Axel Technology Fox MKIII Broadcast Switcher

The new generation of AxelTech digital silence detector and change over continues in the tradition of quality, reliability and cost effectiveness, renowned and valued in the broadcasting environment all around the world.

FOX 3 is a fully digital audio modular platform which combines Switcher & Changeover, Silence Detector, format conversion, FM tuner. The new platform offers cutting-edge technology that feats the ease of use, exceptional performances and unparalleled sound quality. FOX 3 provides the widest range of I/O to match the most High-end broadcast user requirements. Any inputs can be routed to a different audio output thanks to the A/D and D/A converter.FOX 3 is a fully configurable Audio Changeover/Silence Detector to switch over four out of the Analog, Digital, MPX, IP, AoIP, DanteTM (optional) and Built In Player inputs. The hardware bypass circuit guarantees audio presence and programs continuity.

Full range of outputs: one analog, two digital audio (over XLR connectors) and two Optional DanteTM. FOX 3 can integrate with existing infrastructure via Ethernet port, two USB ports and six GPI ports with optical coupler and four relays. A LAN port and a built-in Web Server to control & configure the processor from any device and tune audio from anywhere also using the IP streams I/O. FOX 3 Logs every second on the external microSD card the value/status of 8 out of 88 internal parameters for 1 year (at the end of the period oldest data will be overwritten). The user can choose the 8 parameters to be logged and can select a time lapse among the logging to export the data on a CSV file for any analysis.

FOX 3 is equipped with a universal 90-260 V AC power supply, working at 50 or 60 Hz, ready to be used in every country around the world. Thanks to the low power consumption (max 15 W) FOX 3 is also a green equipment. FOX 3 one Rack Unit robust design is sustained by the extensive use of steel and aluminum. FOX 3 appliances are immune to strong electro-magnetic fields and are suitable to be installed in extreme climate environments. A dedicated digital test signal generator can send to all the physical outputs (analogue & digital) signal sample with variable frequency and amplitude to help calibrate the whole audio chain. FOX 3 Changeover/Silence Detector integrates many though needful features for the radio workflow:

COMPLETE SET OF INPUTS
Extended Changeover/Silence Detector with configurable source priorities out of the following sources: 1xAnalog, 2xAES/EBU, 2xIP, 2xMPX, 2x DanteTM (Optional), 1xInternal Player.
SAMPLING RATE FROM 32 kHz TO 192 kHz

COMPLETE SET OF OUTPUTS
1xAnalog, 2xAES/EBU, 2x DanteTM (Optional)

ADVANCED SNMP
(Simple Network Management Protocol) Allows data interchange and simplified configuration of third-party appliances connected in the same LAN using shared datasets MIB.

UPGRADEABLE AND RELIABLE
Internal microSD card with OS for Disaster Recovery. Easily Upgradable via WEB or Windows application.

WEB BASED CONTROL PANEL
The whole system can be managed through a WEB page generated by the internal web Server. The main functions can be managed through the physical panel.

SIGNAL ROUTING & CHANGEOVER
The new FOX 3 is a technologically advanced Audio Changeover/Silence Detector able to switch between any available source: Analog, Digital, MPX, FM, IP, AoIP…In case of missing audio from any external sources, the FOX 3 can play the playlist stored in the microSD.
An embedded Test Signals Generator allows to output an audio signal suitable for testing the equipment or the whole audio system.

I/O Connections
FOX 3 features a complete set of input and outputs connections. Analog and AES/EBU digital audio connections are standard aside of two buffered: Analog Input > Analog Output | Digital1 Input > Digital1 Output | Digital2 Input > Digital2 Output
Three USB ports (one on the front, one on the rear panel and one installed on the internal circuit board), are available.
microSD allows to clone the whole setup from one FOX 3 to another one.
DanteTM connection, available as an option, allows to manage AoIP DanteTM or AE67 signals: 2 Stereo inputs and 2 Stereo outputs.
Front Panel
FOX 3 features a wide Color TFT Technology display (480×128) that shows the input and output processing, including the corrections for each band featured from the compressor, the limiters and the multiband AGC.
Obviously, it also shows the input and output of all signal levels.
Moreover trough the display it’s possible to check the system status: operating parameters and GPI/O port status.
A TRS (stereo Jack 6,3 mm) connector allows monitoring both original and processed signal, checking in the faster way the differences between the available presets.

Communications & Alarms
FOX 3 Silence Detector/Change Over can exchange information with other equipment through some communication ports: One LAN/WAN port, two USB ports, one GPIO port with optical coupler and relays.
Information will be sent (status, alarms) or received (commands). A panel with 40 LEDs and the LCD display show status information.
Alarm messages can be sent via GPO, SNMP (Trap), and http.

Web Server
Users can manage FOX 3 equipment via LAN, no need to install any client software. The internal Web Server can be managed with any browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Opera…). The GUI on the web page is clear, easy to use and responsive, suitable to be managed from any device: Personal Computers, tablets, smartphones.
SNMP (v 2.0c) programming protocol allows to manage the whole command set. FOX 3 firmware also implements HTTP, FTP, SNMP, SMTP, UDP, TCP and is PV4 – IPV6 addressing compliant.
Moreover, connecting an external GPS allows to geo-localize the FOX 3. The WEB server supplies a page with a map that shows the appliance position. Standard Ethernet interface can manage up to 4 independent TCP ports, up to 4 separate UDP ports and 1 SNMP port. Obviously, it also shows the input and output of all signal levels.

Analog Input – AUDIO
Number of Inputs 1 Stereo
Connectors: 2 XLR, female – Electronically balanced – EMI Suppression
A/D Conversion: 24bit Sigma-Delta Conversion (Crystal CS4272)
AD Clipping Point +24.0 dBu
Operative Nominal Level From –12.0dBu to +13.0dBu (0.1dBu Step) Software adjustable
Line Impedance 10 kΩ (Electronically balanced selectable)
Distortion Less than 0.01% TDH+NOISE (0.0 dBu 1Khz)
AD Dynamic Range 108 dB RMS (110 dB A weighted)
Input Modes Stereo, Mono (Left), Mono (Right), Mono (Left+Right)
CMRR input >60 dB (20 Hz to 20 kHz)
FM Frequency range 5 Hz-15 kHz (+/- 0,5dB when processing is disabled)
DAB Frequency range 5 Hz-20 kHz (+/- 0,5dB when processing is disabled)
Digital Input – AUDIO
Inputs Number 2 (1st for audio, 2nd for audio or Digital MPX)
Connectors XLR, female – Electronically balanced– EMI Suppression
Format AES3/EBU
Input impedance 110 Ω
Sample rate 32 kHz / 44.1 kHz / 48 kHz /96 kHz / 192 kHz with src and jitter attenuation
Operative Nominal level From 0.0 dBFs to -25.0 dBFs (0.1 dBu step) Software adjustable
Dynamic Range 125 dB (Typical), 122 dB (Minimal)
Distortion Less than 0.01% TDH+NOISE (0.0 dBu 1Khz)
Input Modes Stereo, Mono (Left), Mono (Right), Mono (Left+Right)
Conversion dynamic range 124 dB (32 KHz) | 126 dB (44,1 kHz) | 126 dB (48 kHz) 122 dB (96 kHz)
Conversion resolution 24 bits
FM Frequency range 2 Hz-15 kHz (+/- 0,025dB when processing is disabled)
DAB Frequency range 2 Hz-20 kHz (+/- 0,025dB when processing is disabled)
MPX INPUT
Connectors Unbalanced on 2 BNC – EMI Suppression
Input impedance 50 KΩ
Adjustable Nominal Input Level (Sensitivity) -6 dB to +13,0 dB (0.1 dBu step) Software adjustable
Max Input Level +18,0 dBu
A/D Conversion Texas PCM4220
Analog Output AUDIO
Output Number 1
Connectors 2 XLR, female – Electronically balanced – EMI Suppression
D/A Conversion 24 bit Sigma-Delta Conversion (Crystal CS4272)
Output Level -6.0 dBu to +20.0 dBu (0.1 dBu Step)
Output Level Max. + 24,0 dBu
Output Impedance 10 Ω
Load Impedance 600 Ω or greater
THD + Noise Less than 0.01% (0.0dBu @ 1 kHz)
Signal to noise Ratio >80 dB unweight – 100% Mod. 20 Hz–15 KHz
L/R CrossTalk < –70 dB, 20 Hz–15 KHz
Pre-emphasis 50 µsec, 75 µsec
FM Frequency range 5 Hz-15 kHz (+/- 0,5dB when processing is disabled)
DAB Frequency range 5 Hz-20 kHz (+/- 0,5dB when processing is disabled)
Digital Output AUDIO
Outputs Number 2 (1st for audio, 2nd for audio or Digital MPX)
Connectors Balanced on 1 XLR – EMI Suppression
Format AES3/EBU
Output impedance 110 Ω
Sample rates 32 kHz / 44.1 kHz / 48 kHz / 96 kHz / 192 kHz Software selectable
Resolution 24 bit
Operative Nominal level From 0.0 dBFs to -30dBFs (0.1 dBu step)
Dynamic Range 125 dB (Typ), 122 dB (Min)
Distortion Less than 0.01% TDH+NOISE (0.0 dBu 1 Khz)
Pre-emphasis 50 µsec, 75 µsec
FM Frequency range 2 Hz-15 kHz (+/- 0,025 dB when processing is disabled)
DAB Frequency range 2 Hz-20 kHz (+/- 0,025 dB when processing is disabled)
PHYSICAL
Dimensions 485 x 44 x 240 mm (1 rack unit)
AC Rate Voltage 230Vac / 110Vac +/- 10% – 30VA – Connector IEC 3-Wire detachable
AC Frequency 50 Hz / 60 Hz +/- 4%
Power factor 0,9
Processing architecture Fully digital, based on DSP 24bit/250Mhz.
5 band Signal processing
Weight 3,5 Kg
Operating temperature -5°C / +50°C up to 95% non condensing
Max Altitude Up to 3000 meters above marine level
Safety Standard CE, ETL, UL
RFI Falcon X/D has been designed to work in strong RF Fields and it is provided with Standard RFI filters. Necessary RFI filters are standard and same are provided.
Grounding One more earth terminal is provided in the Falcon X/D body to connect audio earth connection
COMMUNICATION
Connection with radio automation: Software Yes
Network connectivity 4 TCP ports / 4 UDP / 1 SNMP
Configuration software Web Server, FTP
Password protection Yes
ASCII Protocol Configuration messages
REST Command Yes
Alert notifications on user-defined events via SNMP traps or E-mails Yes
Embedded SNMP agent permitting: active management tasks Yes
Supported Network Protocols HTTP, SNTP, UDP, TCP, NTP, FTP
UECP Protocol EBU SPB490 Ver. 7.05
PI Calculator Yes
RDS 2.0 Ready Yes
System Features
Remote interface GPIn 6x GP In optocoupled
Remote interface GPOut 4x Relays – dry contacts
Remote interface connector DB 25 female connector – EMI suppressed
Remote interface GPIO Voltage and Current DC 5V Source and Sink 10 mA
Communication Port 2 x RS232, 3 x USB, 1 x LAN
Serial Interfaces 1st RS232 on DB9 female connector – EMI suppressed
2nd RS232 on DB25 female connector – EMI suppressed
Firmware can be upgraded in the field Yes
Front-panel Colour TFT Display No (Falcon X6) / Yes (Falcon X5, X7)
Data may be entered on-site with Front-panel Buttons No (Falcon X6) / Yes (Falcon X5, X7)
Front Panel LEDs 40