Archive notice: This article was originally published on September 26, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
“We repeatedly heard from our international customers that what they really wanted was simply a partyline beltpack without a cable, allowing them to create conferences of the same type and size they were accustomed to with wired partyline intercoms. Existing systems met their requirements only inadequately. We therefore made sure that Acrobat retained this partyline functionality wirelessly,” said Thomas Riedel, managing director of Riedel Communications. The Acrobat system supports both partyline and point-to-point communication, provides digital audio quality and is free from interference with other wireless systems such as stage microphones and in-ear monitoring systems.
Acrobat VoIP-over-DECT technology
Based on the base layer of the licence-free DECT standard, whose cellular design enables uninterrupted handover, Riedel developed several new technologies to realise the Acrobat VoIP-over-DECT platform. Riedel’s Enhanced Channel Agility (ECA) enables Acrobat to use DECT’s entire frequency and channel spectrum by dynamically distributing calls across available RX or TX time slots. This innovative technological approach overcomes the previous limitation on the number of participants in a DECT-based system. Riedel’s Enhanced Sync Automation (ESA) also ensures optimum system performance when Acrobat is used in environments containing other DECT-based systems such as telephones.
Acrobat Cell Controller / Acrobat Cell Antenna
The Acrobat system is based on one or more Acrobat Cell Controllers with up to 80 Acrobat Cell Antennas. The Cell Controller is the heart of every Acrobat Digital Wireless Intercom installation and handles management of the VoIP-over-DECT radio cells. The 19-inch, 2U unit can be connected to any matrix or partyline intercom system through eight analogue four-wire connections and 12 GPIOs. For intelligent connection to Riedel Artist matrix systems, the Cell Controller provides digital AES ports. Acrobat Cell Antennas connect to the Cell Controller via Ethernet, allowing existing infrastructure to be used for cabling. Supplying the Cell Antennas through Power over Ethernet eliminates the need for local antenna power supplies. The Acrobat Cell Antenna has a line-of-sight range of 275 metres and a range of 75 metres indoors.
Acrobat Wireless Beltpack
The digital Acrobat Wireless Beltpack provides two individually configurable channels and houses its internal antenna in a compact, rugged enclosure. The intuitive operating concept follows that of Riedel’s Performer C3 digital partyline beltpack. The beltpack has an OLED display that shows the labels for both talk buttons and the two configurable function buttons by default. It also provides access to the beltpack’s configuration menu. The wireless Acrobat beltpack offers an XLR headset connection and an RJ45 port for firmware updates. A fully charged RB-2300 lithium-ion battery provides eight hours of continuous operation.
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