Broadcast Service Routing and Distribution over Single Mode Optical Fibre

Broadcasters and program producers continue to push the content delivery envelope when covering or recording live events. High profile events require a large range of equipment designed to capture all aspects of the event, relaying images, audio and data from an array of cameras and microphones back to the production suite in the Outside Broadcast (OB) truck.

This case study describes how fibre optic technology is used in the broadcast industry. Click here for pdf version.

GPS in Tunnels

The use of GPS signals is now pervasive in everyday technology as they provide high accuracy location or timing data. This enables devices that range from tracking systems through to cellular phone networks to function effectively over wide geographic areas. Taking the example of a cellular network, the base stations require accurate timing information to ensure successful hand over of connections between the cell sites. Depending on the topology employed this timing can be provided by either E1 sync source from the backhaul network to which the remote site is connected or from a GPS signal directly received at the cell site. With the emergence of IP based networks, time synchronisation via GPS will become more prominent as no time reference is provided within the core network structure.

This case study describes how fibre optic technology is used for GPS signal distribution in tunnels. Click here for pdf version.

GPS Timing Distribution for TETRA base stations

A major blue chip manufacturer of TETRA radio systems required a new design capable of carrying the GPS RF signals from antenna to remote base stations in tunnel networks. PPM provided a rapid development and qualification cycle for a new product for use in hazardous environments. The new system is now used in the customers TETRA network for distribution of timing reference signals. This new system had to work in high levels of electrical noise including RF and high voltage/current switching transients. The demanding environmental performance requirements for shock, vibration and temperature were all part of the customer requirement. PPM offered the advantages of off-the-shelf timescales with a system that met the customers exact requirements.

This gives one example of PPM's flexibility when undertaking development and how by working hand-in-hand with customer engineering teams a new product can be integrated seamlessly with the customer's equipment.

Custom Military Design

Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) for antenna remoting system. Equipment designed, developed and qualified and deliveries commenced within six months. Demanding specification. Demanding operational environment for fragile and sensitive opto-electronic equipment. PPM used extensive experience to develop a field-deployable RF-over-fibre antenna remoting system. Previously, user very skeptical about use of optical fibre and optical connectors in the active service conditions. Connector technology in particular found to be very robust and reliable. System incorporates features to identify failure condition.

Satellite Ground Station Installation

Fiber optic systems are now the widely accepted alternative to copper cables in most satellite earth stations.

PPM was approached by a leading supplier of satellite broadcast and telecommunication services who had an urgent requirement for inter facility systems at some of their teleports. Having just experienced problems with a previous supplier due to poor product quality and delivery timescale problems this customer needed a reliable new source for fiber optic equipment. PPM was quickly able to satisfy this customers need using standard off-the-shelf L-band modules and 19inch chassis. The performance of the PPM L-band product exceeded the competitor's specification without the need for any product modification. PPM's flexible manufacturing system ensured that the large quantities required by the customer were delivered as promised by PPM within the very short timescales demanded.

This satellite operator is now a regular customer for PPM as their services and installation needs have expanded over the last 2-3 years.