Protected paths, Overview – Grass Valley Trinix v.2.4.1 User Manual

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Planning Guide

Planning and Installation Manual

Protected Paths

Overview

The protected path function is designed to monitor router outputs that

are feeding critical downstream equipment and, in the event of signal

loss, automatically select the output that is carrying the same signal and

trigger the system alarm.

This function assumes the following:
• HO-33120 HD/SD Output Board(s) are providing the output

signal(s) to be monitored. These boards allow individual outputs to

be enabled or disabled using software controls.

• Protection is provided for paths, i.e., input/output pairs. The

installer must identify critical outputs and an associated critical

input for each. For redundancy, two paths must be defined: a “pri-

mary” path and a failover “secondary” path.

• Protected pairs should be hard wired to back-panel connectors that

will provide the most independent possible paths through the

router. For example, the two paths should use different input

boards and different output boards. Depending on router size, the

two paths may also be able to use different matrix boards and dif-

ferent power sources.

• For full redundancy, two copies of each protected input must be

wired to the router. For example, the master control switcher output

could be sent through a passive splitter upstream of the router. One

copy is used for the primary path, and the other for the secondary

path. If an upstream splitter is used, steps must be taken to boost the

gain for the appropriate block of inputs (as described in the Trinix

manual).

• The primary output and the secondary output must be wired to a

passive combiner, the output of which is connected to the down-

stream equipment. The protected path software will automatically

boost individual outputs as needed for proper gain level through

the splitter. Outputs not configured for protected path operation

should be set for gain levels as described in the manual. (The pro-

tected path software will override the manual settings as needed.)

• The control system (e.g. Encore or Jupiter) must be operated so that

the secondary path is always ready to provide a copy of the pro-

tected signal. For example, the operator would switch the Master

Control output to the transmitter on the primary path; the control

system would then switch the secondary path automatically. For

more information, see