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:
- DDL File - contains a language to describe the image, pattern or format to be created.
- G2 Designer - used to create the DDL file and export it to a Binary file set
- Binary File Set - contains the synchronized patterns for the formatter
- G2 Formatter - reads the Binary file set and sends the appropriate signals to the recorder.
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:
- Variables - Variables can be defined to contain counters (such as current rotation, current track, or current sector) or data patterns that are calculated occasionally and used frequently (such as a track ID).
- Functions - Several internal functions are included in order to make decisions on current content to generate. Pre defined functions include Increment, Decrement, Bit Shifting, Logical AND, and IF equals to name a few.
- Lookup Tables - Lookup tables can be defined in order to encode modulation symbols based on input data
- Extensions - Extensions can be defined to call out to used developed software in order to perform more advanced operations.
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:
- 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.
- 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:
- Modulation
- High Speed Deflection
- Rotation and Translation control
- Sawtooth Deflection
- Arc Correction
- Complex Track Formation
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 |