Novastar - Card OUT 4x Fibre (10G) - MX Series

The NovaStar Card OUT 4x Fibre (10G) – MX Series is designed for configurations where multiple network links need to exit an MX chassis whilst maintaining fibre cabling over long distances. It is installed in an MX Series Main Frame and provides four independent 10G optical outputs.

Each fibre port can carry the equivalent of ten 1G Ethernet links. A single card can therefore manage up to 40 1G Ethernet outputs after conversion, providing significant distribution capacity without having to run individual network links between the processor and the displays. This configuration can, in particular, simplify the connection process when several zones of an LED screen need to be powered from a control room or a technical rack.

The four 10G SFP ports are compatible with modules designed for either single-mode or multi-mode fibre. The maximum advertised distance is 10 km with a suitable configuration. However, the SFP modules are not supplied with the card: they must be selected separately depending on the type of fibre used and the distance to be covered.

The load capacity depends on the colour depth and refresh rate. At 8-bit and 60 Hz, each 1G Ethernet port can support up to 659,722 pixels, giving a total capacity of 26,388,880 pixels across the 40 ports. At 10 or 12-bit resolution at 60 Hz, the capacity per port drops to 329,861 pixels, giving a total of 13,194,440 pixels. These figures make it easier to determine whether the card is suitable for the number of pixels and the processing requirements of the display.

A scaling function is also available, and processing can reach up to 12 bits. The card can therefore be integrated into a video distribution chain where the Main Frame handles the processing and fibre links are used to connect the various reception points.

With its four 10G optical interfaces, the Card OUT 4x Fibre (10G) is therefore a particularly attractive distribution solution for NovaStar MX systems requiring numerous network outputs and significant physical separation between the processing unit and the LED screens.