...Satellite 2013. This comes amid news that ETL has expanded with the launch of its North American headquarters in Washington DC to cope with a surge in demand.

With almost two thirds of sales coming from U.S.-based customers, ETL Systems has opened a regional headquarters in Washington DC. The leading designer of satellite equipment has appointed former Intelsat and Harris Caprock SATCOM specialist, Susan Saadat, as Vice President to lead the office. The expansion will support ETL’s already strong presence in the U.S. market which accounts for more than 60 percent of its total annualised broadcast, satellite communication, system integration and government orders.

ETL has been involved in a major U.S. Government satellite downlink project to provide expansion and redundancy RF matrix systems for routing satellite signals. The heart of the systems were based on ETL’s proven Enigma Matrix modules. ETL’s 25-strong team of R&D experts also created a newly designed NGM-32 especially for the project, to handle a higher 1dB gain compression point of greater than8dBm. The NGM-33 (950-2450MHz) matrix has also recently been put into service with CP Communications to offer a unique solution to outside broadcasts. Along with newly developed matrix control software, multiple radio camera antennas can be seamlessly switched to diversity receivers and maintain coverage.

ETL V-series family, designed and built at ETL’s base in the U.K., includes the 128x128 Vulcan Matrix Router, the 64x64 Vortex Matrix Router, the new 16x32 Valiant Matrix and the 16x16 Victor Matrix. All are capable of remote control via serial or Ethernet port with a SNMP and web browser interface.

Also on display for the first time will be ETL’s dual redundant amplifier unit which is typically used in the front end of the RF chain, providing cable loss for teleports, TVRO and head-ends. This amplifier unit contains dual redundant hot-swap L-band variable gain amplifier modules and is housed in a compact 1U high 19” rack mountable shelf. It operates over the 850-2150MHz frequency range, with up to 36dB gain and up to 8dB positive slope compensation.

The new 2x1 Redundancy Switch, Model 23206, may be used to provide redundancy for a main feed in the event of failure. It includes a modem alarm input for automatic switching and operates in the extended L-band (850-2450MHz) range. The shelf can be operated in manual, auto or remote mode with dual redundant power supplies for reliability in service. It is a non-latching coaxial relay based often used as a failsafe to the standby feed and switches to standby if no power is applied.

These products can be used in all sectors such as broadcast, telecoms, satellite operator and government/military.