CE Pro June 2024 - 26

Networking+Home Control
HDMI CORNER by DPL Labs
More Sophisticated AOC
Devices Begin to Surface (Part 1)
IT JUST GOES to show
that if integrators complain
long enough, somebody will
answer the call with some
kind of solution. Design
improvements hopefully can
rectify problematic issues
that surface when you least
expect them.
HDMI long-distance
transmission lines are pretty
much at their highest demand
right now with everybody
and their brother trying
to claim they have the
best in the land. It means
that these companies must
be able to offer optical solutions
that can reliably pass
through a full 48G NRZ
signal with the least amount
of distortion, stellar dynamic
range, and good signal-tonoise.
Not an easy task, but
at least the word is out, and
products can improve.
We may have hit the
alarm button enough to announce
to the world about
all the AOC (active optical
cable) design flaws identified
over this past year. It
received the attention of
some electronic companies
that design and build these
optical modules used with
AOC products. DPL Labs
has been pounding this
drum for a long time and
finally, we are seeing some
interest from these electronic
firms. The inquiries
represented firms that
heard the call of not only
26 | CE Pro June 2024
DPL Labs articles and direct
mail outreach publications
but also from the integrators.
So,
what is a module? It
probably would make good
sense to understand what
a module is for those that
may not be up to speed on
this. An electronic module
typically refers to a self-contained
unit or component
within an electronic system
that performs a specific
necessary electronics to
convert electrical signals into
optical signals for transmission
over fiber optic cables,
and vice versa, to receive and
convert optical signals back
into electrical signals. The
modules may include components
such as transmitters,
receivers, signal amplifiers,
and control circuitry to ensure
reliable transmission of
data over long distances.
DPL Labs has been closely
Each design tells a story
The modules may include components such as transmitters,
receivers, signal amplifiers, and control circuitry.
function or set of functions.
These modules can vary
greatly in complexity and size,
ranging from simple components
like resistors and
capacitors to more complex
circuits or subsystems like
microcontrollers, sensors, or
communication modules.
In discussion about
AOC products, an electronic
module refers to the
optical modules used in the
construction of AOC cables.
These modules contain the
monitoring this movement,
providing insights into the
design and functionality of
optical modules. By analyzing
the circuitry and design
choices made by engineers,
we gain a deeper understanding
of the capabilities
and limitations of these
modules. This unbiased examination
allows for a more
holistic approach to improving
AOC devices, without
being swayed by personal
agendas or biases.
about what the engineer or
engineers had in mind when
designing such a module.
Is it a module designed to
just be able to pass through
lightning-speed data or is it a
module that was designed to
handle all the necessary AC
and DC functions as well?
Then there are those
that throw everything but
the kitchen sink into the
design not even taking into
consideration what goes on
outside its optical transition
environment with respect
to its mating hardware. This
one habit can be the most
lethal poison for any AOC
device. Furthermore, the
ability to conduct comprehensive
testing at both
hardware and software levels
provides invaluable data for
identifying potential issues
and optimizing performance.
This level of scrutiny and
analysis can lead to significant
advancements in the
field of long-distance HDMI
applications, benefiting integrators
and end-users alike.
So, what did we find and are
they on the right trajectory?
We will continue this series
next month with our findings
along with any additional news
on this subject matter.
JEFF BOCCACCIO,
president of DPL Labs, can
be reached at info@dpllabs.
com, or visit dpllabs.com.
cepro.com
DPL LABS
http://www.dpllabs.com http://www.cepro.com
CE Pro June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CE Pro June 2024
