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5

In the i.LINK system connecting the unit by cables, one device is appointed as the ROOT which plays the role of the system manager.

ROOT is selected every time a new i.LINK system is configured when the unit is connected or disconnected.

ROOT operates as the system manager of the i.LINK system. When appointed as ROOT, the NODE ID which is the contact number in the

current system is set in order from 0 for the other device. The last number (maximum 63) is set as itself.

With the i.LINK system, periodical (every 8 kHz, 125 µs) sync signals are generated and managed in time division so that the communi-

cation is not interrupted. The cycle signal (8 kHz) ROOT is output every 125 µs. Each device synchronizes with this signal and declares the
start of communication.

As the i.LINK system corresponds to plug-in and plug-out, this sync timing is used to detect the connection and disconnection of new

devices to or from the i.LINK system.

NODE: 3

NODE: 4

NODE: 6

NODE: 2

NODE: 1

NODE: 0

NODE: 5

6

As the i.LINK signals input to a certain device is output directly to the next device, the i.LINK signals are shared by all devices. This

means that the communication data specific devices are also all input to other devices.

With the i.LINK system, data by packet is attached with an address and sent. The packet data is sent to all devices and decided by the

device data corresponding to the address. NODE ID is used for the data address, but it is also possible to output the data without specifying
the address (Broadcast output).

The i.LINK devices has three communication speeds-100, 200, and 400 Mbps. They are called S100, S200, and S400. The devices with

fast communication speed enable to communicate with slow devices. Consequently, the S400 device is able to handle three communication
speeds of S100, S200, and S400. On the other hand, S100 devices are unable to receive nor send S200 and S400 signals.

In the communication between devices, the packet data can be output according to devices with the slowest maximum transfer speed.

Therefore data communication is performed at the S100 speed during communication between S400 and S100.

The maximum transfer speed of the i.LINK cable differs according to the cable type. With the S100 cable, the S200 and S400 signals

cannot be sent nor received. As the DV cable is a S100, be careful not to use it incorrectly.

If a cable with low maximum transfer speed is used incorrectly, the communication signal will deteriorate, resulting in improper transmis-

sion and reception, and incorrect operation of the unit.

In the communication of i.LINK devices, the maximum transfer speed is checked mutually, and data is transferred at the appropriate

speed. If devices that are incompatible with this speed exist on the data transmission path, data may not be transferred correctly. When
connecting i.LINK, make sure there are no devices with low transfer speed on the transmission path.

S200

S400

OK

OK

S400

S200

NG

OK

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Packet data communicated between devices consist of “Isochronous packet” with time restrictions in transmission and the “Asynchro-

nous packet” with no restrictions.

With the isochronous packet, data transmission is guaranteed to complete with every cycle signal. If the signal does not arrive within a

certain period of time, images and sounds will be interrupted. The data will not be resent even if communication error occurs.

The asynchronous packet is data such as commands, and is output while the isochronous packet is not sent. Since time restrictions are lax,

data can be resent when errors occur.

When sending video and audio signals (isochronous packet) simultaneously, signals exceeding bus capacity (100/200/400 Mbps) cannot

be sent. If the total capacity exceeds the bus capacity, the device displays an error message (Bus Full) and additional communication will not
be possible.

For example, when attempts are made to link to other devices from the STR-LSAI, if the band is full and no new links are possible, the

STR-LSAI displays “Bus Full”. In this case, the LINC of this STR-LSAI will not be established, but the existing LINCs will be preserved as
they are.

When the device sends signals by S100, the band in which the isochronous signal can be used with S100 is Approx. 80 Mbps. With S100,

the images of the DV device is about 35 Mbps while MPEG signals such as TV are 30 to 40 Mbps (Max. about 60 Mbps). The audio signal
is about 12 Mbps during high speed dubbing and about 3 Mbps during normal playback. However, when signals are sent by S200/S400, the
transfer speed will be about 2 times or 4 times.

8

There are two types of i.LINK terminals -Pin 6 and Pin 4. The Pin 6 has four signal lines and two power supplies. The Pin 4 has four signal

lines. The signal lines are paired. Two are for out and two for input. The i.LINK signal is sent as the differential voltage of the two lines.

The two output pins is always output with approximately 1.85 V DC voltage (cable bias). The cable bias voltage output from the unit is

monitored by the output destination device and detects the connection/disconnection of the device.

In the same way, the two terminals for input monitor the cable bias voltage output from the adjoining devices to detect the connection and

disconnection of adjoining devices.

INPUT

OUTPUT

1.85V

1: VP

4: TPB

2: VG

5: TPA*

3: TPB*

6: TPA

1: TPB*

3: TPA*

2: TPB

4: TPA