MRV SFPs earn US Patent for HD-SDI video over fiber transport/ADTRAN offers NetVanta 1534, NetVanta 1544 managed Layer 3 Gigabit Ethernet switches

AUGUST 23, 2010 — MRV Communications Inc. says that its line of digital video small form-factor pluggable (SFP) interfaces used for transporting serial digital interface (SDI) and high-definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI) video over any fiber-optic network has been granted United States patent No. 7,688,231.

MRV used an encoding algorithm based on the EG-34 industry standard in its SFP interfaces. The SFPs enable transmission of digital video SDI or HD-SDI over fiber via standard, off-the-shelf optical transport equipment.

Previously, this type of video data was primarily transmitted on copper coaxial cables, with transmission distances limited to several hundred yards. For longer distances, a dedicated network with separate fiber-optic cables and specialized transmission equipment needed to be built. That’s because the data-scrambling algorithm of SDI and HD-SDI video is incompatible with standard optical systems.

MRV’s digital video SFP enables this data to be transmitted over fiber using standard optical transport equipment, reducing costs and increasing network flexibility.

MRV’s digital-video SFPs are available for the SDI (270 Mbps) standard, and both the PAL/SECAM (1.485 Gbps) and NTSC (1.4835 Gbps) standards of HD-SDI.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 — ADTRAN Inc. (NASDAQ: ADTN) has unveiled its second generation of high-density, managed Layer 3, 28-port Gigabit Ethernet switches. The new NetVanta 1534 and NetVanta 1544 platforms are designed to deliver greater bandwidth and feature enhancements that optimize business communications, mission-critical network availability, and productivity. The switches offer new features and power conservation, all in the industry’s smallest form factor, ADTRAN asserts.

The NetVanta 1534 and NetVanta 1544 offer the functionality of first-generation models but in a half-rack form factor that ADTRAN says is the smallest in the industry. The ability to place NetVanta units side by side enables customers with limited rack space, such as those in hospitality and retail, to deploy the network performance and features they need today, with room for future growth, according to the company.

In addition to the small form factor, the systems also enable noise reduction and power consumption savings of up to 70 percent savings versus comparable models, ADTRAN says. The design also provides redundant power support.

“ADTRAN is making high-performance switching even more affordable for the small and mid-size enterprise,” said Rob Arnold, senior analyst, Frost & Sullivan. “These NetVanta switch platforms add unique high-bandwidth capabilities, enhanced performance, and new features, all while enabling the customer to conserve energy and rack space.”

The NetVanta switch platforms also offer valuable management tools designed to enhance security, network availability, and simplify management.

The NetVanta 1544 is a Layer 3 switch offering 24 fixed 10/100/1000Base-T ports plus four 2.5-Gbps SFP ports for switch aggregation or gigabit-to-the-desktop applications. This device also addresses applications where there is a need to aggregate multiple access switches and provide inter-VLAN switching.

The NetVanta 1534 offers 24 fixed 10/100/1000Base-T ports plus two 2.5-Gbps SFP ports and two 1-Gbps SFP ports. This managed, 28-port, Layer 3 lite, Gigabit Ethernet switch is designed for fast, secure, cost-effective LAN switching. It can be used for higher-bandwidth applications, gigabit-to-the-desktop deployments, and network security.

The NetVanta 1534 (2nd Generation) has a list price of $1,545, while the NetVanta 1544 (2nd Generation) carries a list price of $2,295. These products are currently shipping.