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8.6 DSAi CONNECTIONS
This appendix discusses the operation of the DSA's communications system, some additional connection
configurations, and why things go wrong if not connected properly.
8.6.1 BACKGROUND
Phoenix Audio Connectors: The two balanced Phoenix audio connectors are for standard, line level, analog
audio signals. This analog audio is converted to digital in each DSAi unit. The audio connections to the Link
Port connectors are made by the firmware.
CobraNet Audio: The DSAi implements CobraNet Audio using the multicast bundles 1-255. The
communication is implemented using the serial bridge feature. All communications sent through CobraNet is
received by all other CobraNet cards on the network. The digital audio from the optional CM-1 CobraNet
card is connected to a digital input within the module. Because there is no digital to analog conversion, there
is no audio signal at the Link Ports.
EIA-485 port: This Phoenix connector is for control data sent over an EIA-485 bus from the computer. It
provides a 115200 bps, dc-isolated connection with a selectable 120 ohm termination. This connector is
directly wired internally to the Link Port connectors and, via an option in DSAPilot, to the CobraNet port.
CobraNet Slot with CM-1 Card: The DSAi communicates over the CobraNet card using the serial bridge
interface. All audio and control data sent over the serial bridge is received by all other CobraNet devices on
the network. Control data communicated over EIA-485 can be connected, via an option in DSAPilot, to the
CobraNet Slot.
Link Ports: The link ports carry balanced audio from the Phoenix Audio connectors as well as control data
from the Phoenix EIA-485 connectors and CobraNet card, if installed. These connections are made by the
firmware.
8.6.2 DSAPILOT COMMUNICATIONS
Each DSAi module has four ports through which it can communicate with DSAPilot:
- EIA-485
- CobraNet Card Slot
(requires the optional CobraNet CM-1 Card)
- Signal End Link Port (SLink) in the end cap with the LED
- Power End Link Port (PLink) in the opposite end cap
Each DSAi module has a unique address, even if it is one of two or more in a multiple module DSAi cluster.
In DSAPilot, individual module addresses in a cluster are grouped so that the cluster appears as one larger
loudspeaker to the user. Behind the user interface, the communication is with either individual module
addresses or a global address, to which all modules and clusters in a system respond. An example of the latter
is setting the LED Functions.
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