Genesys 2

Genesys 2 was developed as the next step in research and development signal formatter for magnetic, holographic and optical disc formats. It was designed to be able to drive traditional Laser Beam Recorders and newer systems such as the Phase Transition Recorders, and Electron Beam Recorders.

Genesys 2 consists of four main components:

Genesys 2 was conceived based on a programmable design language, known as Disc Description Language (DDL). The language uses a building block approach where basic modulation patterns can be defined and then more complex patterns can be defined based on the basic patterns. The language also includes the following features:

The design philosophy behind DDL allows for sectors to be built from complex pattern definitions, rotations to be built from sectors, tracks to be built from rotations and zones to be built from tracks.

DDL may be used in two operating environments:

  1. Interpreted Mode - In this case, the DDL file is converted to an intermediate catalog file, which can be immediately cut with the G2 Formatter. However, cutting speed may be limited depending upon the complexity of the DDL file.
  2. Compiled Mode - With this mode, the DDL is compiled into a binary file set. While the binary file set consumes a large amount of disc space and takes time to compile, this mode does allow the recording to move as fast as possible.

The G2 Designer software provides a simple to use platform for creation and modification of the DDL files. From Designer, the user can choose to prepare the DDL for mastering in either interpreted or compiled mode.

The G2 Formatter application and Raptor hardware allow for several features, including:

Genesys 2 capabilities include complex track formation including building a format track using multiple passes with each pass containing either the same or different modulation/deflection content. It also includes the ability to overexpose rotations to create complex exposures on the media.

The Raptor hardware includes the following outputs:

Signal Frequency Jitter Voltage
Beam Modulation 1-125 MHz <100 ps LVDS
SE 0-1V, 50 ohm termination
Modulation Clock 1-125 MHz <100 ps LVDS
Rotation Clock 600 Hz-45.26 MHz <100 ps LVDS
Translation Clock 16 Hz-13 KHz <1 ns LVDS
Sawtooth Deflection 4096 samples per rotation 2V pp, 50 ohm termination
High Speed Deflection 1-125 MHz 0-1V, 50 ohm termination
Start TTL
End TTL, 10K ohm termination
Angle Origin 1 pulse per rotation LVDS
Angle Sector Configurable during rotation TTL, 10K ohm termination