RF-Design Launches New Generation L-Band Switch Matrix System, Flexlink-K7-Pro
Lorsch, Germany, December 1, 2014-- RF-Design with a long history and experience in developing, manufacturing and marketing various RF distribution solutions including L-Band switch/routing matrices introduces their next generation L-Band Switch-Matrix system of their FlexLink series, called “FlexLink-K7-Pro”.
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| FlexLink-K7-Pro |
The demand for expandable, space-saving, high-qualityand last but not least reliable L-Band switch/routing matrix systems typically used for applications in satellite earth-stations, teleports but also in broadcast and cable-tv/iptv headend infrastructures is increasing constantly. The advantages of such systems are obvious and play a key-role for today’s and future RF distribution infrastructures.
Till today finding a switch/routing matrix that provides all features and benefits the market requires is like searching the needle in a haystack although the industry already is offering a wide range of solutions. But an all-in-one device actually is what the market is looking for.
RF-Design with headquarters in Lorsch/Germany with a long history and experience in developing, manufacturing and marketing various RF distribution solutions including L-Band switch/routing matrices, have sold more than 230 units of the FlexLink matrix-series to major teleports, satellite earth-stations, satellite operators and system-integrators around the globe and RF-Design is very optimistic that their new “FlexLink-K7-Pro”. will have a positive impact for the years to come, both for themselves but also for their clients and partners.
Their new “FlexLink-K7-Pro”. represents an unique, innovative, clever and scalable L-Band switch/routing matrix that looks like being the answer of an“all-in-one” device the market is looking for. The development team of RF-Design, led by their company-owner and CTO, Ralf Mayr, together with their director of sales & marketing, Oliver Vogel, have evaluated the market requirements as well as the technical possibilities. Their goal was to design a space-saving solution offering unique functionalities and features in connection with a reduction in space and price. The result is represented by the “FlexLink-K7-Pro”. It is built in a space-saving 6RU/19” rack-mount chassis with only 500mm depth so to fit into any standard 19” cabinet. The system performs as a scalable L-Band switch/routing platform allowing to switch/route any selected input to any or all outputs while it is available with various input/output configurations from 8:8 to 64:64 in one chassis and up to 256:256 with additional slave-chassis noticing that the modular and scalable concept alsoallows other input/output configurations as per the user´s requirements (increments of 8).
The “FlexLink-K7-Pro” covers the L-Band frequency range (950...2150MHz) and is designed for today´s and future signal management requirements offering a maximum in flexibility combined with state-of-the-art functionalities, features, excellent RF performance and various options that are unique on the market. All matrix boards (center, input, output) are hot-swappable while the input and output switch-boards are equipped with cascading-interfaces allowing to expand an existing system without the need of any other additional devices. This unique expansion concept requires less space, reduces power-consumption and avoids additional point-of-failures.
The flexible modular design makes it possible to mix the input and output connectors (increments of8) with various connector types (50Ohm SMA & BNC, 75Ohm F & BNC as well as optical inputs E2000 or SC/APC) giving the operator the flexibility he requires now and in the future. All combinations of inputs and outputs are freely configurable manually and remotely.
The RF performance, its stability and quality of service within any RF distribution infrastructure is always a critical aspect and operators are constantly facing the challenge to assure excellent and stable RF performance 24/7, 365 days year round. Once a switch/routing matrix system is part of such an RF distribution architecture it also should allow the user to have access, to configure and tomonitor all relevant RF values which are being distributed throughout the matrix.
Keeping this in mind RF-Design has equipped its new “FlexLink-K7-Pro” with very valuable features and functionalities such as variable gain-control & slope-equalization (@ any input), RF power monitoring (@ any input & output) and internal monitoring of the amplifier-components (with error diagnosis). Furthermore the “FlexLink-K7-Pro” features 1:1 redundant dual power-supplies (with error diagnosis, hot-swappable) and internal airflow ventilators (with error diagnosis, hot-swappable).
Additional flexibility is being provided by various available options like switchable LNB-supply 13/15/18V, 22kHz with 450mA current monitoring (@ any input) while this option also features the possibility to insert an external 10Mhz signal (@ any input). Of course all inputs can be individually selected and configured with/without having LNB-supply and/or 10Mhz feed locally via touchscreen and remotely via WEB-GUI.
A very special and unique optional available feature is the “K7SQA Signal Quality Analyzer” tool. It actually represents an add-on spectrum-analyzer/DVB demodulator board. This option allows measurement and monitoring of most relevant RF and DVB-S/S2 parameters (for any input & output of the matrix). At the RF section it measures and monitors parameters like RF-power and C/N. At the DVB section (DVB-S/S2) it measures and monitors channel-power, MER, BER, frequency-drift, symbolrate-drift, Network-ID, Service-ID, Service-Type and Service provider name. Furthermore it completely scans all inputs and outputs and its transponders. This option is equippedwith an RJ45/100MBit interface for IP output streaming (MPTS) of the configured transponder.
The “FlexLink-K7-Pro” matrix system can be accessed, configured and monitored locally via its front-side 10.4” colored touchscreen LC-Display. Remote configuration can be done over its rear-side ethernet-interface (WEB-GUI/SNMP). RF-Design´s local and remote configuration platform for the “FlexLink-K7-Pro” allows the configuration of all relevant settings of the matrix system including routing/switching settings, crosspoint-locking, signal-path backup routing, variable gain-control, slope-equalization and of course all available options such as LNB-supply, 10MHz feed andthe K7SQA Signal Quality Analyzer (if activated). The configuration software also supports user administration management and user rights assignment, logbook function, storage functions and various parameter monitoring functions for critical RF values but also for each individual switch-board, power-supplies and ventilators.
To learn more about the FelxLink-K7-PRo and other product from RF Design e-mail contact@rf-design-online.de or go to www.rf-design-online.de
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