ES2476541A2 - Pxi device for generation and acquisition of video. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Pxi device and system for video generation and acquisition (2) based on pxi technology. The device is designed to acquire a plurality of video input signals having different video formats from one or more video display systems under test and/or from one or more video sources. It receives input synchronization signals and processes video input signals. It is able to carry out the capture of images of the video input signals. It generates and issues a plurality of video test patterns of different formats. It generates and outputs video signals of different formats synchronized with the respective input synchronization signal. The system also includes a pxi bus (11) and a controller (12). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Pxi device for video generation and acquisition

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a PXI device (PCI extensions for instrumentation) for video generation and acquisition.

The present invention can be advantageously used to analyze and test video display systems that have video interfaces based on different formats and / or video standards, in particular video display systems that have input and / or output interfaces. of analog video and / or digital video input interfaces, and that are designed for civil or military uses.

Specifically, the present invention finds advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the testing of video display systems used in the automotive sector, the avionics sector, in the cyber sector, in the national security sector, in the energy sector, in the railway sector, in the biomedical sector, etc.

Background in the state of the art

As is known, the efficiency of many critical systems used, for example, in aircraft, trains, cars, manufacturing plants, power plants, biomedical equipment, etc., depends on sophisticated video and / or video display systems. Human-machine sophisticated graphic interfaces (HMI) of video display systems.

In particular, increasingly complex, flexible, high-power video display systems have been devised in recent years, resulting in a huge increase in the amount of evidence needed to ensure an adequate degree of reliability of such systems.

Currently, specific electronic devices are used to test video display systems, in particular, by feeding the input interfaces thereof with predefined video patterns.

Objective and summary of the invention

In view of the increasing complexity and flexibility of video display systems, and therefore of the difficulty of testing such systems, the Applicant has felt the need to devise an innovative electronic device to test video display systems, which is designed to acquire video signals and to generate video patterns, and has high efficiency and convenience of use.

Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide an innovative electronic device designed to acquire video signals and generate video patterns, and which has high efficiency and convenience of use.

This objective is achieved by the present invention in that it refers to a device for video generation and acquisition, as defined in the appended claims.

In particular, this objective is achieved by the present invention in that it refers to a video generation and acquisition device the acquisition device that is based on PXI technology and is designed to:

•

acquire a plurality of video input signals that have different video formats of one or more video display systems under test and / or one or more video sources;

•

receive one or more input synchronization signals;

•

process one or more of the video input signals;

•

carry out the capture of images of one or more of the video input signals;

•

generate and issue a plurality of video test patterns that have different video formats; Y

•

generate and broadcast one or more video signals that have different video formats and are each synchronized with the respective input synchronization signal.

Preferably, the video generation and acquisition device is designed to be fully controllable through software and via a PXI bus.

Once more preferably, the video generation and acquisition device comprises video output interfaces fully programmable in time and amplitude.

Conveniently, video generation and acquisition comprises: • a PXI master card that has several input interfaces and is designed to be connected to a PXI bus and to receive

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through the PXI bus commands and / or control signals of a controller, and

-

through the input interfaces of a power supply, several video input signals with different video formats and one or more input synchronization signals; Y

• a PXI slave card, which has several video output interfaces, is mechanically coupled in sandwich form with the PXI master board, and is designed to

-

receive a clock master signal and a power supply from the PXI master card, and

-

the exchange of data with the PXI master card through at least one serial communication bus.

More conveniently, the PXI master card is designed to:

•

acquire a plurality of video input signals that have different video formats through the input interfaces;

•

carry out graphics processing of one or more of the video input signals by means of a specific graphics processing unit;

•

manage power supply and readjustments; • operate as an interface to the PXI bus; Y

•

Manage and control the entire video generation and acquisition device. Once more conveniently, the PXI slave card is designed to:

•

generate and output through the video output interfaces a plurality of video test patterns that have different video formats and one or more video signals that have different video formats and are each synchronized with a respective signal input synchronization; Y

•

Manage and program video output interfaces.

Brief description of the drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, preferred embodiments will be described below, which serve only as an example and should not be construed as limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings (not to scale), in which:

•

Figure 1 schematically shows a PXI system comprising a video generation and acquisition device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

•

Figure 2 shows in greater detail a PXI master card of the video generation and acquisition device shown in Figure 1;

•

Figure 3 shows an optimized performance design arrangement in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for the PXI master card shown in Figure 2;

•

Figure 4 shows an optimized performance design arrangement in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for a PXI slave rate of the video generation and acquisition device shown in Figure 1; Y

•

Figure 5 shows an image of the video generation and acquisition device shown in Figure 1.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention

The following description is presented to allow a person skilled in the art to prepare and use the present invention. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention as claimed. Therefore, it is not intended that the present invention be limited to the embodiments shown and described, but the broadest scope of protection consistent with the principles and features described and claimed herein will be granted.

The present invention relates to a video generation and acquisition device, which is compatible with PXI platforms, that is, based on PXI technology, that is, designed to be connected to a PXI bus. and / or to be integrated into a PXI system.

In particular, the video generation and acquisition device according to the present invention comprises two sandwich-coupled PXI cards that have a global occupation of two PXI slots.

Specifically, the video generation and acquisition device according to the present invention is designed to:

•

acquire multiple video serials with different video formats and / or based on different video standards, for example, from one or more video display systems under test and / or from one or more video sources;

•

generate multiple video patterns with different video formats and / or based on different video standards for test video display systems that have multiple video interfaces with different formats and / or based on different video standards;

•

have video output interfaces fully programmable in time and amplitude; and

•

implement a large number of functions, such as image capture and a GenLock function.

As for the GenLock function, this is a very important function provided by the video generation and acquisition device according to the present invention. In fact, the GenLock function, when carried out, causes the video generation and acquisition device to generate a synchronized video output signal with an input reference signal.

The video generation and acquisition device is fully controllable through software and through a PXI bus.

Conveniently, the video generation and acquisition device can be used to:

•

generate video test patterns with different video formats and / or based on different video standards to test video display systems; I

•

acquisition of video serials with different video formats and / or based on different video standards of one or more video display systems under test for automatic comparison with reference images; I

•

Output images that are received at the input, or are generated on the basis of one or more bitmap files, or are synthetically generated and synchronized with an external reference (GenLock function).

On the other hand, the video generation and acquisition device can be conveniently used as:

•

a tool integrated in an automatic test system based on a PXI core; I

•

an autonomous instrument inserted in a PXI grid equipped with its own controller.

In this regard, Figure 1 shows a block architecture diagram of a PXI system (indicated as a whole by 1) for testing video display systems, wherein the PXI system comprises a device for generating and acquiring video (indicated as a whole by 2) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in Figure 1, the PXI system 1 includes:

•

a PXI bus 11;

•

a system controller 12 connected to the PXI bus 11; Y

•

the 2 video generation and acquisition device connected to the PXI bus 11.

In detail, the video generation and acquisition device 2 comprises:

20 • a PXI master card 21, which is connected to the PXI bus 11, has several input interfaces, and is designed to receive

-

via the PXI bus 11, command and / or control signals from the system controller 12, and

-

through the input interfaces of a power supply and various 25 input signals that include video input signals with different formats / standards and one or more synchronization signals; Y

• a PXI slave board 22, which has several output interfaces, including video output interfaces, is sandwiched with the PXI master board 21 (the PXI slave card 22 is shown in Figure 1 separate from PXI's master size 21 only for the sake of clarity of description), and is designed to

5 - receive from it a clock master signal and a power supply, and

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the exchange of data with it through one or more serial communication buses, preferably through a bus 12e.

Specifically, the PXI slave card 22 is mechanically connected in sandwich with the PXI master card 21 by means of specific connectors and precision mechanics.

10 The 21 PXI master card is dedicated to:

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video acquisition;

•

graphics processing by means of a specific Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) (not shown in Figure 1 for the sake of simplicity of the illustration);

• power supply management and readjustments; 15 • interface with PXI bus 11; Y,

• In general, administration and control of the entire video generation and acquisition device 2.

PXI slave card 22 is dedicated to:

• the generation of video output patterns and synchronized video output signals 20; Y

• administration and programming of video output interfaces.

Preferably, the PXI slave card 22 includes the entire analog part of the video generation and acquisition device 2 and is designed to function as a controller of the acquired video signals towards the processing part dedicated to the capture of

25 images

Both PXI cards are equipped with programmable components.

In particular, the PXI master card 21 includes a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) (not shown in Figure 1 for the sake of simplicity of illustration) dedicated to:

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the administration of readjustments;

•

routing of the input signals to the GPU; Y

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the realization of the Genlock function in the synchronization inputs.

The PXI card 22 includes a Programmable Field Door Arrangement (FPGA) (not shown in Figure 1 for the sake of simplicity of illustration) dedicated to:

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Routing the GPU outputs to the output connectors:

•

video signal modeling and synchronization outputs;

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Control of the Synchronized Dynamic Random Access Memory of Double Data Rate (DDR SDRAM) (not shown in Figure 1 for the sake of simplicity of the illustration);

•

overlay identification tags of video output patterns; Y

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PXI bus 11 administration.

On the other hand, the GPU manages the Peripheral Component Interconnection (PCI) protocol and the I 'C bus used to program the digital to analog converter (s) (DAC) and the converter (s) analog to digital (ADC) (not shown in Figure 1 for the sake of simplicity of the illustration) for video conversion.

The card is completely programmable and totally free of ITAR (where ITAR means Regulations on International Arms Trafficking).

In order to describe in greater detail the video generation and acquisition device 2, a functional block diagram of the PXI master chart 21 is shown in Figure 2, where the GPU (also indicated as 211) is shown. and the programmable logic device (PLD) (indicated as 212). In particular, in relation to Figure 2, it is important to draw attention to the fact that the functional block diagram shown in Figure 2 is directly and unambiguously understood by a person skilled in the art. Therefore, in order not to unnecessarily make this description unnecessary, some of the features and components shown in Figure 2 will not be described below, since they are, as stated above, directly and unambiguously understood by A person trained in the subject.

The role of the main controller with the PXI bus 11 is given to the PLD 212 which, through specific firmware in use, manages interface signals between the PXI master board 21 and the PXI bus 11. On the other hand, PLD 212 is also assigned the task of ensuring adequate protocol times.

Conveniently, the PLD 212 is divided into eight independent regions of interest each managed by a respective dedicated firmware.

In consideration of the importance of energy management, the device of

Video generation and acquisition 2 is preferably designed to have three different power supplies with a residual ripple (in all three power supplies) that is less than 100 ~ V. The video generation and acquisition device 2 is thermally balanced and its autonomous consumption is approximately 1.1 A, with dynamic fluctuations of the electric current up to a maximum of 1.84 A. The most

An important dynamic load occurs when GPU 211 carries out graphics processing.

The video generation and acquisition device 2 is conveniently designed with control logic and clock management through the use of special oscillators for an ultra-precise value of the master clock signal, the specification being

20 for the synchronization signal at a level of ± 0.05 per billion.

The video generation and acquisition device 2 is completely designed according to the highest engineering standards with the utmost respect for the concepts of Design for Testing, Design for Unit Cost and Signal Integrity. In particular, said engineering concepts have led to a performance design optimized for the video generation and acquisition device 2. In this regard, Figures 3 and 4 show optimized performance designs in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for, respectively, the PXI master card 21 and the PXI slave card 22. In particular, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, it is important to draw attention to the fact that the designs shown in Figures 3 and

30 4 are directly and unambiguously understood by a person trained in the subject.

Next, for the sake of simplicity of the description, some well-known acronyms related to known standards and / or video formats (such as RGB, Y / C, CVBS, CYSNC, HSYNC, VSYNC, PAL, etc.) will be used. ), which are understood directly and unambiguously by a person trained in the subject.

5

Conveniently, the video generation and acquisition device 2 is designed to have and / or to provide and / or to implement the following main features:

• video patterns that can be loaded from bitmaps;

• generation of synthetic video test patterns;

1O

• generation of RGB video test patterns for multiple screens (for example, up to four);

• video test signal generation (WFG I CSG);

• Video acquisition (or capture or live) from an external video source (CVBS and / or Y / C and / or RGB):

• capture images from input videos;

fifteen

• output overlay between a video input and up to three synthetic images, with alpha mix and transparency features;

• CSYNC external synchronization (Overlay + GenLock), in particular the video input, CSYNC, External Black-Burst synchronization for the GenLock function;

twenty

• Video sync generator (CYSNC, HSYNC, VSYNC in DAC of RGB output):

• generation of programmable video synchronization in time and amplitude;

• LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS video output sync generator;

• composite video signal generator (CVBS and / or Y / C outputs);

• composite video signal encoder (CVBS and / or and / e) by FPGA;

25

• STANAG compatible video output, in particular, in accordance with STANAG 3350 Class B:

•

PAL-compatible video output;

•

remote control via TCP ¡IP interface;

•

Totally independent voltage level programming for SYNC and video signals;

5 • correction of the RGB output voltage offset by means of adaptive control;

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DVI (Digital Visual Interface) output;

•

a plurality of (for example, up to twelve) of independent monochromatic video signal outputs conveniently characterized by the respective overlapping tags; Y

10 • synthesis of a plurality (eg, up to six) monochromatic non-standard video signals, Y le, eVBS, RGB; Y

• a plurality of (for example, up to four) independent RGB outputs. Preferably, the input interfaces of the generation and acquisition device of

video 2, in particular of the PXI master card 21, includes: • an analog video synchronization input;

•

a digital TIL video sync input;

•

an analog video input and / e;

•

an analog Black-Burst video input;

• a plurality of analog eVBS video inputs; and 20 • an analog RGB video input.

Once more preferably, the output interfaces of the video generation and acquisition device 2, in particular of the PXI slave card 22, include:

• a plurality of (eg six) time and amplitude programmable synthetic output interfaces designed to provide

25 -a plurality of programmable analog RGB video outputs,

-a plurality of programmable analog composite video outputs. -a plurality of programmable analog CVBS video outputs. -a plurality of programmable video and / and analog outputs. -a plurality of programmable analog monochrome video outputs.

5 -a plurality of programmable analog HSYNC outputs. -a plurality of programmable analog VSYNC outputs. and -a plurality of programmable analog CSYNC outputs; Y

• a plurality of (for example, six) standard output interfaces designed to provide

10 - a plurality of analog RGB video outputs compatible with STANAG 3350 Class B,

-

a plurality of analog monochrome video outputs compatible with the standard

PAL,

-

a plurality of analog Y / C video outputs compatible with standard PAL,

15 -a plurality of analog CVBS video outputs compatible with standard PAL, -a plurality of analog HSYNC outputs compatible with STANAG 3350 Class B, -a plurality of analog VSYNC outputs compatible with STANAG 3350 Class B, -a plurality of analog CSYNC outputs compatible with STANAG 3350 Class B,

-

a digital DVI output (for example, 800 x 600 at 50 Hz, 800 x 600 at 60 Hz, 1024 x 768 at 50 20 Hz, 1024 x 768 at 60 Hz), - a plurality of LVCMOS digital HSYNC output signals, - a plurality of LVCMOS digital VSYNC output signals, - a plurality of LVCMOS digital CSYNC output signals, - a differential digital HSYNC output signal, and

-

a differential digital VSYNC output signal.

The preferred exploitable technologies for manufacturing the video generation and acquisition device 2 are:

• Supertitial assembly technology (SMT) (micro and mini ball grid matrix (BGA), 5 components 04 02, fine pitch);

•

Press Fit mounting technology;

•

Lead-free assembly and ROHS compliant materials (in accordance with the European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive); Y

•

Qualitative qualification of the IPC Class 2 consumers.

In this regard, Figure 5 shows an image of the video generation and acquisition device 2 manufactured by the Applicant.

From the foregoing it is clear that the video generation and acquisition device according to the present invention has multiple innovative technical characteristics that make it highly efficient and convenient to use.

15 In particular, it is important to draw attention to the fact that today there are no individual video test tools based on the PXI bus and that they are able to acquire and generate videos simultaneously. Even taking into account autonomous video test devices that are not based on PXI technology, today there are no individual autonomous video test devices capable of:

20 • provide a number of simultaneous inputs and outputs compatible with that of the video generation and acquisition device in accordance with the present invention; Y

• Perform all the functions that can be performed by means of the video generation and acquisition device in accordance with the present invention.

Specifically, the capacity of the video generation and acquisition device of

In accordance with the present invention to carry out the functions described above results in the following technical advantages in the use of said device:

•

the possibility of using a single tool instead of several separate devices;

•

elimination of the mechanical means necessary to support multiple non-PXI tools and, consequently, the consequent elimination of the design and mechanical implementation costs thereof; Y

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reducing the complexity, time and cost of integrating the automatic test software into a single device instead of multiple tools.

The video generation and acquisition device according to the present invention allows multiple video interfaces to be simultaneously stimulated based on the different formats I video standards of a system under test with the possibility of synchronization with an external synchronization reference (GenLock function ) through a single tool that is fully controllable through software and via a PXI bus.

On the other hand, the arrangement of the video generation and acquisition device according to the present invention saves space and its design allows for exceptional noise rejection and extraordinary signal integrity.

In particular, the Applicant has designed the video generation and acquisition device in accordance with the present invention, following the design concept of maximum penetration technologies, by using the most integrated components, maximizing the MTBF parameter (time average between failures), and by optimizing the design for the test, in order to minimize repair times.

On the other hand, the Applicant has designed the video generation and acquisition device according to the present invention through the use of several modules based on a common core card with a characterization of the mezzanine specialization with high precision mechanical clamping and stability.

By last. It is clear that numerous modifications and variations can be made to the present invention, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. Video generation and acquisition device (2) based on PXI technology and designed to: • acquire a plurality of video input signals that have different formats of 5 video of one or more video display systems under test and / or one or more video sources;

•

receive one or more input synchronization signals;

•

process one or more of the video input signals;

•

carry out the capture of images of one or more of the video input signals;

10 • generate and issue a plurality of video test patterns that have different video formats; Y • generate and output one or more video signals that have different video formats and are each synchronized with the respective input synchronization signal.

2.

The video generation and acquisition device of claim 1, designed to be fully controllable through software and via a PXI bus.

3. The video generation and acquisition device according to claim 1 02, comprising the video output interfaces fully programmable in time and amplitude.

Four.

The video generation and acquisition device according to any preceding claim, comprising:

• a PXI master card (21) that has several input interfaces and is designed to be connected to a PXI bus (11) and to receive

-

through the commands of the PXI bus (11) and / or control signals of a controller (12), and

25 -through the input interfaces of a power supply, several video input signals with different video formats and one or more input synchronization signals; Y • a PXI slave card (22), which has several video output interfaces, is mechanically sandwiched with the PXI master card (22), and is designed to

-

receive a clock master signal and a power supply from the PXI master card (21), and

-

the exchange of data with the PXI master card (21) through at least one serial communication bus.

5. The video generation and acquisition device of claim 4, comprising a serial communication bus ¡2e that connects the master and slave cards (21, 22) of PXI 10 for the exchange of data between them. 6. The video generation and acquisition device according to claim 4 O5, wherein the PXI master card (2t) is designed to: • acquire a plurality of video input signals that have different video formats through the input interfaces; 15 • carry out graphics processing of one or more of the video input signals by means of a specific Graphics Processing Unit (211);

•

manage power supply and readjustments; • operate as an interface to the PX bus (11); Y

•

Manage and control the entire video generation and acquisition device (2).

The video generation and acquisition device according to any one of claims 4-6, wherein the PXI slave card (22) is designed to: • generate and broadcast through the video output interfaces a plurality of video test patterns that have different video formats and one or more video signals that have different video formats and are each synchronized with the respective signal 25 input sync: and • manage and program the video output interfaces. 8. The video generation and acquisition device according to any preceding claim, comprising input intenaces designed to receive: • an analog video sync input; • a digital TIL video sync input; 5 • an analog video input and / e;

•

an analog Black-Burst video input;

•

a plurality of analog CVBS video inputs; Y

•

an analog RGB video input.

9. The video generation and acquisition device according to any preceding claim, comprising: • time and amplitude programmable synthetic output interfaces designed to provide -a plurality of programmable analog RGB video outputs, -a plurality of programmable analog composite video outputs. 15 -a plurality of programmable analog CVBS video outputs. -a plurality of programmable video and / and analog outputs. -a plurality of programmable analog monochrome video outputs. -a plurality of programmable analog HSYNC outputs.

-

a plurality of programmable analog VSYNC outputs, and a plurality of programmable analog CSYNC outputs; Y

• standard output interfaces designed to provide

-

a plurality of analog RGB video outputs compatible with STANAG 3350 Class B,

-

a plurality of analog monochrome video outputs compatible with the PAL standard, - a plurality of analog Y / C video outputs compatible with standard PAL, - a plurality of analog CVBS video outputs compatible with standard PAL, 5 - a plurality of outputs Analog HSYNC compatible with STANAG 3350 Class B, - a plurality of analog VSYNC outputs compatible with STANAG 3350 Class B, - a plurality of analog CSYNC outputs compatible with STANAG 3350 Class B, - a digital DVI output - a plurality of HSYNC output signals digital LVCMOS, 10 -a plurality of digital VSYNC output signals LVCMOS, -a plurality of digital CSYNC output signals LVCMOS, -a differential digital HSYNC output signal, and -a differential digital VSYNC output signal.

10. PXI system (1) for testing video display systems, which comprises The video generation and acquisition device (2) claimed in any preceding claim. 11. The PXI system of claim 10. comprising a PXI bus (11) and a system controller (12), wherein the system controller (12) and the video generation and acquisition device (2) are connected to the bus (11) of PXI. • ~ i "'.. ~ u RGB --- ~ 2 x CVBS ----- ' Y / C ----- ' CSYNC ----- ' B Burst ------- ' Power _______... J INTERNAL CONNECTOR CONNECTOR Frontal : LEOS RGB MON01 Y / C MON02 BLACK BURST CSYNC 6 / 8V  OF THE TA RJETA 1 ~~~ I11 ~~ x ~ I "" "" ....... ~ or: 0_ 0 -> < u o. w z OR or INTERNAL CONNECTOR BLACK BURST P l0) CSYNC (JII) MON02 {J9) RED ~ Jl GREEN ~ J2 BLUE ----- + J3 HSYNC ~ J4 VSYNC ~ J5 MON01 ~ J6 Y ~ J7 C ~ J8  ª ª .... IGNITION OF ---- + JP1 THE SOURCE (811) THSl THS2 THS3 THS4  _. · ~ ~: R: in ~~ '~' ~ "~ ': -: _. I ji '"' 1., ~, .¡: ': .." !! ".:: 1 l · ·: .- :: == ::::. . _......: '1 - ;; 11 ;;' " a _.- = - •,. : n .1111 ... ..... = H 11 and!.:; " '.iI; -.- J; ") ii ~ ::.;: ~: ..! g 00, . 111 ... . ..., ',' .l '.,.'. ' ._ •••!. •!. ~. . ' ! ==== l ": .ln "1111l! .. • .. ··· ft '- :: .1Il111ll '• 11 •• ::.,:' ¡: ..... 1 '_ ~~ _'_ I! ........ m .... ";; ::::: =: l. ::. • · -I ': ~ Jo :! Il :::::: 1 001 Ii ,: : -eleven : [! I: 'III 1 :::: ". :: U. ~ .. ::::: _" ~~. •• oo ... ª ª or · .- • ª :: ª • ,. • ---- :: ':: • 111'.1_ i! . 11111 ...; ...:: ...: ... eleven •• I •.; · ¡I: •• .. • • • -  FIG. 3 CVBS and e '"SAA7105  t t t n. ••: .- 111 ::::: .:. •., I: J " : 0: ~ " ; = "I I - ;;,::,: "• • , _: I  say: li j ~ . ~~ BLUE T