Q-AES Info
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Router Control Panels
Q16-AES & Q32-AES
Q16 & Q32 Digital Audio Router
The Q16-AES and Q32-AES routers provide asynchronous or synchronous AES/EBU digital audio switching with either balanced or unbalanced inputs and outputs. The synchronous audio switching mode also supports a number of additional features such as Soft Switching, Wild Shuffling, Mono Mixing and Sample Rate Conversion.
Configuration
Q16-AES: The Q16-AES is housed in a 1RU and is only available in a single power supply configuration.
Asynchronous switching, with balanced or unbalanced I/O
Only available in one fixed size - 16x16.
Synchronous switching, with balanced or unbalanced I/O
Can be added to any router configuration.
Q32-AES: The Q32-AES is housed in a 2RU and is available in a redundant power supply configuration.
Asynchronous switching, with balanced or unbalanced I/O
Available in two fixed sizes - 16x16 or 32x32.
Synchronous switching, with balanced or unbalanced I/O
Can be added to any router configuration.
Control: The Q16-AES and the Q32-AES include, as standard, an internal Frame Controller module supporting a single Q-Link and RS 422/232 Serial port. The optional internal CI module can be fitted to the Q32-AES to increase the number of Q-Link and Serial ports. This option is not available for the Q16-AES.
The routers have a number of control options, they are:
Local Control Panels: The CP-1600A-LP, can be fitted to the Q16-AES. This option is not available for the Q32-AES.
Passive Remote Control Panels: The CP-1601A-P and CP-1604-P passive remote control panels can be fitted to the Q16-AES and Q32-AES router via a PI-1604 or PI-1608 parallel to interface.
Remote Control Panel: Any panel(s) from the entire range of Quartz remote control panels can be used with the Q16-AES and Q32-AES router connected via Q-Link.
External Third Party Control: The Q16-AES and Q32-AES router can be remotely controlled via an external third party control device, such as an automation system, when connected to the routers serial port.
Expansion: The Q16-AES with unbalanced I/O cannot be expanded. The Q16-AES with balanced I/O can be expanded from 16x16 to 32x32. The input and output stage of the Q32-AES can expanded at any time by adding additional SIMMs. The routers cannot be expanded beyond their frame size.
Power Supply: The power supplies for the Q16-AES and the Q32-AES are internal. The 2RU Q32-AES frame can be fitted with an optional redundant power supply with separate AC power inlet and alarm output. This option is not available for the Q16-AES.
Digital Audio
Asynchronous: a simple low cost crash switch router.
Synchronous (+SS option): provides a clean switch between audio sources as long as they are all synchronized to a common studio reference. The synchronous operation will also align locked but misaligned digital audio signals to the routers reference. A number of extra features such as I/P & O/P Gain Control, Mono Mix, Soft Switching, Wild Shuffling and Sample Rate Conversion are included as standard.
Bypass: The Soft Switch or SRC circuit can be bypassed in order to allow Dolby E and other AES and non-AES formats to be switched through the router. Dolby E and other non-AES data can be routed through the Asynchronous router without being affected.
Operational Features (+SS option only)
Sample Rate Conversion: Sample Rate Conversion (SRC) allows the router to accept input sample rates between 32kHz and 96kHz. These sample rates are then converted to the selected sample rate of the router, 48kHz or 96kHz, before being switched to the output. Output sample rates other than 48kHz or 96kHz can be handled by switching selected outputs into a mode that bypasses the Sample Rate Converters.
Soft Switch: Synchronization does not eliminate audible switching 'clicks' as the switch may take place when the difference in the source amplitudes is large. To avoid the fast transition caused by this large difference in source amplitudes the router uses a programmable Crossfade to switch between the sources. The duration of the Crossfade can be set between 0 and 20 mSeconds. This guarantees a "click-free" switch every time. Crossfading is preferable to a 'V' fade as it avoids the dip in audio level resulting from a 'V' fade.
Wild Shuffling: All synchronized sources can be wild shuffled. Wild shuffling allows any input audio track to be selected and grouped together with any other audio track. This new audio stream can be routed to the required destination. This allows a 32x32 stereo router to become a 64x64 mono router.
Mono Audio Mix: Mono audio mix enables the router to mix together two selected mono audio tracks. The router combines the two audio tracks together to give a single mono mixed audio track which is then routed to the chosen destination. Output = ½ (Input A + Input B)
Gain adjustment: The gain for each half of the stereo pair on both the input and the output can be individually controlled. The adjustment range +12dB to -34dB in increments of 0.002dB.
Features (module dependent)
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Specifications
| Configuration | |
|---|---|
| Inputs | Selectable in blocks of 16 or 32 |
| Outputs | Selectable in blocks of 16 or 32 (depends on version) |
| Audio Inputs | |
|---|---|
| Sample rates | 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz |
| DC on Input | ±50V (transformer coupled) |
| Balanced version | |
| Standard | AES3-2003 |
| Signal Level | 0.2 - 7V p-p |
| Impedance | 110Ω ±20% |
| Connectors | D50 female, XLR breakout panels available |
| Unbalanced version | |
| Standard | SMPTE 276M |
| Impedance | 75Ω |
| Return Loss | 25dB, 0.1 - 6.0kHz |
| Connectors | BNC per IEC 61169-8 Annex A |
| Audio Outputs | |
|---|---|
| DC Isolation | ±50V (transformer coupled) |
| Balanced version | |
| Standard | AES3-2003 |
| Signal Level | 2 - 5V p-p |
| Impedance | 110Ω |
| Rise/Fall Time | 3.5 - 10ns |
| Connectors | D50 female, XLR breakout panels available |
| Unbalanced version | |
| Standard | SMPTE 276M |
| Signal level | 1.0V p-p ±50% |
| Impedance | 75Ω |
| Return Loss | 25dB, 0.1 - 6.0kHz |
| Jitter | Conforms to ANSI S4. 40 - 1992 |
| Connectors | BNC per IEC 61169-8 Annex A |
| Control | |
|---|---|
| Q-Link to remote panels | 1 as standard (additional 3 Q-links on Q32 with CI-0004 option) 75Ω video cable 500m (1600 ft) max. length |
| Serial RS232/422 | 1 as standard (additional port on Q32 with CI-0001 or CI-0004 option) D9 female |
| Electrical | |
|---|---|
| Supply | Auto ranging 100-240V AC 50/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 15 Watts |
| Dual PSU | Optional with alarm output |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Height | Q16: 1RU, 44mm (1.75" nom.) Q32: 2RU, 88mm (3.5" nom.) |
| Width | 19" rack mount |
| Depth | 485mm (19" nom.) |
| Weight | Q16: 5.2kg (11.3lb) Q32: 6.6kg (14.5lb) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 - 40°C |
| Ventilation | Natural convection |
Ordering Information
| Notes | • Each frame ships with a single power supply as standard. An optional redundant power supply is available on the Q32 |
|---|---|
| • The models listed below handle standard AES/EBU signals with balanced 110Ω inputs and outputs via D50 connectors or SMPTE/SPDIF signals with unbalanced 75Ω inputs and outputs via BNC connectors |
| Balanced Asynchronous | |
|---|---|
| Q16-1616-AESB | 16x16 Digital Audio Router, 1RU frame |
| Q16-3232-AESB | 32x32 Digital Audio Router, 1RU frame |
| Q32-1616-AESB | 16x16 Digital Audio Router, 2RU frame |
| Q32-3232-AESB | 32x32 Digital Audio Router, 2RU frame |
| Unbalanced Asynchronous | |
|---|---|
| Q16-1616-AESU | 16x16 Digital Audio Router, 1RU frame |
| Q32-1616-AESU | 16x16 Digital Audio Router, 2RU frame |
| Q32-3232-AESU | 32x32 Digital Audio Router, 2RU frame |
| Ordering Options | |
|---|---|
| +SS | Option to add clean switch between synchronous audio sources |
| +2PS | Redundant Power Supply (Only available for the Q32) |
| Accessories | |
|---|---|
| Notes | • Options PS-0014, CI-0001 and CI-0004 are only available for Q32 frames |
| Control Panels | Enhance the function and usability of this router with a variety of control panels |
|---|---|
| CI-0001 | Sub-module that enables a second RS232/422 serial port |
| CI-0004 | Sub-module that enables three additional Q-Links and one extra RS232/422 serial port |
| AK-0002 | Rear frame support kit for Q16, strongly recommended for mobile applications |
| AK-0006 | D50 Mating Audio Connectors, all male type, one required for each group of 16 inputs or outputs |
| AK-0008 | 16 way XLR Breakout Panel, Male, 1RU. Includes 3m flying lead with D50 connector pre-wired for connection to Quartz audio routers, inputs or outputs |
| AK-0009 | 16 way XLR Breakout Panel, Female, 1RU. Includes 3m flying lead with D50 connector pre-wired for connection to Quartz Audio routers inputs or outputs |