GatesAir Strengthens Control, Monitoring And Security

GatesAir's has announced that it is "taking the lead" in helping broadcast engineers remotely manage and secure mission-critical RF and IP systems to support next-generation media delivery networks.

At the 2018 NAB Show GatesAir will emphasize the future of control and monitoring in a wireless transmission system, and demonstrate a unique new intelligent networking solution to secure data backhaul over IP networks.

In addition to unveiling new HTML5-based graphical user interfaces for its Maxiva™ UHF (ULXTE, UAXTE) and VHF (VAXTE) transmitters, GatesAir will demonstrate the following three solutions for RF systems management:
• Reliable VPN tunneling and data backhaul powered by GatesAir Intraplex® intelligent IP networking
• Maxiva StreamAssure, an RF and IP stream monitoring and troubleshooting solution powered by Qligent
• IP-Based Remote Control and Monitoring of RF systems powered by Burk

Rich Redmond, chief product officer, GatesAir, said: "GatesAir has prepared broadcasters for repack and ATSC 3.0 by revamping our entire Maxiva UHF and VHF transmitter range over the past three years, and introduced a fully software-defined exciter with native IP inputs to flexibly support all global modulations and in-field digital transitions.

"With more than 1,500,000 watts of GatesAir repack installations up and running and many more on the way, now is the time to help our customers protect their investments, and better understand how their RF systems are performing. These advanced solutions will help our customers operate more efficiently in today's ATSC 1.0 environment, and prepare them for new control, monitoring and security requirements within an IP-native ATSC 3.0 infrastructure. Furthermore, our global customers operating large digital TV and/or single-frequency networks now have an enhanced toolset to more effectively manage these challenging tasks."

Network Security and Data Management
New innovations for NAB address reliability and security concerns that come with a transition to native IP content delivery – a core element of the ATSC 3.0 standard. GatesAir will unveil a new HTML5-based graphical user interfaces for Maxiva transmitters, at once offering a more intuitive transmitter monitoring platform and rock-solid security from outside intrusions.

Additionally, GatesAir will demonstrate how its new Intraplex IPConnect solution can establish reliable and secure network connections to the control elements of TV transmitters and exciters, allowing broadcasters to securely transport Web, SNMP and other remote control traffic.

The fully redundant solution replaces generic network appliances at the studio and transmitter site with robust, reliable Intraplex IPConnect devices that ensure high service availability and SNMP compatibility. The demonstration will also show how broadcasters and network operators can reliably and securely extend local area networks to accommodate secure backhaul of performance data across wide-area, single-frequency networks for ATSC 3.0 and global DTV standards.

Redmond continued: "The IPConnect demonstration correlates with the advanced transmitter security features introduced through our new HTML5 user interfaces, which prevents outside intrusions far more effectively than older programs still common in most transmitter designs.

"Together, these advances ensure our customers are protected as they progress through repack and toward ATSC 3.0, while our HTML5-based GUIs will offer intuitive system navigation and a responsive interface for monitoring from tablets and smartphones."

IP-Based Monitoring and Facilities Management
In addition to enhanced security, GatesAir will additionally highlight how broadcasters can prepare for the control and monitoring challenges that come with a transition to ATSC 3.0. GatesAir will demonstrate its StreamAssure QoS and QoE solution, helping engineers oversee and troubleshoot overall transmitter and network performance in ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0 environments; and broader IP-based facilities management through an ongoing partnership with Burk Technology featuring a single-cable connectivity solution to simplify transmitter installation. The company will demonstrate all control, monitoring and security platforms alongside its full Maxiva product range.

Powered by Qligent, StreamAssure delivers monitoring and compliance data from multiple points and layers to a single dashboard, helping engineers oversee and troubleshoot overall transmitter and network performance. At NAB, GatesAir will unveil new compliance monitoring and recording features in StreamAssure at a fraction of the cost of competitive systems, with scalability to support OTT streams originated by local broadcasters.

"Our latest StreamAssure enhancements will help broadcasters ensure compliance with changing broadcast rules and regulations in this era of multi-platform delivery, as well as service level agreements across ATSC 3.0 and other next-generation TV networks," said Redmond.

"Additionally, using Burk's ARC Plus Touch IP solution and SNMP Plus option, our customers can monitor equipment, control functions and log performance data over a single network cable instead of using parallel hard-wired connections and remote controls. This will significantly raise operational efficiency in large installations and single-frequency network ATSC 3.0 architectures, where broadcasters are monitoring multiple transmitters and RF sites from a central studio."

gatesair.com
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(MH/LM)