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 RioLink and be flexibly added as required to develop the required routing and control functionality.
SAS Connected Digital Network
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.
Distributed Reliability and Redundancy
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) keep going, providing
full Rubicon console control of routing and mixing
of all local sources connected to that RioLink. And, of course, the Sierra Automated Systems router control software
provides backup and easy restoration of your entire
system’s settings.
Broadcom can supply and install any SAS product suite.
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.
More than just crosspoints . . 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.
Configuration Software . . .
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.
Automation is extremely powerful software that
interfaces with the Server to provide a wide range
of "if this, then that" functions.
Automation events can be trigger by time of day, by a
crosspoint going on or off, by a source being taken to
or removed from an output, or by an opto or relay going
on or off. The event can then make or remove a crosspoint,
open or close an opto or relay, send a serial command to
another device, send a message via IP, and more for salvo operation. Events
can be conditional, i.e. logic-based, so they will only happen if a
condition is true.
As with all Configuration software, Automation is
user-configurable in an easy-to-use GUI; no ini file
editing or programming language required.
