Lightware has announced Ubex, a networked AV extender that can operate as a virtual matrix using a standard Ethernet switch as a crosspoint, while also working as a point-to-point extender.
The optical unit allows 4K UHD@60Hz 4:4:4 signal extension with the use of packet-based transmission. Video signals are transmitted uncompressed over 20Gbps. Minimal, visually lossless compression can be used to extend two 4K signals simultaneously over two 10 Gbps fibres.
Standard, certificated 10 Gbps SFP+ optical modules are installed in the device. Duplex multimode/singlemode modules (one fiber for each direction per 10 Gbps link) or bi-directional singlemode modules (one fibre for both directions per 10 Gbps link) can be selected.
The number of I/O ports in a Ubex (Ultra Bandwidth Extender) based virtual matrix only is only limited by the size of the standard Ethernet switch used in the network.
Ubex units are designed to work as transmitters, receivers or transceivers, depending on a firmware change. In transceiver mode the device can transmit and receive 4K signals simultaneously. Ubex supports operating in daisy chain mode so is suited to large digital signage projects.
The maximum reachable extension distance with multimode modules (OM4) is 400m, with short range singlemode modules it is 10km, or with long range singlemode modules it can reach 80km. The number of necessary fibres depends on the link speed and the optical module: for 10 Gbps one or two fibres, for 20 Gbps two or four fibres, for 40 Gbps four or eight fibres are needed.