FoxBox Fiber Optic Link and Distribution System
 |
FoxBox is a fiber-optic distribution system for RS-170 or
NTSC video and RS-232 serial data communications. FoxBox consists
of one Master Control Station and at least one Remote Station.
Bidirectional video and serial data flow between the two stations via a
single fiber optic cable. |
|
In addition, up to three additional
remote control stations and seven additional remote stations can be added to
the distribution system. A Graphical User's Interface (GUI)
software application controls the configuration of a multiplexer
(cross-bar switch, or mux) in the master control station to route
(distribute) video and serial data throughout the system. The mux
is dynamically reconfigurable from the master or any of the remote
control stations.
FoxBox System Overview (.doc) |
|
| Remote Station The FoxBox Remote Station (RS) links
an RS-170 video source (typically a TV or Infrared camera) into the
distribution system, and connects provides an RS-232 bidirectional
serial communications link between the remote device and the master and
other optional control stations. |
 |
 |
Remote Control Station The FoxBox Remote Control
Station (RCS) receives one of many RS-170 video sources for display on a
local monitor. The source is configured in the master control
station multiplexer, and may be dynamically reconfigured. The RCS
has RS-232 bidirectional serial communications with the remote device
from which it is currently receiving video. |
| FoxBox Mux The FoxBox multiplexer (mux) is the heart
of the Master Control Station. The mux allows for dynamic
reconfiguration of the entire distribution network. The mux is
controlled by an embedded microprocessor. A PC is required to
communicate and configure the mux using the GUI application, FoxBox
Control Program. |
 |
 |
User-programmable Configuration Port FoxBox Control
Program (FCP for Windows), a Windows PC application program allows
dynamic reconfiguration of the entire network. The program
displays the number of remote stations, the remote control stations, and
the status of each one. FCP for Windows allows the administrator
to control all the control stations in the network from one convenient
location, or to give control to any other control station.
User's Guide
(.doc) |
|
