TimeLord-MTG - Reference-locked & Video-locked Master Timecode Generator
The TimeLord atomic-locked Master Time Source provides everything required for accurate timekeeping within a broadcast and professional AV environment. It solves the difficult problem of generating accurate video-referenced EBU and SMPTE timecode that can be used in the video domain, generating both LTC and VITC timecodes with video character insertion.
There are 15 internal time zones with individual seasonal daylight saving information already programmed for 256 years, and the logic is battery-backed in case of mains failure. The 482 time / date code output is used to reference digital and multi-zone displays from the established V-400A series.
The TimeLord is synchronized to an off-air atomic reference, automatically maintaining the correct time throughout the year. A choice of GPS (satellite), MSF (Rugby) or DCF (Frankfurt) receiver system is available.
The Serial time data output is designed for locking computer servers and timestamping appications, providing accurate time and date information.
Serial Time Data
Serial time data output is provided at both RS232 and RS422/RS485 levels with front panel selection of the the transmission format which may be 7 or 8 bit; odd, even or no parity; 1200, 2400, 4800 or 9600 baud data rates. The data repetition rate may be set to regularly transmit at intervals of one second, one minute, five minutes, one hour or 24 hours, or on request from the synchronized device.
The data content may be selected from a number of the pre-programmed formats commonly-used in computer networks, machine control and security time-stamping equipment. For information concerning data compatibility with specific equipment, please contact Vortex Communications. More than 30 formats are included as standard and additional custom formats can be implemented on request. In addition, a 1pps 'on time' signal is produced at RS232 data levels.
Output for Digital Displays
Up to 50 V-400A series digital and multi-zone displays can be driven from the 482 multi-zone time data output. Literally hundreds of types of display are available with red, green, yellow, blue and dual-colour characters with heights from 10mm to 220mm, in either 7-segment and dot-matrix format.
GPI Relay Contact Outputs
The changeover relay (30VDC 500mA contacts) may be programmed to trigger every 5 seconds, 1 minute, 1 hour or 24 hours at a specfic time of day. Alternatively it can be programmed as an 'alarm' relay, triggering on power failure, loss of reference or logic error. Additionally, the SchedulePak Programmable Timer Package, available separately, provides timed GPI relay contact closures from a PC.
IRIG Outputs
An -IRIG interface is optionally available for the TimeLord, providing time data output in IRIG-B, IRIG-E, Afnor NFS 87-500, NEMA 911 and IEEE 1344 formats.
EBU / SMPTE Timecode Outputs
Both balanced LTC Longitudinal Timecode and VITC Vertical Interval timecode are produced plus an on-board character generator allows accurate time / date video insertion with ident message if required. Up to 9 lines of 20 characters are possible with multiple ident messages, each of which may be individually positioned on the screen. These can be inserted together with time / timecode, date and user-bit information. The font size is also adjustable.
There is a strict relationship between the time data within the timecode signal and the various 4-field and 8-field sequences in the video signal and unless timecode conforms to this relationship exactly, broadcast servers and editing systems can fail to operate correctly.
The TimeLord video input should be fed with a suitable reference signal, ideally station Black and Burst from the master SPG (Sync Pulse Generator) (such as the Vortex SPG-100HD). This signal is used to reference the generated EBU or SMPTE timecode outputs to the video signal, adjusting the timecode to meet EBU and SMPTE specifications.
A software setup program is provided to download setup and ident message information to the TimeLord, including the selection of VITC lines which may also lie outside field blanking. This is particularly useful for modern VTRs which do not preserve the VBI (Vertical Blanking Interval).
Analogue Clocks (with Hands)
An intelligent dual impulse driver rack may be connected downstream of the TimeLord to provide seconds, half-minute or minutes impulses (24V bi-phase) to drive up to around 50 analogue clocks. Daylight saving changes are automatically followed and initial setup of the unit is straightforward. Batteries can be used to keep clocks running in case of mains failure and provision is made for automatic catch-up if the batteries can no longer keep the clocks showing accurate time.
How The Timelord Works - A Note on Timecode
The TimeLord lets customers use their existing SPG (Sync Pulse Generator) and yet provides accurate time-of-day timecode, locked to both an atomic reference and to video.
The PAL video signal follows an 8-field sequence (4-frames) whilst the NTSC sequence consists of 4-fields (2-frames) which then repeats. It is possible to deduce from the time bits in each timecode number, the type of video frame to which it refers (1,2,3,4 in PAL-SECAM / 1,2 in NTSC). Counting starts from frame 00:00:00:01 which is a video frame-1. The sync word in the timecode data must also occur within 1 bit of vertical sync - that is within 1/80th of a frame - so that one frame of timecode refers precisely to one frame of video.
When locked to an off-air reference such as GPS, the atomic clock provides absolute time information to the TimeLord. Unless the station SPG happens to be producing the correct frame of video at that time and the vertical interval happens to line up with the sync word the timecode outut has limited use for video applications. Station automation systems and editing controllers are often upset by discontinuities and ambiguities in timecode data which is why correct video locking is essential.
There are of course ways to lock the SPG oscillator to the same time / frequency source (GPS for example) and Vortex has high stability disciplined oscillators available for this if required. These include very long phase-locked loops to ensure that no jitter from the off-air signal is passed onto the SPG video output as can occur in some cases. Even with an externally-locked oscillator, however, the relationship between the vertical interval and timecode is unlikely to be correct and a discontinuity will still occur if there happens to be 'leap second' which introduces a 1-second jump in time which does not correspond to a whole number of video frames.
The TimeLord always generates EBU/SMPTE timecode locked to reference video. The time information from the atomic source is adjusted to the nearest correct value to ensure that that the timecode output matches the SPG reference. The timecode output, which is referenced to external video, will drift compared to the off-air reference over time. Once this becomes more than 3 frames the TimeLord recognizes the offset and allows the timecode output to re-synchronize to the atomic reference but at a pre-determined time - 3am for example - downloaded to the TimeLord using setup program. Of course, daylight savings changes occur immediately. If the SPG happens to be locked to the same off-air reference (eg GPS), this drift will not occur and the TimeLord will not have to re-adjust the timecode output except when leap seconds occur. Even with a free-running broadcast master SPG such as the Vortex SPG-100HD, which has an ovened oscillator, this drift will be very slow and resynchronization will only need to occur after a number of days or even weeks.
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Click here for further details: Clocks & Displays - TimeLord-Lite - TimeLord-Net - TimeLord-MTG
The following manuals are available: TimeLord Family - Single-Zone Displays - Multi-Zone Displays
