Easy Evaluation of Ethernet Over Plastic or Glass Optical Fibre

The latest Future-Blox development board provides out-of-the-box evaluation and fast prototyping of Ethernet over Plastic Optical Fibre (POF) or Glass Optical Fibre (GOF).

The MediaNet Converter Kit comprises two boards which combine Avago Technologies’ AFBR-5978Z fast Ethernet optical transceiver and National Semiconductor’s DP83849IF dual PHY with flexible port switching. This provides a platform for easy conversion and comparison between Ethernet over CAT5 copper cable and Ethernet over plastic or glass optical fibre.

The AFBR-5978Z transceiver enables fast 100Mbit/s Ethernet over 50m of plastic optical fibre or 100m of glass optical fibre. This makes the MediaNet Converter Kit suitable for developing point-to-point communication links within harsh industrial environments, or where high electrical isolation is required. National’s DP83849IF dual PHY features two fully independent 10/100 Ethernet ports for multi-port applications. A unique port-switching capability allows the two Ethernet ports to be configured to provide range extension, media conversion and hardware-based fail-over or port monitoring. This gives the MediaNet Converter Kit the flexibility to be used as a stand-alone platform, or to be connected to a range of other Future- Blox boards.

Designed by Future Electronics and available exclusively to Future Board Club members, the MediaNet Converter Kit includes two MediaNet Future-Blox and an SC-RJ plastic optical fibre cable. The bundled software tools enable easy user configuration and monitoring of the AFBR-5978Z transceiver and DP83849IF dual PHY for different modes of operation.

 

FEATURES Rapid Ethernet over POF/GOF evaluation Standalone or connect to other Future-Blox via 160-position board-to-board interface AFBR-5978Z transceiver with transmit disable manual override DP83849IF dual 10/100 PHY with flexible port switching Extended capability parallel-port interface DIP switches and strap link headers Two MII ports Two RJ-45 CAT5 cable connectors with magnetics LED status bank 25MHz crystal oscillator

APPLICATIONS Prototyping Ethernet over POF/GOF Conversion between CAT5 and POF/GOF Optical Ethernet repeaters CAT5 copper Ethernet repeaters Ethernet port swaps

 

 

The MediaNet Conversion Kit is available to members of the Future Board Club. To apply for the development board, and membership of the Board Club, go to www.my-boardclub.com/manf-offers.htm This offer is free and subject to qualification.

 

Future / MediaNet Converter kit