Electroline Equipment Inc.
Founded in 1953, Electroline was among the first companies in
the world to manufacture affordable broadband addressable
control systems for cable TV. Initially, the Company sold and
installed television antennas, gradually providing products for
the distribution of TV signals to apartment buildings, for use
by the first cable service providers.
By the late 1970s, Electroline shifted toward the high-
technology sector, with a focus on research and development.
This new in-house knowledge would lead to the launch of a
cutting-edge technology: the Electroline Addressable System
(EAS), which would become the worlds most widely used cable TV
off-premises control system. Over 4 million ports - sold
worldwide - now allow cable service providers to instantly
activate or terminate service to subscribers without dispatching
technicians on-site.
In the 1990s, Electroline faced the challenges posed by the wide-
scale changes occurring in cable technology by becoming a world
leader in the process of detecting, isolating and remedying the
problem of outside interference, or ingress, which had always
been an issue to cable subscribers and providers. The problem
of ingress grows acute when the upstream, or return path is used
for mission-critical applications such as data transmission.
Electroline introduced its CLEARPath technology solution in
1996 to monitor and rapidly detect ingress in a matter of
minutes instead of hours or even days. The CLEARPath system
includes several key components, such as a return path module
(the industry-leading CPM-2), a Test Point Selector (TPS) and
Cable Ingress Management Software (CIM).
Electroline today offers 6 lines of products: broadband
addressable control systems, return path technology solutions,
drop amplifiers and passive CATV devices. In 1999, the Company
continues to forge ahead: its new RetroPlate, for example, now
features addressable functionality and several other avenues are
being explored to remain on the cutting edge of cable service
requirements.
Designed and manufactured in North America, Electrolines
products are distributed worldwide. The Company is
headquartered in Montreal (Canada) and currently employs over
150 people with offices in North America and Europe.
Electrolines facilities are ISO 9001-certified.
Company Details
Year Established:
1953
Total Sales ($CDN):
$10,000,000 - $25,000,000
Number of Employees:
150
Company Information
John Vincent
Title:
President
Area of Responsibility:
Management Executive
Telephone:
(514) 374-6335
Fax:
(514) 374-9370
Email:
Click Here
Carole D. Charbonneau
Title:
Admin/Exec Assistant
Area of Responsibility:
Administrative Services
Telephone:
(514) 374-6335
Fax:
(514) 374-9370
Email:
Click Here
Jay Staiger
Title:
Vice President
Area of Responsibility:
Management Executive
Telephone:
(514) 374-6335
Fax:
(514) 374-9370
Email:
Click Here
Winston Rodrigues
Title:
Vice President
Area of Responsibility:
Management Executive
Telephone:
(514) 374-6335
Fax:
(514) 374-9370
Email:
Click Here
Mitchell Olfman
Title:
Chairman
Area of Responsibility:
Management Executive
Telephone:
(514) 374-6335
Fax:
(514) 374-9370
Email:
Click Here
Raymond Cadieux
Title:
Vice President
Area of Responsibility:
Research/Development/Engineering
Telephone:
(514) 374-6335
Fax:
(514) 374-9370
Email:
Click Here
Alain Servant
Title:
Vice President
Area of Responsibility:
Manufacturing/Production/Operations
Telephone:
(514) 374-6335
Fax:
(514) 374-9370
Email:
Click Here
Serge Beaunoyer
Title:
Controller
Area of Responsibility:
Finance/Accounting
Telephone:
(514) 374-6335
Fax:
(514) 374-9370
Email:
Click Here
Products
Addressable Taps
Return Path Products
Electroline's return path products provide a complete solution
for cable network management. They include CLEARPath field
switching modules (CPMs), Test Point Selectors (TPS) which
monitor individual nodes at the headend and Cable Ingress
Management (CIM) software, combining to easily detect, locate
and remedy cable ingress in a matter of minutes instead of hours
or days.
Remote Return Path Switching Module (CPM-2)
Electrolines CPM-2 is the second-generation return path switch
that locates the source of ingress in a hybrid fiber/coax (HFC)
network. To determine the source of ingress, the CPM-2
selectively switches a 6 dB pad into the return path. The CPM-2
employs a smooth switching transition which will not disrupt
high-speed data services. In locations where ingress is severe,
the CPM-2 can switch off the entire 5-42 MHz band or a portion
of that band if the optional filter is used.
Test Point Selector (TPS)
The Test Point Selector provides remote monitoring of any test
point in a headend or hub. The TPS is a 16:1 intelligent
switcher. Its purpose is to route RF signals from selected test
points to a signal monitoring device (such as a spectrum
analyzer or bit error rate tester). A master TPS can be daisy-
chained to up to three slave TPSs to form a 64-input TPS
Station. In turn the outputs of 64 TPS Stations can be
connected to the inputs of another TPS Station, thus allowing
virtually unlimited expandability.
Cable Ingress Management (CIM) Software
The CLEARPath Cable Ingress Management (CIM) system gives cable
service providers the capability to monitor their network and
control the CPM-2 ingress-locating modules and Test Point
Selectors. A graphical user interface, the CIM software package
is used to manage, control and continuously monitor the upstream
spectrum from all nodes. CIM can compare this spectrum to a
user-defined ``limit line`` or to a spectral trace that is
characteristic for that node.
Amplifiers
Electroline produces several types of top-quality amplifiers
that are ideal for cable network operators requiring
amplification of both downstream and return path signals, as
well as a high degree of isolation between ports.
Electrolines amplifiers are divided into two main categories:
Drop Amplifier (EDA)
The EDA 2000 series of amplifiers are used for boosting the
strength of RF signals delivered over long drops.
Return Path Amplifier (ERA)
The ERA 4000 series of return path amplifiers ensure reliable bi-
directional communication between in-home devices and the
headend.
Line Passives
Electroline also manufactures a wide variety of line passives
for cable service providers:
Splitter (ESI, ECS)
Electrolines splitters distribute an RF signal on a cable so
that it can be shared among two or more destinations. ESI
Splitters are available in eight port, 12 port and 16 port
versions. ECS Splitters are available in two port, three port,
and four port versions, and some are capable of passing power in
addition to RF signals to some or all of the subscriber ports.
Passive SuperTap (ST)
The passive SuperTap is a 1 GHz multitap available in two port,
four port and eight port versions. It can be upgraded in the
field to support telephony, ingress location or addressability.
Passive Telephony SuperTap (STT)
The passive Telephony SuperTap is similar to the passive
SuperTap but is used in telephony applications. All models come
with a power-passing directional coupler that remains in the
housing when the faceplate is removed, thus preventing any
interruptions in service for customers downstream of the unit.
Passive Telephony SuperTap with Power Passing to subscriber
ports (STT)
In addition to the functionality of the passive Telephony
SuperTap (see above), this model offers the added capability of
passing power and RF signals to some or all of the subscriber
ports.
Wall Taps (WT, MWP)
WT and MWP devices tap an RF signal off a cable drop.
Directional Couplers (PDC, ECT)
ECT and PDC Power Passing Directional Couplers pass power, as
well as an RF signal, on a cable out a through-leg and out a
tap. The ECT models are intended for indoor use.
Power Inserters (PI)
Environmentally sealed PI-15 Power Inserters deliver power onto
a cable carrying an RF signal. It features a maximum current
capacity of 15 Amperes.
Equalizers
Equalizers compensate for differential frequency losses across a
length of cable by attenuating signal levels of lower
frequencies so they equal signal levels of higher frequencies.
Several models are available for both indoor and outdoor use.
Filters
Low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band-reject filters are all
available, both for external placement and in some cases, within
the housing of other devices.
Status Monitoring Transponders
Electroline is offering a new HMS Transponder with Embedded DOCSIS Modem (DHT) technology for managing, monitoring and controlling HFC network devices. Transponders are installed into HFC equipment such as standby power supplies, fiber nodes, and optical amplifiers, and also can be implemented as stand-alone independent network test points (or otherwise known as end of line monitors). This design is based on three standards:
DOCSIS for the PHY and MAC layer protocol;
SNMP;
SCTE HMS.
Never before have these standards been integrated together. The combination of these standards forms a technology that provides a significant advantage over the more traditional proprietary and evolving HMS transponders.
Transponders enable the communications of status and performance indicators from devices in the outside plant portion of an HFC subscriber access network. Furthermore, a transponder can receive instructions for the control of functionality in the devices in which it is installed. Devices not having transponders cannot report critical information needed for management back to a remote or centralized manager. Likewise, the devices without transponders cannot hear instructions from the manager and react as instructed.
To find out more, download the 'HFC Network Management Tools From Electroline - HMS Transponder with Embedded DOCSIS Modem' overview (782 kb)on our web site.
Rf Signal Management
Electroline's line of RF signal management products for headends and hub sites provides many solutions for both forward and reverse path applications. They include forward path combiners, reverse path combiners, redundant RF switches, and headend amplifiers.
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