j7llmm(l't integration ofd&ednow complete · english-type commands andarequite ......

.J7llmm(l't 1988 #0.33

INTEGRATION OF D & E D NOWCOMPLETEIn early June, Design Group and itssupport services moved from Western Housein Central London to Avenue House in WestLondon thereby completing theintegration of the former Designs andEquipment Departments.

This edition of 'Eng Inf' carries a sixpage special feature on Design andEquipment Department, starting on page 8.

RESEARCH AGREEMENT ONDIGITAL AUDIO EDITINGDr Bruce Moffat, HRD, recently signed aco-operative agreement with Real WorldResearch (RWR), of Bath, which covers thedevelopment of hardware and software forthe pewly launched RWR 'Tablet' random

Dr Moffat signs the agreement with CarlSchofield of RWR, watched by SimonShute (G.M.Ops&Eng.R), David Meares(RD) and Stephen Paine, MD of RWR'sdistribution company, Syco Systems Ltd.

The front entrance to Avenue House

access, digital, audio editor.

The agreement will consolidate on RD'sexpertise in random access audio editingtechniques for broadcast applications,first publicly demonstrated at IBC 84.Said Dr. Moffat: "...it will pull ourresearch ideas through into a productrange which I believe will be attractiveto broadcasters and recording studios, asthey develop digital systems."

Six RWR 'Tablet' editors have already beenordered by BBC Radio for delivery, fromSyco, to BH and Maida Vale studios duringJuly and August. The new editors - onemore step towards the all-digital radiostudio - will be used across the wholerange of radio programmes and, says SimonShute, General Manager, Operations andEngineering, Radio, "...come closer to ourvision of what ought to be achieved thananything else we have seen".

An enhanced version of the edi tor, hope-fully showing some of the results of theagreement, will be demonstrated by the BBCat IBC 88.

THE lEE/BBC FARADAY LECTURES....................... .. Where to see the BBC's Presentation:

1988 198912 Oct Liverpool Philharmonic Hall 19 Jan Belfast Sir Wm. Whitla Hall19 Oct Newcastle Ci ty Hall 26 Jan Dublin Nat. Concert Hall

3 Nov Harrogate Conference Centre 31 Jan London Barbican Hall10 Nov Birmingham Town Hall 1 Feb London Barbican Hall15 Nov Cardiff St. David's Hall 2 Feb London Barbican Hall23 Nov Manchester Free Trade Hall 8 Feb Exeter Univ. Great Hall29 Nov Glasgow Scot. Exhib. Centre 22 Feb Bristol Cols ton Hall

1 Dec Edinburgh Usher Hall 1 Mar Sheffield Ci ty Hall

13 Dec Norwich Univ. of E Anglia 8 Mar Derby Assembly Room15 Mar Southampton Guildhall

LICENCE AGREEMENTSThree 1icences have been' granted todifferent companies since our last issue:

Digi-Tel Systems (UK) Ltd, of London, hasbeen granted the second licence tomanufacture the Festival modification kitfor Rank Cintel Mk III telecines. Thefirst licence for the kit, which includesa superior burn and shading corrector, anda new head amplifier, was awarded to Digi-Grade Systems Ltd, of Farningham, and wasreported in 'Eng lnf' No 30, last autumn.

A set of four units which together make upa TFM Modem, operating on 2048 kbit/secdigikal signals, has been licensed toContinental Microwave Ltd, of Luton. Theyplan to package the equipment in a slim-line bay-mounting rack, which willincorporate the BBC-designed TFM Coder(CD2/40), Modulator (MD4/8), Demodulator(DM4/10) and Decoder (CD3/56) in a singleunit.

Finally, a patent licence has been grantedto Oxley Developments Co. Ltd, of Ulver-ston, Cumbria, for BBC British Patent No.2 156 178. This document embodies thework carried out by Research Department onthe design parameters and implementationof an Optical Switching Matrix. ,Oxley,who are well known for their wide range ofelectronic components, plans to use theBBC's research as a basis to develop acommercial optical swifch module.

For further details of these and otherlicence agreements,/ please contact theD&ED Liaison Engineer, Peter Jefferson, onAvenue House 375.

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TRANSMITTER NEWS

The following1 Apri I:

stations have opened since

Television

BirchoverBradford WestBrockwellCoed DerwMinnigaff

OverstrandWhitaside

Matlock, DerbyshireBradford, W. YorkshireChesterfield, Derbyshire

Betws-y-Coed, SnowdoniaNewton Stewart, GallowayCromer, Norfolk

Richmond, N.Yorkshire

FM Radio

Ridge Hill, in Herefordshi re, originallyentered service in late March but had toclose down shortly after due to atechnical problem. The station re-openedon 30 June and the Hereford relay (whichit replaces) closed down on 15 July.

- Eng In! Summer 1988

SOME CURRENT VT RECORDING FORMATSSeveral VT Recording formats are currentlyin use and the following brief notes,describing their main features, may be ofinterest to readers of 'Eng lnf':

1" C

Uses 1" wide, 26 micrometre (urn) thick,650 Oersted (Oe), cobalt-doped gammaferric oxide tape, loaded on open reelshaving nominal durations of 30', 60', 90',120' and 180'.

(Note most BBC 1" C VTRs can only copewith up to 90' duration.)

An FM signal, modulated by the composi tevideo, is recorded at a slight angle alongthe tape with one head on a rotating drum.The helical transport of tape round thedrum results in an average of 312t linesbeing recorded by the head, during onedrum rotation. Approximately 10 lines ofthe vertical interval are lost as the headcrosses from one edge of the tape to theother. The missing blanking is re-generated in the timebase corrector (tbc).

Modulation and formatand 525 lines and theup to 5 MHz.

standards are 625video bandwidth is

Colour processing standardsSECAM, NTSC and PAL M.

are PAL,

It has four longitudinal audio tracks, oneof which is normally used for timecode(track 3). Some machines are not equippedwith track 4, which is used mainly duringediting and occasionally to carry a monomix when tracks 1 & 2 are stereo. A servocontrol track is also recorded.

D1

Uses 19mm (t") wide, 16/13um thick, 850Oe, cobalt-doped gamma ferric oxide tape,loaded into three sizes of cassetteshaving nominal durations of 11', 34' and

76' (94' using 13um tape).

(Note that the SONY DVR 1000 cannot handle

the small-sized cassette).

Recordsform,helical

the video and audio in digi talusing multiple head segmentedtechniques. The video signal is

digitised and processed in component form,ie luminance component Y and the twocolour difference components U & V. Theresulting data is recorded in fourparallel bit streams and is subjected toshuffling and error correction strategiesto eliminate catastrophic failure in thepresence of dropouts or loss of one of thedata channels.

A D1 cassette recorder

Sampling rates (CCIR Rec 601) with 8 bitresolution are 13.5 MHz for the Y signal,resulting in a bandwidth of up to 5.5 MHz.U and V are each sampled at 6.75 MHzgiving bandwidths of up to 2.75 MHz.

Use of Dl as a recorder for signalsoriginating in composite form involvesdecoding and because the U & V componentsare band-limi ted by the PAL system, thecapaci ty of the U & V channels is under-utilised.

Switchable format standards are 525 and625 lines.

It has four digital audio tracks

Continued on next pagerecorded

Eng Inf Summer 1988 -

Continued from previous pagein four blocks at the centre of the videotrack segments. Audio is sampled at 48kHz, 15 or 20 bit resolution, and eachaudio signal can be edited separately. Italso has longitudinal analogue tracks fora low quali ty audio guide, timecode, andservo control.

D2(available in PAL: 1989)

Uses 19mm wide, 13um thick, 1500 Oe, metalparticle tape, loaded into three sizes ofcassettes of identical mechanicalconstruction to 01 but having nominaldurations of 32', 94' and 208'.

(Note tha t the SONY DVR 10 'cannot handle

the large-sized cassette).

Records the video and audio in digitalform using multiple head segmented helicaltechniques. The video signal is digitisedand processed in composite form and, atnormal play speeds, is not transcoded ordegraded.

The resulting data is recorded in twoparallel bit streams and is subjected toshuffling and error correction strategiesto eliminate catastrophic failure in thepresence of dropouts or loss of one of thedata channels.

The additional recording time compared to01 is possible due to there being lessdata to record, by achieving a greaterpacking density using metal particle tapeand by azimuth recording which eliminatesthe guard band between tracks.

The 4 x fsc samplingresolution, results inof up to 7.5 MHz.

rate, with 8 bita video bandwidth

Different machines are required for 525and 625 line operation.

It has four digital audio tracks recordedin two pairs of blocks at each end of thevideo track segments. Audio is sampled at48 kHz, 16 or 20 bit resolution, and eachaudio signal can be separately edited. Italso has longitudinal analogue tracks fora low quali ty audio guide, timecode andservo control.

BETACAM

Uses t" wide, 19um thick, 650 Oe, cobalt-doped gamma ferric oxide tape, loaded into


a cassette of

has durationsusing thinner

similarof 20'tape.

size to Betamax. Itand 30', the latter

Records the video on two pairs of rotatingheads, 180 degrees apart, in analoguecomponent form using two FM signals. Oneis modulated by the luminance signal andthe other modulated by the colourdifference signals these being timecompressed on the tape and returned tonormal in the tbc. The helical transportof tape round the drum results in anaverage of 3l2t lines being recorded byeach pair of heads, during half one drumrotation.

TheandPAL

bandwidths of Y, U and V are limiteddo not match the expectations of thesystem when so coded.

Use of Betacam as a recorder for signalsoriginating in composite form involvesdecoding to Y, U and V.

It has two longitudinal analogue audiotracks, employing Dolby C, plus timecodeand control tracks.

BETACAM SP

Uses t" wide, 13um thick, 1500 Oe, metalparticle tape, loaded into two sizes ofcassettes - the smallest being of similarsize to Betamax. The small cassette has aduration of 30' and the large size(similar to U-Matic, only thinner) hasdurations of up to 90'.

(Note the portable machines only handlethe small cassette).

Records the video onheads, 180 degreescomponent form using

two pairs of rotatingapart, in analogue

two FM signals.

A Betacam SP cassette recorder

One is modulated by the luminance signaland the other modulated by the colourdifference signals, these being timecompressed on the tape and returned tonormal in the tbc.

The helical transport of tapedrum results in an average ofbeing recorded by each pairduring half one drum rotation.

round the312! linesof heads,

The Y bandwidth is adequate for the PALsystem when so coded. However, theanalogue time compression circuitry for Uand V is currently bandwidth-limi ted andwill remain so until replaced by digitalcircuitry later this year.

Use ofsignalsinvolves

a recordercompositeand V.

forform

Betacam SPoriginatingdecoding to

asin

Y, U

It has two longitudinal analogue audiotracks, employing optional Dolby C, plustimecode and control tracks. It also hastwo additional audio tracks whichfrequency modulate additional carriers,multiplexed with the U/V video FM signal.

A future option will allow two digitalaudio tracks to be recorded at the end ofthe video tracks, instead of one of thelongitudinal audio tracks.

Betacam SP machines automaticallyto the Betacam standard, when aoxide cassette is inserted.

switchferric

M 11

Uses t" wide, 13um thick, 1500 Oe, metalparticle tape, loaded into two sizes ofcassettes the largest being of similarsize to VHS. The small cassette has aduration of 20' and the large size hasdurations of up to 90'.

(Note the portable machines only handlethe small cassette).

Records the video on two pairs of rotatingheads, 180 degrees apart, in analoguecomponent form using two FM signals. Oneis modulated by the luminance signal andthe other modulated by the colourdifference signals, these being timecompressed on the tape and returned tonormal in the tbc. The helical transportof tape round the drum results in anaverage of 312! lines being recorded byeach pair of heads, during half one drumrotation.

The Y, U and V bandwidths are adequate forthe PAL system when so coded.

Use of M 11 as a recorder for signalsoriginating in composite form involvesdecoding to Y, U and V. The decoder usedin M 11 machines uses an adaptive digitalcomb filter.

An M I I cassette machine

It has two longitudinal analogue audiotracks, employing optional Dolby C, plustimecode and control tracks. It also hastwo additional audio tracks whichfrequency modulate additional carriers,multiplexed with the U/V video FM signal.

A future option will allow two digitalaudio tracks to be recorded at the end ofthe video tracks instead of one of thelongitudinal audio tracks.

Don Kershaw

H.Rec. Eng. Tel., Television Centre

A BBC presentation, to the Press, has beenarranged for 20 Sept at the QEII

Conference Centre, in Westminster, to

launch the Radio Data System (RDS).

The chairman, Duke Hussey, already a keenuser of RDS, will speak at the event alongwith Johnny Beerling, the RDS SteeringGroup Chairman, and various personalitiesfrom BBC Radio. On display will be theRDS Exhibi tion Model, two of which arecurrently being constructed.

RDS will then go on show to the public atthe BBC Radio Show, produced by BBC Enter-prises, at Earls Court from 1-9 October.


CAD DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BBCWith the ever-increasing demands foreffecti ve resource managemen t, technologyis often asked to provide radicalsolutions to a complex set of problems.Computer Aided Design (CAD) presents uswith a potentially powerful tool to workwith. The applications have mainly beenin engineering disciplines but a plethoraof other uses, as diverse as carpet andlandscape gardening design, can now bedone with the aid of CAD. In fact thenumber of uses is only limited by one'simagination and grows daily.

What is CAD?As tne name suggests, the heart of a CADsystem is, a computer. Coupled with thisis a graphics screen and a mouse (a sortof electronic pencil). This is theessential core of the system whileperipheral equipment includes plotters,printers, digitising tablets, etc.. Thereis no real need to be a computer expertbut an appreciation of what is happeningdoes help. Most systems understandEnglish-type commands and are quitehelpful in suggesting what to do, if theuser gets into difficulties.

The advantages of CAD over conventionaldrawing methods are immediately apparentby the ease in which parts of a drawingcan be moved, stretched, viewed fromdifferent angles, magnified, etc. Mosttyges of design drawing are made up fromstandard parts, be it girders for anoffice block or transistors for a radio.These standard parts can be placed on adrawing in seconds, thus saving a lot oftime, money and effort.

Planning a pcb layout

- Eng Inf Summer 1988

Why use CAD?Although CAD is not the universal panacea,it can offer significant advantages overconventional work practices. In somecases, this may allow operational savingsto be made while, in other cases,increases in productivity and accuracy.The usefulness of CAD may be judged by itsability to serve many disciplines whilesharing common resources. Naturally, thebenefi t of such a system must beconsidered with respect to financial andstaffing implications. The cost ofintroducing CAD is difficult to justify,solely on the basis of drawing officesavings; a recent survey by UMIST showedthat ten companies had attempted to dothis and all ten had failed.

However, the case for using CAD wasjustified through hitherto unforeseensavings. Clearly it is important to havea defined goal at the outset to ensurethat the correct problem is solved. Thiswill then show all the potential benefitsand areas where savings may be made.

Could we use CAD?Terms such as CAE, CAD, CAM, CIM, & AMT(Computer Aided/Integrated, Engineering/Design/Manufacture & Advanced Manufact-uring Technology) all attempt to expressthe relationship between new technologyand the manufacturing industry. CADoffers a system which allows a designer toexpress ideas more easily by automatingsome of the conventional stages of thedesign process. As an example, it is nowpossible for a designer to draw a circuitdiagram of say an amplifier, simulate itsperformance characteristics, make all thenecessary pcb artwork, create a bill ofmaterials, etc without the specialist helpof a draughtsman, tracer or technician.

This may be applied to virtually anyprocess that requires the exchange ofinformation between different people.Whether or not this is cost effective, orrequired, must be kept in clear view atall times. How well this is achieved isdependent on the ability of those involvedto define their requirements accurately.

Where is CAD used?Two particular examples which illustrateonly a small part of the CAD applicationspectrum are given on the next page. Bothsystems resulted from the effects of

'Priorities for the Future'. The firstexample catered for a significant increasein capi tal project workload with noincreases to establishment staffinglevels. The second example offered apartial solution to the loss of virtuallyall drawing office capacity in thedepartment, coupled with the developmentof new working methods.

The first example is in BuildingEngineering Services, Radio, where the useof CAD will allow project engineers todesign and plan work by making extensiveuse of symbol libraries and digitisedfloor plans. It is possible for anengineer to sketch out his designrequirements and then pass these to adesign draughtsman to calculate electricaland mechanical details.

There are two major benefits; the first isthat a common drawing archive is readilyaccessible so that fewer and less detailedsurveys are required. The second benefitis that modifications to existing plantdrawings and design changes may be madewith relative ease. Taking just these twopoints, greater accuracy and improveddesign turn-round time can be achieved.Secondary applications are to be providedto enhance estimating, routine designcalculations and a method of archivingdrawings for future use.

The introduction of CAD willthe ability of BES Radiohigher project workload.

contribute toto absorb a

Designing Manchester's Studio A

The second example is that of Planning andInstallation Department, Television, whereproject work is now carried out

extensively by contract. This means thatP&ID Tel no longer has a great demand toproduce drawings internally. As a general

rule, pre-contract drawings are generatedby BBC staff and the extensive range oftechnical drawings are provided as part ofthe main contract or by third partydrawing bureaux. CAD enables engineers toproduce new contract drawings effectivelyand to a high standard. At a later stage,it also allows them to modify and exchangedrawings readily with the contractorswhere necessary.

Where do we 00 from here?As commonly occurs, the selection of asuitable product to fit a variety ofcomplex requirements can be a problem.Fortunately, the improvements in computertechnology now allow typical mainframeapplications to work well on desktop PCs.This factor, coupled with a widely usedAmerican product called Autocad, hasprovided a near-ideal solution for atleast nine different departments in theBBC and is under consideration by severalothers.

A particular feature of Autocad is itsabili ty to be adapted in order to meetspecific needs. At present, much work isconcentrated on defining standards toensure quality and to allow drawings to beexchanged between parties withoutconfusion. It is even possible to senddrawings electronically over widedistances allowing installation teams inthe field to discuss finer points ofdetail with the designer back at base.This also opens the door to furtherpossible improvements in the way thatresources can be spread further.

ConclusionsThe introduction of CAD has far-reachingeffects which, if properly managed, can bean extremely valuable asset. It isintended to enhance the human elements ofdesign and innovation by removing some ofthe hurdles that exist between thecustomer and the end product.

By its use, we are able to ensure that thewheel is only invented once and that thecustomers can see for themselves that itwill not only be round-shaped but of thedesired colour too. CAD has been provedto save time, money, and frustration whichis surely worth consideration.

For further information on CAD, contactMiles Hudson, CAE Manager, P&ID Tel,Rm A20S0 Woodlands.


SPECIAL FEATURE ON D & E DDesign and Equipment Department (D&ED)offers the BBC a very wide range ofessential goods and services. Itsorganisation into four groups Design,Support, Purchasing & Supply andTransport brings together differentareas of expertise which combine to offermaximum benefits to the department'scustomers; one of which is the opportunityto speed up the process of turning adesign into a finished product.

In this special feature, we take a brieflook at the various services offered bythe now fully-amalgamated department.

DESIGN

The department produces designs forelectronic equipment which is notobtainable commercially. Pro~ects arechosen by discussion with the department'sprincipal customers Television, Radio,News and Current Affairs, Regions,External Services and Transmission. Tothis end, regular liaison meetings areheld at a senior level and a wide varietyof informal contacts at all levels helps

to influence the choices. Ideas for newproducts come from the customerdepartments, D&ED itself, ResearchDepartment or more likely, a combinationof all three sources.

The Design Group comprises four sections -

Video, Audio, Radio Frequency and Control.

One of Video Section's most importantactivities has been the development ofdigi tal video equipment based on the Rec601 4:2:2 standard.

Resulting from this work is the two-channel mixer now installed in News, TC5and the Electronic Caption PreparationArea at Television Centre. The advantagesof using digital techniques in these areasare the lack of degradation due tomultiple passes through the mixer and easyinterconnection with other digitalequipment such as Slide File.

High-quality graphics are furtherinstances of the use of digitaltechniques, notable. examples being therotating world for BBCl and the animatedlogo for BBC2. Digital processing has

The digital video mixer


also been applied to the design of a PALdecoder, which sets a standard forperformance and stability against whichall other decoders may be judged.

The section has also been responsible fordeveloping, in collaboration with VarianTVT, the two-channel version of sound-in-syncs which will be required to supportthe broadcasting of stereo sound withtelevision. Work is also being done on anew interval test signal which onlyoccupies one line per field and henceoffers more lines for use byCeefax/Datacast.

The Mk II Nicam decoder

Audio Section is similarly active in thedesign of equipment using digitaltechniques. For transmission, a new lowercost version of the Nicam system is beingdeveloped, with the replacement of the 15year old 13-channel pcm in mind. And forstudio applications, a number of unitshave been designed to allow evaluation ofdigital audio techniques, based on theAES/EBU serial bit-stream standard for astereo pair of signals.

A trial system recently installed inBroadcasting House allows a bit-streamfrom the Digital Control Vehicle at an OBto be routed via a continuity suite to thedigital distribution network, withoutconversion to analogue audio. The systeminvolves conversion from Nicam to AES/EBU,mixing with the announcements in thecontinuity, limiting of the digital signaland re-conversion to Nicam. The problemof the cost of digital processing is alsobeing tackled by the design of Large ScaleIntegrated (LSI) circuits, specificallyfor these applications.

Another major project undertaken by AudioSection is the design of equipment for the

Radio Data System. The two principalareas of design work are the software forthe computer which generates the data inBroadcasting House and the equipmentinstalled at each transmitter whichassembles the data from incoming and localsources and modulates it on to the 57 kHzsubcarrier.

Radio Frequency Section's principalproducts are receivers and low-powertransmitters for both broadcast servicesand point-to-point links. The se~tiondesigned the 2W uhf television transposerand the low-power (up to 2kW) vhf-fmtransmitters which are currently beinginstalled in large numbers. Other recentproducts include a high-quality televisionreceiver for use at rebroadcasttransmitting stations and a high-qualitydemodulator for transmitter measurements.

Another important area of work is thedesign of new radio links which accordwith the frequency allocations recommendedby the Merriman Report. A link designedto carry one high-quali ty music channel,operating at 141, 213 or 224 MHz, has justbeen completed. Digi tal techniques havealso had their impact on RF Section andmodulators have been designed to carrydigi tal audio bit-streams in the minimumpossible bandwidth.

T he high quality music link

Control Section specialises in controlsystems for a wide variety of applicationsin broadcast engineering. In the past,the section has been responsible for thedesign of equipment for the transmi tterMonitoring & Information Centres and forthe system used for subtitling televisionprogrammes for the deaf. It was alsoresponsible for the equipment used tocontrol the presentation of wide screenContinued on next page


Continued from previous page

General view of Control Section lab.

format films and this is being enhanced to

allow zoom effects as well as the existingpanning of the scanned area.

Current work includesExternal Broadcasting'sstations. This is aproject, characterisedsoftware content in the

the control ofHF transmitting

very substantialby having a largedesign.

More use is being made of computers in thedesign process both for the development of

software and for circuit analysis andsimulation. Design Group's centralcomputing facility of three VAX mini-computers is networked around the design

offices and laboratories so that engineershave access through local terminals.

Printed circuit boards are designed by aseparate unit which is equipped with threeRacal Cadets, one Racal Redboard and twoCadnetix work stations. All thesemachines are capable of producingaccurate, high-density designs and theCadnetix can route the interconnectionsau toma tically.

A Cadnetix work station


The Cadnetix also has the ability toaccept the information in the form ofcircuit diagrams rather than lists ofcomponents and interconnections. Theoutput of these machines is transferred bymagnetic tape to the department's photo-plotter, thus ensuring an extremely highstandard of accuracy.

PROTOTYPE WORK

It is normal as part of a design to makeone or two prototype models. This work iscarried out by Prototype Services whoserange of facilities include: mechanicalprototyping, wiring prototyping,coilwinding, silk screen printing,engraving, paint spraying, photographicwork, etc.

The CNC mill

Computer-controlled machinery is now beingused advantageously to produce prototypesand small-quantity work. For example,while it is often not practical to punchaluminium extrusion, the CNC mill canproduce intricate shapes without the needfor special tooling. Programs arestored on disc and this is particularlyuseful when modifications are required.Only the change requires re-programming -the machine will reproduce the rest of thejob without extra technician effort and isthus more economical.

PRODUCTION

The drawing office is involved with thedesign process throughout but primarily,it provides draughting services to Designand Support Groups, with increasing usebeing made of Computer Aided Draughting.The Autocad and Cadkey systems areavailable and provision also exists tolink into the Design Group Cadnetixsystem. Once drawings are available, the

The Autocad workstation

Contracts Manager arranges for his sectionto have the equipment made against a firmorder on the department. A contract isplaced with an approved contractorfollowing a competitive tender.

The Support Laboratory provides technicalsupport to contractors who are supplyingBBC-designed equipment on a 'make andtest' basis. In some cases, testing isdone within the laboratory (for example,newly-made prototype equipment).

Slide scanner refurbishment

The laboratory also operates an urgentrepair service for equipmen~, includingmost types of microphones, and carries outinvestigations on equipment, componentsand materials. All of these facilitiesare available to departments throughoutthe BBC.

Testing RDS equipment

CONSULTANCY

The department sees consultancy as animportant part of the service it offers toits customers. As a result of theexpertise gathered by Design Group duringits normal work, it is in a good positionto advise on the technical aspects ofprojects with which it may not be directlyinvolved. Recent examples of consul tancyinclude: investigations relating to theplanning of the fifth uhf televisionchannel; problems of multiple generationsof PAL coding; improvements to commercialRT systems; authorshjp of the VettersGuide to the safety of equipment and,evaluation of commercial equipment of allkinds.

As a separate activity, Design Groupadvises BBC Enterprises on projects whichhave an engineering content. Thus it wasclosely involved with the BBCMicrocomputer and its successors, with theDomesday Project and more recently, thelaunch of the Datacast Service. It isalso involved with the medical downloadingexperiment which was announced recently.

Standards Section provides informationsupporting the purchase and use of arationalised range of engineeringcomponents and materials throughout theBBC - now including active devices. (Moreinformation on the section's semiconductorContinued on next page


Continued from previous pageservioe is given on page 18). The sectionalso represents the BBC in technicalnegotiations with suppliers and customersand participates in British and Europeanstandards activities.

Where possible, Support Group licensesequipment designs. The Liaison Engineeris responsible for negotiating licenceagreements with manufacturers to enablethem to sell BBC-designed equipment on theopen market. Licences are normally agreedon the basis of an up-front payment plusroyalties and results in a useful incomefor the BBC.

Design Information sheets are published,giv.ing details of designs available forlicence, and Open Days are held annuallyin the 'autumn, normally coinciding withthe EsIC conference.

INSTALLATION

A team of skilled Wiremen/Mechanics isavailable to undertake installation workthroughout the country and

.abroadstrictly in accordance with BBC standardsand practice. The team comprises a mix ofBBC and contract staff, a common method ofworking being to have BBC supervisors andstaff in charge of the contractors.

PURCHASING AND SUPPLY

It is almost certain that every person whoreads this article will have at least oneitern that has been procured and suppliedby one of the two stores under thedepartment's control and directionAvenue House and Ware. These two storesare an integral part of the Corporationand between them they provide acomprehensive supply service throughout

The Purchasing & Supply Group office


the Uni ted Kingdom - via the'Wells Fargo' trunker vehiclesTransport Group.

now famousoperated by

Behind the two stores there is atremendous amount of professionalpurchasing and stock control expertise,which is required to meet the needs ofcustomer departments. Purchasing andSupply group ensures that whether acontract is for a year's supply of toiletrolls or for high tech cable used to carryprogrammes, the BBC gets the highestpossible quality for the very bestdiscounted price.

The Engineering Store (Avenue House) isprimarily 'strategic' in that it suppliesmost of the 'bits and piecesI that areessential to broadcasting. The store atWare, on the other hand, services thebroader needs of the BBC. Examples of itsstock include coffee, Malvern water,diaries, scribbling pads, chairs andtables all essential to the infra-structure of the BBC.

Both stores publish a priced catalogueevery six months and extensively usecomputers to control stock. Both arecost-recovered operations; in other wordsthey stand or fall by the price andquali ty of the goods they offer and thelevel of service they provide.

Professional purchasing advice isavailable to any department in the BBC.

TRANSPORT

While watching tv or listening to theradio, few people think about how big apart transport plays in the production ofmany programmes. Transport Group, basedat Park Western, looks after a fleet of576 cars, 161 technical vehicles, 6 motorcycles, 67 trailers, 294 commercialvehicles, 368 leased cars and even acouple of milk floats and a bus!

Vehicles are usually boughtmanufacturers but occasionally, amanufacturer is used where thei ris more specific to our needs.

from UKforeignvehicle

All vehicles have to be taxed and (if notexempt) MOT'd yearly. This rather largejob is organised each month from computersheets and sometimes, it is no surpriseto find the group writing out a chequefor £080,000 for tax discs. As TransportGroup at Park Western is responsible fortaxing all the vehicles at Bristol,

A different type of transmission!

Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, EastKilbride and Northern Ireland, as well asat transmitters (where MaTs are donelocally), efficiency and co-operation oflocal managers is essential to ensure thatthe regions receive their tax discs ontime.

Very careful planning of loads, androutine schedules, ensures that no driveris double booked. The drivers themselvesfind they do a variety of jobs. Theycould be working on technical vehicles, atspecial events like the Royal Wedding orWimbledon, or simply carrying props andcostumes from one location to another.The drivers have a maximum amount of hoursthey are allowed to work per week whichmakes good staff planning essential.

At Park Western there is a good-sizedgarage where capable fitters do all types

of maintenance on thedetached locations areinto local garages.shattered windscreens,problems are lookedRescue.

vehicles. Only inthe vehicles taken

Any breakdowns,tyre or batteryafter by AA-BRS

The vehicles in the fleet have arelatively short life span; the cars areusually replaced between 35-40,000 milesor after 3 years, vans after 5 years or50,000 miles, trucks after 8 years or80,000 miles while trailers normally do a10 year service. Most of the redundantvehicles are disposed of through carauctions.

Transport is aoperation. Thecomputer whereregularly fed in;on a vehicle inquickly found.

fully cost-recoveredgroup has a Wang VS 80all vehicle data isany information requiredany region can thus be

*******************

More detailed information about D&ED canbe found in the department's annual reportfor 1987, which is currently available.Finally, if you have any further queries,please contact the relevant manager shownon the organisation chart below or theCustomer Services Manager (Bob Hartley) onAvenue House 240.

Many thanks to the staff of D&ED for their

assistance in compiling this feature andto John Flewitt of EID for taking most ofthe photographs.

DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT DEPARTMENTORGANISATION CHART

HEAD OF DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT DEPARTMENT(A.A. NEALE)

ManagementAccountant

(C. Ganesu)

Head ofDesign Group

(D.M. Kitson)

Head of Purchasingand Supply Group

lA. Brownless)

Stores SystemsManager

(Mrs. V. Brooks)

II

Sen. Purch.Manager

(P. 8800ett)

Stores ManagerAvenue House(M. Maloney)

Eng. Purch.Manager

(Vacancy)

IOffice and

Gen. Purch.Manager

(5. Pannelll

Laboratory Standards ManagerManager (B.R. Amman)

(D.S. Booty)

ReceiverSection

Manager(D.C. Read)

Head ofVideo

Section(D.J. Bradshaw)

Head ofAudio

Section(R.K. Lawrence)

Head ofR.F.

Section(J.B. Sykes)

Head ofControlSection

(J.M. Astle)

CustomerServices Manager

(R.E. Hartley)

Head ofSupport Group(D.J. Walker)

TransportManager

(E.J. Rowlinson)

Stores ManagerWare

CR. Cheese)

Transport Dps.Manager

CR. Brooks)

AssistantTranspt. Manager

(R. Lewis)

Head ofElectronics

Section(J.R. Bowers)

Admin and HouseServicesManager

(D.M. Eaton)

LiaisonEngineer

(P. Jefferson)

Head of ServicesSection

(R.P. Marie)

PrototypeServicesManager

(D.E.C. Brown)

IInstallationManager

(R. Hoarel

IlContractsManager

(C.K. Lewis)

IDrawing

OfficeManager

(R.B. Alien)


NEW FACILITIES FOR SATELLITEMONITORING AT CROWSLEY PARKRegular monitoring of satellite television

broadcasts could begin soon, following theacceptance of a facility provided at

Crowsley Park under a contract placed by

Transmission Engineering Department.

The system comprises: two 11-metre dishesfor C-Band reception; various receivers tocope with different modulation systems;signal-routeing matrices and the necessarycomputer control. Normal opel:ations willbe determined by a 7-day cycle ofeq~ipment-setting commands the 'EventSchedule' - which may have as many as 3600lines; short notice changes will behandled by manual intervention using atouchscreen fitted to a vdu.

The received signals are routed to theMonitoring Service, at Caversham, on fourcoaxial cables and eight music circui ts.The video cables have been equalised to

10MHz to enable addi tional sub-car riers,above vision frequencies, to be demodul-

ated at their destination. At Caversham,the signals are distributed via a uhf ringmain to the monitoring positions, eachwith its own receiver/monitor and vcr.

The DishesThe two dishes provided in this firstphase are of proprietary design and fittedwith high-speed steering drives 120degrees per minute to enable fastchanges of the target satellite withchanges of programme commitment. They arefitted to receive an extended C-Band rangeof frequencies, 3.625 to 4.20 GHz, andmeet Intelsat standard 'B' for receptionperformance in this band.

Future dishes, in Phase Two, will be ofsimilar design but will cover the extendedKu-Band - 10.75 to 12.75 GHz.

T he two llm satellite monitoring dishes


The dishes have been constructed on piled,reinforced concrete bases, set into thesoutherly slope of a near east-west valley

which is bordered to the north by a wood.In this location, the dishes have littleimpact on the skyline, despite their size.

The intercepted signals are conveyed at C-Band frequencies, on foam-filled Heliaxcables, to the receivers in the Main

Building, 400 metres away.

The MatricesSignal routeing, under computer control,is achieved using matrices manufactured by

Di-tech Inc. These have the advantage ofallowing any channel card to be unpluggedfrom the frame without affecting any otherchannel and without the need to removepower .

The Control SystemThe facilities provided are:

1) Continuous monitoring of equipmentstatus

2) Manual control of3) Automatic control

preset sequence'Event Schedule')

4) Facilities to

Schedule' from, orfloppy disk

5) Automatic logging of system actionsand responses

6) Facilities to archive the 'Log' toa floppy disk

7) Facilities to produce on-screen orprinted reports from the archived'Log' or, of system alarms

8) On-screen facilities to edit the

'Event Schedule'

equipment statusaccording to a

of commands (the

load an 'Eventto, asave

This has been achieved by a distributed-processing approach, using an Intel 310computer to look after the 'real-time'

T he satellite monitoring receivers

T he satellite monitoring control desk

functions and IBM PC-AT based workstationsto handle the human interface.

Communication between computers is viaRS232C data links of programmable speed.

Each workstation is provided with amonochrome vdu, for all text-relatedactions, and a colour vdu for equipmentstatus indications. This last vdu isfitted with a touchscreen as the inputdevice for manually controlling theequipment settings.

The software for this project was writtenmainly in 'c' and compiled to run underIntel's iRMX-86 operating system, for the310 computer, and under PC-DOS with atask-scheduling overlay, for the IBM PC-AT.

Vernon SmithSen Eng, Tech Devs, Caversham

NOW YOU CAN MAKE YOUROWN WIDEBAND FM AERIALNowadays, it is importantreceiving aerial should haveand directivity across the87.5 - 108 MHz band.

that an FMadequate gainwhole of the

EID has recently published a leaflet,based on Research Department report RD1987/13, which describes how to constructa four element yagi with a gain of atleast 4.7dB across the band and a front-to-back ratio of 13dB. The half-powerbeam width is z 36 degrees.

Copies of the leaflet, called "Make an FMRadio Aerial", are available from EID,Room 711, HWH. Tel: LBH 5040 (or 01-9275040, if dialling from outside).


ICCA REFURBISHEDThe International Control and CommentaryArea (ICCA) at Television Centre has beenrefurbished to provide three newproduction control rooms (IPCs 1,2 & 3)and to greatly increase the capaci ty forsound and vision routeing in theInternational Control Room (ICR).

IFCs 1 & 2

These have each been provided with tenchannel Calrec sound mixers while,additionally, IPCl has a six channelmarried sound-and-vision mixer and IPC2, asimple vision switcher. All areas havecomprehensive communications includingeight cnannel conference systems,talkback, Network intercom and ten channelcontent monitoring systems.

Vision is monitored from the fifty~sixsource main routeing matrix - which feedsCroma multi-standard colour monitors ineach area plus Tektronix waveform monitorsand vectorscopes (PAL & NTSC) in ICR.

Sound is moni taredPro-bel 128 sourceup to ten sourcesdestinations.

by usematrix,to each

of a specialwhich can mixof the eight

IPC 3

With IPC 3,to prov ideused foroperations:

the opportunity has been takena control room which can bea variety of different

1) As a switching point for two or moreOBs to be fed to Network (egCricket/Golf or Racing/Cricket)

2) For gallery-onlyrequi re accesscomputer graphics

operations whichto vt, OBs and

3) As a control point for liveinternational transmissions toNetwork, which may have standbymaterial available and possibly astandby narrator or commentator.The production department willusually have a presence tocoordinate the transmission (eg.Eurovision Song Contest, Reefwatch,Urbi et Orbi, etc)

As a coordination and monitoringpoint for large international events


4)

(The Olympic Games, World Cup, etc).Even when a studio, normally TC5,has been booked for the duration ofthe event, there will be certaintimes when the studio is eitherunmanned, or rehearsing, and theproduction staff require access toall communications and monitoringconnected with the event.

5) As part of the International Controlarea, it must also be suitable forsound-mixing of incoming inter-national events and have access toall ICR facilities.

To cover these requirements, IPC3 has beenequipped wi th all the communications and

moni taring facili ties in IPCs 1&2 plus atwelve channel stereo Amek sound desk.

Six lines from CAR, plus direct graphics

key-and-fill signals from the TC5 graphicsarea, feed two BBC effects switchers and a

Grass Valley 100 vision mixer.

The control desk in IPC 3

All these facilities, giving effectively a

small television studio gallery and aninternational production control room, aresqueezed into a desk which is only threemetres wide.

The entire refurbishment was undertaken byP&ID Tel. The normal operation of theInternational Control Room had to bemaintained throughout and this was madepossible by close co-operation with theICR operational staff.

Tim Hardiman, P&ID TelBrian Elliot, Duty Man, ICR

NCIGOESSTEREOPresentation Area E at Television Centre(previously NC2) re-entered service as theNetwork Control for BBCl on Monday 9thMay. This follows work by P&ID Tel(Central Systems Section) to completefacilities for the handling of stereoprogrammes. The area now works in thestereo mode with a derived mono signalfeeding the transmitter chain.

The new Network Control for BBC 1

At present, only recorded material from VTTransmission Suite 1 can be routed instereo through Network Control: othersources will become available in late1988, when the conversion of the CARrouteing system to stereo is completed.(To enable live stereo programmes to betransmitted experimentally from CrystalPalace, a separate stereo sound mixer iscurrently installed in the Spur.)

While the area was out-of-service,work included the installation ofrecorder to automaticallypresentation junctions.

othera VHSrecord

Presentation Area F the former NClwill be out-of-service until the New Yearwhile a similar conversion to stereo takesplace. When completed, the area willserve as Network Control for BBC2.

P.BarlowDuty Manager, Pres Eng I

TRIBUTE TO FRANK WHEELERFrank Wheeler, OBE, died on March 11.Affectionately known as 'Little Wheeler',Frank retired in 1960 after serving 36years in the BBC, the last 17 asSuperintendent Engineer (Transmitters).

As the first Engineer-in-Charge at theMoorside Edge transmitting station, hecaused a stir in Head Office by purchasing

· soft soap' locally rather than orderingit through official channels - typical ofhis individual approach to matters.

He was very active in the war years,making arrangements for the rapidrestoration of transmitter servicesdamaged by enemy action and fighting forjob equality when the very first femaletechnical recruits joined the BBC. Hewrote in 1943: "Women must be given thesame opportuni ties as male TechnicalAssistants in learning and doing jobs".

After his retirement, Frank continued totake a keen interest in Corporationaffairs. His frequent letters to variousHead Office departments were oftencritical of wha t he saw as the fallingstandards of service to the public.

A founder member of the Retired EngineersLuncheon Club (RELICS), Frank delighted in

reminiscing wi th former colleagues. Hisexceptional memory for detail and hisexperiences, told with twinkling eyes andobvious enjoyment, will be remembered withgreat affection.

Ron Johnson, EiC Washford 1963-1977

Frank enjoying his retirement


D & E D's SEMICONDUCTOR SERVICEStandards Section, in D&ED at AvenueHouse, has extended its professionalguidance for BBC staff to cover activedevices as well as passive components.

The expertise required to deal withsemiconductor problems has been providedby the appointment of two specialistswithin the section and the upgrading offacilities and equipment, including accessto very powerful database services viapacket-switching networks on the publictelephone system.

Chris Rivers has recently joined thesection as Senior Engineer, Semi-conductors. He is available to adviseon: developments in semiconductortechnology; applications for LSI devices;the availability and effectiveness ofvarious forms of custom devices and theperformance of integrated digital devices,including comparisons between so-called'equivalents' .

Chris is supported by Raj Davda who hasparticular responsibili ties for: analoguedevices; discrete programming semi-conductors and for surface mountcomponents and techniques. Chris and Rajhave available to them databases whichinclude Videolog and Codus.

The American-based Videolog systemcontains full technical details of allcurrent semiconductor devices and thosewhich have become obsolete within the past5 years. In addition to the retrieval oftechnical information and data sheets, theservices available include identificationof equivalent or alternative devices,supplier and manufacturer details anddistributor catalogue information.Provision also exists for automaticordering of components or data fromAmerican sources via an electronic mailsystem.

The Codus da tabaseapproved to CECC

cations.

coversand BS

all components9000 specifi-

'Codus Reliability' is an associatedfacility which permits calculation ofcomponent and system reliability to themodels of MIL HDBK 217 E and BritishTelecom HRD 4. File access is provided toallow users to store and manipulate theirmodels and data.


The section is the approved source ofprogrammed logic devices (PLDs) - such asPROMs and PALs and uses equipment asauthor ized by device manufacturers. Inaddition to providing these devices forBBC purposes, it is also responsible forthe registration of all data held on PLDsused in BBC equipment. This provides alegal safeguard to ensure that theownership of the programme data isretained by the BBC. Approximately 4000devices are already held in the registerarchive and the current registration rateis approaching 500 per year.

The registration of programmable devicesis carried out under the supervision ofAlan Brooks, who also arranges programmingof such items.

A major concern within the section remainsthe rapid solution of customer problemsand together, the evaluation of newtechnology.

A Standards Section engineer has recentlycompleted an investigation into SurfaceMount Techniques (SMT). He considers thatthis emergent technology can be useful tothe BBC but warns that adherence toguidelines is essential because the yieldof usable assemblies depends upon thewhole process being engineered with SMT inmind - ordinary pc design, fabricating andassembly techniques are not appropriate.

Chris Rivers can be contacted by telephoneon AH 255, Raj Davda on AH 338 and AlanBrooks on AH 326. All three can bereached via a dedicated enquiry number -AH 206.

Brian AmmonStandards Manager, D&ED

BBC ENGINEERINGSee you at

~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ BRIGHTON~ 23 - 27 September

Stand L12 - Metropole Hotel

TWO NEW STUDIOS FOR ETDTwo newserviceCentre.Training

studios have recently enteredat the Engineering TrainingThey are described here by two

Managers from Woodnorton.

STUDIO CA STUDIO ON A SHOESTRING

When I was a lad mycome out with all,

t ru ths' such as "youpurse out of a sow'spassing of time I havesuch sayings; two income to mind:

grandmother wouldthose home-spun

can't make a silkear". With thenoted many otherparticular often

"An engineer can do for a few pence whatany fool can do for a pound" and"You can't please everyone all the time".So wha t has all the wisdom of the agesgot to do with an article for 'Eng Inf'well that brings to mind a well-knownphrase about fools rushing in

Wood Norton (well-known for thoseentertaining little breaks away) has formany years struggled by with onebadminton hall and one operationaltelevision studio, which has had to copewith the many courses that need access toa studio area for operational training.

The pressure on this studio has grownover the years and all manner of greenhuts and satanic basements have beenpressed into service for use as practicalareas. This generated a rabbit warren ofseparate activity, making creativesupervision very difficult but doingwonders for the fitness of training staffrushing around between practicals.

Now, discussing rushing reminds me ofwhere we started and when I got involvedin the project: oh yes, a project toduplicate our existing television studio.

There wasn't really much left to do - thesite had been chosen just north of theexisting studio, the building plan hadbeen agreed and the budget line was

fixed. In fact, all we had to do was sitback and watch the building bedelivered - yes delivered!

One of our regui remen ts was tolarge a building as possible but,was very limited, a very largeshed was the result.

have asas cashtimber

Those of you who know us well willrealize that this will have pleased thelocal planners, by merging very nicelywi th our existing studio. For all itsobvious acoustic limitations, the area isa very flexible training area. A rollingpantograph system for dual sources

provides the lighting rig and the resinstudio floor provides an excellent

s~rface for camera operation training.So, given these basic features, we needed

to turn the building into a working area.

T he arrival of Studio C at ET D!

Amazing good will throughout the BBCbrought redundant plant, by the lorryload, to augment the various bits of kitdecanted from our rabbit warren of areas.Four EMI 2001 cameras came from Aberdeen;these are now in their twentieth year andstill providing pictures most of thetime! The sound desk came from a dubbingtheatre in Bristol.

Around these items we installed desks,wall boxes and monitor stacks. Theobject of the exercise was to spend ourlittle pot of money on generating a goodbasic infrastructure for operationaltraining so that, at introductory level,the relationship between areas and thefunction of each area is obvious.

The studio was completed in about oneyear from site clearance to firstprogramme and has enabled us to copewith an exceptionally heavy autumn courseloading. Now that we have the basicshell, and a good floor, we can improvetrimmings as we go along.Continued on back page


ETD's NEW STUDIOSContinued from previous page

Obviously, given the various constraints,our studio is not quite a silk purse butneither is it a sow's ear!...

Steve WestlakeTraining Manager, Picture Ops Unit, ETD

STUDIO 6

For a long time, one of the most crampedtraining areas at ETD was the onecontaining a GP Mk IV sound desk. It wasdesignated Studio 12 and those with longmemories will know that it once housed atransistorised Type A desk.

The area of the cubicle was about 15square metres, which meant that with thedesk and a basic complement of two tapemachines and two disc players, there wasvery little room for people. With onelecturer and no more than three studentsthe place was crowded.

Also the studio itself was poor, with avery 'boxy' acoustic and inferior soundinsulation so that any external noisespenetrated easily. As if that was notenough, the place was often damp!

Recent rearrangement of areas has beenpossible and the GP desk has been movedinto a reconstructed part of the trainingblock known as Avon Wing. Here it sits ina cubicle having a floor area of around 40square metres. This much greater spacenot only allows more students to beaccommodated at anyone time, but it alsomeans that it can function as aconventional training area or lectureroom, with projection facilities.

In case anyone is puzzled by theloudspeakers, they are LS5/9s on theirsides. When the photograph was taken theLS 5/8s intended for the stands had notyet arrived!

M. Talbot-SmithTraining Manager, Audio Ops Unit, ETD


Designed and produced by EID; printed by ETD, Woodnorton

j7llmm(l't integration ofd&ednow complete · english-type commands andarequite ......

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