Musicam FieldFone II User Manual

FieldFone II

Users Guide

MUSICAM USA

FieldFone II Users Guide

For Revision 2.1 Software

 MUSICAM USA

Corporate Computer Systems, Inc.

670 North Beers Street • Building 4

Holmdel, NJ 07733 USA

Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]

http://www.musicamusa.com

Second Printing, August, 1997

Table of Contents

Introduction 3
Key Features 3
Unpacking and Installing 5
Front Panel Connectors and Controls6
Rear Panel Controls and Connectors 7
Using FieldFone II 8

Audio I/O and Level Adjustments 8
Phone Line Connection 9
Configuration and Programming 10

Menu Navigation using the

Keypad and Display 10
Function Keys 11
Keypad Beeper 11

FieldFone II Configuration 11

Using Automatic Bit Rate
Selection 11
Setting Loopback State 13
Adjusting LCD Display

Credit Card Calls 18
Resetting Defaults 18
Using the Relay Outputs 19
Software Upgrades 19

Appendix A — Menu Tree 21
Appendix B - Specifications 22
Appendix C — Rear Panel Pin Outs 23

Contrast 14
Setting Modem Time-Out 15
Answer Ring Number 15
Auto Re-dial 15
‘AT’ Commands 15
User Profile 16

Manual Dialing 16
Programming and Using the

Speed Dial Directory 17

Dialing Using Telephone Set 17

FIELDFONE II USERS GUIDE

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our new FieldFone II audio codec from MUSICAM
USA offers the best possible bi-directional audio
quality over a single analog phone line. Under ideal

conditions, FieldFone II can achieve a frequency
response from 20 Hz to 10.2 kHz, with a signal-to-noise ratio
approaching 84 dB.

FieldFone II is ideal for use where ISDN (high quality digital)

Preface

lines are not available or practical. Because the electrical
characteristics of an ordinary telephone line can vary widely,
FieldFone II negotiates the best possible connection it can
make at the time you dial. The better your phone line, the
better FieldFone II will sound. In all but the worst cases,
FieldFone II will yield a substantial improvement over
ordinary phone line audio. In addition, FieldFone II provides
the same audio quality in both directions simultaneously, and
controls four separate relay contact closures when connected
to a StudioFone or another FieldFone II at the far end.

FieldFone II is ideal for on-site news reporting, remote
interviewing, sporting event coverage, and other similar
voice applications. FieldFone II can even provide acceptable
results for music applications that do not require the full
fidelity of an MPEG ISDN codec. If your intended
application is to send a disk jockey to the local club to do a
high fidelity stereo broadcast, you should consider an ISDN
codec instead of FieldFone II. MUSICAM USA offers an
impressive array of ISDN codecs, including the new

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FIELDFONE II USERS GUIDE

CDQPrima™ Series, RoadRunner and Olympian. Please
contact us for full information.

Your FieldFone II uses state-of-the-art modem technology,
with automatic line condition analysis and rate adaptation.
The FieldFone II error detection and correction software
insures that the best possible connection is maintained.
MUSICAM USA, however, cannot guarantee the quality of
the phone service available in your area. We have made
every attempt to insure that your FieldFone II will connect at
the highest possible bit rate to yield the best audio possible.
Even if a connection cannot be made at the maximum
possible bit rate, you can be assured that the audio FieldFone
II delivers is the best achievable at the connection rate. With
less-than-ideal connections, FieldFone II still provides superb
audio performance and still meets the signal-to-noise
performance of an ideal connection.

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FIELDFONE II USERS GUIDE

F

T

Introduction

ieldFone II offers high quality, full duplex remote audio feeds
using a single analog telephone line, thus eliminating the need for
multiple phone lines or special ISDN lines. FieldFone II is a self-

contained unit that requires no special interfaces for audio input
or output. Connection to the telephone network is also simple using the
supplied cable. Your FieldFone II has been designed to connect to
another FieldFone II or to any other MUSICAM USA POTS codec, such
as FieldFone, or to the rack mountable StudioFone. FieldFone II is
ideally suited for temporary field applications as well as repetitive
operation from fixed sites and enables you to file fast-breaking reports,
interviews, cover live events, etc.

Key Features

he FieldFone II is a complete package, housed in a rugged case,
complete with fold-away handle. The complete FieldFone II

package weighs under 4.3 kg (9.5 pounds). Included inside this
case is a state-of-the-art 33.6 kb/s modem with auto-answer, auto
redial, auto data rate fallback, continuous line condition monitoring,
and built-in telephone speed dialer. In addition, the FieldFone II has a
telephone directory capable of storing 256 40—digit telephone numbers.
Connection to the telephone network is through a built-in industry­standard RJ-11 jack.

FieldFone II uses state-of-the-art compression technology to provide
high quality full duplex audio feeds from any location with an
available analog dial-up phone line. Bandwidth selection is automatic
and based on connect rate. The only user adjustments are input and
output levels. In addition, MUSICAM USA’ s unique Sound-Shaper™
circuitry gives you the ability to tailor FieldFone II‘s compression
characteristics to your application. FieldFone II‘s FLASH-ROM based
processor allows for field upgrades should new or improved control
software or coding algorithms be developed.

Full duplex communications can be assured under varying line
conditions with the use of several MUSICAM USA innovations. In
addition to normal operation at 33.6 kb/s, the FieldFone II can operate
at lower baud rates with the same outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, but

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FIELDFONE II USERS GUIDE

with lower frequency response, if phone line conditions make it
necessary. The FieldFone II also contains a real-time line condition
monitor and display feature.

FieldFone II is easy to use. The FieldFone II front panel controls have
been kept to a minimum, are simple to use, and are clearly labeled. The
front panel controls include mixing to three inputs (two microphone
and one switchable mic/line) and individual local and return level
adjustments for two headphone outputs.

All audio connections are made through industry standard connectors,
logically located on the front and rear panels. Two balanced XLR
microphone inputs are located on the front panel, as are two standard
¼” headphone jacks. An additional balanced input, switchable
between microphone and line levels, is located on the rear panel. Also
on the rear panel is an XLR balanced line level output and two ¼”
unbalanced local and return audio outputs, ideal for PA feeds,
recording, etc.

Two standard RJ-11 connectors on the rear are for telephone line and an
external telephone set, if desired. The four relay outputs are accessed
through a DB-25 connector, and a DB-9 connector is provided for
remote control and software maintenance. Connectors for AC power
(100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz) and 12 VDC power are also located on the rear
panel, as is the power switch and fuse.

Front panel indicators include Power, On line, Norm (signal level) and
Clip (over level). There are also four LEDs indicating the state of the
internal relays. The front panel keypad can be used to access all
functions of the FieldFone II and built in modem, and is also used as
the telephone dial keypad. If connected to another FieldFone II or
StudioFone, the FieldFone II’s keypad can also activate the four CUE
relays on the remote device. A FieldFone can activate the relays in
your FieldFone II. A back-lit display provides line quality monitoring,
menu, maintenance and dialing displays.

Since FieldFone II features and audio quality are implemented in
software, rather than hardware, the FieldFone II can be upgraded in
the field as coding technology matures. In addition to local upgrade
capability, we can now provide software upgrades directly over the
telephone line. This prevents your FieldFone II from becoming
obsolete.

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FIELDFONE II USERS GUIDE

Unpacking and Installing

our FieldFone II comes with an AC line cord and a telephone
cord. The only available options are a lightweight, yet rugged
carrying case with ample room for accessories. Unpack your

FieldFone II and plug it in to an appropriate power source.
Please note that the FieldFone II has a “World” AC power supply, and
can be used anywhere without changing settings. FieldFone II can
operate in any position, and may be stacked or shelf mounted if
desired. Please note that FieldFone II is fan cooled, and that the fan
should not be blocked.

Only standard, non-conditioned phone lines should be used. Phone
lines that run through a PBX or CENTREX system should also be
avoided since some systems employ line equalization. In addition, we
recommend that shared lines be avoided, since another device going
off-hook while a connection is established will terminate the FieldFone
II connection. If the line used has call-waiting or any other line
interrupting service, these features must be disabled.

Plug one end of the provided telephone line cord into the rear
connector on the FieldFone II, and the other end into an available
telephone line. If the provided phone cord is not long enough, or does
not match your telephone wall jack, standard extensions, longer cords
or adapters can be purchased almost anywhere. You do not need a
telephone or dialer on the line since the FieldFone II has an internal
dialer. You can, however, plug a standard telephone set into the
provided jack on the rear panel. Your FieldFone II is now ready for
use.

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FIELDFONE II USERS GUIDE

Front Panel Connectors and Controls

1 MICROPHONE INPUTS Two balanced microphone inputs
2 MICROPHONE INPUT LEVEL

CONTROLS

3 HEADPHONE 1 LEVEL CONTROLS Adjusts send & return levels for headphone

4 HEADPHONE 2 LEVEL CONTROLS Adjusts send & return levels for headphone

5 BACK-LIT LCD DISPLAY Displays all control functions and modes of

6 INPUT 3 LEVEL ADJUST Adjusts level of mic/line input 3
7 HEADPHONE 1 OUTPUT 1/4” Headphone output 1
8 HEADPHONE 2 OUTPUT 1/4” Headphone output 2
9 RELAY STATUS INDICATORS LED relay and cue status indicators
10 STATUS INDICATORS LED FieldFone II status indicators
11 NAVIGATION KEYS Menu navigation keypad
12 ALPHANUMERIC KEYPAD Configuration and dialing keypad
13 DIAL KEYS Controls all dialing functions and directory

Adjusts level and mix for two microphone
inputs

1

2

the FieldFone II

maintenance

14 FUNCTION KEYS Controls state of far-end relays

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