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ViaLite RF over Fibre

ViaLite design and manufacture RF over fibre products covering frequency ranges up to 4.2GHz for use in L-band, IF, S-Band, C-Band, UHF, VHF and 10MHz applications using high performance laser technology.  These products enable the transmission of analogue signals including high quality audio and video even over distances of 50km and in harsh environments including noisy RF conditions.  Typical installations include satcom teleport to control room links, GPS antenna remoting or outside broadcast TV production.  Simultaneous transmission of digital data is also possible for example to support timing and synchronisation. 

ViaLite have two generations of product.  ViaLite Classic and ViaLiteHD.  Each platform is available in two formats: - (i) rack mountable RF cards or (ii) OEM modules suitable for integration into existing systems.  A range of rack equipment and outdoor enclosures are available to support installation both indoors and outdoors.  SNMP functionality allows remote monitoring and control. Dual power supplies mean high reliability.  Additional ancillary modules include redundancy switches, RF splitters and summary alarm modules. 

ViaLiteHD

ViaLiteHD is the latest generation of RF over Fibre products. A more compact line card design means that up to 13 RF cards plus ancillary devices such as power supplies and SNMP card can be housed in a single 3U rack.  VialiteHD is also available as DUAL RF cards (available in Rx/Rx, Tx/Tx and Rx/Tx formats) which increases the channel density to 26 channels per 3U rack.  The ViaLiteHD platform also supports dual redundant power supplies and SNMP programming and monitoring.  In addition the innovative Blind Mate mechanical design removes the need to disconnect or reconnect any wiring during reconfiguration. This "plug and play" function means that cards can be hot-swapped in only a few seconds with the facility for each new card to adopt the settings of its predecessor automatically. 

VialiteHD increases the range of RF connector options available to include both 75 and 50 ohm impedance with F type, BNC or SMA connectors. 

ViaLite Classic

 Vialite Classic is a portfolio of RF over Fibre products already used extensively worldwide, particularly in Satcom, Broadcast and GPS applications. Vialite classic allows up to 8 channels per 3U rack and up to 50 channels per outdoor enclosure

ViaLite RF over Fibre Connectivity

Benefits of using optical fibre instead of copper cabling include propagation distance, security, safety, signal integrity in noisy environments and portability for outside broadcast teams.

Minimal Signal Distortion - A signal propagated using RF over fibre is not subject to the signal distortion caused by parasitic elements when using conventional copper cable. This allows the transmission of signals such as high quality audio and video over large distances without degradation.

Minimal Signal Loss - At typically <0.4dB/km Vialite RF over Fibre solutions can be used to connect remote antennas up to 30km away.

Immunity to Electromagnetic Interference - Unlike conventional copper cables, optical fibre is immune to electromagnetic interference and is therefore considered an excellent alternative to coaxial cables when routing through noisy RF environments

Electrical Isolation - There are many circumstances where electrical isolation from a high voltage strike area is essential in protecting valuable control room equipment. A fibre optic link provides simple and effective isolation.

For more information about using RF over Fibre please refer to Vialite Application Note 036 – Why Use a Fibre Optic Link.