Distribution frame

In telecommunications, a distribution frame is a passive device which terminates cables, allowing arbitrary interconnections to be made.

For example, the Main Distribution Frame (MDF) located at a

DSL

or POTS line circuit.

In broadcast engineering, a distribution frame is a location within an apparatus room through which all signals (audio, video, or data) pass, with the ability to arbitrarily route and connect sources and destinations between studios and other internal and external points. Connections can either be soldered, or made using terminal blocks. Because the frame may carry live broadcast signals, it may be considered part of the airchain.

In data communication, a building distribution frame (BDF) houses data switches, etc.

Types

Distribution frames for specific types of signals often have specific

initialisms

:

DDF—digital distribution frame
IDF—Intermediate distribution frame
MDF—Main distribution frame
ODF or OFDF—optical fiber distribution frame^[1]
VDF—
voice
distribution frame

Modernization

Distribution frames may grow to extremely large sizes. In major installations, audio distribution frames can have as many as 10,000 incoming and outgoing separate copper wires (

Automated Main Distribution Frames

. The principal issues which stand in the way of their widespread adoption are cost and reliability.

Newer

radio or TV stations) at the same time. Multiple smaller frames, such as one for each studio, can be linked together with fibre-optics (which also helps eliminate ground loops), or with gigabit Ethernet. This has the advantage of not having to route dozens of feeds through walls (and sometimes floors and ceilings

) to a single point.

References

^ US patent 7,142,765—High Density Optical Fiber Distribution Frame

[1] US patent 7,142,765—High Density Optical Fiber Distribution Frame

[1]

Types

Modernization

See also

References