READY TO HOST FIFA WORLD CUP AND BEYOND S-Pro and Audio Solutions combine to deliver massive fiber network
When Moscow’s original Luzhniki Stadium was demolished in 2013 to give way for the construction of a new stadium, it was with the 2018 FIFA World Cup in mind.
At the end of 2015 a new tender document was drawn up on behalf of the principals, The Big Sport Arena Luzhniki, for the 81,000 seat stadium, with the technological requirements detailed by Moscow integration specialists S-Pro Systems, together with the German company Broadcast Solution.
Selected by the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup bid as the venue for the Final, the Stadium will also be used as a heritage venue after the Championship.
At the heart of the new network broadcast transmission are some 57 Optocore and BroaMan fiber interfaces, designed in a fiber ‘star’ out of the ring topology, and supplied by Moscow-based distributor Audio Solutions. After the bid was accepted they became involved in the project as an S-Pro partner, with responsibility for equipment supply and warranty service management of the whole system.
They were able to demonstrate the advantages of producing a site-wide multi-node fiber transmission system and broadcast/multi-format links to the OB vans.
According to Igor Kovalev, who manages Audio Solutions’ Pro Audio Department, “Optocore and BroaMan create a perfect synergy, providing an extremely robust optical network system for audio transport and auto routing functionality.
“Optocore I/O modules also have a wide working temperature range, which was one of the important criteria for choosing equipment for this project.”
The team responsible for the audio design comprised Andrey Matveev (S-Pro), Evgeniy Stepanenko (Broadcast Solution), Pavel Pyshkin (S-Pro) and Ivan Khizhnyak (S-Pro). S-Pro’s project managers were Sergey Manserov and Grigory Yurov.
The Optocore system was designed around two main nodes: (1) Stadium patch panel room in OB Van area for multi-signal conversion to MADI. Various Optocore X6R-FX, X6R-TP V3R-FX and V3R-FX-TP converters were mainly fitted with MI (Mic-In) and LO (Line Out) cards, while an Optocore M8-BNC allows OB Van MADI connection with additional feature of Emulation Mode to control on-site Optocore mic preamps directly from the Van’s console. (2) Media control room, with a Yamaha 02R96 digital console equipped with an Optocore Y3R-TP Yamaha card — enabling it to work with Optocore’s proprietary SANE protocol.
Igor Kovalev said the system had needed to meet a number of objectives: To uplink the environmental bowl sound (the stadium crowd noise), with the Optocore modules bundled in the technical racks positioned around the playing field perimeter; to integrate with the intercom systems of the technical personnel (achieved by using Optocore’s dedicated V3R-FX-INTERCOM); to integrate with the stadium’s sound reinforcement system; to integrate with the stadium’s patch panel room; to integrate with the stadium’s media room, which comprises all the multi-media signals, and finally to integrate with the commentator’s communication system.
With the Optocore systems widely distributed across the stadium, various tasks in terms of audio maintenance could be implemented with all events taking place (other than football matches).
To expedite broadcast requirements Audio Solutions turned to Optocore’s associate company BroaMan, which in turn harnesses the power of Optocore. Two of the new Route66 AutoRouters are stacked, with each fiber node connected independently through the Route66. “The combination of redundancy and ability to close the Optocore loop automatically when active devices are added or disconnected, are the main advantages of the BroaMan Route66 AutoRouters,” states Kovalev.
The installation also takes advantage of economies, for example the Optocore TP devices are separated and placed up to 50 meters above the main FX devices — resulting in the need for fewer FX devices and less fiber cabling.
The system, which conforms to all worldwide broadcast standards, has certainly met the approval of The Big Sport Arena Luzhniki and Igor Kovalev says that with the successful fulfillment of signal conversion and audio/data transport — with the delivery of pristine, low latency audio — all objectives have been met.
“The great advantage of an Optocore solution is that there is no interference from power cable runs, perfect EMR isolation and it has extremely flexible functionality, with the ability to handle any audio transport tasks with ease, over long distances,” he concludes.
After being previewed at the Clear-Com booth during the recent IBC Show in Amsterdam, German fiber network giant, BroaMan, has set this month’s AES Convention in New York to formally launch a new feature which allows Clear-Com key-panel to become a control surface for BroaMan systems, including of their Route66 video routing as well as Optocore audio routing.
The two companies have enjoyed a close working relationship over the years, enabling compatibility between the two platforms, and this latest feature is further evidence of the close cooperation the two parties enjoy.
The benefits for customers is that the Clear-Com panel connects directly to the BroaMan system, and can control all features such as standard crosspoint matrix for BroaMan video and Optocore audio, in addition to Optocore’s mic preamp gain and any other setting which is normally handled in Optocore Control Software. Going forward, the control surface can be any Clear-Com key panel, simplifying the system control protocol when neither software nor computer are required.
Stated BroaMan Technical Sales Manager, Maciek Janiszewski, “The new control feature provided by Clear-Com is a great software-free application for both small and large users of a Clear-Com/BroaMan/Optocore combination. It shows our mutual commitment to providing complete, state-of-the-art solutions.”
Held at its customary venue, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, this year’s 143rd Audio Engineering Society International Convention will be co-located with the independent NAB Show New York 2017 event. BroaMan can be seen on Clear-Com’s booth N332 as well as their own booth co-exhibited with Optocore, #969
German network fiber giant BroaMan, has chosen the upcoming AES Convention in New York (October 18-21) to announce vital new features to successful product ranges.
With immediate effect, they are offering the capability of full automatic redundancy switchover between a pair of Mux22 devices, which combine 3G/HD/SD-SDI I/O with Optocore and SANE digital audio networks, or between Route66 Video Router and Mux22 nodes.
This feature is powered by Optocore, and uses smart mechanism to detect when one of the fiber links between the nodes is broken. Thus should one of links fail, the system will automatically switch to the redundant path enabling all videos, audio and data channels to remain working. The switchover time is near instantaneous — implemented in just one sample length.
At the same time the Route66 Optocore AutoRouter now hosts a new layout which supports internal multiplexing and redundancy switchover for video. In fact this feature is already working in one of the theatres in Eastern Europe.
While BroaMan always had a redundant PSU, redundant audio and data from Optocore and redundant sync switchover, this new feature combines them all, at the same time adding redundancy for video.
Explaining the rationale, BroaMan Technical Sales Manager, Maciek Janiszewski, said, “More and more customers are requesting redundancy in their systems. From over 25 years’ experience working with fiber networks we know that improper or dirty cabling might cause issues and therefore redundancy is a must in many situations. Thanks to the Optocore technology we can make the redundant switchover not only automatic but also seamless.”
Held at its customary venue, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, this year’s 143rd Audio Engineering Society International Convention will be co-located with the independent NAB Show New York 2017 event. BroaMan co-exhibits with its partner Optocore, booth #969. They can be found also at NAB Clear-Com booth N332.
BroaMan has set this year’s IBC Show for the launch of one of its most significant solutions yet: the Repeat8-NANO.
The smaller brother of the well-established Repeat48, the device is being positioned as the most modular and flexible system on the market, offering ultra-fast electrical-to-optical, as well as optical-to-electrical conversion. This complete, plug ‘n’ play, 4K fiber transport comes in a single box and is therefore ideally placed for facilities requiring simple 4K transmission. Many efforts have been spent to place the device at an incredible low price point, while at the same time maintaining Broaman’s customary highest technical performance.
This, in turn, has also led to a large price reduction in the bigger brothers, the Repeat48 and Repeat48WDM.
ARepeat8-NANO meanwhile comes in two stand-alone versions:
Repeat8-NANO 4IN features four SDI inputs and four fiber SFP outputs (electrical-to-optical conversion).
Repeat8-NANO 4OUT features four SDI outputs and four fiber SFP inputs (optical to electrical conversion).
Both devices can be connected with a quad or duplex fiber, creating robust and cost-efficient four-channel point-to-point transport. Each box can also be connected to the larger Repeat48 or even to the Route66 for distant router I/O.
Explaining the rationale behind the new device, BroaMan Maging Director, Tine Helmle, said, “Following the success of the Repeat48 series we realised there was a high demand for a smaller box, that was not necessarily rack mounted.
“There are plenty of small converters in the market, but few 4-channel modules which are perfect for simple 4K transmission. We reduced the channel count and size from the original Repeat48, but have maintained the same highest quality. The price / performance ratio is amazing. At the same time, we could move the larger Repeat48 and Repeat48WDM to a much lower price point. I’m very pleased.”
Extending 4-channel 3G-SDI signal up to 80km over fiber optic cables, this quad channel converter also boasts low power consumption and a number of other features. It offers Data rate per channel up to 3G, totalling up to 12G for 4K. It includes Reclocker for superior jitter performance. Compliances include SMPTE-424M, SMPTE-310M, SMPTE305M, SMPTE297M, SMPTE-295M, SMPTE292M, DVB-ASI and MADI.
In addition it offers: Transparent to Embedded Audio (up to 192 channels); Full compatibility with BroaMan Repeat48, MUX22 and Route66 devices to enable larger facilities to build advanced and complete systems (up to 120km); Seamless integration with many leading pro audio and broadcast brands. Finally, it is the most modular and flexible system on the market, with no additional software required.
Contained in metal housing for superior EMI performance, the Repet8-NANO comes with the standard five-year warranty.
