ELECTRICAL-OPTICAL MEDIA CONVERSION SYSTEM

• US 20110135316A1
• Filed: 12/07/2009
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evertz Microsystems Ltd. (Evertz Technologies Limited)
• Original Assignee: Evertz Microsystems Ltd. (Evertz Technologies Limited)
• Inventors: Baldor, Daniel, Abrahamian, Sarkis, Fankhauser, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 9,658,419 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/164
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes

Abstract

A media conversion system for converting electrical video signals to optical video signals and vice versa. The media conversion system includes one or more pluggable media conversion modules. Each pluggable media conversion module converts between one or more optical video signals and one or more electrical video signals. Each pluggable media conversion module typically includes an electrical video signal conditioning circuit that includes one or more of a cable driver, an equalizer and a reclocker. The media conversion system also includes a printed circuit board for receiving the one or more pluggable media conversion modules. The printed circuit board includes one or more signal paths for transporting the one or more electrical video signals between the one or more pluggable media conversion modules and one or more electrical cable connectors. Each of the one or more signal paths is completely passive.

Claims

1. A media conversion system comprising:

at least one pluggable media conversion module, the pluggable media conversion module for converting between at least one optical video signal and at least one electrical video signal; and

a printed circuit board for receiving the at least one pluggable media conversion module, the printed circuit board comprising at least one signal path for transporting the at least one electrical video signal between the at least one pluggable media conversion module and at least one electrical cable connector, the at least one signal path being completely passive.

2. The media conversion system of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board is completely passive.

3. The media conversion system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pluggable conversion module comprises a conditioning circuit for conditioning the at least one electrical video signal.

4. The media conversion system of claim 3, wherein the conditioning circuit comprises at least one of a cable driver, an equalizer, and a reclocker.

5. The media conversion system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pluggable media conversion module comprises a conversion circuit for converting between the optical video signal and the electrical video signal.

6. The media conversion system of claim 5, wherein the function of the conversion circuit is to perform one or more of converting the at least one optical video signal to the at least one electrical video signal, and converting the at least one electrical video signal to the at least one optical video signal.

7. The media conversion system of claim 6, wherein the function of the conversion circuit dictates the function of the at least one electrical cable connector connected thereto.

8. The media conversion system of claim 1, further comprising a fan unit proximate the printed circuit board for dissipating heat created by the at least one pluggable media conversion module.

9. The media conversion system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical video signal is a single-ended unbalanced signal.

10. The media conversion system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pluggable media conversion module comprises at least one optical port for receiving an optical cable, the optical cable for carrying the at least one video optical signal.

11. The media conversion system of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board comprises at least one host unit adapted to receive the at least one pluggable media conversion module.

12. The media conversion system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical cable connector is adapted to receive an electrical signal cable for carrying the at least one electrical video signal.

13. The media conversion system of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board comprises at least one electrical trace for connecting the at least one host unit to the at least one electrical cable connector.

14. The media conversion system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical trace is a microstrip.

15. The media conversion system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical trace is a stripline.

16. A pluggable media conversion module comprising:

an optical port for receiving a fiber optic cable, wherein the fiber optic cable carries an optical signal;

a conversion circuit for converting between the optical signal and an electrical signal; and

a conditioning circuit for conditioning the electrical signal, the conditioning circuit comprising at least one of a cable driver, equalizer and reclocker.

17. The pluggable media conversion module of claim 16, wherein the conversion circuit converts the optical signal to the electrical signal.

18. The pluggable media conversion module of claim 16, wherein the conversion circuit converts the electrical signal to the optical signal.

19. The pluggable media conversion module of claim 16, wherein the at least one electrical video signal is a single-ended unbalanced signal.