29 Nov 2011
 AFI’s PoE mini-switches will be used with Axis’ Q60XX-e Series outdoor PTZ cameras
The outdoor PTZ cameras include heaters/blowers consuming 60 watts of power

American Fibertek, Inc. (AFI) announced that its innovative Series of 3-port and 4-port PoE mini-switches (also known as "fibre optic PoE midspan devices") have been certified by Axis for use with the company's Q60XX-e Series (Q6032-e, Q 6034-e, and Q6035-e) outdoor PTZ cameras. The outdoor PTZ cameras include heaters/blowers which require 60 watts of power. To facilitate high powered PoE operation in harsh conditions, AFI's High Power PoE Series can source up to 60 Watts of power to Axis Q60XX-e Series cameras over an operating temperature range of -40C to +75C. This power requirement is higher than currently supported by the IEEE 802.3af (15 watt) or 802.3at (30 watt) standards.

"We are extremely pleased to have our Series of PoE mini-switches certified by Axis for use with one of their outstanding outdoor IP surveillance solutions. These products were designed to fulfill the growing demand for high-powered network cameras placed in harsh outdoor environments. Axis' certification is testimony to the design integrity and functionality of the AFI high-powered products," said Jack Fernandes, CEO and President of AFI. "Not only do they meet the demand for 60 watt PoE operation in extreme temperatures, they offer the inherent benefits of fiber transmission over long distances without any degradation in signal quality or speed."

Axis requested AFI to supply the high powered PoE mini-switches for testing at their lab in Boston.  The certification testing consisted of operating the AFI devices to power Axis Q60XX-e Series cameras in low temperatures for extended periods of time. Operating at low temperature triggered the cameras' heater and blower units which require 60 watts of power to operate the camera system. The AFI products met all test conditions to fulfill Axis certification requirements.

The AFI 3-port and 4-port PoE mini-switches transmit and receive (2) copper 10/100 Base-T or Gigabit Ethernet signals via RJ45 ports and (1 or 2) optical 10/100 Base-FX or Gigabit over 1 or 2 multimode or single mode fibers for extended distances. The transmission system is comprised of two units forming a point-to-point communications link or with the 4-port units, a drop and insert configuration is available.