Explaining the background to the partnership, Fohhn's public relations & marketing manager, Daniela Bohl, stated, "We were looking for a solution to provide our speaker systems with a digital signal and control data; up to now we only had an analogue solution.
"We chose Optocore because they are the pioneers of that technology and there is a perfect fit between our two companies, as we are both innovation-driven and German based."
In order to provide integration onto the Optocore networks, the fibre specialists have created a special card, while Fohhn has developed a purpose enclosure, which can be attached to their Linea Focus series loudspeakers to provide optional input extensions.
This will enable digital audio and control data to be distributed simultaneously, either via Cat 5 or optical fibre. "These Optocore extensions will provide excellent audio quality, entire control of the speaker and facilitate reliable and redundant digital audio network," notes Ms. Bohl.
Masterminding the project for Optocore, applications engineering manager, Maciek Janiszewski, states that the cards will come in fibre Optocore FX and Cat 5 SANE TP versions.
"Each card will provide two outputs to feed loudspeakers with two independent audio signals, RS485 port for control and GPIO. All these signals can be transported on single-fibre or Cat5 cable.
"The Fibre FX version enables all speakers to operate on an Optocore fibre ring in conjunction with all other devices from the Optocore portfolio - as well as third party products with an Optocore interface. The distance between loudspeakers can be up to 120km."
The Cat 5 SANE TP version can function as a local extension to the fibre node enabling users to build local daisy chains - with 100m distance between the loudspeakers.
Summing up, Janiszewski confirms, "This card adds huge flexibility to the Fohhn solutions, simplifies cabling and adds quality by reducing signal losses over coax.
"Both companies will benefit from this cooperation: Optocore will raise its profile in the installed sound sector, especially in transportation hubs (large scale PA systems in railway stations and airports), while Fohhn will be able to offer the best signal transport solution as well as distributed routing and redundancy."
And Daniela Bohl adds, "We are looking forward to integrating the innovative Optocore technology into our highly developed electronically steerable Linea Focus. We are extremely excited about the cooperation and the possibilities resulting from it."
(Jim Evans)
