Biamp Tesira EX-UBT - User Manual

Using the Tesira EX-UBT
The EX-UBT is a compact remote expander that uses the AVB
networking protocol to extend USB and/or Bluetooth
sources back to a rack-mounted Tesira server-class
device. A standard USB cable connects the host computer
to the EX-UBT. CAT5e cabling or better is required for the
network connection, with a maximum distance of up to 100
meters (328 ft) allowed to the equipment rack. The EX-
UBT is an IEEE 802.3at Class 2 device requiring 7 watts
of power from a gigabit PoE-capable switch or mid-span
injector.
Copyright 2013-2020 Biamp Systems http://support.biamp.com/
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Summary

Using the Tesira EX-UBT

Features

USB Port Functionality

EX-UBT USB port acts as a client, configurable for audio input/output via Tesira software.

HID Communication for UC Apps

Uses HID for mute sync and AEC offloading with UC platforms.

Bluetooth & NFC Capabilities

Supported Bluetooth Profiles & Codecs

Bluetooth supports HFP and A2DP with SBC, aptX, and AAC codecs.

NFC Assisted Bluetooth Pairing

NFC tags enable quick pairing with compatible NFC-enabled devices.

Software & Programming

USB Configuration Options

Channel Count & Connection Types

Configure USB for Mono, Stereo, Multi-channel or Speakerphone/Line In/Out modes.

Mute Synchronization Options

Options to mute USB inputs/outputs as a group for synchronized control.

DSP Block Configurations

USB Device Details

Device Enumeration & Custom Naming

EX-UBT appears as Echo Cancelling Speakerphone; custom names can be set.

USB Synchronization Behavior

Mute and Volume Sync

Host PC mute/volume syncs with EX-UBT input block via USB HID.

Privacy Mute Tracking

EX-UBT output block mute tracks UC client privacy mute status.

EX-UBT USB Tips

Bluetooth Control & Status

User-Settable Bluetooth Parameters

Configure Bluetooth Name, Inactivity Timeout, Radio, and Discoverability.

Connected Device Status Info

View connected status, streaming details, and MAC address of Bluetooth host.

Bluetooth Best Practices

Gain Structure & dBFS

Powering the EX-UBT via PoE

LED Status Indicators

Explanation of EX-UBT front panel LED states for power and connectivity.

Troubleshooting and Tools

General HID Sync & USB Inspection

Tips for HID sync issues and tools for USB diagnostics like Device Tree View.

Multi-channel Audio Configuration

Further Reading Resources

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

The Biamp Tesira EX-UBT is a compact remote expander designed to extend USB and/or Bluetooth sources to a rack-mounted Tesira server-class device using the AVB networking protocol. It connects to a host computer via a standard USB cable and to the network via CAT5e cabling or better, supporting distances up to 100 meters (328 ft). The EX-UBT is an IEEE 802.3at Class 2 device, requiring 7 watts of power from a gigabit PoE-capable switch or mid-span injector.

Function Description:

The EX-UBT serves as an interface for USB and Bluetooth audio, integrating them into a Tesira audio system. It can be configured to pass audio in/out via USB in mono (1 input x 1 output), stereo (2 inputs x 2 outputs), or multi-channel (8 inputs x 8 outputs) modes. When operating in multi-channel mode on Windows OS, the Biamp Tesira USB audio driver is required, while Mac OS supports multi-channel audio natively. For mono and stereo audio, Windows does not require a special USB driver.

When configured as a speakerphone, the EX-UBT utilizes Human Interface Device (HID) communication for synchronizing privacy mute state and volume control with UC applications that support this feature. It supports AEC offloading, meaning the Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC) function can be provided by the Tesira DSP, or it can be enabled on the host computer's soft codec. The Line In/Out mode supports up to eight channels of audio, operating at a fixed 24-bit, 48 kHz resolution.

Bluetooth capability can be enabled or disabled within the Tesira software. The Bluetooth module supports the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) and Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). As an A2DP audio sink, it can receive audio using SBC, Qualcomm® aptX™, and AAC codecs. Bluetooth pairing can also be initiated via pre-configured Near Field Communication (NFC) tags, allowing users with NFC-capable devices to quickly pair by tapping their device to the tag. Apple® devices do not currently support NFC-assisted compatibility.

Important Technical Specifications:

• Power: IEEE 802.3at Class 2 device, requiring 7 watts from a gigabit PoE-capable switch or mid-span injector.
• Network Connection: CAT5e cabling or better, up to 100 meters (328 ft).
• USB Audio Modes:
  • Mono: 1 input x 1 output
  • Stereo: 2 inputs x 2 outputs
  • Multi-Channel: 8 inputs x 8 outputs
• USB Audio Format (Line In/Out): Fixed 24-bit, 48 kHz.
• Bluetooth Profiles: Hands-Free Profile (HFP), Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP).
• A2DP Codecs Supported: SBC, Qualcomm® aptX™, AAC.
• Audio Metering: Digital Full-Scale (dBFS) signals from USB and Bluetooth sources are converted to dBu meters in Tesira software. A -12 dBFS signal from the host (at 100% volume) appears as +12 dBu on Tesira meters. A -24 dBFS signal (at 50% volume) appears as 0 dBu.
• Bluetooth Peak Indication: LED illuminates when the signal peak is 3 dB below clip (0 dBFS).

Usage Features:

• USB Channel Count Selection: Users can choose between mono, stereo, or multi-channel configurations for USB audio.
• USB Connection Type: Options include "Speakerphone: Disables Computer AEC," "Speakerphone: Enables Computer AEC," and "Line In/Out."
• Mute USB Inputs/Outputs as a Group: This feature allows for synchronized muting of all USB input or output channels.
• Custom USB Device Naming: Tesira 3.14 and newer allows users to customize the name of the EX-UBT device as it appears to the host computer.
• HID Mute and Volume Synchronization: When configured as a speakerphone and selected as the Default Audio Device in Windows 10, mute and volume levels synchronize between the host computer and the EX-UBT USB input block.
• Bluetooth Name Customization: The Bluetooth name defaults to "Tesira EX-UBTxxxxxxxx" (where 'xxxxxxxx' is the serial number) and can be customized.
• Bluetooth Inactivity Timeout: Configurable timeout for active Bluetooth connections, with 0 seconds allowing indefinite connection. Recommended values are 60-300 seconds to free up connections if users forget to disconnect.
• Bluetooth Radio Control: Enable/disable the Bluetooth radio.
• Bluetooth Discoverability: Enable/disable the discoverability of the EX-UBT.
• NFC Pairing: Quick pairing of NFC-capable devices by tapping them to the provided NFC tags.
• LED Indication: Front panel LEDs provide status for power, configuration, Bluetooth, and alarms.

Maintenance Features:

• Firmware Updates: The unit can update its firmware, indicated by a flashing blue LED.
• Troubleshooting Resources: Biamp provides a help website (tesira-help.biamp.com) and various articles and videos for troubleshooting, including:
  • Simulating and Identifying EX-UBT flapping in Tesira Event Logs.
  • USB Device Tree View for inspecting USB connections.
  • Guidance on HID mute synchronization with UC clients.
  • Information on PoE considerations.
• DSP Blocks: The Tesira software provides dedicated DSP blocks for Bluetooth Input, Bluetooth Output, Bluetooth Control/Status, USB Input, and USB Output, allowing for detailed configuration and monitoring.
• Bluetooth Status Monitoring: The Bluetooth Control/Status block displays connected status, Bluetooth Host device name, streaming status, active streaming profile details, MAC Address of the Bluetooth Host device, and an optional Disconnect button.
• Gain Structure Management: Understanding the correlation between dBFS and dBu meters helps in proper level matching when mixing digital and analog signals. The Bluetooth input block includes a Peak indication LED to assist in setting appropriate host Bluetooth device volume.

Biamp Tesira EX-UBT Specifications

General

Brand	Biamp
Model	Tesira EX-UBT
Category	Extender
Language	English