Tektronix MTS400 · Tektronix MTS430
MPEG Test Systems

• CaptureVu technology captures and analyzes system events in real time and deferred time to debug the intermittent and complex problems that traditional analyzers miss
• Real Time Video over IP analysis and recording
• Analyzes stored transport streams at up to 400 Mbps to greatly reduce analysis time
• Innovative "program centric" user interface brings expert power to the novice user
• Broadest and deepest range of analysis of legacy and next generation compressed standards including MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, VC-1, 3GPP & DVB-H
• Customizable scripting supports the broadest range of ratified and evolving World-Wide DTV standards (ATSC, DVB, and ISDB) and includes local language service information
• Specific configurations for Equipment Manufacturers (MTS430) and Broadcasters/Network Operators (MTS400)

Product Information
Datasheet	573 KB
Manual vol. 1	9.5 MB
Manual vol. 2	6.0 MB
Ordering Info
PDF Help

Tektronix MTS430 Solution for Equipment Manufacturers - Research and Development

• CaptureVu technology allows rapid isolation and debugging of equipment and system faults
• Multiplexer/Re-Multiplexer allows test stream creation and modification
• Rapid and in depth analysis of selected elements of transport streams to confirm functionality and compliance to standards
• Set Top Box buffer testing and verification
• Codec design and optimization

Tektronix MTS430 Solution for Equipment Manufacturers - Manufacturing Test

• Equipment test is simplified and faster with CaptureVu and the High Speed Analysis Engine of the MTS400
• Multiplexer/Re-Multiplexer allows custom test stream creation for equipment stress testing
• Stream Playout and Recording Provides Repeatable Test Source with seamless looping and continuous time-stamping for test and alignment of STB's, IRDs, and Modulators
• Duplex operation allows end-to-end testing of system network elements

Tektronix MTS400 Solution for Broadcasters and Network Operators

• CaptureVu technology allows isolation of intermittent network problems that other analyzers would not be capable of isolating
• Tests contribution feeds, multiplexer inputs, and outputs
• Tests PCR insertion, recovery, and re-generation equipment
• Encoder and other equipment fault diagnosis and evaluation
• Analysis of transport streams to confirm correct system operation and isolate faults during installation and commissioning.

The Tektronix MTS400 Series is a new class of analysis tool, the world's first Compressed Digital Video Debugger/Analyzer that introduces CaptureVu, a new to market capability that captures and analyzes system events in real time to debug the intermittent and complex problems that traditional analyzers miss.

The Tektronix MTS400 Series offers significant enhancements over traditional MPEG analyzers, and operates both in real-time (live streams) and deferred-time (stored streams).  The combination of real-time error capture, an innovative high-speed analysis, and built-in intelligence, allows ultra-fast pinpointing and debugging of intermittent faults in MPEG transport streams.

The Tektronix MTS400 Series also introduces Real Time Video over IP analysis and recording, both as a component of MTS400 Test System instruments and as an Tektronix MTS4SA standalone application for users own Windows PCs equipped with a standard 10/100 or Gigabit Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC).

Tektronix' industry leadership offers the broadest (across multiple standards and video layers) and deepest (in depth of generation and analysis) solution for compressed video test, The MTS400 series can be applied anywhere at any level, to diagnose and solve the most subtle, complex, and intermittent DTV problems in the minimum time.

The MTS400 Test System instruments generate, record, and analyze at the highest ASI data rate possible (approximately 214 Mbps). A comprehensive suite of analysis tools include Transport Stream (TS) compliance, buffer, PES, compressed video, and audio elementary stream analyzers, together with TS editor, multiplexer, and Data Broadcast applications for stream creation, analysis, and error-injection.

Standards compliance is ensured through in-built customizable scripting supporting the broadest range of ratified and evolving DTV standards, including ATSC, DVB-C, DVB-H, DVB-S, DVB-T, ISDB-S, ISDB-T and MPEG. To keep analysis up to date, flexibility is the key. New standards and proprietary tables can easily be catered for by loading Tektronix supplied updates, or creating your own custom scripts.

The Tektronix MTS400 and Tektronix MTS430 instruments include a large integrated LCD display with a powerful 2.8 GHz processor with support for multiple physical layer interfaces, such as ASI, SPI, SMPTE310M, and Gigabit Ethernet. All units come supplied with 144 GB of video stream disk storage as well as a DVD reader/writer.

Technical Features:

• CaptureVu technology captures and analyzes system events in real time and deferred time
• New analysis engine that can analyze at up to 400 Mbps offers greatly reduced deferred analysis time (up to 90% reduction compared with traditional analyzers)
• Powerful TS compliance analyzer with CaptureVu technology - both in real time and deferred time
• ASI Analysis, Record, and Playout to the maximum possible bit rate (214 Mbps)
• Video over IP Analysis with CaptureVu technology and Video over IP Recording (specified to 100 Mb/s)
• DVB-ASI, 10/100/1000 Base-T, SMPTE 310M and SPI/LVDS (DVB-Parallel) Transport Stream Interfaces
• Duplex ASI operation (one input, one output simultaneously) offers end-to-end system test (maximum aggregate bit rate is 214 Mbps for simultaneous input and output operation)
• Powerful user definable scripting offers flexibility to adapt product for customers own protocols
• Elementary Stream Analysis support (including H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and 3GPP
• PES and Buffer Analysis, Multiplexer, and Data broadcast Generation and Analysis support
• MPE, SFN, and DVB-H table support
• H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and DVB-H signaling and bit-rate support as standard
• Comprehensive PCR graphing and measurement (Accuracy, Arrival Interval, Overall Jitter, Frequency Offset, and Drift Rate)
• PTS distance/arrival time graphing and measurement
• Bit rate measurements to TR 101 290 MGB2 Profile
• Unicode support displays service information in the user's local language (including double byte character sets such as Chinese and Japanese)
• Error logs can be output in CSV or XML formats for compatibility with office applications
• Transport Stream Editor Transport Stream Cutter, and Transport Stream Make Seamless applications
• Fast 2.8 GHz Pentium  P4 CPU, 80 GB system disk storage, 144 GB video stream disk storage, 1GB memory, and additional 10/100 Base T Ethernet Interface for integration with user networks
• Portable form factor, with integrated LCD screen
• Future software and hardware option expandability
• Windows XP Operating System
• Tektronix MTS4SA Standalone Software Supports Windows NT 4.0, 2000, and XP Operating Systems

top >

• Program Centric summary screen with go/no-go error indication of user specified tests.
• CaptureVu technology/trigger views
• Tests display
• PCR & PTS graphing and measurement display
• SI/PSI/PSIP Display
• Real Time and Deferred Time EPG Display
• Section and Packet View
• Real and Deferred Time Analysis share the same displays and user-interface

Transport Stream Compliance Analyzer
The MTS400 MPEG Transport Stream Compliance Analyzer (TSCA) enables you to monitor and interpret the contents of real-time or previously recorded or synthesized transport streams using the latest ATSC, DVB, ISDB-S, ISDB-T and MPEG standards.

The analyzer is specifically designed to enable you to quickly locate and identify problems within a transport stream using a minimum number of mouse clicks. By quickly identifying the problem areas, the TSCA software helps you save time during the development and test of equipment, networks, and services.

You can configure the TSCA software to display stream information in user-selected fonts. This feature enables you to view stream information in your local language or to use custom fonts.

The TSCA software can also be purchased to run stand-alone on computers with Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP operating systems. Separate packages are available for Deferred Time Analysis and Real-Time Video over IP Analysis. Both packages offer CaptureVu™ technology and PCR measurement and graphing capabilities.

TSCA Features:

• Easy "program centric" UI quickly isolates information of interest
• CaptureVu Technology captures and analyzes system events in real or deferred time
• In-depth analysis of stored transport streams including support for MPEG, ATSC, DVB, ISDB-T and ISDB-S table types
• Data summaries and automated filters simplify the analysis of complex transport streams
• TR 101 290 Priority 1, 2, and 3 tests
• Syntax analysis and display supported for ISDB-T, TMCC, and IIP data
• Consistency checks performed between SI, TMCC, and IIP data
• Proprietary PSI/SI syntax section rate error testing
• Informational logging and detected errors
• Unicode Support enables service information to be displayed in Japanese, Chinese or other languages

Deferred and Real-Time Modes
The TSCA can be run in deferred-time or real-time. Deferred-time analysis mode is available on any recommended platform (including users own PCs). In deferred-time analysis mode, a stored stream can be analyzed and viewed at any time. Real-time analysis is available as standard with the MTS400 and MTS430 MPEG Test Systems. Real-time monitoring of Video over IP is also available as a standalone application for running on a user's own PC. Using real-time analysis, live streams can be monitored on a continuous basis and can also be paused for more detailed deferred-time analysis. Real-time analysis can be resumed at any time.

TSCA User Interface
The TSCA software uses a single main program summary window with different context sensitive views contained within tabbed frames. This provides the maximum amount of useful information while keeping the screen from appearing cluttered. From the main window, you can access the following views:

CaptureVu Triggering

CaptureVu Technology captures and analyzes system events in real time and deferred time to debug the intermittent and complex problems that traditional analyzers miss. CaptureVu technology lets the user set a “breakpoint” on a specific test or event, and, when the breakpoint occurs, a dialog will show the breakpoint condition and exact location of the packet within the Transport Stream. CaptureVU technology automatically pre-buffers the last 200 MB of the signal, pauses the analysis, and launches an in-depth deferred time analysis that lets the user drill down into the problem. The captured stream can also be permanently stored on the hard disk for subsequent re-analysis with the deferred-time TSCA application. This powerful debug mode enables fast debugging of troublesome intermittent problems.

Trigger Sources and Conditions

• TR 101 290 1st, 2nd, 3rd priority tests or ATSC and ISDB tests
• Multiplex occupancy outside of user defined limits
• External TTL Trigger
• Date and Time
• In triggered recording mode, the size of the pre-trigger buffer can be specified as a percentage of the overall file size range from 0 to 100%

Errors that are detected at lower levels in the program stream hierarchy propagate up to the highest level. This allows you to monitor all of the programs in the stream at a high level and then quickly go to lower levels as necessary to locate a problem.

SI/PSI & PSIP (Tables) View

top >

A summary view displays key values for each table in a meaningful way. The view includes hyperlinks enabling you to quickly access related information within other tables and views.

When one or more tests fail, each failed test will be listed under the relevant PID. Specific PIDs can be selected to display a summary of all the associated tests. A specific test can be selected to display its Event Log and Parameters.

Packet View
The Packet View displays information about all of the packets found in the transport stream grouped according to content. These groups include PID value, SFN Mega-frame initialization packets (MIPs - DVB only), and information packets (IIPs - ISDB-T only). When you select a specific PID or MIP, only packets carrying that particular PID or MIP are displayed.

Section Graphing
Section repetition interval – This graph displays the interval between two sections of a table on a particular PID.

Sub-table repetition interval – This graph displays the time between receiving one complete sub-table and receiving the next complete sub-table.

PCR Analysis
The MTS400 Series supports comprehensive PCR measurements to the TR 101 290 standard. When the selected elementary stream PID contains PCR information, PCR trend analysis views are available, displaying graphs of: PCR accuracy, PCR arrival interval, PCR overall jitter, PCR frequency offset, and PCR drift rate

The MTS400 Series is also able to display PTS Arrival Interval graphing in real-time or deferred-time as shown.

Event Panel
This panel shows the events for one or more services, depending on the node selected. Individual events are color-coded and shown as blocks; each block (and its associated tool-tip) displays event information extracted from the EIT. When a block is selected, the complete event information is shown in the event detail panel, including a link to the section carrying the information.

Events are color-coded as follows:

• Red: Present Event
• Green: Following Even
• Blue: Schedule Event
• Yellow: (ISDB only) After event

MPE/IP View Data Broadcast
MPE data (internet IP sessions over MPEG TS) can be viewed as a separate entry for each MPE session either detected within the TS, or manually signaled since the view became active.

Information displayed for each session includes:

• PID
• MAC Address
• Network layer source and destination IP addresses
• Transport layer protocol and port numbers
• Total data transmitted by the session so far since monitoring commenced
• Instantaneous bit rate using MGB1 profile

DVB SFN
For real-time, data contained in the most recently received MIP will be interpreted and displayed in a view depicting each field value. TPS MIP, STS time-stamps and other detailed information are available in navigator views.

GigE Interface for Video over IP Analysis and Recording
Two Ethernet ports are fitted as standard to the MTS400 Series, one 10/100 and one 10/100/1000 Base-T. This allows connection to a corporate LAN while simultaneously using the second port for Video over IP Analysis with CaptureVu™ technology. The analyzer allows the selection of any current UDP session on a LAN segment for subsequent analysis and extraction to disk.*¹

top >

*¹Network traffic loading is specified to 100 Mbps maximum bit rate.

Log Entry Format
Each log entry consists of Time stamp from the system clock in real-time and PCRs in deferred time.

• Error Reference.  This would normally be a PID or Program
• Event description can be in local language.
• Errors per stream and per PID.  Circular log of 10k entries, with overwrite warning.
• Logs can be viewed in entirely or filtered pertaining to PID, Program Test, or test and PID.
• Log files can be save in CSV or XML format for subsequent analysis

Playout (Transport Stream Generation) and Recording

Both Playout and Recording are supported as standard on both the MTS400 and MTS430 MPEG Test Systems. Both instruments also support simultaneous Playout and Recording (Duplex operation).

Continuous Time Stamping
The transport stream player application offers a “Continuous Time-Stamp” option. This provides real-time modification of the timing information contained in the source stream during looped playback. This process removes timing discontinuities which would otherwise occur at the loop point.

The following values are modified:

• Continuity count
• PCR, PTS, DTS
• Time Offset Table (TOT - DVB only)
• Time and Date Table (TDT - DVB only)
• System Time Table (STT - ATSC only)
• Normal Play Time (NPT - MHP)
• Reed Solomon (ISDB-T only)

This feature is configurable from the stream player user interface and will operate in real time at the maximum playout rate.

Recording
Time-Stamped transport stream recording can be made with packet arrival time information stored for offline PCR timing analysis. The maximum record length is limited only by available disk space. It is not necessary to pre-allocate a file before recording.

Triggered Recording
It is possible to make either an immediate or triggered recording, with the user definable pre-trigger buffer being used to capture stream before, during, or after the trigger point.

Complete Transport Streams are recorded, with recorded file parameters being displayed upon completion. These include file size, bit rate, number of packets, trigger conditions, trigger position, and time.

Other Applications

Creating, Editing and Re-Sizing Transport Streams
Two direct stream manipulation packages are supplied as standard with all MTS400 Series products. These are TS Cutter allows re-sizing of Transport Streams, while TS Editor allows direct editing of Transport Streams using a hexadecimal view as well as a header interpretation guide.

Make Seamless
When looping a transport stream to simulate continuous playout, errors can be generated at the loop point caused by discontinuities in timing information. The Make Seamless module provides the opportunity of creating seamless Transport Streams.

Stream Creation and Manipulation
Use the Multiplexer/Re-multiplexer/De-multiplexer application to create multi-program Transport Streams with custom SI/PSI/PSIP information for DVB, ATSC, ISDB and MPEG compliant Transport Streams (see detail below).

Multiplexer and DVB/ATSC Table Editor
When testing network elements or set-top boxes, a transport stream of the representative type needed is often not available. Even if there is a similar one, vital components within it may be missing or suffer from a lack of SI (system information) or other tables, or are multiplexed to the incorrect transport stream rate for the application.

Use the Multiplexer/Re-multiplexer/De-multiplexer application to create multi-program Transport Streams with custom SI/PSI/PSIP information for DVB, ATSC, ISDB, and MPEG compliant Transport Streams.

• MPEG-1 Video
• MPEG-1 Audio
• MPEG-2 Video
• MPEG-2 Audio
• AC-3 Audio
• MPEG-2 Video PES (packetized elementary streams)
• MPEG-2 Audio PES
• AC-3 Audio PES
• AAC Audio
• All the above are supported in Elementary and PES formats
• PIDs from other transport streams can be imported including any format including H.264 and VC-1
• Other data - the bit rate must be specified

The Solution
The multiplexer allows the user to collect together components from streams recorded off hard disk or CD/DVD-ROM, manipulate them in an unlimited manner, and then rebuild a fully compliant output stream. The software's built-in knowledge of table syntax and descriptors ensures compliance and high quality output of the final multiplexed transport stream.

De-multiplex Existing Streams
The multiplexer accepts any recorded transport stream as an input source. The user can then de-multiplex this transport stream into its component PES. The user can then save the resulting PES and ES streams onto disk. The de-multiplexer is elementary stream agnostic and can be used to extract H.264 and VC-1 Elementary Streams from a Transport Stream.

Regroup Them with Stored Streams
These PES, or elementary video and audio streams, can be grouped together into logical groups – “Programs” of video, audio, and other associated data (such as Teletext/Closed Caption and MHP applications) with the original timing preserved. PIDs can be re-mapped as required.

Component Views and Available Bandwidth View
The Component Bit Durations View graphically displays the durations as well as start and stop times for each video or audio content PID. Duration and start and stop times can be changed by “drag and drop” or numerical entry. The available bandwidth view clearly shows the user how much content can be added into a transport stream so user can expand or optimize.

Map, Check and Rebuild Your Own Multiplex
Streams can then be rebuilt into a larger multiplex stream and new SI/PSIP tables can be customized and added safely with in-built compliance checks.

Generate Compliant Timing and Output Bit Rates as Required
The multiplexer is able to insert PCRs at the correct repetition rate and also allows the user to specify the PCR repetition rate, if desired.

Create, Add, or Modify SI/PSIP Flexibility
The multiplexer allows all the standard ATSC/DVB/ISDB and MPEG PSIP/SI tables and descriptors to be added or edited. Scripting allows new or custom tables to be added. The user is permitted to generate illegal conditions that allow stress of decoder or transmission chain equipment to verify its robustness.

"Expert" and "Standard" Modes
Standard mode will calculate related fields and table pointers. Expert mode is also provided to allow the user to set these to illegal conditions for stress and robustness test of network elements and STB decoders.

Wizards for Common Tasks:

• Create new transport streams
• Specify ATSC, DVB, ISDB and MPEG standards
• Add programs
• Add events

Packetized Elementary Stream (PES) Analyzer

top >

• Analyzes PES headers
• Analyzes presentation and decode time stamps (PTS/DTS)
• Detects encoder drift against real-time errors

Buffer Analyzer

• Verifies encoder is correct using T-STD buffer analysis
• Processes video, audio, and system control streams to ISO/IEC 13818 parts 1-3, AC-3 (A/S2) and AAC 13818 part 7

Carousel Analyzer

• Analyzes stored Transport Streams
• Provides analysis and display of:
  • Carousel Signaling
  • Carousel Transport
  • Data Carousels (MPEG, DVB and ARIB B24)
  • Object Carousels (MHP, and MHEG-5)
  • View Objects (including GIF, JPEG, PCX, PNG, .TXT, and MPEG 'I' frame backdrops)
  • Extract and Save Objects
• Drag and Zoom Graphing
  • Repetition Rates
  • Carousel Cycle Times
  • Entity Cycle Times
  • PID & Component Bitrates
  • Bandwidth
  • Application load timing statistics
• Comprehensive error reporting

Carousel Generator

• Wizard helps easy stream generation
• Built in multiplexer for easy video and audio insertion
• Variable delivery weightings to optimize carousel load times
• Generates all required SI tables for terrestrial, satellite, and cable applications
• Integrates with the Tektronix carousel analyzer for load time optimization

Next Generation Video Elementary Stream Analyzer

• Semiconductor manufacturers
• Developers of set top boxes, encoders, and decoders
• Broadcasters, Mobile, and Fixed Network Operators

Standards

• MPEG-2
• MPEG-4 Part 2 and MPEG-4 Part 10 (H.264/AVC)
• VC-1
• H.263+, H.263, H.261
• Container/Wrapper format support includes: 3GP, MP4, ASF, Transport Stream and Program Stream

Features

• Display motion vectors, variable-size macroblocks, and types
• Buffer analysis
• Powerful syntax checking alerts and macroblock semantic parsing and interpretation
• Frame by Frame graphing
  • Bits per MacroBlock
  • Bits per coded MacroBlock
  • Motion Vector Histogram
  • DCT Frequencies
  • Average quantization
  • Coding Frequency
  • Intra-coding Frequency
• Picture Fidelity Analysis
  • PSNR
  • Root Mean Square Error
  • Mean Square Error
  • Mean Absolute Difference
  • Sum Absolute Difference
• Powerful Batch Mode
  • Analyze from command-line/batch file/script file
  • Automatically test thousands of video files
  • Use for regression testing and algorithm comparison
  • Alert functions logging
  • Analysis trace logging
  • YUV decoding to a file

top >