For applications requiring fast, dense, and reliable 2:1 MPEG-2 transport stream redundancy switching, Harmonic's Amethyst™ III is the best-in-class solution, ensuring round-the-clock availability of digital television signals.
If downtime is not permitted, you can deploy the Amethyst III. This compact standalone system continuously monitors MPEG-2 TS and seamlessly switches to a backup stream upon detecting a failure in the primary stream. Whether for device redundancy or network link redundancy, the Amethyst III demonstrates its performance, flexibility, and delay compensation features, maximizing the robustness and uptime of broadcast and transmission links—ensuring the security of MPEG-2 TS (DVB, DVB-T/T2, or ATSC). It offers up to 8 2:1 IP switchers or 4 2:1 ASI switchers in just 1 RU, and the high-density Amethyst III saves costs, power, and space, helping operators reduce CAPEX and OPEX.
Reliability and Flexibility
AmethystIII can utilize Gigabit Ethernet or ASI interfaces, making it suitable for any type of architecture: from widely deployed ASI interfaces to new IP-centric networks. The switch is equipped with dual power supplies/plugs to maximize program transmission security. The Gigabit Ethernet and ASI interfaces feature an intelligent configurable bypass mechanism, ensuring program transmission can be maintained even in the event of a power failure.
Richly configurable test conditions
Amethyst III measures the operational status of streams through various configurable tests. It supports TR 101 290 testing (priority levels 1/2/3), providing a comprehensive health check for digital DVB networks. The device also supports testing and monitoring models, offering the same level of integrated information for ATSC environments. To improve redundancy performance, it provides template checks for expected PIDs, rate limiting, and/or checks on the scrambling status of various key program segments. Each test can be configured and associated with critical alarm levels to trigger switching or record alarms. Additionally, the detection alarm trigger time can be set to avoid unnecessary switching during transient events (time duration mechanism).
Delay Compensation Feature
Amethyst III simultaneously analyzes the presence of delayed input streams (ranging from milliseconds to seconds) and provides delay compensation functionality. If a fault is detected in one input channel, the device will compensate for the time difference and seamlessly switch to another.
A smooth transmission flow that does not affect the end user at all. Typical applications include link distribution redundancy switching.
Product Features
• 1 RU high-density 2:1 switch
- Up to 4 TS on the ASI switch.
- Up to 8 TS on the IP switch.
• Seamless Switching
• Supports DVB, DVB-T/T2, and ATSC
• Input Lag Compensation
• Automatic bypass on ASI and GbE
• TR 101 290 Priority 1/2/3 Analysis
• MIP Analysis of DVB-T/SFN
• T2-MI/DVB-T2 Analysis
• Check the flow content matching of the template.
• SMPTE 2022 FEC correction or generation
• Dual AC PSU
Designed for Ground Transmission
Using the Amethyst III in combination with the Harmonic NetProcessor™ 9030/40 multiplexer and video processor enables seamless switching for DVB-T/T2 SFN terrestrial transmission networks. For DVB-T, the Amethyst III retains the giant frame structure from the NetProcessor SFN adapter. For DVB-T2, the device rearranges the T2-MI stream from the NetProcessor T2 gateway.
In the event of a switch, the Amethyst III retains the output stream structure and timestamps, preventing program interruptions caused by resynchronization of the DVB-T/T2 modulator.
Configuration & Network Management
Amethyst III is equipped with a 10/100Base-T port for monitoring. Users can remotely control and monitor the device from any standard web browser. It provides a complete display of switching conditions, as well as easily readable input/output status information, error log data, and bitrate graphs. For centralized management, Amethyst III is embedded with an SNMP agent.
World-Class Service and Support
Harmonic offers a comprehensive service and support plan for the Amethyst III switch, including system design, service deployment, technical support, and network maintenance. A world-class service program and a global network of support professionals who respond flexibly and quickly help ensure an outstanding "any device, anywhere, anytime" customer experience.
For further information, please feel free to contact our company at any time.