IRVINE, CA--An innovative "Multiple-Master" Self-Healing Ring configuration that can recover link failures in several places in the ring is now available with the TC Communications 8/12 Channel Fiber Optic Multi-Drop Multiplexer (Model TC2800). Starting list price is $2,150.

Intended for SCADA, Process Control and Traffic Control Fiber Optic Communications Systems, this new Self-Healing Ring scheme maximizes the reliability of standard "Single Master" systems because it can recover faults or failures in counter-rotating rings A & B in two or more different places (see attached figure).

Two or more Master units and at least two Remote (slave) units are required to form a Multiple Master Self-Healing Ring. The fiber optic signal travels clockwise in Primary Ring A and counterclockwise in Secondary Ring B. System integrity is maintained during a fault condition, typically a cable or device failure, by "wrapping" around the failure point(s).

The TC2800 Multi-Drop Fiber Optic Multiplexer provides two pair of fiber interfaces and interconnects up to 12 devices with independent RS-232 and/or RS-485 interfaces over single mode or multimode fiber optic cable. It supports asynchronous data rates up to 38.4 Kbps. A lower cost eight-channel version is also available. Anti-streaming is provided to insure normal system operation in the event of a node failure. Fiber optic connectors are ST; FC is optional. Electrical connectors are RJ-11 female. Power is 9 to 12VDC, optional 24VDC or 115 /230 VAC with an external power cube.

TC Communications designs, manufactures and sells specialty and general purpose Connectivity products for Fiber Optic Communications Networks and Links. General purpose products include all types of Modems, Multiplexers, Multimode-to-Single Mode Converters, Fast Ethernet Media Converters, LAN Mode Converters & LAN Transceivers. Specialty products include Multi-Drop Modems, Multiplexers, Telephone Extenders and Broadcast & Receive devices for SCADA and Traffic/Process Control applications.