Specifications

8
In a typical Ethernet environment, nodes usually send data packets to other specific nodes, and the data packet
headers contain both the source address and the destination address. On a RAVE network, however, the sending
units
broadcast their data packets, without destination addresses but with addresses identifying the network
channels the sending units are set to. Then, to receive a particular block of eight audio channels sent by another
unit, you would set the receiving unit to the same network channel that the transmitting unit is on, somewhat
like tuning a radio or television receiver to a particular frequency or channel.
Redundant operation
To slave one RAVE unit to another, connect a BNC jumper cable from
the sync output of the main unit to the slave input of the redundant
unit. Select the same network channel(s) on the slave unit as are
selected on the main unit. As long as the slave input detects the clock
signal from the main RAVE unit, it will remain in a sort of “standby”
mode, i.e., if it has analog audio outputs, the output relays will stay
open to prevent the production of audio signals; if it has digital audio
outputs, the bitstream will continue, but the audio information will be as if the audio channels were muted; if
it has analog or digital audio inputs, the unit will not transmit data on the network.
However, once the clock signal disappears, as would happen if the main unit detects an internal fault, loses its
network connection, or just fails, the slave unit will go into normal operation. If the clock signal reappears, the
slave unit will go back to its standby role.
Hub
RAVE161
RAVE161
Main unit
Spare unit
(set to same network channel
as the main unit)
Sync out
Slave in
CAT5 UTP cable
BNC-BNC
coax cable
RJ-45
RJ-45
The spare unit will not transmit
data on the network as long as it
receives a sync signal from the
main unit. If the main unit
malfunctions or loses its network
connection, its sync signal will
stop, it will stop transmitting data,
and the spare unit will take over
operation.
8 audio ins
8 audio ins
8 audio ins
8 audio ins
RAVE160
RAVE160
Hub
Main unit
Spare unit
(set to same network channel
as the main unit)
Sync out
Slave in
CAT5 UTP cable
BNC-BNC
coax cable
8 audio outs
8 audio outs
8 audio outs
8 audio outs
RJ-45
RJ-45
The spare unit's audio outputs
will stay muted as long as it
receives a sync signal from the
main unit. If the main unit
malfunctions or loses its network
connection, its sync signal will
stop, its outputs will mute, and
the spare unit's audio outputs
will activate.
An example of a redundant input setup An example of a redundant output setup
When you operate a pair of RAVE units with analog inputs (RAVE models 161 and 188) in a redundant configuration,
you can safely “Y” the pairs of inputs between the main unit and the slave unit as you would with any parallel
analog devices with high input impedances. The internal output relays in analog RAVE units (models 160 and 188)
allow you to also parallel or “Y” the individual output channels of the RAVE units with their particular backup
channels. The relays will open when the RAVE unit is in standby or inoperative, preventing active outputs from
trying to drive the inactive outputs.
With digital units, you can often safely “Y” the AES3 inputs if the units are located physically close to each other
and the actual Y cables are reasonably short. For even better reliability, however, use a digital distribution
amplifier instead of Y cables. Do not “Y” digital AES3 outputs.