QSC BASIS 922uz Owner's Manual

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TD-000197-00 rev.A

*TD-000197-00*

BASIS 922uz

8x8 CobraNet Enabled Control and Monitoring Signal Processor

Hardware Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS & EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to

the presence of uninsulated “dangerous” voltage within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient

magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to humans.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of

important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in this manual.

SAFEGAURDS

Electrical energy can perform many useful functions. This unit has been engineered and manufactured to

assure your personal safety. Improper use can result in potential electrical shock or fire hazards. In order

not to defeat the safeguards, observe the following instructions for its installation, use and servicing.

CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the cover. No user-serviceable parts inside.

Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

WARNING: To prevent fire or electric shock, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture.

1- Maximum operating ambient temperature is 50°C (122°F).

2- Never restrict airflow through the device fan or vents. Please insure that the air intake and exhaust

vents are unobstructed.

3- When installing equipment into rack, distribute the units evenly. Otherwise, hazardous conditions

could be created by an uneven weight distribution.

4- Connect the unit only to a properly rated supply circuit. The BASIS 922uz is suitable for connection to

100 - 240 VAC, 47 - 440 hertz, with no special considerations other than the appropriate IEC power cord.

5- Reliable Earthing (Grounding) of rack-mounted equipment should be maintained.

LITHIUM BATTERY WARNING

THIS EQUIPMENT CONTAINS A NON-RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERY. LITHIUM IS A CHEMICAL

KNOWN TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE CANCER OR BIRTH DEFECTS. THE NON-RECHARGE-

ABLE LITHIUM BATTERY CONTAINED IN THIS EQUIPMENT MAY EXPLODE IF IT IS EXPOSED TO FIRE OR

EXTREME HEAT. DO NOT SHORT CIRCUIT THE BATTERY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECHARGE THE NON-

RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERY.

FCC INTERFERENCE STATEMENT

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device,

pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against

harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio

frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance to the instructions, may cause harmful

interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in

a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television recep-

tion, which can be determined by switching the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to

correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

- Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.

- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio or TV technician for help.

with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Introduction

1- Power indicator

2- Diagnostic indicator

3- Network status indicators

4- Port connection status indicators

5- Signal presence/clip indicators

6- Multi-function push buttons

7- Display

8- Rotary select/accept knob

9- Safe mode switch (recessed)

10- DataPorts

11- Mic/line inputs

12- Monitor chain in/out

13- Relay outputs

14- Logic outputs

15- Omni inputs

16- RS-232 port

17- Network status indicators

18- QSControl 10BaseT receptacle

19- CobraNet 100BaseT receptacle

20- IEC power inlet

The BASIS 922uz provides the digital audio transport, signal

processing, control and status monitoring facilities needed

to bind a group of amplifiers and loudspeakers into an inte-

grated functioning system. In conjunction with QSCon-

trol.net software, the BASIS 922uz enables the user to

design, test and deploy professional audio reinforcement

and distribution systems ranging in size from one to hun-

dreds of channels.

Each QSC power amplifier connects directly to a BASIS

922uz via one of its four QSC DataPorts. All mission-critical

elements of the BASIS-driven sound system are monitored.

User-selected events are logged and loudspeaker protection

features unique to BASIS such as QSC's power limiter are

made possible through the DataPort functionality.

A standard Windows computer is the principle user-inter-

face for controlling the overall BASIS/QSControl system.

However, the BASIS 922uz also offers a front panel inter-

face for accessing a few critical functions.

A single QSControl.net server computer can support several

clients running QSC's latest Venue Manager software. Thus,

the sound system can be operated via several computers,

roaming wireless laptops, tablets, etc., all at the same time,

from anywhere a connection to the QSControl.net network

is available.

The QSControl.net network can also be managed from a sin-

gle computer running both the client and the server. Once all

BASIS devices in a system are configured, a computer is no

longer required on that system’s network. All basic func-

tions of the BASIS 922uz continue to operate with or with-

out a control computer connected to the network.

The configurable DSP engine provides all of the functions

of a signal chain, such as very flexible and precise cross-

overs, delays, equalization, compression/limiting, etc.

Audio enters a BASIS 922uz either through analog universal

inputs (mic to line level with software-selectable +48V

phantom power) or from CobraNet source devices such as

QSC's line of RAVE digital audio routers. Any combination of

16 CobraNet channels (selected from up to 4 bundles of 32

channels) can be routed into the 24 x 24 DSP engine. Any or

all of the 24 DSP channels can also be routed to up to 32

CobraNet channels on the network.

Unlike other configurable DSP boxes, the intrinsic process-

ing latency of the BASIS 922uz is both short and fixed at

See page 14 for detailed descriptions.

Don’t want to read the entire manual? Just

want to dig right in? Go to page 18....

0.396 milliseconds. When analog input and analog outputs

are used, the total delay is 2.354 milliseconds. The delay

does not change regardless of the DSP configuration, unless

the configuration intentionally adds more delay.

The BASIS 922uz also supports the new optional low-

latency CobraNet feature that provides transport at only

2.66 milliseconds delay. Thus the delay from analog to ana-

log across the network can be less than 6 milliseconds, fast

enough not only for large audio distribution but for the most

critical real-time live performance work.

Both software and firmware can be easily updated over the

network. In the future, QSC will be adding new capabilities

to both BASIS and QSControl.net. Our latest code releases

and access to up-to-date information on BASIS and QSCon-

trol.net are available at www.qscontrol.net. We invite you

to visit us there.

We've applied our many years of experience in supporting

high-end installed sound with our previous system-building

products such as RAVE, QSControl, CM16a, DSP-3, DSP-4,

and DSP-30. The BASIS 922uz brings all that technology

together in one compact, powerful, easy to use system. We

are confident that your new BASIS 922uz will provide years

of dependable service and we hope it will help you, the sys-

tem designer and implementer, to express your creative

audio system ideas.

Introduction (continued)

Block Diagram

Introduction - Networking the BASIS 922uz

The BASIS 922uz has two RJ-45 network connection ports on the rear panel. One port is labeled "QSControl" and supports standard

10BASE-T Ethernet. The other port is labeled "CobraNet" and supports 100BASE-TX, also known as "Fast Ethernet". In the following

sections we describe the use of these ports and show example network connection schemes.

The BASIS 922uz supports two distinct kinds of network activity; the first is audio transport via CobraNet, and the second is control and

monitoring via QSControl.net. The user can choose to install one network for CobraNet traffic and a second separate network for

QSControl.net traffic. We call this the "Two Wire Interface". Alternately, it is possible to run both control and audio traffic over Cobra-

Net via the CobraNet port. In this case the QSControl port is unused. We call this the "Single Wire Interface".

Under the most demanding real-time control conditions and when using the lowest latency CobraNet settings, users may experience

better QSControl.net performance using separate networks, especially when displaying a great many real-time meters. For most appli-

cations, separate networks won't provide any discernible benefits and will cost more. We therefore recommend using the Single Wire

Interface when running CobraNet.

If your application uses only analog I/O without CobraNet, then you should use the QSControl port for QSControl.net traffic and ignore

the CobraNet port.

Why CobraNet Needs Special Treatment:

Ordinary Ethernet traffic has no guaranteed time of delivery. Packets of information may arrive at their destination out of order and

some may be delayed more than others. This is fine for E-mail and even for downloading MP3 files over the Internet. Everything ends up

properly reassembled at the destination, but how long this takes will vary according to network loading, span, etc. In contrast, Cobra-

Net is "real time" - it delivers audio with a minimal, consistent transmission delay. CobraNet is designed to use as much of conventional

networking technology as possible while providing both guaranteed time of delivery and isochronicity - maintaining a phase-locked

sample-accurate clock across the entire network. These requirements mean that ordinary unregulated Ethernet data cannot be freely

mixed with CobraNet information. The two can coexist on the same wire, but only by adhering to the proper rules.

To learn more about CobraNet and appropriate network topologies, please visit http://www.qscaudio.com/products/network/

resources.htm and http://www.peakaudio.com/CobraNet/background.html.

Notes on Network Systems Design:

As with any communications system, the reliability and performance of a local area network is intimately related to the designer's skill

and knowledge in implementing a topology that is robust, efficient and standards-compliant. Proper network design is even more criti-

cal in distributed multimedia systems. Therefore, it is important for the system designer to realize that some conventional network

practices must be avoided. Although each network design is unique and may carry its own performance requirements, compliance to

the following three points will assist in building an audio network that is trouble free and efficient.

First, audio and conventional data communications deliveries should not exist on the same LAN or VLAN. The exception to this is the

BASIS 922uz Single Wire Interface, which offers a solution for converging audio and QSControl.net onto the same LAN or VLAN. How-

ever, conventional communications, such as corporate networks, print services, e-mail and Internet access, should not exist alongside

CobraNet audio and QSControl.net on the same LAN or VLAN. Further, CobraNet audio and QSControl.net data should not exist

together on the same LAN or VLAN when implementing the Two Wire Interface. This is not to say that conventional communications

cannot share the same network hardware with a BASIS 922uz. In fact, common network hardware, such as managed Ethernet switches

and media converters, can service both BASIS 922uz products and conventional data communications equipment so long as the man-

aged switch or media converter are partitioned into separate network domains. This is normally done by configuring a separate VLAN

for each data type. (Some switches may allow individual port assignments or support partitions through DIP switch selection.)

Second, CobraNet audio must traverse either a repeater domain or a network switch domain. The point here is that the CobraNet port

on a BASIS 922uz must connect directly to, and only to, either a repeater LAN or a switched Ethernet LAN. Hybrid networks containing

both repeaters and switches are not permitted on the audio segment. Connecting the CobraNet port to a repeater that is in turn con-

nected to a network switch poses an illegal and non-compliant condition. We recommend always connecting the QSControl and/or

CobraNet port(s) directly to network switch ports.

Third, the BASIS 922uz and QSControl.net system are targeted at network switch deployments. The consumer costs of Ethernet

switches have continued to fall over the last several years and are now comparable with repeaters on a per port basis. In addition, the

sophistication and scalability of network switches make them ideal for new installations. However, we do realize that designers may

wish to add BASIS products to existing audio network installations that are built on repeater LAN topologies. This applies primarily to

existing CM16a and RAVE networks. For this very reason we continue to support connectivity to network repeater hardware with the

BASIS 922uz. Support for network repeaters exists only with the Two Wire Interface and only with the standard CobraNet forwarding

latency. That is to say that the QSControl port and the CobraNet port must be connected to separate repeater LANs. Even when properly

configured, audio channel capacity is severely limited and both audio and control network expansion is limited by the respective capac-

ity of each segment. In other words, scalability ceases to exist when bandwidth demands on the QSControl.net segment approach 10

Mbps and demand on the CobraNet segment approaches 100 Mbps. Obviously, we recommend taking advantage of switch network

technology whenever possible.

It should be noted here that while the CobraNet port on a BASIS 922uz is restricted to repeater LAN or switch LAN deployments,

QSControl.net is a TCP/IP standards-compliant network system and therefore supports operation on network repeaters, switches and

routers. When implementing the Two Wire Interface, the QSControl.net segment does not require a single topology data path and

therefore repeaters, switches and routers may be assembled on the LAN in a hybrid fashion.

To learn more about network design rules and system compliance visit the QSC network resources page at http://www.qscaudio.com/

products/network/resources.htm. To learn more about CobraNet design requirements and to obtain the CobraCAD system design utility

visit the Peak Audio website at http://www.peakaudio.com/CobraNet/Network_Design.html.

All of this may seem daunting if you are new to networking. However, it all boils down to connecting a few simple cables between var-

ious networking devices. Most of the time it "just works". QSC helped pioneer CobraNet with our RAVE ™ products and there are hun-

dreds of installations all over the world, in theme parks, hotels, stadiums - everywhere. They run hum-free, sound great and are very

reliable.

The following examples will help get you started, but they just scratch the surface of what can be achieved with advanced network-

ing…

Example #1 - QSControl.net X-over mode:

This is the simplest connection you can make between the BASIS 922uz and your computer. Use a CAT-5 crossover cable connected

between the BASIS QSControl port and your computer's Network Interface Card, (NIC). No network switch is required. With QSCon-

trol.net server and client software installed and running on your computer you will be able to completely set up and monitor your BASIS

922uz.

Example #2 - CobraNet X-over mode:

This is the simplest connection you can make between two BASIS boxes. Use a CAT-5 crossover cable connected between the Cobra-

Net ports of each unit. No network switch is required. This connection allows audio to pass between the two BASIS boxes over Cobra-

Net.

Combining example 1 and 2 lets you setup and monitor one box at a time, much as you would have to do using a point-to-point RS232

connection, while passing audio between them, all without a network switch. However, you would have to physically connect your

computer first to one BASIS box and then to the other. With this elementary connection you don't have a true network. It is just like

making RS-232 connections - except that performance is much better.

All the other examples are of proper networks and all require a network switch. On a proper network, you have direct access to all

BASIS products all of the time without having to physically switch between them. You still get the great performance of TCP/IP over

Ethernet. (And we believe QSC's advanced 4th generation networking software provides the best performance of any networked

audio control system available today including Ethernet based systems from competitors.)

Example #3 - Single Wire Interface:

Here all QSControl.net and CobraNet traffic shares the same single CAT-5 cable between the BASIS 922uz and an unmanaged Ethernet

switch. The QSControl.net system manages traffic flow efficiently and reliably so that all audio and control data is delivered to its

appropriate destination anywhere on the network. Though the example shows only two BASIS 922uz units, as many devices may be

connected as there are available switch ports. All BASIS units will be able to communicate simultaneously with the computer. All will

have CobraNet audio. Switches can be connected to other switches to build larger networks; all of the normal networking principles

apply. (Note: there must be at least two CobraNet devices online for any data - audio or control - to come out of the CobraNet port.)

Example #4 - Two-Wire Interface (shared network hardware):

This example illustrates the Two-Wire Interface with a managed Ethernet switch. The switch is configured with multiple virtual

local area networks (VLANs). Ethernet deliveries can only reach destination ports belonging to the same VLAN from which it was

sourced. The figure shows a separate VLAN for QSControl.net traffic and a separate VLAN for CobraNet audio traffic. This config-

uration essentially provides a dedicated network for BASIS 922uz control and monitoring (including the system controller) and a

second dedicated network for CobraNet audio. As with the previous example, as many BASIS 922uz units may be connected as

there are switch ports available. All BASIS units will be able to communicate with the computer. All will have CobraNet audio.

Switches can be connected to other switches to build larger networks; all of the normal networking principles apply.

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