Archive notice: This article was originally published on December 4, 2007. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Television transmission in local data networks is reaching a new dimension. The TV signal can now be distributed over distances of up to 2000 metres in the fibre-optic backbone. Swiss cabling specialist Reichle & De-Massari (R&M, http://www.rdm.com ) developed the CATVsolution FO for this purpose. The multimedia solution can be used in structured cabling as a campus, building and floor distributor and can be integrated into existing networks. Extensive properties no longer have to be served via coax infrastructures in order to supply them with cable television and other media. The new product supplements the CATVsolution 862/8 for copper cabling introduced four years ago. It is used in 19-inch distributors, connected via a coax connection or to the LAN, and is ready for operation within one minute with a few level settings.
While coax infrastructures require RF amplifiers and a power supply, the signals in fibre-optic infrastructures can be transmitted over longer distances without additional amplifiers. With OS1 cabling, the CATVsolution FO can bridge distances of 2000 metres and, if required, even longer distances. With OM3 cabling, a transmission range of 350 metres is feasible in the LAN, and 600 metres with OM2.
As a building distributor, the panel has one coax input and eight fibre-optic outputs. It converts the TV signal for transmission in the LAN. Its counterpart, the floor distributor, has one fibre-optic input and eight RJ45 outputs. One coax connection can thus be distributed to 64 receiving devices. The floor distributor feeds the signal into the horizontal structured building cabling and can bridge distances of up to 90 metres. The copper cabling must meet at least the parameters for Cat. 5e.
Finally, a balun patch cable connects the LAN connection socket to the receiving device. The built-in impedance matching converts the 100Ω signal back into a 75Ω coax signal. No further adapters are required. Individual end devices can also be connected directly to a headend.
The CATVsolution FO is compatible with the high-definition television technology HDTV. The device covers the frequency range from 47 to 870 MHz. The CATVsolution FO can be used in singlemode and multimode infrastructures. The optical receiver processes wavelengths from 1290 to 1600 nm. If the TV signal already arrives in the building via fibre optics, it can be connected to the floor distributor directly or after splitting with R&M splitters and WDM.
Areas of application are extensive building complexes and larger company sites with structured cabling, corporate and industrial parks, leisure facilities, hotels, logistics centres, refineries, ports, railway stations or remote housing estates and modern residential complexes.
