Summary
The AARON 656 features an advanced SDR-based FM/HD Radio™ receiver that utilizes Maximum-Ratio Combining (MRC) technology. The AARON 656’s MRC Dual Tuner constantly monitors the SNR of Antenna 1, Antenna 2, and Both-Antennas-Combined, and automatically selects the cleanest signal. In addition to FM and HD1-8 program sources for rebroadcast, the 656 accepts analog, AES-digital, streaming program inputs and 4GB of memory for audio playback with fallback-priority selection. Outputs are FM-stereo-multiplex (MPX) as well as both analog and AES digital program line outputs and output streaming. Automatically returns to the programmed frequency and reception mode following a power interruption for hands-off remote reliability. 7-inch Touchscreen and Front Panel Meters and Alarm LEDs.
In addition to FM and HD1-8 program sources for rebroadcast, the 656 accepts analog, AES-digital, streaming program inputs and 4GB of memory for audio playback with fallback-priority selection. Outputs are FM-stereo-multiplex (MPX) as well as both analog and AES digital program line outputs and output streaming.
Automatically returns to the programmed frequency and reception mode following a power interruption for hands-off remote reliability. 7-inch Touchscreen and Front Panel Meters and Alarm LEDs.
Features
- The AARON 656 is a ground-breaking FM/HD Dual Tuner SDR-based receiver featuring MRC (Maximum-Ratio Combining) technology for superior FM and HD reception. The advanced tuner in the 656 constantly monitors the SNR of Antenna1, Antenna 2, and Both Antennas Combined and automatically selects the cleanest signal on the fly. On HD signal, tests show a 3dB Cd/No improvement just by adding a second antenna.
- The AARON 656 FM/HD MRC Dual Tuner SDR-based receiver accepts FM & HD1-8 program sources for rebroadcast, as well as HTTP/HTTPS streaming, analog, AES-digital inputs and 4 GB of memory for audio file playback with fallback-priority selection. Audio Processor with 5-Band Multiband Compressor & 4-Band Parametric EQ. Web interface permits total remote control of the unit from any PC or mobile device, along with remote monitoring.
- The AARON 656 includes a powerful 5-Band Audio Processor employing a 4-Band Parametric Equalizer offering continuous control over the audio signal’s frequency content with 5-Bands of Dynamic Compression and selectable crossovers. Audio processing includes High-Pass Filter, Phase Rotator, AGC, Leveling, Stereo Enhance, Wideband and HF Limiter, Stereo Generator. Factory and User Presets.
- The 656’s versatile RDS Encoder is designed for static or dynamic operation: update DPS and RadioText via TCP/UDP ports, HD PAD metadata, stream metadata, or backup player filenames. All alarms are fully configurable, full SNMP support, GPIO: 14 assignable outputs, 4 assignable inputs HTTP/HTTPS web server for remote control and monitoring, including streaming audio. Analog and Digital inputs and outputs on StudioHub connectors.
Technical Specifications
RECEIVER PERFORMANCE
Tuning Range
87.5MHz – 107.9MHz in 100kHz steps
Sensitivity/Noise Performance
5dBμV for 50dB unweighted, monaural analog-FM SNR
Off-Air Frequency Response
- Analog-FM: ±0.5dB, 20Hz – 15kHz
- HD Radio™: 20Hz – 20kHz (per certification spec.)
FM De-Emphasis
75μs or 50μs, menu-selectable
Stereo Separation (at 1kHz)
- Analog-FM: >50dB
- HD Radio™: >90dB
Radio Data System
- Analog-FM: RDS/RBDS, menu-selectable
- HD Radio™: “PAD”
Program Signal Latency (Delay)
- Analog-FM or Line-In Sources: 3.7ms to analog line out, 4.53ms to digital line out, 4.1ms to MPX out
- HD Radio™ Source: typically 8 seconds to any output
INPUTS & OUTPUTS
Antenna Input
Dual 50Ω (N)
Composite/MPX Output
75Ω (BNC); 1V p-p – 6V p-p for ±75kHz FM carrier deviation
Program Line Inputs
- Analog: inputs and outputs on StudioHub connectors–accepts ‘0VU’ line levels between –15dBu and +15dBu; +24dBu clipping
- AES Digital: inputs and outputs on StudioHub connectors–accepts peak line levels between –30dBFS and 0dBFS at sampling rates between 32kHz and 96kHz
- IP Streaming: Supports HTTP/HTTPS, Icecast, HLS; wav, flac, mp3, aac, vorbis, opus streams.
Program Line Outputs
- Characteristic: Analog and digital program line outputs may be switched between FM-pre-emphasized or ‘normalized’ (flat) response
- Analog: Active-balanced (XLR) delivers –12dBu to +18dBu at 100% modulation; +18dBu clipping; 200Ω source
- AES Digital: (XLR) 24-bit, 44.1kHz sampling; delivers –30dBFS to 0dBFS at 100% modulation
- Streaming: MP3-encoded for remote IP/browser monitoring
Network Port
RJ45 jack TCP/IP network connection for complete remote setup and operation of the AARON 656; supports SNMP
GPIO
4 GPI, 14 GPO screw-terminal connections, all assignable with selectable logic polarity; enable contact-closure control of certain setup and operating functions and provide local external alarm tallies or connection to remote control systems
Headphone Jack
¼-inch front-panel (TRS)
FAILOVER AUDIO PROTECTION
Four progressive (sequential) failovers may be selectively programmed to respond to carrier loss, audio loss, FM pilot loss, HD loss, stream loss or RDS mismatch as appropriate to the source fault.
AUDIO PROCESSING
AGC
Gated, ‘gain-riding’ AGC with ±15dB capture range; dualrate ‘windowed’ operation
Leveling
Variable ‘syllabic’ 2:1 compression normalizes dialog and music sources
Parametric Equalization
4-band parametric EQ, each with variable frequency, ‘Q’ and gain
Compression
5-Band Audio Processor includes HPF, Phase Rotator, AGC, Leveling, Stereo Enhance, 4-Band Parametric EQ, 5-Band Multiband Compressor with selectable crossovers, Wideband and HF Limiter, Stereo Generator, Factory and User presets
Final Peak Control
Feed-forward final peak limiting eliminates flat-top clipping; independent HF limiter for pre-emphasis protection
Processing Presets
10 factory, 10 user-defined presets
RDS/RBDS ENCODER
Fields Supported
PI, PTY, PS, RT, M/S, TP, DI, CT, AF
HD ‘PAD’ to RDS
HD Radio™ Name, Slogan, Artist, Title, Album and Genre may be converted to the RDS scrolling-PS and RT fields
Streaming Audio Metadata to RDS
Streamed Name, Metadata, Description and Genre may be converted to the RDS scrolling-PS and RT fields
Backup Filename to RDS
Backup filenames can be converted to the RDS scrolling-PS and RT fields
Telnet to RDS
Accepts dynamic PS and Radio Text updates via IP
BANDSCANNER™
A built-in spectrum analyzer utility sweeps the entire FM band (or a selected portion) and presents a graphic display of all signals received, including RSSI values and HD Radio™ transmissions.
MISCELLANEOUS
Alarms
Fault alarms include radio audio loss, analog audio loss, digital audio loss, stream audio loss, low signal, RDS error, stereo pilot loss and HD Radio™ channel loss. Alarms trigger front-panel indications, local (GPO) closures, browser interface notations, SMS/email dispatches, SNMP.
Alarm Logs
Alarms are logged and may be downloaded as daily, weekly or monthly CSV files.
SNMP
All setup and operating controls and alarm functions of the AARON 656 are under SNMP management.
Internal Test Tone Generator
20Hz – 20kHz; programmable frequency and amplitude
Power Requirement
88VAC – 264VAC, 48Hz – 63Hz (‘universal’); 12 watts
Size and Weight
H: 1¾”/44mm, W: 19”/483mm, D: 9½”/240mm (1U); 9lb/4kg (net, 12lbs/5.4kg (shipping)
Environmental
Continuous operation at ambient temperatures between 32ºF/0ºC and 122ºF/50ºC; 0-95% relative humidity, non-condensing, altitudes to 10,000ft/3,048m.