Stingray Fiber unit. Photo: ETL Systems.

ETL Systems has announced the creation of Stingray, a new Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Radio Frequency (RF) over fiber solution. According to the company, VSAT Fiber provides fiber connectivity between a VSAT antenna and a remote control room. Capable of delivering connections for links up to 10 kilometers apart without the need for additional amplification, it drastically reduces signal loss, ensuring a much higher quality feed, according to the company.

The system is suitable for harsh physical environments due to its ruggedized Neutrik cables and an IP65 rated weatherproof housing. Dual redundant power supplies also ensure resilience and continual performance, ETL Systems stated.

The VSAT Fiber system features one downlink transmission path and one uplink path, both with 10 MHz reference signals, carried on a separate fiber for best performance. It also enables Low Noise Block (LNB) and Block Upconverter (BUC) powering. An optional Ethernet over fiber port offers remote monitoring and control of the outdoor unit and external antenna mounted equipment.

“VSAT systems are extremely invaluable where the coverage area is large, quick installation is required, or where terrestrial alternatives are difficult to organize,” said Andrew Bond, sales and marketing director for ETL Systems. “However, quite often they suffer with signal loss between the antenna and the control room. This system will have a huge impact on the quality of the feed, whether it is for outside broadcast, air traffic control, military operations, or any other number of VSAT applications.”