Tag Archives: Fiber Media Converters

Fibers in the Video Security & Surveillance Network

Overview of Video Technology
As the video security technology rapidly advances, many new video technologies are applied in our daily life for entertainment or some special managements. The commonly seen video technologies include Analog video and IP video. For example, the security video cameras are usually offered in one of these two formats. In addition, Analog video or IP video camera functionality falls into two broad categories – Fixed and PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom). The former is typically for entry doors, hallways, gates etc. while the latter is typically used in retail, casinos, etc. where the ability to change camera view is required and the cameras are actively controlled.

Features of Analog Video
• Optical transmitters modify signal output based on video content
• Modifications include amplitude (AM) or frequency (FM)
• Most commonly used for security and surveillance applications
• Tried and true technology and still the lowest cost option today
• Over 80% market share today for new installations

Typical Analog Video System

typical analog video security system
228 meter (750ft) distance limitationon coaxial cabling runs

Features of IP Video
• Video camera automatically encodes the video output into IP packets
• Video output can be transmitted directly over a traditional Ethernet LAN
• Power over Ethernet technology benefits
• Gaining popularity in security and surveillance applications
• Estimated to gain 50% + market share by 2010

Typical IP Video System

Typical IP Video System
100 meter (328ft) distance limitation on all UTP cabling runs

Common Issues of Video Security & Surveillance System
In a video security & surveillance system, as ever increasing reach of surveillance, it usually leads to quality, bandwidth and transmission distance issues. In addition, the traditional copper (coax or UTP) cabling can not satisfy the requirements and new camera locations may require new cabling which cost much. Moreover, in today’s video security and surveillance systems, there are many IP camera installations co-existing with analog camera networks which leads to cabling mismatch if upgrading cameras and extended reach of network beyond original design for new cameras.

Copper-based Cabling vs Fiber Cabling
Limitation of copper-based cabling
With the higher and higher demands of video security & surveillance systems, copper-based cabling seems not too much suitable due to its limitations itself. About the limitations of copper-based cabling, we may explain form the following there aspects:
>> Limited transmission distances
• Coaxial cable < 228 meters (750 ft.)
• UTP cable < 100 meters (328 ft)
• Requires more equipment or signal conditioning / amplification to increase distance

>>Susceptible to electrical interference
• Noise, high voltages and ground faults

>>Quality and security risks
• Quality effected by distance and interference
• Copper-based cabling easy to tap into

Benefits of fiber cabling
Nowadays, fiber cable are widely used and gradually replaced the copper cable in the video security & surveillance systems. With the benefits of fiber cabling, many limitations are solved. The benefits of fiber cabling as the following:
>>Allows for extended transmission distances
• Multimode cable < 2km (1.24 miles)
• Single mode cable > 2km

>>Smaller size, less weight and better tensile strength
• Easier installation when pulling through conduit or overhead cable trays

>>Usually existing as network backbone in vertical risers and between buildings
• Reduce cost by utilizing existing fiber infrastructure
• Improve quality, bandwidth and distance of video system

>>High degree of security –difficult to tap into or interfere with
>>Immunity to electrical interference such as:
• Electromagnetic interference (EMI)
• Radio frequency interference (RFI)
• High voltage interference caused by: Fluorescent lights, Card access door strikes and Outdoor lighting systems

>>Induced voltages caused by ground potential differences between locations
• Occurs in over 50% of all video security systems

Fiber Deployment
As we know, if we deploy new devices with fiber ports, it’s not only expensive but also with limited availability. In order to save cost and shorten the deploying time, we usually use copper-to-Fiber media converters. Nowadays media converters are the proven technology which allows the integration of fiber optic cabling in copper environments and have successfully used in LANs and WANs of retail, government, education, enterprise, service providers and industrial. (Learn more about fiber media converter)

Typical Video Network Diagram
Fiber Integration In Analog Video Networks

Fiber Integration In Analog Video Networks
Fiber Integration in IP Video Networks

Fiber Integration in IP Video Networks
Analog/IP Video Over Fiber Network

Analog/IP Video Over Fiber Network
Hybrid Video over Fiber Network

Hybrid Video over Fiber Network

Summary
In this article, we have leant the role of fiber in video security & surveillance network through realizing the anolog and IP video technologies as well as the comparison of the copper-based cabling and the fiber cabling. In addition, we have a short introduction of fiber deployment which let us know the important use of fiber media converters in video security & surveillance network.

Warm Tips: If you want to get more details about media converters and the related products such as PoE switches, you could visit fs.com or leave message to us over sales@fs.com.

Ethernet Media Converters Tutorial

Introduction
Fiber Media converters are flexible and cost-effective devices for utilizing and optimizing fiber links in all types of networks.They are key components of optical networking because its long-distance operation, high bandwidth capacity and reliability make fiber optics probably the most desired channel for data communications.There are lots of types of Media converters,today ,we’ll concentrate on talking something about the Ethernet Media Converters.

What is a Ethernet Media Converters?
An Ethernet Media Converter enables two network devices with copper ports to become connected over extended distances via fiber optic cabling.It is also useful if EMI/RFI emissions or interference are of concern as the device will convert the electrical data signals into light pulses which will travel within the fiber optic cabling. This has two additional benefits. It electrically isolates both network nodes from one another eliminating any ground loop concerns or voltage spikes from lightning. Additionally, it provides a measure of security for your network transmissions because it is virtually impossible to take advantage of the transmitted signal without detection.

How does an Ethernet Media Converter work?
Ethernet Media Converters normally have two types of ports; one for that copper (UTP/STP) side from the conversion, (usually an RJ45 jack), and one for fiber side, which could vary with respect to the unit (usually ST,SC or LC). Once you have selected the press converter that meets your needs, you just plug your copper network cable into the RJ45  jack and then make your link with your Fiber optic cabling. For the majority of unmanaged Ethernet Media Converters when you power up the unit you’re done with your installation.Because of the large number of different switch and converter products in the marketplace today, it is quite likely that your network uses switches from different vendors, or maybe different models of switch in the same vendor. In fact, if your network has already been using one switch with a built-in fiber port and you wish to connect the fiber port to a copper-only switch, you could do this by inserting an Ethernet-to-fiber media converter between the two devices.

Using Media Converters as Part of a Network

Where are Ethernet Media Converters used?
Ethernet Media Converters are utilized wherever long network runs are needed that exceed the 100 meter maximum segment period of traditional copper UTP/STP for example large Corporate or University campuses, large high rise buildings or Municipal buildings that cover a wide area or wherever ground loops or voltage spikes from lightning may be reason to be concerned. You will also find these items wherever intense EMI/RFI that could interfere with your network exists such as Industrial/Manufacturing Facilities or perhaps in environments where the introduction of stray electrical signals are strictly regulated such as hospitals, clean rooms and aircraft just to provide a few examples.

Application Example
Point-to-Point Applications
A pair of media converters may be used in point-to-point connections that connect two UTP Ethernet switches (or routers, servers, hubs, etc.) via fiber, or to connect UTP devices to workstations and file servers.

Point-to-Point Applications
Campus Fiber Application
Within this application example, 10/100 media converters are set up in a Redundant Power chassis for high-density fiber distribution from UTP switch equipment(A) in the network core. A UTP workgroup switch (B) is connected via fiber to the network core with a standalone 10/100 media converter. Another 10/100 converter enables fiber connectivity to some PC UTP port inside a fiber-to-desktop application (C). An Ethernet switch (D) is connected directly via fiber towards the media converter module at the network core.

Campus Fiber Application

 

Ethernet Media Converter in Fiberstore

Ethernet Media Converter

• Convert 10/100/10G Base-T Ethernet to Fiber Optic
• Extend network distances up to 160km
• SC, LC and ST fiber connector options
• SX, FX, LX, EX, ZX, BX fiber support
• Multimode and single mode fiber
• Advanced Features : Link Pass-Through, Far-End Fault, Auto-MDIX, Fiber Fault Alert, Loopback
• Manage via SNMP, CLI- Telnet/SSH, Internet Browser

Get more information about Fiberstore, click here!