Oxygen DCT has introduced a range of fibre-optic cable – Smart Fibre, presently the only system in the world with a Multimedia Interface (MMI), giving signal and cable status and diagnostic information.

‘The benefits of this system are obvious because any breakdown in the signal path can be immediately identified,’ says Oxygen DCT MD, Steve Hathaway. ‘It effectively gives broadcasters a safety net by alerting them to any signal failure problems in good time to take corrective action, which is import in fibre links because they may be carrying multiple channels of video, audio and other data on a single fibre.’

The MMI can be fitted at either end of the cable, or centrally, or in a monitoring point in an engineering control room. This totally unique system is based on miniature in-line transmitter and receiver units that can be configured for individual links in throw down boxes or rack mounted for network provisioning.

‘Fibre is an essential component in the broadcast chain and is now an established part of the signal path for virtually all major broadcasters,’ Hathaway says. ‘As such, it needs to be reliable and able to deliver optimum performance. Smart Fibre delivers everything broadcasters need, with the added bonus of built-in diagnostics that provide an intelligent solution to signal failure issues.’

Smart fibre can handle all digital standards including 3G, SDi, HD-SDI, SD-SDI and ASI network signals. It also incorporates a range of CWDM multiplexers that allow up to 16 channels of 3G video to pass down a single fibre.

More: www.oxygendct.com