POWERSOFT KAESOP USER MANUAL. EDITION January 2010 Rev. 2.0

Transcription

1 POWERSOFT KAESOP USER MANUAL EDITION January 2010 Rev. 2.0

2 All copyright and industrial rights in this document and in the technical knowledge it contains are owned by Powersoft and/or the third parties rightfully concerned. No part of this document nor any data herein shall be disclosed, reproduced or used for any purpose whatsoever without the prior written consent of POWERSOFT as foreseen by the law. Drawings and specifications are subject to change. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Printed in Italy.

3 REVISIONS REVISION DATE REVISION PURPOSE Signed by / st Edition T Morganti /2008 Forwanding functionality explained, suggested topologies. 10/2008 Added pictures, block diagram, definitions 10/2008 Added AESOP introduction (to be reviewed). Clarify, correct. T Morganti T Morganti T Morganti A Taglia /2008 Reviewed introduction. T Morganti /2008 Minor changes T Morganti A Taglia /2009 Updated to last FW changes. Pictures. T Morganti /2009 New IfNoLink parameter T Morganti /2009 Reviewed images and text /2009 Updated text and index /2010 Updated text and index T Morganti A Taglia T Morganti A Taglia T Morganti A Taglia 3

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5 SUMMARY LEGEND 6 TIPYCAL SET-UP 7 INTRODUCING AESOP 8 AES3 & Ethernet Simple Open Protocol 8 Control 8 Audio 8 RJ45 pin-out 9 KAESOP block diagram and features 9 KAESOP SETTINGS 11 KAESOP submenu 11 Device mode 12 Addressing mode 12 Set address 12 Show net config 12 Audio-Source selection 13 Audio-source mode 13 Audio-Gain trim 13 Audio-No link 13 CABLING OPTIONS 13 Exploiting forward functionality 16 Daisy chain 17 Redundant ring 18 Dual redundant ring 19 APPENDIX FOR DEVELOPERS 20 Developer s introduction to AESOP 20 Control 20 Audio 21 Active cable termination and fault bypass 21 5

6 LEGEND K/K-Light Series Front Panel PORT 1 PORT 2 K/K-Light Series Rear Panel PORT 3 (AUX) AES3 INPUT PORT 4 (AUX) i-series Front Panel i-series Rear Panel PORT 1 AES3 INPUT PORT 2 AUXILIARY AES3 INPUT AES3 STREAM A AES3 STREAM B ETHERNET KAESOP SIGNAL (AES3A+AES3B+ETHERNET) ETHERNET SWITCH 6

7 STANDARD IMMEDIATELY AFTER LINK FAILURE RESTORED AUDIO & CONTROL STREAMING 7

8 INTRODUCING AESOP: AES3 & Ethernet Simple Open Protocol Powersoft AESOP is aimed to cope with high reliability live applications in harsh environments where Quality Of Service has to be guaranteed. EMI and RFI in a high power audio and light system must not degrade audio quality or cause a control link loss. Also a single failure, either cable or device, should not affect the system performance. User's introduction to AESOP Each AESOP device (K-Series amplifier or, coming soon, power module controller) is equipped with two RJ-45 connectors for daisy-chaining. The last device in a chain can be connected back to the audio/control source device, which provides a redundant path for both audio and data. CONTROL Control is implemented by 100 Mbit Ethernet connectivity with auto-sense. The dual port design allows for daisy chain and redundant ring topologies. The fault bypass feature takes into account the possibility to loose an intermediate device or having a faulty cable link without compromising the ring integrity. Each device can use a static IP address, assigned by the user, or can be set to automatically configure itself without user intervention. A discovery feature is used by the control software to find and identify each connected device, including the eventually wrongly configured ones. The KAESOP board detects bad quality connections by counting errors on the Ethernet control ports and switches them automatically from 100Mbit/s to 10Mbit/s to keep the link active also in the worst cases. Please note that even if crossed Ethernet cables would work control wise they will not allow the AES3 streams to flow correctly, so please NEVER USE Ethernet crossed cables with KAESOP! AUDIO Audio is distributed to devices by AES3 streams carried by the two CAT5 wire pairs which are unused in 100 Mbit Ethernet protocol. AES3 is a license free well recognized standard with recognized low-latency, reliability and audio quality. For each of the two AES3 signals, a bidirectional transceiver with fault bypass has been implemented to repeat the AES3 signal to the next devices in the chain. When the device is powered off or unavailable, a passive high frequency relay circuit passes through the signal, assuring the ring integrity. When the device is powered up, it chooses the most appropriate direction and bypass the relay, re-buffering actively the AES signal. The direction is maintained until errors are detected on the AES3 receiver circuit. When errors or link failure are detected, the direction is swapped, to build-up a new path for the audio. In a fraction of a second (no more than 50ms), some of the devices in a ring will swap to the other direction, restoring the audio streaming. 8

9 RJ45 PINOUT PORT 1 PORT 2 (identical) 1: 100BaseT AutoMDI RX/TX+ 1: 100BaseT AutoMDI RX/TX+ 2: 100BaseT AutoMDI RX/TX- 2: 100BaseT AutoMDI RX/TX- 3: 100BaseT AutoMDI TX/RX+ 3: 100BaseT AutoMDI TX/RX+ 4: AES3-A RX/TX+ 4: AES3-A RX/TX+ 5: AES3-A RX/TX- 5: AES3-A RX/TX- 6: 100BaseT AutoMDI TX/RX- 6: 100BaseT AutoMDI TX/RX- 7: AES3-B RX/TX+ 7: AES3-B RX/TX+ 8: AES3-B RX/TX- 8: AES3-B RX/TX- When node is powered off, each pin on PORT 1 is connected passively to the same pin on PORT 2 with insertion loss of less than 2 db (< 2dB). Please note that even if crossed Ethernet cables would work control wise they will not allow the AES3 streams to flow correctly, so please NEVER USE Ethernet crossed cables with KAESOP! 1. KAESOP BLOCK DIAGRAM AND FEATURES The KAESOP board brings Ethernet remote control to K/K Light/i-Series amplifier. KAESOP board brings as well digital audio input to the amplifiers, accepting one of the two AES streams contained in the CAT5 cable as well as accepting the AES digital input from channel 2 rear panel XLR input. Block diagram 9

10 Definition of Terms: AES3A STREAM, AES3B STREAM: streams from AESOP CAT5 network REAR AES3 STREAM: stream from CH2 XLR with AES/EBU selected, rear amplifier panel PORT 1, PORT 2: main Ethernet control ports + 2 x AES on K/K Light/i series amplifiers PORT 3, PORT 4: auxiliary ports (only Ethernet control, no fault bypass) only on K/K Light series amplifiers as i Series amplifiers have just 2 RJ45 ports The features of the current KAESOP release are: two main Ethernet control ports with passive hardware bypass for safe daisy chain connection two auxiliary standard Ethernet control ports all Ethernet ports are auto-sense, 10/100Mbps Ethernet redundancy handling by managed switch, any topology allowed (single and multiple ring, mesh,...) IP protocol based remote control max cable length 100m (80m in case of intermediate failed node) two main AES3 audio thru CAT5/RJ45 with hardware bypass for safe daisy chain connection ring connection redundancy one auxiliary AES3 audio thru rear panel CH2 input XLR connector AES3 audio forwarding from rear CH2 XLR input to one or both of the two main AES3 streams amplifier input can be fed by one of the three AES3 streams stereo mode or mono (ch 1 or ch2 input will feed both amplifier channels) mode 24 bit 32/44.1/48/96 khz sampling rate (2 AES3 streams=4 analog audio channels) high performance audio DAC, 120dB(A) SNR, <0.005% THD low network latency (3 samples 96kHz) 10

11 2. KAESOP SETTINGS KAESOP SUBMENU DEVICE MODE This parameter select the AES3 audio streaming function of the amplifier. In Repeater mode the AES stream received on port 1 will be repeated on port 2. If AES stream is received on port 2 it will be repeated on port 1. This applies on both AES stream A and AES stream B independently. In Forward to AES-A mode, the amplifier rear panel AES input will be routed to the AES stream A on both main ports 1 and 2. AES stream B received on main port 1 will be repeated on main port 2 (repeater functionality on AES stream B). In Forward to AES-B mode, the behavior is similar, but with forwarding mode on AES stream B and repeater mode on AES stream A. In Forward to both mode, the amplifier rear panel AES input will be routed to both AES stream A and AES stream B on both main ports 1 and 2. Repeater functionality will be disabled. AES3 STREAM A AES3 STREAM B ETHERNET KAESOP SIGNAL 11

12 ADDRESSING MODE This parameter controls the IP addressing assignment strategy. Manual requires the user to set a valid static address and subnet mask (optionally also default gateway). PC should be on the same subnet if no routers are between PC and amplifier. Automatic let the amplifier ask and obtain a network configuration from a DHCP server or, if any DHCP server is available, by Automatic IP (local link addressing or ZeroConf). The behavior complies with RFC 3927, guaranteeing the interoperability with any host PC supporting the same standard (see picture). Windows with network card settings to Obtain an IP address automatically and alternate configuration to Automatic private IP. Starting from power-on, the amplifiers tries to obtain a valid IP address from a DHCP server. After a timeout of 30 seconds, if IP address is not obtained, the amplifier takes an automatic private address in the range x.y, but continues to search for DHCP server. When the DHCP becomes available, the address is updated. SET ADDRESS This menu allows to set the IP address, subnet mask and default gateway. SHOW NET CONFIG This menu shows the current networking configuration, either set by previous menu or obtained automatically if Automatic addressing mode is selected. AUDIO SOURCE SELECTION This menu selects the AES stream that feeds the output power stage of the amplifier. AUDIO SOURCE MODE This menu selects the channel(s) inside the selected AES stream to be forwarded to the output power stage of the amplifier. In Stereo mode, channel L of AES stream goes to CH1 of the amplifier, and channel R of AES stream goes to CH2 of the amplifier. 12

13 In Mono from L or Mono from R, channel L (or R) of selected AES stream is forwarded to both amplifier channels. AUDIO GAIN TRIM This parameter sets the level of the KAESOP DA converter to the amplifier input. The scale is from +5dB to -40dB with a step of 0.5dB where the 0dB level is matched to the 0dB level of the AES input of a K-Series amplifier with KDSP installed for keeping consistent reference level. This 0dB stands for an absolute level of dbu, while 0dBFS level in the AES stream will be an absolute level to the amplifier input of dbu for +5dB of the level trim. Please note that using a digital input, amplifier will keep a fixed 32dB gain. AUDIO IF NO LINK This parameter choose the behavior of the amplifier when the digital audio stream is missing, while the Input Selection is KAESOP=>OUT. If Mute is selected, the amplifier output is muted. If Analog is selected, the amplifier automatically switches to CH1/CH2 analog input if the digital stream is missing, getting back to the digital stream in case it is available again. This could be used to implement an analog backup connection for the digital stream. If a mono signal is needed, take care to activate the Link switch on the back panel in order to feed both channels with the backup signal. 3. CABLING OPTIONS EXPLOITING FORWARDING FUNCTIONALITY AES3 signal can be forwarded from any amplifier of the KAESOP network to all the others: it is necessary to connect AES3 signal to the rear panel XLR connector marked as Ch2/AES3 input and configure by front panel menu the amplifier as FORWARD TO AES-A or B. Please note that when an amplifier is set as forward to AES3-A or B the amplifier can accept as sole AES input the signal coming from the rear panel AES3 XLR connector.. FORWARD TO AES3-A FORWARD TO AES3 A 13

14 FORWARD TO AES3-B FORWARD TO AES3 B It is as well possible to build a redundant system by connecting the same AES3 signal to another amplifier that will need to be configured as the first one, so FORWARD TO AES-A or B. If any connection or any of the two forwarding amplifier fail, the other will provide backup signal to the KAESOP network FORWARD TO AES3-A - REDUNDANT SYSTEM FORWARD TO AES3 A FORWARD TO AES3 A 14

15 FORWARD TO AES3-B - REDUNDANT SYSTEM FORWARD TO AES3 A FORWARD TO AES3 B The KAESOP network can clearly travel two different AES3 signal at the same times, so it is possible to use two different amplifiers to forward two different AES3 signals to the network. FORWARD TO AES3-A & AES3-B FORWARD TO AES3 A FORWARD TO AES B 15

16 It is as well possible to built a custom box to combine Ethernet signal and AES3 signal/s in a single RJ45 connector, following this scheme, this way it is possible to avoid the use of amplifiers as forwarder, an higher level of security that could avoid any possible forwarder amplifier fault as well the possibility to choose locally on each amplifier which AES3 signal pick-up while an amplifier set as a forwarder can only use the AES3 input at his rear panel XLR connector. Following the AESOP standard RJ45 pin out presented on page 12 of this manual, this will be the pinout of the adapter box. KAESOP RJ45 CONNECTOR AES3 A XLR CONNECTOR PIN 1 NOT CONNECTED PIN 2 AES3A+ BLUE PIN 3 AES3A- WHITE/BLUE AES3 B XLR CONNECTOR PIN 1 NOT CONNECTED PIN 2 AES3B+ WHITE/BROWN PIN 3 AES3B- BROWN Please note that even if crossed Ethernet cables would work control wise they will not allow the AES3 streams to flow correctly, so please NEVER USE Ethernet crossed cables with KAESOP! 16

17 DAISY CHAIN The AES3 source and the computer (with or without an Ethernet switch) are connected to the first amplifier of the chain, i.e. to main port 1. The port 2 is then connected to the following amplifier port 1, and so on until the last amplifier in the chain, which has the port 2 left disconnected. FORWARD TO AES3 A Daisy chain topology is not redundant, so a fault in any cable link will cause disconnection from the system of all amplifiers after the faulty cable. A fault in an intermediate device will be handled by the passive bypass switches, which will pass the signals (both Ethernet and audio) thru the faulty device to the next in the chain, even if the maximum distance between the two working devices will be reduced from 100m to about 80m because of the passive bypass switch. 17

18 REDUNDANT RING Redundant ring topology will require 2 identical AES3 sources and 2 ports on an Ethernet switch. The first AES3/Ethernet pair is connected to the first amplifier of the chain, i.e. to main port 1. The port 2 is then connected to the port 1 of the next amplifier, and so on until the last amplifier in the chain, which will have the port 2 connected back to the second (backup) AES3/ethernet pair. Redundant ring topology allows one cabling fault without affecting system functionality. FORWARD TO AES3 A FORWARD TO AES3 A 18

19 DUAL REDUNDANT RING Dual redundant ring topology will allow to connect groups of amplifiers (typically in a rack) together with a first level of redundancy for both audio and control, as in the previous redundant ring topology, and a second level of back-up for the control signal (Ethernet). The first level of redundancy of audio and control signal will use front panel RJ45 ports 1 and 2 while the second level of redundancy just for control signal will use RJ45 ports 3 and 4, so this configuration is possible just with K/K Light Series amplifiers as i Series can have just two main RJ45 ports. A pair (main + backup) of AES3 signals is needed for each rack. FORWARD TO AES3 A FORWARD TO AES3 A RACK 2 FORWARD TO AES3 A FORWARD TO AES3 A Following rack 2 connections to rack 1, many other racks can be connected in the same system. 19

20 APPENDIX FOR DEVELOPERS Developer's introduction to AESOP One of Powersoft AESOP goals will be the interoperability with devices made by other manufacturers. A list of useful AESOP technical specification is presented for future developer use. CONTROL Node networking capabilities: each node is a standard IPv4 node supporting static IP assignment and automatic IP assignment following RFC3927, that means DHCP and Local Link Addressing. Node transport protocol: transport protocol is standard UDP. Packet loss and retransmission have to be handled by application layer. Each node is listening on port 8002 and answers to the remote host port. Node search and identification capabilities: each node is able to recognize a Discovery command. The node can reply either in unicast (point to point) or in broadcast. The latter is used to discover devices with misconfigured IP address and for providing the user with a diagnosis tool. The search is limited to the network segment to which the node is connected (i.e. it is blocked by any intermediate router). Each node replies to the discovery command with the following information: 1. manufacturer name 2. model name 3. AESOP version One or more of the following ways can be used to identify a node: 4. device nickname (user defined text identifying the node) 5. serial number (unique manufacturer text code) 6. aux identifier code (i.e. a numeric code input by means of rotary encoders) More optional information: 7. FW version 8. optional boards installed and their FW version Application must not rely on IP address to identify a node, because this can vary following a turn off / turn on cycle, because of DHCP or automatic IP address. Preferred ways are serial number or nickname or a combination of the two. Also an auxiliary ID code can be used. Redundancy capabilities: each node, together with the passive feed-through when powered off, has the capability to handle redundant connections without the formation of transient or permanent loops, avoiding packet storms and finally Ethernet malfunction. The allowed topologies are the simple ring (the only one that can be obtained with a 2 port switch). Nodes equipped with more than 2 ports can be connected also in mesh topology. 20

21 A protocol able to handle these topologies, breaking the loops, and recovering the redundant connections when a link is faulty is adopted. Please refer to the Simple Spanning Protocol (SSP) document for a minimum requirements implementation of that protocol. Locking capabilities: each node is able to recognize a Lock/Unlock command. This is used to handle the cases in which more than one remote control hosts is working on the same network. The device can be in any of the 3 states: 1) unlocked: the device accepts only Discovery and Lock/Unlock commands from any host. Locking command specifies the Locking Timeout and the Locking code parameters. 2) locked: the device has been locked by an host and accepts any command (i.e. parameter read/write) from this host, and only Discovery and Lock/Unlock from other hosts. The latter is only used to remotely change locking host, by supplying the proper unlocking code. 3) released: the device has been locked by an host, but that host is not polling the device by at least Locking Timeout time. The device accepts any command from the locking host, and only Discovery and Lock/Unlock commands from any host. In this state it can be locked by another host. A device starts in unlocked state, and pass to the locked state when it receives a lock command from one host. The host keeps the device locked by issuing any kind of command, i.e. by polling the state or reading or writing parameters. If the locking host doesn't send any command to the device for more than Locking Timeout time, the device pass to the released state. From this state, if locking host restarts to send commands, the device will come back to locked state. When in released state, any other host can lock the device, stealing it to the -probably inactive- old locking host. Finally, the device gets unlocked if the locking host explicitly unlock it. Any other host can force the lock by supplying the correct Locking code. The device must remember the remaining time before Locking Timeout expiration, the locking state and the current Locking code thru power off / power on cycles, to avoid unlocking the device by a wanted or unwanted power off. AUDIO Each of AES3-A and AES3-B carries an AES3 encoded stereo audio signal supporting 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 192 khz sample rate. Each node is able to select one of the 4 audio signals A left, A right, B left, B right. Each dual channel node is also able to select the A stereo pair or the B stereo pair. ACTIVE CABLE TERMINATION AND FAULT BYPASS Each of the two ports in a device is implemented as a dual channel AES3 receiver/transmitter, plus a 100baseT Ethernet port. For each AES3 channel the behaviour is identical and independent. The port connected to the incoming audio stream configures its transmitter to work as an active cable termination. The signal is detected and re-buffered, and supplied to the AES3 decoder and to the transmitter of the other port, which feeds the next device in the chain. When a device is powered off or faulty, a passive relay bypasses the active receiver/transmitter circuit, to maintain electrical continuity. 21

22 The Ethernet interface is similarly implemented. As a standard, the cable termination is activated, and the on-board Ethernet switch behave as a repeater from one port to the other. When a device is powered off, the cable termination is automatically deactivated, to minimize attenuation and cable reflections, and a passive bypass high frequency relay circuitry connects the two Ethernet pairs of the two ports. When this happens, the Ethernet signal passing through this bypass circuit is somewhat attenuated (1-2dB), and two usually independent Ethernet cable sections are cascaded. System architect should take into account this behaviour and dimension the cable runs appropriately. In any case, the redundant ring topology provides another level of redundancy. Please note that even if crossed Ethernet cables would work control wise they will not allow the AES3 streams to flow correctly, so please NEVER USE Ethernet crossed cables with KAESOP! 22