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Product image of the BlueBird SDI Adapter enclosed version

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BlueBird SDI Adapter – Enclosed Version

Part Number: AS-ADP-SDI-001-A-ENC-A

  • Single channel video acquisition solution for 3G/HD-SDI and HD-VLC™ video input.
  • Compatible with Active Silicon’s Camera Interface Boards for Harrier, Tamron and Sony block cameras.
  • Auto-sensing and decoding of HD-VLC compressed input signals for long cable length applications.
  • BNC input connector for coaxial cable applications.
  • RJ45 input connector for twisted pair cable applications.
  • Auto-sensing of active input.
  • SuperSpeed USB Video Class (UVC) v1.1 output.
  • HDMI output.
  • 3G/HD-SDI BNC output with separate HD-VLC™
  • Simultaneous display on all outputs.
  • RS-485 remote camera control via USB-UART.
  • Built-in standalone test pattern generator.
  • Mode selection switches and status LEDs.
  • Compliant with SMPTE 274M and SMPTE 296M.
  • Powered via USB connector.
  • RoHS compliant.
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  • Description

  • Product Specs

  • Downloads

  • Ordering Info

  • Video

Description

Products Specs

Downloads

Ordering Info

Video

The BlueBird SDI Adapter is designed for format conversion of 3G-SDI, HD-SDI and HD-VLC video streams and operates as a USB/HDMI/SDI external converter and frame grabber for video streaming and video capture.

The video input signal is supplied via the BNC connector, or via the Ethernet (RJ45) connector. Three simultaneous video output formats are supported: 3G-SDI/HD-SDI or HD-VLC (via BNC), HDMI (via standard HDMI connector), and SuperSpeed USB/USB Video Class (UVC) v1.1 output (via USB Type-C cable). A remote camera connected by RS-485 may be controlled via the USB Type-C port (using the Harrier USB SDK or a UVC application), or via the separate USB-UART (USB Micro-B connector) interface. The RJ45 connector includes RS-485 camera control signals, camera power supply and HD-VLC compressed video input (over twisted-pair).

As well as standard 3G/HD-SDI streams, the BlueBird SDI Adapter unit automatically decodes HD-VLC encoded video streams, these can be delivered by one of our 3G-SDI/HD-SDI AF-zoom block camera options. Compared to 3G-SDI co-axial cable based solutions this end-to-end HD-VLC solutions enables the use of longer cable lengths (see Active Silicon’s White Paper on long-reach HD digital video solutions with this technology). Watch a video showing our long-reach HD video solution at the video tab on this page.

The BlueBird SDI Adapter is available as board-only version (see below), or mounted in an rugged enclosure (as in product image above) for use with a PC or laptop.SDI Adapter board only version
The BlueBird SDI Adapter board.

General information

Power Options

In both the board only and the enclosed versions, the unit may be bus powered from either USB port. The board version also has a power header for a fixed system power supply. If multiple power sources are connected, an internal power switch selects the appropriate source with the following priority:

1. System power header.
2. USB 3 type C port.
3. USB 2 Micro-B port.

Application Information

For maximum cable length applications, the input signal should be supplied to the BNC input using a good quality coaxial cable. For shorter cable length applications, the input signal may alternatively be supplied to the RJ45 input using twisted pair cable.

The unit auto-detects which input is connected, and if both are connected it gives priority to the BNC.

The input video format and frame rate are automatically detected, as is HD-VLC compression. The
selected input, speed (3G/HD) and use of HD-VLC are indicated on the status LEDs.

The RS-485 communications to the camera may be controlled via the USB Micro-B control port, or via the
USB-C port which serves as both video output and UVC control input. This selection is made via DIP switch.

The HDMI and SDI outputs are always enabled. The USB-C Video output is enabled when the port is
connected to a host SuperSpeed USB 3.x port. Connection to a host USB2.0 port will display an error.

The SDI output has a separate HD-VLC control, which means the unit can also be used to compress a standard 3G/HD-SDI input video stream.

Supported Video Formats

The BlueBird SDI adapter supports a range of video input/output formats.
The SDI input and output are compliant with ST292 (HD-SDI) and ST424 (3G-SDI). The HDMI output complies with v1.4 of the HDMI specification. The USB video is UVC 1.1, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Super Speed, 5 Gbps.

Supported video modes, associated HD-VLC bit rates and UVC support

720p50 – bit rate: uncompressed 1.485 Gb/s, HD-VLC 270 MB/s; UVC support: yes
720p60/59.94 – bit rate: uncompressed 1.485 Gb/s, HD-VLC 270 MB/s; UVC support: yes

1080i50 – bit rate: uncompressed 1.485 Gb/s, HD-VLC 270 MB/s; UVC support: no
1080i60/59.94 – bit rate: uncompressed 1.485 Gb/s, HD-VLC 270 MB/s; UVC support: no

1080p25 – bit rate: uncompressed 1.485 Gb/s, HD-VLC 270 MB/s; UVC support: yes
1080p30/29.97 – bit rate: uncompressed 1.485 Gb/s, HD-VLC 270 MB/s; UVC support: yes

1080p50 – bit rate: uncompressed 2.97 Gb/s, HD-VLC 540 Mb/s; UVC support: yes
1080p60/59.94 – bit rate: uncompressed 2.97 Gb/s, HD-VLC 540 Mb/s; UVC support: yes

USB Video Software

Any UVC compliant video software can be used to display/record the video.

An example application (with full source code) is available from Active Silicon to demonstrate how to receive, record, display and save image data from the USB Video Class driver. This is part of the Active Silicon Harrier USB Software Development Kit (SDK) that is available in the download section on this product page.

For support on host computers that are running Linux you will need to ensure that you have installed UVC drivers (e.g. V4L drivers) on your Linux system. More information in the BlueBird SDI Adapter datasheet and please consult the documentation for your Linux distribution.

Mechanical Overview

See “Downloads” tab for mechanical overview diagram.

Board-only version

A board-only version of the adapter is available.

Connector specifications

System Power Header (PWR) J1

The board can be powered from this connector when USB power is not used and when the board is not mounted in an enclosure. Only 5V±5% is required to power the board but higher voltages may be used to deliver power to cameras connected to the RJ45 (J4) connector (issue 02 boards only). If you are doing this, please ensure that you only apply voltages in the range specified by your camera manufacturer to avoid damage to the camera.

Connector type: 2mm pitch, 2-way boxed header, Young Yak YY-100 series (YY-1100-W02ST), Harwin M22-2200246, or compatible part

JTAG Connector J2

Test connector used in manufacturing for circuit verification.

USB Micro-B Connector (USB UART) J3

This USB connector provides power for the BlueBird SDI Adapter and a standard UART serial interface for camera control. This is typically used to enable the VISCA camera control protocol to be used with block cameras from Sony and Tamron. On the enclosure it is labelled “CONTROL POWER IN”.

Connector type: USB Micro-B

RJ45 Input Connector (SDI RX0) J4

The twisted pair input uses a standard RJ45 connector. This input accepts 3G-SDI, HD-SDI and HD-VLC encoded SDI video streams and is labelled “SDI IN RS-485” on the enclosure.

Connector type: RJ45

See datasheet for pin assignment.

BNC Input Connector (SDI RX1) J5

The coaxial cable input is a standard 75 Ohm BNC. This input accepts 3G-SDI, HD-SDI and HD-VLC encoded SDI video streams and is labelled “SDI IN” on the enclosure.

Connector type: 75 Ohm BNC

BNC Output Connector (SDI TX) J6

The output BNC is a standard 75 Ohm BNC connector. This provides 3G-SDI, HD-SDI and HD-VLC
encoded SDI data and is labelled “SDI OUT” on the enclosure.

Connector type: 75 Ohm BNC

USB Type-C Connector (USB VIDEO TX) J7

This USB connector provides power for the BlueBird SDI Adapter and a USB Video Class (UVC) video stream for connection to a host PC. The connector also provides a UVC control port for RS-485 camera control and is labelled “USB VIDEO OUT POWER IN” on the enclosure.

Connector type: USB Type C (5 Gbps)

HDMI Output Connector (HDMI TX) J8

This connector provides HDMI output for display and is labelled “HDMI OUT” on the enclosure.

Connector type: HDMI Type A

Mode switch and LED specifications

Mode DIP Switches (SW1)

The unit is fitted with a 4-way DIP switch to select various modes.

See datasheet for the details and configuration of the DIP switch SW1.

Status LEDs (LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4)

The unit is fitted with four LEDs to provide device status.

See datasheet for the details on function and states of the LEDs.

Conformance

3G/HD-SDI:

Compliant with SMPTE 274M and SMPTE 296M.

USB Video:

Compliant with SuperSpeed USB 3.1 (UVC).

HDMI:

Compliant with HDMI 1.4a.

Approvals:

The BlueBird SDI Adapter board has been designed to meet EMC and FCC requirements when housed in a suitable enclosure:

CE – CE-marked and compliant with the relevant EU directives as listed below.

RoHS – Conforms to RoHS3, the European Union’s Restriction on Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive 2015/863/EU.

EMC – Compliant with EN 55022:2010 (class A) and EN 55024:2010 in accordance with EU Directive 2014/30/EU Electromagnetic Compatibility.

REACH – Compliant with the requirements of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals, EC 1907/2006), the European Union’s chemical substances regulatory framework for Substances of Very
High Concern.

UL – All printed circuit boards used in this product are manufactured by UL recognized manufacturers and have a flammability rating of 94-V0.

FCC – Compliant with FCC Rules for Class A digital devices.

Physical and environmental details

Dimensions:

Board only: 120mm by 79mmm (not including connectors).

Enclosure: 127mm x 86mm x 31mm (not including connectors).

Weight:

Board only: 62g

Housed unit: 248g

Power Supply:

5V from USB connectors or 5-16V from J1.

Power Consumption:

J7 (USB Type C) or J1 (System Power Header): Maximum 3W

J3 (USB Micro-B): Maximum 2.5W

Storage Temperature:

-20°C to +70°C.

Operating Temperature:

0°C to +60°C (ambient environment).

Relative Humidity:

10% to 90% non-condensing (operating and storage).

Ordering Information

Part number Description

AS-ADP-SDI-001-A-ENC-A

BlueBird SDI Adapter – Enclosed Version.

AS-ADP-SDI-001-A

BlueBird SDI Adapter – Board only.

AS-ADP-SDI-001-EVAL-A

BlueBird SDI Adapter Evaluation Kit (BlueBird SDI Adapter not included).

HD video transmission over long distances

If you look for long cable length solutions that guarantee high quality HD video transmission over greater distances we recommend HD-VLC technology.
Check out our white paper on Long-reach HD video transmission technologies and our video: