Mission-Critical Communications, Built on 35 Years of Experience
TC was founded on solving critical communication challenges. Over 35 years, those principles shaped solutions like JumboSwitch®, the backbone of secure, reliable networking.
Then & Now
Scroll through to learn more about each of TC Communications' milestones.
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TC Communications, Inc. is incorporated
In December 1991, TC Communications, Inc. is founded in Yorba Linda, California, grown out of a late-1980s engineering partnership formed by founder Kai Liang after earning his master’s from Cal State Long Beach. When his partners leave unexpectedly, Liang carries on alone—building what would become 35+ years of reliable networking solutions.
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San Luis Dam deploys new fiber optic solution
The San Luis Dam in California uses TC8916 and TC8116 as a fiber optic solution for its control system network, which support SCADA systems and communication between RTUs and eight turbines.
TC releases its first digital product, the TC1620
The TC1620 fiber optic modem for T1/E1 is a breakthrough for the young company, spurring the development of other early products such as the TC8116 and TC8916. While it has since been retired, it remains the oldest TC legacy product to have a current generation—the TC1631—in release.
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TC moves from Yorba Linda to Irvine, California
TC moves from a small studio in Yorba Linda, California to the first of three different Irvine addresses, including 7 Corporate Drive and the site where the current Irvine Montessori School stands, before settling at its current 40,000-square-foot headquarters at 17881 Cartwright Road.
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TC releases the “self-healing ring” concept
In June, TC releases the innovative “Multiple-Master” Self-Healing Ring configuration for the TC2800 Multi-Drop Fiber Optic Multiplexer. 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 by recovering faults or failures in counter-rotating rings in two or more different places.
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TC releases TC3007 single-fiber mode converter
The new TC3007 "Single-Fiber" Mode Converter simultaneously functions as a Fiber Optic Mode Converter and a 2-Channel Wave Division Multiplexer, benefiting LAN users by increasing fiber optic cable capacity and cross-connecting different fiber types and wavelengths.
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The inspiration for JumboSwitch, the TC8800, is released
The release of the TC8800 Fiber Optic Multiplexer makes it possible to extend up to 28 telephone, data, and analog channels to remote network sites, ideal for use in campus networks and, in some instances, for replacing channel banks. The TC8800 gives founder Kai Liang the idea for developing the JumboSwitch®.
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California's Water Authority upgrades SCADA network
To upgrade a soon-to-be obsolete PremNet fiber optic backbone system to a higher-speed fiber optic communications system, California's CCWA deploys TC Communications’ redundant ring Ethernet switches, simplifying its SCADA network while significantly improving the delay and quality of communication.
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Redundant Ring Gig Ethernet Switch, the TC3820, is released
Ideal for mission critical fiber optic networks, the new Redundant Ring Gigabit Ethernet Switch provides maximum reliability. If a fiber cable or device failure occurs, the data path automatically switches over within 250 msec to the secondary path to maintain Ring network integrity.
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TC completes $1M upgrade to headquarters
In 2006, the company completes a $1 million upgrade to the 40,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in Irvine that sees Production, Engineering, Sales, and Administration housed under the same roof. The corporate address also changes to the one used today.
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JumboSwitch hits the market
TC Communications releases the innovative JumboSwitch as a rugged, versatile Ethernet platform for migrating legacy networks such as SONET to modern networks, and premium Ethernet switching. Since then, over 11,500 JumboSwitch cards have been sold to customers in more than 40 countries.
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TC hurricane-proofs Jamaica's network
In the wake of widespread power outages caused by recent hurricanes, Jamaica Public Services Company (JPS) commissions the SCADA Visibility Project to prevent outages from reoccurring, deploying JumboSwitch at 50 nodes islandwide across two fiber optic ring networks.
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Metrolink upgrades network with JumboSwitch
Beginning a long-standing working relationship, Metrolink, as part of its Services Expansion Project, chooses JumboSwitch to provide Ethernet/IP connectivity between remote control points and radio towers for 67 sites, with the TC3840 providing a “communications pipe” for its radio communications backhaul.
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JumboSwitch adds LateView real-time latency monitoring to JumboSwitch
The addition of LateView introduces a new layer of insight to JumboSwitch's software features for four JumboSwitch cards by providing real-time latency monitoring and records latency history in a graphical format to help determine the health of a network during a specific time period.
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General Atomics awards TC special Supplier Award for Outstanding Quality and Delivery Performance
In recognition of a flawless product quality and delivery record in 2012, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems presents TC with a special Supplier Award for Outstanding Quality and Delivery Performance.
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TC exceeds 250,000 shipped units worldwide
Even before the launch of other mainline product families such as Mini Channel Bank and JumboBank™, the company logs over 250,000 products shipped to customers globally, a testament to TC Communications’ ability to continually respond to the needs of the market.
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Mini Channel Bank hits the market
The launch of the Mini Channel Bank product family offers customers plug-and-play simplicity and an economical option for networks with a small number of channels. In 2018, the “R2” button is added to Mini Channel Bank products to make it easy for users to isolate and diagnose errors on local and remote units.
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10G JumboSwitch for Carrier Ethernet hits the market
TC releases the TC3850-1, a premium 10G JumboSwitch providing core and edge connectivity at fast speeds. The TC3850-1 is MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0 compliant and supported in a modular chassis design, giving customers greater flexibility and compatibility with existing networks using JumboSwitch interface cards.
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The city of Rockford saves $4.8M (over 5 years) using JumboSwitch
The city of Rockford, Illinois, the largest city outside the Chicago metro area and fifth-largest in the state, chooses JumboSwitch for its leased line replacement project. The TC3846-6 allows the city to keep its radio equipment operational while connecting to low-cost Ethernet, saving the city $900,000 per year for the next five years.
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JumboBank hits the market
TC Communications releases the innovative JumboSwitch as a rugged, versatile Ethernet platform for migrating legacy networks such as SONET to modern networks, and premium Ethernet switching. Since then, over 11,500 JumboSwitch cards have been sold to customers in more than 40 countries.
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TC begins enhancing JumboSwitch cybersecurity using Qualys®
When a major utility needs to extend multiple C37.94 ports across its IP network, it becomes an opportunity for TC Communications to adopt the practice of using Qualys to enhance JumboSwitch cybersecurity with regular scans and reporting.
35 years of reliability. Built for what’s next.
Since 1991, TC Communications has delivered mission-critical networking. With JumboSwitch®, we continue that legacy through reliable, secure Ethernet/IP connectivity. Proudly engineered in Irvine, CA, it remains the standard for industries that cannot afford to fail.