As demand on audio systems increases, it’s important to design a system that’s flexible, scalable, and has the appropriate horsepower to make your audio sound great. A Tesira SERVER-IO solution is easily configurable, and allows you to leverage VoIP while networking multiple rooms together over AVB.

In this scenario, the Tesira SERVER-IO is supporting 12 conference rooms on a corporate campus with VoIP and AVB networking. As depicted, the SERVER-IO is providing all of the processing and the VoIP interface for the conference rooms, while the EX-MOD expanders provide the AEC inputs on EEC-4 cards and outputs on the EOC-4 cards. The EX-MOD is a one-rack unit that can hold up to three cards, which can be mixed and matched with any combination of inputs and outputs. Having one EX-MOD with all inputs and another EX-MOD with all outputs is also an option, depending on the preferences of the designers and the integrator.

Having the endpoints in the room also allows for a single CAT-5 cable connected to the server, which is, in turn, connected to the AVB switch. This eliminates the need for a tangle of analog cables traveling back and forth throughout the room. With the large conference rooms depicted in this scenario, a third-party touch panel device allows control of all Biamp equipment in the room, as well as the lights, the projector screen, the drapes, and many other room elements. All conference rooms in this scenario feature several ceiling microphones, as well as TEC-1s that control all room functions. The SERVER-IO is a shared device among the conference rooms, and the MCA 8150 amplifiers are also shared per every two rooms, eliminating the need for multiple amplifiers. Everything is connected to AVB switches, which route all audio and DSP to the appropriate rooms.

Stay tuned for future posts featuring system design guides!