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connectivity to environmental conditions – dust, dirt, and moisture. The fiber optic cable used in singlemode transport systems consists of an almost optically pure solid glass core surrounded by a glass cladding. The light/signal carrying core is microscopic, typically only 9 microns (0.009mm) in diameter, and the protective glass cladding is 125 microns in diameter – about the same as a human hair. The standard connector for fiber optics is the “butt joint” or physical contact type, in which the two connecting fiber cores are precision-aligned and held in direct contact with each other – no mean feat considering the size of the core. However, the development of alignment systems with sub-micron accuracy ensures that very low losses, typically 0.1dB, are routinely achieved. In the relatively benign environment of telecommunications, from which optical communication technology evolved, permanent installations are the norm, so environmental factors are easily controlled. Such is not the case in broadcast, especially OB, where repeated connector mate/de-mate cycles are routine. Physical contact connectors are susceptible to contamination, even from small micron-scale objects such as pollen and dust that are large in comparison to the size of the fiber core. During repeat mate/de-mate cycles such contaminants can easily find their way onto the core and, when pushed into physical contact, damage the pristine fiber surfaces necessary for consistent low-loss performance. An increase in loss to say to 0.2-0.3dB would not immediately present a problem where system margins are in the order of 14dB and cable transmission losses are as low as 0.2dB per kilometer. But over time contamination and damage can accumulate to the point where there is a problem. Fiber optic circuits are in some ways like digital circuits; they work well and then suddenly suffer total failure. Locating the problem connection is difficult, so all connectors need to be undone and all connects cleaned before re-assembly (there is a whole industry that has evolved around cleaning physical contact connectors). Wiping with a special cloth should remove any loose surface contamination, but the ground-in material will stay. Plus, it is difficult to use a good wiping action if the fiber end is located thousands of microns down a ferrule/alignment sleeve. Problems are more likely to arise with physical contact connections that have to be frequently made and taken apart in non-clean environments, such as studio floors or in-stadium camera links. In these applications, the microscopic size of the critical part of the physical contact connector, and the fact that the two glass filaments are rammed firmly together, cause eventual failure. Expanded beam connectors, developed initially for the harsh environments of the military battlefield, offer a different approach. The principle is to magnify and collimate the light from the two fiber ends and

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For stadium operators and other high-profile entertainment venues, HD video is the new standard. Legacy copper coax infrastructures are sufficient to handle digital SD video’s 270Mb/sec data rates, but high data rate HD signals (1.45 Gb/sec) start to break down in copper coax at 100 feet, with a theoretical maximum run length of 300 feet. In stadium environments requiring hundreds of thousands of feet of cable for both in-house and broadcast video, copper coax just won’t get the job done for HD. Most, if not all, high definition television applications require the use of high data rate “singlemode” optical fiber systems. Their essential structure includes active opto-electronic transmit and receive modules interconnected by passive fiber optic cables and

connectors. The early adopters of fiber systems are studio transmission links and outdoor broadcast (OB) applications requiring longer-range, lighter-weight video and audio connections. Despite the bandwidth advantages of fiber optics, their use has met with mixed results among broadcast and in-house video technicians because of reliability concerns. In environments like sports venues, repeated rigging cycles expose the vulnerability of fiber optic

Technology TransferThe Hx1080 is the newest Stratos product

tuned specifically for the emerging HDTV outdoor broadcasting environment utilizing the company’s proven core technology in harsh environment fiber optic connectors for military and aerospace applications. Stratos International produces optical, electronic and optoelectronic components and subsystems, introduced the Hx1080 fiber optic connector to meet broadcast industry demand for an easy to install, field-reparable, and highly dependable SMPTE-compliant fiber optic connector. The Hx1080 is specifically designed for broadcasters that are implementing fiber optic cabling for live remote telecasting. The Hx1080 is said to be a solution to high maintenance, saving precious time and ensuring uninterrupted signal transmission. It features expanded beam technology, enabling dramatic increases in operational endurance and utility. With expanded beam designs, the fiber optic filament is fully enclosed and sealed behind a hard-coated lens, forming a no-contact connection. The hermaphroditic design allows simple and rapid deployment because every connection is identical. In live remote telecasting, where cabling distances are typically quite extreme and conditions harsh, users can simply take another drum and connect – completely eliminating plugs-or-sockets complications. This solution is a breakthrough for applications that are currently supported by various interconnects that exhibit performance degradation after a few couplings– a potentially devastating occurrence for live broadcast. An additional benefit of the Hx1080 is resilience in the field to natural environment factors such as dirt and contamination. The sealed state of the filament allows the lens to be cleaned with a simple wipe of a cloth or shirtsleeve, then reconnected with complete assurance of uninterrupted transmission. Stratos International is a leading innovator in the video transport market, leveraging the company’s technical expertise in the design of harsh environment fiber optic connectivity, optoelectronics and miniaturized packaging. The company offers digital video aggregation and transport solutions ranging from passive connectivity solutions to video-capable transmit/receive modules to customized subsystem solutions.

Expanded Beam (EB) connector schematic

Physical Contact (PC) connector schematic

Fiber Optic Connectors Score High for HD VideoBy Bill Hollis and Dr. Mark Benton, Stratos Optical (Chicago, IL)

Live sports production has unique and specific operational needs. Here’s a look at how expanded beam connectors can help.

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align them with each other while keeping them close, but apart. Seeing how physical contact connections can fail, the benefits of expanded beam connectors become more evident. In practice, the beam width is magnified by a spherical glass lens, from the fiber core’s 9 microns into a parallel beam hundreds of microns wide – over 1,000 times the area. At this size, dust particles and dirt have hardly any effect, and since the optical parts never touch, any contamination is not ground permanently into the glass. If dirt is obviously in the optical path of the connector, a quick wipe with a lint-free lens cloth will easily remove it. Expanded beam connectors have proved both reliable and very consistent over many mate/de-mate cycles. They are also able to perform in harsh conditions where mud and dust are unavoidable. There is a minor technical price to pay – insertion loss may be around a consistent 1 dB, vs. 0.2 dB for physical contact connectors under ideal conditions. But physical contact connectors subjected to dust and/or harsh conditions will ultimately surpass this – and may well not recover. Water ingress and condensation are enemies of both optical and electrical connector elements, so all connectors for outside use usually include a water seal. Excessive water build-up on an expanded beam lens could temporarily increase insertion loss but this is easily remedied with a quick wipe prior to connection. Live sports production has unique and specific operational needs. Reliability and consistency are vital, even on quick set-up temporary installations. Time is often short when covering live sports, so the pressure is on to complete the rigging and get cameras on-air. Expanded beam connectors can provide this level of performance, and connecting with industry-standard SMPTE 311M hybrid cable makes sense. The hermetic seal on the connector shells ensures they keep performing when dropped in dirt, mud, or standing water. Also, cable rigging becomes easier because expanded beam connectors are hermaphroditic – no need to match male and female ends. With fiber set to become increasingly prevalent in sports production for both in-stadium and broadcast HD video, it is vital that the right type of connector is used in the right place. Given that, the benefits of fiber optics’ huge bandwidth can further shape the future of live HD production and meet even greater demands of high-definition digital cinematography.

For More Information: Stratos Home: http://www.stratoslightwave.com Stratos Product Catalog: http://www.strato slightwave.com/shop/index.asp About Stratos: http://www.stratoslightwave.com/ about.asp Contact Stratos: http://www.stratoslightwave. com/contact.asp

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Barry Hunter, Assistant Project Manager of Land Development for Lakemont developers, was faced with a costly predicament. A couple of Lakemont’s sub-contractors had a miscommunication and paved a two-lane road before laying conduit from one side to the other. The purpose of this small conduit was to provide power to light up a sign in front of Canyon Pines. Canyon Pines is a beautiful collection of homes in a master-planned community in the sub division of Somersett. When Barry received a bid for over $9,000 to cut the concrete, lay conduit and then repave it, he was desperate for other options. Unable to find a method of power, the beautiful 6’ x 9’ Canyon Pines sign had been in the dark for over four months. Barry then found Independent Power Corporation (IPC), a local solar contractor. He met with Grayson Omans of IPC in hopes of discovering a reliable, efficient and economical solution. To remedy this predicament, Mr. Omans looked to LEDtronics Inc. to provide an efficient, beautiful, low power consuming, and bright LED lighting solution. Mr. Bruce Howard, a LEDtronics representative from Howard Industrial Sales Inc., assisted Mr. Omans with this project. They proposed using two of LEDtronics part #GDL002-200-XCW-014S LED Flood Lights. These LED floodlights are designed to run on 12 volts DC with solar panels. This allowed Mr. Hunter to light his sign without having to incur costly landscaping and electrical power line costs. The LED floodlights provided cold white lighting (8,000K) using 5mm LEDs that remain cool enough to touch. These LEDs consume only 12 watts of power per floodlight compared to the power hungry 40 watt or 100 watt incandescent spotlights normally used in this application. Now the whole system can be run on

a 123 watt solar panel and a small battery bank. The solar cells charge the battery during the day, which in turn powers the LED floodlights at night.HYPERLINK “http://www.ledtronics.com/pages/applications/img/solar-in-reno5-big.jpg” Installation of the solar powered LED lighting system took two people one and a half days to complete. To extend the life of the system and operate during long periods of cloudy weather, three 86 AH Gel batteries were provided as well. To provide a clean and unobstructed view of the land they hid most of the lighting system inside artificial rocks. Mr. Hunter uses these floodlights eight hours a night. With the electrical rates of 12 cents per kWH, batteries lasting 10 to 15 years, a warranty on the solar panel for 25 years, and LED light lifespan of 50,000 hours, he expects this system to pay for itself in 5 years. If you consider the alternative cost for running 120volt electrical lines this solar powered lighting system paid for itself immediately.

Bulbs used are of type: Bulbs used are of type: High Power White LED Floodlight Lamps: GDL002-200-XCW-014S GDL002-200-XCW-014S http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/gdl002-200/default.asp http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/gdl002-200/default.asp

For More Information: For More Information: LEDTronics Home: http://www.ledtronics.com/ LEDTronics Floodlights: http://www.ledtronics. com/ds/gdl002-200/default.asp com/ds/gdl002-200/default.asp LEDTronics Catalogs: http://www.ledtronics.com/ pages/catalog.htm pages/catalog.htm LEDTronics Tech Notes: http://www.ledtronics. com/pages/tech_notes.htm com/pages/tech_notes.htm

Solar Flood LightsAn ingenious lighting solution saved one developer $9,000.