Characteristics
Applications
The MPEG
Transport Stream Compliance Analyzer (TSCA) enables monitoring and
interpretation of the contents of real-time or previously recorded
or synthesized transport streams using the latest ATSC, DVB, ISDB-S,
ISDB-T, ISDB-TB (Brazil), and MPEG standards.
The analyzer
is specifically designed to enable you to quickly locate and identify
problems within a transport stream using a minimum number of mouse
clicks. By quickly identifying the problem areas, the TSCA software
helps you save time during the development and test of equipment,
networks, and services.
Users can configure the TSCA software
to display stream information in user-selected fonts. This feature
enables you to view stream information in your local language or to
use custom fonts.
The TSCA software may be purchased as part
of a MTS400 Series Test System or separately as MTS4SA to run stand-alone
on a PC with either the Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating
system. Separate packages are available for Deferred-time Analysis
and Real-time Video over IP Analysis. Both packages offer CaptureVu™ technology, and IP and TS measurement, logging, and graphing capabilities.
Feature Details
Summary of Displays
- Program-centric summary screen with go/no-go error indication
of user-specified tests.
- SD and HD video thumbnails and real-time
video and audio decode – H.264 and MPEG-2 supported
- CaptureVu™
technology/trigger views
- Hierarchical tests display
- PCR, PTS, and IP Packet Interarrival Time (PIT) graphing and measurement
display
- SI/PSI/PSIP Display
- Real-time and deferred-time
EPG display
- Packet view for TS Packets, TS Sections, and
IP Packets
- RF (MTS415 and MTS430 only) and IP interface displays
- Real- and deferred-time analysis share the same displays and
user interface
Deferred- and Real-time Modes
The TSCA can be run in deferred time or real time for analysis
of compressed video streams carried over IP, RF, or ASI/SMPTE310M/DVB
Parallel interfaces. Deferred-time analysis mode is available on any
recommended platform (including users' own PCs). In deferred-time
analysis mode, a stored stream can be analyzed and viewed at any time.
Real-time analysis is available as standard with the MTS400 Series
Test Systems. Using real-time analysis, live streams can be monitored
on a continuous basis and can also be paused for more detailed deferred-time
analysis. Real-time analysis can be resumed at any time. Real-time
video and audio decode enables the user of the analyzer to select
a program from within a Transport Stream and display the decoded video
for viewing or listen to the audio. Video thumbnails with video wall,
summary, and ES header information views enable users to choose whether
to see many channel thumbnails simultaneously or view detailed descriptions
of one at a time.
Note that real-time analysis is only available
on the MTS4SA through the IP interface.
Video Decode
TSCA User Interface
The TSCA software
uses a single main program summary window with different context-sensitive
views contained within tabbed frames. This provides the maximum amount
of useful information while keeping the screen from appearing cluttered.
From the main window, you can access the following views:
Enabling CaptureVu
Tests display description
CaptureVu trigger display
CaptureVu™
Technology
CaptureVu™ Technology captures and analyzes
system events in real time and deferred time to debug the intermittent
and complex problems that traditional analyzers miss. CaptureVu technology
lets the user set a breakpoint on a specific test or event, and, when
the breakpoint occurs, a dialog will show the breakpoint condition
and exact location of the packet within the Transport Stream. CaptureVu
technology automatically prebuffers the last 200 MB of the signal,
pauses the analysis, and launches an in-depth deferred-time analysis
that lets the user drill down into the problem. The captured stream
can also be permanently stored on the hard disk for subsequent reanalysis
with the deferred-time TSCA application. This powerful debug mode
enables fast debugging of troublesome intermittent problems. CaptureVu
technology also supports triggering events based upon IP or RF layer
measurements providing integrated cross-layer fault analysis and logging
in a single box solution for network fault diagnosis.
Triggered
Recording
The TSCA offers both immediate and triggered
recording, with the user-definable pretrigger buffer being used to
capture stream before, during, or after the trigger point. When the
trigger condition is met, the live input stream is captured to disk,
without stopping or pausing real-time analysis.
Complete Transport
Streams are recorded, with recorded file parameters being displayed
upon completion. These include file size, bit rate, number of packets,
trigger conditions, trigger position, and time. The maximum record
length is limited only by available disk space.
Recording Settings dialog
Trigger
Sources and Conditions
- DVB TR 101 290 1st, 2nd, 3rd priority tests, ATSC, ISDB, or proprietary
tests
- IP layer measurements, including PIT tests, RTP dropped
packet count and rate, out-of-order packets count, and rate (not all
available on MTS4SA)
- RF layer measurements including MER,
EVM, SNR, BER limit or drift rate, failure, or warning levels (MTS400
only)
- Multiplex occupancy outside of user-defined bit rate
limits
- External TTL Trigger (MTS400 only)
- Date and
time
- In triggered recording mode, the size of the pretrigger
buffer can be specified as a percentage of the overall file size range
from 0 to 100%
Program View details
display
Program View
The Program
View provides a fast overview of the transport stream contents in
terms of program content, bit rate use by each program, and ATSC,
DVB TR 101 290, or ISDB test results. Red, amber, and green LEDs highlight
errors associated with each program or element.
Errors that
are detected at lower levels in the program stream hierarchy propagate
up to the highest level. This allows you to monitor all of the programs
in the stream at a high level and then quickly go to lower levels
as necessary to locate a problem.
Tests View
The Tests View enables you to isolate errors to the specific tests
that have been applied to the transport stream. The error log is automatically
filtered by the selected test, and can also be filtered by PID. In
addition to the standard first, second, and third priority tests included
in the TR 101 290 standard, tests are available for PCR jitter and
program/PID bit rate. A variability test enables you to test the changes
in the bit rate of a specific PID. In addition to TR 101 290, there
are many tests that are specific to ATSC, ISDB-T, ISDB-TB (Brazil),
and ISDB-S streams.
SI/PSI and PSIP display
SI/PSI and PSIP (Tables) View
The
SI/PSI and PSIP table view displays the service information tables
contained in the analyzed stream which comply with the selected digital
video standard. This includes ATSC PSIP, DVB, and ISDB service information,
and MPEG program-specific information.
A summary view displays
key values for each table in a meaningful way. The view includes hyperlinks
enabling you to quickly access related information within other tables
and views.
SI/PSI and PSIP Summary Table view
Tests display
PID
View
The Packet Identifier (PID) View displays information
about all of the PIDs found in the transport stream. When you select
a PID, the associated summary view provides a PID-orientated overview
of the transport stream, displaying the relative data rates of all
of the PIDs contained within the stream. The information can be displayed
as either a bar chart or as a pie chart. Pop-up menus enable fast
limit selection.
When one or more tests fail, each failed test
will be listed under the relevant PID. Specific PIDs can be selected
to display a summary of all the associated tests. A specific test
can be selected to display its Event Log and Parameters.
Packet View display
Packet View
The Packet View displays information about all of the packets
found in the transport stream grouped according to content. These
groups include PID value, SFN Mega-frame initialization packets (MIPs
– DVB only), and information packets (IIPs – ISDB-T and ISDB-TB (Brazil)
only). When you select a specific PID or MIP, only packets carrying
that particular PID or MIP are displayed. Individual TS packet header
and adaptation fields may also be specified for more complex search
patterns.
Custom TS packet search dialog
Section View display
Section
View
The Section View uses customizable script files,
which allow you to specify and view proprietary information.
Tables and their data source are displayed. This shows the data bytes
(in both hexadecimal number format and ASCII character format) for
the selected table, version, and section. Tables and subtables are
easily analyzed and directly traceable to packet data.
Section Repetition Interval graph
Section Graphing
Section repetition interval – This graph displays the interval between two sections of a table
on a particular PID.
Subtable intersection gap – This
graph displays the interval between sections in a particular subtable.
Subtable repetition interval – This graph displays the
time between receiving one complete subtable and receiving the next
complete subtable.
Timing graphs display
Timing Analysis
The TSCA supports
comprehensive PCR measurements to the TR 101 290 standard. When the
selected elementary stream PID contains PCR information, PCR trend
analysis views are available, displaying graphs of: PCR accuracy,
PCR arrival interval, PCR overall jitter, PCR frequency offset, and
PCR drift rate.
PCR graphs are available in real time and deferred
time. Time stamping data ensure that these can be captured and viewed
on stream recordings. This time stamp is compatible with recordings
from other Tektronix equipment, including the MTM400 Transport Stream
monitor. Selectable MGF filters provide maximum flexibility and compatibility
in these important PCR measurements. The MTS400 Series is also able
to display PTS Arrival Interval graphing in real time or deferred
time.
With the MTS400 Series, IP Layer timing can be analyzed
using MDI and Ethernet Packet Interarrival time max, min, mean graphs
or statistical display of Packet Interarrival time (histograms).
IP graphs display
Cross-layer
Timing
Provides the user with an at-a-glance view of timing
at IP, TS, and PES layers. This functionality addresses tough unsolved
timing problems introduced by the use of video and audio over IP technologies.
This enables rapid time to insight when diagnosing at which layer
a fault was introduced.
Electronic Program Guide
display
Real-time and Deferred-time Electronic
Program Guide (EPG) View
The EPG View allows at-a-glance
checking across many EIT tables and can be set to any time zone from
local time, UTC, or the transport stream time itself. The number of
days of EPG events displayed are broadcaster dependent, but are not
limited by the analyzer. When a transport stream EPG is selected,
a panel shows the names of the services currently displayed in the
event panel. The services displayed will depend on the node selected
in the navigation view. ATSC, DVB, and ISDB EPGs are supported.
Event Panel
This panel shows the events for one
or more services, depending on the node selected. Individual events
are color coded and shown as blocks; each block (and its associated
tooltip) displays event information extracted from the EIT. When a
block is selected, the complete event information is shown in the
event detail panel, including a link to the section carrying the information.
Events are color coded as follows:
-
Red:
Present event
-
Green: Following event
-
Blue: Schedule event
-
Yellow: (ISDB only) After
event
IP packet interpretation
display
MPE/IP View Data Broadcast
MPE data (internet IP sessions over MPEG TS) can be viewed as
a separate entry for each MPE session, either detected within the
TS or manually signalled since the view became active.
Information
displayed for each session includes:
- PID
- MAC
address
- Network layer source and destination IP addresses
- Transport layer protocol and port numbers
- Total data
transmitted by the session so far since monitoring commenced
- Instantaneous bit rate using MGB1 profile
DVB SFN
For real time, data contained in the most recently received
MIP will be interpreted and displayed in a view depicting each field
value. TPS MIP, STS time stamps, and other detailed information are
available in navigator views.
Video over IP Analysis and
Recording
MTS400 Series
A high-performance
Video over IP interface supporting GigE electrical and optical interfaces
is available for the MTS400 Series instruments. This interface has
high-resolution hardware time stamping, enabling precise cross-layer
timing analysis. The GigE interface option enables configuration (or
upgrade) of MTS400 Series instruments for high-performance applications
by guaranteeing deterministic performance on fully loaded links. Precise
time stamp information is retained during IP session analysis providing
deferred-time timing diagnostic capability. The comprehensive suite
of deferred-time analysis tools for compressed video can therefore
be used with captures of complete IP sessions. The analyzer displays
all current UDP or UDP/RTP session on a LAN segment and indicates
those carrying TS traffic. UDP or UDP/RTP sessions carrying TS traffic
may be selected for analysis or capture for subsequent analysis.
- MDI and statistical display of IP Packet Interarrival time
(histograms)
- Deferred-time analysis of Transport Streams
within industry standard PCAP files (IPv4 only)
- H/W packet
filtering enables use with up to full line rate traffic on GbE link
- Can be used simultaneously with ASI or RF interface
Two Ethernet ports are also fitted as standard to the MTS400
Series, one 10/100 and one 10/100/1000 Base-T. This allows connection
to a corporate LAN while simultaneously using the second port for
real-time Video over IP Analysis*1.
*1 Network traffic loading is specified to 100 Mbps maximum bit rate.
IP Traffic Sessions display
MTS4SA
The TSCA application ordered as a stand-alone
software product, MTS4SA, can also be used with a standard PC Ethernet
port for real-time Video over IP Analysis. For Video over IP Analysis
using these PC Ethernet ports some timing measurements such as MDI
and PCR’s are not available due to nondeterministic nature of PC Ethernet
ports, although Mean PIT is included.
IP Recording
Time stamped transport stream recording can be made with packet
arrival time information stored for offline PCR timing analysis.
RF Interfaces (MTS400 Series only)
Terrestrial
(DVB-T and ATSC), Cable (QAM Annex B), and Satellite (8/QPSK) interfaces
are available as optional interfaces for the MTS400 Series instruments.
RF layer diagnostics combined with full TS layer analysis and debug
provide the user with rapid multilayer network fault diagnosis reducing
time to insight when designing, deploying, and troubleshooting broadcast
infrastructure.
Any one of the RF interfaces can be installed
and operated simultaneously with ASI or IP inputs enabling measurements
to be made of inputs and outputs at contribution, multiplexing, modulation,
or IP encapsulation facilities.
- Superior RF performance
- Two-level RF tests (warning and fail)
- Drift rate alarms
- Innovative MER rings in constellation view
RF layer diagnostics display
Log
Entry Format
- Each log entry consists of a time stamp
from the system clock in real time and PCRs in deferred time.
- Error Reference. This would normally be a PID or Program.
- Event description can be in local language.
- Errors
per stream and per PID. Circular log of 10 k entries, with overwrite
warning.
- Logs can be viewed in entirety or filtered pertaining
to PID, Program test, or test and PID.
- Log files can be saved
in CSV or XML format for subsequent analysis.
- TS Packet number
(TS packet and Ethernet packet for deferred-time IP analysis) with
shortcut to TS or IP packet view
Stand-alone Software
System Requirements (MTS4SA)
- PC with Genuine Intel Pentium
class 1.2 GHz processor
- Intel or 100% compatible motherboard
chipset
- Windows 2000 or Windows XP Operating System
- Internet Explorer 5.0 or above
- 256 MB of RAM
- 50 MB of
available hard disk space for the application and documentation
- Additional space will be required for generated transport streams
- SVGA (800 × 600) resolution video adapter and monitor (XVGA
(1024 × 768) or higher resolution recommended)
- CD-ROM or
DVD drive
- Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing
device
- Video over IP Analysis option requires a standard
network interface card (NIC)
