Integrated Diagnostic Tool

Scope View is a real-time signal analyzer for LTC (Linear TimeCode) and IRIG-A/B signal diagnosis. Monitor raw incoming signals at the physical level to verify signal integrity, troubleshoot connection issues, and diagnose signal quality problems.

Two analysis modes:

  • ANALOG: Visualize voltage waveforms from ADC8 v2 digitizer
  • DIGITAL: Display edge timing and signal transitions with delta measurements

This is a professional diagnostic tool – not needed for normal operation, but invaluable when troubleshooting why timecode isn’t being recognized or is unstable.

BASIC OPERATION

Channel Select which input to analyze (LTC or IRIG-A or IRIG-B)

Mode Select analysis method
(ANALOG = voltage waveform display (ADC8 v2 digitizer)
DIGITAL = edge detection with transition timing (DIG1 mode))

Start/Stop Buttons Begin and end signal capture (Click Start to begin real-time streaming. Scope immediately displays incoming signal. Click Stop to freeze the view)

ANLOG MODE (VOLTAGE WAVEFORMS)

Analog mode displays the raw voltage waveform from the selected input as a cyan/turquoise trace. This shows the actual electrical signal – useful for assessing signal quality, amplitude, and noise characteristics.

Display Range Y-axis scale in millivolts (Vertical axis shows 0.32V at bottom, 3.39V at top by default.
Aion’s input expects signals in this range. If waveform is too small or clipping, check the source equipment output level)

Height (px) Vertical zoom/scaling of the waveform (Slider adjusts vertical sensitivity. Increase to magnify small signals for detail inspection. Decrease to see overall shape with multiple waveform cycles)

Zoom Horizontal time window (Slider adjusts how many seconds of signal appear on screen.
Zoom in (toward 1.0) to see fine detail and transitions.
Zoom out to see full waveform pattern and repetition)

Sample Rate Automatically displayed based on sample period (Shows samples per second. Higher SPS = finer resolution but more CPU load. Typical LTC rates: 48-96 kHz)

DIGITAL MODE (EDGE DETECTION)

Digital mode detects signal edges and measures the time between transitions. Instead of showing voltage, it shows edge timestamps – useful for confirming signal presence and measuring timing precision.

Edge Detection Captures rising and falling edges (Start level shown; subsequent edges are delta-timed from t0. Useful for verifying signal is being received and measuring timing accuracy)

Delta Timing (microseconds) Time interval between edges (Each transition is timestamped relative to the first edge (t0). Helps diagnose jitter or timing irregularities)

TROUBLESHOOTING SCENARIOS

SCENARIO 1: Signal Not Being Recognized

  • Open Scope View, select LTC channel, click Start
  • If no waveform appears:
  • Check physical cable connection to 3.5mm jack
  • Verify source equipment is sending timecode
  • Check source output level (waveform should use most of the vertical range)
  • If waveform appears but timecode doesn’t sync:
  • Signal quality may be poor (see SCENARIO 2)
  • Switch to DIGITAL mode to check for stable edges

SCENARIO 2: Intermittent Timecode Dropouts

  • Open Scope View in ANALOG mode, observe for 30+ seconds
  • Look for:
  • Signal dropouts (flat line)
  • Noise/jitter on the waveform
  • Clipping at top or bottom (source too hot or too cold)
  • Intermittent spikes indicating signal interference
  • Solutions:
  • If clipping: reduce source output level or Aion input sensitivity
  • If noise: check cable routing, avoid running audio near power cables
  • If dropouts: verify stable source equipment, try different cable

SCENARIO 3: Jittery Timecode (Micro-Skips)

  • Switch to DIGITAL mode to examine edge spacing
  • Irregular delta times between edges = timing jitter
  • Possible causes:
  • Defective cable (intermittent connection)
  • Electrical interference near the cable run
  • Source equipment with unstable clock
  • Aion’s ADC overloaded (try lowering input level)

SCENARIO 4: Verifying Signal Handoff

  • Before and after changing timecode sources:
  • Check each source with Scope View
  • Compare waveform quality and edge precision
  • Ensures new source has acceptable signal integrity

READING THE WAVEFORM

LTC SIGNAL CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Classic LTC produces a square-ish waveform with two distinct voltage levels
  • Frequency content varies based on timecode position
  • Timecode contains encoding of hours/minutes/seconds/frames in the signal
  • Different positions = different frequency content (not flat!)
  • Healthy LTC: Clean transitions between levels, minimal noise, stable amplitude

IRIG SIGNAL CHARACTERISTICS:

  • IRIG-A: Amplitude-modulated signal, typically sinusoidal at 1 kHz carrier
  • AM-modulated with timecode information
  • Amplitude changes indicate timecode bits
  • Higher frequency content than LTC
  • IRIG-B: Voltage levels encoding timecode (similar to LTC but standardized)

POOR SIGNAL INDICATORS:

  • Drooping or “sagging” voltage levels (weak signal)
  • High-frequency noise riding on the waveform (EMI/RFI interference)
  • Irregular timing in DIGITAL mode (jitter)
  • Signal clipping at top or bottom (overdriven source)
  • Intermittent dropouts to zero (connection issue)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ANALOG MODE (ADC8 v2):

  • Resolution: 8-bit ADC (256 voltage levels)
  • Reference voltage: 3.3V (displayed as 3300 mV)
  • Sample rates: Configurable
  • Typical LTC rates: 48-96 kHz (Aion samples at these rates by default)
  • CRC protection: All frames validated before display

DIGITAL MODE (DIG1):

  • Edge timing: Microsecond precision
  • Captures: Rising and falling edges
  • Delta encoding: Time since previous edge
  • Useful for precision timing analysis and jitter measurement

WHEN TO USE SCOPE VIEW

DO USE when:

  • Timecode is not syncing despite correct routing configuration
  • Switching to a new source and want to verify signal quality
  • Experiencing intermittent timecode dropouts
  • Setting up LTC/IRIG connections for the first time
  • Diagnosing why an external device isn’t receiving timecode

DON’T NEED when:

  • Timecode is syncing reliably and consistently
  • Troubleshooting routing/offset/latency issues (use main Display instead)
  • Configuring destination outputs (Scope is input-only diagnostic)