2.1.2 SCAN CONVERTER 



A Robot Model 400 scan converter was used on each of the four platforms: on the 

 surface platforms to convert the received slow scan for viewing and on the subsurface platforms 

 to convert live camera transmissions to slow scan and to allow viewing of the transmitted 

 signal. The Robot 400 was also used as a source for gray-scale transmissions. Robot 400 

 specifications are shown in Table 4. 



TABLE 4. ROBOT 400 SPECIFICATIONS. 



Input: 



Fast Scan 



Standard 525 TV video, 1 V p-p 

 white positive into 1 k£2 



Slow Scan 



20mV-l Vinto lOkft 



Output: 



Fast Scan 



Standard 525 TV video 1 .4 V p-p 

 white positive into 75 £2 



Slow Scan 



2 V p-p into 1 k£2 



Auxiliary Connectors: 



From Tape, To Tape, From Radio, 

 From Other, To Transmitter, To 

 Video Monitor, From Camera Video 



Power Consumption: 



33 W 



Dimensions (inches): 



6 high by 1 2Vi wide by 1 l%deep 



Price: 



$695 



Because of the number of inputs and outputs already available, no modifications to 

 the Robot unit were necessary. UQC voice transmissions were never disabled since voice or 

 slow-scan modes could be chosen by means of a front panel switch on the Robot unit. Taped 

 slow-scan transmissions from the subsurface platform could be routed, via Robot front panel 

 switches, directly to the UQC. Similarly, received slow scan could be routed directly to 

 the tape recorder on the surface platform. 



The Robot units worked reliably throughout both at-sea tests. A failure in the input 

 limiter of one of the Robot units has been the only problem encountered since these units 

 were acquired. This problem was promptly corrected by Robot factory personnel. 



2.1.3 TAPE RECORDER 



Since the slow-scan signal is restricted to audio frequencies, any audio tape recorder 

 is a candidate for slow-scan applications. To avoid problems with line jitter or a wavy display, 

 the tape recorder's wow and flutter must be held below about 0.3%. For the present experi- 

 ment Radio Shack Model SCT-14 tape deck, with wow and flutter less than 0.2%, was used 

 on all installations. Slow-scan data was recorded on the left channel and voice annotation on 

 the right. All recordings were made on chromium dioxide audio cassettes. The tape decks 

 performed reliably throughout both experiments. 



