Manual

Model 348 User Guide Issue 1, January 2020
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 7
MODEL 348
INTERCOM STATION
Dante receiver (audio input) channels can
be assigned (routed or “subscribed”) using
the Dante Controller software application.
The Dante transmitter and receiver channels
support 32 Dante flows, 16 in each direction.
The digital audio’s bit depth is up to 32 with a
sample rate of 48 kHz. Bi-color LEDs, located
on the unit’s back panel, provide status indi-
cations of the Ethernet network and Dante
interface performance.
The Model 348 is compliant with the AES67
interoperability standard. In addition, the unit
is compatible with Audinate’s® Dante Domain
Manager™ (DDM) software application.
Audio Quality
The Model 348’s audio performance is com-
pletely “pro.” A low-noise, wide dynamic-range
microphone preamplifier and associated
voltage-controlled-amplifier (VCA) dynamics
controller (compressor) ensure that headset
and gooseneck microphone audio quality is
preserved and minimizes the chance of sig-
nal overload. The output of the microphone
preamp and compressor is routed to an
analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) section
that supports sampling rates of 48 kHz. 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. A
total of 11 Dante transmitter (output) chan-
nels are provided: one each associated with
the unit’s eight channels, two monitor output
channels, and one “hot mic” output channel.
Audio input signals arrive via 16 Dante re-
ceiver channels and pass into the Model
348’s 32-bit microprocessor. Eight channels
are associated with the monitor section while
the other eight are used as program sources
for the IFB (talent cue) functions. All channel
routing, headphone and monitor level con-
trol, IFB creation, and sidetone functions are
performed within the digital domain. This pro-
vides flexibility, allows precise level control,
eliminating the need for analog audio signals
from having to pass through the level controls.
The audio signals destined for the headphone
outputs are sent to a high-performance digi-
tal-to-analog converter and then on to robust
driver circuitry.
Future Capabilities and
Firmware Updating
The Model 348 was designed so that its
capabilities and performance can be easily
enhanced in the future. A USB connector,
located on the unit’s back panel, allows the
application firmware (embedded software)
to be updated using a USB flash drive. The
Model 348 uses the Broadway™ integrated
circuit from Audinate to implement the Dante
interface. The firmware in this integrated
circuit can be updated via an Ethernet con-
nection, helping to ensure that its capabilities
remain up to date.
Getting Started
What’s Included
Included in the shipping carton are a Model
348 Announcer’s Console and a printed copy
of this guide. As a device that can be Power-
over-Ethernet (PoE) powered, no external
power source is provided. This is because in
most applications an Ethernet switch with PoE
capability will be utilized. It’s also possible to
connect an external source of 12 volts DC to
power the Model 348. If this is the case then
a power supply would need to be provided
separately.
Connections
In this section signal interconnections will
be made using the connectors located on
the back of the Model 348’s enclosure. In