Bridge Technologies launches VB278 module for satellite monitoring

Bridge Technologies has introduced the VB278 module, a new addition to their existing VB120 and VB220 monitoring probe lines, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of these probes for satellite contribution and direct-to-home distribution monitoring. This module supports DVB-S, DVB-S2, and DVB-S2X modulation standards, further broadening the already extensive functionality of the base probes.

The VB120 and VB220 probes are known for their versatility, accommodating various network standards such as IP unicasts and multicasts, OTT/ABR streams, and a wide range of RF formats, including SRT and ASI. These probes offer key monitoring features like TR 101 290 analysis, IP multicast monitoring, HLS/M-DASH monitoring, TS recording, RF analysis, and SRT relay operations. Of particular interest is the SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) feature, which allows the conversion of received RF streams into IP/UDP streams, making them accessible via the SRT standard. This capability provides engineers with better diagnostic control and insight into their networks.

The newly introduced VB278 module adds up to four independent RF L-band inputs to the probes, enabling the specific monitoring and analysis of RF streams in satellite contribution and direct-to-home distribution infrastructure. One input is activated by default, with the option to unlock the other three through a software license key. Additionally, two VB278 modules can be added to a single chassis, allowing for up to eight independent RF inputs. The use of round-robin operation enables monitoring of a significantly larger number of transponders.

The VB278 supports various modulation standards, including QPSK, 8PSK, and 8/16/32APSK, and also includes support for DirecTV and AMC modes. The module is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, with features like symbol rate detection that only require the input of frequency by the user. The VB278 also provides a range of satellite signal analysis metrics, such as Modulation Error Rate (MER), Signal to Noise Rate (SNR), Error Vector Magnitude (EVM), Constellation Diagrams, and more. These metrics are presented in a clear, easy-to-understand format, aiding both immediate decision-making and long-term strategic planning. All data can be accessed remotely via any HTML5-enabled web browser.

The VB278 is future-proofed with an expansion port for additional hardware functionality. Upcoming enhancements include a Software-Defined-Radio (SDR) plug-on block that will offer features like waterfall spectrum analysis and I/Q spectrum triggered recording. These functionalities are crucial for detecting signal interference and analyzing intermittent faults, reflecting Bridge Technologies' dedication to expanding the range, flexibility, and capacity of their core monitoring solutions for broadcasters managing complex and hybrid networks.

Chairman Simen K. Frostad commented on the launch: “Our commitment to IP-based broadcast – a vision we’ve held for 20 years – has been vindicated in the broadcast market. But even bigger than that is our commitment to monitoring in general, regardless of platform. Effective monitoring should constitute the backbone of any network delivery solution, especially those who are taking legacy components and beginning to hybridize them with IP-based standards.”

He added: “That is why we have developed an extensive range of add-ons for our core VB120 and VB220 probes, including the VB273 for redundancy and the VB258 for the monitoring of DVB-T/T2, ATSC1.0/ATSC 3.0, DVB-C, QAM-B and ISDB-T formats. With these options, alongside the VB278 for satellite, broadcasters are able to create the perfect custom solution, regardless of the complexity and range of their broadcast infrastructure.”

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