Optical sdi input – Studio Technologies 5150 V.2 User Manual
Page 10

Issue 3, September 2013
Model 5150 User Guide
Page 10
Studio Technologies, Inc.
Model 5150
Video Generator Module
SFP modules can be installed in the “cage” 
at the back of the Model 5150. These in-
clude transceiver modules that have both 
an optical output (transmitter) and an opti-
cal input (receiver), as well as output-only 
(transmitter) modules. The technical char-
acteristics of the optical output will depend 
on the specific module installed. The most 
common transceiver or output-only SFP 
module used in the Model 5150 will have 
an FP (Fabry-Perot) laser emitting “light” at 
a wavelength of 1310 nanometers. Other 
modules can utilize a higher-performance 
DFB (distributed feedback) laser that is 
manufactured to produce light at one of 
the 18 CWDM wavelengths. (For broadcast 
applications, the common first-utilized 
CWDM wavelengths are often 1490 and 
1550 nanometers.)
An LC plug terminated on a single-mode 
optical fiber is used to mate with the SFP’s 
optical output. When referenced to the 
front of an SFP transceiver or output-only 
SFP module the optical output is located 
on the SFP module’s left side. To indicate 
the optical output port a graphic arrow icon 
pointing “out” may be present on the top of 
the module. Refer to Figure 2 for a detailed 
view. When terminating the LC plug with the 
socket on the SFP module be certain that 
the plastic plug’s locking tab is fully en-
gaged into the slot of the SFP module. This 
will help prevent the LC plug from becom-
ing disconnected due to physical stress or 
vibration on the fiber. Also ensure that the 
end (“face”) of the plug’s ferrule has been 
cleaned using appropriate methods.
Note that as of the time this user guide 
was written the Model 5150 supports only 
single-mode optical cable. Contact Studio 
Technologies should support for multi-mode 
fiber be required.
The Model 5150 module should remain 
without power whenever its optical output 
has not been terminated. This ensures that 
the optical energy will not project into free 
space and possibly into the eyes of instal-
lation personnel. The optical output power 
of video SFP modules selected by Studio 
Technologies adheres to the class 1 laser 
standard. As such, they do not emit suf-
ficient power to be considered hazardous. 
But best safety practices require that the 
optical output port and all unconnected 
fiber ends not be directly viewed.
No configuration setting is required to 
activate the optical output. It is always ac-
tive and will contain the same SDI data as 
that found on the coaxial (BNC) output. As 
such there is no problem in simultaneously 
connecting to both the optical and coaxial 
(BNC) outputs.
Optical SDI Input
If supported by the specific Model 5150 
module being installed, an HD- or 3G-SDI 
signal transported on a single-mode opti-
cal fiber can be connected. For an input to 
be present a video SFP transceiver or a 
receive-only SFP module must have been 
installed in the SFP “cage” in the back of 
the unit. The optical receiver circuitry in an 
SFP module is “broadband” and doesn’t 
need to receive a specific wavelength of 
single-mode optical signal for correct op-
eration. As long as the optical signal has a 
wavelength between 1250 and 1650 nano-
meters and meets the applicable SMPTE 
standards it will be recognized correctly.
A single-mode optical fiber terminated 
with an LC plug can be connected to the 
receive port on the SFP module. This port 
is on the right side when looking directly at 
the back of the SFP module. Typically there 
