Industrial PoE++ Switching for Sports Lighting

The Challenge

A leading sports lighting integrator was tasked with deploying intelligent LED lighting systems and digital scoreboards across athletic fields at the city’s recreational sports complexes.

The project required a reliable network infrastructure capable of connecting remote lighting control cabinets, scoreboard systems, surveillance equipment, and wireless communications devices distributed throughout large outdoor venues. Many installations required long-distance fiber connectivity between field locations while simultaneously delivering high-power PoE to network-connected devices.

Because these systems are often installed in outdoor cabinets exposed to extreme temperatures, vibration, electrical surges, and harsh weather conditions, the networking infrastructure needed to provide industrial-grade reliability with minimal maintenance requirements.

The customer needed a solution that could:

• Extend network connectivity over fiber throughout large sports facilities
• Deliver high-power PoE++ to connected devices
• Support centralized monitoring and management
• Operate reliably in harsh outdoor environments
• Reduce maintenance and service calls
• Provide a scalable platform for future expansion

The Solution

The customer selected Omnitron's RuggedNet® GHPoEBT/Mi Managed Industrial PoE++ Switches to provide fiber-connected networking and power distribution throughout its sports lighting and scoreboard deployments.

The RuggedNet GHPoEBT/Mi combines dual 1/10G fiber uplink ports with four IEEE 802.3bt PoE++ ports capable of delivering up to 100 watts per port, enabling both network connectivity and power delivery from a single industrial switch platform.

Installed in field control cabinets and equipment enclosures, the switches connected lighting control systems, scoreboard equipment, wireless devices, and other networked infrastructure back to the facility's central network over fiber optic cabling. Fiber uplinks provided long-distance connectivity while eliminating concerns associated with electromagnetic interference and copper Ethernet distance limitations.

The managed RuggedNet platform also provided advanced network management and resiliency features including:

• Dual 1/10G fiber uplinks
• IEEE 802.3bt PoE++ with up to 100W per port
• Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)
• Remote PoE Power Reset for connected devices
• PoE Heartbeat Monitoring and automatic device recovery
• Web, SSH, SNMP, and serial management interfaces
• Industrial operating temperatures from -40°C to 75°C
• Dual DC power input options for additional reliability
• Alarm contacts for proactive monitoring and fault notification

The Result

By deploying RuggedNet® Managed Industrial PoE++ Switches, the customer established a reliable and scalable networking foundation for sports venue infrastructure.

The combination of fiber connectivity, high-power PoE++, and industrial-grade reliability enabled the deployment of intelligent lighting and scoreboard systems across large outdoor facilities while minimizing installation complexity and maintenance requirements.

Advanced management features allowed remote monitoring and troubleshooting of field equipment, helping reduce service calls and improve system uptime. The rugged industrial design ensured dependable operation despite exposure to challenging environmental conditions commonly found in outdoor sports venues.

Benefits Achieved

• Reliable networking for intelligent sports lighting systems
• High-power PoE++ support for connected field equipment
• Long-distance fiber connectivity across large venues
• Reduced maintenance through remote device management
• Improved network resiliency and uptime
• Simplified infrastructure with integrated power and data delivery
• Scalable architecture for future technology upgrades

Today, Omnitron's RuggedNet® GHPoEBT/Mi Managed Industrial PoE++ Switches continue to provide the communications backbone for sports field lighting and scoreboard applications, helping ensure reliable operation during practices, games, tournaments, and special events where network availability is critical.

Why Omnitron Systems

The customer selected Omnitron Systems based on the following factors:

1. Reliability in Harsh Environments: RuggedNet switches are industrially hardened and certified for extreme conditions, ensuring uptime in 24/7 manufacturing operations.
2. Exceptional Technical Support: Omnitron’s knowledgeable support team worked closely with the customer through deployment, configuration, and testing.
3. Advanced PoE Management Capabilities: Features such as PoE Watchdog, Heartbeat Monitoring, and Configurable Reset provided intelligent device management and minimized human intervention during device failures.
4. Standards-Based Compliance: Full IEEE 802.3bt, 802.1Q VLAN, and QoS support ensured seamless interoperability with existing and future systems.
5. Made in the USA: Domestic manufacturing and quality assurance were critical for supply chain reliability, security standards, and ongoing support.