Camera Relay Device Reducing Cable Complexity in Broadcasting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In camera systems used in broadcasting, connecting camera head units (CHU) and camera control units (CCU) via triax cables or optical fiber cables requires numerous cables, making installation and system changes time-consuming and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with a relay device connected between the CHU and CCU, using a twisted-pair cable for packetized signal transmission, reduces the number of cables needed by relaying synchronization and image signals, allowing for easier system modifications and reduced cable complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CHU and CCU are connected by triax cable or optical fiber cable in one-to-one correspondence, then signal transmission reliability is ensured, but the number of cables increases and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A relay device is introduced as an intermediary between the CHU and CCU. The relay device receives synchronization signals from external sources and redistributes them to multiple CHUs, eliminating the need for direct point-to-point cable connections between each CHU and the CCU. This mediator approach maintains signal transmission reliability while dramatically reducing cable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device serves multiple functions: it acts as a synchronization signal distributor, a signal amplifier, and a connection hub for multiple CHUs. By consolidating these functions into a single device, the system reduces the number of cables needed while maintaining reliable signal transmission to all connected camera head units.
2Reliability
If multiple cables are connected to CCU for signal transmission, then complete signal control is achieved, but installation time increases and system modification becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent functional modules: the relay device handles synchronization signal distribution, while each CHU maintains its own imaging and processing capabilities. This segmentation allows individual CHUs to be added, removed, or modified without requiring changes to the overall cable infrastructure connected to the CCU, significantly reducing installation and modification time.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device is pre-configured with synchronization signal inputs and distribution channels before CHUs are connected. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex on-site cable routing and configuration when installing or modifying the camera system, as CHUs can be simply connected to the pre-established relay infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If synchronization signal is input from camera controller to each camera device, then precise synchronization is achieved, but the number of cable connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device serves as a synchronization signal mediator that receives a single external synchronization input and distributes it to multiple CHUs with precise timing control. This eliminates the need for separate synchronization cables to each CHU while maintaining synchronization precision through the relay's timed signal distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple synchronization signal paths are merged into a single external input channel that connects to the relay device. The relay then combines the function of multiple synchronization sources into one unified distribution point, reducing cable connections while preserving synchronization precision through centralized control.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera system includes: a camera device which outputs a picked-up image signal in synchronization with an input synchronization signal; a camera controller which is input with the image signal of the camera device; and a relay device which is connected between the camera device and the camera controller and relays the image signal to be transmitted from the camera device to the camera controller, wherein the relay device transmits at least an externally input synchronization signal to the camera device and outputs the image signal to the camera device in synchronization with the externally input synchronization signal.