CUSTOM RECORDING EQUIPMENT FOR MILITARY & SPACE PROGRAMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00873A002900020085-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2012
• Sequence Number: 85
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

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Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873AO02900020085-9
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 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873AO02900020085-9
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The Radio Corporation of America has long been a recognized
leader in the design and development of a wide range of
magnetic recording products. RCA's activity in this area
began back in the middle forties, and through the years has
contributed numerous advances in recording technology and
has accumulated a vast amount of knowledge and experience
in the magnetic recording field.
A significant portion of RCA's research, development and
production facilities is devoted directly to magnetic record-
ing. Activities within the various divisions of the company
are closely coordinated to insure efficient use of research,
development, manufacturing skills and experience in devel-
oping a wide range of magnetic recording products for mili-
tary and commercial applications.
The Magnetic Recording Engineering Department within
the Communications Systems Division has primary respon-
sibility for coordinating RCA's military and aerospace mag-
netic recording activities. This well staffed and experienced
organization is equipped to meet the complex requirements
in developing custom magnetic recording equipment for mili-
tary and space systems. A continuing emphasis by this
department on extending the present state of the art I
magnetic recording developments enables RCA to mee
exacting requirements of military and aerospace systems.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873AO02900020085-9
 Declassified and Ap
TR22
HL-CVR
0
DEP
CATALOG B-146
CONTINUOUS WIDEBAND RECORDER
FEATURES
? Transient Free Operation
? Excellent Time Base Stability
? Supplied with Either One or Two Wideband
Channels
? ? Airbearing Headwheel for Maximum Stability and
Long Life
? Advanced Design Functionally Styled for Utmost
Ease of Operation
? Instrumented Test, Setup Procedures
? Illuminated Warning and Mode Indicators to
Determine Operational Status
? Economical, Low Power Operation
? Plug-in Modular Construction
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? Outstanding single or dual chan-
nel performance due to superior
Octaplex Headwheel Design
? Built-in precise crystal timing
reference
? Switchable Frequency Response
(4 me/6 mc)
? Full line of accessories for ultra-
precise time-base stability
? Provision for range marker
insertion
? Permits N time around range
tracking
? Pulse amplitude linearity better
than 5%
? (2) 10 KC Auxiliary Channels
? Can be used to playback
standard television information
Single Channel Quadruplex Airbearing
Headwheel Panel Assembly
?
?
?
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873A002900020085-9
 Declassified and Ap
proved For Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873AO02900020085-9
CATALOG B-146-B
i
TR22
HL-CVR
CONTINUOUS WIDEBAND RECORDER
?
General
Recording Medium ........... Magnetic tape 2 in. wide
Tape Speed .............. .....15inches per second
Recording Time ...... 96 min. on a 14 in. reel (7200 ft.)
Rewind Time .......... Approx. 4 min. for 7200 ft. reel
Recording Time Reference ............ Internal Crystal
Playback Time Reference ............. Internal Crystal
Reference Switchable to External Line or Sync for TV
Recording Purposes
Stopping Time ........ Approx. 0.2 sec. from Record or
Play Mode
Start Time for Stabilized Video and
Auxiliary Information . Approx. 5 seconds from stop,
approx. 3 seconds from standby or Set-up
Tape Interchangeability ........ Tapes are made on any
machine providing they are made in accordance with all
applicable recommended practices
Tape Timer .............. Accumulated time measured
in minutes and seconds
Video Channel
Bandwidths: BW
STD I HiBand 6 MC ......... 30Hz to 6MHz ?1.5db
STD II HiBand 4 MC ......... 30Hz to 4MHz ?1.5db
STD III LoBand 4 MC ......... 30Hz to 4MHz ?1.5db
S/N
Full Track Half Track
Auxiliary Channels*
No. of Aux. Channels ........................... 2
Freq. Response ........... Aux 1 50Hz to 10KHz ?3db
Aux 2 350Hz to 10KHz ?3db
Signal-to-Noise Ratio ..... Aux 1 30db rms sig/rms noise
Aux 2 30db rms sig/rms noise
Volts In/Impedance:
Aux 1 -20dbm to + 18dbm / 10K Bal. Bridging
Aux 2 -20dbm to +18dbm / 10K Bal. Bridging
Volts Out/Impedance
Aux 1 +18dbm/600 ohm w 1000Hz In @ -20db
Aux 2 +18dbm/600 ohm w 1000Hz In @ -20db
digital replacement specifications available on request.
Mechanical Specifications
Transport .............. Centrally located at 45 degree
angle and at a reel height of 48 inches (122 cm)
Cooling ......................... Filtered, forced air
Weight,-Shipping ............. Approximately 1400 lbs.
Dimensions:
Width (overall) ........................55 inches
Width (less end panels) .................53 inches
Height ...... .......................711/4 inches
Depth .............................261/2 inches
Models
Four basic models are available.
TR22-HL-CVR with 150ns rms absolute time base
stability
TR22-HL-CVR-3 with 10ns rms absolute phase time
base stability
TR22-HL-2CVR (2 video channels)
TR22-HL-2CVR-3 (2 video channels)
STD I 38 36
STD II 40 38
STD III 40 38
Linearity ............ Within 5% measured from max.
dynamic range to 20db below max.
Rise Time ................................100ns
Overshoot ................................. 10%
Transient Level ................ 6db below peak noise
Input Volts/Imped.......... 0.5VPPto 1.5VPP/75 ohms
Output Volts/Imped ............... : . 1.OVPP/75 ohms
No. of Video Outputs .............. .... .. ..3
Time Base Stability ................. Tonewheel Servo
(CVR option)-150ns rms absolute phase error (approx.
300ns peak)
Electronic Time Base Correction .......... (-3 option)
10ns rms absolute phase error (approx 20ns peak)
Equipment Supplied
All models include the following equipment complement:
1 TR22-HL-CVR Tape Recorder (Console Mounted)
complete
1 Headwheel Panel Assembly (Air-bearing)
2 End Panels
1 Kit of Maintenance Materials
DEFENSE ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS ? COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS DIVISION
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873A002900020085-9
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873AO02900020085-9
VIDEO
INPUT
FM
STANDARDS
REC
SIGNAL IN
BASEBAND VIDEO DOMAIN
a
'1
4x2
SWITCH
FADE
SWITCH
AMP
REC AMPI
FM ~F VIDEO
DOMAIN ~ DOMAIN
PULSE TYPE (DEMODULATOR
SIGNAL OUT OUTPUT
The TR22-HL-CVR is a deluxe, ex-
tremely flexible, transient free wideband
recorder. It represents the most ad-
vanced wideband recorder/ reproducer
available to the military and aerospace
market.
The TR22-HL-CVR is an ideal instru-
ment for use in recording radar, sine
wave, predetection IF and PPI display in-
formation. It is suitable for applications
requiring continuous pulse recording
bandwidths up to 6 megahertz, with ex-
cellent time-base stability. It can be used
onboard ship, for remote field installa-
tion, in research laboratories, and can be
flown in large or medium sized aircraft.
The TR22-HL-CVR is completely modu-
larized. It is designed to accept acces-
sories that will provide varying degrees
of time-base stability, data channel band-
width, and remote control operation. It
may be operated at either 71/2 or 15 IPS
recording speeds, (for single channel)
providing continuous recording time to
three hours maximum.
DESCRIPTION
? The basic machine can be supplied in
either of two versions; a single channel
continuous wideband recorder, Type TR-
22-HL-CVR, or a dual channel continuous
LIST OF ACCESSORIES
Auxiliary Channels to Order
EVDL Time Base Accessory
Spare Airbearing Headwheel Panel
Assembly (Quadruplex)
Spare Airbearing Headwheel Panel
Assembly (Octaplex)
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FM
STANDARDS
record/playback headwheel assemblies
utilize air bearings and ultra-precise
vacuum guide positioning. Both these fac-
tors play an important part in achieving
the excellent time-base stability of which
the TR22-CVR is capable.
A Switchable bandwidth and FM stand-
ards feature permits recording of video
information at either 4 or 6 MHZ band-
width. In addition to the main channel,
two 10 KC audio channels are offered as
standard. Additional options are available
to further increase the bandwidth of the
auxiliary channels if required.
The all solid-state construction of the
TR22-HL-CVR assures maximum depend-
ability, reliability, and a minimum of
maintenance. The equipment is entirely
of modular construction and has been
functionally designed for utmost ease of
operation. Built in features include a
video monitor and a series of indicator
lights which indicate operational status
as well as faulty operation during record
or playback, enabling technicians to'
wideband recorder, Type TR22-HL-2-CVR. quickly locate, isolate and correct mal-
This dual channel recorder offers two 6- " functions, should they occur.
megahertz recording channels. Inter- The built-in monitoring features of the
channel time-base stability of the basic TR22-CVR permit an operator to readily
TR22-HL-CVR is 100 nanoseconds peak. setup the recorder utilizing a standard
This can be further improved to 10 nano- SMPTE video alignment tape.
seconds RMS by the addition of an elec- The inclined, waist-high tape deck and
tronic variable delay line accessory. (This strategically placed controls and visual
is also available for the single channel and audio monitoring facilities result in
recorder.) It provides time-base stability extreme simplicity and ease of operation
within each channel of 10 nanoseconds and loading and threading of tape.
RMS. The TR22-CVR is a completely self-
The TR22-HL-CVR series of recorders contained, compact console unit, measur-
makes use of a technique known as fade ing 55 inches wide, 711/4 inches high, and
switching to provide continuous transient- 261/2 inches deep. It weighs less than
free playback of pulse and analog infor- 1600 pounds and requires approximately
mation. Both the quadruplex and octaplex 2 KW of power.
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873AO02900020085-9
RCA has developed a line of broadcast quadraplex video
recorders second to none in the industry. As defense needs
for ultra-wideband data recording increased, RCA devel-
oped a means of adding modifications to a broadcast video
recorder to make it a "black box" and thus permit many
defense recording tasks to be tackled in a sound, economic
manner. Basically, the changes are concerned with chang-
ing the unit from a discontinuous TV display (line-by-line
interruption) to a Continuous Video Recorder. Many wide-
band recording tasks such as radar, spectrum monitoring,
wideband telemetry, and pre-detection wideband signals
can then be handled on the wideband video channel of
the recorder.
The letters CVR after any of RCA's broadcast line units
thus identify the unit as having the modification kit
necessary for continuous general purpose recording. It is
interesting to note that the CVR mod kit in no way inter-
feres with the ability to reproduce a TV test or program
tape. RCA presently offers 5 quadraplex type recorders:
the TR70, TR22, TR4, TR3 and the TR5.
Further options, such as 2 video channels, multiple
standard operation '(paralleling TV type units) and elec-
tronically variable delay lines can also be added. These
features are designated with additional numerical and
letter designations such as:
For Further Information Please Contact:
Manager, Marketing Department
Communications Systems Division
Defense Electronic Products
Radio Corporation of America, Bldg. 1-3
Camden, New Jersey 08102
Telephone: [phone]
CVR == Continuous Video Recorder
HL = Hi-Band/Lo-Band Multiple Standard Unit
-3 = Electronically Variable Delay Line Time Base
Correction
-2 = 2 Video Channels
Examples of various units which may be ordered are:
TR22-CVR: A basic 4 MC bandwidth unit with transients
removed.
TR22-HL-CVR: A dual bandwidth, dual FM standard TR22
with transients removed.
TR22-HL-CVR-3: A TR22-HL-CVR with electronic time base
correction.
TR4-2-CVR: A dual channel 4 MC unit with transients re-
moved.
Specifications applicable to each selected option are avail-
able on the insert sheet.
Units commonly available are:
TR22-CVR
TR4-CVR
TR5-CVR
TR22-CVR-3
TR4-CVR-3
TR5-CVR-3
TR22-2-CVR
TR4-2-CVR
TR5-2-CVR
TR22-2-CVR-3
TR4-2-CVR-3
TR5-2-CVR-3
TR22-HL-CVR
TR4-H-CVR
TR5-LO-10-CVR
TR22-HL-CVR-3
TR4-H-CVR-3
TR 5-LO-10-CVR-3
TR22-HL-2-CVR
TR4-H-2-CVR
TR5-LO-10-2-CVR
TR22-HL-2-CVR-3
TR4-H-2=CVR-3
Specifications furnished by RCA are believed
to be accurate and reliable. However all
Specification data is subject to change
without notice.
THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN ELECTRONICS
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supporting facilities The Magnetic Recording Depart-
ment of the Communications Systems Division, located in
den, New Jersey, is staffed with experienced managers,
sneers, scientists and other specialists supported by ex-
cellent research laboratories, well-equipped model shops,
manufacturing facilities and environmental laboratories. A
Standards Department, modern production line techniques
and comprehensive Product Assurance Programs provide
equipment of uniformly high quality and reliability.
In addition, significant complementary research is con-
ducted in magnetic recording techniques by the Defense Elec-
tronic Products Applied Research Activity, the RCA Labora-
tories at Princeton, New Jersey, RCA's Astro-Electronics
Division where special skills and experience directly appli-
cable to electronic and electromechanical space systems
have facilitated development by RCA of a number of success-
ful satellite recorders, and the Broadcast and Communications
Products Division with its wideband video and magnetic head
development activities.
design experience RCA's Defense Electronic Products
Magnetic Recording Engineering capability has been gained
through a 'series of challenging development tasks that have
extended the recording "state of the art" significantly in
reliable performance under rigorous environmental condi-
tions for a number of important military programs.
? Aerospace Recorders, for such vehicles as Gemini, Tiros,
Nimbus and OGO.
? Aerospace wideband Transverse Scan Recorders.
? Navy and Submarine Shipboard Radar Recorder/Repro-
0ucers.
? Wideband multi-track longitudinal precision radar recorder/
reproducers used in precision instrumentation radar re-
cording.
? Portable Video Recorders for use in nuclear submarines
and for a variety of mobile applications.
? Continuous Video Recorders -for Radar, Spectrum, Pre-
Detection and all wideband Instrumentation Recording
Applications.
? A series of high-performance transverse and helical scan
recording equipments for radar and instrumentation re-
cording applications demanding high stability and band-
widths to 10 megahertz.
? Tactical Tape Cartridge Recorder/ Reproducers developed
for the U.S. Army Missile Command to program automatic
checkout ground support equipment computers.
? Low Speed Video data reduction equipment for direct
computer reduction of wideband Video Data or for time
expansion and compression.
? Miniature Spaceborne Video Recorders.
advanced development in our laboratories, we are
continually involved in development programs to improve
the technology of magnetic recording products.
Typical of these developments are:
? Recording of 20 megabit digital data rates, 15 megahertz
analog data rates and packing densities of over 5000 bits
per linear inch.
? Video and Telemetry Data Cartridge recorders for space
applications.
? Low cost slant track recorders for wideband recording.
? Eight channel wideband Instrumentation Recorders.
A 6 Mc Continuous Video Recorder B Two-Channel Radar Video Recorder C
Portable Video Recorder D Precision Wideband Radar Recorder E Tiros Satellite
Television Recorder
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? ? THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN ELECTRONICS
For further information on RCA Communications Systems
Division Products, their facilities for research and develop-
ment . .. write or call ? Manager, Marketing Department,
Building 1-3 ? Area Code 609 WO 3-8000 ? Defense Elec-
[phone]
Boston District
P.O. Box 588
ironic Products ? Communications Systems Division ? Radio
Corporation of America, Camden, New Jersey . . . or your
nearest RCA Defense Electronic Products field office.
[phone]
1725 "K" Street, N.W.
[phone]
[phone]
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP79B00873AO02900020085-9