Following the successful launch of the Switchline range a few years ago, Philips have introduced a new and improved version called GII, incorporating the latest technological advancements in IF distribution. Here, Andrew Bull takes a closer look at the products dubbed the “Cascadable Range”.

The flexibility of the GII network is certainly an advantage because it allows the simple installation of a five wired IF distribution system (IRS) in locations requiring multiple outlet points, such as a high rise building. Philips have designed the GII range to deliver adequate signal levels at IF and UHF for both digital and analogue reception with a maximum of an 80 metre cable drop. Due to the systems flexible design, multiswitches can be positioned alongside the taps in the cable drop or at a more suitable location, such as in a room, without affecting the performance of the system.

By cascading the line amplifiers, a high quality signal for both satellite and terrestrial television can be maintained whilst allowing the extension of the system through the inclusion of additional taps and multiswitches.

In contrast to the original IF systems, the design of Switchline GII offers a simple upgrade path where mains are not accessible after the head-end. The range consists of a head-end amplifier, line amplifiers, power supplies, taps, splitters and a variety of multiswitches, as shown on the right. All switches and line amplifiers are powered from the head-end and have gain controls to allow for correct level adjustment of terrestrial and satellite signals.

The head-end amplifier consists of 4 dedicated amplifiers in one single box. The repeater amplifier has four satellite and one terrestrial amplifers also in the same box. The GII power supply is a 3A/18V high power unit for driving more taps and multiswitches. The one way taps have a low loss and excellent flatness for improved cascadability. The splitters have five inputs, four satellite and one terrestrial with an insertion loss of 5dB or 2dB depending on your specific requirements.

Installers have the option of 4, 6, 8 or 12 way multiswitches which increases the availability of points to each location. Each multiswitch has a maximum satellite output level of 97dBµV and 86dBµV at terrestrial, with less than 4dB through loss.

The frequency range of the GII system covers satellite IF at 950-2400MHz and terrestrial at 87-862MHz. This allows for FM and DAB frequencies to pass. The system also has a return path facility at the installers disposal covering 5-65MHz.

The Philips Switchline GII range ensures high quality performance throughout the network, delivering all the benefits of a DTH system to the end user.

It has also been approved by Sky and is currently being used by SkyHomes.