Communications solutions from Fourthtrack

Communication solutions from Fourthtrack Systems

Originally founded by Robert Barrett under the name of Market Vision, Fourthtrack Systems commenced business, as a consultancy company, in October 1990.  Following some specific engineering and approvals projects, the company entered the communications solutions product business in June 1992 and changed its name to Fourthtrack Systems.  The launch of the MicroMux SP-1 set the company on the road to become one of the most successful British companies in the digital data communications market place.

Focusing on the 2Mbit/s (E1) G.703 sector, Fourthtrack Systems has become the market leader with the MicroMux and EasiLink ranges of G.703 interface converters and fibre extender solutions.

Semi-custom Product Opportunities

Fourthtrack Systems develops communications solutions products based on industry standard specifications. We focus on G.703 and associated technologies, including channel cross-connects, switching, and interface conversion.

A semi-custom product opportunity arises when, for some reason, there is a gap between the functionality required by an application and the functionality available from an existing product. In simple terms there is a need for additional or different functionality to meet the customer's needs.

The company having the need is usually a Communications Equipment Provider, a Manufacturer or a Systems Integrator. In our experience we usually find that a large system sale hinges on the solution to an interfacing issue between two types of equipment. Our strength is in addressing this issue, and thus unlocking the sale. In other cases we find that a Systems Integrator, or a smaller Manufacturer, has identified a need for a specific product, but doesn't have the resources in-house to develop it.

What Fourthtrack Systems brings to the table is expertise and resources at our immediate disposal. We can usually find a way to work within the financial constraints of the customer's budgeting system.

What we can do is turn the communications solution requirement for 'a special' into a semi-custom product opportunity, based on our library of existing technology and hardware platforms. This short-circuits the development process, enabling us to produce a fast prototype.

Whilst we are happy to consider small volume 'specials', in the ideal world we would prefer to look at opportunities with an on-going requirement.

Some examples of our successful semi-custom projects:

Requirement: Fractional E1 dual X.21/V.35 port access mux. with CAS signaling support required.
Solution: Special platform developed based on the MicroMux SP-3 design.

Requirement: Add / drop E1 multiplexer with single data port requiring layer two HDLC tail circuit buffering.
Solution: Special platform developed based on the MicroMux SP-3i Ultima design.

Requirement: Reverse interface converter to carry fractional E1 voice traffic over an Nx64k circuit.
Solution: Special platform developed based on the MicroMux SP-3i SRA design.

Requirement: Re-timing and network synchronization devices required by a Systems Integrator.
Solution: Adding a G.703-10 2MHz timing interfaces to several of our standard platforms enabled us to create a complete product line of synchronization systems for the Systems Integrator who is now a valued OEM customer.

Manufacturing

All of our products are manufactured in the United Kingdom to the highest standards.  Our manufacturing plant is a BSEN ISO9001:2000 approved facility, is BABT PQC compliant and all production adheres to the IPC-A-610 workmanship standard.

Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) - EC Directive 2002/95/EC

The RoHS Directive restricts the use of certain hazardous substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and two flame-retardants - PBB and PBDE) in electrical and electronic products sold in the European Union after July 1, 2006.

All Fourthtrack Systems products are RoHS Compliant.

WEEE - European Community Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive 2002/96/EC

The WEEE directive places an obligation on all EU-based manufacturers and importers to take back electronic products at the end of their useful life.

Fourthtrack Systems accepts its responsibility to finance the cost of treatment and recovery of redundant WEEE in accordance with the specific WEEE recycling requirements.

The symbol (shown right) is to be found on all Fourthtrack Systems products and/or packaging, which indicates that these products must not be disposed of with other normal waste. Instead it is the users responsibility to dispose of their waste electrical and electronic equipment by handing it over to an approved reprocessor, or by returning it to Fourthtrack Systems for reprocessing. For more information about where you can send your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local town or city council office.

Fourthtrack Systems is a member of the Budget Pack Environment Agency approved compliance scheme and our WEEE Producer Registration Number is WEE/BC0903US.

Fourthtrack Systems - bringing communications solutions to the world.