RAVE “S” series Digital Audio Router USER MANUAL ▼ RAVE 80s (8 AES3 outputs) ▼ RAVE 81s (8 AES3 inputs) ▼ RAVE 88s (4 AES3 inputs + 4 AES3 outputs) ▼ RAVE 160s-24 (16 analog audio outputs) ▼ RAVE 161s-24 (16 analog audio inputs) ▼ RAVE 188s-24 (8 analog audio ins + 8 analog audio outs) TD-000070-00 Rev.
Attention! •Maximum operating ambient temperature is 65° C. CAUTION •Never restrict the airflow throught the devices’ fans RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN or vents. •When installing equipment into a rack, distribute the units evenly. Otherwise, hazardous conditions may be created by an uneven weight distribution. •Connect the unit only to a properly rated supply circuit. •Reliable Earthing (Grounding) of Rack-Mounted Equipment should be maintained.
Table of Contents RAVE “S” Series Digital Audio Router User Manual Warning Notices ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Illustration of RAVE unit ......................................................................................
INTRODUCTION: Overview RAVE™ Digital Audio Router products provide a means of and 188s-24 can both receive and transmit data over the net- transporting CobraNet™ audio signals over a Fast Ethernet work and can support higher capacity configurations when network. Using standard network hardware and physical me- setup through the Management Interface using SNMP.
INTRODUCTION: Illustration of RAVE units Front view of a RAVE 161s-24; other models are similar Power LED Bundle assignment selector switches (behind cover) Network status LEDs Audio signal level LEDs Rear view, from top: RAVE 160s-24, RAVE 188s-24, RAVE 161s-24, RAVE 80s, RAVE 88s and RAVE 81s Sync connections RS-232 port Audio I/O section Ethernet connection IEC connector (AC power) and fuse holder 5
INTRODUCTION: Glossary AES3— A digital audio format specification approved by Latency—The time interval from when an event occurs and the Audio Engineering Society and European Broad- when it is perceived. In digital audio routing, this is cast Union for inter-device conveyance of a dual- typically the time required to convert an analog in- channel (stereo) digital audio signal. Also called put to a digital signal, transmit that signal over the AES/EBU.
Introduction: Glossary (continued) Repeater—Network repeaters are commonly referred to as Switch—A network switch examines incoming data and sends Ethernet multi-port hubs. A data signal arriving in it to the port or ports to which the data is addressed. any port is reproduced out all other ports on the Networks that use switches realize higher overall hub. A repeater hub does not buffer or interpret the bandwidth capacity because data may be received data passing through it.
Introduction: How It Works Ethernet networks are used most often for data communica- nection and/or an abundance of bandwidth dedicated to a tions, such as with file or print sharing on an office LAN (Lo- single device on each switch port. On network switches, RAVE cal Area Network). A typical application might include a num- establishes a half-duplex link to a dedicated port.
Introduction: How It Works (continued) In default mode, the signals from the first 8 audio channel in- The received bundle is then separated into individual audio chan- puts will be grouped together in a bundle whose “network iden- nels and forwarded to the first 8 audio outputs at the rear-panel tifier” number is specified from the front-panel hexadecimal in either analog or digital format, depending upon which model switches or through the management interface. The bundle will Rave is used.
Introduction: Channel Routing Channel Routing A RAVE network handles routing in bundles of up to eight audio signments may be the same. Whether the bundle assignments channels. Each bundle of audio transmitted on the network oc- on a receiver (or multiple receivers) can be duplicated is depen- cupies a unique identifier, or number.
Installation: Pre-Installation Level Setting (RAVE 160/161/188 only) PRE-INSTALLATION PREPARATION: ANALOG AUDIO SIGNAL LEVELS (RAVE 160/161/188 ONLY) The RAVE models supporting analog audio inputs and/or outputs may require signal level setup to achieve optimum performance. Level setup must be configured before rack-mounting the units. The digital AES3 (digital audio) models do not require any adjustment. Level adjustments are made by configuring internal jumpers on the main circuit board.
Installation: Pre-Installation Level Setting (RAVE 160/161/188 only) Input Level Sensitivity (RAVE 161s-24 and 188s-24 only) Input level sensitivity is the RMS analog signal level at which a sinusoidal waveform will produce a digital full scale signal in the device. The available settings are +24dBu, +18dBu, and +12 dBu (reference: 0 dBu = 0.775 volt), which are 12.3, 6.1, and 3.1 volts rms, respectively. These correspond to 17.4, 8.7, and 4.4 volts peak.
Installation: Rack Mounting RACK MOUNTING (ALL MODELS) A RAVE unit is 1 RU (1 rack space) high and mounts in any standard 19-inch wide equipment rack. The top cover of the chassis must be in place and properly secured with screws before you can mount the RAVE unit. • Rack mounting is optional. • Use four mounting screws to fasten the front ears of the RAVE unit to the mounting rails of the rack. • The chassis of a RAVE unit also has mounting ears on its rear corners.
Connections: Analog Audio Inputs/Outputs (RAVE 160/161/188) ANALOG AUDIO CONNECTIONS The analog RAVE models (RAVE 160 /161 and 188) use normal analog balanced audio inputs and outputs, with three terminals per channel: Hi (+), Lo (-) and Shield.. Analog audio inputs and outputs connect using detachable terminal strip headers on the rear panel of the RAVE unit.
Connections: Digital Audio Inputs/Outputs (RAVE 80/81/88) DIGITAL AUDIO CONNECTIONS The digital RAVE models (RAVE 80/81/88) use the AES3 (also known as AES/EBU) digital audio standard. Each AES3 XLR jack carries 2 channels of digital audio, each carrying between 16- and 24 bits per sample. All digital audio I/O on a RAVE unit are terminated in accordance with the AES3 specification. AES3-1992 warns against the use of more than 1 receiver across the cable.
Connections: AC Power and Fuses, Master/Sync Output and Slave/Sync Input AC POWER: • • • The detachable AC power cord connects to the RAVE at the rear-panel IEC connector. There is no power switch; the AC disconnect device is the detachable power cord. A RAVE operates on line voltages from 100 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz. No user setting is required. FUSES: • • • The fuse holder is an integral part of the IEC connector and contains two fuses.
Connections: Sync Connection for Redundant Operation, RS-232 Port Rear panel coax cable and Ethernet connections REDUNDANT CONFIGURATION (hardware setup) To slave one RAVE unit to another, connect a male-to-male BNC jumper cable from the sync output of the master unit to the slave input of the redundant unit. Select the same bundle assignment(s) on the slave unit as are selected on the master unit.
Connections: Synchronizing the CobraNet Network to an AES/EBU Stream SYNCHRONIZING TO AES/EBU The RAVE “s” series AES/EBU input models provide some additional means for synchronizing the CobraNet network and deriving on-board clocks. In addition to the on-board PLL and external synch inputs available on all models, the AES/EBU input models allow the user to synchronize the network to a 48 kHz AES/EBU input stream.
Connections: Synchronizing the CobraNet Network to an AES/EBU Stream SYNCHRONIZING TO AES/EBU Method 2: Use the recovered AES 48 kHz clock as an “external clock” source. When the jumper at header J37 is set to “AES”, the CobraNet interface uses the recovered 48 kHz clock at the first XLR connector (inputs 1 and 2) as the external synchronization clock.
Operation: Network Activity (Status) Indicators STATUS INDICATORS Network activity LEDs The eight status indicator LEDs display the operating condition of the RAVE unit and its connection to the Ethernet network. They are color coded such that green LEDs, when illuminated, signify a good or normal condition, while red LEDs signify a problem. The “Conductor” LED is yellow and simply indicates whether the unit is providing system synchronization and accessibility functions.
Operation: Network Activity (Status) Indicators Tx This LED illuminates green for at least 50 milliseconds while the unit is transmitting Ethernet data. This indicator will blink when transmit activity is present. The activity of this indicator is dependent on the RAVE model and bundle type. This is a physical layer indicator and does not guarantee that data is being transmitted properly from the CobraNet core.
Operation: Audio Signal Level Indicators AUDIO SIGNAL LEVEL INDICATORS The tricolor metering LEDs provide visibility to various configuration and metering information. Their primary purpose is to detect the presence of audio signal.
Operation: Audio Signal Level Indicators ERROR REPORTING Each release of the CobraNet firmware has an associated list of error codes, which identifies a specific cause in the event that a unit is failing a self-test or is experiencing operational problems. The RAVE devices may display this error code on the right 8-channel group of the metering LEDs. This code will be displayed in binary format with red LEDs.
Operation: Program/Software Kill, Routing PROGRAM AND “SOFTWARE KILL” When all front panel hexadecimal switches are set to “FFFF”, the RAVE unit enters a utility mode. This mode can be useful when reprogramming a RAVE or in disabling the software mode of operation. Reprogramming through the RS-232 connection has given way to the network method, which uses TFTP (trivial file transfer protocol) over the Ethernet connection.
Operation: Routing (continued) Switches set to “10” through “FE” hex assign unicast bundles. Switches set to “01” through “0F” hex assign multicast bundles. Switch settings “00” and “FF” hex are reserved for special functions. “FF” hex puts the unit into utility mode for programming and also forces software kill. “00” hex disables a transmitter, thus preventing network bandwidth consumption when no audio transmission is required. “00” hex disables a receiver from listening to any bundles.
Network Design Considerations: General Info and Switched Networks There are a number of ways to design a CobraNet LAN. Sev- SWITCHED NETWORKS eral resources such as device specifications, Architect & • RAVE supports operation on 10/100 Mbps network Engineer’s specifications, topology references, lists of ap- switches. Switch ports must auto-negotiate their link with proved network hardware and design guidelines are avail- RAVE.
Network Design Considerations: Switched Networks (continued) When a switch is shared with non-CobraNet data, it bundles and possibly service SNMP messages. The de- should be configured so that CobraNet audio is isolated vice defaults should handle these conditions appropri- from conventional data communications. Partitioning is ately. However, some configurations may require alter- usually accomplished by enabling multiple VLANs.
Network Design Considerations: Repeater Networks REPEATER NETWORKS • RAVE supports operation on network repeaters. These All bundle distribution is multicast on network repeat- repeaters should be 100 Mbps class II devices. ers. Additionally, since repeaters provide a half-duplex Collisions are prevented through CobraNet’s propri- connection to a shared media network, there is a limit of etary “order persistent” media access scheme.
Specifications GENERAL AC Line Voltage: 100V to 240V, auto-configuring AC Line frequency: 50 Hz to 60 Hz, auto-configuring Maximum AC Line Current Draw: 600 mA @ 100V Thermal Operating Range: 0° C to 65° C ANALOG INPUTS Connector Type: 3-pin Phoenix (euro-style), detachable terminal block Audio Resolution (Tx): 16, 20, 24-bit (software configurable) Input Sensitivity: +12 dBu, +18 dBu, +24 dBu, ±0.
Specifications ANALOG OUTPUTS (continued) Output Impedance: <200 ohms (electronically balanced) Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, ±0.5 dB Dynamic Range, typical: 102 dB FS @ 997 Hz Dynamic Range, worst-case: >100 dB FS @ 997 Hz Idle Channel Noise (A-weighted): 104 dB FS (20 Hz to 20 kHz), typical THD+N @ 997 Hz: .001 %, typical THD+N (20 Hz to 20 kHz): <.
Specifications AUDIO BUFFERING 256 samples (5.
Appendix ETHERNET CABLING This diagram shows the pinout for standard unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) network cable. Both ends of the cable are wired identically. 1 Tx + 2 Tx – 3 Rx + 4 not used 5 not used 6 Rx – 7 not used 8 not used White/orange Orange White/green Blue White/blue Green White/brown Brown RJ-45 pinout for a standard Ethernet patch cable (both ends identical) A crossover cable has the RX and TX wire pairs switched around at one end.
Appendix: Resources QSC RAVE resources: http://www.qscaudio.com - Visit our website regularly for up-to-date RAVE information such as: Technology papers Configuration procedures Management aids Internet links to other networked audio information sources Client list (venues utilizing RAVE) Articles and reviews pdf versions of product documentation CobraNet resources: http://www.peakaudio.com - Peak Audio provides the official reference information for CobraNet.
How to Contact QSC Audio Products Product Warranty QSC Audio Products, Inc. (“QSC”) guarantees its products to be free from defective material and / or workmanship for a period of three (3) years from date of sale, and will replace defective parts and repair malfunctioning products under this warranty when the defect occurs under normal installation and use - provided the unit is returned to our factory or one of our authorized service stations via prepaid transportation with a copy of proof of purchase (i.
QSC Audio Products, Inc., 1675 MacArthur Boulevard Costa Mesa, California 92626 USA PH: (714) 754-6175 FAX: (714) 754-6174 RAVE is a trademark of QSC Audio Products, Inc. “QSC” and the QSC logo are registered with the U.S.
