SYDNEY—MCG Scoreboard Control has deployed a new Fujinon UA 107 for live match coverage of Australian Football League (AFL) matches. 

The global integrated agency MKTG Sports + Entertainment operates the MCG Scoreboard Control as part of the commercial rights agreement to deliver the AFL. That agreement requires them to produce an in-venue coverage of AFL matches for the two big screens separate from the broadcast coverage. 

The match coverage is provided primarily through two fixed stand cameras, a tight shot provided by an 87x lens and a 40x for wider shots, and an AFL owned portable RF camera that completes the production. Recently, as part of a requirement for a newer, more powerful lens and for that they chose the Fujinon UA107.

“The two stand cameras need to be very agile and closely follow or anticipate the play,” explained MKTG's general manager of operations and technology, Mike Lewis. “The existing Fujinon 87x lens had served us well after 15 years of service and required replacement. The MCC, the equipment owner, agreed replacement was required and asked MKTG to facilitate options for replacement.”

The lens's requirements needed to be futureproofed for the MCC, and according to Lewis, the 4K UA 107 was the right choice for the application. 

“Fan engagement and brand activation are essential considerations in entertaining crowds before matches or during breaks in play,” he added. “The Fujinon UA 107 allows the operator to shoot very tight, keep up with the play, and easily single out spectators for big-screen coverage. The MCC asked us to provide options for them that would be best in class and ensure that they were futureproofed with compatible 4K capability, the Fujinon lens met that requirement. Feedback from the operators and producers has been excellent.”

MCC's general manager - IT and innovation, Rey Sumaru, noted that “the investment in this new Fujinon lens sees a commitment to the future ensuring our technological purchases keep us current and ensure we have an eye on future 4K development." 

LOWELL, MASS. and SPARTANBURG, S.C.—AFL announces the release of the FS200-60 Live PON troubleshooting OTDR, the newest member in its family of FlexScan pocket-sized OTDRs. Designed for technicians activating and maintaining fiber-to-home passive optical network PON subscriber connections, the FS200-60 includes a 1650 nm filtered OTDR, Visual Fault Locator, optional power meter and optional Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity.

“The FS200-60 is an ideal solution for network operators who either subcontract network installation or have separate workforces responsible for network installation and subscriber activation,” said Michael Scholten, senior product marketing manager for AFL’s Test & Inspection Division. “This OTDR allows technicians to verify downstream power level at the subscriber’s ONT, and also to troubleshoot upstream using a Live PON OTDR and VFL without disrupting service to other subscribers.”

AFL chose 1650 nm as its in-service PON troubleshooting wavelength since next-generation PON technologies (XGS-PON, NG-PON2) utilize downstream wavelengths encroaching on the 1625 nm wavelength previously used for live PON testing.

AFL’s growing family of FlexScan OTDRs also includes FS200-100/300 models for 1310/1550 nm out-of-service installation verification and the FS200-304 model for 1310/1550/1650 nm point-to-point and PON verification and troubleshooting.

All FlexScan OTDRs include AFL’s SmartAuto multi-pulse acquisition, enabling users to detect closely spaced events before a PON splitter while still testing effectively through the splitter. FlexScan OTDRs also display test results in both AFL’s icon-based LinkMap view and OTDR trace view, allowing users to quickly and easily locate faults and identify the necessary corrective action. With up to 37 dB dynamic range, the FS200-60 can test through splitters on FTTH PONs having split ratios up to 1:64.

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Global fiber optics manufacturer AFL has announced that has been awarded three patents for use with the company’s Optical Connectivity and Apparatus products.

The first patent is for an Optical Fiber Event Sensor that allows continuous monitoring of network assets, like fiber distribution cabinets. The sensor creates an event by inducing a set amount of attenuation when compressed or released. A single fiber is looped through all of the sensors in series so that multiple assets can be monitored. An optical monitoring device connected to the fiber then scans for these attenuation events and alerts an operator when and where they occur. The patent was granted to Ted Lichoulas, engineering manager, Roger Vaughn, product technology manager, and Wink Courchaine, senior engineer.

Rich Cubala, OSP product specialist, and Craig Henderson, regional sales manager, received the second patent for a splice tray rail system. The trays are attached to a rail connector plate that allows the splice trays to be moved easily from the stack and over the rails to access an individual tray without disturbing other trays and splices.

The third patent was awarded to Kheng Seng, director of supply chain for OCA, for a secured fiber optic connecting system and method using offset fiber position in a single fiber connector. Combining fiber’s offset distance from the ferrule’s longitudinal center axis and its angular offset relative to a key on the connector housing provides a unique position achieving secured mating for a pair of connectors.