ASL INTERCOM WS-400 User manual

WS-400
BASE STATION FOR WIRELESS INTERCOM
WITH FOUR TX/RX MODULES
USER MANUAL
Issue February 2011 © ASL Intercom BV
DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED BY:
ASL INTERCOM BV
ZONNEBAAN 42
3542 EG UTRECHT
THE NETHERLANDS
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEB: www.asl-inter.com
E-MAIL: [e-mail]

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User Manual WS-400 / February 2011 © ASL Intercom BV .
CONTENT OF THIS USER MANUAL
1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................3
2.0 UNPACKING ...................................3
3.0 INSTALLATION .................................3
4.0 WARRANTY ...................................3
5.0 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS .......................4
6.0 REAR PANEL CONTROLS & CONNECTORS...........4
7.0 AUTOMATIC AUDIO ROUTING .....................5
8.0 THE INTERFACE TO WIRED INTERCOM .............6
9.0 FREQUENCY BAND & ANTENNA‟S ..................6
10.0 SETTING UP CONNECTIONS ......................6
11.0 COMMMUNICATION MODES ......................9
12.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS WS 400 ..............9

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User Manual WS-400 / February 2011 © ASL Intercom BV .
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The WS-400 is designed to be the base station for
wireless beltpacks WS-19 (single channel) or WS-
29 (dual channel). It contains four transmit/receive
(TX/RX) modules and is housed in a strong steel
19” /1RU case.
On the front panel of the WS-400 are various
TX/RX controls and the antenna connectors. Via
XLR-3 connectors on the rear panel the TX/RX
modules in the WS-400 can be linked to either a
party line or a 4-wire intercom system.
ASL uses the 2.4 GHz frequency band for the
communication between its wireless beltpacks and
base stations. A maximum of 8 full duplex wireless
connections can be made, simultaneously operated
without any interference. For 8 connections are
needed either 2x WS-400, or 1x WS-400 + 2x WS-
200, or 4x WS200. (The WS-200 base station
contains two TX/RX modules).
In case in the same space more than one base
station is required, these stations have to be
interconnected by WS Link Cables (an ASL
accessory product). A link cable contains all signals
which have to be interchanged between base
stations and are connected to the Sub-D Link
connector on the rear panels.
A wireless beltpack (the WS-19 as well as the WS-
29) contains one TX/RX module. Each beltpack
needs to be assigned to a unique TX/RX channel.
If another TX/RX module is set to the same TX/RX
channel communication is garbled or not possible at
all.
A TX/RX module in a base station automatically
senses whether a WS-19 or a WS-29 beltpack is
assigned. The on-board micro processor routes the
audio as required for either beltpack type.
See section 7 “Automatic Audio Routing.
.
2.0 UNPACKING
The shipping carton contains the parts listed below:
oThe WS-400
oUser manual
oFour antenna‟s
oPower cord
oSpare fuses
If any are missing, contact your dealer.
ASL has taken great care to ensure this product
reaches you in flawless condition. After unpacking
the unit please inspect for any physical damage to
the unit, and retain the shipping carton and relevant
packing materials for use should the unit need
returning. If any damage has occurred, please notify
your dealer immediately so that a written claim can
be initiated. Please also refer to the warranty section
of this manual.
3.0 INSTALLATION
The unit has to be connected to a mains outlet
(90 - 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz).
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The green/yellow wire of the power cord must
always be connected to the electrical installation
safety earth or ground.
This is essential for personal safety as well as
for proper functioning of the WS-400
Switch the WS-400 on with the power switch at the
rear panel and adjust the channel select switch of
one of the TX/RX modules to match the selected
TX/RX channel on one of your wireless beltpacks..
The WS-400 should now have contact with this
beltpack. To check this, push the CALL or TALK
button on the beltpack and the green LED of the
corresponding TX/RX module in the WS-400 should
be lit. See also section 10 „Setting up Connections
and section 11 „Communication Modes‟
4.0 WARRANTY
This unit is warranted by ASL Intercom to the
original end-user purchaser against defects in work-
manship and materials in its manufacture for a
period of one year from date of shipment to the end-
user. Faults arising from misuse, unauthorized
modifications or accidents are not covered by this
warranty.
If the unit is faulty it should be sent in its original
packing, to the supplier or your local ASL dealer,
with shipping prepaid. A note must be included
stating the faults found and a copy of the original
suppliers invoice.

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User Manual WS-400 / February 2011 © ASL Intercom BV .
5.0 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
1 RX active LED
This LED will be lit when the RX/TX Unit receives data
from an active beltpack (Talk and/or Call). When a
beltpack is only listening it will not be lit.
2 Audio Routing LED indicators
Indicate the audio routing for either a WS-19 single
channel beltpack or a WS-29 dual channel beltpack.
See section 7.0 “Automatic Audio Routing”
3 SIDE TONE trimmer
This trimmer adjusts the level of your own voice as you
hear it in the headset which is connected to your
wireless beltpack. The operating area is between fully
clockwise and minimum level.
Adjusting the side tone does not affect the level of your
voice as it is heard by other stations. For adjustment
procedure, see section 10 “Setting up Connections”
4 Channel Select switch
With this switch the TX/RX channel is selected on which
the base station communicates with the beltpack. There
is a choice out of 8 TX/RX channels. The selected
TX/RX channel must match the TX/RX channel which is
selected on the beltpack. See also section 9.1
“Frequencies”.
5 ANTENNA connector
On this connector the supplied antenna‟s are to be
connected.
6.0 REAR PANEL CONTROLS & CONNECTORS
On the WS-400 rear panel are the controls & connectors of channel A, B, C and D.
The drawing shows the controls & connectors of only channel A and B.
6 INTERFACE MODE switch
This switch determines the mode of the audio interface
and the function of the XLR connectors #9 and #10.
See section 8 “The Interface to Wired Intercom”
7 OUTPUT LEVEL trimmer
This trimmer adjusts the output level of the audio signal
that comes from the beltpack.
8INPUT LEVEL trimmer
This trimmer adjusts the input level of the audio signal
that is sent to the wireless beltpack.
9 OUTPUT connector
This male XLR-3 connector is for connecting either
party line wired intercom or 4-wire intercom. See section
8 “The Interface to Wired Intercom”.
10 INPUT connector
This female XLR-3 connector is for connecting either
party line wired intercom or 4-wire intercom. See section
8 “The Interface to Wired Intercom”.
11 LINK connector
This Sub-D connector contains all signals that need to
be interchanged when two or more base stations are to
be used in the same space. Only use the special WS
link cable supplied by ASL.
12 MAINS switch
With this switch the WS-200 can be switched on or off.
13 MAINS connector with fuse holder
This mains input accepts 90 –240 V AC, 50 –60 Hz.
The fuse in the fuse holder needs to be 1.25 Amp of the
slow blow type. The bottom part contains a spare fuse.

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User Manual WS-400 / February 2011 © ASL Intercom BV .
7.0 AUTOMATIC AUDIO ROUTING
To a TX/RX module in the WS 400 one can assign either a WS-19 single channel beltpack or a WS-29 dual channel
beltpack. The on-board micro processor automatically detects either beltpack type and routes the audio as follows:
Section of WS-400 front panel
Section of WS-400 rear panel
oWhen a WS-19 beltpack is assigned to the
TX/RX-1 module, the front panel top LED
(labeled “1-ch beltpack”) is lit. The audio to/from
this beltpack is routed from/to the rear panel
XLR-3 connectors “Channel A”.
oWhen a WS-19 beltpack is assigned to the
TX/RX-2 module, the front panel top LED
(labeled “1-ch beltpack”) is lit. The audio to/from
this beltpack is routed from/to the rear panel
XLR-3 connectors “Channel B”.
oWhen a WS-19 beltpack is assigned to the
TX/RX-3 module, the front panel top LED
(labeled “1-ch beltpack”) is lit. The audio to/from
this beltpack is routed from/to the rear panel
XLR-3 connectors “Channel C”.
oWhen a WS-19 beltpack is assigned to the
TX/RX-4 module, the front panel top LED
(labeled “1-ch beltpack”) is lit. The audio to/from
this beltpack is routed from/to the rear panel
XLR-3 connectors “Channel D”.
When a WS-29 beltpack is assigned to the
TX/RX-1 or the TX/RX-2 module, the front
panel middle LED (labeled “2-ch beltpack”) is lit.
The audio from/to channel A of this beltpack is
routed to/from the rear panel XLR-3 connectors
“Channel A” and the audio from/to channel B of
this beltpack is routed to/from the rear panel
XLR-3 connectors “Channel B”.
oWhen a WS-29 beltpack is assigned to the
TX/RX-3 or the TX/RX-4 module, the front
panel middle LED (labeled “2-ch beltpack”) is lit.
The audio from/to channel A of this beltpack is
routed to/from the rear panel XLR-3 connectors
“Channel C” and the audio from/to channel B of
this beltpack is routed to/from the rear panel
XLR-3 connectors “Channel D”.

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User Manual WS-400 / February 2011 © ASL Intercom BV .
8.0 THE INTERFACE TO WIRED INTERCOM
Each TX/RX module in the WS-400 contains an interface to wired intercom. The interface can be put in “Party Line
Mode”or in “4-Wire Mode”, using the Interface Mode Switch on the rear panel.
Party Line Mode (the Mode switch is not pushed):
The XLR-3 male connector (#9) and the XLR-3 female
connector (#10) on the rear panel are now “party line
connectors” for daisy chain wiring purposes. The audio
is sent from the wireless beltpack to the party line of the
wired intercom system and from this system to the
wireless beltpack. In this mode the base station also
handles all CALL functions to and from the party line
intercom and MIC MUTE functions from the party line
intercom.
4-Wire Mode (the Mode switch is pushed):
The XLR-3 male connector (#9) and the XLR-3 female
connector (#10) on the rear panel are now “4-wire
connectors” The female connector is the electronically
balanced input connector for audio from the 4-wire
intercom system to the
wireless beltpack. The male connector outputs the
audio signal from the wireless beltpack to the 4-wire
intercom system as an electronically balanced signal.
9.0 FREQUENCY BAND & ANTENNA’S
9.1 Frequencies
ASL‟s wireless intercom uses the 2.4 GHz band, which
is freely available for WLAN (Wireless Local Area
Networks). The ASL system divides the available
bandwidth into 16 overlapping sections, 8 of them being
used as upload frequency (from the beltpack to the
base station) and the other 8 being used as download
frequency (from the base station to the beltpack).
With the channel select switches on base stations and
wireless beltpacks one actually selects an upload /
download pair, called a TX/RX channel.
Each TX/RX channel serves one dedicated wireless
connection between base stations and wireless
beltpacks (in fact between the TX/RX modules in those
units). It is possible to have several WS 19 beltpacks on
the same TX/RX channel, see section 10.2 “Half
Duplex”.
When using the ASL wireless system, the following
should be taken into account:
oThe 2,4 GHz frequency is known to have
difficulty in penetrating concrete walls, steel
walls and other obstructions. Behind
obstructions like these an “HF shadow” may
occur where no communication is possible.
oThe antenna‟s of a base station should have as
much as possible a “line of sight” to the
antenna‟s of the beltpack(s). All objects within
that path make the connection less reliable.
Due to reflections of the HF signal, one might
experience a dropout on a specific spot in a
building; moving a beltpack only a few inches
can be enough to solve the problem.
oBecause of the use of the WLAN frequencies,
ASL‟s wireless units might experience
interference from units like mobile telephones
with bluetooth and computers with bluetooth or
WLAN cards. Try to change TX/RX channels if
you experience problems with these.
9.2 Antenna Wiring (Base Stations)
If the antennas of a base station are not supposed to be
directly connected to its front panel, a cable between
base station and antenna is needed (base stations are
equipped with SMA connectors - female at the base
station and male at the antenna).
The 2.4GHz frequency experiences a big loss in any
cable, e.g. a RG58 cable has a loss of 1 dB per meter.
So make sure that your cable (50 ohms) is suited for
2.4 GHz and that the cable is as short as possible.
Make the cables in lengths of a multiple of 12, e.g.
lengths of 24cm, 48cm, 120cm, 240cm etc.
10.0 SETTING UP CONNECTIONS
10.1. ASL WIRELESS AS A STAND ALONE SYSTEM
10.1.1 Base Station Settings
a. Give each TX/RX module in the base station its
own TX/RX channel by rotating the „Channel
select‟ switch. Try to avoid TX/RX channels to
be physically next to each other, e.g. when two
WS-400‟s are in your wireless system, try to set
them in this order: TX/RX channels 2, 4, 6, 8,
1, 3, 5, 7. If one uses a WS-200 with only two
beltpacks, use TX/RX channels 1 and 6
b. Make sure the interface mode switch at the rear
of the base station is set to “PARTY LINE”. The
internal party line is now linking the on board
TX/RX modules to each other.
c. Turn down the side tone trimmers at the TX/RX
modules (counter clockwise)

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User Manual WS-400 / February 2011 © ASL Intercom BV .
10.1.2 Wireless Beltpack Settings
d. With the Channel Select switch at the rear of
the beltpack, select the TX/RX channel
according to the WS-200 or WS-400 setting
e. Connect a headset to the beltpack and insert
fully charged batteries. When the beltpack is
switched on, a single short tone should be
heard and both LED‟s on the front panel of the
unit flash for half a second. This indicates that
the beltpack is functioning properly.
f. When one pushes the CALL or the TALK
button, the LED‟s on the front panel are lit and
the green LED of the corresponding TX/RX
module in the base station is lit. It proofs the
beltpack has connection with the base station
g. Turn down the OWN VOICE Volume trimmer at
the side panel of the beltpack (counter-
clockwise)
h. Set the volume control of the beltpack at
approximately 50%
i. Push the TALK button on the beltpack, talk into
the headset microphone and listen to your own
voice (you might hear a small delay )
j. Adjust the side tone trimmer at the referring
TX/RX module in the base station so that the
level of your own voice is as low as possible
k. Adjust the OWN VOICE trimmer on the
beltpack so that the level of your own voice is to
your liking.
10.2 ASL WIRELESS CONNECTED TO A 4-WIRE INTERCOM SYSTEM
10.2.1 Base Station Settings
a. Give each TX/RX module in the base station its
own TX/RX channel by rotating the „Channel
select‟ switch. Try to avoid TX/RX channels to
be physically next to each other, e.g. when two
WS-400‟s are in your wireless system, try to set
them in this order: TX/RX channels 2, 4, 6, 8, 1,
3, 5, 7. If one uses a WS-200 with only two
beltpacks, use TX/RX channels 1 and 6
b. Make sure the interface mode switch at the rear
of the base station is set to “4-WIRE”
The internal party line is now disconnected.
c. Connect the 4-wire intercom system via the
XLR-3 connectors at the rear panel of the base
station. Each XLR-3 male connector (signal out)
and female connector (signal in) connects each
TX/RX module to an input/output of the a 4-wire
intercom system.
10.2.2 Wireless Beltpack Settings
d. With the Channel Select switch at the rear of
the beltpack, select the TX/RX channel
according to the WS-200 or WS-400 setting.
e. Connect a headset to the beltpack and insert
fully charged batteries. When the beltpack is
switched on, a single short tone should be
heard and both LED‟s on the front panel of the
unit flash for half a second. This indicates that
the beltpack is functioning properly.
f. When one pushes the CALL or TALK button,
the LED‟s on the front panel are lit and the
green LED of the corresponding TX/RX module
in the base station is lit.
It proofs the beltpack has connection with the
base station.
g. Turn down the OWN VOICE Volume trimmer at
the side panel of the beltpack (counter-
clockwise)
h. Push the TALK button on the beltpack, talk into
the headset microphone and listen to your own
voice
i. Turn up the volume of your own voice by
adjusting the OWN VOICE trimmer to a level of
your liking
10.3 ASL WIRELESS CONNECTED TO A PARTY LINE INTERCOM SYSTEM
10.3.1 Base Station Settings
a. Give each TX/RX module in the base station its
own TX/RX channel by rotating the „Channel
select‟ switch. Try to avoid TX/RX channels to
be physically next to each other, e.g. when two
WS-400‟s are in your wireless system, try to set
them in this order: TX/RX channels 2, 4, 6, 8, 1,
3, 5, 7. If one uses a WS-200 with only two
beltpacks, use TX/RX channels 1 and 6
b. Make sure the interface mode switch at the rear
of the base station is set to “PARTY LINE”.
c. Connect the party line intercom system via the
XLR-3 connectors at the rear panel of the base
station. Each XLR-3 male and female pair may
connect each TX/RX module to a channel of
the party line intercom system (see also section
10.3.3). Everywhere this connection is made,
the internal party line is interrupted
d. Turn down the side tone trimmers (counter
clockwise).

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User Manual WS-400 / February 2011 © ASL Intercom BV .
10.3.2 Wireless Beltpack Settings
e. With the Channel Select switch at the rear of
the beltpack, select the TX/RX channel
according to the WS-200 or WS-400 setting
f. Connect a headset to the beltpack and insert
fully charged batteries. When the beltpack is
switched on, a single short tone should be
heard and both LED‟s on the front panel of
the unit flash for half a second. This
indicates the beltpack is functioning properly
g. When one pushes the CALL or TALK button,
the LED‟s on the front panel are lit and the
green LED of corresponding TX/RX module
of the base station is lit. It proofs the
beltpack has connection with the base
station
h. Turn down the OWN VOICE Volume
trimmer at the side panel of the beltpack
(counter-clockwise)
i. Set the volume control of the beltpack at
approximately 50%
j. Push the TALK button on the beltpack, talk
into the headset microphone and listen to
your own voice (you might hear a small
delay in the signal)
k. Adjust the side tone trimmer of the referring
TX/RX module in the base station so that the
level of your own voice is as low as possible
l. Adjust the OWN VOICE trimmer on the
beltpack so that the level of your own voice
is to your liking.
10.3.3 Wiring Configurations when connecting to party line intercom systems
Connecting to party lines can be done in many different ways. Below a few examples:
Example 1:
When two WS-400 base stations are installed and
8x WS-19 single channel beltpacks are available:
The drawing shows how to connect all WS-19‟s to
the same party line.
Example 2:
When two WS-400 base stations are installed and
8x WS-19 single channel beltpacks are available:
The drawing shows how to connect WS-19 #1 and
#2 to party line 1, WS-19 #3 and #4 to party line 2,
WS-19 #5 and #6 to party line 3 and WS-19 #7 and
#8 to party line 4.
Example 3:
When two WS-400 base stations are installed and
8x WS-29 dual channel beltpacks are available:
The drawing shows how to connect channel A of all
WS-29‟s to party line 1 and channel B of all WS 29‟s
to party line 2.
For connecting base station TX/RX modules via their XLR-3 male and female connectors on the rear panels
(see drawings above) , use short microphone cables.

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User Manual WS-400 / February 2011 © ASL Intercom BV .
11.0 COMMMUNICATION MODES
11.1 Full Duplex Mode (for WS-19 and WS-29 beltpacks)
A full duplex wireless connection is accomplished by
using a dedicated TX/RX channel, selected on the
beltpack and on the base station.
Such a TX/RX channel links the TX/RX module in a
wireless beltpack to one of the TX/RX modules in the
base station.
11.2 Half Duplex Mode (for WS-19 single channel beltpacks only).
This mode allows more than one WS-19 beltpacks
on the same TX/RX channel. However, only one of
the WS 19 beltpacks can talk at a time and have a
full duplex connection. For as long as one of the
beltpacks has a full duplex connection (talk, listen
and call), the other beltpacks are able to listen to the
signals coming from the base station, but are not
able to call or talk.
In case of half duplex use of WS-19 beltpacks whilst
the corresponding TX/RX module in the base station
is connected to a wired party line intercom system,
the following has to be taken into account:
The side tone prevents (when properly adjusted) the
microphone signal coming from the “talking beltpack”
to return to the beltpacks. The “listening beltpacks”
do not hear the “talking beltpack”. To solve this, the
side tone trimmer of the concerning TX/RX module
should be turned down (fully counter clockwise).
But there is a drawback: the user of the “talking
beltpack” will hear his own voice with a delay of 24
msec and via the OWN VOICE link in the beltpack
(no delay). The effect of hearing your own voice
twice (with and without delay) can be diminished by
turning down the OWN VOICE trimmer. The
“listening beltpacks” will not notice the delay.
12.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS WS 400
Mains
Mains power: 90 - 40 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Fuse: 1250 mA T
Power Consumption: max. 25 Watt
Input Amplifiers (4-wire mode)
input impedance: min. 10 kOhm
input level: +12 to -20 dBu
Output Amplifiers (4-wire mode)
output impedance: < 25 ohms
maximum load: 600 ohms
max. output level: +12 to -20 dBu
Intercom Line Drivers (party line mode)
Output current: max. 1 mA rms
output impedance: > 150 Kohm
audio line level: -18 dBu (max. 0 dBu)
signal-to-noise: 70 dB
station bridging impedance: >150 kOhm
Side Tone
Rejection: better than 20 dB
WS 400 Dimensions & Weight
width 483 mm
height 44 mm
depth 165 mm
weight 2350 grams
System Specifications
transceiver frequency: 2400 –2483.5 MHz
transmit Power: 10 mW E.I.R.P.
number of channels: 8
channel separation: 7 MHz
audio freq. response: 200 Hz - 12 kHz (-3 dB)
dynamic range: 70 dB
Note : 0dBu = 775 mV into open circuit
ASL reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice.