Single-channel multiband recording and playback system.

Pentek has introduced the first member of the Talon® recorder series, the Model RTV 2601 single-channel multiband recording and playback system. This recorder is part of the new Talon Value Series of rackmount recorders for laboratory and benign environments.

The RTV 2601 represents Pentek’s best value in a single channel recording and playback system. Equipped with a 200 MHz, 16-bit A/D, it is ideal for recording signal bandwidths up to 80 MHz with over 80 dB of spurious free dynamic range (SFDR.) The 800 MHz, 16-bit D/A reproduces recorded signals and also serves as a powerful complex waveform generator.

Equipped with a 4 TB storage array, these 4U rackmount systems are ready for off-the-shelf delivery. “We often receive customer requests for quick delivery,” stated Chris Tojeira, product director of Recording Systems. “The popular, well-equipped configuration we chose for the RTV 2601 allows us to ship directly from stock. And, our cost-sensitive customers really appreciate a price tag under $20,000.”

The RTV 2601 includes a user-programmable digital downconverter (DDC) and digital upconverter (DUC), for recording and playing back signals with bandwidths ranging from a few kHz up to 80 MHz. Flexible center frequency tuning handles IF signals as high as 700 MHz. Providing 4 TB of data storage, the six hot-swappable front-panel disk drives can be easily replaced by empty drives when full.

Ease of Operation
All Talon recorders are built on a Windows 7 Professional workstation and include Pentek’s SystemFlow software, featuring a GUI (graphical user interface) and API (Application Programming Interface). The GUI provides intuitive controls for out-of-the-box turn-key operation using point-and-click configuration management. Configurations can be easily stored and recalled for single-click setup. The GUI also includes a virtual oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer to monitor signals before, during and after data collection. The C-callable API allows users to integrate the recorder control into larger application systems.

Pentek provides a Talon Recording System Simulator for evaluation of the SystemFlow software package.

High-speed, multichannel LVDS recorders for R&D, earth, sea & airborne applications.

Pentek has introduced three additions to the Talon® family of high-speed turnkey recording systems handling LVDS (low-voltage differential signaling) digital I/O: the Model RTS 2718 commercial rackmount, the Model RTR 2738 rugged portable and the Model RTR 2758 rugged rackmount recorders. Using state-of-the-art disk storage technology, these systems are highly flexible and achieve aggregate recording rates up to 4 GBytes per second.

As complete recording systems, the Talon recorders are ideal for capturing any type of streaming sources including live transfers from sensors or data from other computers. The built-in Windows 7 Professional workstation with an Intel Core i7 processor gives the user total flexibility in routing recorded data to other drives, networks and I/O channels. Plus, post-processing and analysis tools installed on the workstation can immediately operate on the recorded data.

“These LVDS recording systems offer a low-level, general-purpose interface commonly found in many digital systems,” said Rodger Hosking, vice president of Pentek. "The recorders exploit the latest storage technology to deliver the industry's fastest recording rates and deepest capacities. Because the LVDS interface incorporates a Virtex-6 FPGA, Pentek can offer options for configuring custom interfaces and protocols to handle special applications.”

"Our SystemFlow® recording software simplifies user operation, and the API allows system integrators to add the recorder as a peripheral to a larger system. "We offer these recorders in many different configurations for operation not only in the lab but also in the field and on board vehicles, ships and aircraft. The SSDs we use in the ruggedized recorders are immune to shock and vibration and are ideal for severe environments."

Data files include time stamping as well as recording parameters and optional GPS information. Files are stored in the native Windows NTFS format, allowing drive units to be read directly by PCs and eliminating the need for file conversion. Files can also be transferred from the system through gigabit Ethernet, USB ports or written to optical disks using the built-in 8X double layer DVD±R/RW drive.

Talon recorders capture data at a very high rate using the latest generation of high-capacity disk drives. The rugged portable (Model 2738) and rugged rack-mount (Model 2758) are configured with SSDs (solid state drives) while the commercial rack-mount (Model 2718) is configured with HDDs (hard disk drives). The drives are hot-swappable and can be easily removed or exchanged during or after a mission to retrieve recorded data.

Simulator provides recording system evaluation & speeds development

Pentek has announced the SystemFlow Simulator for its Talon® analog and digital recording systems. The SystemFlow Simulator includes a virtual recorder server application that simulates disk and I/O transactions for a complete and realistic recording environment. Using either the standard SystemFlow graphical user interface (GUI) or the SystemFlow application programming interface (API), the virtual server provides live, interactive operation for training or development. The user can easily switch between different recording systems in the Talon recording system product line. The common user interface (UI) and API provides a simple transition from one Talon recorder to another.

“The Talon recording system simulator makes it easy for our customers to take a test drive of our powerful SystemFlow user interface,” stated Rodger Hosking, vice president of Pentek. “Developers of custom user interfaces can also gain a significant time-to-market advantage by using the API package to develop software in advance of receiving the system.”

The SystemFlow Simulator demonstrates actual Configuration, Record, Playback and Status screens of the standard GUI, each with intuitive controls and indicators. It also includes the SystemFlow Signal Viewer to display simulated live signals being digitized and recorded by a Pentek analog signal recorder. The SystemFlow Signal Viewer includes a virtual oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer for signal monitoring in both time and frequency domains.

Developers have the option of using the SystemFlow API as an invaluable tool for developing their own UI to control the Talon recording system. The UI can be tested against the simulator prior to receipt of a Talon recorder, saving valuable development time. The simulator can be controlled locally or remotely via the socket-based client-server architecture. This allows system engineers to setup and test remote control of their recording system before it is received.

System profiles containing all parameters and operational modes for specific recording sessions can be created and saved in the simulator for later use in the Talon recording system.

The SystemFlow Simulator is provided in 32- and 64- bit Windows 7 Professional operating system versions. Qualified developers can download and install the SystemFlow Simulator to experience the UI prior to purchasing a recorder.