Broadcast-Satcom

ViaLite RF over fiber links are commonly used in Broadcast-Satcom for the backhauling of outside broadcast content (such as news, live event and sporting coverage) to the studio. This content is typically sent from production trucks in Satcom on the Move (SOTM) operations, or from regional news studios via satellite. It is then received at the main broadcast studio for editing and production before being distributed, by uplink, to the viewers and other stations.

RF over fiber links can be used to connect studios to antenna farms, or on the roofs of tall broadcast buildings (e.g. in metropolitan areas). They are also commonly used for remoting to other locations, such as outside of metropolitan areas, for a better satellite view or low-rental roof costs. Long distance links can be used to connect facilities hundreds of kilometers apart.

ViaLite‘s links can be operated in both the transmit or receive paths, and are typically intermediate frequency (IF) L-Band HTS, 70-140 MHz and 10 MHz reference links. We offer 75 and 50 ohm products. 1:1 redundancy ensures links are always available.

The link process converts the RF electrical signal to laser light which then travels down the fiber to the receiver. It is then converted back to an RF electrical signal; connecting the satellite dish to the Master Control Room (MCR).

The receive chain (downlink)

This typically has an LNB or an LNA coupled to a down convertor to take the satellite signal from C, Ku or Ka-band down to the IF frequency (either 70/140MHz or L-Band HTS). The signal can be in DVB-S or DVBS2 (for HD) format as the links are protocol transparent. It is then transported across the fiber to the control room where it is changed back to RF signal and sent to a traditional RF switch matrix or straight to a demodulator.

The uplink chain

Typically the signal comes from the modulator in an IF (L-Band HTS or 70/140MHz) and is then converted to light to go across the site to an Up-convertor or a BUC which takes the L-band signal and converts, or converts and amplifies the signal before transmission to the satellite at C, Ku or Ka-Band.

Typical applications

Broadcast facilities
Mobile SNG and flyaways
Television receive-only (TVRO)
VSAT hubs (IP gateways)

Collapse

Broadcast-Satcom diagram - a satellite dish connected to a control room through the use of RF over fiber

Products

L-Band HTS 700-2450 MHz

The L-Band HTS link (700-2450 MHz) covers distances of 1m to 50 km and is the most commonly used RF over fiber link in Satellite Communications…

Broadcast-Satcom

The receive chain (downlink)

The uplink chain

Typical applications

Products

L-Band HTS 700-2450 MHz

Blue2 Link 2 kHz-4.2 GHz

6 GHz Link

Connection Kits

Rack Chassis

ViaLite Quad LNB Package

Outdoor Enclosures: ODE-D range and DIN Rail Mounting Kit

Outdoor Enclosures: ODE-B3U

Outdoor Enclosures: ODE-A4 range

Outdoor Enclosures: ODE-MINI

Satellite IF 70/140 MHz

Long Distance DWDM Link System

Rain Fade Diversity Link System

Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFA)

Optical Switch

19” Rack Optical Delay Line

Dispersion Compensation Module (DCM)

L-Band HTS & Reference

Satcom Timing & Reference

L-Band 10 MHz Diplexer

Passive RF & Optical Cards

Wideband 10 MHz-3 GHz

Ultra Wideband 2 kHz-4.2 GHz

GPS Link

ViaLite GPS Packages

Local Integrated GPS Splitter

Multizone Lossless Splitter

Monitoring & Control Modules

1:1 Redundancy

WDM, CWDM & DWDM Multiplexers

Digital Data

Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Optic Link

Useful Links