Important Safety instructions Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with dry cloth. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
Overview ................7 LQ and LQ-R models ............... 8 Basic example applications............9 Link-Group ................11 Example advanced application ..........12 Basic setup (LAN) ............13 Setting up your LQ environment ..........13 Accessing the Core Configuration Manager (CCM) ..... 14 Create a Link-Group ..............
Page 5
Getting an external IP address ..........41 Port-forwarding ..............41 How to configure the Link-Master to be externally reachable................42 How to configure Link-Members to be externally reachable................43 Link-local environments ..........45 What is link-local? ..............45 Accessing an LQ unit when in link-local mode ......45 Network configuration ...........
Page 6
What does a persistent flashing green light (more than 2 minutes) on the front panel keypad indicate? ......66 14.5 What types of 2-wire intercom do LQ Series units support? ................66 14.6 Can I connect Clear-Com intercom panels to LQ 4-wire devices? ................
• LQ-R units: Dual redundant external power supply • 2-wire o 2-wire line termination, o Auto nulling, o Clear-Com/RTS modes with both RMK/Call signaling pass-through • 4-wire o 4-wire To Panel/To Matrix interface switch o Panel data can be transmitted, allowing panels to connect over LAN, WAN and Internet.
LQ and LQ-R models LQ-2W2 Throw-down unit Two 2-wire partyline connectors (XLR F) LQ-4W2 Throw-down unit Two 4-wire connectors (RJ45, etherCON) LQ-R2W4 1 RU unit Four 2-wire ports, each with a male and female connector. (XLR) Dual redundant power supply connectors LQ-R4W8 1 RU unit Eight 4-wire connectors, (RJ45, etherCON)
Basic example applications LAN, WAN, Internet Figure 1-1 Partyline to partyline (2-wire connection) LAN, WAN, Internet Figure 1-2 Partyline to partyline (2-wire connection). 8 ports, 2 per LQ unit 399G116 Rev D...
Page 10
PoE or local power LAN, WAN, Internet Figure 1-3 Partyline to beltpack LQ 2W LQ 4W LAN, WAN, Internet Figure 1-4 Partyline to matrix (2-wire to 4-wire) Figure 1-5 Panel data over 4-wire connection. Replaces VoICE 2.0 product. Note: Panel data is passed between a pair of LQ devices, providing a 4-wire direct connection between two ports.
Link-Group Figure 1-6 A Link-Group Figure 1-7 Configuring a Link-Group from any device Note: The Core Configuration Manager (the Web-based management interface) for any unit can be reached either directly, by entering the IP address (displayed on the front of the unit) into a browser address field or via the Overview page of any unit in the Link-Group.
Example advanced application Figure 1-8 Example application, partyline and 4-wire direct (panel data) See 11.4 Example audio assignment via a Pico matrix for example audio routes for this setup. 399G116 Rev D...
Basic setup (LAN) LAN,WAN, Internet 2-wire 4-wire Setting up your LQ environment Prepare your environment by gathering the following equipment: • LQ units (LQ #1 and LQ #2) • (2) provided power supply units (PSUs) • (2) Straight-through Ethernet cables •...
Connect the provided PSU to each LQ device. Each device will display an IP address on the front panel display. Connect audio equipment to Port A of each LQ device. 2. Connect DHCP enabled server to either LAN port LQ #1 4.
Figure 2-3 Core Configuration Manager Create a Link-Group Before linking units together, one LQ device must first be designated as the Link- Master. This is accomplished by setting that device's role to Link-Master. Every other LQ device within the Link-Group will then be set into a Link-Member role which allows the linking of those units directly to the Link-Master.
Page 16
Within the Master IP address field, enter the IP address as displayed on the LQ #1 device. Click on blue check mark or <ENTER> key to submit. 399G116 Rev D...
Page 17
Select an available device ID (highlighted in blue). Apply Changes Select an available device ID (highlighted in blue) Click Apply changes. LQ #1 and LQ #2 will now be linked. Navigate to the Overview page (top navigation bar). Both LQ devices should be displayed on this page.
Assigning ports to a channel Click on the Assignments button within the navigation bar. Select the Channel tab. Add Port A on each device to Channel 1 by clicking on the + symbol to the right of each port. You should now be able to pass audio and call/RMK signaling to/from Port A on each device.
Page 19
2.4.1 Interface port settings From the LQ Core Configuration Manager go to Overview > A/B. The LQ factory default settings are shown below. Power Disabled Input/Output gain Mode Clear-Com Network quality High Input/Output gain VOX mode Disabled VOX mode Disabled...
Powering your LQ™ LAN1/PoE connector Grounding screw Sleeve-locking Audio ports (2W or 4W) power connector LAN2 connector Figure 3-1 LQ unit rear panel (2-wire device) Using the power supply unit (PSU) • LQ units are supplied with a 24 watt sleeve-locking power connector. •...
Page 21
3.1.2 LQ Series front panel power display LQ throw-down units If the device is using the PSU, this will be lit up instead of the PoE indicator. LQ-R 1 RU units 3.1.3 Power 2-wire beltpacks from the partyline 2-wire partyline beltpacks take power from the partyline. The maximum numbers are shown in the table below.
If this happens, the device(s) will show a persistent flashing green light, and not move beyond the Clear-Com splash screen. This indicates that the device is continually booting and needs more power than the PoE switch or network is providing.
Core Configuration Manager (CCM) walk- through LQ units can be configured and controlled from the Web-based Core Configuration Manager. This includes all main functions: • Linking units • Network settings • Port configuration • Configuring of audio and signalization routing throughout the LQ-Group •...
Overview page Linked units appear in this screen Link-Master Overview button Power indicator Navigation Host device (orange highlight) Note: The orange highlight shows which device the browser is currently connected to. Figure 4-1 Overview page As LQ devices are added to the group, they will appear in this screen. To access the configuration and control options for any one of the units in the group, click on the device object.
Page 25
4.3.1 General page From this page you can: re-name the device, identify the device’s model name and software version, and access Upgrade, Change password and Maintenance sections. There are four buttons in the left margin, below the device image. These are: General, Network, Linking and Port options, A/B.
Page 26
Support Info provides a ‘snapshot’ of the device’s operational information for troubleshooting purposes. 4.3.2 Network information page The LQ unit’s network information is configured on this page. 4.3.2.1 DHCP or static IP allocation DHCP is set by default and allows the device to automatically configure its network information.
Page 27
Figure 4-4 Network: static IP allocation For more information on external connectivity see 9 Network configuration. For more information on static IP allocation see 9 Network configuration and 5 Linking. 4.3.3 Linking page This is where the role of the LQ device is set to either Link-Master or, if connecting to a Link-Group, Link-Member.
Page 28
Figure 4-5 Linking: assign role to device Note: The Change Role button toggles between Link-Member and Link-Master. Query Link-Master for list of available Device IDs within the Link-Group. Figure 4-6 Linking Select one of the available Device IDs and click Apply Changes. For more detail on the linking process see 2.3 Create a Link-Group.
Click on a blue option to select it Figure 4-7 Four-wire interface port settings Assignments page Click Assignments on the top menu bar. All devices joined to the Link-Group, along with their associated ports, appear in the left margin of this page. You will also see two page tabs on the centre right of the page;...
Page 30
Port assignment status is represented by the following three colors: • White: connected, audio is being transmitted • Yellow: connection pending, connection status unknown • Red: device is unreachable. Note: If required, more channels can be added using the green ‘Add Channel’ button. Figure 4-8 Assignments page 4.4.2 Configuring a 4-wire direct/panel...
Page 31
Go to the devices in the left hand margin of the screen and add a port to a direct connection by clicking ‘+’. Note: You can only add a 4-wire source in this context. Select the second source from the devices in the left margin and click ‘+’. This source will also appear in the direct connection box and a connection will be created between the two ports.
Linking A Link-Group • A Link-Group can contain up to 6 LQ devices • A Link-Group must have one unit designated as Link-Master • The Link-Group performs a “best effort” approach to creating a mesh network between all the devices within the group. Once joined to the Link-Group, all devices attempt to connect to all other devices within the group.
Note: The Link-Master must be reachable on TCP port 80 by all devices within the Link- Group. Reachability of the Link-Master on TCP/UDP port 655 facilitates the routing of audio to/from the Link-Master but is not mandatory when setting up a Link- Group.
Linking over Internet or WAN When linking over Internet or WAN, the IP addressing of the units becomes more complicated because the units use external addressing and port-forwarding to navigate firewalls. The LQ units must be able to reach the Link-Master. Link-Members are configured to WAN or Internet join the Link-Group using the...
Figure 5-5 Linking: external Link-Master IP address entered in Linking page of member units For more information on linking over the Internet, see 7 Internet connectivity. How to remove a device from a Link-Group 5.7.1 Remove an on-line Link-Member from a group Access the Core Configuration Manager for any device within the Link-Group.
Page 36
Navigate to Linking for that device. Click Change Role to Link-Member. Apply Changes. The device will be reconfigured as a Link-Master and removed from the group. 5.7.2 Remove an off-line Link-Member from a group Access the Core Configuration Manager for any device within the Link-Group. In the Overview page, the off-line unit will show a red ‘X’.
VOX o Threshold o Delay • Set 2-wire specific settings o Powering of the line o Clear-Com/RTS mode o Auto-nulling o Termination • Set 4-wire specific settings o Port Function: set port function of Ethernet cable ‘to Matrix’ or ‘to Panel’,...
Page 38
Figure 6-1 Front panel menu 399G116 Rev D...
-18 to -60 dB (default -40 • Vox delay o 0.5 to 4 seconds • Vox delay • Baud rate o 0.5 to 4 seconds o 9600 (Drake 4000)/19200 • Power of line (Eclipse) o Enabled/Disabled • Mode o Clear-Com/RTS 399G116 Rev D...
Device Note: The parameters in bold are defaults. • OLED brightness o Bright/Normal/Dim/Very Dim • Screensaver o 15/30/60/90/120 seconds Networking (information display only) • Mode > Static/DHCP • IP address • MAC address 399G116 Rev D...
Internet connectivity LAN,WAN, Internet Link-Master Link-Member External (public) IP All devices within a Link-Group must have connectivity to the Link-Master on TCP port 80. When linking devices over the Internet, make sure that this connectivity is stable. Internet connection to an LQ device requires special configuration within your firewall (port-forwarding).
How to configure the Link-Master to be externally reachable Both the external IP address and the audio port forwarded within the firewall will need to be configured within the Link-Masters device configuration page. 7.3.1 Set Link-Master external IP address Navigate to the Link-Master's network configuration page by clicking on the Link-Master device in the Overview page and then the Network button.
How to configure Link-Members to be externally reachable Clear-Com recommends that all units in a Link-Group are reachable over the Internet. In some cases this will mean external (public) addressing of the Link- Members in a group as well as the Link-Master. This prevents a loss of service if the master is unobtainable for any reason and creates more efficient audio routing.
Link-local environments • Any networked device will enter link-local mode if it is set to DHCP and no DHCP server is detected on the network. Link-local mode • If both the laptop and the LQ device are in DHCP mode, they will revert to link-local when connected.
Network configuration Dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) configuration The default method for LQ devices to obtain an IP address is DHCP and this is the preferred method when setting up a Link-Group over a LAN. Most networks allocate IP addresses using DHCP. The addresses provided are dynamic and will change from time to time.
9.2.2 Gateway Entry of this setting is optional. You will use it if setting up a Link-Group to navigate across subnets. If it is not explicitly stated, the system will revert to the device IP address. Configuring an external IP address You will use an external or public IP address when routing LQ devices over firewalls (this will almost always be the case when connecting over the Internet).
Note: Enabling power will enable termination by default. • Mode: Clear-Com/RTS (default is Clear-Com) Note: For specific pin-outs see 15 Technical specifications. • Label: Clicking on a blue label header will allow you to change the name of the port.
10.4 4-wire port options Note: To minimize noise, use screened (shielded) cable when connecting 4-wire ports. Note: Default option is in bold. • Label: Clicking on a blue label header will allow you to change the name of the port. Enter the new name and either press the <ENTER> key or click the blue check mark to apply changes.
Page 51
Expand port options Click blue option to change settings Figure 10-2 4-wire port options 399G116 Rev D...
Figure 11-1 Audio channels in a Link-Group 11.1.1 How many channels can I use? LQ series units can provide more than 6 channels. Use the green ‘Add Channel’ button on the Channel tab in the Assignments page of the Core Configuration Manager (CCM) to add more channels.
Page 53
11.1.2 Connecting ports Ensure that the ports are connected to the rear of the LQ unit. From the Core Configuration Manager, navigate to Assignments. Select the Channel tab on the Assignments page. Click on the channel you want to assign a port to. Navigate to Devices in the left hand margin of the screen.
To unassign the port from the channel click ‘-‘ within the channel. Figure 11-2 Assignments page Note: A channel must be selected before ports can be assigned to it. Note: A port cannot be assigned to a channel twice so it must be unassigned from a channel as necessary before assignment.
Page 55
From the Core Configuration Manager, navigate to Assignments. Select the 4-Wire Direct tab in the Assignments page. Click on the Add Direct Connection button to create a new direct connection box or select an existing direct connection box. Make sure the connection box you wish to add a port to has an orange highlight to indicate that it is selected.
Click ‘-‘ to remove port from Direct 1 Note: A 4-Wire Direct must be selected before ports can be assigned to it. Note: A 4-Wire Direct cannot be assigned to a route twice so it must be unassigned from a direct box as necessary before assignment. 11.2.1 Port availability status Port assignment status is represented by the following three colors: •...
11.4 Example audio assignment via a Pico matrix Figure 11-4 Example audio assignment Note: A 4-wire direct connection is between two points. A channel can accommodate many audio routes in a partyline. 399G116 Rev D...
Using LQ™ to interconnect equipment When connecting LQ units to other Clear-Com products and third party intercom systems please use the following guidelines: Device type Which LQ Port Function Supports Panel call unit? data? signaling? HelixNet HLI-4W2 LQ-4W2 To panel...
Page 59
Device type Which LQ Port Function Supports Panel unit? call data? signaling? RTS 2-wire LQ-2W2 Yes, but equipment does not LQ-R2W4 pass call LQ-R2W4-4W4 signaling to 4-wire audio routes. HME DX210 LQ-4W2 To panel LQ-R4W8 LQ-R2W4-4W4 LQ-2W2* LQ-R2W4* Tempest 2400 LQ-4W2 To panel LQ-R4W8...
12.1 Connecting 2-wire equipment When connecting 2-wire equipment the following functions should be taken into consideration: • Auto-null Note: Every time equipment is changed on a 2-wire port you should auto- null. • Enable/Disable the partyline power • Line Termination. These functions can be found in the 2-wire port settings page of the CCM.
Note: To minimize noise, use screened (shielded) cable when connecting 4-wire ports. 12.2.1.1 Pin-out configuration Pin-out configuration can be set on all LQ Series 4-wire interfaces. This is a software switch that switches the configuration of the pins on the RJ45 etherCON connectors, according to the device you are connecting to.
12.3 Connecting an Eclipse Pico or MVX card to an Encore device using LQ Figure 12-2 Connecting an Encore device to a matrix over IP When setting up this connection, care must be taken to configure the port in the EHX software correctly.
Note: The connection between the MVX or Pico and the LQ device is a 4-wire connection, even though it is declared as a 2-wire connection. See 5.16 Port Function in the Eclipse 8.5.1 EHX Software User Guide for more information on port function. 12.4 Connecting an Eclipse Pico or MVX card to a panel using LQ When setting up this connection, the MVX port to the LQ should be declared as a...
In order to upgrade your device, you will need to import the upgrade file provided by Clear-Com into the device via the unit’s CCM (Core Configuration Manager). An LQ unit must be upgraded from the host device (the device that the browser is currently addressing).
FAQs 14.1 How can I find the IP address or name of my LQ unit? The name and IP address of an LQ device can be found on the front panel display of the units and also in the Web GUI. The IP address and name of a unit can only be changed via the CCM (Web-based Core Configuration Manager).
2 minutes, and the display screen does not move beyond the Clear-Com splash screen, the most likely explanation is that the unit does not have enough power. This can happen if too many LQ devices are drawing power from the same PoE switch or network.
14.7 How are LQ Series devices powered? • LQ throw-down units use local power (24 watt sleeve-locking PSU) or Power over Ethernet (PoE). • LQ-R 1RU rack units use local power only (2 x 60 watt sleeve-locking PSUs). 14.8 How do I update the software in the LQ units? Connect a Web browser to the LQ unit and navigate to the Upgrade section within the device configuration page (Home >...
Navigate to the unit’s audio interface configuration page (Home > 2- Wire/4-Wire). Click on Network Quality for the appropriate port. Choose a lower Network Quality setting and click on the blue check mark to apply the setting. Repeat step 4 until the choppy audio is minimized. Note: The jitter buffer setting is designed to buffer audio received to prevent loss if there is network jitter.
Within the firewall, create a port-forward rule that forwards any TCP/UDP requests received on 173.194.121.48:6301 to 192.168.1.100:655. Within the Link-Master’s Network configuration page, configure the external IP and audio/data port: Within the remote unit’s Linking configuration page, configure the Link- Master’s external IP and management port: Repeat step 4 for each LQ unit to be part of the group.
14.13 Does the LQ-4W2 pass call signaling? Yes, but only call signaling originating from Clear-Com equipment. Call signalling to RTS equipment will be limited. 14.14 Can I link LQ-2W to an LQ-4W? Yes, a 2-wire device can be linked to a 4-wire device.
Call drive and Clear-Com sense Call sense voltage <4V Clear-Com Call drive voltage -7dBu 20kHz Call sense voltage -32dBu 20kHz RMK (Remote Clear-Com and microphone kill) 15.1.2 Pin-outs 2-wire Clear-Com Pin 1 Ground Ground Pin 2 DC power DC power (30V) (30V)
A 4-wire circuit gives a full-duplex interface which is often used to connect to 3 party devices. When used with the LQ Series, a 4-wire direct connection (as opposed to a channel) provides point-to-point and panel connections over IP. The 4-wire direct interface will pass panel data as well as audio.
Page 75
Proxy device A device within a Link-Group that can be configured via the Web-based configuration tool (CCM) of another unit in the group. Virtual partyline A virtual partyline is a digital audio channel that is made up of several different audio sources. In terms of audio, a virtual partyline behaves in the same way as a partyline;...
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Clear-Com, LLC, an HM Electronics, Inc. company could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
Page 77
The European Union (EU) WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) places an obligation on producers (manufacturers, distributors and/or retailers) to take-back electronic products at the end of their useful life. The WEEE Directive covers most Clear-Com products being sold into the EU as of August 13, 2005. Manufacturers, distributors and retailers are obliged to finance the costs of recovery from municipal collection points, reuse, and recycling of specified percentages per the WEEE requirements.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the LQ series and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers