Axel Tech Falcon D7 TV/DAB+/HDRadio/WEB/DRM Digital Audio Processor

The new Falcon is an all-in-one equipment (Audio Processor, Loudness Control, Change Over) for TV, DAB, HD Radio, Sirius XM, Web applications thanks to the 20 KHz Processing architecture. Falcon is an Audio Processor at the top of its category thanks to many features and functions often not available on much higher priced devices.
Last but not least, Falcon sounds great, allowing you to give personality to your station by choosing, from the many presets, the one that best suits the style of your radio.

All-in-one 5 Bands Audio Processor with Loudness Control and Change Over/Silence Detector. 20 KHz processing allows FALCON to feed TV and digital audio broadcasting such as DAB, HD Radio, Sirius XM and Web Radio.Fully customizable top class Audio processing tools with 5 bands compression control, adjustable Drive and Threshold, Dual AGC, 3 Bands Bqualization (Low, Mid and High frequency), Stereo Enhancer, Voice Detector and Brightness Control.

The mono sounds phase control allows to give to the human voice a more natural and pleasant sound shape. The final limiter enhances the sound presence. 40 memories allow to recall factory pre-sets or save new one to be restored according to customer needs. Loudness control: EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4 Recommendations for digital and analog audio outputs. Fully configurable Audio Changeover/Silence Detector able to switch over four out of the Analog, Digital, IP, AoIP, Dante and Build In Player inputs.

Full range of inputs thanks to analog and digital audio (over XLR connectors), two IP streams and Optional Dante. The hardware bypass circuit is included in order to guarantee audio presence and programs continuity.

Full range of outputs thanks to analog and digital audio (over XLR connectors), Optional Dante, one IP stream and USB, Integration with the existing infrastructure via Ethernet port, two RS-232 serial ports, two USB ports and six GPIO ports with optical coupler and relays.
The LAN port and the built-in Web Server allow to control & configure the processor from any device and tune audio from anywhere also using the IP streams I/O.

A dedicated digital test signal generator can send to all the physical outputs (analogue & digital) signal sample with variable frequency and amplitude, that helps to calibrate the whole audio system.

The FALCON processors logs all of the relevant data, making them available via Web and stored on the microSD card.This microSD card can be used to backup and restore the processor settings.

The FALCON processors are 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. Due to the low power consumption (max 15 W) FALCON can be considered a “green” equipment.

The FALCON robust 1 Rack Unit design finds substance from the extensive use of steel and aluminium. FALCON appliances are immune to strong electro-magnetic fields and are suitable to be installed in extreme environments.

Features

The new FALCON audio processors integrate, as usual for AxelTech, many accessory features mandatory in the TV and digital radio workflows.
FALCON series equipment ensures top quality performances and exclusive audio. It features powerful DPSs, 5-bands architecture, dual bands AGCs, 3-bands equalizer, stereo enhancer, speech detector and 5 limiters. The comprehensive and accurate control of each audio parameter allows to shape perfectly the audio to broadcast unique and exceptional branded sound.

COMPLETE SET OF INPUTS
Extended Changeover/Silence Detector with configurable source priorities out of 11 sources:
1xAnalog, 2xAES/EBU, 2xIP, 1xAES192, 1xDante (Optional), 1xInternal Player

COMPLETE SET OF OUTPUTS
1xAnalog, 2xAES/EBU, 2xIP, 1xAES192, 1xDante (Optional)

BUILT-IN AUDIO PLAYER
Suitable like a backup source or for test purpose.
A Test Signal Generator is also available.

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 whit OS for Disaster Recovery.
Easily Upgradable via WEB or Windows application.
BUILT-IN AUDIO ENCODER AND STREAMER
Can manage an audio stream like an input, can generate an output audio stream.
SAMPLING RATE FROM 32 kHz TO 192 kHz

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.
Advanced features
20 KHz PROCESSING
20 KHz processing allows to use it as processor for TV and digital audio broadcasting such as DAB Audio, HD Radio Audio, Sirius XM Audio, Web Radio Audio.

LOUDNESS PROCESSING
EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4 Loudness Recommendations available for digital and analog radio processing chains compliant with every country loudness rules.
MPX LOUDNESS PROCESSING
ITU BS.412 MPX Power Loudness Recommendations available for MPX processing chains compliant with every country loudness rules.

DANTE AUDIO-OVER-IP CONNECTIVITY (Optional)
Dante option (also supporting AES67 and SMPTE ST 2110-30 transport protocols) provides an Ethernet connection for 1 Stereo Input and 1 Stereo Output, with independent and dedicated Level Control and Sample Rate Conversion.

ADVANCED CHANGEOVER
The Advanced Audio Changeover/Silence Detector is able to switch between any available input source:
Analog, Digital, IP, DanteTM, Internal Audio Player.
REAL TIME AUDIO MONITOR
Processing delay is quite non audible and depends on the processing complexity.

Audio Processing ; Clarity of sound

FALCON processors high-quality hardware design and software algorithms produce a detailed, crystal clear sound on any speaker system, always preserving original audio signature.

Voice processor
A dedicated processing section boosts presence of voice delivering a soft, silky sounding effect. Vocals are always on top of the mix making lyrics comfortably audible. Each instrument and vocalist gains dominium of its own space.

Extreme density
FALCON processors deliver full impact sound at the highest volume density preserving original audio detail, identity and mood. The dedicated ‘Bass Enhancer’ stage delivers a strong and effective ‘drum punch’ for a deep musical emotion.

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)
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
Impedance Source 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 OFF, 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 OFF, 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)
BACKUP PLAYER
Physical support USB Flash Drive, microSD CARD (max 64GB)
Audio file format MP3, WAV
Sample Rate 32 | 44,1 | 48 | 64 | 96 kHz
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