BOSCH PRS-NCO3 Network Controller (Incl. PRS-SW)

BOSCH PRS-NCO3 Network Controller (Incl. PRS-SW)

The BOSCH PRS-NCO3 plays a very important role since it is a network controller, the network control unit is the heart of the Praesideo system. The unit is professionally designed capable of routing up to 28 simultaneous audio channels, delivering power to the system, reporting faults and controlling the system. Audio inputs are possible to be announcements from call stations, background music or local audio. The network control unit is capable to be configured for the most complex public address systems. The configuration is possible to be done comfortably and efficiently using a PC. The PC is only needed for configuration. The controller is designed capable to operate independently of the PC. However, the controller is possible to use a PC for displaying information on the system status with the use of the software, supplied along with the unit. The unit is possible to be freestanding on a tabletop or mounted in a 19" rack. The PRS-NCO3 network controller is needing PRS-SW software version 4.0 or higher.

Functions

Connectivity
The network controller comes along with four analog audio inputs. Of these, two are selectable between microphone and line. The other two inputs are made fixed as line inputs. The microphone/line inputs are possible to be used as call inputs, if they are programmed conditionally to any of the eight control inputs, which are freely programmable for system actions, with freely programmable priorities. The line inputs are made for providing a selectable 20 kHz pilot tone detection intended for cable supervision.

The controller comes with four analog audio line outputs each that comes with a selectable 20 kHz monitoring signal. Three control outputs are made programmable for faults or calls and two others are used for connecting visual and audible fault indicators. A 24 VDC auxiliary output is available that is possible to be used for powering an external visual fault and/or emergency light tower.

Operation and Performance
The network controller is made completely configurable from a PC with the use of the supplied software, which is also capable of providing the current status of the running system, as well as comfortable and efficient configuration. The controller is also capable of running without a connected PC, once it has been configured. The front panel comes with a 2 x 16-character LCD display and a rotary control for navigating through the menu and select the menu items. Address, version, fault events and monitor inquiries are possible to be done with the use of the display and control knob.

The network controller is capable to control up to 60 nodes. Nodes come including equipment such as power amplifiers, call stations, audio expander units, call station kits, etc. To meet the requirements for emergency sound systems, automatic messaging comes included in the network controller. The controller is made with a built-in, replaceable compact flash memory card, to match the storage requirements for audio messages. Four messages are possible to be played at the same time. Message storage and the messages themselves are monitored. Audio messages (as a set of wav files) are capable to be downloaded from a computer with the use of the Ethernet link.

The controller also stores a wide range of attention tones, test tones and alarm tones, all accessible by any call stations or control inputs for announcement or alarm broadcast. The network controller has a built-in buzzer for notification of faults or emergency situations. An internal real time clock allows for event scheduling, such as playing scheduled announcements or changing the volume of background music during evening hours. It has extensive audio processing possibilities for the audio inputs and the audio outputs. Parametric equalization, limiter and gain can be easily adjusted using the configuration software. There is a headset jack for monitoring the audio channels.

Security
The network controller supports redundant network cabling. It can be wired as a branched network or redundant loop. The system can handle 256 priorities, for calls to hundreds of zones, satisfying even the most complex public address and emergency requirements. The controller monitors the status of all the equipment in the system, reports status changes and stores the last 200 fault messages in the system. This monitoring extends from the capsule of a call station microphone to the end of a loudspeaker line. The external cables connected to the control inputs are monitored for short and open circuit. An internally generated pilot tone is available for monitoring the audio outputs. The controller operates both on mains power and on a 48 VDC battery power supply for emergency back up, with automatic switchover. It can supervise both of the power supplies.

Controls and indicators

Front
• 2 x 16-character LCD display
• Rotary/push button

Back
• Mains switch
• Voltage selector

Interconnections

Front
• Headphone output

Back
• Mains input
• Battery backup input
• Eight control inputs
• Two analog audio mic/line inputs
• Two analog line audio inputs
• Five control outputs (two dedicated fault)
• Four analog audio line outputs
• Ethernet
• RS232
• Two system network connections
• 24 VDC auxiliary output

Features

• Public address and emergency sound system control unit
• Control and routing of 28 simultaneous audio channels
• Ethernet interface for configuration, control, diagnostics and logging
• Digital storage for pre-recorded messages
• EN 54-16 and ISO 7240-16 system certification