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-
-
-
- A MICROPROCESSOR PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZER FOR ALL TAPE FORMULATIONS
-
-
-
- BY:
-
- James R. (Rick) Carpenter
- Manager of Audio Engineering
- Broadcast Electronics Inc.
- Quincy, Illinois
-
-
-
-
-
- The proliferation of broadcast tape formulations has required the
- broadcast engineer to either accept performance degrading compromise set-
- tings for bias and equalization, restrict his use to only one tape formu-
- lation or equalize independently and frequently for each tape type. Even
- if the engineer chooses one tape type from one manufacturer, batch to
- batch variations in performance are inevitable.
-
- This paper describes a system that optimizes performance of various
- tape formulations rapidly and automatically. The system stores and re-
- trieves the optimum settings for a variety of tape formulations permit-
- ting maximum audio tape performance without time consuming manual adjust-
- ments for each and every recorded tape.
-
-
- BIAS, SENSITIVITY, AND EQUALIZATION VARIANCE IN BROADCAST CARTRIDGE TAPE
-
- Table 1 shows the statistical results of bias, equalization and sen-
- sitivity testing performed on three different groups of broadcast car-
- tridges on a single tape cartridge machine. The first group was new car-
- tridges of the same length from the same date code and the same manufac-
- turer. The second group was from the same manufacturer, but of different
- lengths, ages and date codes. The third group was a random selection of
- new cartridges from different manufacturers.
-
-
- TABLE 1. VARIANCE IN BROADCAST CARTRIDGE TAPE
-
- BIAS EQUALIZATION SENSITIVITY
-
- MEAN 3 MEAN 3 MEAN 3
-
- GROUP1 61.7 0.32 dB 42 0.65 dB 35.4 0.6 dB
- GROUP2 62.9 0.96 dB 38.6 2.25 dB 34.9 1.15 dB
- GROUP3 59.1 2.30 dB 45.3 3.30 dB 34.5 2.40 dB
-
- As shown in Table 1, 99% of the first group of tapes were within
- 0.325 dB of the average bias current level of the group. 99% of the
- second group of tapes covered a range of 0.96 dB of the average bias
- current level. 99% of the third group of tapes were within 2.3 dB of
- the average bias level. 99% of the first group of cartridges were within
- 0.65 dB of the average equalizer level of the group. 99% of the second
- group of tapes covered a range of 2.25 dB of the average equalizer level
- of the group. 99% of the third group were within 3.3 dB of the average
- equalizer level of the group. The equalizer level is the amount of high
- frequency (12 kHz) gain necessary to match the 1kHz output level. 99% of
- the first group were within 0.6 dB of the mean sensitivity of the group.
- 99% of the second group were within 1.15 dB of the mean sensitivity of
- the group. 99% of the third group of tapes were within 2.4 dB of the
- mean sensitivity of the group.
-
- To demonstrate the audio performance impact of the statistical re-
- sults, -10 dB record/replay frequency responses were plotted. The bias,
- equalization and sensitivity were optimized for a tape on the mean of
- each group. The frequency response of other tapes in the group was then
- plotted without altering any parameters. These plots are shown in
- Figures 1, 2, and 3. The first group of new tapes, as would be expected
- from the statistical data and common sense, was the only group that had
- consistent response. Plots of the other, non-optimum groups, show large
- performance variations. With the normal station cart mix, optimum tape
- machine performance requires frequent and time consuming adjustments for
- each batch and type of tape cartridges. Automatic record alignment, with
- easy storage and retrieval of settings for various tape formulations and
- batches, is a valuable tool for the broadcast engineer.
-
-
- AUTOMATIC TAPE PARAMETER ADJUSTMENTS-THE LEARN MODE
-
- The learn mode of operation in the PT90RPS optimizes three critical
- recording parameters for any tape formulation: bias, equalization, and
- sensitivity.
-
-
- Criteria For Bias Adjustment
-
- There are many proposed criteria for defining the optimum bias level
- for a particular tape formulation and tape machine combination. The five
- least controversial criteria for optimum bias level settings are:
-
- 1. The bias level at which the third harmonic distortion is minimum.
-
- 2. The bias level at which the recorded sensitivity of a reference
- frequency is maximum.
-
- 3. The bias level at which the low frequency MOL is maximum.
-
- 4. The bias level at which the IM distortion is minimum.
-
- 5. The bias level at which the AM modulation distortion is minimum.
-
-
-
-
- FIGURE 1. SAMPLE OF FREQUENCY RESPONSE VARIATIONS - GROUP 1 TAPES
-
-
- FIGURE 2. SAMPLE OF FREQUENCY RESPONSE VARIATION - GROUP 2 TAPES
-
-
- FIGURE 3. SAMPLE OF FREQUENCY RESPONSE VARIATIONS - GROUP 3 TAPES
-
-
- Although sensitivity and distortion requirements cannot be satisfied
- simultaneously at all frequencies, the distortion and sensitivity versus
- bias of broadcast tape formulations at 7.5 ips form fairly broad curves
- as shown in Figure 4. In particular, the first two criteria mentioned
- above are almost equivalent. The LEARN mode was developed using a mod-
- ified version of criteria 1 and 2 above. This criteria leans toward re-
- duced noise and distortion at the expense of more complex record equali-
- zation circuitry.
-
-
- FIGURE 4. TAPE PARAMETERS VERSUS BIAS CURRENT
-
-
- As seen from Figure 5, tape sensitivity versus bias level plots
- usually have only one, easy to detect maximum. However, other factors of
- tape machine design and construction can cause false maximum detection.
- The two biggest causes of false peak detection are the inter-head time
- delay and tape dropouts.
-
- The record and play head gaps of a broadcast cartridge machine are
- separated by a nominal center-to-center distance of 1.125 inches. At the
- normal 7.5 ips tape speed, this is equivalent to a time delay of 0.15
- seconds. Suppression of the dropout error requires that the bias be
- stepped in small increments (0.05 dB) and the playback output be recti-
- fied and filtered before input to the microprocessor. To accommodate the
- 3.75 ips speed and the time delay in the detection filter, the bias level
- is incremented at 0.5 second intervals.
-
-
-
- FIGURE 5. AUDIO OUTPUT MAXIMUM VERSUS BIAS CURRENT
-
-
- Bias Adjustments
-
- The bias adjustment is performed using the same audio detection and
- A/D circuitry used to establish the equalization and sensitivity levels.
- The internal 12 kHz oscillator is selected and the microprocessor incre-
- ments the bias D/A converters output in 0.05 dB steps. In order to re-
- duce the number of steps and therefore the amount of time needed to make
- the adjustment, the initial bias level is set to a predetermined, non-
- zero level. The bias current is increased until the playback audio level
- peaks. The peak audio level is multiplied by 0.86 (2 dB) and stored.
- The bias is then decremented until the playback audio level matches the
- stored -2 dB level. This is called "2 dB overbiasing". The frequency
- response difference of each tape is then compensated for with an adjust-
- able record equalizer. Figure 6 shows a flow chart of the bias adjust-
- ment system.
-
-
-
- FIGURE 6. LEARN MODE FLOW CHART BIAS ADJUSTMENT
-
-
- Tape Sensitivity Adjustment
-
- The tape sensitivity adjustment is performed using the same audio
- detection and A/D circuitry used to establish the bias level. The inter-
- nal 1kHz oscillator is selected and the audio gain VCAs in the input
- audio chain are incremented in 0.1 dB steps until a predetermined, user-
- defined level is reached. In order to reduce the number of steps and
- therefore the amount of time needed to make the adjustment, the initial
- level is set to a predetermined, non-zero level. The input sensitivity
- control has a range of 10 dB. The input sensitivity circuitry is fac-
- tory set to adjust for both the 160 nWb/M level or the 250 nWb/M level.
- The status of the deck elevated level sensor determines which level is
- used as the reference. Figure 7 shows a flow chart of the input sensitiv-
- ity adjustment system.
-
-
-
- FIGURE 7. FLOWCHART LEARN MODE SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT
-
-
- Record Equalization Adjustment
-
- The record equalization adjustment is performed using the audio de-
- tection and A/D circuitry used to set the bias and input sensitivity.
- The internal 12 kHz oscillator is selected and the VCAs in the input high
- frequency circuitry are incremented in 0.05 dB steps until the same pre-
- determined, user defined level used for the sensitivity adjustment is
- reached. In order to reduce the number of steps and therefore the amount
- of time needed to make the adjustment, the initial equalization level is
- set to a predetermined, non-zero level. The high frequency record equal-
- ization control has an adjustment range of 6 dB. Figure 8 shows a flow
- chart of the high frequency equalization adjustment.
-
-
-
-
- FIGURE 8. FLOWCHART LEARN MODE EQUALIZATION ADJUSTMENT
-
-
- The low frequency response of tapes is dominated by the response of
- the playback head. The low frequency "contour" effect causes response
- irregularities of as much as 1 dB in a well designed head and as much as
- 6 dB in older designs. Since the low frequency equalization adjustment
- is not as sensitive to tape formulation, it is controlled by a potenti-
- ometer adjustment with enough range to equalize the low frequency re-
- sponse for the most commonly used international equalization standards.
-
- The LEARN mode is designed to permit storage in battery-backed mem-
- ory of as many as 10 sets of bias, equalization and input sensitivity
- data for instant recall. The elevated level function permits automatic
- switching between two sets of data. For example, record settings can be
- automatically switched between a normal bias tape and elevated bias level
- tape. If the tape being optimized exceeds the range of the bias, equal-
- ization or level adjustments, the machine exits the LEARN mode, stops and
- the front panel displays the word "FAIL". A simplified flow chart for
- the entire LEARN mode is presented in Figure 9. The block diagram for
- the LEARN functions of the cartridge machine is given in Figure 10.
-
- The frequency response sweeps in Figure 11 show the performance of
- three different tape formulations after each was optimized using the
- LEARN mode. The sweep marked "A" is a normal bias tape. The sweep marked
- "B" is a high bias tape. The tape marked "C" is a new tape formulation
- requiring even higher bias than "B". The time required to optimize these
- tapes were: A=43 seconds; B=48 seconds; C=55 seconds. The time range to
- LEARN a tape was 42 seconds to 57 seconds for the tapes tested.
-
-
-
-
- FIGURE 9. SIMPLIFIED LEARN MODE FLOW CHART
-
-
- FIGURE 10. SIMPLIFIED BLOCK DIAGRAM OF LEARN MODE
-
-
- FIGURE 11. POST LEARN, PERFORMANCE OF THREE
- DIFFERENT TAPE FORMULATIONS
-
-
- MACHINE FEATURES
-
- The inclusion of a microcomputer in the cartridge machine has been
- the means of cost effectively adding other useful features. The PT90RPS
- includes a prioritized three level access to features, a real time tape
- timer, a manual adjustment mode, a built in tone oscillator (with sweep
- mode) a four digit alphanumeric display, a digital FSK tone encoder and
- the already mentioned LEARN mode.
-
-
- Three Level Function Access
-
- To insure the data integrity of the 10 memory registers, access to
- some functions of the cartridge machine can be restricted. There are
- three levels of access which can be programmed on the CPU module:
-
- 1. Normal Timer, recall memorized tape settings and produce
- recordings.
-
- 2. Learn Timer, settings can be recalled from memory and the
- LEARN (LRN) mode can be initiated to learn and save
- new tape settings to memory.
-
- 3. Manual All functions and settings can be accessed.
-
- Table 2. gives a summary of the three levels of function access.
- The characters in parenthesizes are the defaults for the front panel
- alphanumeric display.
-
-
- TABLE 2. LEARN MODE ACCESS LEVELS
-
- NORMAL LEVEL LEARN LEVEL MANUAL LEVEL
-
- Timer (TOOO) Timer (T000) Timer (T000)
- Recall Memory (RM#n) Recall Memory (RM#n) Recall Memory (RM#n)
- Learn (LRNn) Learn (LRNn)
- Fader (FLnn)
- (FRnn)
- Bias (BLnn)
- (BRnn)
- Equal (ELnn)
- (ERnn)
- Save Memory (SM#n)
- Oscillator ( OFF)
- Alignment (nnnn)
-
-
-
- Timer
-
- The four digit front panel timer is active in all modes when tape is
- running. It displays up to 59:59 minutes, but for the first 9:59 dis-
- plays a "T" in the leftmost digit. The timer will freeze at the end of
- the EOM displaying the message time and will display the total length of
- the cart by depressing the START switch. The timer can be programmed to
- accumulate time for multiple cuts.
-
-
- Manual Adjustment
-
- In order to permit individual tailoring of bias, equalization and
- level settings, the PT90RPS permits access to these adjustments when the
- CPU module is in the "MANUAL" setting. Adjustment to Bias Left (BL),
- Bias Right (BR), Fader Left (FL), Fader Right (FR), Equalization Left
- (EL) and Equalization Right (EL) is accomplished by pushing the Function
- (Func) and Execute (Exec) switches on the front panel. A numeric reading
- from 0-99 is displayed on the two rightmost digits (For example FR50).
- As the UP or Down (DN) switches are pressed, the numeric reading incre-
- ments or decrements. Once the adjustments are made they are then saved
- using the Save Memory (SM) and Execute switches. Once stored these set-
- tings can be used from any CPU level by using the Recall Memory (RM)
- function and the Execute switch.
-
-
- Tone Oscillator
-
- The PT90RPS divides the master microprocessor crystal to provide a
- very stable reference for cue tones and for a built-in tone oscillator.
- The oscillator gives front panel control of eight test tones (50 Hz,
- 125 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 4 kHz, 8 kHz, 12 kHz and 16 kHz) with a frequency
- response of 0.25 db and distortion of less than 1%. Level of the tones
- is controlled by the front panel fader level controls. Depressing the UP
- or DOWN front panel switch for more than 3 seconds in test oscillator
- mode will initiate a sweep through the remaining test frequencies in that
- respective direction.
-
-
- CONCLUSION
-
- A microprocessor controlled broadcast tape cartridge performance
- optimization system has been profiled in this paper. This cost effective
- system finds, stores and retrieves the optimum settings for a wide vari-
- ety of tape formulations, permitting the engineer to optimize the sta-
- tions' audio performance, without time consuming manual adjustment for
- each and every tape.
-
-
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
-
- The Author would like the thank T. Whiston for the tape testing,
- T. Lashbrook for the drawings and C. Steffen and L. Foster for putting
- this paper into readable form.
-
-
- THE AUTHOR
-
- James R. "Rick" Carpenter earned his BSEE, and is pursuing an MSEE,
- from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia.
-
- Mr. Carpenter has designed instrumentation for the U. S. Bureau of
- Mines. He was project engineer for the Harris MX-15 FM exciter develop-
- ment, the Broadcast Electronics TZ-30 TV MTS generator, and the Broadcast
- Electronics PT90 cartridge machine. The author has extensive design
- experience in solid-state RF design and analog equipment design.
-
- Mr. Carpenter has authored numerous technical papers, including co-
- authorship of the NAB Handbook chapter on "Analog Magnetic Recording" and
- is a member of the AES.
-
- The author is currently Manager of Audio Engineering for Broadcast
- Electronics Inc. in Quincy, Illinois.
-
-
- REFERENCES
-
- 1. Burstein, Herman, "How Important is Tape Azimuth", Audio VOL.68,
- No.9, pp. 40-746, 1984.
-
- 2. Kitmura, M., "A Method for Level Variance Analysis of Magnetic
- Tapes", AES Preprint 1816, 70th Convention, 1981.
-
- 3. Bealor, T., Carpenter, R., and Rosback, T., NAB Engineering Handbook
- Seventh Edition, (USA: National Association of Broadcasters, 1985),
- p. 5.11-217 - 5.11-237.
-
- 4. Budelman, G.A., "High-Frequency Variance: A Program-Dependent
- Deterioration Mode in Analog Magnetic Tape Recording", AES Preprint
- 1377, 60th Convention, 1978.