everything RF recently interviewed David Downham who is the Director of Sales at ViaLite Communications. David has a track record of building, developing and driving sales growth and business development within SME and corporate sectors for 20+ years.
Q. Can you give us a brief history of ViaLite? How was the company formed and what was the objective?
David Downham: ViaLite Communications is a division of Pulse Power and Measurement Ltd (PPM), which was founded in 1994. On launch, the business distributed pulse power systems, power electronics components and EMC RF over fiber test equipment. Then, with an objective of providing the most capable technology for communications applications, in 1995, the company acquired Electro Optic Developments Ltd and expanded its existing RF over fiber (RFoF) offering to include the design and manufacture of the equipment.
The wide range of products and systems since developed by the business (many ground-breaking) allow RF electrical signals to be transmitted over fiber optic cables.
2012, in line with business growth and to support ViaLite’s largest customer base, saw the opening of PPM Inc. with a dedicated American office and team to better serve the market there. Then, comes 2015, ViaLite had delivered its 10,000th link; marking 20 years of RF over fiber.
More recently, in March 2021, BAE Systems acquired PPM as a wholly owned subsidiary. The acquisition provides further investment into PPM and ViaLite, and supports the company’s ambitious goals and product development plans for future years.
Q. ViaLite manufactures a wide range of RF over fiber links. Can you tell us more about these products?
David Downham: RF over fiber (RFoF) is the method of converting a radio wave (RF) into light by modulating the intensity of the light source (typically a laser) with RF signal. This is an analogue process and no digitisation is used.
The light signal is then transmitted over a fiber optic cable, which replaces and exceeds the capabilities of traditional copper coax cable. RFoF is not distance-limited like coax, which only goes to 300 ft (approx.).
Other benefits include:
- Very low signal loss (less than 0.5 dB/km) allowing for connections of several kilometres without the need for amplification
- Flat frequency response across the entire frequency band meaning there is no need for slope compensation
- Immunity to EMI and RFI due to fiber being a non-conductive medium
- Security against signal interception
- Flexible and lightweight for ease of deployment
- Low maintenance install and forget technology
- Simple installation
- Cost effective compared to high end, low loss coax cable and slope compensation amplifiers.
ViaLite’s RF over fiber also includes:
- Widest dynamic range
- 99.999% reliability
- Longest product warranty (5 years)
- Focused expertize in RFoF
- Full design and support service
- Long distance DWDM link systems up to 600 km.
Q. Can you tell us more about the ViaLite product portfolio? Which Product Segment drives the most business for you?
David Downham: In addition to the RF over fiber links, we have an array of supporting products. There is a range of outdoor enclosures to house links or customer-own equipment, and software including the Horizons Monitoring and Control program (allowing remote monitoring of links and hot swapping), and the System Designer Tool, which allows users to design their own Long Distance Link systems.
The innovative System Designer Tool was developed to assist users with the design of complex RF over fiber Satcom systems, using multiple DWDM products. The tool allows users to predict and validate the performance of their end solution. It allows the user to select and ‘drag and drop’ a variety of components to create their proposed system. The system performance results are then calculated by the tool, allowing the user to analyse their design and make amendments where needed. The results can be saved or printed as a system design drawing, detailing the performance figures.
The tool includes a link budget calculator, rack space calculator, clear schematic output and BOM (Bill of Materials) generator!
Q. What are the market segments you cater to? Which segment is the largest for you?
David Downham: ViaLite RF over fiber links are used in the satellite industry (including LEO and MEO) to transport satellite signals between the antennas and Network Operations Center (NOC). The links can be operated in both the uplink and downlink paths and are typically L-Band HTS, IF 70-140 MHz and C-Band. Additionally, S-Band is used for satellite telemetry and 10 MHz satcom timing and reference links are used for connectivity to LNAs, LNBs and BUC devices. - Using RF over fiber considerably extends the distance signals can travel compared to coaxial cables.
ViaLite is a market leader in SATCOM RF over fiber equipment and is used by eight of the top ten teleport operators. This is our biggest market.
We also supply Broadcast and Satcom-Broadcast where ViaLite RF over fiber is used at large broadcast events to extend the range of the antennas that wireless cameras, microphones and production communications (in-ear monitors, intercoms and IFBs) use. Distances of 300ft or more generally require RF over fiber, which is also more cost effective than using high quality coaxial cables (typically used for shorter distances). A single fiber can also be used for the backhaul of multiple wireless camera systems.
Most outdoor sporting events require fiber optic links, as do arena and theater events where the action takes place off stage. Typical examples include golf tournaments or major race-car events when the talent walks through the audience or on the red carpet, where microphone or camera coverage is essential.
Products include DVB-T and UHF/VHF links, the ViaLite ‘Green OEM Link’ which covers 100 MHz-1 GHz and the Black OEM that covers 10 MHz-6 GHz. An innovative ‘Blue2’ product is also available which can be setup as a dual transmitter, dual receiver or transceiver based on customer requirements.
Vialite Mil-Aero Black OEM Module
In the defense and Mil-Aero industry, ViaLite links are used for the transportation of signals in numerous applications, including: military aerospace and defense electronic telemetry systems, UAVs for remote sensing, wide bandwidth signal intelligence (SIGINT) monitoring, signal distribution between satcom ground station and local or remote antennas, real-time data transfer, and ground to air comms.
RF over fiber links are Ideal for the defense market; providing improved security against signal interception (coaxial cable, in comparison, can be intercepted without the receiver noticing), enhanced data security and operational integrity. The use of optical fiber also provides added benefits in securing information-gathering centers against lightning and EMP strikes, as well as preventing attempts to eavesdrop or corrupt critical operational/sensitive data.
ViaLite’s Black OEM 6 GHz Link is a popular choice for the market (IP55 rated meaning it can also be used outside with the need for an additional enclosure), along with the L and S-Band Link.
Finally, another key market is Timing. ViaLite’s RF over fiber links (serial or RF GPS, UHF/VHF or L-Band HTS) are frequently used to bring accurate timing or RF communication signals to/from above ground into demanding and harsh underground environments, such as mines, tunnels and underground/subway systems.
Network time servers, used by Data Centers etc., require accurate time signals, usually produced by GPS. Where a time server is not near a building roof or copper is not allowed into the building, RF over fiber is required for the GPS connection.
ViaLite’s systems ensure efficient communication between surface and underground operations thereby enhancing the productivity and safety too.
Our products are also used in maritime. Overall, Satcom is the traditional business driver for ViaLite, with GPS/GNSS timing being the growth sector for us.
Q. Can you tell us more about the GPS/GNSS product solutions that ViaLite offers?
David Downham: A selection of GPS/GNSS products are available for timing distribution and accurate synchronization using GPS-derived timing signals. Products include the GPS RF over fiber link and Splitters. The ViaLite GNSS/GPS over fiber link allows for timing distribution and accurate synchronization using GPS-derived timing signals. The link is a reliable method for transporting GPS signals from antennas to receivers/re-radiators, and provides a simple solution for signal distribution over long distances and to inaccessible locations.
ViaLite's GPS Package
It is suitable for any application needing accurate timing, location or mapping information such as:
- Communication network synchronisation
- Cellular BTS timing in tunnels
- GPS re-radiation underground/buildings
- Government secure networks
- Military GPS synchronisation and mapping
- Meteorological stations.
The link is ideal for providing a GPS derived timing signal reference to equipment positioned where no GPS signal is available. Cellular BTS sites and public mobile radio networks are examples where synchroniszed timing control is critical.
A newer offering to this range is the ViaLiteHD Local Integrated GPS Splitter. The Splitter was been designed to minimize rack space and is available with 1-4 RF over fiber receivers with 8-32 outputs, depending on configuration, and only uses 1RU of rack space.
All of its 8-32 channels can be lossless when coupled with correct RX gain on the ViaLiteHD GPS RF over fiber receiver. The GPS Splitter is suitable for a number of applications, including:
- Data Center timing
- Banking institution timing
- Scientific timing distribution
- Cellular test environments
- Universal timing distribution
- Fixed Satcom earth stations and teleport use case
- Oil and gas platforms
- Big data.
Q. Apart from RF over fiber links and the GPS/GNSS solutions, ViaLite also has its own line of DWDM products. Is this an important segment for you? What made you to enter this segment?
David Downham: DWDM technology is an essential part of most long-range RFoF systems. Long Distance Link systems are typically need to connect two dishes or teleports at distances of up to 600 km, which may be due to the terrain, to provide protection against terrorism, or to protect against rain fade.
With many of the new High Throughput Satellites (HTS) operating at Ka-Band, which is very susceptible to weather conditions, rain fade is a big concern for teleport operators. A long distance rain fade diversity system allows signals to be taken from an antenna located at a geographically diverse location where the weather is better, within the satellite’s footprint. This is done without disruption of the data feed and with timing compensation to ensure continuity of service for the user. Thanks to the choice and design of DWDM components available, the systems are available on dark or lit fiber.
This customer segment is attractive to us because of the growing number of ground stations, and the fact that many of them need connecting over fiber, patricianly to cope with weather events.
Q. Do you develop standard or custom product solutions? Can you tell us about your complete product development process - from design to delivery of the end product?
David Downham: We develop both standard and custom product solutions. Most of our business is through ViaLite COTS products, however, we also design specific custom systems where required. For these systems, we work with clients even before winning the business to create the most efficient solutions with the best possible performance.
Our general product development process comes from having such wide market coverage with the ability to spot new enabling technologies, which we incorporate into our standard product lines. We have a large Engineering team on-site at our HQ who work tirelessly on designing new products to exacting requirements and customer needs.
The products designs also go through all the applicable quality checks in line with our ISO 9001:2015 standard, before eventually going on to the Production dept. for building and testing.We also have a large RACI chart, which incorporates multiple teams across the business, and covers multiple stages and checks of product design to help ensure we always deliver the best possible solutions and products to our customers.
Q. Do you have your own manufacturing facility then? Can you tell us about your facility?
David Downham: ViaLite HQ is based near Swindon in Wiltshire and houses the large Engineering department who are focussed on the design and development of our products, an on-site manufacturing/production team (incorporate Test engineers) equipped with the latest benches and technology. Plus logistics, sales, accounts and marketing teams etc. We even have an anechoic chamber on-site for interference free testing of products.
The Swindon building was actually recently expanded to support the company’s growing workforce and now benefits from a 40% increase to its available space for production, test, offices and more!
Q. What are all the available sales channels through which customers can order ViaLite products? Do your customers interact with you directly or do you have distributors?
David Downham: We interact with customers directly from our UK and USA offices and have a global network of reps and distributors who offer localized support and expertize on our products to our global customer base. We work closely with our reseller network to ensure the best service possible for end-users.
Q. Where are your customers located? Can you give us a percentage geographical breakup by continent. How do you support and troubleshoot international customer issues?
David Downham: We have a truly global customer base. We have online and phone based technical support from the UK. There are service engineers who can visit any international customers (although the products are designed to be plug and play and rarely actually need any installation support). We also have local supported resellers, as mentioned, in country for our international customers.
About ViaLite Communications
ViaLite is a world leading expert in high performing, reliable RF over fiber covering sectors including broadcast, satcom, mil-aero, LEO & MEO, GPS, radar, defense, test and measurement, and maritime.
ViaLite has offices in North America and the UK. We support our customers around the world through a network of distributors and agents, as well as via our engineering team based in the UK. ViaLite is a division of Pulse Power and Measurement Ltd (PPM).
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