Installation, Gpi and gpo – Studio Technologies 5150 V.2 User Manual
Page 8

Issue 3, September 2013
Model 5150 User Guide
Page 8
Studio Technologies, Inc.
Model 5150
Video Generator Module
From then on whenever an SDI input signal 
is not present the internal generator will 
output the custom image at “1080i/59.94.” 
Changing the format and rate of the gen-
erator only requires connection of an SDI 
signal with the desired characteristics. (A 
minimum required connection time helps 
to ensure that an accidental format/rate 
change won’t occur.) However, there may 
be situations where maintaining the format 
and rate of the internally-generated signal 
is important. To support this condition one 
configuration choice allows the automatic 
format/rate selection function to be dis-
abled.
Video Generation with External 
Reference
Some applications may benefit from the 
Model 5150 serving as a full-time stand 
alone video generator. A configuration 
choice helps to support such applications 
by using the selected SDI input only as a 
timing reference. Unlike typical operation, 
when selecting this operating mode a signal 
connected to the selected SDI input would 
not pass through to the SDI. Its rate, format, 
and specific timing characteristics would 
be used as a reference for the internally-
generated video output. Note that bi-level or 
tri-level analog timing reference signals are 
not supported. Only a HD-SDI or 3G-SDI 
signal can serve as a reference signal for 
the Model 5150.
GPI and GPO
Model 5150 modules with serial numbers 
00251 and later offer a general-purpose 
input (GPI) and a general-purpose output 
(GPO) function. The GPI allows the connec-
tion of a switch or relay contact to control 
the on/off status of a Model 5150 function. 
As of the date of this User Guide, no GPI 
operating function has been implemented 
in the module’s firmware (embedded soft-
ware). Future versions of the firmware may 
implement a GPI-controlled action.
The GPO function provides an indication 
of the status of the selected SDI input. It’s 
intended that the GPO will be connected to 
an LED indicator. A configuration choice se-
lects whether the GPO is active (+3.3 volts) 
when the selected SDI input is valid or ac-
tive when the selected SDI input is invalid. 
(This can also be described as active “high” 
or active “low”). This allows, for example, a 
green LED to light whenever a valid signal 
is connected to the selected SDI input, 
thus providing an “input good” indication. 
Alternately, a red LED could light when the 
selected SDI input is not active, providing 
an “input fail” indication.
Installation
Integration of the Model 5150 into a select-
ed application should prove quite simple, 
only connecting SDI input and output sig-
nals as well as DC power is required. Some 
applications will also require connection 
to the module’s data bus, GPI, and GPO 
functions. The coaxial (BNC) input and out-
put connections are compatible with most 
HD-SDI and 3G-SDI signals. If the specific 
Model 5150 being installed also includes 
optical support one or two single-mode fiber 
interconnections will be made. The fiber 
connections utilize miniature LC plugs.
The DC power source is nominal 12 volts 
with an acceptable range of 10 to 18 volts. 
It’s possible that the module will be part of 
a local RS-485 data bus that’s associated 
with a Studio Technologies’ Model 5190 Re-
mote Access Module. If so, two additional 
wires are required to connect the module 
