Biamp Tesira EX-UBT User manual

Using the Tesira EX-UBT
The EX-UBT is a compact remote expander that uses the AVB
networking protocol to extend USB and/or Bluetooth
sources back to a rack-mounted Tesira server-class
device. A standard USB cable connects the host computer
to the EX-UBT. CAT5e cabling or better is required for the
network connection, with a maximum distance of up to 100
meters (328 ft) allowed to the equipment rack. The EX-
UBT is an IEEE 802.3at Class 2 device requiring 7 watts
of power from a gigabit PoE-capable switch or mid-span
injector.
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eatures
USB
The EX-UBT USB port acts as a client to the connected host computer. Within Tesira software, the USB can be
configured to pass audio in/out according to one of the following options:
• Mono (1 input x 1 output)
• Stereo (2 inputs x 2 outputs)
• Multi-Channel (8 inputs x 8 outputs)
◦ Note that the Biamp Tesira USB audio driver is required for Windows OS when using multi-channel mode. Mac
OS supports multi-channel audio natively. Windows can only support mono and stereo audio natively without
needing to install a USB driver.
When configured as a speakerphone, the EX-UBT uses Human Interface Device (HID) communication that can
synchronize privacy mute state and volume control if the UC application supports this communication. HID mute
synchronization and AEC offloading are supported by various UC platforms as noted:
This list is inclusive of formal support and interoperability; other devices and platforms not in this list may honor HID
mute synchronization. Some devices prefer 16 bit over 24 bit audio formatting. Tesira W 4.0.3 and newer will auto-
negotiate with the host UC/PC device for the proper format. This can be viewed in Windows audio device settings or
similar of the host device:
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Bluetooth & N C
Bluetooth capability may be enabled/disabled when the EX-UBT is configured in Tesira software. The Bluetooth module
supports the following Bluetooth subset profiles:
• Hands- ree Profile (H P)
• Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)
◦ A2DP is supported as an audio sink, and allows the following codecs to be received:
▪ SBC
▪ Qualcomm® aptX™ audio
▪ AAC
Bluetooth pairing may also be made via pre-configured Near ield Communication (N C) tags. N C tags allow users
with N C capable/enabled devices to quickly pair with the EX-UBT by tapping their device to the tag. Instructions for
enabling the N C function will vary by device. Note that Apple® devices do not support N C-assisted compatibility at
this time.
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Each EX-UBT ships with two N C tags that have been write-protect configured with the default hostname of the
associated EX-UBT.
Software & programming
Configurations for the Tesira EX-UBT are available from the Object Toolbar via the Telephony/Communications menu
item:
When the Tesira EX-UBT object type is selected from the Audio Object Toolbar, the EX-UBT Initialization dialog window
is displayed:
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Users may check to use USB, Bluetooth or both.
USB Channel Count - This allows the user to select between
three different channel configurations:
•Mono 1 input x 1 output channel
•Stereo 2 input channels x 2 output
channels
•Multi-channel 8 input channels x 8 output
channels
USB Connection Type - The two Speakerphone modes
provide single or stereo audio input and output streams for
use with a soft codec application on a host computer. The
USB Input represents the incoming audio from the soft codec,
and the USB Output is used to send audio to the far side.
Speakerphone: Disables Computer AEC – In this
mode, the Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC) function
will be provided by the AEC block in the Tesira DSP. A
control message is transmitted to the soft codec via the
USB link telling it to disable its internal AEC.
Speakerphone: Enables Computer AEC – This mode
is for situations where the soft codec will provide the
AEC function.
Line In/Out – This mode provides up to eight channels of audio. Combinations of 2, 4, 6 or 8 total USB
channels can operate in fixed 24 Bit, 48 kHz.
Mute USB inputs as a group - Selecting this mutes all USB input channels when the mute state of a single input
channel is changed. This selection is checked and cannot be deselected if either of the Speakerphone USB
terminal types is selected. It is also checked by default if the Line In/Out USB terminal type is selected.
Mute USB outputs as a group - Selecting this mutes all USB output channels when the mute state of a single
output channel is changed. This selection is checked and cannot be deselected if either of the Speakerphone
USB terminal types is selected. It is also checked by default if the Line In/Out USB terminal type is selected.
Notes on host operating system controls:
• "USB host" refers to USB on the computer.
• In Multi-Channel 8x8 Line In/Out mode, changes to the USB host mute and record level controls will
be ignored by the EX-UBT.
• Balance controls will not be synchronized between the USB input block and the USB host when in
speakerphone mode (only playback levels are).
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DSP blocks
The following images show the DSP blocks associated with different Initialization options:
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or more details regarding EX-UBT logic, please reference tesira-help.biamp.com.
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USB Details
When the EX-UBT is connected to a host computer, it will enumerate as an Echo Cancelling Speakerphone or sound
device as defined during block initialization. Notice the sound device name also includes the unique serial number of the
EX-UBT device by default.
If the user would like to change the name of the EX-UBT device as it presents to the host computer, Tesira 3.14 allows
custom USB device naming within the block dialog window:
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The EX-UBT device will reboot itself implementing the USB Device Name change and the host computer* will update
with the new USB Device Name:
*(This feature had mixed results when tested on Mac OSX using 1-7 channel USB block. 8 channel EX-UBT USB block reportedly worked well.)
When the EX-UBT blocks are initialized as a speakerphone and selected as the Default Audio Device in the Windows 10
host computer, mute and volume synchronization occurs upon USB connection. This means that the host computer
volume level will synchronize with the volume level of the EX-UBT USB input block in the Tesira configuration. Volume
and mute changes made on the host computer or the EX-UBT USB input block will remain synchronized. This behavior
is demonstrated in this short video. Note that files created with Tesira 3.17 or newer will set the USB block minimum
level to -50 in order to map more accurately to the host PC volume ramp range and rate. This example video
demonstrates the Tesira 3.17 behavior.
When privacy mute is selected in Skype or Business*, Microsoft Teams Room System* or Google Hangouts Meet
System*, the mute state of the EX-UBT Output block mute will track accordingly. Similarly, if the mute logic input of the
EX-UBT USB Output block is triggered high, the privacy mute indication in Skype or Business or Microsoft Teams will
follow.
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*The synchronization of level and mute states is possible via USB HID communication. Performance may vary with
applications not listed in the UC compatibility table.
EX-UBT USB Tips:
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