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Main / ProBox modular system / Optical converters

ProBox series PBX-AF-100 optical converters are intended for transmission of up to eight channels of audio (analog and/or AES), an InterCom bidirectional channel, two RS-232/422 data channels and GPIO commands over a single optical fiber. Data-only modifications available. A usable device consists of a PBX-AF-100 (or a PBX-DF-100 data-only) base module and an SFP receiver, transmitter or transceiver. Depending on the SFP type used - the actual device's functionality is automatically selected. Each base module can accomodate one SFP. On both ends of a communication line a ProBox family devices may be used but we garantee the interoperability with any other PROFITT's optical audio converters. A video overview of the ProBox family PBX-AF-100 devices

PBX-AF-100 features and capabilities

• Up to eight audio channels over a single optical fiber
• Analor and/or AES/EBU inputs/outputs
• Input/output autoconfiguration by the SFP type inserted: Rx, Tx, Rx+Tx.
• Individual per-stereopair input/output gain adjustments
• User-selectable input signal invertion capability
• Audio channel re-mapper (user-selectable allocation of audio pairs for output port)
• Built-in 1kHz test tone generator
• InterCom channel with mini-jack headphone+mic connector
• Capability to monitor (via a headphone mini-jack) any audio pair being received or transmitted
• Two-channel RS-232/RS-422 data transmission
• Four-channel GPIO in each direction
• Output optical power and wavelength monitoring
• Input optical power and wavelength monitoring
• 1310nm, 1550nm, CWDM or DWDM wavelength capability
• Compact cases (160x105x33,5mm)
• Wide range of supply voltage (11,5V...14,5V, 5W max)

Technical specifications

Analog audio input:

AES/EBU audio input:

Analog audio output:

AES/EBU audio output:

Headphone monitoring output

Mic input

Data I/O

GPIO:

TX optical outputs:

RX optical inputs:

RX/TX specs:

Power consumption: less than 5W

Supply voltage: 11,5V...14,5V

Power adapter: 12V at 1A

Operating temperature range: -30° ... +45° Centigrade

Uptime: 24 hours daily

Dimensions: 160mm*100mm*33,5mm

PBX-AF-100 description

Simplified schematic diagram, list of available modules

The ProBox family devices are compact autonomous units.

A converter is made up of a PBX-AF-100 or PBX-DF-100 base module and an SFP. Dependng on the SFP type inserted the base module is auto-convigured for the desired funtional capability. SFPs should be ordered separately.

PBX-AF-100 simplified schematics

PBX-AF-100 base modules

Table #1

An explanation of designation codes:

• the number of audio channels supported (four or eight) is encoded in the "-4" or "-8" value respectively
  Maximum number of supported channel can not exceed 9 - counting the InterCom channel
• the type of audio interface (analog or AES/EBU) is encoded as follows below:
  • A - four analog audio channels (two stereo pairs)
  • E - two AES/EBU channels
  • AA - eight analog audio channels (four stereo pairs)
  • AE - four analog audio channels (two stereo pairs) and two AES/EBU channels
  • EA - two AES/EBU channels and four analog audio channels
  • EE - four AES/EBU channels

SFPs should be ordered separately.

Recommendations on SFP selection.

• Least expensive option is to use a separate fiber for each transmission line
• Less powerful lasers of FP type are cheaper
• CWDM allowing to re-use the same fiber for many transmission lines makes the infrastructure more expensive
• When choosing an SFP pair - consult with optical budget at the working wavelength or the fiber distance (see the following tables

Optical link budget estimation example:

An SFP pair consisting of the PRFT-1330T-35D transmitter and the PRFT-30R-D receiver provides the following link:
the TX's output optical power is 0...+3dBm, the RX's optical sensitivity is -24dBm, therefore the budget is 24dB. Average optical losses are 0.3dBm/kilometer, giving us the approximate 80km working distance.
If the losses are known to be less - it is advisable to use a less powerful TX (the PRFT-1330T-10D) instead.

Transmitters.

Receivers.

Dual-fiber transceivers.

Single-fiber transceivers.

Functional schematics and Rx/Tx pair interworkings description

A base module is automatically configured by the type of SFP inserted: with a Tx type SFP the ProBox module becomes an audio transmitter, with a Rx type SFP - the same ProBox module becomes an audio receiver. An optical link for audio and data signals is established between such configured devices.

Transmitter, SFP of Tx (-T) type – the audio ports become inputs.

ProBox becomes an unidirectional transmitter of audio (four or eight channels), InterCom's microphone signal , RS-232/422 and GPIO data.

Receiver, SFP of Rx (-R) type - the audio ports become outputs.

ProBox becomes an unidirectional receiver of audio (four or eight channels), InterCom's headphone output, RS-232/422 and GPIO data.

Simplified schematics of PBX-AF-100-XXX-T1F transmitters
and PBX-AF-100-XXX-R1F receivers.

Functional schematics and description of the interworkings of a transceiver pair.

Transceiver, Tx+Rx type SFP (receiver + transmitter) - (-TR) index.

In an eight-channel case the A and B ports become audio inputs, the C and D ports become audio outputs.

A ProBox device becomes a transceiver capable of a bidirectional communication of four-channel audio, bidirectional InterCom link, bidirectional RS-232/422 and GPIO data.

In a four-channel case the PBX-AF-100-4A-T-TR1F/2F, PBX-AF-100-4E-T-TR1F/2F have the A and B ports as audio inputs, the C and D ports are not used.

A ProBox device becomes a four-channel audio transmitter with bidirectional InterCom link, bidirectional RS-232/422 and GPIO data.

In a four-channel case the PBX-AF-100-4A-R-TR1F/2F, PBX-AF-100-4E-R-TR1F/2F have the A and B ports unused, the C and D ports become audio outputs.

A ProBox device becomes a four-channel audio receiver with bidirectional InterCom link, bidirectional RS-232/422 and GPIO data.

There are twin-fiber (the -2F index) and single-fiber (the -1F index denoting the built-in WDM) optical transceivers.

PBX-AF-100-XXX-TR2F series schematic.

PBX-AF-100-XXX-TR1F series schematic.

Functional schematics and description of the data-only transceiver pair.

The PBX-DF-100-1F, PBX-DF-100-2F models are capable of bidirectional InterCom link and bidirectional RS-232/422/GPIO data.

PBX-DF-100-XXX-TR2F series schematic.

PBX-DF-100-XXX-TR1F series schematic.

Using ProBox devices in CWDM infrastructures.

For optical transmission the following wavelenghts are available: 1310nm, 1550nm or sixteen CWDM channels (from 1270nm to 1610nm in 20nm increments).

If SFP with the CWDM lasers and an external CWDM optical MUX/DEMUX is used - it is possible to communicate several audio and video channels over a single optical fiber.

”ProBox” family provides the following types of CWDM MUX/DEMUX:

PBX-COM-4-1270  (four-channel, 1270nm starting wavelength)

PBX-COM-4-1470  (four channels, 1470nm starting wavelength, 1310nm upgrade port )

PBX-COM-4-1550  (four channels, 1550nm starting wavelength, 1310nm upgrade port)

PBX-COM-8-1270  (eight channels, 1270nm starting wavelength)

PBX-COM-8-1470  (eight channels, 1470nm starting wavelength, 1310nm upgrade port)

PBX-COM-16-1270 (sixteen channels, 1270nm starting wavelength)

The means of controls

PBX-AF-100 frontal panel view

PBX-AF-100 rear panel view

Indicators and controls.

Indicators

LEDs for operational mode indication are located on the frontal and rear panels of the unit.

Frontal panel:
• LINK - red/green LED (recevers only) signal presence indication. Lit in green - a valid input signal detected, lit in red - no signal is detected
• Rx fault - lits in red if no optical input signal or below -28dBm
• Tx fault - lits in red if output optical power is not within the -3dBm ~ +3dBm range
• TON - lits in red if 1kHz test signal is enabled in any of the channels
• INVERS - lits in red if an input signal phase inversion is enabled in any of the transmitter's channels

Rear panel:
• INP/OUT 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 - red/green LEDs indicating the input or output assignment of the relevant audio port
• AES/ANALOG 1..4 - red/green LEDs indicating the audio signal format: lit in green for AES, lit in red for analog
• AES/ANALOG 1..4 - red/green LEDs indicating the audio signal format: lit in green for AES, lit in red for analog
• AES/ANALOG 5..8 - red/green LEDs indicating the audio signal format: lit in green for AES, lit in red for analog
• POWER - red LED indicating the power ON condition

Ordering guide

Please state all of the following information.

The designation codes of the 4/8-channel receivers or transmitters and 8-channel transceivers:

PBX-AF-100-#XX-@#F

Where:

# - denotes the number of audio channels (4 or 8)

XX - denotes the audio interface types present on the device:

• AA - eight analog
• AE - four analog, two AES/EBU
• EA - two AES/EBU, four analog
• EE - four AES/EBU

@ - denotes the SFP type:

• T - transmitter
• R - receiver
• TR - transceiver

#F - denotes the number of fibers used (2 or 1. The "2F" index is optional for transceivers only; receivers and transmitters always have the "1F" index)

The designation codes of the 4-channel audio/data transceivers:

PBX-AF-100-4XX-@-TR#F

Where:

4 - denotes the number of audio channels is four

XX - denotes the audio interface types present on the device:

• AA - eight analog
• AE - four analog, two AES/EBU
• EA - two AES/EBU, four analog
• EE - four AES/EBU

@ - denotes the direction of audio link:

• T - audio transmitter
• R - audio receiver

#F - denotes the number of fibers used (1 or 2)

The designation codes of data-only transceivers:

PBX-DF-100-TR#F

Where:

#F - denotes the number of fibers used (1 or 2)

Mechanical outlines

The ProBox devices are featuring the small outline cases of 160*105*33,5 mm. Each one is fitted with a 12V/1A mains adapter.

Settings and configuration

All the controls are located at the frontal panel of the unit:

• OLED display
• four buttons for menu scrolling and activation:
  • MODE+ / MODE- for the menu's pages scrolling
  • DOWN / UP for a menu entry selection or modification

A transmitter controls menu

• 1. Status page:
  • AF-100-XXX-T - receiver model
  • SFP TX OK - an SFP status
• 2. Information page on the output optical power and wavelength
• 3. PHONE MON SEL - selects the audio channel for headphone monitoring:
  • INTERCOM - audio channel from the other side's microphone
  • INP 1/2 - port A input stereo pair 1/2 monitoring
  • INP 3/4 - port B input stereo pair 3/4 monitoring
  • INP 5/6 - port C input stereo pair 5/6 monitoring
  • INP 7/8 - port D input stereo pair 7/8 monitoring
• 4. PHONE VOLUME - headphone volume setting, from -57dB to +6dB in 1dB increments
• 5. MICROPHONE SENSE - microphone sensitivity setting
• 6. INP GAIN 1/2 - gain adjustment in the channels 1/2 at port A (±6dB with 0.2dB increments)
• 7. INP GAIN 3/4 - gain adjustment in the channels 3/4 at port B (±6dB with 0.2dB increments)
• 8. INP GAIN 5/6 - gain adjustment in the channels 5/6 at port C (±6dB with 0.2dB increments)
• 9. INP GAIN 7/8 - gain adjustment in the channels 7/8 at port D (±6dB with 0.2dB increments)
• 10. INP POLARITY 1..8 - audio input polarity inversion ON/OFF
  • NORM - input signal inversion is OFF
  • INVERS - input signal inversion is ON. The INVERS LED is lit on the frontal panel.
• 11. INP TON - 1kHz test signal ON/OFF:
  • OFF - 1kHz test signal is OFF
  • Ch 1 - 1kHz test signal is ON in the channel #1
  • Ch 2 - 1kHz test signal is ON in the channel #2
  • Ch 12 - 1kHz test signal is ON in channels #1 and #2
  • Ch 3 - 1kHz test signal is ON in the channel #3
  • Ch 4 - 1kHz test signal is ON in the channel #4
  • Ch 34 - 1kHz test signal is ON in channels #3 and #4
  • Ch 5 - 1kHz test signal is ON in the channel #5
  • Ch 6 - 1kHz test signal is ON in the channel #6
  • Ch 56 - 1kHz test signal is ON in channels #5 and #6
  • Ch 7 - 1kHz test signal is ON in the channel #7
  • Ch 8 - 1kHz test signal is ON in the channel #8
  • Ch 78 - 1kHz test signal is ON in channels #7 and #8
  • ALL - 1kHz test signal is ON in all channels
• 12. DATA PORT 1 SEL - data format selection for the data port #1:
  • RS-232 - data port #1 is set for the RS-232 signals format
  • RS-422 - data port #1 is set for the RS-422 signals format
• 13. DATA PORT 2 SEL - data format selection for the data port #2:
  • RS-232 - data port #2 is set for RS-232 signals format
  • RS-422 - data port #2 is set for RS-422 signals format
• 14. - firmware version and data information

A receiver controls menu

• 1. Status page:
  • AF-100-XXX-R - receiver model
  • LINK OK / LOSS - connection status
• 2. Information page on the input optical power
• 3. PHONE MON SEL - selects the audio channel for headphone monitoring:
  • INTERCOM - audio channel from the other side's microphone
  • OUT A - port A output stereo pair monitoring
  • OUT B - port B output stereo pair monitoring
  • OUT C - port C output stereo pair monitoring
  • OUT D - port D output stereo pair monitoring
• 4. PHONE VOLUME - headphone volume setting, from -57dB to +6dB in 1dB increments
• 5. MICROPHONE SENSE - microphone sensitivity setting
• 6. OUT PORT ASSIGN, PORT A - output port A channels assignment:
  • 1/2 - the channels #1 and #2 assigned for the port A
  • 3/4 - the channels #3 and #4 assigned for the port A
  • 5/6 - the channels #5 and #6 assigned for the port A
  • 7/8 - the channels #7 and #8 assigned for the port A
• 7. OUT PORT ASSIGN, PORT B - output port B channels assignment:
  • 1/2 - the channels #1 and #2 assigned for the port B
  • 3/4 - the channels #3 and #4 assigned for the port B
  • 5/6 - the channels #5 and #6 assigned for the port B
  • 7/8 - the channels #7 and #8 assigned for the port B
• 8. OUT PORT ASSIGN, PORT C - output port C channels assignment:
  • 1/2 - the channels #1 and #2 assigned for the port C
  • 3/4 - the channels #3 and #4 assigned for the port C
  • 5/6 - the channels #5 and #6 assigned for the port C
  • 7/8 - the channels #7 and #8 assigned for the port C
• 9. OUT PORT ASSIGN, PORT D - output port D channels assignment:
  • 1/2 - the channels #1 and #2 assigned for the port D
  • 3/4 - the channels #3 and #4 assigned for the port D
  • 5/6 - the channels #5 and #6 assigned for the port D
  • 7/8 - the channels #7 and #8 assigned for the port D
• 10. OUT PORT A GAIN - port A stereo pair gain setting (±6dB with 0.2dB increments)
• 11. OUT PORT B GAIN - port B stereo pair gain setting (±6dB with 0.2dB increments)
• 12. OUT PORT C GAIN - port C stereo pair gain setting (±6dB with 0.2dB increments)
• 13. OUT PORT D GAIN - port D stereo pair gain setting (±6dB with 0.2dB increments)
• 14. DATA PORT 1 SEL - data format selection for the data port #1:
  • RS-232 - data port #1 is set for the RS-232 signals format
  • RS-422 - data port #1 is set for the RS-422 signals format
• 15. DATA PORT 2 SEL - data format selection for the data port #2:
  • RS-232 - data port #2 is set for RS-232 signals format
  • RS-422 - data port #2 is set for RS-422 signals format
• 16. - firmware version and data information

PBX-AF-100-XXX-TR2F(1F) series transceiver controls menu

• 1. Status page:
  • AF-100-XXX-TR - transceiver model
  • LINK OK / LOSS - connection status
• 2. Information page on the input optical power, the wavelength and output optical power
• 3. PHONE MON SEL - selects the audio channel for headphone monitoring:
  • INTERCOM - audio channel from the other side's microphone
  • INP 1/2 - input stereo pair 1/2 monitoring, port A
  • INP 3/4 - input stereo pair 3/4 monitoring, port B
  • OUT C - output stereo pair monitoring, port C
  • OUT D - output stereo pair monitoring, port D
• 4. PHONE VOLUME - headphone volume setting, from -57dB to +6dB in 1dB increments
• 5. MICROPHONE SENSE - microphone sensitivity setting
• 6. INP GAIN 1/2 - port A input stereo pair 1/2 gain setting (±6dB with 0.2dB increments)
• 7. INP GAIN 3/4 - port B input stereo pair 3/4 gain setting (±6dB with 0.2dB increments)
• 8. INP POLARITY 1..4 - audio input polarity inversion ON/OFF
  • NORM - input signal inversion is OFF
  • INVERS - input signal inversion is ON. The INVERS LED is lit on the frontal panel.
• 9. INP TON - 1kHz test signal ON/OFF:
  • OFF - 1kHz test signal is OFF
  • Ch 1 - 1kHz test signal is ON in the channel #1
  • Ch 2 - 1kHz test signal is ON in the channel #2
  • Ch 12 - 1kHz test signal is ON in channels #1 and #2
  • Ch 3 - 1kHz test signal is ON in the channel #3
  • Ch 4 - 1kHz test signal is ON in the channel #4
  • Ch 34 - 1kHz test signal is ON in channels #3 and #4
  • ALL - 1kHz test signal is ON in all channels
• 10. OUT PORT ASSIGN, PORT C - output port C channels assignment:
  • 1/2 - the channels #1 and #2 assigned for the port C
  • 3/4 - the channels #3 and #4 assigned for the port C
• 11. OUT PORT ASSIGN, PORT D - output port C channels assignment:
  • 1/2 - the channels #1 and #2 assigned for the port C
  • 3/4 - the channels #3 and #4 assigned for the port C
• 12. OUT PORT C GAIN - gain adjustment in the channels assigned for the port C (±6dB with 0.2dB increments)
• 13. OUT PORT D GAIN - gain adjustment in the channels assigned for the port D (±6dB with 0.2dB increments)
• 14. DATA PORT 1 SEL - data format selection for the data port #1:
  • RS-232 - data port #1 is set for the RS-232 signals format
  • RS-422 - data port #1 is set for the RS-422 signals format
• 15. DATA PORT 2 SEL - data format selection for the data port #2:
  • RS-232 - data port #2 is set for RS-232 signals format
  • RS-422 - data port #2 is set for RS-422 signals format
• 16. - firmware version and data information

PBX-DF-100-TR2F(1F) series transceiver controls menu

• 1. Status page:
  • DF-100-TR - transceiver model
  • LINK OK / LOSS - connection status
• 2. Information page on the input optical power, the wavelength and output optical power
• 3. PHONE MON SEL - selects the audio channel for headphone monitoring:
  • INTERCOM - audio channel from the other side's microphone
• 4. PHONE VOLUME - headphone volume setting, from -57dB to +6dB in 1dB increments
• 5. MICROPHONE SENSE - microphone sensitivity setting
• 6. DATA PORT 1 SEL - data channel #1 format selection:
  • RS-232 - data channel #1 settings for RS-232 format
  • RS-422 - data channel #1 settings for RS-422 format
• 7. DATA PORT 2 SEL - data channel #2 format selection:
  • RS-232 - data channel #2 settings for RS-232 format
  • RS-422 - data channel #2 settings for RS-422 format
• 8. - firmware version and data information