higher gain ANT12L or ANT12S will be more suitable.

Antennas should be screwed directly to the TNC input of the down

converter labelled ‘ANT/RF IN’.

Connection of Cables to the Central Receiver

The diagram below shows a typical connection diagram of a SOLO4 Central Receiver

with 4 antenna inputs and using the ‘Quad Monitoring’ output for local viewing while

streaming video and receiving control over a private Ethernet LAN to a remote site.

Connection Table

Item

Quantity

Description

Roof mounted antenna, typically sector antenna ANT12L or

ANT12S

Short TNC to TNC cable from antenna to downconverter input,

alternatively TNC barrel

Downconverter, typically DC-228255 or DC-115140. Alternatively

high gain down converter can be used for longer cable run.

RG213c/u TNC to TNC cable maximum 5m unless high gain down

converter is used in which case 50m

SOLCRX444 Central Receiver

BNC to BNC Video cable, typical maximum 50m

Lemo to phono audio cable, typical maximum 10m

Video and audio monitor for local monitoring

RJ45 Ethernet cable for connection to private LAN

IEC Mains cable

Mast / Roof

Equipment Room – 19” Rack

Ethernet Private

LAN Network

Connection of Video Signals

The SOLO4 Central Receiver is provided with four composite video

output connectors labelled ‘Composite’, and four S-Video connectors

labelled ‘S-Video’.

Connect the four video output leads to the four BNC connectors labelled

‘Composite’ on the SOLO4 Central Receiver and connect the other end

of the four video leads to four video display devices.

Connector

Signal

Video BNC

75 ohm composite video output, PAL or NTSC

software selectable at the transmitter

Typically the video display device will be a high quality monitor.

It should be noted that for ease of use the domo SOLO4 Central

Receiver is fitted with a quad screen output, in which all four video

outputs are multiplexed into a quad screen and displayed on a single

screen. This output is labelled ‘Quad Monitor Composite’.

Connection of Audio Signals

Push the four LEMO connector cables provided into the four sockets

labelled ‘AUDIO’, taking care to align the connectors. Connect the

other end of four cables to the chosen audio output device.

Connector

Signal

Audio Plugs

Line level, 12dBu clip level, low impedance

source (20 ohm)

Typically the audio output device will be monitoring speakers.

Connection to IP LAN

The SOLO4 Central Receiver should be connected to an Ethernet port

for control and also for streaming video (if NETSTREAM option is fitted).

The 10/100BaseT Ethernet network should be connected to the RJ45

connector on the front of the unit labelled ‘ETH0’.

Note: ETH0 must be used ETH1 is not currently enabled

Connection to AC Mains

The SOLO4 Central Receiver is supplied from an AC Mains supply and

has the following characteristics.

Fuse: 3.15A Type T

Voltage: 100 to 250V, 50-60Hz Auto Sensing Supply

Connector: IEC Mains Socket.

1.8 Powering on the System

In this section a SOLO4 Central Receiver will be used to receive and

decode four SOLO4/2 transmitters.

Note: This section assumes the user is confident in the operation of SOLO4/2

transmitters. If in doubt the user should read the SOLO4/2 Transmitter Hand Book.

Four SOLO4 / 2 transmitters should be set up as described in the

SOLO4/2 handbook, each with the following connections.

• Video Source.

• Power Source.

• RS232 Control connection to a PC operating the SOLO4/2

controller GUI.

All external connection to the SOLO4 Central Receiver should be made,

as described in the previous sections, before proceeding to power on

the system. All external connection to the SOLO Transmitter products

should be made, as described in the relevant sections of the SOLO4/2

Handbook, before proceeding to power on the system.

Setting Frequency on the Transmitters and Central Receiver

It is assumed that the frequency selected for the transmitters is matched

with the frequency specified on the SOLO4 Central Receiver.

Transmitter 1 Frequency = Receiver 1 Frequency

Transmitter 2 Frequency = Receiver 2 Frequency

Transmitter 3 Frequency = Receiver 3 Frequency

Transmitter 4 Frequency = Receiver 4 Frequency

If the frequencies do not match or the user is unsure, then consult the

advanced section of this manual on how to set frequency on the SOLO4

Central Receiver, and the advanced section of the SOLO4/2 transmitter

manual on how to set frequency.

Applying power to the Solo Central Receiver

On powering the SOLO4 Central Receiver, the Power LED will light as a

‘Solid’ green colour and progress to a flashing green. The sound of the

internal cooling fans will be heard. The four status LEDs will be red.

Applying power to Transmitter 1.

When powering transmitter 1 directly from a 12V source, or from a

connected battery, the following will be observed.

If none of the LEDs on the control panel light then the transmitter may

be in standby mode. If this is the case then press, and hold the RF

button for more than one second.

One of the eight green configuration LEDs on the control panel will light

(which one depends on which configuration was active when the

transmitter was switched off).

The alarm LED may be lit if there is no active video source.

Switch On RF on the transmitter

On the transmitter unit (either VehicleCam or BodyCam) control panel,

press the RF button briefly until the RF LED lights. This indicates that

the RF output is active, and that the unit is transmitting.

Note: Ensure that the transmitter is not too close to the SOLO4 Central receiver, or

damage may occur. Typically allow at least 10m separation.

Observe Video on the Central Receiver Outputs

Video and audio signals will be presented automatically at the Central

Receiver outputs labeled Receiver 1 – ‘Composite’ and ‘Audio’, on the

front connector panel. This occurs as the Central Receiver locks to the

RF signal from the transmitter. The Status 1 LED will go to green.

Video will also appear on the top left quadrant of the quad spit monitor

output.

Powering on transmitters 2 to transmitter 4

Power on transmitters 2, 3 and 4. Video and audio signals will be

presented automatically at the Central Receiver outputs labeled

Receiver 2, 3, 4 – ‘Composite’ and ‘Audio’ respectively, on the front

connector panel. This occurs as the Central Receiver locks to the RF

signal from the transmitter. The Status 2,3 and 4 LEDs will go to green.

Video will also appear in the remaining quadrants of the quad spit

monitor output.

SOLO4 Central Receiver Remultiplexing

The SOLO4 Central Receiver has a built in automatic re-multiplexing

function. There is no requirement for users to automatically set service

names or PIDs on the transmitters prior to use.

The SOLO4 Central receiver will automatically remap services names

that it receives on its inputs.

Tranmitter 1 – Received on Receiver 1 – Output Service Name = CRX-001

Tranmitter 2 – Received on Receiver 2 – Output Service Name = CRX-011

Tranmitter 3 – Received on Receiver 3 – Output Service Name = CRX-021

Tranmitter 4 – Received on Receiver 4 – Output Service Name = CRX-031

Services that are rebroadcast using the optional IP streaming function,

or the optional microwave re-broadcast function will be identified by the

new service name CRX-xx.

Diagnostic On Screen Display (OSD)

The SOLO4 Central Receiver is equipped with a diagnostic on screen

display. This facility will ‘burn’ diagnostic data onto the video output for

test and set-up purposes. The OSD function is available individually for

each of the receivers within the SOLO4 Central Receiver. The OSD

function can be selected from the CRX control application, this is

described in more detail in the advanced section.

The displayed diagnostic data includes a spectrum display, signal to

noise data, input power level and frequency. The received spectrum

display is useful when checking for interference signals, the SNR

indicated signal quality. For more information on use of this facility a

domo training course is recommended.

Using the OSD as a Set-up / Diagnostic Tool

The On Screen Display (OSD) is an extremely useful tool for system

set-up and diagnostic.

When setting a domo system up the OSD should be used in the

following way.

Check Channel is Clear

With the transmitter OFF, check that the channel is empty of

interference signals, this is confirmed by ensuring that the reported

power in the channel is at –99dBm and that the spectrum is shown as a

rounded dome with no obvious spikes or tones.

Check Quality of Link

Switch on the transmitter and confirm that SNR is 6 or greater and that

power level is at least –92dBm or greater. This represents

approximately a 5dB margin. Failure of the link will occur when the

power level reaches –97dBm or the SNR reaches 2dBm

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COBHAM SOLO4 User manual

COBHAM SOLO4 User manual

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