Xenon: Excel Beyond Expectations

Xenon brings many advanced new capabilities to the world of routing switchers, building on a new generation design that starts with a solid, multi-format router core. In today's broadcast environment, a router must be reliable, resilient and cost-effective. The Xenon excels in all of these areas while offering the flexibility of multi-format operation, and the ability to add Signal Processing Technology.

Great care has been taken in designing Xenon to avoid single points of failure. Active assemblies are all hot-swappable from the front of the frame. Power, control, cooling and reference generation are available in redundant configurations

Features & Benefits

Configuration

The Xenon allows any mix of formats within a frame in independent blocks of 32x inputs or outputs. Any of the supported formats, 3G/HD/SD/AES/analog can be expanded to fill an entire 128x128 frame. Additionally the Xenon supports optical routing from 3MB/s to 3GB/s in blocks of 32x inputs or outputs.

Xenon is housed in a 4RU frame, switching up to 64x sources to 64x destinations, or in an 8RU frame switching upward of 128x sources to 128x destinations. Additional input and output modules can be installed into the router at any time.

Control

The Xenon router includes, as standard, an internal Frame Controller module which supports 4x Q-Link ports, 2x Ethernet ports and 2x Serial ports mounted on the rear of the router.

The Xenon has a number of control options:

  • Remote Control Panel: Any panel(s) from the entire range of Quartz remote control panels can be used with the Xenon router, connected via Q-Link (MAX 16) or hosted over Ethernet (MAX 20).
  • External Third Party Control: The Xenon router can be remotely controlled via an external third party control device - such as an automation system - when connected to the router's serial port.

Expansion

The input and output stages of the Xenon can be expanded in steps of 32x at any time by adding additional I/O modules. The Xenon can not be expanded beyond its frame size.

Power Supply

The power supplies for the Xenon are internal. The 4RU and 8RU frames can be fitted with an optional redundant power supply with separate AC power inlet and alarm output.

Designed for Performance Ultra Wide Band Routing

By offering a format-independent data path, the Xenon supports signals from 3MB/s all the way up to 3GB/s including SD-SDI, HD-SDI, 3G-SDI, DVB-ASI, digital video formats as well as optical formats and other high data rate signals.

Video

Xenon supports 3G, HD, SD and ASI video routing. It is available as 3G/HD/SD or HD/SD offering cost savings for those who do not require 3G. Reclocking modules are fitted by default, but optional HD/SD non-relcocking modules or SPT modules for clean and quiet switching can be populated in blocks of 8x outputs.

Audio

The Xenon router is a fully featured Stereo Audio router, supporting AES and Analog Audio routing. Balanced or unbalanced AES on BNCs are supported in any mixture in blocks of 32x inputs or outputs. Analog audio I/O is converted and routed as digital so that analog sources can route to AES destinations and AES sources can route to analog destinations. Analog blocks are in groups of 32x stereo pairs. The Xenon can optionally support Mono routing for AES and Analog audio by adding the +SS option. Additionally, the Xenon also supports MADI I/O as an option on all audio I/O cards. On input cards this adds a MADI connector for MADI input. Note that these inputs are in addition to the analog or AES base I/O. On output cards a MADI output connector is added. This too offers MADI outputs in addition to the base I/O card.

Signal and System Monitoring

Xenon supports SNMP signal monitoring and comprehensive system monitoring, including power supply voltages, interior temperatures and fan speeds. System status may also be monitored remotely by a network based remote connection over TCP/IP or a direct serial connection to a PC. User-configurable closing contacts are also provided for connection to an external alarm system.

X-LINK

X-LINK outputs are an additional set of outputs from Evertz' standard router platforms. They are for the purpose of providing connectivity to monitoring devices. X-LINK outputs do not reduce the number of outputs on the router, X-LINK outputs are in addition to the standard video router outputs.

Feature Summary

  • Multiple signal formats within a single frame
  • Optional output reclocking in blocks of 8x outputs
  • All outputs can switch in one TV frame
  • Dual reference inputs
  • Advanced audio features including Soft Switching
  • Dolby-E™ signal compatible
  • Redundant internal controllers
  • Q-Link, Ethernet and RS-485 control interfaces
  • Deterministic switching
  • SNMP and system monitoring
  • Powerful and intuitive WinSetup software
  • CleanSwitch option (SPT Module)
  • Upto 12 XLINK in the XE8-X-FRAME and 6 XLINK in the XE4-X-FRAME

Specifications

Configuration
Inputs And Outputs Selectable in blocks of 32

Standard Definition
SD Video Inputs
Signals Supported SMPTE ST 259-1 1997, ASI DVB standard
Signal Level 800mV p-p nominal
Impedance 75Ω terminating
Return Loss
5 – 270MHz 15dB typical
Cable Equalization Belden 1694A, 250m
Connectors BNC per IEC 61169-8 Annex A
SD Video Outputs
Signal Level 800mV p-p ±10%
Impedance 75Ω terminating
Return Loss
5 – 270MHz 15dB typical
DC Offset 0 ±0.5V
Connectors BNC per IEC 61169-8 Annex A
Signal Path
Rise/Fall Times < 0.4ns
Path Length 12ns, typical
Output Jitter 0.2UI p-p with < 250m input cable

High Definition
HD Video Inputs
Signals Supported SMPTE ST 292-1, ST 424
Signal Level 800mV p-p nominal
Impedance 75Ω terminating
Return Loss
5 – 1485MHz 15dB typical
Cable Equalization Belden 1694A, 90m 65m @ 2.97GB/s
Connectors BNC per IEC 61169-8 Annex A
HD Video Outputs
Signal Level 800mV p-p ±10%
Impedance 75Ω terminating
Return Loss
5 – 1485MHz 15dB typical
DC Offset 0 ±0.5V
Connectors BNC per IEC 61169-8 Annex A
Signal Path
Rise/Fall Times < 0.4ns
Path Length 12ns, typical
Output Jitter 0.2UI p-p with < 95m input cable

Fiber Inputs/Outputs
SFP1T13-2 Dual optical SFP transmitter, up to 3GB/s, 1310nm
Connector LC/PC
Wavelengths 1310nm
Output Power -2dBm ±1dBm
SFP1R-2 Dual optical SFP receiver, up to 3GB/s
Connector LC/PC
Operating Wavelength 1270nm to 1610nm
Maximum Input Power -1dBm
Optical Sensitivity -21dBm±1dBm

Audio Inputs - AES
Balanced Version D50
Sample Rates 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz
Standard AES3-1992
Signal Level 0.2 – 7V p-p
Impedance 110Ω ±20% transformer coupled
DC On Input ±50V
Connectors D50 female carrying 16x signals
Unbalanced Version BNC
Standard SMPTE ST 276-1
Impedance 75Ω
Return Loss 25dB, 0.1 – 6.0kHz
Connectors BNC per IEC 61169-8 Annex A

Audio Outputs - AES
Balanced Version D50
Signal Level 2 – 5V p-p
Impedance 110Ω transformer coupled
DC Isolation ±50V
Rise/Fall Time 3.5 – 10ns
Connectors D50 female carrying 16x signals
Unbalanced Version BNC
Signal Level 1.0V p-p ±50%
Impedance 75Ω
Return Loss 25dB, 0.1 – 6.0kHz
Jitter Conforms to ANSI S4.40 -1992
Connectors BNC per IEC 61169-8 Annex A

Analog to Digital Audio Conversion
Sampling Frequency 48 or 96kHz
Connectors 50-way "D" type female
Frequency Response ±0.05dB
Input Impedance 12kΩ minimum
Signal Level 0dBfs -18dBu or 24dBu
Noise -113dB A-weighted
THD+N > 95dB (typically > 98dB)
CMRR > 85dB @1kHz
Crosstalk < -95dB
I/O Delay 0.85ms @48kHz or 0.43ms @96kHz

Digital to Analog Audio Conversion
Sampling Frequency 48 or 96kHz
Connectors 50-way "D" type female
Frequency Response ±0.06dB
Output Impedance 400Ω
Signal Level 0dBfs -18dBu or 24dBu
Noise -115dB A-weighted
THD+N > 95dB (typically > 98dB)
DC Offset > ±30mV
Crosstalk < -95dB
I/O Delay 1.3ms @48kHz or 0.66ms @96kHz
Dynamic Range 24 bits

Analog Audio Performance
Sampling Frequency 48 or 96kHz
Connectors 50-way "D" type female
Frequency Response ±0.08dB
Output Impedance 400Ω
Input Impedance 12kΩ minimum
Signal Level 0dBfs -18dBu or 24dBu
Noise -110dB A-weighted
THD+N > 95dB (typically > 98dB)
DC Offset > ±30mV
Crosstalk < -95dB
I/O Delay 1.3ms @48kHz or 0.66ms @96kHz
Dynamic Range 24 bits

Switching Reference
Ref Inputs
SD 2x, BNC, analog 525/625
HD/SD Tri-level analog 625 or 525
Signal Level 1V p-p ±3dB
Impedance 75Ω terminating
Line Switching Lines 6/319 (625), Lines 10/273 (525) Line 7 (HD)
Connectors BNC per IEC 61169-8 Annex A

Electrical
Supply Auto-ranging 100 – 240V AC 50/60Hz
Power
4RU Typical 150VA, max 250VA
8RU Typical 300VA, max 500VA
Not including the SPT modules
Backup Optional

Physical
Height
4RU 7" (178mm)
8RU 14" (355mm)
Width 19" (483mm)
Depth 17 3/4" (450mm)
Weight
4RU 16kg (35lbs)
8RU 31kg (68lbs)
Operating Temp Spec. maintained to 30°C, Operation to 40°C
Ventilation Fan cooled from the front to the rear of the left hand and right hand side of the router

Control
Q-Link 4x 75Ω video cable (max length 500m)
F-Link 2x RJ-45
Serial RS-422/232 2x D9 female
Ethernet, 10baseT 2x RJ-45

Compliance
Safety CSA listed to 60065; complies with CE low voltage directive
EMC Complies with FCC Part 15, Class A CE EMC Directive

Ordering Information

XE4 up to 64x64 Base Systems
XE4‑3232HX Xenon 4RU 32x32 HD/SD router
XE4‑3232HX+XLINK Xenon 4RU 32x32 HD/SD router with 3x X-LINK outputs
XE4‑3232‑3G Xenon 4RU 32x32 3G/HD/SD router
XE4‑3232‑3G+F Xenon 4RU 32x32 3G/HD/SD router (fiber capable - no modules)
XE4‑3232‑3G+XLINK Xenon 4RU 32x32 3G/HD/SD router with 3x X-LINK outputs
XE4‑3232‑AESB Xenon 4RU 32x32 digital audio router (balanced)
XE4‑3232‑AESB+MADI Xenon 4RU 32x32 digital audio router (balanced) with MADI expansion
XE4‑3232‑AESU Xenon 4RU 32x32 digital audio router (unbalanced)
XE4‑3232‑AESU+MADI Xenon 4RU 32x32 digital audio router (unbalanced) with MADI expansion
XE4‑3232‑AA Xenon 4RU 32x32 analog audio router
XE4‑3232‑AA+MADI Xenon 4RU 32x32 analog audio router with MADI expansion
XE8 up to 128x128 Base Systems
When ordering a Xenon 8RU base system, use the same part numbers as the 4RU base systems but substitute XE4 with XE8. All 8RU base systems ship in 32x32 configurations. Base systems include a frame, non-redundant power supplies, a single controller module and a single reference module.

Ordering Options
+2PS Redundant power supply (1x required for 4RU frame, 2x required for 8RU)
+XE-FAN-HF High flow fans for xenon 8ru and 4ru frame. Required for use with the following cards: Any XE-OP32-XLINK; Any XE-OP32 with SPT modules fitted

Accessories
XE4-X-FRAME Xenon 4RU router chassis
XE8-X-FRAME Xenon 8RU router chassis
XE-IP32HX 32x HD/SD inputs
XE-IP32-3G 32x 3G/HD/SD inputs
XE-IP32-3G-F1 32x 3G/HD/SD inputs (fiber capable)
XE-IP32-AESB 32x AES balanced inputs
XE-IP32-AESB-MADI 32x AES balanced inputs plus 2x MADI outputs via mini-BNC (DIN)
XE-IP32-AESU 32x AES unbalanced inputs
XE-IP32-AESU-MADI 32x AES unbalanced inputs plus 2x MADI outputs via mini-BNC (DIN)
XE-IP32-AA 32x Analog inputs
XE-IP32-AA-MADI 32x Analog inputs plus 2x MADI outputs via mini-BNC (DIN)
XE-OP32HX 32x HD/SD outputs
XE-OP32-3G 32x 3G/HD/SD outputs
XE-OP32-3G+F 32x 3G/HD/SD outputs (fiber capable)
XE-SPT-AVP-3G 3G line synchronizer and audio soft switch module with video and audio processing functions
XE-OP32-AESB 32x AES balanced outputs
XE-OP32-AESB-MADI 32x AES balanced outputs plus 2x MADI inputs via mini-BNC (DIN)
XE-OP32-AESU 32x AES unbalanced outputs
XE-OP32-AESU-MADI 32x AES unbalanced outputs plus 2x MADI inputs via mini-BNC (DIN)
XE-OP32-AA 32x analog outputs
XE-OP32-AA-MADI 32x analog outputs plus 2x MADI inputs via mini-BNC (DIN)

Fiber Optic Modules
SFP3T13-2 Dual optical 3G/HD/SD-SDI SFP transmitter, 1310 nm
SFP3R-2 Dual optical 3G/HD/SD-SDI SFP receiver