SEPTEMBER 2, 2009 -- Marshall Medical Center, an independent healthcare provider in Placerville, CA, has equipped its growing campus with a pair of Canobeam DT-110 wireless data transceivers from Canon U.S.A. Inc. The Canobeam DT-100 transceivers use free-space optics (FSO) to transmit two-way high-speed digital data via a line-of-sight light beam that Canon says is more affordable than fiber optics and also immune to RF interference.
In addition to reliable transmission of secure medical data, Marshall Medical Center also needed a high-bandwidth link to transfer VoIP between its hospital and two nearby buildings. One of these buildings houses a cardiology clinic and the other a standalone personnel department. Canon says that Vern Jones, Marshall Medical’s communications planner/project specialist, determined that FSO technology best met those criteria in terms of convenience, cost, and security. He purchased a pair of Canon Canobeam DT-110 wireless data transceivers from TESSCO (a supplier of wireless communications and networking products and solutions for business professionals); the system is supported by ONS Communications.
“Fiber was out of the question -- costs get astronomical as soon as you go digging in between buildings,” Jones commented regarding Marshall Medical Center’s need for a high-bandwidth data link between its buildings. “The biggest economic advantage of Canobeam, however, is that it requires no maintenance. We turn them on, point them, and go. We don’t have failures or any interference whatsoever from any RF devices. We also are confident that Canobeam’s FSO technology protects our patients’ records. The only way to tap into the FSO laser is to literally get in front of it, so the level of security from Canobeam far exceeds our compliance requirements.”
Capable of delivering data rates at up to 156 Mbps at a distance of up to 500 m, the Canobeam DT-110 enabled the Marshall Medical Center to bypass copper or fiber connections, Canon says. Canon adds that, like all Canobeam products, the DT-110 requires no FCC licensing or frequency coordination.
“FSO fits in quite well with Marshall Medical Center’s drive to stay abreast of current technology offerings,” Jones concludes. “The next time we add a site, Canon’s Canobeam will be a very strong consideration.”