Audio & Video Broadcasting Equipment

Audio and Video Broadcasting Control Room

Audio video and broadcast equipment process vast amounts of data, all of which must be accurately clocked and synchronized. This equipment depends on multiple timing components for general-purpose clocking, SerDes clocking and possibly synchronization for IEEE 1588 or AVB/TSN.

SiTime MEMS timing solutions provide the low jitter required to handle fast data transfer – along with higher reliability, lower EMI, and better frequency stability. Because our oscillators are built on a programmable platform, they deliver any output frequency within a wide operating range and with six decimal places of accuracy. Plus our DCXOs offer digital frequency control with fine resolution and with lower noise.

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MEMS Timing Solutions for AV Broadcasting

Product	Frequency	Key Features	Key Values
Single ended oscillators SiT8208 SiT8209	1 to 80 MHz 80 to 220 MHz	Low jitter < 0.5 ps RMS ^[1] ±10 ppm to 50 ppm frequency stability Any frequency output FlexEdge™ configurable output drive strength 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V	Better frequency and jitter margin enhance system stability and robustness Easy availability of any device configuration, 4-6 week lead time Minimizes EMI from the oscillator
Differential oscillators SiT9366 SiT9367	1 to 220 MHz 220 to 725 MHz	Low jitter 0.23 ps RMS ^[1] LVPECL, LVDS, HCSL 2.5 to 3.3 V -40°C to 105°C 3.2 x 2.5 mm package	Meets demanding jitter requirements Small PCB footprint, easier layout Easy design due to flexibility MEMS reliability
DCXOs SiT3921 SiT3922	1 to 220 MHz 220 to 625 MHz	Digital frequency control 1 ppb resolution	Eliminates need for external DAC to control a VCXO Better accuracy, lower noise due to digital control
Super-TCXOs SiT5356 SiT5357	1 to 60 MHz 60 to 220 MHz	Low jitter: 0.31ps RMS ^[1] ±0.1 ppm stability 1ppb/°C -40°C to 105°C	Minimizes link drops due to shock, vibration, or temperature change

¹12 kHz to 20 MHz integration range

Video Production Facilities

Video Production has evolved from an on-site production facility to remote production and finally to a centralized production facility. While on-site and remote had their advantages, the production companies now can accomplish more with a centralized facility.

Use cases of each type of facility are:

On-Site: All production equipment and manpower is at venue (concert)
Remote: Equipment and manpower is at a single location (Olympics)
Centralized: Single facility housing arrays of equipment, manpower is remote (multiple concerts)

Video transmission has also evolved from conventional cable and satellite to streaming. Over The Top (OTT) is the terminology used for streaming. While conventional cable or IPTV networks rely on QAM and DSLAM equipment to deliver content to end users, OTT uses the cloud and related equipment such as mezzanine encoders, bitrate transcoders. and edge servers to deliver its content.

Applications

Film / broadcast editing
Live performances
Educational events / conferences
Event broadcasting

Video Production Evolution

A typical broadcast network uses many types of transmission equipment. Each type of equipment requires multiple timing components, such as single-ended clocks for general-purpose clocking, differential low-jitter clocks for Serdes clocking, and potentially synchronization devices for IEEE 1588 or AVB/TSN.