Datasheet

E
thernet is the most popular electronic communications
medium in the world. Because it offers a versatile, low-cost,
standards-based interface, Ethernet has become ubiquitous
as the global technology-of-choice in industrial, enterprise, and
carrier networks.
For all its benefits, Ethernet does present some limitations:
• Cabling—Standard Ethernet, runs over Cat 5 cabling infrastruc-
ture, the installation of which may be costly, and require (often
more costly) network downtime.
• Segmentation—To avoid bottlenecks that cause network con-
gestion, latency or even data loss, Ethernet LANs musts be seg-
mented, which increases network complexity, operational over-
head, and cost.
• Distance—Perhaps the biggest drawback of Ethernet technology
is the standard distance limitation of 328 feet (100 meters). In
many applications it is impractical or impossible to install net-
work-enabled devices within 328 feet from the nearest computer,
router, or switch.
Despite the above limitations, the number of Ethernet-based instal-
lations continues to grow at an astounding rate.
Ethernet extension, which addresses the distance limitation of the
Ethernet standard, can be found in these generalized applications:
• M2M—Interconnecting Ethernet terminals and devices
• Ethernet access—connecting users and devices to a
central network
• Ethernet networking—interconnecting multiple users and servers
Patton’s CopperLink
™
Ethernet Extenders appear in a wide variety of
environments, including business offices, mining tunnels, oil rigs
and drills, manufacturing facilities, vehicular traffic management,
security monitoring, maritime vessels, sporting arenas, nuclear
power facilities, agriculture, and more!
Patton offers the industry’s broadest range of products and solu-
tions for leveraging existing copper or coaxial cabling infrastructure
to extend Ethernet connections. CopperLink
™
solutions can extend
Ethernet segments over distances up to and exceeding 5 miles
(8 km). The CopperLink
™
product line supports line rates ranging
from 192 kbps to 168 Mbps, and offers symmetric or asymmetric
profiles. While most models operate over a single twisted pair,
recently developed products deliver even greater bandwidth and
longer distances by bonding up to four twisted pairs (8 wires) into
a single Ethernet connection.
Perhaps best of all, Patton’s CopperLink
™
Ethernet Extenders are easy-
to-use, plug-and-play devices, so users can bypass complex and
tedious network configuration requirements. CopperLink
™
Ethernet
Extenders transparently pass all higher-layer protocols—including
802.1Q VLAN frames (tagged and untagged) and IP video compres-
sion schemes such as MPEG-4, H.264 and MJPEG.