Related Manuals for Vorsis AirAura
Summary of Contents for Vorsis AirAura
-
Page 1: Quick Start Guide
Digital Spectral Processor Quick Start Guide Short Form Manual First Printing – May 2010 600 Industrial Drive, New Bern, North Carolina, USA 28562... - Page 2 This Page Intentionally Left Blank...
-
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Rack Mounting Considerations Installation Tips Grounding Surge Protection UPS/Power Conditioning Analog Audio Connections Digital Audio Connections Where to install AirAura Analog Left/Right STL Composite Analog STL Analog ‘phone’ lines Digital STL EAS – US Emergency Alert System PPM – Arbitron People Meter... - Page 4 Compression Density Low/Warm Equalization Mid/High Equalization HD Loudness Saving a Preset Preset Scheduler / Events Setting up AirAura and GUI Lite to ‘talk’ Network/LAN Connection GUI IP Address Hardware IP Address Subnet Mask Gateway AirAura’s Front Panel Network Settings Configuring the Remote GUI...
- Page 5 About DHCP and AirAura AirAura Ports and Network Protocols If UDP Doesn’t Work Using GUI Lite Input Menu Input Source Audio Input Signal Presence Indicators Automatic Input Failover Analog Gain AES3 Digital Gain L/R Balance Pre-Emphasis Output Menu Analog Output Type...
- Page 6 System Menu System Settings Change with Preset Takes Metering Data over TCP/IP Headphone Source Input Analog Input AES Input HD Output FM Pre-Delay FM Output Headphone Volume Control Status Indicators Temp Analog Remote Login Setting System Time Accessing Menu Options View Input Output...
- Page 7 Analysis Menu FFT Introduction O-scope Introduction E vs. F Introduction 3-D Plot Introduction SDR Introduction A-Clip Introduction Using and interpreting the FFT Using the O-Scope Using and interpreting the E vs. F Display Using and interpreting the 3-D Plot Using and interpreting the SDR Display Using interpreting the A-Clip Display...
- Page 8 Appendix A Default Wired Ethernet Configuration / Changing the Configuration Appendix B Default Wireless Ethernet Configuration / Changing the Configuration Appendix C General Specifications Appendix D Wireless Module Configuration, Approvals, and Miscellaneous Data Appendix E General Purpose Input/Output - GPIO...
-
Page 9: Welcome To Airaura
FM peak clipper for almost three years before our lofty goals were met to our satisfaction. Our new clipper (project code name “AirAura”) is a completely new approach to FM audio peak control. AirAura clipper’s algorithm has the resolution required to be able to tell the difference between distortion and audio, and mitigate only the audible distortion. -
Page 10: The Vorsis Company Vision
The Vorsis Vision The Vorsis Audio Processing division of Wheatstone was created in 2005, and for a single purpose — to “competently design new audio processing tools for the broadcast industry that truly improve the sound of broadcasting.” Wheatstone founder and owner Gary Snow had noticed how harsh and distorted radio stations had become over the years as they chased each other in the loudness game with existing audio processing products. -
Page 11: General Information - Introduction
Vorsis products, including the new AirAura, have no fixed sound coloration of their own. The customer is completely free to use the pallet of tools in the AirAura to create whatever on air sound he can dream of, from no hint of processing at all, to wall of sound. -
Page 12: Processing Structure Overview
31-band limiter section essentially invisible to the ear. The FM signal path is equipped with the new AirAura clipper as well as a look- ahead limiter — useful for less aggressive program formats. A digitally perfect stereo generator provides two multiplex composite stereo outputs and two SCA inputs. -
Page 13: Installation
Installation We know that you’re probably in a hurry to get on the air with your new AirAura. If you have little technical expertise with audio processor fundamentals, the following pages will get you up and running as quickly as possible without having to know a lot of techie stuff. -
Page 14: Rack Mounting Considerations
AirAura does not have top or bottom cover vent holes. Rather, cooler air is drawn into the unit through vertical slots positioned lower in the side panels, forcing latent heat, which rises by natural convection, out through slots in the top of the rear panel. -
Page 15: Installation Tips
8451 or 9451 as if connecting a balanced source. At the unbalanced source’s output connect its “+ Output” to AirAura’s “Hi” (XLR pin2) input and connect the unbalanced source’s shield wire to AirAura’s “Lo” (XLR pin-3) input wire. If the cable shield is used (recommended) connect it to the AirAura end only (XLR pin 1) to prevent ground loops. -
Page 16: Where To Install Airaura
If AirAura is located at the studio and an STL is used to send the program material to the transmitter there are several issues that need to be considered. -
Page 17: Analog Phone Lines
AirAura which will create a modulation (loudness) disadvantage. AirAura can also be installed at the studio end of a compressed STL with at least two caveats: - The stereo generator and composite clipper in AirAura are not available. Most digital exciters offer a composite clipper function, but they are usually quite crude in their implementation compared to AirAura’s exceptional clipper. -
Page 18: Eas - Us Emergency Alert System
AirAura) is very aggressive. Therefore in this situation it is recommended that the EAS encoder be placed after the processing. If the EAS unit needs to be installed prior to AirAura and AirAura is operated aggressively, AirAura may need to be configured so that when the EAS tones are being sent AirAura is switched to a bypass mode or a less aggressive preset. -
Page 19: Energizing Airaura
The AC line input voltage may be between 90 and 260 VAC, 50 or 60Hz. Power consumption is under 100VA. Aggressive AC input filtering is utilized at AirAura’s AC power input; however it is always advisable to use some form of competent external surge protection and/or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), especially where AC power quality is questionable, such as at a remote transmitter site. -
Page 20: Audio Inputs
Audio Inputs Input audio can be applied to either the analog left/right inputs or to the AES3 digital input as appropriate. The AES3 input accepts sample rates between 32 kHz and 96 kHz. Automatic audio failover from one input to the other is a user selectable option. Automatic failover from AES3 to analog is instantaneous and based on invalid or missing bits in the AES3 stream, or after 30 seconds of “silence”... -
Page 21: Headphones
The eight GPI inputs are hard-coded in software to activate the first eight preset slots. Note that as of this writing (Version 0.2.0 software) the GPO ports on AirAura are disabled pending new features. Please see Appendix E for connection diagrams... -
Page 22: User Presets
User Presets AirAura comes equipped with several dozen factory presets and can hold a total of 80 presets in its onboard memory. You can design and save additional presets within AirAura’s onboard memory and can store an unlimited number of presets on the PC that is hosting the remote control GUI software. - Page 23 The number of available slots for user presets depends on how many factory presets were installed. The total number of presets on AirAura hardware cannot exceed eighty (80). The storage space for presets on the GUI’s host PC, because of a preset’s tiny file size, is virtually unlimited.
-
Page 24: Basic Setup
There are seven tabbed options across the top of the control area: Input, Output, Encoder, Presets, Analysis, System, and Sound. Each tabbed menu contains the controls required to install AirAura and get it on the air. -
Page 25: Making Output Connections
If using the AES Digital Outputs, connect it (them) to the equipment following the AirAura and adjust the AES Output level control in the Output Menu as appropriate. If using the Composite outputs associated with the rear panel BNC connectors, navigate to the Output menu and select the checkbox for MPX. -
Page 26: Selecting Presets
Please feel free to experiment and try each preset we provide to see how it sounds on your station and in your market! Remember also that the AirAura slews from the old preset to the new one in order to avoid unnecessary clicks and pops on the air. Therefore it may take several seconds for a newly selected preset to ‘settle in’... -
Page 27: Using The Front Panel Gui To Adjust Fm Sound
Modifying the Sound of Factory Presets using the Front Panel GUI Selecting the “Sound” tab will reveal the screen containing controls by which the sound of the Factory presets can be altered. There are two sections to the Sound screen. The left side contains the controls that modify the sound of the FM signal path while the right side hosts the controls for adjusting the sound of the HD signal path. -
Page 28: Low/Warm Equalization
Note that increasing Density will not cause the final clipper to be overdriven because those controls are also ganged to the Density control to ensure that distortion will not increase as Density is increased. Low/Warm EQ (we’re leaving Loudness for last!) The Low/Warm Equalization control adjusts how low frequencies sound on the air. -
Page 29: Density
- HD – Density The Density control adjusts how much short-term limiting the audio is allowed to undergo. Higher settings will make the audio more dense, lower settings less so. Stations looking for a ‘compressed’ sound will find the Compression and Density controls useful. -
Page 30: Hd Loudness
applied to the audio. The effect of this is to add sparkle and sheen to the audio without adding undesired stridency. Loudness Once the previous controls have been adjusted for the desired texture the Loudness control can be used to set the desired HD on-air loudness. “Loudness”... -
Page 31: Preset Scheduler / Events
Preset Scheduler / Events Both long and short-term preset changing schedules are available in AirAura. Short term schedules are used for the normal daily preset changes as shifts change, etc. They may be set for any day of the week and for any hour. Note that when a preset is set to change it will change and remain at that preset unless a scheduler entry is programmed to change it back. -
Page 32: Setting Up Airaura And Gui Lite To 'Talk
A CAT5 Ethernet cable connected to the 100baseT LAN should be inserted into one of the RJ-45 connectors on the back of AirAura. Likewise, the GUI should be installed on the desired PC and the PC verified to be working correctly with the LAN. -
Page 33: Hardware Ip Address
Hardware IP Address – This is the address of AirAura’s DSP farm and is the address that the remote GUI on a host computer will use to connect to AirAura and control it over the network. Subnet Mask – The subnet mask entry must be appropriate for the network being used. -
Page 34: Connecting Without A Lan (Direct Connection)
Now place the GUI online by clicking on the button to the left of the Status message at the top of the GUI – the indicator should turn green when AirAura connects, indicating that the GUI is now communicating with AirAura. -
Page 35: Wireless Connection
Wireless Connection Many users will want to make adjustments to AirAura while listening to it in a remote location such as out in a car in the station’s parking lot. This is easily accomplished by using AirAura’s built-in 802.11b/g wireless capability. -
Page 36: About Dhcp And Airaura
AirAura Ports and Network Protocols AirAura utilizes TCP and UDP protocols to communicate with the remote GUI. The TCP protocol is used from GUI to AirAura because its high reliability ensures that control changes sent to AirAura will be received without errors. -
Page 37: Input Menu
Failover Enable, Analog and AES/EBU input gain controls, input L/R gain balance, Phase Rotator In/Out, and Pre-Emphasis selections. All controls can be adjusted with the AirAura front panel track pad. Input Source The Input Source can be selected as either Analog, which is the analog Left/Right input, or AES, which is the AES3 digital audio input. -
Page 38: Analog Gain
Pre-Emphasis FM Pre-emphasis may be set to Off, 50uS, or 75uS as required by the country where AirAura will be operated. OUTPUT MENU This is the second tab on the top of the GUI. (Note: the screen that is currently being displayed is indicated by a red background on the selection tab). -
Page 39: Special Analog Output Mode Note
The Analog Output Type box needs special attention! Unlike other audio processors AirAura’s balanced analog outputs can also carry balanced composite stereo. When the MPX checkbox is selected, the rear panel TX-1 and TX-2 BNC connectors are carrying the standard unbalanced composite stereo signal –... -
Page 40: Soft Clipper
MPX Process control to be operated somewhat below 0dB due to the soft clipper’s gentle transfer function. Hard Clipper – AirAura’s hard clipper can be driven quite hard without generating the usual artifacts associated with other composite clippers when operated above threshold. -
Page 41: Presets Menu
When the Save button is pressed a dialog opens allowing a preset name to be entered on the line above the keyboard (see below). Once the preset name is satisfactory, press the Save button to commit it to memory, noting that it will be stored in AirAura’s next available preset slot. -
Page 42: Preset Library Functions
To move presets from the hardware to the PC or vice versa, simply drag the preset in the direction you wish it to go. Whenever presets are being moved from AirAura to the PC, a copy of the preset being dragged over will appear in the library window. -
Page 43: Headphone Source
• FM Output: Listens to the output of the entire FM processing chain, including the FM diversity delay. NOTE: AirAura’s headphone routing selector allows you to monitor an audio input without having to put it on the air. This can be very handy for confirming... -
Page 44: Status Indicators
There are three status indicators: Temp, Analog, and AES. Temp This indicator is green when the GUI is online to AirAura and the internal temperature of its hardware is below 50°C/122°F. The numbers following Temp represent the current temperature of the hardware. -
Page 45: Setting System Time
GUI on the remote PC. Accessing Menu Options Right clicking anywhere on the Vorsis AirAura Control Panel will open a pop up menu tree with access to various items. The first item in the list is View and it presents the user with several choices for what he wishes to view. -
Page 46: Presets
31 FM or HD limiter bands, after processing. A-Clip – This is AirAura’s final FM clipper activity display (another Vorsis exclusive) that shows where in the audio spectrum distortion products are being... - Page 47 A detailed explanation of each analysis display follows. Note that the Analysis menu has a selection for viewing either the FM or HD signals. FFT – This is a Fast Fourier Transform of the audio spectrum after processing has been applied by the final clipper (FM) or limiter (HD). The FFT display’s high resolution is useful for locating where in the audio spectrum certain signals may be found.
- Page 48 A-Clip – During development of our new FM clipper we realized that the only way to visually monitor what the AirAura clipper was doing was to invent a way to watch it work. The A-Clip display was born out of that idea.
- Page 49 Default Factory Wired Ethernet Configuration - Modifying the Settings - AirAura requires two IP addresses – one serves the main DSP board and the other serves the microcontroller that operates the front panel. Ethernet was used for the DSP to front panel communications interface because of its speed over, for instance, a serial connection, a tremendous benefit when calculating and displaying the high resolution graphics required by the AirAura’s front panel.
- Page 50 Once this has been done, click on the OK button and the new settings will be stored by the AirAura. When the “You must reboot for the changes to take effect” message appears, reboot the AirAura by removing its AC power for a few seconds and then reconnecting it.
- Page 51 (and high cost) of having an RF-based design tested and approved by myriad various worldwide regulatory agencies. The device we chose for AirAura is manufactured by Quatech of Hudson, Ohio USA, model number WLNG-ET-DP501 and is shown in the photo below.
- Page 52 Factory Default Configuration The following are the Vorsis factory defaults for the most important parameters of the module’s basic configuration. Wireless LAN Connection Type: AdHoc Wireless LAN Channel: SSID: AIRAURA Wireless Data Rate: Auto Wireless LAN Region: United States WLAN Security:...
- Page 53 Changing the Configuration With the AirAura directly connected to a PC that is not connected to any external wired networks, open a web browser and enter the IP address of 192.168.1.1 in the URL address field (see below).
- Page 54 Also, unless security or the operational region needs to be changed we are only concerned with the following entries on the “Network Settings” page – the Vorsis factory defaults are shown here. WLAN Static IP Address: 192.168.2.100 WLAN Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0...
- Page 55 If the IP addresses of the AirAura are modified to be compatible with the local network and that IP address scheme is different from our factory defaults, the IP address of the Wired side of the wireless module must also be changed.
- Page 56 Appendix C General Specifications System Headroom: >20dB Nominal Operating Level: -20dBFS Analog Line Input Type: Electronic Differential Input Impedance: > 10k ohms (bridging) Optimum Source Impedance: < 1k ohms A/D Converter: AKM5394, 192kHz, 24-bits Digital Line Input Data Standard: AES3 (AES/EBU) Data Amplitude: Per AES3-2003 assuming maximum allowable output signal amplitude of 2V...
- Page 57 Pre-emphasis: 50 or 75 microseconds, plus OFF. May be placed pre-or post 31-band limiter. Final Peak Control: “AirAura” distortion cancelled spectral clipper, hard or soft mode available. Lookahead limiter – may be operated in combination with distortion cancelled clipper. FM Digital Output:...
- Page 58 HD Digital Output: AES 3-pin XLR (digital) Phase: Left and Right channels may be phase- reversed. Channel Swap: Left and Right Channels may be swapped. AES Transmitter: CS8406, 192kHz, 24-bits HD Analog Output: Stereo Analog – Balanced Line Level (pair 3-pin XLR connectors) Maximum Output Level: +24dBu into 600 ohms Load Impedance:...
- Page 59 TX -1/TX-2 Output Level: -79.95dB to +6.0dB, 0.05dB steps, or Composite Multiplex Outputs: Unbalanced, floating over ground. D/A Converter: AKM ‘Miracle DAC’ 192kHz, 24-bits Connector: BNC (2) floating over ground. Balanced Line Level (pair 3-pin XLR connectors). Output Levels - BNC: 1V - 4V RMS Output Levels –...
- Page 60 The wireless module is type approved in the US, Canada, and Europe, with certification pending in Japan (as of this writing). To comply with the regulations dealing with embedded wireless devices, the rear panel of the AirAura is so marked as required by law:...
- Page 61 AirAura and its GUI will be somewhat less than that stated in the first column. IMPORTANT NOTE AirAura utilizes an efficient scheme to send data to and from the remote GUI.
- Page 62 RF connectors is typically +15dBm ± 2 dB for B-Mode (all rates) and +12dBm+/-2dB for G-Mode (all rates). The RF power at AirAura’s rear panel WiFi connectors will be somewhat less than this due to losses in the interconnecting coaxial cables.
- Page 63 The GPI interface provides eight separate General Purpose Inputs which share a common DC return. The interface connector is a female DB-9 connector with the following pin assignments. Note that all pins are isolated from AirAura internal circuitry! GPI Input Number...
- Page 64 Use the following table to determine if an external resistance is required and if so, what value it should be. Note that a one-half watt resistor is sufficient. The resistance values in the table below have been calculated to result in approximately 5.0 milliamps forward current through the optoisolator’s internal LED.
- Page 65 An upcoming software release will re-enable this function and add additional functionality to the GPO interface. AirAura provides four General Purpose Output (GPO) circuits that may be used in a variety of ways. Like the GPI circuits, the GPO interface utilizes optoisolators in order to provide high electrical isolation from the outside world.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the AirAura and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers