Minnesota's State Capitol Restoration and Modernization Included Delivery of Television via Lynx Ultra System on Category 6A Cable

    MINNEAPOLIS, MN, February 08, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Built in 1905, the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul had reached a critical deterioration point. Over the past three years, the Capitol was renovated at a cost of $309.674 million dollars. That work included modernization of antiquated technology, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. A part of the technology system upgrade was a Lynx Ultra television distribution system from Lynx Broadband.

It delivers high-definition (HD) community antenna television (CATV) programming as well as audio, graphics and live broadcast content from committee rooms and house floor sessions over category 6A (cat 6A) cable to more than 430 televisions throughout the capitol complex.

The building was designed and constructed before the development of communication technology as we know it today. Therefore, coaxial cable was installed later to deliver television programming. As needs grew, unmanaged, the quality of the signal deteriorated over time, in some instances not delivering any viable signal to new and existing TVs. It also made troubleshooting and repair challenging and time consuming.

"I was already familiar with Lynx Broadband's products," says Doug LaPitz, engineering director, House Public Information Services. "The architect and I discussed the video distribution system. In addition to being based in Minnesota, Lynx Broadband was a good fit for this project because the system is a hybrid design that converts the signal, originating on coax cable, for distribution to the rooms on cat 5 or 6. It's a much cleaner solution and allows for simple, reliable future expansion and upgrades."

Constructed with plaster walls, the capitol building had inefficient, cumbersome spaces and lacked wiring closets. It was important that the wiring was concealed. Of lighter weight and less expensive, the cat 6A cable was much easier and faster to install than coax cable. The new infrastructure incorporated 18 intermediate distribution frame (IDF) wiring closets where the Lynx system is installed. The cable runs from the wiring closets to 430 televisions were up to 200 feet (61 meters) long. The Gephart Low Voltage Systems team installed and tested the Lynx Ultra television distribution system quickly and efficiently.

"The Lynx Broadband team was very knowledgeable and provided design services," says Dean Randall, project manager at Gephart Low Voltage Systems. "The comprehensive plan made it easier to install the system with virtually no issues in the field."

More affordable than coax cable and competitive products in most applications, Lynx Ultra HDTV distribution system delivers HDTV from cable providers, CATV headend, satellite headend and local over-the-air broadcasts over cat 5 or 6. It is a passive design and ideal for most standard installations with the hub assembly located in wiring closets (MDF/IDF). Lynx Ultra converters are located at the point of use. The system is capable of simultaneously delivering up to 804 digital channels or 268 high-definition digital radio frequency (RF) channels on cat 5 or 6 cable. It distributes frequencies up to 860 MHz, ideal for 8K ultra-high-definition (UHD), 4K UHD, HD or standard-definition (SD) resolution signals over cable runs up to 328 feet (100 meters) long. Extremely reliable, Lynx Ultra is scalable with 8, 16 and 24 port hub configurations, allowing for maximum flexibility for any number of televisions. Each system is designed by Lynx Broadband for plug-and-play installation.

Gephart Electric
Gephart Electric provides quality electrical design, construction and maintenance services. Gephart Low Voltage Systems division is led by seasoned veterans with more than 40 years of combined experience in the technologies industry. Gephart's technicians and installers have received extensive training from IBEW, JATC, BICSI and several product manufacturers. In addition, the RCDD and CAD professionals on the design team provide design-build, complete as-built and design-assist services using AutoCAD, Revit MEP and VISIO. Gephart's experienced estimators and project managers can implement and deliver optimal results for your project. www.gephartelectric.com

Lynx Broadband
Lynx Broadband has been providing products and systems for delivering television on cat 5 and 6 cable since 1995. In addition to offering innovative products and systems, Lynx prepares a complete system design for each installation. Lynx also delivers a turnkey service, including equipment, system design, installation, system start-up and customer training. Lynx Broadband products are produced by BH Electronics, a leading manufacturer of high-frequency magnetic components for the electronics and telecommunication industries. www.lynxbroadband.com

BH Electronics
In addition to Lynx Broadband products, BH engineers and produces transformers, inductors, baluns, filters and chokes used in broadband, baseband and power applications. Frequencies range from 20 KHz to 1.5 GHz. BH Electronics was founded in 1967, and is ISO 9001 certified. Corporate headquarters are in Burnsville, Minnesota. Design and manufacturing operations are in Marshall, Minnesota. www.bhelectronics.com

Lynx Broadband
[email protected]
www.lynxbroadband.com

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