For almost twenty years, Sierra Automated Systems has been manufacturing audio routers for Radio stations in all markets. In fact, SAS was known as "the router company" having supplied several large US broadcasters with high performance, mission critical programme routing systems. SAS has intensively researched user requirements at every level, involving major radio groups, smaller stations and numerous independent programme providers. They also listened to feedback from operational staff and took on board their suggestions; comments such as "wouldn't it be nice if... " were all considered in the product design process. The result is the Connected Digital Network concept that turned those ideas into reality. Based upon a robust dual-fibre ring scheme, routers such as the 32KD and RIOGrand and be flexibly added as required to develop the required routing and control functionality.

At the hub of this network is the Sierra Automated Systems 32KD Digital Router/Mixer. Connected at the spokes are Sierra Automated Systems RIOLinks, Rubicon console control surfaces, router control panels, intercom stations, digital storage and delivery systems, production editors, computer controllers, and much more. The Sierra Automated Systems Connected Digital Network has the features and performance needed today and the flexibility to adapt as your operation evolves. The Sierra Automated Systems Connected Digital Network is the digital future, here today.

Integral to the fabric of the Connected Digital Network architecture is the design concept of “distributed liability”—providing multiple layers of redundancy.

Any component failure takes out only the small section that it serves. Audio in the 32KD is split into multiple TDM buses, each handling only 32 channels of audio; a disturbance on one bus only affects that small group of channels. Two separate control communication buses between modules and two separate clock buses multiply the level of distributed reliability.

The 32KD does not use a “DSP farm;” instead the DSPs on each output card handle routing and mixing for those outputs only. Redundant power supplies are available throughout. Even when there are serious failures such as the loss of the terminal room, the section routers ( RIOLink and RIOGrande) keep going, providing full Rubicon console control of routing and mixing of all local sources connected to that RIO. And, of course, the Sierra Automated Systems router control software provides backup and easy restoration of your entire system’s settings.

The first Sierra Automated Systems audio router products quickly became the industry standard for performance, quality and reliability. Many of these are still on the air as studio-to-air chain routers or providing traffic reports to dozens of stations in a market at a time.

Routing has essentially replaced traditional, large jackfields and patch panels in the broadcast environment. The largest of the Sierra Automated Systems routers switch many thousands of audio sources among dozens of studios across a multi-acre campus connected via fibre. Another brings together the sound from the many scattered venues of the Olympics and sends it to affiliate stations in the form of a tightly edited program or news feed, while at the same time providing the essential behind-the scene intercommunication. Film production companies use Sierra Automated Systems routers in the editing suite; movie soundtracks are made up of many many layers of sounds stored on all sorts of recording media.

Audio crosspoints in SAS routing products are not just on/off switches but fully controllable, variable gain elements. They can still behave like as switches, of course, but additionally, fade in/out, cut in/out, and level adjustment control is also available giving extensive routing, switching, mixing, cross-fades capabilities via serial port, IP or Sierra Automated Systems' own Automation software package.

Console Operating Surfaces . . .

Rubicon, Rubicon SL and RubiT are the latest developments to the Connected Digital Network family of products. Exploiting the mixing crosspoint capability, the power of the router is extended to studio users in a familiar, easy-to-use assignable console. As well as offering extensive source selection and routing assignment at the touch of a button, users can access ancillary functions needed in programme production such as remote control talkback routing and channel source assignability.

The Rubicon is ideal for larger control rooms, whereas the Rubicon SL is ideal for studios requiring fewer user production controls. For newsrooms, small production booths and audio intake areas, the front-facing RubiT is ideal.

Rubicon

Rubicon SL RubiT

The Connected Digital Network offers extensive user setup and control capabilities via the easy-to-use GUI-based Sierra Automated Systems Router Control and System Programming Software. All SAS Routers and control surfaces can be configured at any time using PC software connected to any router node in the system. The SAS router control software is not required to run the system, nor is the PC required under normal operation. The PC provides a gateway for other PCs running the Router Control (client) programs, or PCs running simple softpanels to change and re-configure the internal router functionality.

As with all Configuration software, Automation is user-configurable in an easy-to-use GUI; no ini file editing or programming language required.