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TV images for millions of fans worldwide
How arkona and TQ deliver technology for major football moments
Strong system expertise for TV broadcasts of major live events
Broadcasting major productions at world-class level
arkona technologies stands for powerful video and audio infrastructure solutions for major international events. The BLADE//runner platform, which can consist of any number of AT300 units, is used in OB vans, venue kits, production control rooms, and playout rooms, reliably delivering video and audio signals around the world in real time. TQ handles the complete production of an AT300 – from procurement, assembly, mounting, and testing to the 24-hour run-in test at its in-house TQ-Product-Compliance-Center test laboratory in Augsburg.
This combination of development and manufacturing expertise is something rather unique in Germany and can provide significant benefits for customers like us. «
Discover the full success story in the video now.
Learn in the video interview with arkona and TQ how the AT300 is manufactured by TQ under the most demanding conditions — and how an unexpected surge in demand in 2026 put the project to the test.
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The Starting Point
arkona is regarded as a leading provider of broadcast infrastructure solutions used at major events worldwide, including sporting events and live music productions. Millions of viewers rely—often without realizing it—on the reliability and performance of the Griesheim-based company when watching top international matches live on television.
For the AT300, arkona was initially looking for a conventional manufacturing services provider. Discovering that TQ also offered the capabilities of a system partner with expertise in embedded technologies and advanced testing procedures came as a pleasant surprise. Because TQ not only brings extensive manufacturing capacity to the table but also employs a highly experienced team of more than 300 developers, arkona and TQ were able to collaborate as equals, allowing valuable insights from development to flow directly into the manufacturing process.
When developing the AT300, it was clear from the outset that we needed a strong, competent partner. […] TQ was already a name we knew. We initially thought they might be a bit too big for us, but it turned out to be a very good fit.
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The Challenge
High-precision soldering work
One of the most demanding aspects of manufacturing the AT300 is the manual soldering of a heat sink. Due to its high processing power, the integrated FPGA generates significant heat, which is typically dissipated through active cooling. However, because of the unit’s compact design, this is not an option. Instead, temperature management is handled by a heat sink that is soldered onto the board by hand at TQ with exceptional precision.
This is an extreme risk. It means that if a mistake is made, repair is not possible and the product is defective.
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A Costly Matter
The FPGA installed here is one of the most valuable components currently processed by TQ. The soldering process is carried out according to clearly defined standards and with the utmost care to ensure permanently flawless and reliable operation of the unit.
Major international event creates a
short-term increase in demand
In the first half of 2026, a short-notice change led to an unplanned tripling of the originally ordered AT300 units. TQ responded with maximum flexibility: procurement was ramped up within a very short time, additional production capacity in terms of personnel and manufacturing lines was made available, and the sudden increase in demand was successfully covered.
What positively surprised me about TQ was the remarkable flexibility for a large manufacturer like TQ. I hadn’t expected that. «
The result
Scalable, reliable, and of the highest quality.
arkona and TQ share a close partnership that ensures the success of the AT300 and, with it, the globally sought-after BLADE//runner. As a technology leader, TQ contributes many of its strengths by supporting arkona along the entire value chain.
- System offering from a single source: manufacturing, testing, and procurement logistics
- Integration of the embedded module TQMLS1046
- Complex technical skillset for manual soldering work
- End-to-end testing and documentation of all manufacturing steps
- Consistently high production quality
- Secure delivery capability and maximum flexibility, even during short-term peaks
- Reduced interfaces thanks to one central partner
The future
But this is not where the arkona and TQ success story ends: the partners are already working on the development of the next generation of the BLADE//runner module, the AT500. The goal is to deliver higher performance, faster interface speeds, and more PCB layers while maintaining compact dimensions and modularity for the user. It has already been confirmed that, in addition to the services provided so far, TQ will also take over the layout of the assembly.
The layout is currently being developed at TQ. This time, we will even have to increase the number of layers again. We are currently at 20 layers.
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