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User's Guide Fireface 800 © RME
30.3 Cabling and Termination
Word clock signals are usually distributed in the form of a network, split with BNC T-adapters
and terminated with resistors. We recommend using off-the-shelf BNC cables to connect all
devices, as this type of cable is used for most computer networks. You will find all the neces-
sary components (T-adapters, terminators, cables) in most electronics and/or computer stores.
The latter usually carries 50 Ohms components. The 75 Ohms components used for word clock
are part of video techology (RG59).
Ideally, the word clock signal is a 5 Volt square wave with the frequency of the sample rate, of
which the harmonics go up to far above 500 kHz. To avoid voltage loss and reflections, both the
cable itself and the terminating resistor at the end of the chain should have an impedance of 75
Ohm. If the voltage is too low, synchronization will fail. High frequency reflection effects can
cause both jitter and sync failure.
Unfortunately there are still many devices on the market, even newer digital mixing consoles,
which are supplied with a word clock output that can only be called unsatisfactory. If the output
breaks down to 3 Volts when terminating with 75 Ohms, you have to take into account that a
device, of which the input only works from 2.8 Volts and above, does not function correctly al-
ready after 3 meter cable length. So it is not astonishing that because of the higher voltage,
word clock networks are in some cases more stable and reliable if cables are not terminated at
all.
Ideally all outputs of word clock delivering devices are designed as low impedance types, but all
word clock inputs as high impedance types, in order to not weaken the signal on the chain. But
there are also negative examples, when the 75 Ohms are built into the device and cannot be
switched off. In this case the network load is often 2 x 75 Ohms, and the user is forced to buy a
special word clock distributor. Note that such a device is generally recommended for bigger
studios.
The Fireface's word clock input can be high-impedance or terminated internally, ensuring maxi-
mum flexibility. If termination is necessary (e.g. because the Fireface is the last device in the
chain), push the switch at the back beside the BNC socket (see chapter 30.1).
In case the Fireface 800 resides within a chain of devices receiving word clock, plug a T-
adapter into its BNC input jack, and the cable supplying the word clock signal to one end of the
adapter. Connect the free end to the next device in the chain via a further BNC cable. The last
device in the chain should be terminated using another T-adapter and a 75 Ohm resistor (avail-
able as short BNC plug). Of course devices with internal termination do not need T-adaptor and
terminator plug.
Due to the outstanding SteadyClock technology of the Fireface 800, we recommend not to
pass the input signal via T-adapter, but to use the Fireface's word clock output instead.
Thanks to SteadyClock, the input signal will both be freed from jitter and - in case of loss or
drop out – be reset to a valid frequency.
30.4 Operation
The green Lock LED on the front (DIGITAL STATE) will light up as soon as a word clock signal
is detected. To change to word clock as clock source, activate clock mode AutoSync and switch
Pref. Sync Ref to Word Clock within the Settings dialog. The status display AutoSync Ref
changes to Word as soon as a valid signal is present at the BNC jack. This message has the
same meaning as the green Lock LED, but appears on the monitor, i.e. the user can check
immediately whether a valid word clock signal is present and is currently being used.
AutoSync Ref also displays the frequency (Freq.) of the reference signal, here the frequency of
the current word clock signal, measured by the hardware.