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PICO MACOM
Fiber Optic
Series
Chapter 1
Introduction
1.
Introducing the Pico Macom PFR Optical Forward
Receiver
90-264 VAC
47-63
RF OUT 2
LOC IN
RF OUT 1
FU
SE
FU
SE
FUSE
ON/OFF
FUSE
POWER
-5dBm -3dBm -2dBm -1dBm 0dBm 2dBm
OPTICAL POWER DISPLAY
VAR EQL
VAR ATT
CATV ROOM OPTICAL RECEIVER
PFR front panel
The Pico Macom
PfR
Optical Forward Receiver is a 1 RU (1.75 high x 19 inches wide) rack
mountable chassis with one Optical Forward Receiver included. The PFR accepts one optical
fiber input carrying a RF analog signal in the 50 to 860 MHz range. The PFR will output that
RF Signal. The PFR-2 model places that RF signal on two female F-connector outputs and the
PFR-4 places that signal on four RF female F-connector outputs. The PFR-2 and PFR-4 models
are otherwise the same and this manual refers to the PFR to include both models unless specifi-
cally stated as PFR-2 and PFR-4.
The PFR receives a wide range of optical carriers, from 1290 nm to 1600 nm, allowing use
with common 1310 nm and common 1550 nm wavelength transmitters. The optical input is
monitored and the front panel OPTICAL LED is lighted when a signal in the 1290 to 1600 nm
wavelengths is present.
Optical output connectors on the standard PFR are SC/APC type, common to the cable industry
and used for their low loss and back reflection. Other connectors, most commonly FC/APC
type are used and may be available; see your sales representative for special ordering.
The PFR outputs RF signals within the 54 to 860 MHz range, using a cable industry standard
F-connector. The RF signal taken from the optical carrier is split into 2 or 4 primary outputs.
This signal may carry analog NTSC modulated carriers or QAM carriers or any mixture of ana-
log and QAM carriers. The signal may be one 6 MHz modulated channel (or less) or up to 134
channels. Each RF output of up to 45 dBmV may be attenuated using front panel adjustments.
There is no AGC in this unit. Each of the 2 or 4 outputs has a rear panel test port at approxi-
mately -20 dBc from the primary outputs, so you may monitor the RF signal without intruding
on the system operation.
The
PfR
is used with PFT 1310 nm transmitters offered by Pico Macom or with other manu-
facturer’s transmitters to receive up to 130 analog RF channels in a secondary headend or hub
in the downstream portion of a cable broadband distribution plant or to receive point-to-point
signals from an ancillary site (local school or government transmissions) back to a PFR in the
cable master headend. Care is taken in the manufacture to provide the best balance of Carrier-
to-Noise and distortions for NTSC and QAM signals.
