Canon's Canobeam FSO system tapped for high-bandwidth data network

SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 -- Denver-based network integrator Fiber Channels Inc. recently was tapped to develop a high-bandwidth data network for a major charity golf tournament at the new 225-acre Classic Course at NorthStar in Palm Desert, CA. Fiber Channels selected Canon U.S.A's (search Canon) Canobeam DT-130 optical wireless data transmission system to establish a Gigabit Ethernet link across city property, private land, railroad tracks, an interstate highway, and a country road.

"The Canobeam DT-130 enabled us to do a lot of things that have never been done before," reports Victor Braud, managing director of Fiber Channels Inc. "The reliability and high-bandwidth capabilities of the system meant we were able to provide VoIP [Voice over Internet Protocol] to 300 voice lines and data to 300 IP addresses spread around the course during a major annual, nationally televised golf tournament."

Although the nearest connection to the Coachella Valley fiber network was geographically close to the Classic Course at NorthStar, the path to this connection--at California State University's Palm Desert campus--was intersected by several obstacles, including California's busy Interstate 10. With no guarantee that an underground fiber path could be completed on time, Braud decided to install the Canobeam DT-130 optical wireless data transmission system to ensure that a high-bandwidth link would be in place for the tournament.

"We knew from the outset that laying out fiber paths was going to be extremely complicated," Braud explains. "The line-of-sight distance between the two Canobeam transceivers was not that long, but the path we needed to build that cable through was close to 25,000 feet in length and included crossing city property, two private parcels of land, a railroad, Interstate 10, and a county road. Each of those steps required a permit, fees, and deposits, but mostly they required a great deal of time," he recalls. "It literally took us six months to complete the paperwork. With the Canobeam, however, once you take delivery of the units, set-up can be completed in a matter of hours."

Canobeam uses a line-of-sight beam of light to transmit high-bandwidth data wirelessly via Free Space Optics (FSO) technology (search Free Space Optics). Because radio waves are not employed, setting up a Canobeam does not require frequency coordination or licenses. Set-up is quick, and line-of-sight FSO ensures that the signal is secure and free from interception, say Canon representatives.

The Canobeam DT-130, one of three models in the Canobeam line, offers data rates of up to 1.25 Gbits/sec for Gigabit Ethernet networking at a range of 100 m to 1,000 m (more than half a mile). The DT-130 also incorporates a 3R Function (re-shaping, re-timing, and re-generating), which allows its data signal to be relayed without loss of strength or quality, claims the company. The Canobeam DT-110 delivers a range of data speeds from 25 Mbits/sec to 156 Mbits/sec at a range of from 20 m to 500 m. The Canobeam DT-120 provides the same data speeds as the DT-110, but at a range of from 100 m to 2 km (1.24 miles).

All Canobeam systems feature built-in Auto Tracking that automatically adjusts the FSO light beam to compensate for even the slightest vibrations in the installation base that might be caused by wind or weather. Auto Tracking continually self-corrects Canobeam's optical beam axis, maintaining precise and reliable data transmission at all times, says the company. According to Canon, it is the only manufacturer to offer Auto Tracking as a standard feature at price points that are highly competitive with systems that do not offer tracking as standard equipment. Another standard feature in all DT-100 series Canobeam models is Canobeam's DT-MNG-100 Management Board, which enables users to monitor the status of Canobeam transceivers via SNMP or Telnet (for monitoring and setting). In addition, diagnostic logs can be stored in a PC via FTP (for log data transmission).

"Canobeam provided us with a very dependable solution for completing our network," Braud adds. "We haven't dropped a single bit since we installed it. It's come through in all sorts of weather, including a lot of dusty days and at least one severe rainstorm. In fact, our Canobeam is actually exceeding its specified maximum distance. It was also very easy to train the local tech on all aspects of general maintenance."

Minneapolis-based Systems Support Solutions performed the site survey, link engineering, physical installation, and ongoing support for this project.