VAR8 and Variants - Product Description
Issue: 02 complete, approved
Page 10 of 54
2 Router Functions
2.1 Audio Inputs
The Router has eight electronically balanced line level inputs. Each of these inputs features a serial
communications interface, which allows any ASL microphones to be connected.
The first two of these inputs can also be used for ASL emergency or Fireman’s Microphones in Voice Alarm
systems, this is because they have the facility for an analogue bypass mode in the event of processor
failure/mis-operation, as required by BS5839 Pt 8. In the event of processor failure or communication failure,
the operation reverts to All-Call mode. These two inputs also support DVA routing for triggering DVA
messages.
A ninth, unbalanced, input is also provided, typically for background music applications. Refer to Section
“2.1.3 Music Input”.
The Router provides a special input for muting any other input, even fire microphones. Refer to Section
“2.1.4 Mute Input”.
The Router provides four Digital Voice Announcer (DVA) Messages; these are treated as additional inputs to
the routing matrix. Refer to Section “2.1.2 Digital Voice Announcers”.
All inputs described above feed a DSP Audio Routing Matrix. Audio is soft-switched to prevent clicks, and
fade times can be assigned in order to improve the performance for background music applications.
2.1.1 Mic/Line Inputs
Each of the Mic/Line Inputs may be configured for a particular input type. The following sections describe the
operation and routing of each input type. Table 2 summarises the Mic/Line input capabilities.
Table 2 Mic/Line Input Capabilities
Inputs Available Input Types Microphone Buttons Router Applicability
ASL Fire Microphone N/A
ASL Zoned Fire Microphone
ASL Paging Microphone
Up to 30 microphone buttons,
configurable for zone select, DVA
routing, play DVA, all call, cancel-all-
DVAs, route reset.
ASL Single Button Microphone PTT routing.
Miscellaneous Input N/A
Network Channel N/A
Option available only on Input 1.
Input 1 is normally used for
network operation.
1 and 2
Unused N/A
Input is excluded from routing
and audio monitoring.
ASL Paging Microphone
Up to 20 microphone buttons,
configurable for zone select, play
DVA, all call, cancel-all-DVAs, route
reset.
ASL Single Button Microphone PTT routing.
Miscellaneous Input N/A
Network Channel N/A
Option available only on Inputs
3 and 4.
Inputs 3 and 4 are normally
used for network operation.
3 to 8
Unused N/A
Input is excluded from routing
and audio monitoring.