“The MR-TR-3G is truly a master of all trades for broadcast contribution with 100% end-to-end signal quality,” asserts Ronny Sletteng, Flashlink product manager. “It offers more functionality with lower power consumption and doubled packing density. It also improves optical budgets with substantially greater value for the money as compared to the technology's first generation.”

Network Electronics/VPG – the newly combined company resulting from Network Electronics’ acquisition of VPG earlier this year – presents the new Flashlink MR-TR-3G multi-rate transponder and converter at NAB 2008. When used with Flashlink’s DWDM multiplexers the system is capable of transmitting 40 uncompressed single link 3G HD signals (SMPTE 424M) on a single fiber optic strand. Today's introduction of the MR-TR-3G marks completion of the Company’s second-generation range of Flashlink modules for the DWDM platform. The joining of Network Electronics and VPG enables one company to serve the industry with leading transport, routing and signal processing solutions for reliable video transport over short and long distances.
Key features include:

* Full add/drop capabilities allow for optical to electrical and electrical to optical conversions of two independent signals
o Bi-directional signals on the same module as compared to two modules before
* Support for single link 3Gbps HD bitrates as well as SD-SDI and HD-SDI
o Future proof infrastructure
* 50% reduction in DWDM power consumption allows for full frame population and doubled packing density
o 8 bi-directional 3Gbps HD signals on the same fiber in just 2RU
* Up to 50% increased system reach for HD-SDI signals through cutting edge optical receiver technology
o Reduced need for repeater stations between locations
o Fewer sites for service engineers to support
o Less rack space rental and air-conditioning needed

The MR-TR-3G supports the following signal formats:
Electrical ports:
270Mbps SD-SDI
270 Mbps DVB-ASI
270 Mbps SDTI
1483.5 Mbps HD-SDI
1485 Mbps HD-SDI
2967 Mbps 3G-SDI
2970 Mbps 3G-SDI

Additional signals supported by the optical ports:
155.52 Mbps STM-1/OC-3
622.08 Mbps STM-4/OC-12
2488.32 Mbps STM-16/OC-48
2670 Mbps STM-16/OC-48 with Forward Error Correction
1250 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet

Laser options:
40 DWDM wavelengths according to ITU-T G.694.1, 0dBm or +5dBm optical output power