Welcome; Introduction; Main Features; Amplifier Platform - Lab.gruppen PLM Series Operation Manual

4 WELCOME

4.1 Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Lab.gruppen PLM Series
of Powered Loudspeaker Management systems for
your sound reinforcement needs. We are confident
that you will be pleased with the performance, unique
features, configuration flexibility, reliability, and long-
term durability offered by PLM Series products.
To facilitate timely installation and use of this PLM
Series product, your welcome package includes a
printed copy of the PLM Series Quick Start and Field
Reference Guide. It contains the basic information
needed to safely install a PLM system and place it in
service. Control and editing features are accessible
either via the intuitive front panel interface or remotely,
with the included Dolby Lake Controller PLM Edition
software package.
We do, however, highly recommend reading through
all of the product documentation on the included CD
ROM in their entirety. As you become thoroughly
familiar with the many configuration and control
options available in PLM Series products, you may
learn about features and options that will affect your
choices of operational modes or loudspeaker system
configurations.
Thank you again for placing your confidence in
Lab.gruppen products.

4.2 Main Features

The PLM Series incorporates a number of sophisticated
technologies to ensure the best possible performance
and many years of reliable operation. The following
section summarizes the benefits of each feature,
and gives a reference to the corresponding section
in this or other manuals.

4.2.1 Amplifier platform

The PLM Series amplifier section is built on the
foundation of Lab.gruppen's robust, road-proven
FP+ Series. Features in common with the FP+ Series
include extraordinary power density, patented Class
TD® output stages, Regulated Switch Mode Power
Supply (R.SMPS™), the high-efficiency Intercooler®
copper-finned cooling system, and a full suite of
protection features. Signal inputs are analog, AES
8 PLM Series Operation Manual
digital, and Dante digital audio network; loop-through
outputs or redundant pairs are provided for each input
type. (See section 6.2.)
4.2.2 Amplifier DsP: Gain, IsVPL, load
verification and performance monitoring
Input gain (sensitivity) is set in the digital domain
in the PLM Series, controllable through the DLC
PLM Edition software or the front-panel interface.
The DSP-implemented Inter-Sample Voltage Peak
Limiter (ISVPL) tailors each power output to the
characteristics of the connected load. (See section
7.3.1.)
The on-board DSP also implements a comprehensive
set of proprietary tools developed by Lab.gruppen
for load verification and real-time performance
monitoring. These functions utilize LoadLibrary,
a comprehensive database for each loudspeaker
component of the connected load (usually one or
more band-limited drivers in a multi-way system).
Using this data and a brief test signal, LoadSmart then
compares actual-to-predicted response, identifying
any malfunctioning components or connection errors.
During the actual performance, SpeakerSafe™
monitors real-time load status, including amplifier,
loudspeaker voice coil and magnet temperatures;
this allows operators to avoid power compression
and identify potential problems. (See the Dolby Lake
Controller User Manual PLM Edition Addendum
for more detailed information on PLM Series load
verification and real-time performance monitoring
functions.)

4.2.3 Dolby Lake Processing and Controller

The PLM Series integrates seamlessly into the
Dolby Lake processing environment. Two processing
modules offer precise settings for gain, delay,
crossover slope, equalization and limiting. Dolby Lake
processing features incorporated in each module
include Raised Cosine Equalization, linear phase
crossovers, and LimiterMax™ loudspeaker protection.
The Super Module feature allows hardware processing
modules in two or more separate PLM Series units
to function as a single module in the Dolby Lake
Controller PLM Edition software interface. (See
section 8.2 and the separate Dolby Lake Controller
User Manual.)
4.2.4 smaartLive integration
The Dolby Lake Controller PLM Edition enables