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SCT3860 Digital Headend Transcoder

featuring low phase noise 1024QAM output.
SCT3860 Rack Image

Ten SCT3860 Digital Headend Transcoder modules are shown mounted
in the RMT150 rack mount tray with the PS151 power supply and remote control interface.

The R.L. Drake SCT3860 transcoder module is a professional quality, modular, digital headend component providing QPSK or 8PSK to QAM transmodulation and RF upconversion functions in a single module. It receives a wide bandwidth QPSK/8PSK input signal from a satellite transponder, demodulates the digital signal, and resends the recovered MPEG2 digital transport stream through the cable system via a much narrower bandwidth QAM modulated signal. The end user normally utilizes a set top decoder authorizing the programming to be received.

The SCT3860 transcoder module populates the RMT150 rack tray which holds up to ten transcoders. This modular approach allows the system to be expanded one transcoder at a time instead of requiring the purchase of more capacity than desired. Up to ten SCTx860 transcoders may be powered by the PS151 power supply which also mounts in the RMT150 rack tray. The PS151 power supply also serves as an RS232 communications link for the remote control of up to 70 SCT series transcoders. Additionally, the SCT3860 may be controlled over a local area network or the Internet with the addition of the optional SCTeci ethernet controller interface (click for details).

The SCT3860 accepts RF inputs between 950 and 2150 MHz from an LNB at the satellite dish. The transcoder then demodulates one QPSK satellite transponder signal and utilizes forward error correction (FEC) to retrieve an error free MPEG2 digital transport stream containing the desired digital multiplex programming. The SCT3860 transcoder then applies a cable environment FEC to this stream and remodulates it in the QAM format occupying a standard 6 MHz cable channel. Any standard CATV output channel may be selected from 54 to 860 MHz. Because the MPEG2 transport stream information is not modified by the SCT3860 transcoder, all encryption, authorization, and program guide information is passed to the subscriber unchanged.

Although all programming for the SCT3860 transcoder module can be performed at the front panel of the PS151 power supply, the SCT3860 transcoder and PS151 Power supply operate together to provide an RS232 remote control interface which can be accessed by a personal computer. This can be locally or via a modem. Two DB9 connectors on each PS151 power supply provide remote access to up to ten transcoders in that rack tray and permit "daisy chaining" the RS232 cables between multiple power supplies. Up to 70 SCTx860 transcoders in a headend can be monitored or controlled by a single connection. Configuration changes via remote control access can be password protected. RS232 remote control software is provided with each PS151 power supply. A personal computer with the remote control software installed has the ability to control multiple headends including headends utilizing up to 64 SCT860 transcoders and PS100 power supplies.

Key features of the SCT3860 include:

SCTx860 shown in RMT150 with Power Supply

You may download the owners manual in Adobe® Reader format by clicking here.
You may download the instructions for remote control of the SCT3860 by clicking here.
You may download the owners manual for the PS151 Power Supply by clicking here.

If you don't have the Adobe® Reader, click here.

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Drake Digital SCT3860 Transcoder Specifications

Satellite Input

 

Receiving Frequency:

950 - 2150 MHz.

Tuning Increment:

500 kHz.

Acquisition Range:

±5.0 MHz minimum.

Input Level:

-70 to –25 dBm.

Input Impedance:

75 Ohms, return loss of 10 dB minimum.

Front Panel Input Connector:

Type F female.

I/Q Amplitude Imbalance:

< 1 dB.

I/Q Phase Imbalance:

< 1 Degree.

Modes:

QPSK or 8PSK

Input Data Rate:

2 to 30 Mbaud.

Forward Error Correction:

ITU-T J.83 Annex A (DVB) or
ITU-T J.83 Annex B (DigiCipher® II).
advanced Turbo modes

DVB Viterbi Modes:

Auto Scan (1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 6/7, 7/8).

DigiCipher® II Viterbi Rate:

Auto Scan (5/11, 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 7/8).

Turbo QPSK modes:

1/2, 3/4, 2/3, 5/6, 7/8

Turbo 8PSK modes:

2/3, 5/6, 8/9, 3/4, 4/5

QAM Output

 

Output Impedance:

75 Ohms, return loss of 10 dB minimum.

Output Level:

+ 40 dBmV, adjustable downward in 1 dB steps.

Display Error:

± 2 dB maximum.

Level Adjustment Range:

15 dB.

Frequency Range:

54 to 864 MHz.

Broadband Spurious:

- 60 dB, 5 - 900 MHz.

Broadband Noise:

- 75 dBc, 6 MHz bandwidth.

Phase Noise @ 10 kHz:

- 103 dBc./Hz @ 10 kHz offset

Frequency Stability:

± 5 kHz.

QAM I/Q Phase Error:

< 1 Degree.

Channel Amplitude Error:

< 1 dB.

IF Bandwidth:

6 MHz.

Carrier Suppression:

45 dB.

MER:

> 40 dB, with blind equalizer.

Modes:

16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512 or 1024 QAM

Symbol Rate:

1 to 7 Mbaud.

Forward Error Correction:

ITU-T J.83 Annex A or Annex B.

RS232 Control

 

Data Link:

4800 baud interface to PS151 via power supply cable.

RS232 Input:

DB9 connector on PS151 for connection to modem or PC.

RS232 Output:

DB9 connector on PS151 for connection loop to additional PS151s, PS150s, or PS100s.

Power Requirements

 

Power Supply:

All operating voltages are provided by the Drake model PS151 power supply from 90 to 260 VAC / 150 W maximum (powering 10 SCTx860s).

General

 

Operating Temperature Range:

0° to 50° C., ambient

Size:

1.1" W x 3.4" H x 13.25" D.
(2.79 cm W x 8.63 cm H x 33.65 cm D).

Weight:

1.375 lbs. (0.624 Kg.).

If you have an interest in Drake Digital™ headend products or would like to ask us a question please send us email: .
Specifications, price, and availability are subject to change without notice or obligation.
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R.L. Drake, LLC
230 Industrial Drive
Franklin, OH 45005
U.S.A.

Sales: 937-746-4556
Fax: 937-806-1510
Parts and Service: 937-746-6990
In Canada: 705-742-3122

DRAKE is a registered trademark of R.L. Drake, LLC.

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