Optical Repeaters and Distribution Amplifiers

There are applications in fiber optic communications where a signal requires regeneration and replication.  The function required is similar to that of a distribution amplifier or digital signal relocked.  Passive splitter can be used to split an optical signal, but each signal is significantly weaker after the split.  A device call an optical repeater or distribution amplifier can be used to repeat or regenerate a weak optical signal.  This is helpful on long fiber optic runs where a fiber signal is reaching its limit.  The repeater can be used to regenerate the signal for further distribution.

The same device can be used to replicate an optical signal.  One optical signal can be replicated up to eight times with one device.  Unlike the passive split were the optical output is diminished, the output optical signals are regenerated to full optical power.

The device can also be used as a Mode Converter or Wavelength Re-mapper.  The device can be configured with a Singlemode input and Multimode outputs.  This give the ability to convert from Multimode to Singlemode or from one wavelength to another wavelength.  The device can convert an optical signals to CWDM wavelengths.

The ODA-8000/16000 Family of optical distribution amplifiers support virtually any digital fiber optic signal or format.  The system will support digital fiber optic systems that transport analog video, component video, DVI, HDMI, RGB — HV, VGA, SDI, HD — SDI, 3G HD — SDI and many more.

The figure 30 below shows applications for such a device.

Optical Distribution Amplifier and Wavelength Re-mapper

ODA-4000 Optical Distribution Amplifier, Repeater and Wavelength Remapper, Figure 30

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High Resolution Graphics and Video Transmission for DVI

The quality and fidelity of a signal over short and long distances is difficult to maintain over copper.  As signals increase in bandwidth and bit rate, it becomes more and more difficult for systems to transport these high bandwidth signals even a short distance over copper.   This becomes very apparent when working with high resolution vided and graphics.

A computer generated RGB or UXGA signal at 1600 by 1200 pixels requires and analog bandwidth of close to 500 MHz.  If the signal is digitized, requires and data transport bit rate of 3 to 4 Gbps.  How do we transport these signals?  The answer is “Not very far over copper”.   There are many copper based products that will transport these signals but at a cost in performance and video quality.

High bandwidth signals such as RGB, DVI and HDMI all benefit by the use of fiber.  Systems like the one pictured below in figure 28, offer state-of-the-art fiber transport over one fiber for RGB/UXGA Video, Audio, Data and Ethernet.

Synchronous, Single Fiber, Digital, RGB and VGA Fiber Optic System

RGB-5000 RGB/UXGA Video, Audio, Data & Ethernet Fiber Optic Link, Figure 28

Many applications today require the same video or graphical signal to be displayed on a series of monitors.  An example may be an airport terminal where arrival and departure information is displayed every 100 feet.   This application requires a long daisy-chain of units that can drop and repeat the same signals to each monitor every 100 feet.

System are available with the drop and repeat or daisy-chain feature.  As shown in figure 29, one transmitter can send the video signal to the first receiver.   The first receiver decodes the optical signal and generates an output for the local monitor.  The receiver also repeats and re-generates the optical signal to send to the next receiver in the chain.  This technique saves on installation and equipment costs.  The alternative would be to run a fiber from each monitor back to the control room.  Instead, one fiber can feed many monitors.

Synchronous, Single Fiber, Digital, RGB and VGA Fiber Optic System with Daisy Chain

Daisy Chain or Drop and Repeat Video Fiber Transport, Figure 29

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