ClearOne AP400 Installation And Operation Manual
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ClearOne AP400 Installation And Operation Manual

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Installation & Operation Manual

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  • Page 1 AP400 Audio Conferencing System Installation & Operation Manual...
  • Page 2 States of America. ClearOne Communications, Inc. reserves specific privileges. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. AP400 Installation and Operation Manual ClearOne Part No. 800-150-001 July 2002 (Rev. 5.0) Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    AP400 Installation and Operation Manual Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: Introduction Product Overview ......... . .1 Features .
  • Page 4 Input parameters ........23 Output parameters .

  • Page 5: Chapter 1: Introduction

    The result is quicker setup, with fewer hassles and more control. In its most simple form, the AP400 is a mic mixing matrix. As such, all mic mixing parameters can be customized and any input or combination of inputs can be routed to any output or combination of outputs.

  • Page 6: Features

    • Eight line output channels expandable with additional AP400 units; any of the eight input channels can be mixed to any of the eight outputs on a given unit; all output levels are adjustable and can be instantly muted •...

  • Page 7: Professional Services Group

    E-mail: global@clearone.com Product registration Please register your AP400 online by visiting ClearOne Technical Support at www.clearone.com. When your product is properly registered, ClearOne is better able to serve you should you require technical assistance. Registration information is also used to notify you of upgrades and new product information.

  • Page 8: Unpacking

    Figure 1.1. Equipment Controls and Connections Front panel A. LCD. The two-line, 16-character-per-line LCD display is used for AP400 setup and level adjustments in conjunction with the four associated front- panel buttons [B]. Functions that can be accessed via the front-panel LCD include setup, programming, troubleshooting, and numeric audio level and gain readouts.

  • Page 9: Rear Panel

    ~ Controls and Connections C. LED Meter. The LED bar meter is displays the audio level of any selected input or output on the AP400, as well as displaying echo return loss (ERL) and echo return loss enhancement (ERLE) for mic channels 1–4.

  • Page 10: G-Link Network

    This digital bus is on every Audio Perfect product. It is a mix-minus bus which allows audio to be routed to any destination on the G-Link network. The AP400 has four digital buses: X-bus, Y-bus, Z-bus and G-Link EC Reference bus.
  • Page 11 The control bus is an independent channel from the G-Link’s audio channel; it uses a different pair of wires on the same cable. This allows control information to pass even if the units are not using the audio link. The AP400 supports the full set of commands through the control bus.
  • Page 12 Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760...

  • Page 13: Chapter 2: Installation

    AP400, contact your telephone company for installation. Auxiliary equipment Any auxiliary equipment to be used with the AP800 (i.e., AP400, AP10 Telephone Interface, AP IR Remote Control, desktop kit, microphones, speakers, recording equipment, etc.) should be available at time of installation.

  • Page 14: Hardware Setup

    ~ Hardware Setup Hardware Setup The AP400 is designed for easy installation and setup. All connections are made through rear-panel connectors. This chapter provides instructions on installing the units and making initial connections, creating a G-Link network, assigning device ID numbers, selecting the mixer mode, and using the LCD menu.

  • Page 15: Connecting The Unit

    Plug in the AP400 to complete the installation. The power output [A] will operate at any level between 100–240VAC and 50–60Hz. If you are installing only one AP400 and are not connecting it to any other AP units, you have completed the hardware installation.

  • Page 16: Networking Units

    A G-Link network supports connection of a maximum of any combination of 8 AP400s and AP800s. It also supports up to 16 additional AP10s, for a maximum of 24 telephone lines. Networking Units G-Link connections Using the G-Link connectors, you can connect up to eight AP800/400s and 16 AP10 units, where the total number of microphone inputs does not exceed 64.

  • Page 17: Device Ids

    Once your physical G-Link network is established (and if you have more than one AP unit at a site), you need to specify unique device ID numbers for each AP400 on the network. As shipped from the factory, all AP400 units default as device ID “0”. Set device ID numbers for each unit at your site by manipulating the front-panel LCD.
  • Page 18 Systems can be G-Linked together for easy reconfiguration, as shown in Figure 2.5. The physical location on the G-Link network determines which system individual units belong to. In Figure 2.5, for example, AP400 device 4 has been designated as master-linked. The units located below this unit on the G-Link network constitute System 3, while units above it belong to different systems.

  • Page 19: Lcd Programming

    ~ LCD Programming LCD Programming For most installations, the default settings in the AP400 do not need to be changed; the system can be used as soon as power is applied. However, if you need to customize any settings, such as telephone connection options or unique routing requirements, you can do so through the front panel user interface or with AP-Ware software.
  • Page 20 Installation ~ LCD Programming ClearOne Figure 2.7. LCD menu tree Adjusting a value To adjust a parameter, first verify that it is flashing. If the parameter is not flashing, it cannot be adjusted. If the parameter is flashing, adjust the value with the buttons.

  • Page 21: System Parameters

    Enter.) Set passcode Once you have unlocked the AP400, you can change the passcode. Before the AP400 allows passcode changes, the new passcode must be entered, then re-entered to validate it. The passcode must be five front panel buttons (in any combination or multiple).
  • Page 22 PA adaptive mode The AP400 recognizes how much loudspeaker audio is picked up by the microphones. It then uses this level as the new ambient level when audio is present at the power amplifier (see Figure 2.9). This prevents loudspeaker audio from gating on a microphone while still allowing people in the room to gate on microphones as they speak.
  • Page 23 Mic 1 allows the AP400 to revert back to a mic 1 input when all microphones gate off. The default setting for Last Mic Mode is off. To change a last mic mode option, select it, edit the value, and press Enter.
  • Page 24 Installation ~ LCD Programming Figure 2.10. Off attenuation Off Attenuation This sets the amount of level reduction applied to a microphone when it is off (Figure 2.10, above). Low values increase the amount of echo and reverberation allowed into the system. If the value is set high, you might be able to hear the microphones gate on and gate off as the background noise is reduced.
  • Page 25 Installation ~ LCD Programming Decay Rate This feature determines how fast a microphone gates off after the hold time expires (see Figure 2.12). Three options are available for this feature: slow (default), medium, and fast. If your room has very low ambient noise, set the value to fast. This reduces the effects of echo and reverberation.
  • Page 26 RS-232 port. Upon activating modem mode or when power is turned on while modem mode is active, the AP400 sends an init string to the modem to initialize it. (The init string can only be set through the RS-232 port. See Appendix E, page 56 for information on the the MINIT serial command.) The default setting is...

  • Page 27: Input Parameters

    Each input defaults to the auto-gate mode, but can be switched to manual mode (manual gate on, manual gate off, gate override on, gate override off). Auto-Gate is where a microphone does not gate on until audio is present at the mic. The AP400 Figure 2.14. Mic Inputs 1–4 parameters decides to gate the microphone on or off based on parameters set elsewhere in the AP400 (i.e.
  • Page 28 However, if the ambient noise in the room is constantly changing and the AP400 is unable to track properly (see Figure 2.15), turn this mode off and set the ambient level manually (see Manual Ambient, page 21). Fixed values range from 0dB to -70dB, with increments of 1dB.
  • Page 29 Installation ~ LCD Programming Echo canceller Activate or deactivate the echo cancellation feature for each gated input. Factory default is on. NLP adjust Non-linear processing (NLP) has four settings: soft (6 dB), medium (12dB), aggressive (18dB), and off. NLP adds additional echo cancelling “horsepower” to the echo canceller in difficult acoustic environments.

  • Page 30: Output Parameters

    Number of open mics (NOM) corrects for increased output level when more than one microphone is gated on. As microphones gate on, the AP400 reduces the level according to the number of active microphones. This mode can be turned on (default for outputs A-C, Telco) or off (default for outputs 1–4, and output D).
  • Page 31 ~ LCD Programming Subbus The AP400 is equipped with one internal sub-mix bus. The subbus is a matrix output which allows signals to be mixed and level controlled. The subbus is then made available as an input to the matrix for further signal routing.
  • Page 32 Installation ~ LCD Programming G-Link reference This bus provides a system-wide echo canceller reference signal. When multiple AP units are linked together and will be using only one output channel to drive the speaker system, that output must be defined as the sample reference which will be used by all of the linked AP units for echo cancellation.

  • Page 33: Meter Parameters

    Figure 2.24. Meter parameters The default meter parameter determines what is being displayed on the LED meter when a parameter is not using the LED bar graph, and the AP400 times out (see Timeout, page 22). Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760...
  • Page 34 Installation ~ Worksheet Figure 2.25. Default programming worksheet Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760...

  • Page 35: Chapter 3: Ap-Ware Software

    AP Tools software in ClearOne’s software line. AP-Ware provides increased configuration and system monitoring capabilities, and is straightforward to use. All AP400 functions can be configured with AP-Ware. AP-Ware software requirements AP-Ware software must operate on computer equipment that meets the following...

  • Page 36: Installing Ap-Ware

    To select an alternate destination directory, click Browse and use the Choose Directory window to find the desired location. Click OK to return to the previous window. AP-Ware Software Installing AP-Ware To install AP-Ware Boot the PC to the Windows operating system. Ensure that all other programs or applications are closed.

  • Page 37: Chapter 4: Operation

    CHAPTER 4: Operation Front Panel A correctly installed AP400 virtually runs by itself. Typical operations involve changing volume of an output, muting an input or output, or handling calls on the connected telephone handset. For most installations, a custom remote control (optional) will be used.

  • Page 38: Telco Interface

    Telco Interface To make and disconnect a call Open AP-Ware and select the AP400 unit. Click the AP400 Telco button on the Flow Screen to open the AP400 Telco interface. Figure 4.1. Telco interface Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760...

  • Page 39: Other Telco Options

    Auto-Answer. This feature turns auto-answer on and off. If auto-answer is • turned on, the AP400 answers the call after the first complete ring. If it is turned off, you will need to manually answer the call. Adapt Mode. This feature turns allows the AP400 to automatically adapt •...

  • Page 40: Touch Panel Control

    AP400 RS-232 port. Through the G-Link network, all networked AP products can be accessed and controlled from that single point. Using a touch panel, you can control the following: AP400 on or off control; transmit and receive audio mute; DTMF tones generation; volume control for receive audio;...

  • Page 41: Appendices

    Appendices Appendix A: Specifications Dimensions (LxDxH) 17.25" x 10.25" x 1.75" 43.8 x 26 x 4.5 cm Weight 7 lb/3.18 kg dry 12 lb/5.4 kg shipping Operating Temperature 32–100° F/0–38° C Humidity 15% to 80%, non-condensing Power Input Range Auto-adjusting 100–240VAC;...

  • Page 42: Appendix B: Warranty And Compliance

    Appendices ~ Appendix B: Warranty and Compliance Appendix B: Warranty and Compliance Warranty ClearOne Communications, Inc. (Manufacturer) warrants that this product is free of defects in both materials and workmanship. Should any part of this equipment be defective, the Manufacturer agrees, at its option, to: A.

  • Page 43: Fcc Part 15 Compliance

    Appendices ~ Appendix B: Warranty and Compliance Manufacturer does not assume any responsibility for consequential damages, expenses, or loss of revenue or property, inconvenience, or interruption in operation experienced by the customer due to a malfunction in the purchased equipment. No warranty service performed on any product shall extend the applicable warranty period.

  • Page 44: Industry Canada Compliance

    Appendices ~ Appendix B: Warranty and Compliance If this equipment causes harm to the telephone network, the telephone company will notify you in advance that temporary discontinuance of service might be required. If advance notice is not practical, the telephone company will notify the customer as soon as possible.

  • Page 45: Safety Information

    Appendices ~ Appendix B: Warranty and Compliance European Compliance (for international unit part no. 910-150-101 only) This equipment has been approved in accordance with Council Decision 98/482/EC for pan-European single terminal connection to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). However, due to differences between the individual PSTNs provided in different countries, the approval does not, of itself, give an unconditionally assurance of successful operation on every PSTN network termination point.

  • Page 46: Appendix C: Connector Pinouts

    Figure C.1. RS-232 connector Figure C.2. DB-25 connector Appendices Appendix C: Connector Pinouts RS-232 COM DCE port pinout Pin Number Control Pin Number Ground Control/Status port pinout Pin # Definable* Status Moment./Latch. Default Description No connection Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760 ~ Appendix C: Connector Pinouts Control No connection...

  • Page 47: Appendix D: Accessories

    RS-232 serial port protocol is 9,600 (default), 19,200, or 38,400 baud, 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity. The AP400 accepts the commands outlined on page 45. The structure of serial commands is as follows: Device ID, command, then any additional options in the order that they appear in the command descriptions on the following pages.

  • Page 48: Command Syntax

    For example, a command to disable automatic gain control (AGC) for Mic 2 on AP400 device “0” would have the command line: #30 AGC 2 0. In this command line, 3=AP400, 0=unit 0, AGC=command, 2=mic channel, 0=off state).
  • Page 49 Appendices ~ Appendix E: Serial Commands The command string will then be explained (where necessary), followed by the returned values and (where necessary) an example. Figure E.1. AP400 Serial Commands Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760...
  • Page 50 Serial Command Parameters and Explanations For serial port command protocol and syntax, see page 43. This command activates and deactivates the auto answer feature. [DEVICE] AA <X> Explanation <X> Parameter disables auto-answer Parameter enables auto-answer Parameter to toggle the state from one state to the other (regardless of current state) X=Null Parameter to report back the current state...
  • Page 51 Appendices ~ Appendix E: Serial Commands This command changes the state of the auto disconnect function. [DEVICE] AD <X> Explanation <X> Parameter to set Auto Disconnect to OFF Parameter to set Auto Disconnect to LOOP Parameter to set Auto Disconnect to Call Progress (CP) Parameter to set Auto Disconnect to LOOP+CP X=Null...
  • Page 52 AMBLVL This command changes or reports back the setting of the fixed ambient level for each AP400. This value is only used if adaptive ambient is not enabled. [DEVICE] AMBLVL <X> Explanation <X> X=0 to -70 Parameter to set the ambient level (in dB)
  • Page 53 Parameter to return the current decay rate Return Values The command will return the updated decay rate for the selected AP400 in the same format as the command. DFLTM This command changes and reports back the status of the default meter.
  • Page 54 This command changes or reports back the state of the echo canceller for a microphone. [DEVICE] EC <CH> <X> Explanation <CH> CH= 1-4 Parameter to apply to the specified microphone channel CH= * Parameter to apply command to all microphone channels <X>...
  • Page 55 Appendices ~ Appendix E: Serial Commands FLOW This command selects or reports whether hardware flow control is enable or disabled for the AP400. Hardware flow control is implemented using RTS and CTS. [DEVICE] FLOW <X> Explanation <X> Sets flow control to OFF...
  • Page 56 Appendices ~ Appendix E: Serial Commands GATE This command reports back the microphone gating status of an AP400. This command is read only. [DEVICE] GATE Return Values The command will return the current status of microphone gating for a given unit with a hex value.
  • Page 57 Appendices ~ Appendix E: Serial Commands GMODE This command changes or reports back the gating mode for a microphone. [DEVICE] GMODE <CH> <X> Explanation <CH> CH= 1-4 Parameter to apply to the specified microphone channel CH= * Parameter to apply command to all microphone channels <X>...
  • Page 58 Parameter to return the current mode Return Values The command will return the updated mode for the selected AP400 in the same format as the command. This command reports back the level for a given channel. [DEVICE] LVL <CH> <W>...
  • Page 59 Appendices ~ Appendix E: Serial Commands MASTER This command selects or returns the current mode of the AP400 from the serial port. [DEVICE] MASTER <X> Explanation <X> Parameter to designate the AP400 as master- single Parameter to designate the AP400 as slave...
  • Page 60 This command changes or reports back the state of the high pass filter for a microphone. [DEVICE] MHP <CH> <X> Explanation <CH> CH= 1-4 Parameter to apply to the specified microphone channel CH= * Parameter to apply command to all microphone channels <X>...
  • Page 61 Return Values The command will return the updated maximum number of microphones allowed on for the selected AP400 in the same format as the command. MPASS This command sets the current password for modem mode. Note: The default password is a carriage return (enter).
  • Page 62 <OUTPUTMIX> OUTPUTMIX=hex word The selected input will be routed to the outputs indicated. OUTPUTMIX=null Mix Command to return the current setting for the input. <OUTPUTMIX>Note: When entering the hex value of the <OUTPUTMIX>, it is not necessary to add the leading zeros, only zeros that follow the value, as in examples 1 &...
  • Page 63 Appendices ~ Appendix E: Serial Commands MUTE This command changes or reports the state of mute for a given channel. [DEVICE] MUTE <CH> <W> <X> Explanation <CH> CH= 1-4 Parameter to apply to the specified microphone channel CH= A-D, T Parameter to apply to select the line channel CH= 1 Parameter to apply to select the subbus channel CH= *...
  • Page 64 NULL This command sends a short noise burst down the telephone line and forces the AP400 to adapt to the telephone line. [DEVICE] NULL Return Values If the NULL succeeds, the following is returned out the serial...
  • Page 65 The PCMD command line contains both the PCMD command and the command being programmed. To program AP400 unit 0 control/status pin 1 to toggle mute on mic 1, the command would appear as follows: #30 PCMD 1 MUTE 1 I 2...
  • Page 66 PEVNT This command programs or returns the program of the GPIO status pins from the serial port. The command line follows the same format as shown in the PCMD example (previous page). [DEVICE] PEVNT <LOCATION> <EVENT> Explanation <LOCATION> LOCATION=1 LOCATION=2 LOCATION=3 LOCATION=4 LOCATION=5...
  • Page 67 The command will return the updated condition (On=1, Off=0) of the phantom power in the same format as the command. PRESET This command selects or reports the current preset configuration used by the AP400. [DEVICE] PRESET <X> Explanation <X> X=1-6...
  • Page 68 RING This command reports the presence of a ring on the Telco port. (This is an indication only.) [DEVICE] RING Return Value The Ring is sent if a valid ring has been sensed on the Telco line: [DEVICE] RING RXRD This command controls or reports the Receive Reduction control of the unit.
  • Page 69 Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760 This command returns the unique ID number, the device type and the device number of the AP400. This command is read only. The unique ID number is preprogrammed at the factory and is unique to the unit, while the device number is set by the user at the time of installation.

  • Page 70: Appendix F: Worksheets

    Appendices ~ Appendix F: Worksheets Appendix F: Worksheets Figure F.1. Routing matrix worksheet Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760...
  • Page 71 Appendices ~ Appendix F: Worksheets Figure F.2. Programming worksheet Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760...
  • Page 72 Appendices ~ Appendix F: Worksheets Figure F.3. Audio flow block diagram Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760...

  • Page 73: Index

    Index ~ A–O Index adaptive ambient 21, 23, 24 ambient level 1, 24 ambient noise 24 AP-Ware 31 automatic gain control 1, 10, 24, 25, 44 baud rate 22, 48 chairman override 24, 48 clear password 22 command line 44 connector pinouts 42 Control/Status 42 default meter 22, 49...
  • Page 74 password 22, 48, 55, 57 phantom power 23, 63 remote control 9 routing matrix 66 RS-232 1, 22, 24, 42, 43, 48 serial commands 43, 45 telco 23, 25, 26, 64 Gentner Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760 Index ~ P–Z...

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