ANTS - Audix Broadcast Networks

ANTS IP Server and Gateway

ANTS is designed to provide an integrating link between our ADD series of digital audio consoles, ARM local area routing and control, ATM distribution products, and a range of external source equipment. The ANTS computer interface system, combined with the powerful ADD, ARM and ATM technologies, provides greater integration and flexibility than any other similar system currently available.

Key Features

Cross-platform compatibility
Open structure allowing connectivity to other systems
Shared Audio and Control resources over the entire network
Redundancy for high fault tolerance
Intuitive user interfaces for simplicity
Scalable size and speed to suit application
Local area scripting language used to describe system operation
High level maintenance with Audix Broadcast support
Fault monitoring and engineering screens

ANTS IP Server and IP Gateway Units

ANTS IP Server

The standard ANTS IP Server is a half width 1U frame (fits inside a full 1U rack mounted carrier) which contains a small PC motherboard. This PC motherboard runs a cut down version of a complex but powerful operating system called Linux. This version of Linux is completely command based and is extremely reliable and self running with no user input needed for start-up.

The operating system in this unit is stored on the on board flash which is only about 16mb in size. The Audix ANTS software is Java based and is installed onto a compact flash card that is mounted onto the motherboard which is only 128mb in size.

There are no mechanical parts in this unit which makes all of the hardware more reliable with no need to service it.

These units have 2 available comm ports which are used for specific functions of the system if required and 1 Ethernet port. The IP address on this unit is fixed. There is also the ability to attach a keyboard and monitor to this unit for setup purposes. The standard units connect via a serial communications port to the ATM units and are very capable of running up to 10 studios.

These units can also be remotely controlled/setup via a PC on the IP network.

There is the option for a battery backup system so if there is a fault with main power source they will continue to operate as normal.

The ANTS software on the units can distribute any of the Java based applications selected onto any PC via IP that is on the same network as the unit.

A second ANTS IP Server can be added to a system for use as a backup server should the main server fail. The system can carry on as normal as the backup server takes control. The server module on the system status panel will display that the backup server is on line and that the main server is not.

These units can be managed and backed up to a file from an administrators screen which is web based and is available on a PC that is on the same network via http available on any Internet browser.

Other functions of the administrators screen are as follows :

PC Records &ndash This is where all of the PC names are set up. They contain information about what modules are assigned to a PC.

ISDN Records &ndash Holds information and settings for the ISDN units connected to the system.

ANTS IP Gateway

This unit uses the same half width 1U frame as the IP server but with a different front panel. This unit has an interface board inside that has up to 4 Independent Management and Control Modules (IMCM) fitted. The IMCM runs a Java module to allow it to interface with an external item of equipment that needs network control.

Audix Broadcast have designed a series of software modules for these units to operate on the wide area ANTS networks.

The IMCM sub modules are loaded with the necessary software modules to allow them to operate as required in the system. Modules and their connections are specific to their hardware positions. Modules can be programmed via a PC and serial cable connected to the gateway unit.

Each IMCM module has its own serial communications port RS232/RS485 and a network Ethernet port on the back of the Gateway unit.

Each module uses the IP network for its connection and will get assigned IP addresses via a DHCP server when switched on.

These gateway units can incorporate a battery backup system to allow the unit to carry on operating its service if the main power source should fail.

Product Range

Main System Components

ANTS0001	Main operating suite, fundamental servers and management software suite, less than 10 users.
ANTS0002	100% redundancy operating suite, fundamental mirrored servers and management suites.
ANTS0003	Large system main operating suite, fundamental mirrored servers and management suites.
ANTS1021	Emergency control panel system, based on using independent communications methods into the main and ancillary routing matrices.
ANTS1018	Wide area DC logic control suite module. Interfaces with basic routing functionality.

Meter and Monitoring Interfaces

ANTS1006	Standalone ADD meter panel driver and display.
ANTS1022	Central technical area large monitor panel, communications through both serial and IP connections. Panel includes control and interfaces to both ATM and analogue routers, PPM bargraph meters and loudspeaker monitoring.

Master Clock Control Functions

ANTS1008	Master Clock network distribution suite.
ANTS1014	Master Clock network time protocol software for main server time information.

Audio Mixer Control Interfaces

ANTS1015	Studio IT network interface. Allows mixer to interface with PC screen, more detailed information as well as whole desk snap shot.
ANTS1004	Visual Talkback suite-module.

Communication Control Functions

ANTS1001	ISDN software suite module (1 required per ISDN codec type).
ANTS1002	TCBU Phone in system suite module.
ANTS1009	Telephone hybrid control suite.

Routing Software Functions

ANTS1003	Routing - control suite module, less than 10 users.
ANTS1005	Large system routing - control suite module.
ANTS1016	Transmission - time line control suite module. Interfaces with routing functionality.
ANTS1017	Scheduler for routing - control suite module. Interfaces with basic routing functionality.

General Software Functions

ANTS9002	Scripting language and compiling system site license.
ANTS1007	External remote maintenance interfaces. Remote maintenance over the Internet.

ANTS Software Modules

The modules for the ANTS system are all Java based which means that they could be run on any Java supporting operating system.

ANTS Tick-Tock Clock

This screen grab shows a typical Tick-Tock clock module which shows the current time of a selected Tick-Tock unit connected to the ANTS network. Up to 10 sources can be used. Separate time services can exist on the same network.

ISDN Codec Controller

The screen grab shows a typical ISDN codec control window. Ownership of the ISDN will automatically be given to the user if they have selected the codec and the control system has enabled the audio routes.

Toolbar

This screen grab shows a typical Toolbar module. This module shows the individual users the resources that have been allocated to them. From here the user can run any of the other modules and position them on the screen.

A users inventory is determined by the administrators database configuration.

Management Systems X-Y Router

This screen grab shows a typical X-Y router module. This module allows the user to connect and disconnect routes between ATM units on the ATM network.

Management Systems System Status

This screen grab shows a typical system status module. This module allows the user to view the whole networks present status. Both ATM and IP based equipment states can be shown on the screen. Users can refresh to display as well as request an update of a units studio by clicking the CHK box.

Snapshot

This screen grab shows a typical Snapshot module. The standard system provides 10 users/sections each with up to 10 subsections. Names are user defined.

The Snapshot memory system is a "network wide solution"

Various authority based passwords can also be included.

Bargraph Display

This screen grab shows a typical Bargraph display module.

Peak level indicator
Bargraph source description label

Simple Microphone Control

This screen grab shows a typical Microphone module. Using this module allows the user to change settings for that particular microphone anywhere on the network.

Matrix

This screen grab shows a typical Matrix module.

Short code text transferred to a mixers channel displays. In the case of ATM, ISDN, TCBU

Source description. 2 rows of 16 characters giving details of the matrix source
Status information. Typically, channel that source is assigned, return feed status, clean feed, cue program, talkback
Quick route to sections/types of sources

ATM Phone Book

This screen grab shows a typical ATM Address Phone book module. Names/descriptions are programmed through the administration database.

ISDN and TCBU phone books are similar in design and functionality

Transmission Control Panel

This screen grab shows a typical Transmission Control Panel module. This module allows the user to control and view transmission routes.

Active programming/transmitting. Time changes can be made through the scheduling window.
Allowed sources to go to transmission outputs
15 minute time intervals
Event manager. Allows users to schedule program routing up to 3 months ahead

Transmission Status Panel

This screen grab shows a typical Transmission Status Panel module. This module verifies the state of the transmission outputs and provides a closed loop confidence monitoring system.

Output Control Panel

This screen grab shows a typical Output Control Panel module. This module allows the user to control and view output routes.

1 minute time intervals
Output Event Manager. Allows users to automate logic and control outputs or events against time.

Logger Module

This screen grab shows a typical Logger module. This module allows the user to view selected events that have occurred on the system against time.

Stores selected information in CSV format.

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