The Alpha-Link Live-R unit adds a set of redundant Madi optical-fibre connections to the low-cost Alpha-Link Live console I/O unit. The new Loop Redundancy Mode reduces the number of cables required for redundant fibre system installation and doubles the audio signal capacity between the C10 or C100 Digital Broadcast Console and the modular B-RIO I/O Unit.

The C10/C100 Loop Redundancy Mode uses a ‘Loop’ Madi optical fibre connection between the console’s main and backup Blackrock Processors to half the number of cables required to install a redundant I/O configuration. With Blackrock Loop Redundancy Mode, the need for main and backup fibre connections to both main and back-up processors in a redundant system is no longer required.

With Loop Redundancy, the main fibre link will connect to the main Blackrock, the back-up fibre to the backup Blackrock. In the case of a main fibre failure, the Alpha-Link Live-R or Morse Stagebox will switch to its back-up port, and the audio and control will be routed via the Loop fibre connection from the back-up Blackrock back to the main Blackrock, providing a solution for both fibre and processor redundancy.

The reduction in consumption of Madi ports effectively doubles the maximum connectivity between console processors and a B-RIO unit.

‘In live broadcast operations, signal integrity is of the utmost importance,’ says SSL CEO, Piers Plaskitt. ‘The new Loop Redundancy Mode expands SSL’s Madi Fibre redundancy for all our I/O and makes a redundant solution more affordable with Alpha-Link. We believe this Alpha-Link Live-R and Loop Redundancy Mode is the low-cost audio insurance policy for which the industry has been waiting.’

Each Alpha-Link Live-R unit provides 24 balanced analogue inputs and outputs (with high-quality 24-bit analogue conversion) and 12 AES input and output pairs (with eight channels of high 24-bit sample rate conversion). Alpha-Link Live-R is connected to the console using Madi over fibre, ensuring absolute signal integrity. Alpha-Link Live-R includes redundant PSUs, all fitted into a 2U-high rack.

Key Features:

• Dual Madi Fibre I/O connections
• Madi I/O locked to C10 HD and C100 HDS highly stable clock
• 24 balanced Analogue I/O
• 12 Pairs of AES Digital I/O
• Embedded control data simplifies cabling and operation
• Analogue input/output metering via 24 tricolor LEDs
• Redundant PSUs as standard

Loop Redundancy Mode is part of the forthcoming C10 HD V3 and C100 HDS v4 Software release.