Attero Tech AXON A4FLEX User manual

614-00050 Rev 01_a Attero Tech LLC 2019
7/1/2019
AES67 Networked
Audio Connectivity
Interface

1315 Directors Row Suite 107 Fort Wayne, IN 46808 ⁞[phone] ⁞www.atterotech.com
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
The symbols below are internationally accepted symbols that warn of potential hazards with electrical products.
This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to the presence of un-insulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosure -- voltage
that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.
This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to important operating and maintenance instructions in the accompanying literature.
Please read the manual.
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce
heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the
other. A grounding type plug has two blades and third grounding prong. The wider blade or the third prong is provided for your
safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they
exit from the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by Attero Tech
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as
power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been
exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
15. When permanently connected, on all-pole mains switch with a contact separation of at least 3mm in each pole shall be incorporated
in the electrical installation of the building.
16. If rack mounting, provide adequate ventilation. Equipment may be located above or below this apparatus but some equipment (like
large power amplifiers) may cause an unacceptable amount of hum or may generate too much heat and degrade the performance
of this apparatus.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

1315 Directors Row Suite 107 Fort Wayne, IN 46808 ⁞[phone] ⁞www.atterotech.com
LIMITED FIVE YEAR WARRANTY
The equipment is warranted for five years from date of purchase from Attero Tech, LLC against defects in materials or workmanship. This
warranty does not cover equipment which has been abused or damaged by careless handling or shipping. This warranty does not apply to
used or demonstrator equipment. Should any defect develop, Attero Tech, LLC will, at our option, repair or replace any defective parts
without charge for either parts or labor. If Attero Tech, LLC cannot correct the defect in the equipment, it will be replaced at no charge with
a similar new item. Attero Tech, LLC will pay for the cost of returning your equipment to you. This warranty applies only to items returned
to Attero Tech, LLC, shipping costs prepaid, within five years from the date of purchase. This Limited Warranty is governed by the laws of
the State of Indiana. It states the entire liability of Attero Tech, LLC and the entire remedy of the purchaser for any breach of warranty as
outlined above. NEITHER ATTERO TECH, LLC NOR ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION OR DELIVERY OF THE EQUIPMENT SHALL BE LIABLE
FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS
EQUIPMENT EVEN IF ATTERO TECH, LLC HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE LIABILITY OF
ATTERO TECH, LLC EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF ANY DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have additional legal rights which vary from state to state.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules and EN55022. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses,
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference,
in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at their own expense.

1315 Directors Row Suite 107 Fort Wayne, IN 46808 ⁞[phone] ⁞www.atterotech.com
Contents
1 –Overview ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
1.1 –What’s in the Box ................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 –Optional Accessories.............................................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.3 - Device Features - Front Panel ................................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.4 - Device Features - Rear Panel................................................................................................................................................................... 1
2 Product Installation........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
2.1 - Mounting................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
2.2 –Power & Network Connectivity............................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.2.1 - Daisy Chain Switched Configuration ............................................................................................................................... 3
2.2.2 - Independent VLAN Configuration ................................................................................................................................... 4
2.3 –Audio I/O Connections........................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.4 –LED Status Indications............................................................................................................................................................................ 5
3 –Device Configuration .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5
3.1 –IP Address Setup .................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 –Networking Information......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
3.3 –Audio I/O and DSP Setup ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.4 - Logic I/O Setup ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.5 –Factory Reset.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.6 –Firmware Updates .................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
4 –ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS SPECIFICATION..................................................................................................................................................................................... i
Device Specifications.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ii

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1315 Directors Row Suite 107 Fort Wayne, IN 46808 ⁞[phone] ⁞www.atterotech.com
1–Overview
1 - A4FLEX Front and Rear
The Attero Tech AXON A4FLEX is a compact and scalable mic/line
connectivity solution for Dante™ and AES67 networked AVC
systems. With four mic/line inputs (two of which are flex I/O and
can be configured as outputs instead), USB and AES67 audio and
control interfaces, logic inputs and outputs, and a two-channel
power amplifier the A4FLEX is equally suited to be the heart of a
huddle space, small conference room, or I/O extension to a wide
variety of DSP platforms. The A4FLEX can be a key part of
conferencing and presentation systems in corporate, higher
education, hospitality and courtroom venues.
1.1 –What’s in the Box
The A4FLEX comes supplied with the following:
oAxon A4FLEX device
oEuro-block mating plugs
o1- 6ft Mini USB cable
oTwo removable mounting flanges
1.2–Optional Accessories
o1 RU Rack/Surface Mount Tray Kit
1.3 - Device Features - Front Panel
1 2 3
Description
1
LED status indicators
2
USB audio connection
3
Factory reset access
1.4 - Device Features - Rear Panel
1
2
3 5
6
7 8
4
Description
1
Balanced mic/line inputs (Channels 1 and 2)
2
Logic inputs 1 and 2 / Logic outputs 1A/1B and 2A/2B
3
Flex I/O (Channels 3 and 4)
4
Logic inputs 3 and 4 / Logic outputs 3A/3B and 4A/4B
5
Amplifier outputs 1 and 2
6
Ethernet interface connectors and indicators
7
Power link connections for +24V DC power daisy
chaining
8
DC input jack (center positive)

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1315 Directors Row Suite 107 Fort Wayne, IN 46808 ⁞[phone] ⁞www.atterotech.com
2Product Installation
2.1 - Mounting
The A4FLEX has provides flexible mounting options:
oUnit Surface Mounting–The A4FLEX is supplied with two “L”-
shaped mounting brackets that can be attached to either side
of the unit. Once fitted, these brackets can be used to secure
the A4FLEX to any a flat surface. The brackets can be fitted
with the flange facing up or down which allows the unit to be
fitted under a desk for example.
2 - Under Table Surface Mounting
Installation Mounting Template
An installation mounting template is provided to simplify the
process of installing the A4FLEX in surface mount
configuration.
These templates can be downloaded here.
oRack Mounting –The A4FLEX is a 1/3 rack width device and
1RU high. It can be mounted into a rack using the rack tray
accessory (sold separately ). The accessory tray can hold up
to three 1/3rd rack width AXON units.
When used with the rack shelf, the A4FLEX is attached to the
tray with mounting screws installed through its base. The “L”
brackets are then used as the rack ears by installing them to
the side flanges of the tray.
3 - Rack Mount Tray
oTray Surface Mounting
The tray accessory may also be installed in a surface
mount orientation. In this configuration, brackets are
installed along the upper lip of on the sides of tray,
allowing it to be mounted on any flat surface thus allowing
multiple units to be installed easily on a wall or under a
table too.
4 - Tray Surface Mounting Configuration
*Note: Complete CAD drawings can be downloaded from
the Attero Tech website. Please contact Attero Tech for any
further product related information that is not accessible
on the website.

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1315 Directors Row Suite 107 Fort Wayne, IN 46808 ⁞[phone] ⁞www.atterotech.com
2.2 –Power & Network Connectivity
The A4FLEX can be powered using either PoE, PoE+, or a 24V
power supply attach to the power jack input.
When powering using PoE or PoE+:
oAttach the Ethernet 1 port to a PoE-enabled port on a PoE
switch or midspan injector using a CAT-5e or better cabling.
When powering using an optional external supply:
oAttach either Ethernet port to a port on the audio network
switch using a CAT-5e or better cable.
oAttach the power supply to the power input jack and then
power up the external supply.
*Note: Use of the audio amplifier outputs is prevented when
powering from PoE. It is therefore recommended to use either
PoE+ or a separate 24V supply in order to get full output power.
Internal audio limiting is applied when PoE+ power is detected as
the power source in order to prevent over-current conditions on
the PoE+ PSE.
2.2.1 - Daisy Chain Switched Configuration
By default, the Ethernet ports on an A4FLEX act as a two-port
switch. This be useful if, for example, there is a second unit in
the same physical location as the A4FLEX. Its network can be
connected to the A4FLEX instead of having to have a separate
home run back to the switch thus creating a daisy chain saving
time and cabling and network infrastructure costs.
Daisy Chain Power Constraints
PWR Link –The Power Link connectors provide quick access
to a 24V DC power source to enable daisy chain powering
configurations. Power can be supplied to a daisy chain
device by wiring the power link connector on the A4FLEX to
the power link connector on the daisy chained device.
Use of the PWR Link daisy chain connectivity is not
recommended if the internal audio amplifiers are intended to
be used.
Note: The PWR Link connectors are powered from the DC
input jack. These connections are not fused and care should
be taken not to overload the external power supply when
daisy chaining units using the PWR Link connection.
5 - PWR Link Connectivity

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1315 Directors Row Suite 107 Fort Wayne, IN 46808 ⁞[phone] ⁞www.atterotech.com
2.2.2 - Independent VLAN Configuration
The Ethernet network ports can also be configured as
independent VLANs. This allows the A4FLEX to support
applications where the audio network and control network are run
in their own individual VLANs. “Ethernet 1” would always be the
audio connection while “Ethernet 2” would be the control network
connection.
6 - Independent VLAN Configuration
*Note: All Attero Tech products are tested using UTP network
cabling and it is recommended that UTP cabling be used when
installing them. STP cabling can be used for installation though
care must be taken not introduce grounding issues into the
system by doing so.
2.3 –Audio I/O Connections
The A4FLEX features two dedicated audio inputs, two flexible I/O
that can be configured as audio inputs or outputs, and two
dedicated amplified outputs.
+
Source
+
-
Shield
A4FLEX Input
-
7 - Balanced Wiring Example
The audio inputs and outputs use a balanced connection. If
connecting to devices that have unbalanced connections, the
wiring should be done as follows:
+
Source
+
-
A4FLEX Input
Shield
8 - Unbalanced to Balanced Wiring Example
The amplified outputs are designed to drive low impedance 4 and
8 ohms speakers. The SPKR connections on the A4FLEX should be
wired direct to the speaker terminals.
NOTES:
* Make sure suitable speaker cable is used.
* The A4FLEX does not support bridging of the speaker outputs

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1315 Directors Row Suite 107 Fort Wayne, IN 46808 ⁞[phone] ⁞www.atterotech.com
2.4 –LED Status Indications
The A4FLEX is equipped with various LED indicators. The
following chart indicates the available LED status information:
LED
Device Status
Status Indication
(LED)
Multiple
Booting
Solid Yellow
(PWR / NET / USB / I/O LEDs)
Critical error
Slow Blink Red
(PWR / NET / USB / I/O LEDs)
“Identify” mode
Slow Blink Whie
(PWR / NET / USB / I/O LEDs)
Firmware Update
Fast Blink Blue
(PWR / NET / USB / I/O LEDs)
PWR
Power on (OK)
White
NET
No PTP sync
Solid Red
PTP sync –Slave
Solid Green
PTP sync - Master
Solid White
USB
USB Host
Connected
White
(USB LED)
I/O
Ch1-Ch4 Input
Off
Ch1-Ch3 Input,
Ch4 Output
Green
Ch1,2 and 4
Input,
Ch 3 Output
Blue
Ch1-Ch2 Input,
Ch3-Ch4 Output
White
SIG
Signal below -
60dBFS
Off
Signal between -
60dBFS and -
20dBFS
Green
Signal between -
20dBFS and -
3dBFS
Yellow
Signal above -
3dBFS
Red
9 - Status Indicators
3–Device Configuration
The A4FLEX product is supported for setup and monitoring within
Attero Tech’s unIFY Control Panel software. Additionally, QSYS
Designer plugins are available to provide seamless integration
with the QSYS DSP platform.
For a complete description of the A4FLEX software controlled
features found in unIFY Control Panel, consult the on-line
software support resources for on the Attero Tech support desk.
Refer to the support desk and A4FLEX product page on the Attero
Tech website for the latest links to integration support resources.
3.1 –IP Address Setup
************************* IMPORTANT **************************
Failure to correctly configure IP addresses will not allow an
A4FLEX device to correctly authenticate in the unIFY Control Panel
software, and configuration and control to and from the A4FLEX
will not be possible.
*******************************************************************
In order to configure an A4FLEX or to update A4FLEX firmware, a
PC will need to be able to communicate with it over the network.
While all A4FLEX devices will be discovered regardless of the IP
address setup on the PC (the A4FLEX utilizes mDNS for device
discovery), full communication can only occur if the PC and the
device have compatible IP addresses.
By default, A4FLEX is set to get a dynamic IP address. If the
A4FLEX device does not find a DHCP server to retrieve an IP
address from, it will give itself a local link address (sometimes
also known as an automatic private IP address or APIPA) instead.
A local link address is always in the range 169.254.x.y.
To ensure communication, the PC can either be also set to get a
dynamic IP address, or be given a static IP address in the range
169.254.x.y. In some cases the PC
3.2–Networking Information
The A4FLEX uses the following IP addresses, services and ports
for communications on the network.
Port
TCP /
UDP
Mulitcast IP
Description
68
UDP
N/A
DHCP
5353
UDP
224.0.0.251
mDNS –Device
Disvovery
319-
320
UDP
224.0.1.129
PTP –Clocking
(Domain 0)
49494
UDP
N/A
A4FLEX control
49495
UDP
239.255.255.255
A4FLEX status and
metering
10 - Ports and Protocols

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3.3 –Audio I/O and DSP Setup
All audio input, output and internal audio DSP setting may be configured through unIFY Control Panel.
Each analog audio input features switchable +48V phantom power, mic/line pad and supports up to 42 dB of adjustable preamp gain in 1
dB steps.
Each analog line output has a switchable pad allowing the output to be either at either mic or line level.
The internal audio DSP features basic audio processing as shown in the diagram below.
11 - DSP Signal Flow Diagram