Video Processor Integrating SDI Signal Generation and Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic test equipment for evaluating serial digital interface (SDI) video signals is limited by its inability to support non-standard image formats and is sensitive to latency introduced by external adapters, which can result in excess jitter or dropout, making it inadequate for testing newer UUTs that implement multiple digital formats concurrently.
Innovation Solution
A system with coaxial SDI video generating and processing capabilities, integrated into a single instrument or card, allowing for user-definable scan/image formats, including optical SDI interfaces, and capable of generating and acquiring SDI video signals with customizable chroma and luma sampling rates, supported by a modular design that can operate standalone or as part of a full-featured video generation and acquisition instrument.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external adapters are used to translate between different video standards, then compatibility with multiple formats is improved, but latency increases causing excess jitter or dropout
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple video format processing capabilities (SDI, HDMI, DVI, analog) directly into the video generator and analyzer instrument, eliminating the need for external translation adapters. This consolidation allows the instrument to natively handle multiple formats simultaneously without introducing latency, jitter, or dropout caused by external conversion devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is designed with universal video processing capabilities that can generate, acquire, and process multiple video standards (SDI, HDMI, DVI, composite, raster, stroke) through a single integrated platform. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for format-specific external adapters while maintaining signal integrity across all supported standards.
2Device complexity
If single purpose instruments are used for SDI video generation and acquisition, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to non-standard formats is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal video processing instrument that combines SDI generation, acquisition, and processing capabilities in a single platform. The system supports both standard formats (SD, HD) and user-defined non-standard formats through programmable parameters, eliminating the need for multiple single-purpose instruments while maintaining manageable complexity through integrated architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument features dynamically reconfigurable video processing capabilities that can adapt to different formats and standards through software control. Parameters such as scan rates, resolution, and chroma/luma sampling can be dynamically adjusted to support non-standard formats without requiring hardware changes, providing flexibility while maintaining a fixed physical instrument structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If chroma and luma components are downsampled to standard rates, then compatibility with standard devices is improved, but image quality may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically adjustable chroma and luma sampling rates that can be configured based on the specific testing requirements. The system can operate at standard downsampling rates (e.g., 4:2:0, 4:2:2) for compatibility with standard devices, or maintain higher sampling rates when testing high-quality video sources, allowing flexible optimization of both compatibility and image quality depending on the application.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and modular system for generating, capturing and re-displaying SDI video signals. When generating a video signal, data blocks are arranged in a line parameter memory, each corresponding to a complete video line and containing pointers to specific entries for lines of the video signal in a primary image memory holding a main bit-mapped image, and a video line construct memory holding data enable and blanking patterns before being serialized into a output data stream. On the capture side, a de-serializer/equalizer accepts an input data stream extracts Y (luminance), CB (blue-difference chroma) and CR (red-difference chroma) data along with clock/sync information which can be used for re-display. Optional support of HDMI, DVI and analog formats, such as composite video, raster video and stroke video, allows a single instrument to generate, acquire and process virtually all known video interfaces, using standard or custom image/formats.