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Sound Devices ASTRAL A20-Nexus User Manual
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Sound Devices ASTRAL A20-Nexus User Manual

Sound Devices ASTRAL A20-Nexus User Manual

8-, 12-, and 16-channel, true-diversity receiver with spectraband technology
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ASTRAL
®
A20-Nexus
8-, 12-, and 16-Channel, True-Diversity Receiver
with SpectraBand Technology
User Guide v1.70

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Summary of Contents for Sound Devices ASTRAL A20-Nexus

  • Page 1 ASTRAL ® A20-Nexus 8-, 12-, and 16-Channel, True-Diversity Receiver with SpectraBand Technology User Guide v1.70...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Welcome to the A20-Nexus Key Features SpectraBand Digital Wireless Modulation NexLink Wireless Transmitter Control GainForward Safety Information Architectural Overview Panel Views Typical Setups Quick Start Powering Navigating the A20-Nexus User Interface RX Views Menus RTSA (Real Time Spectrum Analyzer) Scan Mode AutoAssign TX List...

  • Page 3: Welcome To The A20-Nexus

    Power-over-Ethernet (PoE+), its Dante audio-over-IP, and built-in web server for control via phone, tablet, or computer. Additionally, the A20-Nexus can be docked to Sound Devices 833, 888, or Scorpio mixer-recorders using the A20-QuickDock accessory, which provides convenient power, audio, and timecode connections with no additional cables. This accessory allows the A20-Nexus to connect and disconnect from the 833, 888, or Scorpio in seconds with no tools, and be remote mounted when desired.

  • Page 4: Spectraband

    SpectraBand The A20-Nexus incorporates SpectraBand, a technology that enables the A20-Nexus to tune over a super wide range of 169-1525 MHz. Tuning within this range varies by country. For instance: In the USA, the available frequency ranges are: ● The VHF band (169-216 MHz) ●...

  • Page 5: Gainforward

    GainForward The A20-Nexus supports the A20 transmitter’s GainForward feature. GainForward eliminates the need to adjust microphone preamplifier gain at the wireless transmitter. Audio levels from the transmitter are controlled either directly from the 8-Series (or any other mixer) trim controls, or from the A20-Nexus receiver screen. If the talent speaks too softly or emotes too loudly after being “wired”...

  • Page 6: Safety Information

    Safety Information All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the product is operated. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock or damage, do not expose this product to rain or moisture. The product should not be exposed to dripping or splashing or be used near water (e.g. in a bathroom, a kitchen, wet basement or near a swimming pool etc…) Similarly, do not place objects containing liquids on this product as care should be taken to prevent objects and liquids from entering the product.

  • Page 7: Architectural Overview

    Architectural Overview The A20-Nexus takes a brand new approach to professional audio receiver design. The A20-Nexus combines several technologies resulting in a very powerful and versatile product.The diagram below illustrates the architecture of the A20-Nexus. The first thing to note about the architecture is that there are two entire signal paths. This performs the True Diversity reception inherent in the design.

  • Page 8: Panel Views

    Panel Views Front Panel 1 & 3: Antenna Connector A & B BNC connectors, for connecting to active, passive, or smart antennas 2: Touch Screens Color OLED array for control and monitoring. ● Touch can be disabled to prevent inadvertent switching of the screens to different views. Press and hold the Headphone Knob for >...
  • Page 9 Rear Panel 1 & 8: Antenna Connector A & B Inputs / Cascade Outs ● BNC connectors for connecting active, passive, or smart antennas. ● Cascade outs for looping through the front panel antenna A & B inputs. Only available when front panel antennas are selected in the (Main Menu>RF) menu.
  • Page 10 13: Ethernet Ports 1 & 2 2x RJ45 ports for Dante and/or Control. Nexus can be powered via PoE+ (minimum 25W) via port 1. Dante is disabled when docked to an 8-Series via the expansion port. Control remains enabled. 15: SFP Port Accepts a wide variety of Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) modular network transceivers, including optical fiber options for Ethernet Dante and/or Control connection.
  • Page 11 ● The A20-Nexus and its NexLinked transmitters are controlled from the Nexus OLED touch screen user interface. The 8-Series interface is not used for control. ● A20-Nexus rear panel connectors are disabled apart from the antenna connectors, control network, and the USB-A port. ●...

  • Page 12: Typical Setups

    Typical Setups The versatile A20-Nexus can be used in many types of setup and workflow. This section details just a few examples. 1. Bag Setup: Nexus docked to an 8-Series Mixer-Recorder The A20-QuickDock accessory enables the A20-Nexus to be docked to an 8-Series mixer-recorder. The bottom panel incorporates a multi-pin expansion port that connects power from the 8-Series and passes the multichannel receiver digital audio from A20-Nexus to the 8-Series.
  • Page 13 2. Remote Setup: Nexus located on set, close to talent Remotely locating the A20-Nexus multichannel receiver close to talent significantly reduces the chance of RF dropouts since the distance between those wearing the transmitters and the A20-Nexus receiver is minimized. A single CAT cable can be used to transport Dante audio and remote control data between Nexus and the sound mixer.
  • Page 14 3. Remote Setup: Nexus located on set, close to talent, powered from PoE+ Similar to the previous setup, but with the Nexus being powered over PoE+. In this example, a computer is controlling Nexus via the Web App and is also sending and receiving Dante to and from Nexus. A20-Nexus User Guide...
  • Page 15 4. Cart Setup A typical cart setup with Nexus. As well as sending Dante audio to the mixer, the Nexus can also send audio from its AES or Analog D-Sub outputs. In this example, the Nexus Web App is running on a tablet and controlling the Nexus over Wi-Fi. A20-Nexus User Guide...

  • Page 16: Quick Start

    Quick Start This Quick Start guide assumes that the A20-Nexus is being used as a standalone receiver. Connect a 10-18V DC power source to either or both TA4-M DC inputs. Alternatively, connect PoE+ to Ethernet port 1. Connect suitable passive, bias-powered, or smart antennas to either the front or rear BNC A and B antenna ports. If using NexLink to control and monitor A20 transmitters, connect 2.4 GHz antennas to both rear panel 2.4 GHz SMA ports.
  • Page 17 Antenna Settings The antenna icons will show a lightning bolt icon next to them when bias power is enabled. 13. Pair and NexLink A20 transmitters. Pairing is a process that adds A20 transmitters to the A20-Nexus TX List. The TX List is an inventory of available transmitters that can be selected for wireless remote-control (via NexLink) and assigned to receiver channels.
  • Page 18 15. In the 1RX View, ensure the transmitter is within NexLink range by checking that the NexLink RSSI indicator in the leftmost screen shows good signal strength. 16. If the A20 transmitter is not already on, tap the Power ON button in screen 3 of the 1RX View. 17.

  • Page 19: Powering

    Powering The A20-Nexus is powered from TA4 (10-18 VDC), PoE+, from the 8-Series (via expansion port), or via XL-WPTA4 AC mains adapter (purchased separately). The control knob ring LED illuminates blue during power up, then goes out once fully booted. When the Nexus is first powered on, the last accessed RX View is displayed.
  • Page 20 Power Outputs DC Out 1 and DC Out 2 The DC Outs can be used for powering IFB transmitters, camera hops, and other low power peripherals. Enable or disable each DC Output from the Power menu. ● When powered via its TA4 DC inputs, the A20-Nexus supplies 500 mA maximum between both DC outputs. DC Output voltage is passed through from the DC input (10-18V).

  • Page 21: Navigating The A20-Nexus User Interface

    Navigating the A20-Nexus User Interface The A20-Nexus is operated from its front panel triangle button, control knob, and four touch screens or remotely via its web interface. Triangle Button ● Press to power up. Press and hold to power down. ●...
  • Page 22 ● Value Button: Displays a parameter’s value. ○ Tap to select - the button turns orange. ○ Rotate the Control knob to adjust the value. ○ Press the Control knob or tap the button to exit. ● Action Button: A button that initiates a process e.g. Format USB Drive. The button contains the name of the process. ●...

  • Page 23: Rx Views

    RX Views RX Views display real-time receiver channel, transmitter signals, and status information across the four touch screens. There are several types of RX View: ● All (Displays either 8, 12 or 16 channels, depending on how many channel expansion licenses are installed) ●...
  • Page 24 NexLink RSSI Meter: Indicates the RSSI of the received 2.4 GHz NexLink signal from the transmitter. The RSSI color signifies the transmitter NexLink status. Green = Transmitter is on and NexLink active White = Transmitter is off and NexLink active Gray = No connection or out of range Record/Mute Status: Indicates whether the transmitter feeding the receiver channel is recording and/or muted.
  • Page 25 If NexLinked to an A20 transmitter, the name is pushed to the transmitter. The name is rippled to the 8-Series channel that the receiver channel is routed to if docked to an 8-Series and the 8-Series menu [Channel Setup > Use Wireless Names] is enabled. RF Frequency: Displays the receiver channel’s frequency.
  • Page 26 1RX View Displays a receiver channel’s received signal, audio level, control functions and status across the four screens. Use the 1RX View to perform detailed control and monitoring of a receiver channel and its associated transmitter. The 1RX View has different control layouts depending on the following criteria: ●...
  • Page 27 Example 1: 1RX View when sourced from a single A20-TX transmitter in REC+RF Mode, Standalone ● Navigate to the next or previous channel’s 1RX View by tapping the right and left arrows at the bottom of screen 4. ● Navigate to other RX Views by tapping the RX View icons at the bottom of screen 3. ●...
  • Page 28 RF Frequency: Displays the receiver channel’s frequency. The frequency flashes red when there is a NexLink issue. Go to the 1RX View > Gear Menu > NexLink Status screen to determine the cause of the issue. Tap the frequency button to select a frequency within the current Tuning Band. To enter a frequency, tap each frequency field then rotate the Control knob to select a value.
  • Page 29 RF environments. The Modulation setting must match between the transmitter and the Nexus in order for the transmitted signal to be received. If NexLinked to an A20 transmitter, the modulation setting is automatically pushed to the transmitter unless System > More >...
  • Page 30 A20 Battery Doubler Installed: A20-Mini Only. When set to YES, the battery remaining % indicator adapts to the A20-BatteryDoubler’s discharge characteristics in order to provide accurate readings. Transmitter Information: Displays the NexLinked transmitter’s model, firmware version and serial number. Page 2/2 for A20-TX XLR Input Type: A20-TX Only.
  • Page 31 A20-Nexus User Guide...

  • Page 32: Menus

    Menus All the A20-Nexus settings are organized into menus which are accessed via the top level Main Menu. The triangle button cycles between the current RX view, Main Menu, and RTSA. Press the triangle button one or two times to display the Main Menu.
  • Page 33 System 2 pages of various system settings: Page 1 includes screen, country, date/time, A20-Remote pairing, format USB drive, and firmware update functions. Page 2 includes operations pertaining to Global TX Settings, installing plugins, Web App Password and more. Quick Setup Load and Save Setup files for quick recall.

  • Page 34: Rtsa (Real Time Spectrum Analyzer)

    RTSA (Real Time Spectrum Analyzer) The RTSA is a real time, visual spectrum analysis tool for assisting in frequency coordination and selection of clean RF frequencies. The RTSA can operate over the entire SpectraBand range (169 MHz to 1525 MHz). The RTSA trace represents RF signal level (in dBm) on the vertical axis and RF frequency on the horizontal axis.
  • Page 35 Minimum Frequency: Shows the minimum frequency of the display. Frequency Marker: Tap anywhere in the top half of the three OLEDs to locate the blue frequency marker at any desired frequency. To more precisely position the marker, rotate the Control knob with the Zoom Tool set to horizontal scroll mode (blue Zoom Tool icon).
  • Page 36 ● With the Tuning Band list open, rotate the Control knob to scroll through the list. To make it easy to select a Tuning Band with the least amount of RF congestion, the Tuning Band and its RTSA display switches ‘live’ as the list is scrolled.

  • Page 37: Scan Mode

    Scan Mode Use Scan mode to view the whole Nexus 169 MHz - 1525 MHz spectrum and zoom in to see smaller sections in more detail. The complete scan trace is refreshed a few times a second. Scan mode makes it quick and easy to find and select a clean Tuning Band.
  • Page 38 Tap the display or rotate the Control knob to position the AutoAssign vertical start marker at the frequency where the AutoAssign range should start. Tap the End button in screen 4, then tap the display or rotate the Control knob to position the AutoAssign vertical end marker at the frequency where the AutoAssign range should end.

  • Page 39: Tx List

    TX List The TX List is an inventory of all paired Astral transmitters and which RX channels, if any, they are assigned to. Up to 64 transmitters can be paired with the A20-Nexus. ‘Pairing’ is a process that establishes a NexLink relationship between the A20-Nexus and Astral transmitter.
  • Page 40 ○ ---: Waiting to hear from the A20 transmitter ○ Connecting: Establishing NexLink communication. ○ Initializing: Initializing connection. ○ NexLink RSSI icon: NexLink communication established. Displays the quality of the NexLink signal. ■ When TX is on, the RSSI level display is green ■...

  • Page 41: Rf Menu

    RF Menu The RF Menu accesses antenna, tuning band, and RF History settings. From the Main Menu, tap the RF icon to enter the RF Menu. Antenna A/B Setup The antenna inputs A and B can be switched as a pair between the front or rear panel BNCs. When set to front, the antenna’s matching rear BNC can be set to Cascade Out, ideal for daisy chaining units.

  • Page 42: Antenna Rf Overload Indication

    ○ LFA Display Brightness: Sets Antenna A/B display brightness in increments of 1. [1-10] ○ LFA Display Color: Sets Antenna A/B display color. [White, Black] ○ LFA Display Timeout: Sets the duration of Antenna A/B display timeout in steps of 1 second. [5 to 240 seconds] ○...
  • Page 43 Tip: Things to try when an RF signal is approaching overload or overloading an antenna input: ● Increase the distance between transmitter and receiver antennas ● Reduce RF power on the transmitter ● If using amplified external antennas, reduce the amplifier gain ●...

  • Page 44: Audio Outputs

    Audio Outputs When standalone, the A20-Nexus delivers its multichannel receiver audio via analog, AES, and Dante outputs. It can also be set up to convert incoming Dante audio and output it as analog or AES. When docked to an 8-Series mixer/recorder, the Nexus’s multichannel receiver audio is output via the expansion port to the 8-Series and Nexus’s analog, AES, and Dante outputs are disabled.
  • Page 45 Routing A20-Nexus Receiver Audio or Dante Inputs to Analog or AES Outputs The A20-Nexus’s top and bottom D-Sub 25-pin connectors can be set to output receiver channel audio or incoming Dante audio as analog (line, -10, mic level) or AES signal. By default, the D-Sub outputs are set to output receiver channels. Configure what to output from the top and bottom D-Sub connectors in the Audio Out >...
  • Page 46 Sync Reference A20-Nexus Sample Rate Setting Internal 44.1k, 48k or 96k BNC In (Word Clock) Determined by incoming Word Clock frequency BNC In (LTC) 44.1k, 48k or 96k Dante Determined by Dante network sample rate 8-Series (automatically selected Determined by the 8-Series sample rate. Timecode and sync reference are when docked to 8-Series) received from the 8-Series.

  • Page 47: Tx Group Control

    TX Group Control The TX Group menu provides access to commands that are applied simultaneously to All or custom groups of NexLinked transmitters assigned to RX channels. Tap the Group Selector Button in OLED 1 to select the Group of transmitters to which commands should be sent to.

  • Page 48: Timecode

    Timecode With NexLink, the A20-Nexus is able to simultaneously sync multiple A20 transmitters when they are set to REC only or REC+RF mode. This feature ensures zero-frame drift between multiple recording transmitters and therefore making it easy to sync with picture in post especially when the free SD-Utility software tool (https://www.sounddevices.com/sd-utility-v2-00/) is used to conform and merge the individual A20 transmitter recordings into a single polyphonic wav file.

  • Page 49: Networking

    Networking The A20-Nexus supports both Dante and IP control. IP control permits the following functionality: ● Remote control via the web app running on any computer, tablet, or smartphone. ● RF Mirroring Mode for allowing a second A20-Nexus to mirror the RF and NexLink settings of a primary A20-Nexus. ●...
  • Page 50 A20-Nexus Name Tap to enter a unique name for the A20-Nexus. The A20-Nexus Name is used as the Dante Device name in a Dante network and the network device name in a Control network. The factory default A20-Nexus Name is A20-Nexus-[last 6 characters of the MAC address] ●...

  • Page 51: Rf Mirror Mode

    RF Mirror Mode RF Mirror Mode allows a second A20-Nexus unit to mirror the RF and NexLink settings of a primary A20-Nexus such that if the primary unit fails or loses power, the secondary (‘Backup’) unit continues to receive and output audio seamlessly as well as taking over NexLink control of paired Astral transmitters.
  • Page 52 ● TX List ● NexLink Tuning Mode ● RX channel settings: Frequencies, Modulation, Privacy, Gain, HPF, and Polarity NexLink commands and settings are grayed out on the Backup. These only become active if the Primary unit fails. The following popup is displayed if any RF-related control on the OLEDs is touched: “That setting cannot be modified while mirroring another unit”...

  • Page 53: Nexlink Menu

    NexLink Menu The A20-Nexus can wirelessly control and monitor Astral A20 transmitters via Nexlink over long distances. Tap the NexLink Menu Icon in the Main Menu to access NexLink settings and the paired A20-Outpost-NL list. The A20-Outpost-NL is a remote NexLink-antenna box which can be used to remotely locate the NexLink antennas closer to the action. See A20-Outpost-NL To use an A20-Outpost-NL, it must first be paired with the A20-Nexus by connecting its USB-C port to the A20-Nexus’s rear USB-A port.
  • Page 54 Firmware Update: Updating A20-Outpost-NL Firmware (via USB Thumb Drive) Download the latest .prg update file from the Sound Devices website. Copy the .prg file to the root of am A20-Nexus formatted USB thumb drive. Power the Outpost-NL via >15 W PoE or USB-C source.
  • Page 55 Insert the thumb drive into the Nexus’s USB-A port. Ensure Outpost-NL is connected via Ethernet to the Nexus and powered on. Go to the Nexus’s front NexLink menu, select the Outpost-NL from the Outpost-NL list, then select Firmware Update in OLED 4 Page 2. The Nexus sends the firmware to the Outpost-NL over Ethernet.

  • Page 56: System Menu

    System Menu Tap the System Icon in the Main menu to access System settings. The System menu includes various system settings organized over two pages. Switch between the pages by tapping the ‘More …’ button. SYSTEM MENU PAGE 1 Brightness Tap to adjust the brightness of the OLED array and the LEDs.
  • Page 57 Changing Country of A20-Nexus and all Paired Transmitters The A20-Nexus can quickly change the country setting of all of its paired transmitters automatically thus making changing locations easy. To accomplish this, the A20-Nexus uses the A20-Remote iPhone/Android app along with a smartphone’s GPS to verify the current location.
  • Page 58 In the event that the A20-Remote app is not available to sync Country to A20-Nexus, tap the A20-Nexus’s Country button to manually set the Country. In this case, the Country setting is not automatically pushed to the transmitters. The following message is displayed: “A manually-selected country will not be automatically pushed to transmitters.
  • Page 59 SYSTEM MENU PAGE 2 Global TX Settings The Global TX Settings menu provides options for enabling or disabling power off, stop, and mute confirmation popups. Power Off Confirmation: When set to ON, powering off a transmitter from a 1RX View displays “Are you sure?”. Tap OK to power off the transmitter.

  • Page 60: Quick Setup Menu

    Quick Setup Menu Quick Setup provides a way to save and load A20-Nexus settings. Settings are saved to internal memory slots 1-4 or to a USB thumb drive connected to the USB-A port. Save Setup ● All Nexus’s current settings are saved when saving a setup. ●...
  • Page 61 A and B Antenna Cascade out Current Tuning Band RF History duration RF History Type NexLink Tuning Mode (Automatic or Manual) RTSA/Scan RTSA/Scan Zoom Mode RTSA/Scan Vertical dBm Scale RTSA/Scan Antenna Display Selection RTSA/Scan Antenna Display Characteristics Scan Width Bandwidth Audio Top D-Sub Output Routing and Analog Output Level Bottom D-Sub Output Routing and Analog Output Level...

  • Page 62: Nexus Web App

    Nexus Web App Remote control the A20-Nexus from anywhere in the world using the Nexus Web App, a browser-based remote control application for the A20-Nexus that can be run on any computer, tablet, or smartphone. It duplicates virtually all of the functions available from the A20-Nexus front panel.
  • Page 63 Menu Bar: Click or tap to access the various menus. From left to right: A20-Nexus: Displays A20-Nexus name. Read-only. Home: Displays an overview of all receiver channels. TX List: Displays a list of all paired Astral transmitters, their battery level, which RX channel they are assigned to, their NexLink status, and TX Group assignment.
  • Page 64 Web App 1RX View ● Duplicates the functionality of the A20-Nexus’s front panel 1RX View. See View. ● When docked to an 8-Series, the Gain, HPF, and Polarity settings are handled on the 8-Series and as such are disabled in the Nexus web app.
  • Page 65 Web App RTSA View For the most part, the Web App’s RTSA duplicates the functionality of the A20-Nexus’s front panel RTSA. See RTSA. Tip: With smartphones, tablets, and computers with track pad devices, pinch vertically to zoom in/out vertically, pinch horizontally to zoom in/out horizontally and pinch diagonally to zoom in/out horizontally and vertically.
  • Page 66 10. Export Trace Button: Tap or Click to save the RTSA trace data as a .csv file and .png image file. Files are saved to the browser’s download destination.Useful for keeping a record of a location’s RF environment. The .csv files can be imported into many of the popular frequency coordination applications.

  • Page 67: Updating Firmware

    Updating Firmware Periodically Sound Devices issues new firmware for the Nexus receiver. Make certain to register your product at the Sound Devices website to receive firmware update notifications. Firmware is installed via a USB thumb drive inserted into the Nexus USB-A port. Download the latest firmware PRG from the Sound Devices website at https://www.sounddevices.com/download/...

  • Page 68: Accessories

    Accessories Included ● 2x A20-Monarch Antennas ● 2x Articulating Arm with ¼”-20 mount for Mounting A20-Monarch Antennas ● 2x 30” BNC to BNC Antenna Cables ● 2x 2.4 GHz Antennas, SMA-M ● 2x A20-2.4G Ant+Mount for Mounting to Nexus Side Panels ●...
  • Page 69 Use the following instructions for mounting and unmounting the A20-Nexus to an 8-Series mixer/recorder. Ensure both A20-Nexus and 8-Series do not have power applied. Place the A20-Nexus upside down on a clean, flat surface. Position the QuickDock mounting plate on the bottom of the A20-Nexus Align the four mounting plate holes (1) with the screw holes on the bottom of the A20-Nexus.
  • Page 70 Using the 1/16” allen key, secure the mounting plate by screwing the four allen screws into screw holes (1) Reattach the Quick Release mechanism. Squeeze both the rear red release levers and locate the quick release mechanism so that the multi-pin connector mates with the expansion port on the A20-Nexus. Firmly press down and ensure the quick release mechanism is flush with the surface of the mounting plate.
  • Page 71 On the 8-Series, screw in the five mounting pillars. Replace three screws (2) with the three long mounting pillars. Note: For Scorpio, only the top right corner screw (2) and bottom right pillar screw (2) need to be replaced with mounting pillars. Screw in the two short mounting pillars into screw holes (3).
  • Page 72 Next, squeeze both front red release levers together and press down firmly on top of the A20-Nexus. Once located in place, release the red levers. Finally, slide the A20-Nexus’s front-right black latch over the front-right 8-series mounting pillar. To undock the A20-Nexus from the 8-Series, Slide the A20-Nexus’s front-right black latch off the 8-Series mounting pillar.

  • Page 73: A20-Outpost-Nl

    A20-Outpost-NL The A20-Outpost-NL is a remote NexLink-antenna box. NexLink is Sound Devices’s proprietary long-distance remote control of Astral transmitters. This game-changing system allows remote control of all parameters on the transmitters – and has a distance far exceeding the RF audio link. Since NexLink operates at 2.4 GHz, its antennas cannot be remote-mounted more than a few inches due to cable loss –...

  • Page 74: A20-Monarch Antenna

    A20-Monarch Antenna The A20-Nexus ships with two A20-Monarch, omnidirectional, wide-bandwidth (470-1525 MHz) antennas. These antennas provide uniform coverage and gain across the exceptionally wide SpectraBand tuning range of A20-Nexus. Each antenna is paired with a multi-function clamp and articulating arm, as well as an RG58 BNC-M to BNC-M cable (30 in.) When purchased as a separate accessory, the A20-Monarch antenna also includes an RG174 BNC-M to SMA-M cable (18 in.) The A20-Monarch kit comes with the following parts: ●...
  • Page 75 ● 1x 2.0 mm allen key ● 1x 3/32” allen key Mounting the Antenna Brackets Remove the bracket screw hole protective covers: Using the 1.5 mm allen key to unscrew the two protective covers from each Nexus side panel. Put the protective covers in a safe place should you need to reinstall them at a future time. Installing the adjustable antenna brackets: Position the adjustable bracket assembly (with fitted SMA to SMA cable) on the Nexus side panel such that the ¼”...

  • Page 76: Nexlink Status Alerts

    NexLink Status Alerts The NexLink Status View allows you to monitor NexLink communication between the A20-Nexus and A20 transmitters. This can assist in resolving NexLink issues. Access the NexLink Status View from the 1RX View Gear menu, TX View Gear menu, or, if the channel is sourced from multiple transmitters, directly from the 1RX View’s NexLink Status button.

  • Page 77: Frequency Band Restrictions

    The wireless system operator needs to be aware of local regulations and comply with all applicable laws regarding operation of wireless devices. In some restricted frequency bands, the operator will need to obtain an unlock code from Sound Devices to assign a restricted frequency to the transmitter.

  • Page 78: Connector Pin Assignments

    Connector Pin Assignments Connector Pin Assignments Notes 1–Output 8 signal (+) 2–Output 8 Ground 3–Output 7 signal (-) 4–Output 6 signal (+) 5–Output 6 Ground 6–Output 5 signal (-) 7–Output 4 signal (+) 8–Output 4 Ground 9–Output 3 signal (-) 10–Output 2 signal (+) 11–Output 2 Ground DB-25...
  • Page 79 Center pin - signal Unbalanced (LTC/WCK) input Sleeve - ground 75 ohm connector recommended Center pin - signal 50 ohm connector recommended (Front/Rear Antenna) Sleeve - ground Center pin - signal SMA-F ports for connecting 2.4 GHz (2.4 GHz, Rear NexLink) Sleeve - ground SMA-M antennas for NexLink.

  • Page 80: A20-Nexus Specifications

    A20-Nexus Specifications Specifications are subject to change without prior notice. For the latest information available on all Sound Devices products, visit our website: www.sounddevices.com Patents: The A20-Nexus is protected by US patents US10678294B2, US20190166523A1, International patent WO2018022209A1, and several patents pending.
  • Page 81 Digital Audio Output ● AES3 balanced connection, 110 ohm output impedance Audio-Over-IP ● Dante, 44.1, 48, or 96 kHz sample rate Network Dante Audio-Over-IP ● 16 input/output channels Control ● Web-based control and monitoring of all Nexus settings Connections ● 2x RJ45 ports: For Dante and/or Control.

  • Page 82: A20-Monarch Specifications

    A20-Monarch Specifications Frequency range ● 470 MHz - 1600 MHz Gain ● 2.2 dBi Pattern ● Omnidirectional Return Loss ● Better than 15 dB across entire 470 - 1600 MHz range Mounting Threads ● ¼”-20 Dimensions (H x W x D) ●...

  • Page 83: Note On Rf Interference

    Note on RF Interference Sound Devices does not guarantee the absence of any interfering spurs across all bands in all situations. Some small spurs can originate within the Nexus, and others can come from many sources (Ethernet, AES/EBU interconnects, external mixer/recorders, USB drives, USB keyboards, etc.).

  • Page 84: Legal Notices

    Copyright© 2022 Sound Devices, LLC. All rights reserved. This product is subject to the terms and conditions of a software license agreement provided with the product, and may be used in accordance with the license agreement. This document is protected under copyright law.
  • Page 85 FCC Conformity NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
  • Page 86 1) ce dispositif ne peut pas causer d’interférences, et 2) ce dispositif doit accepter toute interférence, y compris les interférences qui peuvent causer un mauvais fonctionnement de l’appareil. WEEE Statement If you wish to discard a Sound Devices product in Europe, contact Sound Devices (England) for further information. A20-Nexus User Guide...

  • Page 87: Declaration Of Conformity

    Declaration of Conformity Manufacturer’s Name: Sound Devices, LLC Manufacturer’s Address: E7556 State Road 23 and 33 Reedsburg, WI 53959 USA We, Sound Devices LLC, declare under our sole responsibility that the product Product Name: A20-Nexus Model Number: A20-Nexus Description: Digital Wireless Receiver...