Italian manufacturer FR has used Fibre Optic technology to develop a new range of equipment for digital and analogue MATV and IRS distribution systems. Fibre Optic technology is not new, but in the past, it has mainly been used for telecommunications and more recently data transmissions. Although its reliability and performance is unquestionable, cost has always been the main reason installers have avoided it. Now, FR has found a way to reduce the cost of the electronics so that in a side by side comparison, fibre optics clearly has many benefits over copper coaxial cable.

Fibre optic is “transparent” to the signal so that little or no attenuation is seen over several kilometres. It also has the added benefit of no slope across the frequency spectrum. Because of these factors, trunk repeaters are no longer needed, and distribution of signal can be dictated by the installer not by the strength of the signal.

Fibre optic cable is also made from inert glass, which means it's not sensitive to interference from other electrical sources. As a result, it can be run in the same duct as mains electricity and other services without disrupting the signal.

In areas of very high ambient signal levels, fibre optic cable does not suffer from signal “pickup” thus avoiding interference, impulse noise or pre-imaging. Due to the inert dielectric nature of the cable, the chances of corrosion are non-existent, so maintenance is minimal. It also means the cable is resilient to sudden changes in humidity or temperature.

Signal distribution using fibre optic has virtually no limit of expansion. Installers can cover vast geographical areas without compromising performance. Fibre optic cable is considerably more compact than coax cable, which makes it easier to install and conceal, and flexible enough to fit into conduits.

Therefore, it’s ideal for historic or conservation buildings where the visual impact of modern technology is perhaps too obvious.

The fibre optic modules from FR have been designed to compliment the K series channelised head-ends launched for DTT and IRS last year.

Each service is fed from a normal head-end (preferably channelised) into an “RF to Optic” transmitter. It is then sent down the optical cable and re-converted back to RF with a receiver at the repeater site. Signal distribution continues in the short coaxial runs to each dwelling or outlet. Signal losses are less than 0.5dB per kilometre, plus the loss of any connector, so fibre optic is an ideal solution for a system incorporating remote aerials or amplifiers.

Although the cost of the “Electronic to Optical” transmitter and “Optical to Electronic” receiver are higher than traditional amplifiers, a side by side cost comparison favours the optical solution. It reduces the number of amplifiers needed, lowers the cable installation cost and significantly reduces the hidden costs of repeater sites and security cabinets.

The FR fibre optic range consists of K Series transmitter and receiver modules for 40-860MHz and 100-2150MHz.

Each module is rated a +3dBm and can handle up to 40 digital or analogue channels. A combination of these modules can easily build a five wire IRS driven by a traditional head-end. Each transmitter ideally needs an input of 92dBµV. Receivers and optical splitters are also available to complement the K series range.

The fibre optic range also includes 19” rack mounted versions. Two terrestrial transmitters, one with an output of 3dBm and one with an output of 8dBm, and two similar products capable of transmitting satellite IF are available in this version.

Two way and four way splitters are incuded in this range as well. FR is also launching fibre optic cables, SC/APC connectors and tools to ensure installations are performed with ease.

For more details and a complete planning and application service, contact Solutions Group on 08456 444 000. Designs for distributing terrestrial digital and analogue as well as Satellite IF signals are available. Solutions Group (UK) Plc can also assist in the design of projects and arrange system commissioning where needed. Solutions Group will be running training courses for those installers wishing to find out more about this new and exiting development in MATV and IRS distribution technology.