Stage Tec Entwicklungsgesellschaft für professionelle Audiotechnik mbH Berlin: NEXUS STAR

NEXUS STAR

Characteristics

brochure NEXUS STAR pdf 526 KB	The NEXUS STAR audio-router system was designed by Stage Tec for the most extensive routing requirements typically found, in broadcast centres, large production companies, and exhibition grounds. The NEXUS STAR is a routing node serving as the core of a NEXUS installation and interconnecting numerous NEXUS Base Devices scattered over separate studios and apparatus areas via optical cables. It is a versatile audio-network and routing system for controlling studio or mixing-desk resources, for apparatus-area and broadcast-complex networking, for OB trucks, sound reinforcement, and for any other professional audio technology applications. NEXUS STAR accommodates up to 16 slot-in boards with 256 inputs and 256 outputs each. This allows for routing a maximum of 4,096 inputs to 4,096 outputs, resulting in more than 16 million crosspoints. And if even this routing capacity is not sufficient, multiple NEXUS STAR units can be cascaded. Inputs can be freely routed to any outputs, so point-to-point lines as well as point-to-multi-point sets can be created. When it came to technical implementation, Stage Tec broke new ground: Instead of a bus configuration as used on the NEXUS system, NEXUS STAR includes a dual matrix for routing inputs to outputs. This routing matrix allows a very high clock rate and thus supports the reliable implementation an accordingly large number of time-slots, resulting in an internal throughput of more than 12 Gbps. The secret of the extremely large routing capacity. NEXUS STAR allows for networking up to 31 NEXUS Base Devices and supports spanning distances of up to 100 kilometres (62 miles). With this star topology, highly efficient fibre audio networks with minimal wiring requirements can be constructed.
I/O boards	A variety of analogue and digital I/O boards, as specified by the customer, is installed into NEXUS Base Devices. Thus, the space-hungry I/O interfaces are physically located exactly where they are actually needed. For this reason even a fully populated router occupies a meagre 6 units of 19" rack space. NEXUS STAR currently supports two different interface boards designed for carrying signals over long cable runs: the Fibre-Optic Connection (FOC) boards interfacing to other NEXUS units, and a 4-port MADI board. This allows for direct connection of large digital audio systems including, for example, mixing consoles or multitrack recorders. Thanks to the modular structure of NEXUS STAR, an existing system can be upgraded with additional cards at any time.
Synchronisation	One further benefit: Just like all the other members of the NEXUS family, the NEXUS STAR always operates in sync. The system introduces a very low and constant latency of just 6 samples for all signals. This figure makes NEXUS STAR entirely suitable for time-critical applications where minimum latency is a must (e.g. live broadcasting).
Intuitive control	NEXUS STAR and the other NEXUS devices are operated via a graphical user interface running on conventional desktop or laptop computers. They can also be operated from the surface of Stage Tec’s AURUS, CANTUS and CINETRA mixing-console systems. The graphical control software provides intuitive access to, and control of, all system components. All settings can be stored, and presets can be recalled easily. Existing NEXUS users will hardly notice any operational difference if they integrate a STAR router into the audio network since the STAR is fully integrated into the familiar user interface.
Reliability	The entire NEXUS system is designed for reliability: Systems can be configured with a high level of redundancy, and every Base Device has its own dedicated controller board. This concept of »distributed intelligence« prevents total failure in case of malfunction. Defects are immediately indicated by the graphical alert system. I/O boards can be replaced during operation without affecting other system components (hot-swap capability). A newly installed board is available on the system within a few seconds. Of course the NEXUS STAR router was designed with the same regard to reliability. For example, all components are largely independent and redundant, thus ensuring partial operation even in the case of component failure.
	Suggested Applications In radio and TV broadcasting: Switching rooms, broadcast-complex networking, studio audio matrix, signal transmission In recording and post-production studios: Mixing-console and studio routers, broadcast-complex networking, A/D and D/A format conversion In theatres, concert halls, convention centres, and exhibition grounds: Interconnection of recording studios, stages, sound-reinforcement facilities, and other areas, hall and complex networking
	NEXUS STAR Specifications Overview Digital audio network and routing system Mixed operation of MADI and Stage Tec RFOC interface boards Expandable to 16 interface boards (with four I/O ports each) 4,096 × 4,096 crosspoints per NEXUS STAR In-sync signal processing Up to 31 Base Devices can be connected Cascadable 16 free slots Constant latency of just six samples Modest space requirements (six units in a 19" rack) Innovative high-speed routing unit with bus clock rate of 2 × 100 MHz and transmission rate of 12 Gbps Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 KHz (dependent on configuration) Globally adjustable full-scale level (0 dBFS = 0 to 22/28 dBu analogue level) Multiple redundant power-supply units supported Continuous execution of internal test routines Hot-swap capability Uninterrupted signal re-routing in case of malfunctions

Stage Tec Entwicklungsgesellschaft für professionelle Audiotechnik mbH, Germany 12459 Berlin, Tabbertstr. 10
Phone: +49 30 639902-0, Fax: +49 30 639902-32, , © 2002-2009 Stage Tec Berlin

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