Datasheet

Studio Technologies, Inc. Model 204 Announcer’s Console, Issue 1, Page 3
Ethernet Data and PoE
The Model 204 connects to a local area network (LAN) by
way of a standard 100 Mb/s twisted-pair Ethernet interface.
The physical 100BASE-TX interconnection is made by way of
a Neutrik® etherCON RJ45 connector. While compatible with
standard RJ45 plugs, etherCON allows a ruggedized and locking
interconnection for harsh or high-reliability environments.
The Model 204’s operating power is provided by way of the
Ethernet interface using the 802.3af Power-over-Ethernet (PoE)
standard. This allows fast and efficient interconnection with the
associated data network. To support PoE power management,
the Model 204’s PoE interface enumerates (reports) to the
power sourcing equipment (PSE) that it’s a class 2 (low power)
device. If a PoE-enabled Ethernet port can’t be provided by
the associated Ethernet switch a low-cost PoE midspan power
injector can be utilized.
Dante Audio-over-Ethernet
Audio data is sent to and received from the Model 204 using the
Dante audio-over-Ethernet media networking technology. As a
Dante-compliant device, the Model 204’s two Dante transmitter
(audio output) channels and four Dante receiver (audio input)
channels can be assigned (routed or “subscribed”) to other
devices using the Dante Controller software application. The
Dante transmitter and receiver channels are limited to support
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ing four Dante flows, two in each direction. The digital audio’s
bit depth is up to 24 with a sampling rate of 44.1 or 48 kHz.
Two bi-color LEDs provide an indication of the Dante connection
status. An additional LED displays the status of the associated
Ethernet connection.
The Model 204 is compatible with the AES67 interoperability
standard. In this mode the two transmitter (output) channels
will function in multicast; unicast is not supported. In addition,
the unit is compatible with the Dante Domain Manager™ (DDM)
software application.
Audio Quality
The Model 204’s audio performance is completely “pro.” A
low-noise, wide dynamic-range microphone preamplifier and as
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sociated voltage-controlled-amplifier (VCA) dynamics controller
(compressor) ensures that mic input audio quality is preserved
while minimizing the chance of signal overload. The output of the
microphone preamp and compressor is routed to an analog-to-
digital conversion (ADC) section that supports sampling rates
of 44.1 and 48 kHz with a bit depth of up to 24. The audio signal,
now in the digital domain, routes through a 32-bit microprocessor
and on to the Dante interface section where it is packetized and
prepared for transport over Ethernet.
Audio input signals arrive via the four Dante receiver channels
and pass into the Model 204’s microprocessor. The supported
sampling rates are 44.1 and 48 kHz with a bit depth of up to 24.
Channel routing, headphone level control, and sidetone creation
are performed within the digital domain. This provides flexibility,
allows precise control, and keeps the three level potentiometers
from having to directly handle analog audio signals. The audio
channels destined for the phones outputs are sent to a high-
performance digital-to-analog converter and then on to robust
driver circuitry. High signal levels can be provided to a variety
of headsets, headphones, and earpieces.
Configuration Flexibility
The Model 204 can be configured to meet the needs of specific
applications and user preferences. All configuration choices are
performed using the STcontroller personal computer software
application which is compatible with version 7 and later of the
Windows operating systems. There are no mechanical switch
settings or button-press sequences required to configure how
the unit functions. Selectable parameters include microphone
preamplifier gain, P48 phantom power on/off, button opera
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tion, remote control inputs, headphone output mode, sidetone
operation, and overall unit operation. The gain of the microphone
preamplifier can be selected from among four choices. This al
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lows the Model 204 to match the output sensitivity of a range
of handheld and headset-associated microphones. A low-noise
source of P48 phantom power can be enabled if required to
support condenser (capacitor) microphones.
The main and talkback pushbutton switches can be individually
configured. The main button can be selected to operate from
among four modes while the talkback button can be selected
from among three. These choices allow the Model 204’s opera
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tion to be tailored to meet the specific needs of many applica
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tions. As an example, for on-air sports applications the main
button would typically be configured to provide a push to mute
(cough) function. The microphone signal on the Dante main
output channel and the microphone output connector would
remain active unless the talent needs to momentarily disable
it. The talkback button would most likely be set to the push to
talk mode as its use would be intermittent.
The Model 204 provides two remote control inputs. Configura
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tion choices allow these to be assigned to work in parallel with
the main or talkback pushbutton switches. In this way activation
of a remote control input will emulate a user pressing its associ
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ated pushbutton switch.
The audio sources and the way in which they are assigned to
the headphone output channels can be configured from among
five choices. These unique choices allow almost any required