ETL Systems To Unveil New Line Of Customisable RF Matrices At IBC 2016

New Hurricane switch Matrix / Routers provide ultimate flexibility for broadcasters

ETL Systems, a global designer and manufacturer of RF distribution equipment for satellite communications, will showcase new RF technologies with a focus on flexibility and customisation at this year’s IBC in Amsterdam, September 9-13.

Among these technologies will be ETL Systems’ new Hurricane series switch Matrix/Router. The ultra-compact Hurricane Matrix, which provides 64x64 routing in a compact 4RU chassis, allows the operator to select input and output modules that can be mixed and configured to exact earth station requirements within the same matrix.

“ETL’s range of 26 L-band Matrices is more than double that of its nearest competitor, catering for the individual requirements of each customer. They provide broadcasters with flexibility, efficiency and reliability in the allocation of antenna feeds to receivers,” said Andrew Bond, Sales Director at ETL Systems. “This helps them keep track of global broadcasts and receive feeds from their reporters and live events like this year’s Olympic Games in Rio.”

The Hurricane’s compact design eliminates the need for additional chassis for fibre receiver modules and/or LNB powering as it can all be integrated within the matrix. This makes it the most compact matrix in the market with inclusive LNB powering.

Alongside the Hurricane, visitors to ETL’s booth at IBC can see the StingRay RF over Fibre link range. StingRay provides a high performance solution for transmitting RF signals across sites and downtime is minimised by dual redundant, hot-swap power supplies. The range now includes ultra-wide dynamic range modules for HTS signals, 10MHz reference timing modules, 1+1 and 4+1 redundancy configuration options, providing additional resilience for uplink and downlink transmissions. For longer distance transmissions over fibre, ETL has introduced CWDM (coarse wavelength division multiplexing) which can transmit eight wavelengths on a single fibre cable, up to 50km distances, with low loss.

ETL will also launch a new range of component products for Global Positioning System (GPS), timing and synchronisation as well as a new range of outdoor, IP65 rated, StingRay modules.

ETL’s other RF signal management products including Alto Line Amplifiers, Dextra Splitters and Combiners, and LS Series Monitoring Switches will also be on display at IBC. Ian Hilditch, CEO, and Andrew Bond will be among ETL representatives at the event to demonstrate the range of new products and highlight ETL’s quarter of a century of in-house experience in designing award-winning RF equipment.

“IBC brings together major players in the broadcasting industry and it is a place where we can facilitate a real discussion about the future of the industry,” said Bond. “Visitors to our stand can not only see live demonstrations of our RF technology, but can also participate in an active discussion about the future of RF.”

To arrange a demo or an interview with an ETL representative at IBC 2016 or to find out more about ETL’s new projects, please contact Kelly Mancaruso at kelly.mancaruso@proactive-pr.com.

Demonstrations at IBC 2016
New! Hurricane Matrix
The new 64 x 64 L-band Hurricane Matrix is the smallest matrix of its kind in the market with inclusive LNB powering in a 4U compact, modular chassis. Hurricane’s flexible design offers optimised performance and a range of individual options to suit a particular set of RF needs, such as LNB power, fibre inputs, variable gain and variable slope. The 850-2450 MHz operating frequency allows for Ka-band and HTS applications, while minimising power consumption as only active routes are powered.

StingRay RF over Fibre range
Building on ETL’s existing RF expertise, the new range provides a unique design for high isolation applications. The range incorporates single mode fibre links to transmit and receive RF signals with remote control and monitoring of temperature, fan status and power supply status via a web browser interface and SNMP. All chassis in the range are hot-swap with a range of fibre module options such as single or dual modules, 10MHz reference modules, and 13/18V LNB powering. New models include redundancy systems for reliability as well as standalone component modules.

Dextra L-band splitters and combiners 
ETL’s new Dextra series includes 4-way and 8-way splitters and combiners in both single and dual configurations and 16-way splitters and combiners, available as single units. The range offers consistently excellent RF performance, including high linearity and low noise figure, and outperforms some of the more expensive models available. Full remote control and monitoring via SNMP & web browser interface, with settable alarm thresholds. Flexible and configurable LNB power at the input ports of the splitters is also featured. New options include DC and 10MHz pass.

Alto Amplifiers
ETL’s Alto series range of L-band Amplifiers provides signal management flexibility within an RF chain. The Alto family includes 4, 8 and 16 module chassis options with variable gain and can be remotely controlled via Ethernet and web browser interface. The design of the amplifier is modular, allowing hot-swap of amplifiers and power supplies, and can be controlled locally and monitored via the front panel display with simplified push buttons. It is designed for the front end RF chain and provides amplification and slope compensation from cable loss for teleports and TVRO and head-ends.

ETL Systems’ LS Series Monitoring Switch
The LS Series Monitoring Switch is the ideal solution for carrier monitoring applications, with fast switching time, local and remote control and monitoring facilities, as well as excellent RF performance such as return loss and isolation.