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THINKLOGICAL

KVM Solutions Provider Improves Accessibility of Fiber Optic KVM Extension Systems

Thinklogical™ is a leading manufacturer and provider of KVM extension devices with over 40 years of product design, engineering and industry experience.

Thinklogical defines innovation and excellence in KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) extension products. As a leading designer and manufacturer of KVM extension devices, Thinklogical offers a complete line of Secure Console Servers for “mission critical” server installations, as well as fiber optic KVM and DVI (digital video interface) video extenders. Thinklogical's EVS (enhanced visualization solution) KVM extender line of products utilizes sophisticated multi-mode fiber optic technology to deliver unsurpassed DVI video compatibility and support for multiple peripherals.

Market Demand
Thinklogical's customers asked for a product to simultaneously stream video and grant remote access to powerful video editing software and hardware from multiple rooms, floors and different buildings for collaborative projects in the broadcast and post-production markets. Other customers including Hospitals, Universities, Government and the Military were looking for remote video streaming capabilities with full security and control, within large scale campuses and across an entire city.

The Challenge
Thinklogical's customers demanded flawless real-time video reproduction and complete USB peripheral compatibility without any degradation of the video or USB control signal, all at distances that could span across an entire city. Standard copper lines wouldn't support the bandwidth required to meet this demanding application, thus Thinklogical had to create a new product line that supported single-mode fiber, the new VelocityKVM product line.

The system consists of a transmitter and receiver connected by single-mode fiber cable. The transmitter unit connects to the server and the receiver unit was located remotely to support remote users peripheral devices including monitor, keyboard, mouse, and local storage. One of the challenges Thinklogical faced was the 16-foot (5 meter) cable distance limitation of USB and how to deliver USB connectivity at long distances and over single mode fiber given that transmitting USB signals over such distances introduced transmission delays which causes USB connections to fail. Ensuring operating system independence and keeping costs down were additional complications for product design.

The Solution
Thinklogical chose Icron's patented ExtremeUSB® technology because of Icron's reputation as a leading provider of USB extension products and solutions to extend the range of USB peripheral devices over long cable distances over multiple transmission media. By embedding Icron's ExtremeUSB technology into the VelocityKVM system, Thinklogical was able to meet the challenges associated with connecting USB devices over single-mode fiber and provide connectivity at distances of up to 40 km (25 miles) while minimizing time to market and keeping costs under control. In addition to supporting multiple video streams, the VelocityKVM simultaneously integrates keyboard, mouse, full duplex audio, USB 1.1 connectivity and optional support for USB 2.0. The system also offers dual-link DVI and two DVI video channel options. All of this is seamlessly integrated with error-free transmission with no frame or bit dropping of the video signal and complete immunity to interference.

KVM Workstation Application over Single-mode Fiber Cable

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Icron's ExtremeUSB Core Design License provided Thinklogical with full schematics and bill of materials, along with the engineering and technical support required to combine USB extension with video transmission. "Icron's ExtremeUSB Design License enabled us to embed USB over fiber at up to 40km into our VelocityKVM system which allowed us to meet our customers' remote connectivity requirements,” said Kevin Keefe, Director of Engineering at Thinklogical. “Icron's design and support team was responsive and helpful, which facilitated rapid development,” added Keefe.

The Result
The ExtremeUSB technology used in Thinklogical's design enabled their customers to place USB peripherals wherever users need them up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from the server. Embedding the VelocityKVM system with ExtremeUSB technology significantly improved the product's capability to support diverse market applications, including those requiring increased accessibility to central servers housing specialty video equipment. Thinklogical’s broadcast and post-production customers can work seamlessly with various facilities, such as a post house to a broadcast studio, even though a considerable distance may separate the physical locations. Similarly, complex computing applications in government, scientific and medical communities can easily access, extend and support multiple video source(s) with unsurpassed video quality over single fiber. This maximum flexibility and freedom to access powerful video editing software and hardware further enables Thinklogical’s customers to effectively manage their projects, leverage talent, take on a wider variety of projects, and work with the highest quality images where and when they are needed.

Icron’s ExtremeUSB allows all USB peripheral devices to function as if they were directly connected to the host PC, without the need of any additional software drivers. ExtremeUSB also supports additional transmission media including Cat 5, Fiber, Coax, Powerline, and Wireless technologies.

Breaking the distance barrier with unsurpassed video and USB signal quality, the VelocityKVM product is a huge market success contributing to Thinklogical’s double-digit growth. With intent to add more product functionality and reduce production costs, Thinklogical is already making plans to integrate Icron’s upcoming ExtremeUSB on a chip technology.

About Icron
Icron Technologies is a visionary leader in high performance USB bridging and extension solutions for commercial and industrial markets worldwide. Icron’s USB extension and bridging products are deployed in a wide range of applications including: digital home connectivity, industrial automation, medical imaging, aerospace, and KVM extension. Icron’s patented ExtremeUSB® technology extends the range of USB 1.1 / 2.0 over Cat 5, Wireless, Fiber, Powerline, Coax and Phone lines, at distances of up to 40 km. ExtremeUSB technology is available in a variety of formats including technology licenses, OEM modules, developer kits, as well as branded and private-label products.

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