RFS introduces ultra-broadband antennae

Radio Frequency Systems (RFS), has introduced Ultra-Broadband Antennas that support the full range of potential LTE frequencies on a single platform. The RFS Ultra-Broadband Antennas eliminate operator's need to replace or add antennas as they trial and deploy LTE services at different frequencies. The antennas also bring flexibility and freedom of choice to operators with 2G, 3G, PCS, AWS, GSM1800, and mobile TV networks.

The time, costs and risks associated with antenna site evolution are key challenges for all operators. Replacing or adding antennas to accommodate different technologies or frequencies delays time-to-market, is expensive and can lead to difficult negotiations with landlords. These challenges are of particular concern for operators moving to LTE, where allocated frequencies may be unknown or may change from the trial stage to the deployment stage.

Eric Mariette, VP Global Marketing at RFS, explains the philosophy behind the Ultra-Broadband Antennas. "As we looked ahead, we could see that operators need the flexibility to continuously advance their operations and deal with the uncertainties around LTE spectrum availability while controlling costs. They should not be forced to replace or add antennas to take advantage of different frequencies or technologies," he says. "It doesn't make financial or business sense. With our variable tilt, Ultra-Broadband Antennas, operators can invest once then effectively forget about antenna replacement issues and focus on evolving their business. They are ready for anything.

Available in dual polarization or side-by-side quad polarization versions, the Ultra-Broadband Antennas include all of the RFS premium performance features: High gain, high upper sidelobe suppression and performance stability across frequencies. They also include well-known RFS antenna features such as quick and easy adjustments and optional remote tilt, along with a low-profile design to minimize visual impact. Notably, the RFS Ultra-Broadband Antennas feature variable electric downtilt that is adjustable from zero to 12 degrees for enhanced precision in controlling intercell interference.

The side-by-side version gives operators increased flexibility to support multiple technologies, seamlessly add capacity and benefit from additional capabilities–all under a single radome. As operators progress with their LTE rollouts, they can take advantage of-multiple input multiple output (MIMO) to increase data throughput without additional bandwidth or power requirements, beamforming to improve coverage based on traffic patterns and landscape, 4-Way Receive (Rx) Diversity to reduce multi-path fading and increase reverse link (or uplink) signal capacity.¬†

As part of the base station testing, RFS was also able to simulate the end-to-end system, meaning performance of these key capabilities could be fine tuned for use with any base station operators may be using in their LTE deployments.

Barco presents brand new line of Series-II digital cinema projectors

Barco's six new Series-II projectors are by far the most complete projector family available today. For small and mid-size movie theaters, there is a dedicated line of compact DP2K  `C-series' projectors, based on Texas Instruments' proven 0.98" DLP Cinema chip. Within this C-series, the portfolio includes individual models for screens up to 12, 15 and 20 meters wide, respectively. For larger venues, Barco unveiled the ultra-bright DP2K 'B-series', integrating TI's 1.2" DLP Cinema chip. Dedicated models are available for screens up to 19 and 23 meters wide. Barco's flagship for the large chip range is its DP2K-32B, which is the brightest digital cinema projector on the planet, lighting up screens up to 32 meters wide at unrivalled light levels. All six projectors are fully compliant with the latest DCI and SMPTE specifications.

Barco's DP2K-series integrates the next-generation DLP Cinema chip from Texas Instruments, ensuring consistent color uniformity, rich contrast and vibrant, accurate colors. Moreover, the new products are designed with a sealed optical engine to prevent dust from intruding in the DLP Cinema chip. This guarantees the projector's brightness and contrast levels remain undiminished over the years. Our new DP2K product family not only represents the most complete line of 3D-ready cinema projectors on the market, it also includes the brightest 3D digital cinema projector in the world," Todd Hoddick explained. "Thanks to its first-rate optical design and superior lamp efficiency, the unique DP2K-32B enjoys a record light output in excess of 33,000 lumens, making it the brightest digital cinema projector on the planet. For moviegoers, this superior light output translates into an unrivaled visual 3D experience," he added.

Assimilate introduces Benchmark's Rocket Fuel in India

Assimilate, representing Benchmark Broadcast Systems in India, has introduced Rocket Fuel, a software and hardware combination that provides an affordable, but still professional, entry into the native Red post-production workflow. Designed specifically for the R3D image format, Rocket Fuel combines Scratch Cine v5.0 software, an Nvidia Quadro FX 3800-SDI card, and the Red Rocket hardware acceleration card. Scratch Cine v 5.0 enables full resolution playback of 4K Red files, direct creation of tape-based dailies without importing or conversion, one-light color grading, color and shot management and initial R3D conform.

The Red Rocket card allows Scratch Cine v5.0 to decode the full resolution R3D files in real time. This task was previously delegated to the system CPU. However, current CPU technology is only capable of decoding R3D files at half the resolution in real time. This required significant over-clocking of the processor, which in turn required more advanced cooling systems, ultimately increasing overall cost of the hardware system. Red Rocket frees the CPU from the decoding responsibilities by using a specifically tailored hardware chip to extract the R3D data. This allows Scratch Cine to access the full 4K resolution R3D files without requiring cutting-edge CPU technology. The Nvidia Quadro FX 3800-SDI graphics card would handle all image color and output tasks. Based on the latest Nvidia GPU technology, the 3800-SDI combines advanced image processing power with an SDI interface, capable of outputting all SMPTE video standards from PAL and NTSC through the entire range of 720 and 1080 HD standards.

Kramer introduces model 907 power amplifier

Kramer Electronics has announced the introduction of the model 907 power amplifier. The Kramer 907 is part of the Kramer MultiTOOLS line and it is a high-performance power amplifier for line-level stereo audio signals. It accepts a balanced stereo audio signal on a terminal block connector and can deliver 19 watts RMS at 8 ohms per channel via a terminal block connector to a pair of audio speakers.

The incredibly compact and efficient 907 features a convenient volume control knob and a mute button with mute on and off indicator lights to show the status of the unit. A unique feature of the 907 is the inclusion of a four-position DIP switch that sets gain at 20dB, 26dB, 32dB or 36dB. Many audio input devices have varying output levels and having the ability to adjust gain to match various input devices is extremely beneficial. The 907 is very energy efficient with a quiescent current draw of 3 watts which is only 10.2btu/hr.