NAB 2012: PESA To Intro Routing System, Cattrax Router Control Software

PESA will introdude its new DRS audio distributed routing system with Enterprise Data Exchange Engine (E-DXE), as well as its new Cattrax Web browser-based router control software.

DRS Audio Distributed Routing System
A full-featured 24-bit, 96 kHz routing system for audio and time code signals, DRS uses high-speed multiplexing technology for signal distribution, rather than a crosspoint matrix array, and its modular architecture makes it easy to tailor the system to fit specific configurations.

At the heart of every DRS is PESA’s DXE frame, where the actual signal routing function takes place. It provides all the essential signal processing features, including input sample rate conversion, input gain, and phase inversion. AES3, AES3id, time code, analog audio, and MADI (AES-10) signals can be processed within the same system without external converters, and each DRS can be sample rate adjusted to support 44.1kHz or 48kHz. Packetized data is routed over a gigabit Ethernet network between frames through the DXE to deliver desired input signals to desired output connections.

In addition to the traditional I/O audio remedies, input and output delay can be set independently on every I/O channel. With up to two seconds of delay available to every I/O, external audio delay systems are unnecessary.

Offered in three package sizes, DRS can accommodate a variety of audio requirements. The compact DRS Series-C uses an internal control card to support 64 mono I/O in a 1 RU frame, and two frames can be combined via an Ethernet port for 128×128 I/O (no DXE processor frame necessary). DRS Series-M supports small and mid-range routing needs with up to four 512×512 I/O frames, which combine to deliver up to 2048×2048 I/O. DRS Series-E systems, which accommodate enterprise-wide systems with E-DXE, support up to five 1536×1536 I/O frames to increase the I/O count to 7680×7680. All three packages are shipping now.

For Series-M and Series-E systems using the DXE or E-DXE processor frame, each 1 RU I/O frame provides 128 signal ports and can be located virtually anywhere within a facility – up to 300 feet away from the main processing frame (or more than six miles using optional fiber optic extender modules). Interconnections are made using common CATx cable and standard RJ-45 connectors. Stereo analog inputs as well as analog outputs are converted to digital using high performance 24-bit converters. Inputs may be switched as mono channels, stereo pairs, or up to 16 channels to support any audio environment.

“Whatever the application, DRS technology will dramatically reduce the complexity of your audio setup,” said Chuck Tillett, PESA president and COO. “With PESA’s unique signal processing technology, complex and cumbersome wiring schemes and cable routing are a thing of the past. And less complex wiring requirements with fewer cables keep signal quality high, which saves time and money in both installation and maintenance.”

Any DRS audio system using the DXE or E-DXE can be configured for complete system redundancy. A second interconnect allows for two parallel data paths in the event signals are lost on the primary path. Plus, each frame supports redundant power and control, as well as front load, hot-swappable logic cards. Frames are available in a variety of interconnect options, including BNCs, ELCO, or 6-pin pluggable connectors for analog, AES, and time code.

In addition to standard signal I/O frames, DRS includes two special purpose circuit cards for embedding and de-embedding digital audio, which marries the video routing capability of the Cheetah video matrix routers with the audio routing capability of the Cheetah DRS audio router. The Cheetah MUX-3G card provides 16 SDI video output channels and embeds any of up to 256 audio signals selected from DRS input sources to any of the HD or 3G video output signals. Any audio input signal to DRS – AES, embedded, MADI, or analog – can become the input source for the video MUX card for embedding onto a video output signal.

The Cheetah DEMUX-3G card provides 16 SDI video inputs and de-embeds all audio groups and channels from all video signals. Up to 256 de-embedded audio signals may be selected as input sources for the DRS channel group. In DRS system configuration, the DEMUX-3G card functions as a signal input frame, and the MUX-3G card functions as a signal output frame. Full digital signal processing and stereo remedies may be applied to embedded audio signals.

Both cards are compatible with SDI video signals up to 3Gbps and are compliant with SMPTE 259M, 292M, and 424M. Audio signals present on an incoming SD video signal are passed through to the output with no modification, even if the audio signals are de-embedded for use elsewhere. The cards are used in place of the HD/3G-SDI video input buffer and video output combiner cards in a Cheetah video router mainframe. The audio portion of each card integrates with a DRS channel group through an available DXE I/O port using common CATx cable, up to 100 meters in length.

Cattrax Web Browser-Based Router Control Software
PESA will also unveil its new Cattrax Web browser-based router control software. Expanding on the capabilities of PESA’s local network-based Cattrax software, Cattrax Web uses most common Web browsers as the client interface to monitor and control routers in locations around the world.

Intended for monitoring, postproduction, or any networked remote location, Cattrax Web is compatible with the full line of PESA routers and can control matrix sizes from 16×16 to 1024×1024. It operates over Ethernet via TCP/IP and communicates directly with the PESA PERC2000 router control system. Cattrax Web pulls its configuration from the PERC2000 control card inside the routing matrix or an external 1 RU chassis assembly. Once configured, Cattrax Web can be used like any remote control panel linked to the system.

Based on the Microsoft Windows platform, Cattrax Web is compatible with Windows Server 2003, 2008, or Windows 7 operating systems. It resides on a customer provided network server and supports Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Services) or Apache HTTP Server. The software offers customized features such as salvos, hot takes, and individual lock/unlock of sources or destinations. Plus, single or multiple destination blocks can be switched simultaneously.

The basic Cattrax Web system supports up to 10 simultaneous clients, each with a unique password-protected user profile to provide access to all or only part of the matrix. As the need for additional users grows, Cattrax Web can be expanded in blocks of 10, 25, 50, and 100 users.

“As personnel budgets continue to be cut, the ability to manage routing switchers over a networked system has become critical for many broadcasters and other video distribution operations,” said Chuck Tillett, PESA president and COO. “Cattrax Web uses basic Internet components and blends them with the outstanding performance of PESA’s routing system controllers to deliver an elegant, intuitive solution.”

The initial release of Cattrax Web will be available in April.