Rane HAL1x 2U Programmable DSP Audio Distribution Multiprocessor, Expandable Up to 512 Inputs/Outputs, 8 Balanced Euroblock Mic/Line Inputs, 9600 MIPS

HAL1x Expansion Bus
The HAL1x Expansion Bus supports up to 32 daisy-chained Expanders in any combination. The Expansion Bus requires shielded CAT 5e (or better) cable with RJ-45 connectors. The bus supports 512 channels in and 512 out, although designers need not worry about wiring channels along the bus - this is automatically done within Halogen software. The Resources window in Halogen displays the number of channels in use and updates as you draw the audio wiring. Latency hops on the bus are 750 nanoseconds per hop. Thus, daisy-chaining 32 Expanders provides a maximum latency of 22.4 microseconds. See the Latency graphic below to add up the latency of any given path through the HAL1x, EXPs, RADs, the DSPs and converters. Thirty-two Expanders maximum, in any order can be daisychained. For example, 16 EXP3x and 16 EXP5x Expanders daisychained, provides 128 outputs (8 out times 16), plus 192 mic/ line/line-plus inputs (12 in times 16).

Some examples max out the Expansion Bus:
· If you need 256 RADs, daisy-chain 32 EXP1x Expanders. This is 8 RAD ports times 32 Expanders, 8 x 32 = 256 RADs. This still leaves 4 RAD ports available on the HAL1x.
· For 256 output zones, daisy-chain 32 EXP3x Expanders.
· For 384 mic/line inputs, daisy-chain 32 EXP5x Expanders. Each Expansion Bus cable can be 100 meters long (300 feet). This permits spreading Expanders across different locations or equipment rooms.

Yet only a single HAL1x is required at the head-end of the daisy-chain. Star topologies are not supported - do not use Ethernet switches, they will not work. And since the EXP3x EXP5x contain their own DSP, no DSP resources in the HAL1x device are used; thus adding these devices adds DSP resources to the HAL1x System. Gigabit Ethernet Media Converts are supported. Thus, using multimode fiber, one can separate Expanders up to 2 kilometers (1.2 miles). Singlemode fiber distance goes up to 12 km (7.5 miles). The Expansion Bus is Ethernet Layer 1 only - there are no MAC and no IP addresses involved, therefore dedicated unmanaged media converters must be used.

HAL1x Multiprocessor
· 16 in X 16 out - 8x8 analog 8x8 digital (RAD ports)
· Up to 4 RADs (without EXP1x), up to 260 RADs (with 32 EXP1s)
· Up to 12 Digital Remotes (without EXPs), up to 268 (with EXPs)
· Four logic inputs, Two relay outputs (more with DR4 or DR5)