CobraNet allows two or more Praesideo systems to be linked for real-time uncompressed distributed digital audio over a 100Mbps fast Ethernet network. With this CobraNet functionality, the Praesideo can be used to distribute messages over much larger areas, a typical example is a railway or underground rail network. Each station would be equipped with a Praesideo system, with a PC call station located at a central location. All stations would be interconnected through (existing) glass fibre cabling. It would then be possible to make announcements or play pre-recorded messages at the central call station and route them to selected zones in the various Praesideo systems in the network.
CobraNet also allows one or more Praesideo networks to interface with CobraNet-compatible units from other manufacturers, which further extends application possibilities. When Praesideo systems are interconnected through CobraNet and Ethernet, there are effectively three different networks in place. Firstly there are the Praesideo networks themselves, which allow very flexible routing and zone selection for distributing messages to specific areas. These are interconnected by means of the Ethernet based CobraNet network, which enables the distribution of digital audio signals over greater distances. There is also the Ethernet network itself, which is used to distribute control data. One single Ethernet connection both for control data and CobraNet audio is sufficient.
The Praesideo's CobraNet interface unit has four audio inputs and four audio outputs. If more than four input/outputs are required, multiple CobraNet units can be connected to the network. The CobraNet interface can simultaneously insert up to four audio channels from CobraNet into the Praesideo system, and up to four audio channels from Praesideo into a CobraNet network.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
