Axel Falcon X5

Audio Processor by AxelTech

FM/DAB+/HDRadio/WEB/DRM Digital Audio Processor 5 bands. 1RU. Analog, digital AES. 2x MPX out. SD slot to store files for audio backup. LCD display.

High-quality hardware design and software algorithms produce detailed sound on any speaker system while retaining the original audio signature.

A dedicated processing section increases the presence of the voice. Vocals are always on top of the mix, making lyrics comfortably audible. Each instrument and singer gains dominance of their own space.

Impactful sound at maximum volume density while preserving the original audio detail, identity. The dedicated 'Bass Enhancer' stage delivers a strong and effective 'drum punch' for deep musical emotion.

Product Overview

Axel Tech FALCON features full connectivity with analog and digital audio I/O (over XLR connectors), 2 independent MPX outputs, USB, GPI and serial ports. The hardware bypass circuit is included in order to guarantee audio presence and programs continuity.

The LAN port and the built-in Web Server allow to control the processor and tune audio from anywhere. The built-in digital Stereo Generator ensures an extremely precise MPX Signal. Composite Clipper, part of the Stereo Generator circuit, grant the maximum modulation level, according with the technical rules around the world. This allows each radio station to build their unique sound shape.

The embedded RDS Encoder performs a full digital processing, in compliance with RDS 2.0 (UECP SPB490), and provides 2 Data Set with a wide range of static services, including Radio Text. The logging of output signal is a native feature and give many information about signals parameters. Stored information and time span can be customized and depend on the archiving size of the SD-Card or the USB flash drive.

Audio processing functions are all fully customizable: 5 bands compression control, adjustable drive and threshold, dual band ACG, 3 bands equalization (Low, Mid and High frequency) 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.

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 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.

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

Available Options

• FX-DANTE Dante optional card for Audio Processor Falcon X series
• FX-X5+ Upgrade from Falcon X5 to Falcon X7 functions
• FX-RDS Digital RDS/RBDS encoder option for Falcon X. Static services generation: 60 PS programmable messages for each DataSet. 2 interchangeable DataSet via remote control. RadioTex t, Alternative Frequency AF, Traffic Program TP, Traffic Announcement TA, EON, M/S, CT, PI, PTY, PIN. UECP SPB490 compliant

Highlights

The new FALCON audio processors integrate, as usual for AxelTech, many accessory features mandatory in the radio workflow - such as the RDS coding (optional) and Stereo Generation - but also looking at the innovative technologies - such as DAB.

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

1xAnalog, 2xAES/EBU, 2xMPX, 1xDante

COMPLETE SET OF OUTPUTS

1xAnalog, 2xAES/EBU, 2xMPX, 1xDante

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.

ADVANCED RDS

Optional Dynamic RDS fully supported, UECP Input implemented, 8 Datasets available.

Suitable for network infrastructures.

UPGRADEABLE AND RELIABLE

Internal SD card whit OS for Disaster Recovery.

Easily Upgradable via WEB or Windows application.

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

PROCESSING DELAY

A configurable delay (from 0 to 10”) can be applied to the FM process in order to synch with those

distribution channels having a significant latency like the DAB.

DUAL PROCESSING

15 KHz processing allows to use it as FM Audio Processor.

20 KHz processing for digital broadcasting, allows to use it as DAB Audio Processor, HD Radio Audio Processor, Sirius XM Audio Processor, Web Radio Audio Processor.

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)

DanteTM option (compliant with AES67) provides an Ethernet connection for 1 Stereo Input and 1 Stereo Output, with independent and dedicated Level Control and Sample Rate Conversion.

RDS/RBDS ENCODER (Optional)

The RDS encoder is compliant with the major international standards:

UECP EBU SPB490 v7.05 and Cenelec in Europe and NRSC in the United States.

The new "dynamic" features allow to manage many kinds of services:

PS, RT, RT+, PTY, PTYN. Connecting the Falcon with the radio automation software it can manage many

additional information such as song title, song artist, on-air program, speaker's name, etc. The native

interface with RSS feed format allows receiving directly news feeds and it is RDS 2.0 ready.

REAL TIME AUDIO MONITOR

Processing delay is quite non audible and depends on the processing complexity.

Technical Features

Analog Input - AUDIO  

• Connectors:Balanced on 2 XLR – EMI Suppression
• Nominal Input Level (sensitivity):Adjustable via software: -12dBu : +13dBu
• Level range:–21,0 dBu ÷ + 24,0 dBu
• Input level max.:+24,0 dBu
• A/D Conversion:CS4272 DAC 24bit 192KHz
• CMRR input:>60 dB (20 Hz ÷ 20 kHz)

Digital Input – AUDIO     

• Connectors: Balanced on 1 XLR – EMI Suppression
• Input impedance: 110 Ω
• Format: AES3/EBU & SPDIF
• Sample rate: 32/44.1/48/64/88.2/96/192 KHz
• Nominal input level (sensitivity): From -0,1 dBFs to –25dBFs (0,1dB step)
• Level range: 0,0 dBFs ÷ -36dBFs
• Conversion dynamic range: 124 dB (32 KHz) | 126 dB (44,1 kHz) | 126 dB (48 kHz) | 122 dB (96kHz)
• Conversion resolution: 24 bits

DIGITAL INPUT - MPX     

• Connectors: Balanced on 1 XLR – EMI Suppression
• Input impedance: 110 Ω
• Format: AES3/EBU & SPDIF
• Sample rate: 192 KHz
• Nominal input level (sensitivity): From -0,1 dBFs to –25dBFs (0,1dB step)
• Level range: 0,0 dBFs ÷ -36dBFs
• Conversion dynamic range: 124 dB (32 KHz) | 126 dB (44,1 kHz) | 126 dB (48 kHz) | 122 dB (96 kHz)
• Conversion resolution: 24 bits

MPX INPUT     

• Connectors: Unbalanced on 2 BNC – EMI Suppression
• Input impedance: 50 KΩ
• Nominal input level (sensitivity): Adjustable from -6,0 dBFs to +13,0 dBFs
• Conversion dynamic range: PCM4220 24bit 216KHz
• Level range: -21,0 dBu ÷ +24 dBu

Analog Output - AUDIO     

• Connectors: Balanced on 2 XLR – EMI Suppression
• Output impedance: 47 Ω
• Output Level: Adjustable software from -6dBu a +18, 0 dBu
• Level Range: –20,0dBu ÷ + 24,0dBu
• Output Level Max.: + 24,0dBu
• CMRR Output: >60dB (20Hz-20kHz)
• D/A Conversion: CS4272 DAC 24bit 192KHz

Digital Output - AUDIO     

• Outputs Number: 2
• Connectors: Balanced on 1 XLR – EMI Suppression
• Input impedance: 110Ω
• Format: AES3/EBU
• Sample rate: 32/44.1/48/64/88.2/96/192 KHz
• Output level adjustment: Da 0,0dBFs a –dBFs (passo 0,1dB)
• Level range: 0,0 dBFs ÷ -36dBFs

MPX OUTPUT     

• Connectors: Unbalanced on 2 BNC – EMI Suppression
• Output impedance: 10 Ω
• Load impedance: 600 Ω o higher
• A/D conversion: Texas PCM1796
• Nominal input level (sensitivity): From -9,0 dBFs to +15,0 dBFs

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

GENERAL     

• Power supply: 90-260 V AC / 47-63 Hz
• Power consumption: 15 W
• Operating temperature: 0°C ÷ 50°C
• Falcon X6/X7 - Dimensions WxHxD: 485 x 44 x 240 mm (1 rack unit 19”)
• Falcon X6/X7 - Weight: < 3Kg

MPX & RDS SIGNAL     

• Pilot frequency: 19 KHz +/- 1Hz
• Pilot injection: –25,0 dB ÷ 15,5 dB (step 0,1) | 6-18% total deviation
• Pilot stability: ±10 ppm (-10 ÷ +55 °C)
• Pilot distortion: 0,05 % (typical)
• Distortion + Pilot noise: 0,068% (on the 100Khz band)
• External composite THD: 0,005 % (typical on the whole band)
• Stereo separation: >70 dB (typical on the whole band)
• Linear crosstalk: ≤ –80 dB (for a 100% modulation)
• main>sub and sub>main crosstalk: > 65 dB (at least)
• Filtering / digital band: 30 Hz ÷ 15 kHz (-0,1 dB), 17 kHz (-70 dB), 19 kHz (-100 dB)
• Protect. 57 kHz subcarrier (RDS/RBDS): Better than 51 dB
• Pre-emphasis: Off, 50μS, 75μS (+-0,1dB)
• Frequency response: ±0,3 dB (30 Hz ÷ 15 kHz)
• Operating mode: Mono /Stereo
• MPX/RDS Output: Adjustable from –10,0 dB to 15,0 dB (step 0,1 dB)
• Signal/Noise Ratio: > 90 dB (on the 100 kHz band)
• Carrier Suppression: >85 dB

RDS FEATURES     

• Supported Group: All
• Group Sequence: Configurable
• PS: 8 DSN x 10 PSN
• PI: 8 DSN x 10 PSN
• PTY: RDS/RBDS
• AF Method A: 25
• AF Method B: up to 1024 (64 lists)
• RT: Yes, 32 messages
• RT rate adjustment: Group Sequence
• RT+ for songs and content tagging: Yes
• TP: Yes
• TA Control: Command, Soft, GPI
• PTYN: Yes
• EON: 10 PSN
• CT: Yes
• TMC, EWS, IH, TDC: Yes
• Free Format Groups (FFG): Yes
• Open Data Application (ODA): Yes
• PS Scrolling: Yes
• Auto "parses" long messages for: best text display: No
• Scrolling by characters: From 1 up to 8
• Scrolling by word, Auto centering: Truncate long words: Yes

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
• UDP, TCP, HTTP, SNTP: 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 <=> CALL Calculator: Yes
• RDS 2.0 Ready: Yes

GENERAL     

• GPIO Inputs/Outputs: 6 GPI, 4 GPO
• Communication Port: 2xRS232, 3xUSB, 1xLAN
• Synchronization: Ext (Pilot MPX)/ Int/Auto
• Synchronization monitoring: Yes
• RDS Level adjustment: Digitally controlled
• Phase adjustment: 0 ÷ 359.9°
• Separate out RDS+MPX / RDS only: Yes
• Command to activate the RDS SCA: Yes
• Operating modes: Side chain, Loop through, Bypass
• RDS Subcarrier: 100% digitally generated shape
• CENELEC - EN50067 compliant: Yes
• Clock time (CT): Accurate clock time sync with Internet connection
• Remote TA traffic announcements: Yes
• Automatic RTC synchronization: Autosync with optional USB external GPS receiver