Fiber-optic inserter for long-haul control-signal transmission

Extron Electronics' FOX RS 104 is a four-port RS-232 inserter designed for long-haul transmission of control signals to remote source and destination equipment over multimode or singlemode fiber-opticcabling. Each port on the FOX RS 104 provides a bidirectional fiber connection to a transmitter and receiver for the insertion and extraction of control data, while maintaining a continuous pass-through link for video and audio, Extron explains. The company says an ideal application for the inserter has a centralized control system that requires the long-haul transmission of AV and control signals.

RS-232 data from the Ethernet port is inserted onto one or more of the fiber-optic outputs, providing remote monitoring and control. Output reclocking on the inserter's buffered fiber outputs ensures signal integrity, Extron explains, sending the optical signal at its original power level. It maintains the performance of optical-signal transmission, while providing bidirectional control from a control processor, thereby eliminating the need for separate control-system wiring to remote devices.

Extron's vice president of sales and marketing Casey Hall explained, "Fiber-optic AV systems often require that RS-232 data from a centralized control system be sent to a remote source or display. The FOX RS 104 brings a new level of flexibility to the FOX series by allowing a centrally located control processor to communicate with remote devices over the fiber-optic infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate control-system wiring."