QSC Audio CM16a User Manual
CM16a
Amplifier Network Monitor
HARDWARE MANUAL
*TD-000086-00*
TD-000086-00
Rev. B
¨ WARNING ¨
While QSC has endeavored to develop and produce the most depend-
able and robust ‘network’ audio product for your use, due to the myriad
of network situations and equipment that may be encountered in its
implementation, QSC cannot be held responsible for network conflicts
and associated consequences that may result. For this reason, QSC
strongly recommends that the network used for implementa-
tion of QSControl products be completely separate from all
other networks, data or otherwise. As such, should you elect to
integrate QSControl products with your existing network system, all
risks attendant to such integration of QSControl products with your
existing network or network systems are assumed by you. While QSC
strives to provide the highest quality technical solutions for networked
audio products, in no event will QSC or its suppliers be held liable for
any damages, consequential, incidental or otherwise, including any
claims for lost profits and/or savings resulting from any attempted
integration of QSControl products with your networking systems. No
agent, employee or representative of QSC has any authority to alter or
modify in any manner, the disclosures and recommendations set forth
herein.
© Copyright 2001, QSC Audio Products, Inc.
QSC® is a registered trademark of QSC Audio Products, Inc., Costa Mesa, CA
“QSC” and the QSC logo are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
“HyperTerminal” is the copyrighted property of Hilgraeve Inc., Monroe, MI
“Phoenix Contact” is the trademark of Phoenix Contact, Inc., Middletown, PA
“Riacon” is the trademark of RIA electronic, Inc., Eatontown, NJ
“On-Shore Technology” is the trademark of On-Shore Technology, Inc., Tempe, AZ
All other trandemarks are the property of their respective owners
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS: CM16a Amplifier Network Monitor
Section 1: INTRODUCTION Overview...................................................................................................5
Physical Characteristics & Layout........................................................6
List of Functions & Features...................................................................8
Block Diagram.........................................................................................9
Detailed Description of Functions.......................................................11
Network Description.............................................................................14
Network Examples................................................................................15
Section 2: INSTALLATION Basics: Unpacking............................................................17
What is Included.................................................17
Location Considerations....................................17
Mounting the CM16a..........................................17
Connecting: AC Power..............................................................18
Audio Inputs.........................................................19
Page Input............................................................20
RLY/TRG Input......................................................20
RLY Output............................................................20
Monitor Chain In/Out..........................................20
10
BASE-T Input/Output........................................21
RS-232 Port...........................................................21
Amplifiers.............................................................21
Rear Panel Detailed Illustration & Hookup Example........................22
Section 3: OPERATION General: LED Behavior........................................................23
Amp Setup, Network Setup...............................24
Presets..................................................................25
BYPASS Switch Usage......................................26
Serial Port Interface...........................................27
Telnet Access......................................................30
Fuse Replacement...............................................31
Section 4: SPECIFICATIONS.......................................................................................................................................32
Section 5: ARCHITECT’S & ENGINEER’S SPECIFICATION..................................................................................36
Section 6: APPENDIX Ethernet Cable & RS-232 Pinouts ........................................................37
DataPort Pinout and “Phoenix”-type Connector Part Numbers......38
Section 7: QSC INFORMATION How to Contact QSC Audio Products..................................................39
3
Important Safety Information! Please review the following important
safety information before operating the CM16a.
Explanation of Graphical 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 users to the presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
SAFEGUARDS
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
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
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 unob-
structed.
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 CM16a is suitable for connection to 100 - 240 VAC, 47 - 440
hertz, with no special considerations other than the appropriate
IEC power cord.
Federal Communications
Commission (FCC)
Information
NOTE: This equipment has been tested
and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a commercial installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment
in a residential area is likely to cause
harmful interference, in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his or her own expense.
5- Reliable Earthing (Grounding) of rack-mounted equip-
ment should be maintained.
4
Section 1: Introduction- Overview
The QSC CM16a Amplifier Network Monitor provides power-
ful amplifier management and zone paging capability in a
QSControl networked audio system using Ethernet network-
ing technology to communicate with the host computer/
system controller.
The host computer uses the QSControl application software
to operate the networked audio system, including the CM16a’s
and their amplifiers. The software operates on the Microsoft
Windows NT® version 4.0 operating system and can be
customized using Microsoft® Visual Basic Professional Edi-
tion.
This manual outlines the capabilities of the CM16a as well as
its installation and connections. The operation of the CM16a
is accomplished using QSC’s QSControl software. Note that
not all hardware features may be supported by the current
software revision. Please refer to the software’s documenta-
tion & help file for information regarding software features,
usage and functions.
Each CM16a performs control and monitoring functions for up
to 16 amplifier channels. This could be up to eight 2-channel
or four 4-channel amplifiers (or some combination of these) at
the time this document was printed. The amplifiers supported
by the CM16a are the PowerLight, PL2, PL2A, DCA, and CX
series of QSC amplifiers that have a built-in Data Port. Models
that do not have a built-in DataPort or models that have a DP1 option or “V2” DataPort (such as the EX, MXa, & ISA
series)
are NOT supported by the CM16a.
The DataPort connections are made with ordinary VGA
computer monitor-type cables (HD-15 male-to-male).
These cables are the same type that are used on personal
computer systems to connect the monitor to the computer.
This allows you to use commonly available cabling for
interconnecting amplifiers to the CM16a. Each DataPort
connection supports the control and monitoring functions
for two audio channels. When using the CM16a with
amplifiers that have more than two channels (such as the 4
channel cinema amplifiers) additional DataPort connections
are required.
The CM16a is a control and monitoring device that relies on
software to do its job. The functions and capabilities pro-
vided in the design of the CM16a can only be realized with
proper software implementation. Keep in mind that this
manual’s intent is to outline these capabilities and provide
a reference for properly installing and interconnecting the
CM16a to the networked system’s host computer, the audio
inputs and the amplifiers to be controlled and monitored. A
thorough knowledge of the control software’s features and
operation will provide the best possible results for the end
user.
From all of us at QSC Audio Products, thank you for your
purchase.
Note: PL2A amplfiers have programmable filters and
crossovers. This makes gain “reporting” to the host unreli-
able as the frequency content relates directly to reported
output levels. Since the output level is used to calculate
gain, it is not possible to gaurantee accurate gain reporting
when the PL2A is set for any of its various frequency boost/
cut/crossover modes.
5
Section 1: Introduction- Physical Characteristics & Layout
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The CM16a is one rack space high (1RU) and has an internal, univeral 100-240V AC power supply. The chassis is 37.7 cm (14.84”) deep.
The width of the chassis, less rack ears, is 43.7 cm (17.20”). For detailed mounting dimensions, refer to the Section 4: Specifications-
Dimensions (page
FRONT PANEL (numbers correspond to reference locations shown in illustration above)
32
). The weight of the CM16a is approximately 5 kilograms (11 pounds).
1- POWER switch
2- Cooling air exhaust vents (intake vents are located on left side of chassis as viewed from the front)
3- POWER on indicator
4- DIAGNOSTIC indicator
5- RCV, XMT and LINK STATUS network status indicators
6- PORT A - PORT H connection indicators
7- Access hole for the BYPASS switch (
this is not labeled on the panel
)
6
Section 1: Introduction- Physical Layout Diagram
REAR PANEL (numbers correspond to reference locations shown above)
1- DataPort connectors PORT A - PORT H
2- PORT A CH 1 - PORT H CH 16 three-pin receptacles for audio inputs
3- PAGE three-pin receptacle for paging audio signal input
4- MONITOR CHAIN, IN and OUT five-pin receptacle for audio monitoring functions
5- RLY / TRG IN two-pin receptacle for remote sensing of switch closure or logic event
6- RLY OUT three-pin receptacle for output terminals of CM16a’s internal SPDT relay contacts
7- RCV, XMT and LINK STATUS network status indicators
8- 10BASE-T RJ-45 Ethernet computer network connection
9- RS-232 port for network and firmware utilities
10- IEC-type detachable AC power cord receptacle (for connection to AC line cord) with integral fuse holder
7
Section 1: Introduction- List of Functions & Features
FUNCTIONAL LISTING, BLOCK DIAGRAM & DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS
The CM16a performs remote control and monitoring of amplifiers. Below is a listing of the functions available for the supported QSC
amplifiers. The following two pages (Block Diagram part 1 & 2) illustrate the main functions of the CM16a. Following the diagram is a section
giving detailed explanations on each functional block that will aid in the use of the CM16a. Note that not all features may be supported
by the current revision level of software (consult software documentation for supported feature set). Where applicable, functions are
available on each individual audio channel.
CONTROL FUNCTIONS
Amplifier: Power (Standby/Operate Control)
CM16a: Input Sensitivity Select Input Source Select (Normal/Page)
Signal Level Control Signal Mute
Signal Polarity Select Paging Control (with customizable routing)
Contact Closure Output (switching of internal relay for control of external device)
Paralleling within DataPort Pair
MONITOR FUNCTIONS
Amplifier: Power Status Amplifier Gain
CM16a Input Level Meter Output Level Meter
SPECIAL FEATURES
Amplifier Model Bridge Mode
Load Monitor (impedance) Protection Status
Output Voltage Output Current
Output Power (real) Heat Sink Temperature (with Over-Temp.)
Headroom Clipping Detect
Output Short Output Open
Audio Monitor Module (4 channel mono. mixer)
External Event Sensing (a logic-level or switch input)
DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that can be used for generating test signals
RS-232 Port for setting of network address information and system diagnostics
TFTP upgradeable firmware via Ethernet
8
Section 1: Introduction- Block Diagram (part 1)
9
Section 1: Introduction- Block Diagram (part 2)
10
Section 1: Introduction- Detailed Description of Functions
AUDIO FUNCTIONS
Audio Inputs- These are the 3-pin terminal block connectors
used for balanced line level audio-signal input. This type of
connector is sometimes called“Phoenix”or “Euro” style.
Input Sensitivity- Sets the sensitivity of the Audio Inputs to
either 1 Volt or 3 Volts (r.m.s.). This selection should coincide
with the level of the audio signal provided for each channel.
Input Source: Normal/Page- Selects the input source for
each channel.
Audio Input
Paging Input Module.
Level Control- Provides adjustment of the signal level
delivered to the amplifier for each channel. Adjustment is from
-95.5dB to 0dB in 0.5 dB steps.
Meter-These points are indicators of where in the audio path
the software can “meter” the audio.
Mute- Actively mutes the audio signal being passed by a
channel. No signal is delivered to the amplifier when a channel
is muted.
Normal
terminals.
input is the audio connected at the
Page
input is the audio provided by the
AUDIO MONITOR CHAIN FUNCTIONS
Pre-Fader Monitor- Monitors the audio path at the point
before the
Post-Fader Monitor- Monitors the audio path at the point
after the
output from the CM16a).
Amplifier Monitor- Monitors the audio at the output of the
amplifier (i.e. the speaker terminals of the amplifier).
Off- This selection disconnects the monitor for the channel.
Level Adjust- Provides adjustment of the signal level deliv-
ered to the
points of a channel’s audio path. Adjustment is from -95.5dB
to 0dB in 0.5 dB steps.
Monitor Module- This module functions as a four-input
mixer with software selection of the input channels. The four
selected channels are summed with the external input,
Monitor Chain In
selectable from the pre-, post-, amplifier and off positions.
Level Control
Level Control, Mute
Monitor Module
block (i.e. the input to the CM16a).
, and
Polarity
blocks (i.e. the
from each of the selectable “tap”
. For each of the inputs, the “tap” point is
Parallel Mode- When parallel mode is selected, the input to
the first channel is also applied to the second channel. When
in parallel mode, the input is ALWAYS from the first (or odd
numbered) input. The second (or even numbered) input is
ignored; this includes the PAGE signal. This feature is useful
for sending one input signal to both amplifier channels without
having to wire jumpers between the two input connectors.
This mode is automatically enabled by the CM16a when the
amplifier bridge mode is set to any of the parallel modes
available (see amplifier manual for details).
Polarity- Determines the polarity of the signal delivered to
the amplifier for each channel.
AMPLIFIER CONTROL FUNCTIONS
Standby/ Operate- Controls the amplifier’s power status-
ON
- amplifier operational
STANDBY
NOTE! The amplifier must be powered in order to respond to
any commands issued by the CM16a. This means the amp’s
power switch must physically be in the ON position.
- amplifier in standby mode
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Section 1: Introduction- Detailed Description of Functions
AMPLIFIER MONITORING FUNCTIONS
Amplifier Model Detect- Identifies what model of
QSC amplifier is connected to the CM16a’s DataPort.
Amplifier Gain Detect- Reports the setting of the
amplifier’s gain setting (in dB) for each channel.
Bridge Mode Detect- Detects the position of the
bridge mode switch on each amplifier.
Clip Detect- Detects amplifier clipping on each chan-
nel.
Headroom Metering- Reports the “available” re-
maining signal level that the input signal can be driven
before clipping will occur.
Heat Sink Temperature Metering- Monitors the
heatsink temperature of each channel of each amplifier
connected to the CM16a. If the temperature exceeds a
user specified value (in software) then the Over-Temp.
“object” will alert the system operator.
Load Monitor Detect- Monitors the impedance of
the load at the amplifier output for each channel.
Output Current Meter- Provides for metering of the
amplifier’s output current on each channel.
Output Voltage Meter- Provides for metering of the
amplifier’s output voltage on each channel.
Output Open Detect- Detects when the load con-
nected to the amplifier is above a user specified value
in software.
Protect Status Detect- Reports if the amplifier has
entered “protect” mode (such as thermal, over-current
or power-up muting protect status).
Real Power Detect- Reports the “real” power the
amplifier is delivering. This “real” power is not the
same as “reactive” power. Real power is the product of
current and voltage times the cosine of the phase angle
between them.
Threshold Adjust- This indicates that the behavior of
the associated block requires the input of a threshold
value in software that must be crossed for the detection
to occur. This allows the system operator to tailor the
behavior of the system to each application.
PAGING FUNCTIONS
Input Sensitivity- Sets the sensitivity of the Page
Input to either 1 Vrms or 3 Vrms. This selection should
coincide with the level of the audio signal provided for
the Page Input.
DAC- This is a digital-to-analog converter that takes
digital information from the internal microcontroller
and outputs the corresponding analog “equivalent” to
the appropriate channel PAGE insert points . This oc-
curs only by instructions issued by the system operator
or a custom control application.
Page Input- This is a 3-pin terminal block connector
used for balanced line level page audio-signal input.
Output Short Detect- Detects when the amplifier
load is below a user specified value in software.
Power Status Detect- Reports AC power status of
the amplifier (ON/standby/ OFF).
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