Annual BBC Radio RBS tests
Dickie mint
the BBC will be carrying out RBS and other tests on the Radio Networks.
For those whose wish to stay up :-)
Richard
:Jerry:
"Dickie mint" <richard_ta...@trapyahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:5pg6arF...@mid.individual.net...
Thanks for the warning!...
Commander Gideon
> > November the BBC will be carrying out RBS and other tests on the
> > Radio Networks.
What's RBS?
Richard Lamont
> This year's radio RBS test comes at the point where Auntie is moving
> from the NICAM3 PCM distribution to the RAMAN ring (about which I have
> heard no technical details).
The Raman network appears to be based on two nodes - a North Node and a
South Node - details of which I haven't seen either. Each node forms the
centre of a simple star topology, with duplicated paths from each node
to each terminal site, and a fat pipe between the two nodes.
There is, however, some interesting information in a planning
application the BBC put in for the reconstruction of Malvern Wing at
Wood Norton. It appears that this to to be the North Node, with the
South Node in the Media Village. In this context the two nodes are
"Centralized Coding and Multiplexing" centres for digital TV post-DSO.
It isn't clear whether these two nodes are in the same places as the two
Raman network nodes.
The planning documents are here:
http://wychavon.whub.org.uk/home/wdc-planning-app-idox.htm?appNumber=W/07/00507/PN
In particular, this document gives an overview:
And this one shows the allocation of bay space in the apparatus room:
--
Richard Lamont http://www.lamont.me.uk/
<ric...@lamont.me.uk>
OpenPGP Key ID: 0x5096714C
Fingerprint: F838 740C 76B4 6EC6 9ECC 1C4D A4DE 3322 5096 714C
Richard Lamont
> In article <47333763$0$514$5a6a...@news.aaisp.net.uk>,
> Richard Lamont wrote:
>> Paul Martin wrote:
>
>>> This year's radio RBS test comes at the point where Auntie is moving
>>> from the NICAM3 PCM distribution to the RAMAN ring (about which I have
>>> heard no technical details).
>
>> The Raman network appears to be based on two nodes - a North Node and a
>> South Node - details of which I haven't seen either. Each node forms the
>> centre of a simple star topology, with duplicated paths from each node
>> to each terminal site, and a fat pipe between the two nodes.
>
> ring?
Where is it being so described?
Dickie mint
> Paul Martin wrote:
>> In article <47333763$0$514$5a6a...@news.aaisp.net.uk>,
>> Richard Lamont wrote:
>>> Paul Martin wrote:
>>>> This year's radio RBS test comes at the point where Auntie is moving
>>>> from the NICAM3 PCM distribution to the RAMAN ring (about which I have
>>>> heard no technical details).
>>> The Raman network appears to be based on two nodes - a North Node and a
>>> South Node - details of which I haven't seen either. Each node forms the
>>> centre of a simple star topology, with duplicated paths from each node
>>> to each terminal site, and a fat pipe between the two nodes.
>> If it's a hub and spoke network, I wonder why it's being described as a
>> ring?
> Where is it being so described?
>
>
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=81203
http://www.wdmblog.com/xtera-wins-with-energis-for-raman-amplified-dwdm-systems/
http://www.opticalkeyhole.com/eventtext.asp?ID=53449&pd=9/22/2005&bhjs=1&bhqs=1
There's also a link to a private memories website showing photos of the,
then, BBC Raman ring architect David Russell, Head of Strategic
Networks. I can't find it though :-(
Dickie mint
> In the early hours of Tuesday 13th November and Wednesday 14th November
> the BBC will be carrying out RBS and other tests on the Radio Networks.
Fuller Details :
Tues 13th Nov
------------
Sometime between 0145 - 0245 : Emergency DAB Coder in circuit
Sometime between 0310 - 0350 : Emergency NICAM Coder in circuit.
Wed 14th Nov
------------
Between 0115 - 0315 : VHF FM Usual RBS Test
Test Tone Sequences - 2 lots lasting 4 mins approx.
Between 0330 - 0430 : Certain National TXRs will be switched off.
One Network at a time for approx 2 mins.
Enjoy!
Dickie mint
...............
> There's also a link to a private memories website showing photos of the,
> then, BBC Raman ring architect David Russell, Head of Strategic
> Networks. I can't find it though :-(
Found it on a Google search (david russell raman ring) :-
http://bbceng.info/Install/comms_projects/comms_proj_images/drr/drrtvc.htm
Dickie mint
> In article <5pingrF...@mid.individual.net>,
> Dickie mint wrote:
>
>> There's also a link to a private memories website showing photos of the,
>> then, BBC Raman ring architect David Russell, Head of Strategic
>> Networks. I can't find it though :-(
>
Well it's always been referred to in the beeb as a ring, as the David
Russell reference does, rightly or wrongly !
Another reference Google found called the laser a "ring"
Richard Lamont
> In article <473348d3$0$509$5a6a...@news.aaisp.net.uk>,
> Richard Lamont wrote:
>> Paul Martin wrote:
>>> In article <47333763$0$514$5a6a...@news.aaisp.net.uk>,
>>> Richard Lamont wrote:
>>>> Paul Martin wrote:
>>>>> This year's radio RBS test comes at the point where Auntie is moving
>>>>> from the NICAM3 PCM distribution to the RAMAN ring (about which I have
>>>>> heard no technical details).
>>>> The Raman network appears to be based on two nodes - a North Node and a
>>>> South Node - details of which I haven't seen either. Each node forms the
>>>> centre of a simple star topology, with duplicated paths from each node
>>>> to each terminal site, and a fat pipe between the two nodes.
>>> If it's a hub and spoke network, I wonder why it's being described as a
>>> ring?
>
>> Where is it being so described?
>
> could be wrong, of course. The FOI responses merely call it the "Raman
> network".
>
> Of course, the dual hub plus duplicate feeds to each site is a more
> robust topology than a ring. Should the fat pipe be lost, there's the
> possibility of using any one of the duplicated paths as a lower
> bandwidth link between the two hubs. (Assuming some spare capacity is
> designed in.)
>
> It would be interesting to find out the type of protocols used. A few
> years ago it would have been ATM-based.
The basic 'protocol' is implied by the word Raman, which is DWDM. AIUI
the Beeb - or rather Siemens - will lease dark fibre from C&W and use
several wavelengths - some for audio and video, a few for 1 Gb/s IP, and
one for 2.5 Gb/s SDH to carry all the slow old legacy stuff!
Mike J
Oh the faces.
And the London-Birmingham 1" tubes - drool drool
Mike (very sad person)
Christopher Woods
(Also, while I'm at it, might as well ask the question - what kinda kit
does the Beeb use for its realtime encoding and push to regional
transmitters? ALSO, what's the difference (if any) between TX, TXRs and
TXAs? My knowledge of broadcasting is really quite holey!)
:Jerry:
"Christopher Woods" <newsgro...@GETRIDOFME-infinitus.co.uk> wrote
in message news:003301c822c8$5d7f8160$6501a8c0@mofolaptop...
>
> My knowledge of broadcasting is really quite holey!)
>
You're the OB supervisor of Songs of Praise and I claim my 5 quid...
Now, where did I put my coat?! :~)
tony sayer
<p...@zetnet.net> scribeth thus
>> then, BBC Raman ring architect David Russell, Head of Strategic
>> Networks. I can't find it though :-(
>
>
>longer spans of DWDM fibre.
>
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raman_laser
>
>The topology that Richard Lamont describes is "logical" rather than
>physical. The underlying network may be a ring, but it's being used in
>a circuit-switched manner, probably using some form of MPLS to provide
>what's usually referred to as virtual wires.
>
Hope they've got the aircon thats up to the job;!....
--
Tony Sayer
Dickie mint
Info from a certain BBC email.....
TX, TXR both abbreviations for Transmitter.
Richard (ex Beeb)
Dickie mint
> (Also, while I'm at it, might as well ask the question - what kinda kit
> does the Beeb use for its realtime encoding and push to regional
> transmitters?
Don't know what the DAB coders are, but NICAM used to be BBC Designs
Dept stuff in my day. Don't know the architecture of Radio digital stuff.
Richard
Mike J
As in Rx
Mike
also in beebspeak) now spread to the o/s (outside) world as in "cock-up"
"pear-shaped" not forgetting the very technical j/f (jackfield) and
dis-board (power distribution board/strip) or "kettle lead" as in IEC
connector or "cassette lead" as in 2 pin "figure 8" mains connector -
btw what do we call the ones that look like thise but have extra third
earth pin (socket actually) plonked on the side.
And one shouldn't forget that euro 2 pin plugs fit into old fashioned
round "kettle leads" (useful on an OB in iceland when cameraman turned
up at BBC Links van - all 13A - with his 2 pin lamp kit.
And the BBC using XLR-LNEs one way and TVI in Windmill street using them
the other to enable live 13A plug pins.
And a 'BBC' house I lived in which extened a 13A socket around the
fireplace with a 13A plug to plug lead then a double socket at teh other
end to act like a parallel strip!
And of course BBC "male and female" barrels - known as "back-to-backs in
the outside world or "gender changers" in the newly PC world.
and so ad infinitum
Dickie mint
Jack Field
>
>
> not forgetting the very technical j/f (jackfield)
>
>
Hello are you talking about me??
Mike J
Dickie mint wrote:
>>
> You ought to do a Broadcasting glossary on your website :-)
And post TA course notes?
Mike
(TA22)
Mike J
Jack Field wrote:
>>
>>not forgetting the very technical j/f (jackfield)
>>
>>
>
>
>
> Hello are you talking about me??
>
>
might be!
Mike J
m...@privacy.net wrote:
> On 9 Nov,
> I've still got mine upstairs somewhere.
>
5th from left, middle row? http://www.vtoldboys.com/etd/etd19.htm
Mike
Mike J
> Correct. I still had hair then!
>
>
I got your initials wrong when I sent the pic then - maybe you ought to
contact Chris to correct that.
I think Dave Hume is about the only one left now (at OBs)
Mike
Steve Purdy
news:473485C7...@tiscali.co.uk...
>
>
> connector or "cassette lead" as in 2 pin "figure 8" mains connector - btw
> what do we call the ones that look like thise but have extra third earth
> pin (socket actually) plonked on the side.
That 3 pin version is usually called the 'clover leaf' connector.
Steve
SpamTrapSeeSig
<mik...@tiscali.co.uk> writes
>Mike
>
>also in beebspeak) now spread to the o/s (outside) world as in
>"cock-up" "pear-shaped" not forgetting the very technical j/f
>(jackfield) and dis-board (power distribution board/strip) or "kettle
>lead" as in IEC connector or "cassette lead" as in 2 pin "figure 8"
>mains connector - btw what do we call the ones that look like thise but
>have extra third earth pin (socket actually) plonked on the side.
"Fallout." At least, that's what they all do from my laptop PSU :-(
Why on earth did we need yet another quasi-standard?
>And one shouldn't forget that euro 2 pin plugs fit into old fashioned
>round "kettle leads" (useful on an OB in iceland when cameraman turned
>up at BBC Links van - all 13A - with his 2 pin lamp kit.
>And the BBC using XLR-LNEs one way and TVI in Windmill street using
>them the other to enable live 13A plug pins.
>And a 'BBC' house I lived in which extened a 13A socket around the
>fireplace with a 13A plug to plug lead then a double socket at teh
>other end to act like a parallel strip!
I must confess I do the Christmas festoon lights round the mantlepiece
in a similar fashion - from one 5A socket on the top of the bookcase to
the one on t'other side of the fireplace. At least you can't pull em out
without a ladder...
>And of course BBC "male and female" barrels - known as "back-to-backs
>in the outside world or "gender changers" in the newly PC world.
I was trying to explain RSA to someone earlier in the week. Fell back to
"tone controls" when I saw the brows furrowing.
Regards,
Simonm.
--
simonm|at|muircom|dot|demon|.|c|oh|dot|u|kay
SIMON MUIR, BRISTOL UK
EUROPEANS AGAINST THE EU http://www.eurofaq.freeuk.com/
GT250A'76 R80/RT'86 110CSW TDi'88 www.kc3ltd.co.uk/profile/eurofollie/
Mike J
Paul Martin wrote:
>
>
> IEC connectors:
>
> C13 "plug" is your standard "kettle lead"
> C15 "plug" is the real kettle lead, being rated to 120 deg Celsius
>
> C7 is the figure 8 (sometimes called Telefunken) connector
> C5 is the mickey mouse connector (3 pin)
>
There are actually about 3 IECs I think.
1) The bog standard as used on PCs etc - re-wirable availabe - rated to 5A?
2) The 'Kettle' leads - as you say rated to 13A
3) The 'Kettle' leads with a groove between the Live and Neutral. I
think these are higher rated and used on bay(Rack) mounted dis-boards. -
or are these the 13A Kettle.
(not sure cos my kettle has a fixed lead to the base and a 13A coaxial
connector to the kettle - should this be a 'K type' - like N type and F
type????)
Mike
Bill Wright
"SpamTrapSeeSig" <no-...@nospam.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:kdInsjC7...@tigger.muircom.demon.co.uk...
> a similar fashion - from one 5A socket on the top of the bookcase to the
> one on t'other side of the fireplace. At least you can't pull em out
> without a ladder...
could well be offending many of our ethnic brethen. Could you not say that
you do your Winter Holiday lights round the mantlepiece, rather than mention
a festival that is only observed by the members of the Christian sect?
Actually, I think what you wrote is racist, and I'm going to report you.
Bill
Andy Wade
> In article <4735C59...@tiscali.co.uk>,
> Mike J wrote:
>> There are actually about 3 IECs I think.
The survey in EN 60320-1:2001 lists 11 different types.
> The groove denotes the "hot condition" plug, rated to 120°C, rather
> than the usual 90-ish. The normal plug/socket is rated to 10A, as is
> the kettle variant.
That's right, except that the max. temperature for the C14 inlet is 70
deg., not 90. Prior to the early 90s the C13/C14 types (i.e. the
bog-standard 3-pin type) were rated at 6 A.
> The usual reason for the 5A limitation is the rating of the cable, not
> the connector. Whether such leads would be allowed outside the UK (ie.
> without fused plugs) is a separate point.
Although the standard still allows 0.75 mm^2 (6 A) cords for lengths not
exceeding 2 m, most cordsets now use 1 mm^2 flex, giving the full 10 A
continuous rating.
> Kettles with IEC power fittings are usually limited to 2.2kW.
The so-called 'cordless' kettle connectors are now included in IEC 60320
for ratings up to 16 A (EN 60320-2-4:2006) so they also count as "IEC
power fittings." The standard calls them "weight-engaged couplers."
--
Andy
SpamTrapSeeSig
<insertmybu...@f2s.com> writes
Gulp. That'll learn I then.
I assume if I'd used Walsall B gauge (fused) it would've been very
different. You're a hard man, sir.
Ivor Jones
news:slrnfjbj...@thinkpad.nowster.org.uk
[snip]
: : The groove denotes the "hot condition" plug, rated to
: : 120°C, rather than the usual 90-ish. The normal
: : plug/socket is rated to 10A, as is the kettle variant.
: :
: : The usual reason for the 5A limitation is the rating of
: : the cable, not the connector. Whether such leads would
: : be allowed outside the UK (ie. without fused plugs) is
: : a separate point.
Yes they are; IEC C13 connectors are available with both European CEE 7/7
and North American NEMA 5-15 plugs on the other end. I have several for
when I go travelling. I also have the figure of 8 connectors with both
types of plug (although they've got the 2-pin plugs rather than the
earthed variety).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_connector has some more info on them.
Ivor
Mike J
Paul Martin wrote:
>
> The usual reason for the 5A limitation is the rating of the cable, not
> the connector. Whether such leads would be allowed outside the UK (ie.
> without fused plugs) is a separate point.
>
I think the connectors/cable are the least of worries in some parts!
When I was in Vancouver a couple of years ago, I got involved in
replacing an outside light with movement detector.
All the bits come separately and have to be connected using crappy
'screwits' which are sort of OK with solid single core cables as used
for house wiring there but fail completely when connecting (screwing?)
solid cables to tmultistrand used in the light fittings. They don't seem
to have discovered 'choc blocks'
Also not helped of course by no discrimination in the breaker boxes
between lights and sockets.
Because houses have +120v and +240v (with a common neutral) to power
high-current devices.
Also everything seems to have no consistancy of colour code.
We may complain but it is a joy to come back to UK quality wiring.
(Although we now have the silly situation where black can be (old)
neutral or (new) phase and one is supposed to label one wire as earth in
a blue/brown/black armoured for your cable to the garage (installed by
qualified (eastern european) bloke)
Mike
MB
Lindos runs or was it just local? Seemed to be off for several minutes
though I was only half awake at the time.
MB
Dickie mint
I think that was as planned?
Comes under the "Certain National TXRs will be switched off. One
Network at a time for approx 2 mins." bit in my original post some days
ago........
"Wed 14th Nov
------------
Between 0115 - 0315 : VHF FM Usual RBS Test
Test Tone Sequences - 2 lots lasting 4 mins approx.
Between 0330 - 0430 : Certain National TXRs will be switched off.
One Network at a time for approx 2 mins. "
MB
from Dickie mint <richard_ta...@trapyahoo.co.uk> contains these words:
I thought that was to test various RBS routes but the RBS tests are
usually done later (when I was fast asleep!) after all the main test
done on each network. It would be presumably be done by manually
switching particular sites off, there are no RBS routes up here and this
was immediately after the two Lindos runs some time after 01:00.
MB