The audio processing node shall be a 2RU industrial package designed for fixed installation in engineered audio and communications systems.
The unit shall include an architecture based on an integrated floating-point Digital Signal Processor (DSP) engine with at least 3 DSP chips. The DSP shall operate with a common internal digital audio bus and support at least 448 simultaneous high-speed digital audio channels. The digital audio bus shall include an external expansion port that supports an additional 448 audio channels of bus-level connectivity for connecting additional units.
Note: It is possible to exceed the 448 channel limit, but it is not recommended. Testing has shown that using a greater number of channels can produce unexpected results.
Separate transmit and receive ports shall be provided for the external digital audio bus. Software devices shall be included to allow the digital audio expansion ports to be easily integrated into the configuration file. The DSP shall be completely configurable via a Windows-based software utility, with additional tools for creating user interface clients and integration with third-party control systems. Customizable I/O, control and signal flow design algorithms shall be integrated within the design environment for intuitive system configuration. This software shall include an XML architecture. Support for standard Ethernet management, including, but not limited to SNMP shall be standard from an integrated, rear-panel LAN port. The audio processing node shall include an embedded Linux operating system. The operating system shall reside on non-mechanical IDE storage media. The storage system shall include support for reading/writing data from the operating system, configuration software and the front panel. Audio file support, including but not limited to .wav audio, shall be standard and shall be completely integrated with the unit’s software tools. A non-mechanical storage device of at least 256M shall be used as the primary storage media and operating system root. The audio processing node shall include a modular I/O card bay system for support of up to four expansion cards. Each expansion bay shall be capable of supporting not less than 32 inputs and 32 outputs of simultaneous audio. Cards shall be available for microphone and line level analog audio with options for digital and proprietary audio transports. The audio node shall include a Dante audio transport module with support for at least 64 20-bit digital audio channels. Separate software devices shall be provided for integrating Dante audio I/O into the configuration file. The audio processing node shall include support for serial data transport including an RS-232 and RS-485/422 port. All data transports, including Ethernet, shall be available simultaneously and shall include software devices for integration into the configuration file. The audio processing node shall include an integrated GPIO control system with at least 16 configurable low-current, low voltage ports and 4 configurable high-current ports. All GPIO ports shall include software devices for integrating their function into the configuration file. The audio processing node shall include a front panel interface with LCD display. Navigation of the display shall include a rotary data wheel with push switch and at least four context-sensitive soft buttons. Status LEDs shall be included on the front panel for monitoring network status, storage, audio faults and power conditions. The audio processing node shall be fan-cooled with a front-panel intake and shall operate with a modular universal computer-grade power supply. The audio processing node shall be the MediaMatrix NION n6, n3, nX, nE or approved equal.
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