Application Note 1211

DS3 FLC Distance Learning

Telecommunications

Several schools utilize distance learning to meet demands for greater variety in their curriculum. Distance learning entails transmitting a presentation or lecture from one location to several remote locations for students to observe. Distance learning offers several benefits to the traditional classroom setting. It provides for a more effective use of an educators time, and allows a specialist's expertise to be spread across a wider audience. In addition, distance learning permits the sharing of resources between institutions and increases the availability of a broader curriculum to the student body. In short, distance learning solves educators problem of providing more variety with fewer resources. Several networks, such as DS3, analog or DS1/fractional DS1, exist to facilitate distance learning. Of these, a DS3 network proves to be the best solution. Due to the availability of greater bandwidth, a DS3 network requires less signal compression than a DS1 network. This leads to a higher quality video signal with DS3 transmission than with DS1. Because DS3 transmission requires less compression than DS1, DS3 compression equipment costs significantly less, making the DS3 network a more cost-effective video transmission solution. DS3 video transmission also compares favorably to analog video transmission. Analog transmission distance limitations arise because an analog signal repeater amplifies both the signal and any noise accompanying the signal; a digital signal can be effectively regenerated without amplifying the accompanying noise. This advantage allows a digital signal to be successfully transmitted over longer distances. In addition, analog video transmission requires an analog switch, which is not normally found in a central office. Digital cross-connect systems provide DS3 switching and are frequently available as an integral part of the telephone company network. Therefore, digital video transmission utilizes existing switching capabilities whereas analog video transmission requires purchasing additional switching equipment, making digital video transmission a more cost-effective solution.

Description

ADC offers the DS3 Fiber Loop Converter (FLC) as an effective solution for DS3 video transmission. A DS3 FLC system consists of two identical modules interconnected by a pair of singlemode fibers capable of transmitting a standard DS3 rate video signal. The DS3 FLC module converts a DS3 electrical input signal into an optical output signal and converts an optical input signal back into a DS3 electrical output signal. Two separate fiber cables, one for each direction of transmission, provide full duplex communications. The modules are configured in either a 1 + 1 protection mode or as a single nonprotected system. In the protection mode, a standby protect system, consisting of an additional DS3 FLC module at each location connected by an additional fiber pair, provides system redundancy. Failures affecting transport with this configuration cause the DS3 signal to switch automatically from the on-line working system to the redundant protect system, thereby ensuring continuous service. The DS3 FLC module can be installed in several ADC FLC chassis. The module plugs into either the FLC eight position mounting chassis, the FLC wall mount cabinet, or the DS3 FLC two position horizontal mounting chassis. Each chassis has the flexibility for various configurations. The eight position chassis allows up to four protected systems or four non-protected systems. The four position wall mount cabinet can be configured for up to two protected systems or two non-protected system. The two position horizontal chassis offers up to one protected system or one non-protected system.

SCHOOL #3
8 POSITION UNIVERSAL HORIZONTAL MOUNTING SHELF

CENTRAL OFFICE
8 POSITION UNIVERSAL HORIZONTAL MOUNTING SHELF OPTICAL BUDGET = 13 dB

Q F L C

D S 3 F L C W

T1 MULTIPLEXER

DS3 VIDEO SIGNAL

3/3 SWITCH

Q F L C

Q F L C

D S 3 F L C

D S 3 F L C

D S 3 F L C

D S 3 F L C

VIDEO CODEC

W WW

W P W

SCHOOL #1
TWO POSITION RACK MOUNT
D S 3 F L C D S 3 F L C

OPTICAL BUDGET = 13 dB

SCHOOL #2
FOUR POSITION UNIVERSAL WALL MOUNT
Q F L C D S 3 F L C W 110V AC

OPTICAL BUDGET = 13 dB

110V AC

W P

VIDEO CODEC

AC/DC converter

VIDEO CODEC

T1 MULTIPLEXER

Figure 1

DS3 FLC Distance Learning

2

Application Note 1211

Application

Figure 1 illustrates ADC DS3 FLCs used in a typical distance learning application. An eight position chassis occupies the central office and contains several configurations. The three DS3 FLCs in the central office allow for video transmission, with an optical budget of not less than 13 dB, to three remote schools with a DS3 FLC in either an eight position chassis, a four position wall-mount cabinet or a two position chassis at the school location. The versatility of the fiber loop converter system allows for DS1 signal transmission in addition to DS3 video traffic. The extra slots in the remote chassis may be occupied by other DS3 FLC modules or ADC's Quad Fiber Loop Converter (QFLC) which provides for optical transmission of DS1 voice and data signals. Several combinations of signal transmission exist. The four position wall-mount cabinet has a redundant AC/DC power converter which converts 110V AC power from a standard wall outlet to the necessary -48 V DC. This option saves the expense of buying a rectifier.

Advantages

ADCs DS3 FLC offers definite advantages over other DS3 transport systems. The DS3 FLC provides an alternative to OC-3 multiplexers, allowing an economical last mile DS3 transport or point-of-presence hand-off. Configuration options permit the system to maximize facilities utilized for point-to-point or point-to-multipoint network topologies. The DS3 FLC requires no common equipment to operate because it integrates all functions onto a single printed circuit board. This feature reduces both start-up and spare inventory costs. Compared to OC-3 multiplexers, the DS3 FLC offers greater capacity for transporting a clear channel DS3. Up to four protected systems can be hubbed out of one rack mount chassis versus three DS3 systems by an OC-3 Mux. The DS3 FLC is a plug, play, and walk away system. No need exists for hand-held terminals or craft interface access for turn-up of service. Installer training is minimal and can be provided either by ADC or your in-house training department using ADC course material. The same DS3 FLC module is interchangeable for the central office terminal and the remote terminal, for either main or protect channels. One module fits all locations and applications, thereby keeping spare inventory costs to a minimum. Each module is a fully integrated system, simplifying trouble-shooting when needed. At the remote end, the FLC customer premises wall mount chassis is perfect for handing off DS3 and DS1 hicaps to end users. Installed in two of the customer premises chassis four slots, the QFLC can be used to deliver four protected DS1 hicap circuits; DS3 FLCs can be installed in the other two slots to deliver one protected DS3 hicap. Or, all four slots can be dedicated to DS3 FLCs to provide two protected DS3 hicap circuits.

DS3 FLC Distance Learning

3

Application Note 1211

Telecommunications

ADC Telecommunications, Inc. 4900 West 78th Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 55435 FAX: (612) 946-3292

For U.S. Sales, Call Toll Free: 1-800-366-3891

International Sales Offices: Belgium 32-2-721-5282 United Kingdom 44-734-441955 Montreal, Quebec (514) 677-9166 Vancouver, BC (604) 270-1675 Toronto, Ont. (905) 629-3104 Ottawa, Ont. (613) 596-9937 Singapore 65-225-8228 Venezuela 58-2-953-1684 Mexico City, Mexico 525-658-4519 Sydney, Australia 61-2-975-1499

Specifications published here are current as of the date of publication of this document. Because we are continuously improving our products, ADC reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice. At any time, you may verify product specifications by contacting our headquarters office in Minneapolis. Application Note 1211 11/94 Original 1994 ADC Telecommunications, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Equal Opportunity Employer