Venue 2
Six Channel Modular Receiver
Featuring Digital Hybrid Wireless® Technology
TECHNICAL DATA
• 3-block tuning for up to 76 MHz and 3072
synthesized UHF frequencies per receiver
module
• Six-channel modular configuration
• Ratio or Antenna Phase diversity reception
• IR port for quick transmitter setup
• DSP emulation modes for compatibility with
analog wireless systems in addition to the
Digital Hybrid mode
• iQ™ dynamic tracking filters for enhanced
RF performance
• Wireless Designer™ setup and control
software included
• Talkback function with select transmitters
• Ethernet, USB and RS-232 computer
interface ports
Digital Hybrid Wireless
is a revolutionary design that combines digital audio
with an analog FM radio link to provide both outstanding audio quality and exemplary, noise-free RF
performance.
Using a patented algorithm to encode 24-bit digital
audio information in the transmitter into an analog
format, the encoded signal is then transmitted over an
analog FM wireless link.
At the receiver, the signal is then decoded to restore
the original digital audio. This process eliminates
compandor artifacts and produces an audio frequency
response flat to 20 kHz.
®
(US Patent 7,225,135)
• Two versions available:
VRM2WBL tunes bands A1, B1, B2 and C1 in
tuning range 470.100 to 691.175 MHz
VRM2WBM tunes bands B1, B2, C1 and C2 in
tuning range 537.600 to 716.700 MHz
The Venue 2 Receiver is a modular solution that effectively deals with a congested RF spectrum with a variety
of options that allows a system configuration to be idealized for a particular installation or application.
The receiver is comprised of several components:
• The master rack mount host assembly
• Up to six receiver modules
• Built-in antenna multicoupler with loop-thru output
• Software for setup and control
Flexibility is the core concept of the design. The receiver
modules can be operated separately, each with switched
diversity reception for a total of six audio channels, or
operated in pairs for more robust diversity reception with
one audio channel per module pair. Combinations can
also be used for special applications where some modules operate independently and others are paired.
The receiver modules are easy to change with no tools
required. The wideband multicoupler allows the use of
any frequency module in any position, except when modules are paired for ratio diversity reception.
A major benefit of the design is the inclusion of a high
quality antenna multicoupler. The multicoupler is actually
a dual 1 in, 7 out splitter with six outputs for the receiver
modules and an additional output as a “loop thru” for another Venue receiver. This allows multiple Venue receivers to operate from a single pair of antennas. Phantom
power for remote antenna amplifiers is available from the
multicoupler antenna inputs via menu selection.
Rio Rancho, NM, USA
www.lectrosonics.com
Front Panel
REAR PANEL
The front panel provides an easy-to-use LCD interface
for setup, and provisions for quick monitoring to assist
in troubleshooting. In normal operation, the LCD shows
RF and audio levels, diversity status, pilot tone status
(where applicable) and transmitter battery status for all
six receivers at the same time.
Rear Panel
The rear panel provides six balanced audio outputs on
standard XLR connectors, 50 ohm BNC antenna inputs,
50 ohm BNC antenna outputs from the built in zero-gain
multicoupler, power jack with a locking connector, Ethernet port and RS-232 serial port for the computer inter-
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Individual screens for each receiver are also available
at the touch of a button to provide additional information
and setup adjustments. A headphone jack and level control is provided for individual channel monitoring. A USB
jack allows for monitoring, control, and firmware updates.
An IR port provides for quick transmitter sync setup.
face. The receiver assembly is powered from an external
source at 10 to 18 volts DC through a locking connector, allowing the unit to operate from a wide variety of
sources in stage, studio and mobile applications.
Receiver Module
The receiver module features a unique design that tunes
across a range of over 76 MHz (less than this in some
tuning ranges - see specs). IQ™ dynamic tracking filters
are employed to suppress RF signals above and below
the carrier. The filters automatically shift to stay centered
over the selected frequency and adjust to RF levels.
The modules are a triple conversion, frequency synthesized design, controlled by the microprocessor in the
host assembly. A common DSP in the host assembly is
used for all six receiver modules to decode the received
signals and restore the digital audio. Using a single DSP
results in a significant reduction in cost per channel.
The host assembly will handle up to six receiver modules
via multi-pin connectors on the side of the main housing. The modules are held in place with snap-in retaining
clips. The clips hold the modules firmly but are easy to
remove without tools to make needed changes.
Module Pairing
Each module can provide a single audio output channel using SmartDiversityTM antenna phase combining.
For more robust ratio diversity reception, two adjacent
modules can be paired, with both of them delivering the
same audio signal at each of their outputs. The pairing
requires that the modules be in adjacent positions in the
mainframe chassis.
FRONT PANEL
Ratio diversity employs a panning action that blends
the RF signals from the two receivers over a fairly wide
range of levels to eliminate dropouts before they occur.
The process is called OptiBlendTM as indicated on the
label on the receiver chassis.
2
Built-in Antenna Multicoupler
Every Venue receiver has a built-in multicoupler that
utilizes high current RF amplifiers and a Wilkinson type
splitter for even signal distribution and high isolation between receiver modules. Optimally matched levels allow
multiple receivers to be stacked and share a single pair
of antennas - a significant savings in space and cost in
multi-channel systems.
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Computer Connections
The Venue receiver can be connected to a computer
via the Ethernet or USB ports. Multiple receivers can be
connected to a single computer using a hub or switch.
The receiver also provides an RS-232 serial port.
Single USB or Ethernet Connection
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The built-in multi-coupler includes “loop through” outputs for
stacking multiple Venue receivers.
Two versions are available in different frequency ranges:
• Wideband Mid (537 - 768 MHz)
• Wideband Low (470 - 691 MHz)
Antenna BNC Connectors and Power
The Antenna input jacks can be front- or rear-mounted
by simply moving the jacks to the appropriate location.
This does require opening the top cover.
Remote antenna amplifiers can be powered by DC on
the coaxial cable between them and the receiver. A
menu item turns the power on and off.
The DC voltage from the receiver main power supply is
passed through to the BNC connectors.
IMPORTANT: 16 VDC is the maximum voltage
that Lectrosonics antenna amplifiers can use.
The VRM2 receiver power input can handle up
to 18 VDC. If antenna power is enabled, use
only 16 VDC or less to power the receiver.
Multiple Connections via Hub or Switch
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3
LCD Menus
TOP MENU
Wireless Designer
Software
The supplied software simplifies setup and exposes
all features in an easily navigable GUI. Each 6-channel frame is depicted on the left side of the screen, with
individual setup screens for each channel displayed in
a larger edit window. Double left click or right click on a
channel to open a dialog box and make settings.
Other features include spectrum scanning and frequency
coordination. The spectrum scan data can be imported
into the frequency coordination calculations to provide a
thorough analysis and cleanly operable frequencies.
DETECT SMART
TX MENU
RX MENU
FREQ ADJUSTAUDIO LEVEL
TUNE
TX BATTERY
SPECTRUM
SCAN
TX AUDIO
GAIN
SMART NR
LOCK PANEL
LF ROLLOFF
PHASE
BACK LIGHT
TX PHASE
RX LINK
4
ANTENNA
POWER
NETWORK
SETUP
RS232 SETUP
COMMAND
VIEW
SYSTEM INFO
TX AUDIO
GAIN
COMPAT MODE
LF ROLLOFF
TALKBACK GROUP
TX PHASE
TUNING
PROG SWITCH
SQUELCH BP
AUTO ON
MODULE
POWER
TX PANEL
LOCK
BATT TIMER
TX BACKLIGHT
STEP SIZE NARROW BAND
5
REAR PANEL
Tracking Filters
The “Q” of a filter refers to its bandwidth. The narrower
the bandwidth, the higher the Q value. It is typical that a
narrower filter will also introduce more loss. iQ is a dualmode front-end filter that automatically switches from a
normal tracking filter bandwidth to higher Q (narrower
filter) with additional loss when the desired transmitter
signal is above a certain level. The narrow mode allows
the front-end to enhance the IP3 performance of the
receiver with frequencies much closer to the carrier than
what conventional front-end filters can provide. When the
incoming transmitter signal drops below a certain point,
the filter switches back to the normal mode for extended
operating range.
Normal mode
Narrow mode
IP3 is used as a measure of a receiver’s ability to reject
strong RF signals near the operating frequency of a
wireless system. When two signals that can generate
IMD3 (third order IM) are even a few MHz away from
the carrier, the iQ filter in the narrow mode suppresses
them significantly. The already excellent IP3 performance
of the receiver with the iQ filter in the normal mode is
further improved when the filter switches to the narrow
mode.
Typical IP3 values for the VRT2 receiver module:
Wide mode +5dBm
Narrow mode +12dBm
The iQ filter tracks in very fine increments across the 76
MHz tuning range of the module to stay centered on the
carrier frequency. There are over 50 steps across the
tuning range, so essentially the filter moves in a continuous manner.
The circuitry was specifically designed to prevent any
audible transients (“clicks”) from being injected into the
audio signal when the switching takes place. The LCD
on the Venue 2 front panel provides an icon to indicate
which mode is being employed.
Diversity Modes
The modular configuration enables several types of
diversity reception for various applications. The modules
can be used individually for switched diversity reception
with each module delivering an audio output, or coupled
into pairs for more robust ratio diversity reception where
each module pair delivers one audio channel.
FRONT PANEL
SmartDiversity™ allows each receiver to run indepen-
dently to provide two separate audio channels. The algorithm analyzes both the incoming RF level and the rate of
change in RF level to determine the optimum timing for
phase switching, and the optimum antenna phase. The
system also employs “opportunistic switching” to analyze
and then latch the phase in the best position during brief
squelch activity. Enhancements to this design as employed in the Venue 2 system further reduce any switching noise when compared to previous versions.
Ratio Diversity blends the audio outputs of both receivers in a seamless manner to produce a single audio
output. A panning circuit blends more signal from the
receiver with the stronger RF signal over a wide RF level
range to anticipate and eliminate dropouts long before
they occur. When a good RF signal is present at both
receivers and the audio is blended equally, the signal-tonoise ratio is increased by 3 dB.
DSP-Based Pilot Tone
A pilot tone is generated in the transmitter and delivered
to the receiver along with the program audio. The receiver needs to detect both a valid RF signal and the unique
pilot tone before the squelch will open and the program
audio will be present at the receiver output.
The Digital Hybrid system design uses an ultrasonic
pilot tone generated by the DSP to control the receiver
squelch, with a different pilot tone frequency for each
operating frequency. This eliminates squelch problems
in multi-channel systems where a pilot tone signal can
appear in the wrong receiver via IM.
6
SmartNR
™
A unique benefit of Digital Hybrid WirelessTM is a DSPbased algorithm that address high frequency noise in the
audio. With a noise floor at -120 dBV and a frequency
response to 20 kHz, high frequency noise in the source
audio is more apparent than in conventional wireless
systems.
The Smart Noise Reduction algorithm works by attenuating only those portions of the audio signal that fit
a statistical profile for randomness or “electronic hiss.”
Because it isn’t simply a sophisticated variable low pass
filter as in earlier analog designs, much greater transparency is obtained. Desired high frequency signals having
some coherence such as speech sibilance and tones are
not affected.
The algorithm has three modes, selectable from the front
panel LCD and the software GUI:
• OFF - no noise reduction is performed.
• NORMAL - the factory default setting; enough
noise reduction is applied to remove most of the
hiss from the mic preamp and some of the hiss
from lavaliere microphones.
• FULL - enough noise reduction is applied to
remove most of the hiss from nearly any signal
source of reasonable quality, assuming levels are
set correctly at the transmitter.
power distribution and rack mount into a single 1RU assembly for all six channels.
Inside the main assembly, the encoded radio signals in
the receiver modules are sent to the DSP for decoding
and restoration of the 24-bit digital audio signals generated in the transmitters.
The microprocessor communicates with the operator
through the front panel controls, and the USB and serial
ports when connected to a computer. It also sends and
receives control signals and data from the receiver modules and the DSP.
The DSP handles the “number crunching” to restore the
digital audio from the encoded signals and communicates pilot tone status to the microprocessor. Once the
digital audio is restored, it is finally converted to analog
and delivered to the outputs, with control signals from
the microprocessor setting the output levels.
Block Diagram
The Venue receiver uses a common microprocessor and
DSP for all six receiver modules. This modular design
reduces the cost per channel significantly, and saves
rack space by combining a 7-way antenna multicoupler,
Ethernet
Microprocessor
Headphone
Amp
7
m
Specifications
Operating Frequencies - Host Mainframe
VRM2WBL: Tunes to bands A1, B1, B2, C1
VRM2WBM: Tunes to bands B1, B2, C1, C2
Operating Frequencies - VRT2 Module
Band A1: 470.100 - 537.575 MHz (blocks 470, 19, 20)
Band B1: 537.600 - 614.375 MHz (blocks 21, 22, 23)
Band B2: 563.200 - 639.900 MHz (blocks 22, 23, 24)
Band C1: 614.400 - 691.175 MHz (blocks 24, 25, 26)
Band C2: 640.000 - 716.700 MHz (blocks 25, 26, 27)
Frequency selection: Up to 3072 frequencies
Frequency selection steps: Selectable; 100 kHz or 25 kHz
Digital latency: • 1.5 mS (receiver only - hybrid mode)
• 3.0 mS (receiver and transmitter in hybrid
mode)
• 3.0 mS (receiver only - analog compatibility
mode)
The 3.0 mS latency in analog compatibility mode time aligns the audio from
analog and hybrid transmitters when they are used together in a Venue
system.
Wideband Multicoupler: Built in antenna mulitcoupler covers a 230 MHz
range.
Pilot tone: 25 to 32 kHz; 5kHz deviation; unique
pilot tone frequency for each selected
carrier frequency (Hybrid mode)
Deviation: ± 75 kHz (max) (Hybrid mode)
Receiver Type: Triple conversion superheterodyne
Frequency Stability: ±0.001 %
Multicoupler Bandwidth: 470 - 691 MHz or 537 - 768 MHz
Front End Bandwidth: • iQ filter wide mode: 15 MHz
• iQ filter narrow mode: 10 MHz
Sensitivity (20 dB Sinad): 0.9 uV
AM Rejection: >60 dB, 2 uV to 1 Volt
Image and Spurious
Rejection: 85 dB
Third Order Intercept: • iQ filter wide mode: +5 dBm
• iQ filter narrow mode: +12 dBm
Diversity Methods: • Antenna Combining Phase switching
• Opti-blendTM ratio diversity
FM Detector: Digital pulse counting detector @ 300 kHz
Audio Performance (overall system):
Frequency Response: 32 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-1dB), overall system
(400 Series mode)
THD: 0.2% (typical) (400 Series mode)
SNR at receiver output (dB) In Hybrid operating mode:
SmartNR No
limiting
OFF 103.5 108.5
NORMAL 107.0 111.5
FULL 108.5 113.0
Input Dynamic Range: 125 dB (with full transmitter limiting)
Audio Output Level: -35 dBu to +8 dBu, in 1 dB increments
LCD: High resolution graphical display
Power Requirements: 10 VDC/2A to 18 VDC/1.2A
Weight: 4.4 lbs. (1984 grams) with six modules
Dimensions: 19”W x 1.75”H x 7.75”D (panel to rear jacks)
(48.26 cm x 4.45 cm x 19.67 cm)
w/
Limiting
(Note: the dual envelope “soft” limiter
provides exceptionally good handling of
transients using variable attack and
release time constants. The gradual
onset of limiting in the design begins
below full modulation, which reduces
the measured figure for SNR without
limiting by 4.5 dB).
Specifications and Features subject to change without notice.
Note: Some specifications apply only when the
receiver is operating in the Digital Hybrid (400
Series) mode.
581 Laser Road NE • Rio Rancho, NM 87124 USA • www.lectrosonics.com
(505) 892-4501 • (800) 821-1121 • fax (505) 892-6243 • sales@lectrosonics.co
22 October 2019
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