The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) in Basel has installed a Riedel MediorNet media network to provide real-time audio and video to any point on the university campus. The MediorNet installation, undertaken cooperatively by Riedel and FHNW, represents the first such fiber backbone established at a university in Switzerland.

“Working with Riedel, we have built a high-performance digital backbone that not only meets the demands of teaching and research activities across campus, but also provides valuable connectivity to the university’s industry, research, and media partners, as well as other educational institutions,” said Suresh Surenthiran, digital media systems engineer at FHNW. “The modular MediorNet solution offers an economical yet flexible approach to signal transport, and the resulting high-speed fiber optic infrastructure supports and simplifies visualization, archiving, 3D modelling, and other processes that enhance and enrich our communications and teaching capabilities.”

Going beyond simple point-to-point fiber links, MediorNet allows users to send any incoming signal to any output, or even to multiple outputs, with a single mouse-click or through an intuitive router control system. As a result, MediorNet increases the flexibility of any installation while significantly reducing cabling and configuration time. Once installed, MediorNet eliminates the need for rewiring when signal transport requirements change.

“The fiber backbone installed at FHNW provides educators and students with the real-time A/V and data transport typical of today’s advanced media and communications facilities, providing a richer teaching environment now while preparing students for future careers in an increasingly digital world,” said Erwin Engel, sales manager at Riedel Communications. “This collaboration has been a win-win experience, not only improving A/V and data transport for the university, but also giving our engineers valuable feedback on how fiber-based solutions can best serve educational institutions and applications.”