Campbell AeroX Audio 105 User manual

03/2023
Copyright © 2023
Campbell Scientific, Inc.

Table of contents
1. Introduction 1
2. Precautions 1
3. Initial inspection 1
4. Specifications 2
4.1 Rear panel 2
4.2 Front panel 4
4.3 Microphone 5
5. Connector pin-outs 6
6. Product description 10
6.1 Power supply 10
6.2 Power-up process 10
6.3 VOL/DATA dial 10
6.4 PTT microphone 11
6.5 Audio outputs 11
6.6 Audio inputs 12
6.7 PTT connector 13
6.8 LIGHTS connector 15
6.9 VOICE MODEM connector 15
6.10 HANDSET connector 15
6.11 USB connector 15
6.12 ETHERNET connector 15
6.13 Redundant connector 16
6.14 Audio electronics 16
7. Troubleshooting 16
7.1 AudioServer software update procedure 16
7.2 Micro-controller firmware update procedure 17
Table of Contents - i

1. Introduction
The AeroX Audio105 is an audio controller that allows digital voice files to be transmitted over
ground to air radios. Furthermore, it allows users to append audio messages to be transmitted
through multiple audio inputs/outputs. Thus, the AeroX Audio105 fulfills the hardware
component of an Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) that produces critical flight
safety information in the form of an audible voice information stream that can be transmitted
over a radio for pilots. The information transmitted are the weather conditions at the airport, as
well as operational information, such as the current runway in use, available approaches, the
state of the runway, and breaking conditions. Other information, such as if the airport has certain
restrictions, can also be broadcasted through this system.
2. Precautions
lREAD AND UNDERSTAND the Safety (p. 20) section at the back of this manual.
lAlthough the AeroX Audio105 is rugged, it should be handled as a precision scientific
instrument.
3. Initial inspection
lUpon receipt of the AeroX Audio105 inspect the packaging and contents for damage. File
damage claims with the shipping company.
lCheck the ships with list to ensure all components are received.
AeroX Audio105 1

4. Specifications
Case material: Aluminum
Mount: 19 in (EIA-310) 2U rack mount
Dimensions
Front panel: 48.3cm (19in) width, 8.9cm (3.5in) height
Case: 43.2cm (17in) width, 8.1cm (3.2in) height, 27.9cm (11in) depth
Weight: 3.5kg (7.7lb)
Power requirements: 80 to 264VAC @ 25W typical, 40W maximum, 50/60Hz
11 to 24VDC @ 25W typical, 40W maximum
Temperature: –20 to +70°C
NOTE:
The display limits operational temperature range to –20 to +70°C, but a heater fitted on
the display back can increase that range. Contact factory for more information.
Humidity: 0 to 100% RH, non-condensing
4.1 Rear panel
AUDIOOUTterminal
(CH1 to CH5): Male 3-pin XLR
600 ohm balanced
Transformer isolated
Separate 3.5mm, 3-pole jack to the right of the XLR
Adjustableaudio
level maximum: +4dBu, 1.23Vrms, 1.74V peak, 3.48V peak-to-peak
AeroX Audio105 2

AUDIOIN: Female 3-pin XLR
600 ohm balanced
Transformer isolated
Separate 3.5mm, 3-pole jack to the right of the XLR
Adjustableaudio
level maximum: +4 dBu, 1.23Vrms, 1.74V peak, 3.48V peak-to-peak
PTT(push-to-talk): 5x Volt free, break before make, normally open / closed relay
contacts (contact rating 50V @ 1A), NOT protected against
overload
+5VDC, 100mA limited output used with relay contacts to
configure pull ups or pull downs.
25-way D plug
Isolatedauxiliary
digital input: 3.5 to 12V
LIGHTSterminalstrip: Four screw terminals
Volt free, break before make, normally open / closed relay
contacts (contact rating 50V @ 1A), NOT protected against
overload
Redundant 9-pin
D connector: Signals between AeroX Audio105s to control redundant
operation
USB port: USB 2.0 compatible type-A socket
ETHERNET port: RJ45 socket LAN
Supports 1000/100/10Mbps Gigabit/Fast Ethernet
115/230VAC/25W-50/50HZ,
Main power inlet: 80 to 264VAC
IEC C14 socket
50/60Hz
40W maximum
On/Off power switch
T2.0A/250V 20mm HRC fuse (same for 115/230VAC operation)
AeroX Audio105 3

11-24VDC@25W,power
input screw terminals: 40 W maximum, reverse polarity protected
On/Off power switch
Special features:
HANDSET socket: Supports FAA handset with electret microphone including bias
and speaker
RJ11
VOICE MODEM socket: Telephone dial in voice modem
RJ11
NOTE:
Hand held microphone with PTT and audio Out CH1 cannot be used as they are used to
support the FAA handset function.
4.2 Front panel
MIC PTT: Supports Electret hand-held microphone with PTT button
3.5mm jack, 3-pole
Switch closure compatible PTT input
Loudspeaker: Monitors selected audio source (user-adjustable audio volume)
Line in right channel (internal)
Line out left channel (internal).
Line out right channel (internal).
VOL/DATA dial: Volume control
Navigate menus and data entry
AeroX Audio105 4

VU LEDs: Visual indication of selected monitor audio source
6x green LEDs and one red LED to show increasing audio level from
lower LED up. For optimal performance the audio level should be high
enough to light all the green LEDs but not the red LED, or at most only
light the red LED occasionally.
1x red LED at the top to indicate audio source level is too high and audio
may suffer from distortion.
Filtered to give fast attack slow decay to make it easier to see peaks.
POWER/ERRORLED: Green
Steady state when power on and status ok
Flashing when power on but error detected. When this occurs, all VU
LEDs will be continuously lit until the error is cleared.
LCDcolordisplay: Show status
Data entry dial allows set up changes
Bright, high contrast
Long back light life
Resolution: 800 x 480 pixels
Dimensions: 95.0mm (3.742in) width, 53.9mm (2.083in) height
4.3 Microphone
Description: Push-to talk (PTT), electret / condenser microphone with screened
audio cable
Frequency range: 20 to 16,000 Hz
Sensitivity: 6.3 mV/Pa/1 kHz/±3 dB
Output impedance: 2.2 kOhm
S/N ratio: > 58 dB
Coupling capacitor: 0.1 to 4.7 µF
Operatingtemperature: 0 to 40 °C
Power supply: 1.5 to 10 VDC, 0.5 mA typical current
AeroX Audio105 5

5. Connector pin-outs
Table 5-1: AUDIO OUT, XLR male 3-pin terminals (CH1 to CH5)
Pin Description Schematic
1 ground
2 + audio
3 – audio
Shell ground
Table 5-2: AUDIO OUT, 3.5 mm, 3-pole, jack
Component Description Schematic
Sleeve – audio
Ring – audio
Tip + audio
Table 5-3: AUDIO IN, XLR female 3-pin terminal
Pin Description Schematic
1 ground
2 + audio
3 – audio
Shell ground
Table 5-4: AUDIO IN, 3.5 mm, 3-pole, jack
Component Description Schematic
Sleeve – audio
Ring – audio
Tip + audio
AeroX Audio105 6

Table 5-5: PTT 25-pin, male, D connector
Pin Description Pin Description Schematic
1PTT1 normally
closed contact 14 PTT1 common
2PTT1 normally
open contact 15 ground
3PTT2 normally
closed contact 16 PTT2 common
4PTT2 normally
open contact 17 ground
5PTT3 normally
closed contact 18 PTT3 common
6PTT3 normally
open contact 19 ground
7PTT4 normally
closed contact 20 PTT4 common
8PTT4 normally
open contact 21 ground
9PTT5 normally
closed contact 22 PTT5 common
10 PTT5 normally
open contact 23 ground
11 AUX_IN + 24 AUX_IN –
12 +5 VDC 25 +5 VDC
13 +5 VDC shell ground
Table 5-6: LIGHTS, 4-way screw terminal strip
Terminal Description Schematic
1 ground
2 Normally open contact
3 Contact common
4 Normally closed contact
AeroX Audio105 7

Table 5-7: Redundant 9-pin, male D connector
Pin Description Pin Description Schematic
1 No connection 6 No connection
2 No connection 7 No connection
3 Redundant in 8 No connection
4 Redundant out 9 No connection
5 ground shell ground
Table 5-8: Chassis main power inlet IEC C14
Pin Description Schematic
L live phase
N neutral phase
E protective earth
Table 5-9: 11-24VDC screw terminal strip
Terminal Description Schematic
G ground (0 V)
12V 11 to 24 VDC
Table 5-10: MIC PTT
Component Description Schematic
Sleeve ground
Ring Microphone audio + bias voltage
Tip Switch closure compatible input for microphone PTT switch
AeroX Audio105 8

Table 5-11: HANDSET socket:
4 Pin RJ11 6-4 Pin RJ12 Description Schematic
1 2 (Black) microphone +
2 3 (Red) speaker –
3 4 (Green) speaker +
4 5 (Yellow) microphone –
Table 5-12: VOICE modem socket:
4 Pin RJ11 6-4 Pin RJ12 Description Schematic
1 2
2 3 Ring line 1
3 4 Tip line 1
4 5
AeroX Audio105 9

6. Product description
6.1 Power supply
The AeroX Audio105 can use either AC or DC power. The rear panel has a fused and switched IEC
C14 connector for 115/230 VAC and a removable screw terminal strip for 11 to 24 VDC. Power can
be applied to both the AC and DC inlet at the same time. If the AC supply is on, the current will
not be drawn from the DC input unless the DC input is greater than 24 VDC. The DC input is
reverse polarity protected up to 30 VDC.
CAUTION:
Voltages greater than 30 VDC can damage the AeroX Audio105.
6.2 Power-up process
The AeroX Audio105 takes approximately 80 seconds to become operational after power-up or
reset. Initially, the POWER and VU LEDs illuminate. After 5 seconds, the AeroX Audio105 beeps
and the LCD displays the Campbell Scientific logo. A solid POWER LED (not flashing) indicates the
power-up process is complete and the AeroX Audio105 is fully operational. The final LCD screen
should look similar to the following:
6.3 VOL/DATA dial
Without pressing, rotate the VOL/DATA dial clockwise to increase speaker volume and counter-
clockwise to reduce the volume.
Press the dial to activate the menus. Rotate the dial to navigate the menus and press the dial to
select a menu option. The Configuration menu allows the output levels for each channel (CH1 to
CH5) to be set. The Updating menu is used to load new firmware, and the Testing menu outputs
test tones.
AeroX Audio105 10

6.4 PTT microphone
The PTT microphone allows the recording of messages directly into the AeroX Audio105. It is
plugged into the 3.5 mm jack on the right side of the front panel. To operate, press the
microphone button and hold while speaking into the microphone, then release the button when
finished recording the message.
NOTE:
The Microphone input is not usable in the NOAA/FAA configuration.
6.5 Audio outputs
The five male 3-pin XLR connectors and 3.5 mm jacks (CH1 to CH5) on the rear panel are isolated,
transformer-coupled with a 600 ohm impedance and pro-audio levels. The volume / level can be
adjusted during configuration. The XLR connectors are primarily for connecting equipment such
as VHF radios and recorders. The 3.5 mm jacks are wired in parallel to the XLR for connecting
standard stereo headphones with a 3.5 mm jack and an impedance of greater than 300 ohm. The
headphones can be used to monitor the channel audio directly during installation.
AeroX Audio105 11

NOTE:
The audio only transmits through one side of a stereo headphone. Connecting a headphone
with an impedance of less than 300 ohms may cause reduced audio levels out of the XLR
channel in which the headphone is connected.
Maximum common mode voltage (pins 2 and 3) relative to ground is ±17 V. Ideally audio cables
are screened. The redundant connection of two AeroX Audio105s requires parallel wiring (for
example, CH1 of rack1 to CH1 of rack2 and CH2 of rack1 to CH2 of rack2, ...). If there is a fault
detected or power is removed from one rack, it will disconnect the audio outs and the redundant
unit will take over driving the audio.
6.6 Audio inputs
The rear panel includes one audio line in that is a female, 3-pin XLR connector with a latch. It is
transformer isolated and the sensitivity can be adjusted during configuration. A 3.5 mm Jack is
wired in parallel to the XLR connector for connecting standard stereo headphones with greater
than 300 ohm impedance and a 3.5mm jack. The headphones can be used to monitor the
channel audio directly during installation.
NOTE:
The audio only transmits through one side of a stereo headphone. Connecting a headphone
with an impedance of less than 300 ohms may cause reduced audio levels into the XLR input.
Maximum common mode voltage (pins 2 and 3) relative to ground is ±17 V. Ideally audio cables
are screened. The redundant connection of two AeroX Audio105s requires parallel wiring (Line in
of rack1 to Line in of rack2). If there is a fault detected or power is removed from one rack it will
disconnect the audio Line in and the redundant unit will take over receiving the audio.
AeroX Audio105 12

6.7 PTT connector
The rear panel includes a 25-pin, D plug that provides five PTT, volt-free, relay contacts that can
be independently controlled to activate VHF radio transmitters or other devices. The relay
contacts are rated at 50 VAC or DC at 1 A, but are NOT overload protected. Maximum voltage on
any contact relative to ground is ±50 VAC or DC.
The contacts are configured as break-before-make, change-over contacts with the normally
open, normally closed contacts and common available on the D connector. A 5 VDC source is
available on pins 12,13, and 25 to enable configuration of logic level outputs. The following
configurations are possible:
AeroX Audio105 13

An optically-isolated, auxiliary, digital input on this connector can be used with special software
(contact factory for support). Maximum common mode voltage for pins 11 and 24 relative to
ground is ±15 V. Input pins 11 and 24 are reverse polarity protected and is active if the voltage
applied is greater than +3.5 V.
AeroX Audio105 14

6.8 LIGHTS connector
The LIGHTS connector is primarily used to turn on helicopter landing pad lights and is configured
as a single, break-before-make, change-over, normally open, normally closed contact. Rated at
50 V at 1 A, this relay contact is NOT overload protected. Maximum voltage on any contact
relative to ground is ±50 VAC or DC.
The relay normally is connected to the coil of a larger, higher contact capacity relay that switches
the heavy load of the lights.
6.9 VOICE MODEM connector
This RJ11 connector provides a standard telephone line connection that supports voice and DTFM
decoding as required by NOAA (contact factory). The voice modem is connected to COM4 of the
single-board computer internally.
6.10 HANDSET connector
This RJ11 connector provides line-out audio routed from CH1 and a microphone input routed
from the PTT microphone connector on the front panel.
NOTE:
XLR CH1 and PTT microphone on the front panel cannot be used because the function is used
by the FAA handset function.
6.11 USB connector
Is primarily used for quick configuration stored on a USB flash memory stick, but can support
other standard USB peripherals if operating system allows.
6.12 ETHERNET connector
The AeroX Audio105 requires an Ethernet connection to an ASOS or AWOS server to control and
generate the audio messages.
AeroX Audio105 15

6.13 Redundant connector
A redundant AeroX Audio105 rack module connects to this 9-pin D plug to support fault
tolerance. For example: if two AeroX Audio105s are used for a single audio stream, the second
box will act as a redundant audio box that can take over the audio if the first box fails or is
powered down.
A user-supplied cable is required to connect the redundant AeroX Audio105 to the main active
AeroX Audio105 and this allows communication of the active state. The cable should be screened
with pin-5 rack-1 connected to pin-5 rack-2 and a cross over connecting pin-3 rack-1 to pin-4
rack-2 and pin-4 rack-1 to pin-3 rack-2.
6.14 Audio electronics
Audio electronics controls the audio routing and level; provides regulated power supplies and a
Watch dog timer function; and internally connects to COM2 of the single-board computer.
7. Troubleshooting
7.1 AudioServer software update procedure
Accessing files
1. Insert USB flash drive in AeroX Audio105 USB port.
2. Press the Vol/Data dial to access the menu.
3. Rotate the Vol/Data dial to select Save to USB.
4. Press the Vol/Data dial and wait for indication that writing is finished.
5. Close menu and remove USB flash drive.
6. Configuration files can now be viewed and edited on a computer. The files will be located in
the AudioServer\Download\ directory.
Loading new/edited files to the AeroX Audio105 SBC
1. Place files on a USB flash drive in the AudioServer\ directory.
2. Insert USB flash drive in AeroX Audio105 USB port.
3. Press the Vol/Data dial to access the menu.
AeroX Audio105 16

4. Rotate the Vol/Data dial to select "Restart".
5. Press the Vol/Data dial and confirm.
6. AeroX Audio105 will restart and copy files from the AudioServer\ directory and replace
existing files on SBC.
NOTE:
The AeroX Audio105 update process will not replace files if their versions are the same.
Therefore, the USB drive can be left in the USB port without any issues on the next start up.
7.2 Micro-controller firmware update
procedure
TheAeroX Audio105 has an embedded micro-controller, which includes firmware that the
controls its operation. Updating the firmware is similar to updating the AeroX Audio105 software.
Loading new/edited firmware to the micro-controller
1. Place the file on a USB flash drive in the AudioServer\ directory. Name the file firmware.hex.
2. Insert USB flash drive in the AeroX Audio105 USB port.
3. Press the Vol/Data dial to access the menu.
4. Rotate the Vol/Data dial to select Update Firmware.
5. Press the Vol/Data dial and confirm.
6. The AeroX Audio105 will restart and copy files from the AudioServer\ directory and replace
the existing firmware.
NOTE:
The AeroX Audio105 update process will not replace files if their versions are the same.
Therefore, the USB drive can be left in the USB port without any issues on the next start up.
AeroX Audio105 17

Limited warranty
Products manufactured by Campbell Scientific are warranted by Campbell Scientific to be free
from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for twelve months
from the date of shipment unless otherwise specified on the corresponding product webpage.
See Product Details on the Ordering Information pages at www.campbellsci.com . Other
manufacturer's products, that are resold by Campbell Scientific, are warranted only to the limits
extended by the original manufacturer.
Refer to www.campbellsci.com/terms#warranty for more information.
CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS AND EXCLUDES ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Campbell Scientific hereby
disclaims, to the fullest extent allowed by applicable law, any and all warranties and conditions
with respect to the Products, whether express, implied or statutory, other than those expressly
provided herein.