Media Links transmit STL content over IP/PTP over a microwave service line

The “world's first demonstration” of PTP and STL using IP over dedicated microwave lines has recently been completed by Media Links, which will commercially apply the experience acquired in this initiative.

Los broadcasting systems are migrating from networks that use traditional coaxial cables to systems based on new technologies based on IP. However, in the case of the STL, which are the backbone of many broadcast networks, the locations of transmitting stations (mountain tops, etc.) are often unsuitable for networks that rely on wired lines, so microwave transmission remains essential.

Media Links was the “first company in the world” to develop and deploy STL using PTP (Precision Time Protocol) over a network wired IP (STL over IP/PTP). Based on this work, the company has developed a new technological solution that once again performs STL over IP/PTP, but now through dedicated lines that use microwaves.

Together with your partner Oscilloquartz, Media Links demonstrated the technology in a microwave installation existing in Filipinas from May 13 to 17, 2024. In it, the device was used STL sobre IP/PTP de Media Links, he MDP3020 SFN, to transmit so much broadcast content as PTP taking advantage of existing equipment installed by the station for normal broadcast operations microwave transmission and reception. After completing the test, the team confirmed the normal operation of signal transmission and precise timing transmission by PTP. Therefore, it was possible to create the “first STL in the world” that uses IP and PTP through microwave lines.

Tsukasa Sugawara, CEO of Media Links, celebrates this milestone and advance the next steps from the company: "The success of this demonstration has made it possible to realize STL transmission over IP/PTP over microwave lines, when previously it was a difficult step in the migration to IP of broadcast systems. In the future, we will not only propose IP migration within broadcast stations, but also IP migration of STL transmission, thus offering a complete IP migration of broadcast systems."