The NEXUS components from STAGETEC are a family of plug-in cards with which almost all audio transmission and conversion requirements as well as extremely complex control tasks can be flexibly implemented. Each system can be tailored exactly to the individual needs of your installation. With NEXUS, STAGETEC uses the industry standard of 19 "subracks, which not only enables you to have an extremely adaptable configuration, but also guarantees future expandability.

 

Flexible configuration in industry standard

Every NEXUS system is made up of one or more so-called base devices. These are based on the industry standard 19 "subrack, in which up to 21 plug-in cards can be inserted on one level. The cards can be freely combined in order to map exactly the functions that you need at a certain position. Subracks are available with 1 - 5 levels (3 - 15 U in the control cabinet), also a 1 U version with 6 slots is available. Two power supplies can be used per level. These can be connected to one or two phases on the connection side to ensure redundancy and function maintenance even in the event of failure to offer one phase of the power supply.

 

Guaranteed timing and lowest latency thanks to the TDM bus

Each base unit connects all the cards in it via a TDM bus (Time Domain Multiplexing). This bus provides 256 time slots for the transmission of up to 256 signals. The TDM concept guarantees fixed, reliable timing with the lowest possible latency. NEXUS ensures at all times, in a resource-saving manner, that only those signals are switched to the bus that are actually in use.

 

Maximum operational reliability through distributed intelligence

The central slot in each base device is occupied by the XCPU card. This card takes over the control of the signal distribution and processing (TDM bus) within the base device and has a complex, local logic with which even failed control functions can be implemented within a base device or over the entire network. Since the entire configuration of your system is burned into the XCPU cards of all base devices when it is set up, each XCPU knows the entire topology. It is not only possible for an XCPU to automatically control the routing between all connected base devices, but also to permanently monitor the entire network.

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Ethernet and USB ports are available for connecting control PCs. If individual components fail, the function of the rest of the network is fully preserved. This makes it possible, for example, to use individual base devices as a mobile device or only when required. Because of the burned configuration, the boot process is extremely fast.

 

Even more security in the network - redundancy and flexible topologies

Several base units can be connected to a network using fiber optic cables. XFOC cards are used for this, each offering 4 ports for fiber optic cables. The connections between the BDs can be designed completely freely:  

 

• Point-to-point connections

• Daisy chaining

• Star-shaped connections

• Meshed network

 

NEXUS not only transmits the audio signals via the fibers, but also all control information of the system.

It is possible to make the fiber optic connections redundant in order to achieve even greater security. Not only can the fibers be plugged in redundantly, but it is also possible to use several XFOC cards redundantly. This makes it possible to change cards during operation or to re-patch fiber optic fibers without audio failures occurring.

 

Hot-plug, auto-discover and growing matrix

Every NEXUS CPU detects the basic devices and their I / Os in the network within a few seconds. The technology is fully hot-pluggable. Each input or output appears automatically in a dynamically growing matrix in which you can flexibly route each input to each output. Distribution to multiple outputs at different points in the system is also possible. NEXUS takes care of the administration and saves all settings at all times - so the system automatically returns to the operating state within seconds, even after a total power failure.

 

Small distances, large distances

The XFOC cards use SFP ports to connect the fiber optic cables, so that, depending on the application, you can also configure mixed configurations with single-mode and multi-mode fibers. The distance between base devices can therefore be many kilometers. All connections are thus guaranteed potential-free. Hum and other disturbances are completely excluded.

 

All audio formats - many connector types

You can place audio inputs and outputs completely freely in your NEXUS system. You are only limited by the capacity of the TDM bus or the fiber optic connections.

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Each card type provides you with specific audio formats. Almost all formats on the market are supported by NEXUS: from analog to digital to audio-over-IP. NEXUS even supports "specialties" such as Dolby E® or embedded audio in SDI / HDSDI video data streams. Cards are often available with a smaller or larger number of channels and with different types of connectors. For example, the NEXUS can be designed as a patch field at the same time, which saves large amounts of installation effort. Alternatively, there are cards that can be used with inexpensive RJ45 connectors to save space and cost-effectively in control rooms.

 

The advantages of a proprietary system and yet open to everything

The audio network is usually the heart of any installation. The tax data is usually just as important. With NEXUS from Stage Tec, you can be sure that there will be no failures due to unexpected malfunctions between components from different manufacturers.

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NEXUS uses a proprietary protocol to transfer audio and control data. This guarantees the lowest possible latency and the highest level of system reliability. The latency between digital input and output of two neighboring base devices is fixed at only 6 samples.

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You don't have to do without anything, because NEXUS offers you interfaces with which you can bring almost all common audio formats into the system. This also includes MADI, Dante and AES 67. In this way, you maintain the security and reliability of NEXUS in your central networks and maintain flexibility in the connection to open standards such as IP where you need them.

 

Powerful logic and media control

NEXUS is not only the system of choice when it comes to audio routing and distribution - NEXUS also includes complete media control "under the hood". Like all solutions from Stage Tec, the integrated logic offers maximum flexibility and, at the same time, the highest operational reliability. Once you have created a configuration, the user can no longer easily change it. This guarantees trouble-free operation over the entire service life. As an alternative or in addition to our products, the STAGETEC NEXUS network solution offers routing and networking of unsurpassed quality. The STAGETEC company logo illustrates this in the form of sound waves and clefs. We route your data streams and audio signals between different locations with extremely short latency times between source and destination. Thanks to the NEXUS network structure, input signals can be sent to one, several or all outputs simultaneously with phase coherence. The NEXUS network ensures deterministic routing of the audio signals locally or between far away locations. For more than 30 years, sound waves and clefs have stood for unsurpassed performance in the field of providing guaranteed bandwidth and reliability for your audio transmission.

 

Integration of external systems

Various cards for NEXUS enable integration with a wide variety of devices or installation components such as switches, signal generators, sensors, DAWs or media controls. For example, the XRI cards provide up to 24 GPIOs. The XCI cards offer up to 4 serial ports that can be freely configured as RS-232/422/485 or Midi. An Ethernet port is also available. All functions are fully integrated with the NEXUS logic. The cards with serial ports contain memory and a processor, for example, to store any protocols to be controlled devices. Of course, these configurations can be flashed into the card in a fail-safe manner.

 

Permanent self-monitoring and emergency solutions

Even in the standard configuration, NEXUS continuously monitors itself and is able to give users on connected PCs messages about various states. With the help of the integrated logic, this monitoring can be significantly expanded and, for example, rules can be defined according to which NEXUS calls up certain scenarios should individual signals fail or other undesired states occur.

When using NEXUS cards with GPIOs or serial interfaces, the monitoring and control can be connected to external components and systems in various ways. The universal XCI control card also enables NEXUS to be integrated into an SNMP scenario and any parameters of the entire system to be monitored. To do this, the XCI sends SNMP traps with corresponding information to external monitoring systems in the event of an incident.

 

Internal DSPs - high-end signal processing as required

The XDSP cards offer you a wealth of audio processing functions that you can configure and arrange in your system as required. If necessary, several DSP cards can also be used in one base unit to enable the most extensive processing.

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The algorithms available on the XDSP card should leave nothing to be desired: Starting with simple delays or summers / mixers via equalizers and crossovers as well as extensive dynamic processing up to complex functions such as an N-1 matrix or upmix / downmix even in the ISOSTEM- Format (license required) anything is possible.

All functions have in common that, as is typical for Stage Tec, they can be set very granularly. Even the finest tuning of complex sound systems poses no problem. All elements can be made accessible to the user or hidden from his access.

 

Extensive sync options and omni-present sample rate conversion

In terms of sync, NEXUS leaves nothing to be desired. The internal synchronization (system clock) is already available in the basic configuration, which you can set to 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 or 96 kHz as required. Each XCPU card has a word clock connection via which the NEXUS can act as a master or be synced to external sources. If you use digital audio inputs in the system, it is of course possible to define any input as a master. The entire system then follows this entrance. Of course, Stage Tec also offers all digital I / O cards with a sample rate converter so that you can connect external systems with different clock rates if necessary.

For additional requirements, you can use one or more XSYNC cards. In addition to word clock, these also have a connection for video sync, which automatically detects the video format and the clock. All formats up to HD with bi- or tri-level sync are supported. Optionally, the connection can also be configured as a master. Since NEXUS works very stably with one clock throughout the system, it is possible to distribute an internal or external sync over long distances and to many connected systems.

 

Unrestricted metering and monitoring

The PC software that belongs to every NEXUS system contains an independent tool to display any signal level of the entire network. Desired signals can be freely defined in groups and saved on several layers. The software can be operated at different locations, each with its own configuration. At the same time, NEXUS is able to make all signal levels available to external systems for monitoring. In addition to NEXUS 'own protocol, which can handle a large number of media controls from well-known manufacturers, NEXUS also supports the EmBER + protocol when using an XACI card.

 

For monitoring applications that require the convenience of a configurable hardware surface, Stage Tec offers the NEXUS Monitor Control, a slim, small touch console that has been optimized to make complex monitoring tasks and control functions clear. 

Of course, a NEXUS system also works with any goniometer from other manufacturers.

 

Mixers from 4 to 96 faders and up to 800 audio channels

Stage Tec mixing consoles enjoy an excellent reputation in the broadcast and theater sectors. All consoles from our company have in common that they are seamlessly integrated with NEXUS. Both the control of the user interfaces and the audio processing are located on plug-in cards for NEXUS subracks. All control functions of the NEXUS system can be operated via the consoles. Functions such as fader start or dynamic automation use the XCI control cards in the NEXUS to establish a connection to external hardware. All logic functions in NEXUS are also available to the mixing consoles.

 

NEXUS Star Router - Dedicated 4,096 x 4,096 matrix and star point

The Star Router is a special basic device in the NEXUS system. It is always 6 U high and, instead of a TDM bus, has a huge matrix with 4,096 inputs and 4,096 outputs within the device. The router is therefore predestined as a star point within an extensive NEXUS system. It is therefore usually equipped with many fiber optic cards. These RFOC cards each have 4 fiber optic ports, prepared for standard SFP modules. In this way, a large number of basic devices can be connected centrally.

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To connect external, high-channel systems directly to the matrix, Stage Tec also offers MADI cards for the Star Router. These RMF cards each have 4 MADI ports.

In addition to the pure router functionality, a Star Router can also accommodate the control and processing cards of the larger mixing consoles. There can be up to two consoles with up to seven RMDQ processing cards each.

 

Mega matrix for special applications - 8,448 x 8,448 inputs and outputs

Stage Tec has developed the NEXUS XRT card for very special applications with the highest routing requirements. This offers 12 fiber optic SFP ports for connecting base devices. Special, high-channel connections are used here, which allow the full capacity of 8,448 x 8,448 inputs and outputs on the matrix to be used.