IDM-VDA4200 Single-Fiber 4-Channel Video Optical Multiplexer

The IDM-VDA4200 series (including IDM-VDA4200, IDM-VDA4020, and IDM-VDA4420) single-fiber 4-channel video optical multiplexer is a compact multi-service signal optical fiber transmission device developed by Beijing Ruiguang Jiyuan Digital Technology Co., Ltd. for the security surveillance market. It aggregates 4 channels of unidirectional video from front-end cameras together with data, bidirectional audio, Ethernet, and other services onto a single optical fiber for real-time synchronous transmission. As a professional optical multiplexer manufacturer, Raytrans fully demonstrates the integration advantages of multi-service optical multiplexers in the product showcase of this series. The device adopts all-digital uncompressed video technology, sampling video signals into digital signals for direct transmission over optical fiber and distortion-free restoration at the remote end; the plug-and-play design makes installation simple and easy, with no on-site adjustment required. The optical module and core circuits all use standard components, ensuring high stability, and the optical and electrical interfaces comply with international standards, making the device suitable for different operating environments. This video optical multiplexer can flexibly adapt to various application scenarios such as government private network optical fiber communication solutions, military emergency communications vehicle solutions, and smart mining communication solutions, among which the intrinsically safe mining communication version better meets the safety transmission requirements under special environments.

Key Specifications at a Glance: 4-channel unidirectional video · 4-channel data · 2-channel bidirectional audio · 2-channel Ethernet · single-mode fiber (multimode optional) · FC optical port (SC customizable) · 20 Km transmission · overall power consumption ≤6 W

What is a single-fiber 4-channel video optical multiplexer?

The IDM-VDA4200 series single-fiber 4-channel video optical multiplexer is an optical fiber transmission access device between surveillance sites and the surveillance center. It is used in pairs consisting of a transmitter and a receiver, sending 4 channels of camera video signals together with on-site data and bidirectional audio signals to the remote end for restoration and output. It can simultaneously carry 4 channels of unidirectional video, 4 channels of data, 2 channels of bidirectional audio, and 2 channels of Ethernet service over a single optical fiber. As a video optical multiplexer product under Raytrans, this series plays a core role in video input and multi-service multiplexing within the multi-service optical multiplexer product line, and is widely used in the front-end access segment of product showcases and engineering solutions.

Traditional surveillance sites use coaxial cables to transmit video. Once the distance exceeds a few hundred meters, a repeater amplifier must be added, and the picture quality is prone to electromagnetic interference and ground potential difference, degrading with distance. The IDM-VDA4200 series single-fiber 4-channel video optical multiplexer digitizes video signals and transmits them over optical fiber. The standard configuration achieves a transmission distance of 20 Km, and long-distance optical modules can be optionally installed for longer-distance optical fiber transmission. At the same time, it is free from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), making it suitable for security surveillance projects with concentrated surveillance sites and a large number of cameras per site. As a professional optical multiplexer manufacturer, Raytrans continues the design philosophy of multi-service optical multiplexers in this series, flexibly adapting to the access requirements of different scenarios such as government private network optical fiber communication solutions, military emergency communications vehicle solutions, and smart mining communication solutions. Corresponding models are also available for intrinsically safe mining communication occasions.

Figure 1: Front view of the IDM-VDA4200 series single-fiber 4-channel video optical multiplexer host and close-up of the 4 BNC video interfaces

Where lies the differentiated value of single-fiber 4-channel video?

The differentiated value of the IDM-VDA4200 series single-fiber 4-channel video optical multiplexer is concentrated in three verifiable aspects: fiber utilization, picture quality, and on-site environmental adaptability.

Differentiated Value	Practical Significance for Customers
A single fiber carries 4-channel video + 4-channel data + 2-channel audio + 2-channel Ethernet, multi-service over a single fiber	One optical fiber simultaneously replaces multiple coaxial video cables and data cables, reducing the footprint of optical cables, patch panels, and cable trays, and eliminating the aggregation equipment separately added for Ethernet. The cabling cost and construction workload of single-site access for security integrators decrease simultaneously
Video SNR ≥70 dB, differential gain <0.7%, surveillance picture quality nearly lossless	8-bit sampling, direct transmission without compression within the 0Hz~6.5MHz bandwidth, the link introduces no processing latency caused by compression algorithms, and the real-time monitoring and post-event playback pictures at the surveillance center remain consistent
Industrial-grade wide temperature -40℃~+85℃, capable of handling unattended equipment rooms in the field	Outdoor cabinets, pole-side cabinets, and unattended sites can operate continuously under high summer temperatures and severe winter cold. Multiple protection against lightning and surge at ports reduces port damage and repair caused by lightning strikes

What functions does the IDM-VDA4200 series provide?

Function	Description
SNMP network management	Supports SNMP network management, enabling real-time online monitoring of device operating status
Video quality	Video quality reaches broadcast-grade standards, with 4 channels of video transmitted synchronously without compression
Audio quality	Audio quality reaches CD-grade standards, with audio sampling bit width of 16 bit and sampling frequency of 32 KHz
Multi-format compatibility	Compatible with video formats such as PAL, NTSC, and SECAM
Port protection	Surface mount technology (SMT), multiple protection against lightning and surge at ports
Lossless regenerative repeater	Supports video lossless regenerative repeater, free from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI)
Transparent transmission of data	Transparent data encoding, compatible with the products of major camera manufacturers
Adaptive, adjustment-free	Adopts adaptive technology, requiring no on-site electrical or optical adjustment during use
Structural design	Compact design, small structure, flexible and convenient installation

Technical Specifications

Optical Interface Parameters

Item	Parameter/Specification	Description/Applicable Conditions
Interface type	FC (SC and others customizable)	Optical port connector type
Fiber mode	Single-mode (multimode optional)	Selected according to on-site optical cable type
Receiver receive/transmit rate	1.25G bps / 84M bps	Receive/transmit rate at the receiver
Receiver receive/transmit wavelength	1310nm / 1550nm	Receive/transmit wavelength at the receiver
Transmitter receive/transmit rate	84M bps / 1.25G bps	Receive/transmit rate at the transmitter
Transmitter receive/transmit wavelength	1550nm / 1310nm	Receive/transmit wavelength at the transmitter
Transmit optical power	-12~-7dBm	Output optical power at the transmitter
Receiver sensitivity	Better than -21dBm (1310nm)	Lower limit of optical power the receiver can normally receive
Transmission distance	20Km	Long-distance optical modules can be optionally installed for longer-distance optical fiber transmission

Video Interface Parameters

Item	Parameter/Specification	Description/Applicable Conditions
Interface type	BNC	Analog video input/output
Luminance non-linearity	<3%	Video channel linearity
Video sampling bit width	8bit	Digital sampling precision
Video bandwidth	0Hz~6.5MHz	Meets standard-definition video baseband bandwidth
Differential phase (DP)	<0.7°	Chrominance signal phase distortion specification
Differential gain (DG)	<0.7%	Chrominance signal amplitude distortion specification
Input overload voltage	1.5VP-P (typical)	Non-saturation voltage at the input
Input/output voltage	1VP-P (typical)	Standard video signal level
Input/output impedance	75Ω (unbalanced)	Impedance matching with conventional video equipment
Video SNR	≥70dB (weighted)	Weighted measurement basis

High-Fidelity Audio Parameters

Item	Parameter/Specification	Description/Applicable Conditions
Interface type	RJ45	Audio channel interface
Audio sampling bit width	16bit	Digital sampling precision
Input/output impedance	ADC:100KΩ / DAC:10KΩ	Input/output impedance
Input/output voltage	1.5VP-P (typical)	Audio signal level
Audio sampling frequency	32KHz	Sampling rate
Audio SNR	≥90dB	Audio channel signal-to-noise ratio
Audio bandwidth	20Hz~20KHz	Covers the audible frequency range of the human ear
Total harmonic distortion	<1%	Audio channel distortion specification

Data and Ethernet Parameters

Item	Parameter/Specification	Description/Applicable Conditions
Data interface type	RJ-45	Data channel interface
Data type	RS-232, RS422 (4-wire), RS485 (2-wire)	Can connect to control and acquisition devices
Ethernet interface type	RJ-45	Ethernet channel interface
Ethernet transmission rate	10M/100M adaptive	Supports IEEE802.3
Ethernet operating mode	Full/half duplex/adaptive	Adaptive negotiation according to the peer device

Power, Power Consumption, and Environmental Conditions

Item	Parameter/Specification	Description/Applicable Conditions
Power supply mode	AC220V / DC-48V	Selected according to equipment room and on-site power conditions
Overall power consumption	≤6W	Overall operating power consumption
Operating temperature	-15℃ ~ +65℃	Operating temperature range of the standard model
Storage temperature	-25℃ ~ +75℃	Storage ambient temperature range
Industrial-grade temperature	-40℃ ~ +85℃	Temperature range of the industrial-grade model
Relative humidity	0~95% (non-condensing)	Operating environment humidity
Product dimensions	240×138×30(mm)	Length×Depth×Height

4-channel video optical multiplexer selection: how to choose among IDM-VDA4200, IDM-VDA4020, and IDM-VDA4420?

No.	Model	Service Configuration	Applicable Description
1	IDM-VDA4200	4-channel unidirectional video, 2-channel data	In addition to 4 channels of surveillance video, 2 channels of control/acquisition data need to be transmitted back
2	IDM-VDA4020	4-channel unidirectional video, 2-channel bidirectional audio	4 channels of surveillance video plus two-way voice intercom with the site
3	IDM-VDA4420	4-channel unidirectional video, 4-channel data, 2-channel bidirectional audio	Requires 4 channels of data with 2 channels of bidirectional audio, a more complete channel configuration

The approach to selecting a 4-channel video optical multiplexer is to first count the service channels at the site: if only 4 channels of video need to be sent back to the surveillance center with 2 channels of data, choose the IDM-VDA4200; if two-way calling and intercom are required between the surveillance center and the site, choose the IDM-VDA4020 with 2 channels of bidirectional audio; if both the number of data channels and bidirectional audio are required, choose the IDM-VDA4420. The three models have identical video specifications and optical interface parameters, differing only in the configured quantity of service channels. During selection, the optical fiber type (single-mode or multimode), transmission distance, and optical port type must also be confirmed simultaneously. For long-distance links, it is recommended to calculate according to the optical power budget before determining the optical module.

What are the application scenarios of video optical multiplexers?

Safe City and Campus Security Surveillance

Safe City public security surveillance sites, campus entrances and exits, perimeter walls, underground garages, and other locations have a large number of cameras and are often hundreds of meters to several kilometers away from the surveillance center, making it difficult to re-lay coaxial cables between buildings. The IDM-VDA4200 series single-fiber 4-channel video optical multiplexer aggregates 4 channels of video and data services onto an existing or newly built single-mode fiber. The receiver directly outputs BNC video to a DVR, NVR, or monitor, replacing long-distance coaxial cable solutions and avoiding picture streaking and distortion caused by ground potential difference and electromagnetic interference. One site can cover 4 surveillance perspectives of an entrance or a section of perimeter. SNMP network management allows integrators to see the status of remote devices from the equipment room, reducing on-site visits for inspection.

Electric Power and Rail Transit Industrial Private Network

Substations, distribution rooms, and rail transit lines and platforms have strong electromagnetic environments, long distances between cameras and the main control room, and high electrical isolation requirements, while the equipment must also withstand outdoor temperature differences over the long term. The IDM-VDA4200 series single-fiber 4-channel video optical multiplexer uses optical fiber as the transmission medium, with electrical isolation between the transmitter and the receiver, avoiding interference from strong electromagnetic environments on video signals; the industrial-grade wide-temperature model has an operating temperature range of -40℃ ~ +85℃, and multiple lightning and surge protection on ports plus SMT surface-mount technology improve long-term operation stability, making it suitable for industrial private network sites such as electric power and rail transit.

Unattended Field Sites

Field pumping stations, oil pipeline valve chambers, and unattended mining and water conservancy sites usually have no duty personnel, the distance from the site to the surveillance center can reach 20Km, and power supply conditions vary. The IDM-VDA4200 series single-fiber 4-channel video optical multiplexer supports two power supply modes, AC220V and DC-48V, with overall power consumption ≤6W, and can directly use the existing direct current power supply at the site; within a 20Km transmission distance, a single-mode fiber is all that is needed to backhaul 4-channel video plus data and bidirectional audio to the center, SNMP network management supports remote online monitoring, and adaptive technology enables the site to enable services without on-site electrical or optical adjustment.

Figure 2: Point-to-point networking diagram for security surveillance with a 4-channel video optical multiplexer, where 4 cameras at the front end are backhauled to the surveillance center over a single optical fiber

Optical Port Type and Transmission Distance of the Video Optical Multiplexer

The optical interface of the IDM-VDA4200 series single-fiber 4-channel video optical multiplexer is the standard FC type, and interfaces such as SC can be customized according to project needs, with single-mode as the default fiber mode and multi-mode as an option. The device comes standard with a 20Km transmission distance, the transmit optical power of the transmitter is -12~-7dBm, and the receiver sensitivity is better than -21dBm (1310nm); the difference between the two is the available optical power margin of the link, used to compensate for the attenuation of the optical fiber itself and splice point and connector loss.

If a site exceeds 20Km, a long-distance optical module can be installed as an option to achieve optical fiber transmission over a longer distance. During project selection, the optical power should be calculated section by section according to the actual optical cable length, optical cable attenuation coefficient, and splice and connector loss, with aging and maintenance margin reserved; multimode fiber and single-mode fiber have different attenuation characteristics, so the transmission distance must be determined after matching with the optical module type.

What Video Formats Does the Video Optical Multiplexer Support?

The IDM-VDA4200 series single-fiber 4-channel video optical multiplexer is compatible with video formats such as PAL, NTSC, and SECAM, the video channel is input and output through BNC connectors, with input/output impedance of 75Ω (unbalanced) and input/output voltage of 1VP-P (typical value), and it can be directly connected to conventional analog cameras, DVRs, NVRs, and monitors without an additional format conversion device.

The device uses a transparent data encoding method and is compatible with the products of major camera manufacturers; the all-digital uncompressed transmission link contains no encoding and decoding stages, and the synchronization relationship between video and data remains consistent in the link, making it convenient for the surveillance center to send data such as PTZ control and alarm collection while viewing the picture.

Conclusion

The IDM-VDA4200 series single-fiber 4-channel video optical multiplexer concentrates 4-channel unidirectional video plus data, bidirectional audio, and Ethernet service onto a single optical fiber for transmission, uses all-digital uncompressed video technology to ensure broadcast-grade picture quality, comes standard with 20Km transmission and overall power consumption ≤6W, and adapts to many types of sites such as industrial parks, roads, electric power, rail transit, and field sites with industrial-grade wide temperature and port protection capabilities. When selecting a 4-channel video optical multiplexer for security surveillance and industrial private network projects, the corresponding model can be selected from IDM-VDA4200, IDM-VDA4020, and IDM-VDA4420 according to the number of service channels at the site, the optical cable type, and the transmission distance.