Description
Axel Technology Fox MKIII Broadcast Switcher
The new generation of AxelTech digital silence detector and change over continues in the tradition of quality, reliability and cost effectiveness, renowned and valued in the broadcasting environment all around the world.
FOX 3 is a fully digital audio modular platform which combines Switcher & Changeover, Silence Detector, format conversion, FM tuner. The new platform offers cutting-edge technology that feats the ease of use, exceptional performances and unparalleled sound quality. FOX 3 provides the widest range of I/O to match the most High-end broadcast user requirements. Any inputs can be routed to a different audio output thanks to the A/D and D/A converter.FOX 3 is a fully configurable Audio Changeover/Silence Detector to switch over four out of the Analog, Digital, MPX, IP, AoIP, DanteTM (optional) and Built In Player inputs. The hardware bypass circuit guarantees audio presence and programs continuity.
Full range of outputs: one analog, two digital audio (over XLR connectors) and two Optional DanteTM. FOX 3 can integrate with existing infrastructure via Ethernet port, two USB ports and six GPI ports with optical coupler and four relays. A LAN port and a built-in Web Server to control & configure the processor from any device and tune audio from anywhere also using the IP streams I/O. FOX 3 Logs every second on the external microSD card the value/status of 8 out of 88 internal parameters for 1 year (at the end of the period oldest data will be overwritten). The user can choose the 8 parameters to be logged and can select a time lapse among the logging to export the data on a CSV file for any analysis.
FOX 3 is equipped with a universal 90-260 V AC power supply, working at 50 or 60 Hz, ready to be used in every country around the world. Thanks to the low power consumption (max 15 W) FOX 3 is also a green equipment. FOX 3 one Rack Unit robust design is sustained by the extensive use of steel and aluminum. FOX 3 appliances are immune to strong electro-magnetic fields and are suitable to be installed in extreme climate environments. A dedicated digital test signal generator can send to all the physical outputs (analogue & digital) signal sample with variable frequency and amplitude to help calibrate the whole audio chain. FOX 3 Changeover/Silence Detector integrates many though needful features for the radio workflow:
COMPLETE SET OF INPUTS
Extended Changeover/Silence Detector with configurable source priorities out of the following sources: 1xAnalog, 2xAES/EBU, 2xIP, 2xMPX, 2x DanteTM (Optional), 1xInternal Player.
SAMPLING RATE FROM 32 kHz TO 192 kHz
COMPLETE SET OF OUTPUTS
1xAnalog, 2xAES/EBU, 2x DanteTM (Optional)
ADVANCED SNMP
(Simple Network Management Protocol) Allows data interchange and simplified configuration of third-party appliances connected in the same LAN using shared datasets MIB.
UPGRADEABLE AND RELIABLE
Internal microSD card with OS for Disaster Recovery. Easily Upgradable via WEB or Windows application.
WEB BASED CONTROL PANEL
The whole system can be managed through a WEB page generated by the internal web Server. The main functions can be managed through the physical panel.
SIGNAL ROUTING & CHANGEOVER
The new FOX 3 is a technologically advanced Audio Changeover/Silence Detector able to switch between any available source: Analog, Digital, MPX, FM, IP, AoIP…In case of missing audio from any external sources, the FOX 3 can play the playlist stored in the microSD.
An embedded Test Signals Generator allows to output an audio signal suitable for testing the equipment or the whole audio system.
I/O Connections
FOX 3 features a complete set of input and outputs connections. Analog and AES/EBU digital audio connections are standard aside of two buffered: Analog Input > Analog Output | Digital1 Input > Digital1 Output | Digital2 Input > Digital2 Output
Three USB ports (one on the front, one on the rear panel and one installed on the internal circuit board), are available.
microSD allows to clone the whole setup from one FOX 3 to another one.
DanteTM connection, available as an option, allows to manage AoIP DanteTM or AE67 signals: 2 Stereo inputs and 2 Stereo outputs.
Front Panel
FOX 3 features a wide Color TFT Technology display (480×128) that shows the input and output processing, including the corrections for each band featured from the compressor, the limiters and the multiband AGC.
Obviously, it also shows the input and output of all signal levels.
Moreover trough the display it’s possible to check the system status: operating parameters and GPI/O port status.
A TRS (stereo Jack 6,3 mm) connector allows monitoring both original and processed signal, checking in the faster way the differences between the available presets.
Communications & Alarms
FOX 3 Silence Detector/Change Over can exchange information with other equipment through some communication ports: One LAN/WAN port, two USB ports, one GPIO port with optical coupler and relays.
Information will be sent (status, alarms) or received (commands). A panel with 40 LEDs and the LCD display show status information.
Alarm messages can be sent via GPO, SNMP (Trap), and http.
Web Server
Users can manage FOX 3 equipment via LAN, no need to install any client software. The internal Web Server can be managed with any browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Opera…). The GUI on the web page is clear, easy to use and responsive, suitable to be managed from any device: Personal Computers, tablets, smartphones.
SNMP (v 2.0c) programming protocol allows to manage the whole command set. FOX 3 firmware also implements HTTP, FTP, SNMP, SMTP, UDP, TCP and is PV4 – IPV6 addressing compliant.
Moreover, connecting an external GPS allows to geo-localize the FOX 3. The WEB server supplies a page with a map that shows the appliance position. Standard Ethernet interface can manage up to 4 independent TCP ports, up to 4 separate UDP ports and 1 SNMP port. Obviously, it also shows the input and output of all signal levels.
