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ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. F)
Telestra 4
CAT 5
Ethernet
8-Channel ACENet Amplifier
Advanced Simulation
Technology, Inc.
CAT 5
Ethernet
ACENet Switch
Chapter 1: Introduction
The Crown® Power Amplifier provides the user with the power to drive passive audio loudspeakers. Each amplifier is a network component that integrates with ASTi’s ACENet. ACENet provides a low latency, network based audio and I/O distribution architecture for AST
ACE communications and sound modeling equipment and software. The amplifier offers a full
range of indicators for accurate diagnostics. This document provides an overview of the CT 4200
4-channel amplifier in a 2U chassis and the CT 8200 8-channel in a 3U chassis. For a more com-
prehensive understanding of the Crown
®
products please read the documents listed in the Refer-
ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. E)
Chapter 2: Getting Started
WARNING: Before amplifier installation, ensure that your amplifier is not connected to power and all control levels are turned down (counter clockwise).
2.1. Proper Cooling
Do not block any of the amplifier ventilation vents. When using an equipment rack, mount the
units directly on top of each other. Do not block rear, front, or side air vents. The side walls of the
rack should be a minimum of two inches (5.1 cm) away from the amplifier sides, and the back of
the rack should be open.
ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. F)
2.2. ACENet and Crown Power Amplifier Operation and Configuration
Process
Each power amplifier connected to a Telestra 4 Target forms part of the ASTi networked ACENet
audio distribution architecture, and hence behaves a little differently from a simple analog power
amplifier at start-up.
In order to utilize the network features of the amplifier it is necessary for the Target to recognize
the amplifier, and then configure the amplifier for correct operation. This process takes a short
while to complete, and the user needs to be aware of this, otherwise the lack of immediate operation may be misinterpreted as a system failure or similar.
In order to understand this, follow the quick top-level overview of the ACENet and Crown power
amplifier operation and configuration process:
• When a Target system boots up it starts a number of background processes, one of which
scans the ACENet network for Crown power amplifiers.
• If it finds an amplifier, it determines whether or not this is configured for ACENet operation. There are two possible states “configured”, or “not configured”.
• An amplifier that has been powered off will report as “not configured”, while an amplifier
that has been configured and left powered on (irrespective of the state of the Target) will
retain the original configuration.
• The time taken to perform the configuration will be a function of the number of amplifiers
and the number of channels, and will take upward of 90 seconds to complete.
• During the configuration period the amplifier(s) will appear inoperative, and will not produce sound.
• The system will monitor the state of all amplifiers ‘registered’ with a Target during run
time. However it should be noted that the process performing this monitoring is scheduled
periodically (approximately once every 60 seconds) and therefore, if an amplifier is powered off (perhaps to perform some maintenance function), it is necessary to ensure the
amplifier remains powered off for at least 60 seconds, such that on power-up the configura
tion process can re-discover the amplifier and initiate the correct configuration commands.
• The system will perform a configuration check of all connected power amplifiers every 24
hours, and any misconfiguration will be corrected as part of the runtime check.*
• In any given ACENet configuration only one Telestra Target can use Crown amplifiers.
Additional Telestra Targets can exist on the network but must be using ACU2s or ACERIUs only.
-
* It is worth noting that the system performs two levels of self-monitoring; every 60 seconds the
system confirms that all the amplifiers it “recognized” previously are still present, any new ampli
fiers receive a configuration download. While every 24 hours all registered amplifiers are interrogated for correct configuration, and any errors are automatically corrected.
ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. E)
ASTi recommends that users limit themselves to the basic operation of the Crown power amplifiers, however we do recognize that there are many sophisticated capabilities available within the
embedded functionality of the amplifiers via the Crown HiQnet. Please contact ASTi before
attempting to utilize any of the extended features of these amplifiers to ensure that there is no conflict with required ASTi configuration settings.
Caution: Manual selection of a ‘preset’ (via the rear panel ‘preset’ switch) will almost certainly
cause the amplifier to cease communication with the Target (since the required ACENet configuration data will not be available in the selected preset). While we discourage customers to use this
capability, if this is done, the simplest resolution is to power off the amplifier for at least 60 seconds, and then turn the amplifier back on, at which point the Target will reconfigure the amplifier
to the required working configuration.
ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. F)
2.2.1. Multiple Crown Amplifiers on the ACENet
All Crown amplifiers come pre-configured with the same IP address and when using two or more
on the same ACENet network they will not function properly in the System Architect software
until one IP address is changed. ASTi recommends changing all IP addresses if using multiple
Crown amplifiers on the same ACENet network.
If you try to use two or more Crown amplifiers on a common ACENet network with the Harman
Audio “System Architect” software to set-up the internal DSP features (filters, delay, power limiting, etc.) it will only report that one amp is online via System Architect; the others will be
“offline”. The software will find the amps, but all but one will be grayed out. The network troubleshooter will repeatedly try to instruct you to reconfigure the network interface of the PC that is
running System Architect.
There are two applications available from Harman Audio that will help resolve this issue:
1) System Architect via “Tools” and “Readdress Devices”
2) HiQnet NetSetter which is available at http://hiqnet.harmanpro.com/software/netsetter/
One amp should remain configured with the default IP address of 192.168.1.1 and set any additional amps with incrementing IP addresses (i.e. 192.168.1.2, etc.).
ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. E)
-
-
++
8
dB 0
8
dB 0
8
dB 0
8
dB 0
+
+
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
++
MAC ADDRESS
PART# 00000000AAAAAA
0000000000
120 V
00/00/0000
00/00/0000
AC Power Cord Connector
Output Connector
Primary & Secondary Ethernet Ports
Channel Level Controls
Input Connector
Mode Switch
2.3. Setup Procedure
1. Connect the power cord into the AC Power Cord Connector.
2. Remove the Output Connector’s cover plate and connect the speakers to the output con-
nectors.
3. The dual RJ45 connectors allow a Primary & Secondary Ethernet port to the 100 Mbps
Ethernet network. Use the Primary or Secondary port and a Category 5 cable to connect to
the ACENet switch.
4. If using speakers higher than 8 ohms change the Mode Switch to 16/8, for most applica-
tions the mode switch can remain in the 8/4 setting.
Note: Ensure the amplifier is powered off before changing the mode switch.
The Channel Level Controls act as the overall master gain control for each channel in all
operational modes. As a starting point ASTi recommends that the Channel Level Controls
be set to the ‘10 o’clock’ position.
The Channel Level Controls are implemented rather counter-intuitively. With the ACENet
digital input active, and a setting of 12 o’clock (control vertically up), 0dB gain is applied
to the signal meaning a full-scale digital signal will demand full power from the amp. Setting the control beyond 12 o’clock could cause clipping for any signal at or approaching
full-scale which is definitely not recommended. Using the 10 o’clock setting as the starting point ensures clipping is not allowed and limits the amp to approximately 50 watts of
delivered power. If more power is required advance the control but do not exceed the 12
o’clock setting under any circumstance.
See section 3.2. Rear Panel Connections for more information.
The Input Connectors are not used in the ASTi system setup.
WARNING: Do not connect or disconnect speakers or ACENet while the amplifier is powered
on.
ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. E)
Bridge Mode Indicator
Ready Indicator
Clip Indicator
Signal Indicator
Thermal Indicator
Fault Indicator
Data Indicator
Power Indicator
Power Switch
Chapter 3: General Information
3.1. Front Indication Lights
• Bridge Mode Indicator – illuminates yellow when the channel pair is set to the “Bridge”
position. If the bridge mode is changed while the amplifier is powered on it must be powered off and back on to reset the mode.
• Ready Indicator – illuminates green when the channel is initialized and ready to produce
audio output.
• Signal Indicator – illuminates green to indicate the presence of input signals above 40dBu.
• Clip Indicator – illuminates red when the THD of the channel’s output signal rises to a
level typically considered as the onset of audible clipping.
• Thermal Indicator – illuminates red when the channel has shut down due to thermal stress
or overload.
• Fault Indicator – illuminates red when the output channel has stopped operating.
• Power Indicator – illuminates blue when the amplifier is on and the AC power is available.
This will also flash if the amplifier shuts off from under/over voltage conditions.
• Data Indicator – illuminates yellow when a command is received by the module.
ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. F)
3.2. Rear Panel Connections
Caution: Manual selection of a ‘preset’ (via the rear panel ‘preset’ switch) will almost certainly
cause the amplifier to cease communication with the Target (since the required ACENet configuration data will not be available in the selected preset). While we cannot imagine why a user
would attempt to use this capability, if this is done, the simplest resolution is to power off the
amplifier for at least 60 seconds, and then turn the amplifier back on, at which point the Target
will reconfigure the amplifier to the required working configuration.
• AC Power Cord Connector – standard IEC type 320 inlet, 120V models are 15-amp, 220240Vmodels are 10-amp, voltage is indicated above IEC inlet.
• Output Connector – for every two channels there is a one four-pole strip with a touch-
proof cover that accepts up to 10 AWG terminal forks.
• Primary and Secondary Ethernet Connection – connects to ASTi’s ACENet which provides low latency, network-based audio and I/O distribution architecture for ASTi’s communications and sound modeling equipment and software. For more information on this
flexible architecture and highly scalable distribution network please see the Telestra 4
ACENet User Guide (DOC-01-TEL4-AN-UG-1). Please note only a single connection
should be made between the amp and the upstream ACENet switch.
• Mode Switch – for every two channels this switch selects the amplifiers mode including
Dual 8/4 ohms, Dual 70V, Bridge-Mono 16/8 ohms, and Bridge-Mono 100V.
WARNI NG: Ensure that the amplifier is powered off before changing the mode
setting.
• Input Connectors – removable Phoenix-style connectors for balanced analog audio signal
input. The Input Connectors are not used in the ASTi system setup.
ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. E)
• Channel Level Controls – act as the overall master gain control for each channel in all
operational modes. The exact setting required for any specific installation will depend on a
number of factors including speaker placement, speaker sensitivity, size of the space being
driven, and of course the required sound level required from the system.
Conventional audio set-up procedures apply, such that the signal source should be set to the
maximum level achievable while avoiding overload (clipping) for the loudest signal levels
required from the system (typically the “crash” sound for a flight simulator), this affording
the maximum signal-to-noise performance, and then setting the amplifier Channel Level
Controls to achieve the required loudness for this particular sound. Please refer to section
2.3. in this document for the recommended setup.
The final setting determined for each Channel Level Control should be documented to allow
the system to be returned to ‘tuned’ state, should it be necessary to replace the amplifier due
to failure, or to allow production programs to be identically configured. This may be documented by counting the detent value selected for each channel.
Note the Channel Level Control is a precision attenuator, and each detent of the control corresponds to the following attenuation:
Detent4/8 Ohm
0 (full CCW)-68.31
1-67.54
2-32.23
3-25.46
4-21.83
5-19.23
6-17.12
7-15.36
8-13.76
9-12.28
10-10.84
Do not exceed setting 10.
11-9.51
12-8.28
13-7.09
14-6.30
15-4.92
16-3.82
17-2.62
18-1.35
19-0.01
20 (full CW)0.00
Attenuation is in dB, attenuation amounts shown may vary ± 6 percent. Level-control Attenuation
per Detent.
ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. E)
Chapter 5: References
For more information please read the following Crown® documents:
®
•Crown
• Amplifier Application Guide
Operation Manual for CTs 4200 and 8200 Multi-Channel USP/CN Series
To obtain the latest versions of these documents please visit the Crown
®
website at www.crown-
audio.com.
5.1. Crown Amplifier Part Numbers
This document refers to two very specific Crown® amplifiers, if purchasing a Crown® amplifier
from another source follow the part numbers below to ensure compatibility. Similar part numbers
that may appear to be the same will not work consistently with ASTi’s ACENet architecture.
ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. F)
Appendix A: Crown Amplifier Configuration for
ACENet Network
Requirements
•Crown® Amp connected to the ACENet Network
• HiQnet System Architect® software (download at http://hiqnet.harmanpro.com). Be sure to
download the latest version.
• Windows® XP, 2000, 2003 Server, Vista, or Windows 7
• 2 GHz processor or faster (3GHz recommended)
• 2 GB RAM
• Minimum of 400 MB free hard drive space
Note: Do not proceed with configuration while running a project/model on a Target that is connected to the same ACENet network. Disconnect the Target from the ACENet network.
1. Open HiQnet System Architect® software.
2. The following screen will appear the first time a device is recognized on the network.
ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. F)
13. Make adjustments to the amp configuration to set it up for your requirements.
14. After making changes, the 'Store' button will illuminate in yellow. Select the 'Store' button
to save the changes to the preset.
Important: Keep a close eye on the CPU usage indicators shown in the lower left of the above
pictures. Adding filters and settings use CPU resources which are finite. Once the CPU usage
indicators change from green to amber you are dangerously low on CPU capacity. Do not add
additional filters or use additional features since the amp will likely not enable them. Once the
CPU use is marginal the “store” button may not work or it may take multiples attempts to make it
work.
ASTi Crown® Power Amplifier User Guide (Ver. 1, Rev. E)
Troubleshooting
Any transparent devices that show up in the main window are devices that have been recognized
on the network at some point but are not currently connected to the network. Check the amp
power and ACENet connection.