19 May 2003 Hauppauge, NY Lightwave - Communications Specialties, Inc. introduced digital optical distribution amplifiers at InfoComm 2003. The Pure Digital Fiberlink 8000 and 8100 Series amplfiers distribute any combination of video, audio and data signals from any one-way Pure Digital Fiberlink transmitter unit to multiple one-way Pure Digital Fiberlink receiver units without any degradation to the quality of the original baseband signals.
The 8000 series distribution amplifier may be configured to transmit from one to four channels of signals supported by the Pure Digital Fiberlink line of products. It receives an optical signal from any Pure Digital Fiberlink transmitter and then digitally regenerates and relaunches it without incurring any additional degradation to the original baseband video, audio, or data signals. Depending on the configuration of the distribution amplifier, the signal is relaunched over one to four separate fibers, creating up to four identical "copies" of the original optical signal. The fiber type and wavelength for the output channels are configured separately and each may be different. The system features an external power supply and is available in free-standing box or card version. The card fills two slots within the model 6000A card rack-mountable card cage.
The 8100 series optical distribution amplifier may be configured to transmit from two to twelve channels of any signal supported by the Fiberlink products. The system functions the same as the 8000 series, but can relaunch a signal over two to twelve separate fibers, depending on the configuration of the distribution amplifier. The fiber type and wavelength for the output channels are configured separately in groups of two, for a total of up to six different settings. The system features an internal power supply. Each 8100 series optical distribution amplifier fills one rack unit in a standard 19-in. rack.
Both the 8000 and 8100 series may be configured to receive signals over multimode or singlemode fiber at wavelengths of 850, 1310 or 1550 nm. Each channel may transmit to either a Pure Digital Fiberlink receiver unit or to another 8000 or 8100 Series distribution amplifier, allowing for complex distribution designs.
Founded in 1983, Communications Specialties, Inc. has a Singapore-based subsidiary, Communications Specialties Pte Ltd, that serves customers in the Asia Pacific region.