Lumen to deploy Evertz Scorpion for next-generation contribution network

Lumen Technologies is utilising Evertz’ Scorpion smart media processing platform for its next-generation contribution network that connects to major stadiums in the US for live sports.

Lumen is a global provider of networking, content delivery networks (CDN), edge cloud, security and collaboration services. Through Lumen Vyvx broadcast solutions, the company provides live events and on-demand video with end-to-end digital transmission. Lumen invested in the Scorpion platform to upgrade its Vyvx offering by enhancing its ability to support customers with multiple UHD and 1080p HDR video signals.

“The Scorpion ecosystem has the extensive range of media edge processing, networking integration, processing density and modularity that we need at all interfaces to allow us to efficiently deploy and operate premium contribution services for our customers,” said David Robison, principal architect at Lumen. “Vyvx customers will benefit from lower latency, expanded interface options and increased service throughput – all within a reduced space and power footprint.”

Scorpion is a modular-based platform that combines format-agnostic processing, conversion and routing functions with support for any type of network transport (including dark fibre and managed IP networks).  The Scorpion Mio-Blade, an FPGA-based compute module, offers licensable apps for a broad range of media processing, conversion and codecs (eg JPEG XS) to provide flexibility and agility at the network edge. This enables Lumen to adapt to its customers’ requirements now and in the future.

For network transport, the pluggable I/O provides flexibility at both the network and application layer. The Scorpion-SX18 provides support for dark fibre over CWDM, standards-based IP networking (including SMPTE ST2110 and JPEG XS) using 10/25/40/100GbE interfaces. With the Scorpion-MIO-XPS streaming H.264/HEVC encoder/decoder, Lumen customers can optionally transport video/audio/data streams over the public internet using SRT, RIST or Zixi.

Scorpion is managed by Evertz’ VistaLink Pro and IRM orchestration and network management software tools. IRM provides the orchestration, control and scheduling of the edge resources and network connectivity of the Scorpion platform. VistaLink Pro monitors and provides real-time reporting and analysis on the health of the solution.

“It is an honour that Lumen selected Evertz’ next-generation network edge platform,” said Andrew Osmond, business development director of media transport with Evertz.  “We look forward to working with their team to provide the most adaptable Scorpion platform solutions in this rapidly evolving marketplace.”