SAS Nucleus IP Engine User manual

SAS Nucleus IP Engine
User Guide
Rev. 9, 6.15.2023

Nucleus AoIP DSP Engine User Guide / Revision 9 / Page 2of 30
Table of Contents
Preface......................................................................................................................................................................4
Overview..................................................................................................................................................................5
Features:..............................................................................................................................................................6
Front Panel ...........................................................................................................................................................6
Rear Panel ............................................................................................................................................................7
Getting Started.........................................................................................................................................................8
Network Configuration ......................................................................................................................................10
Input Channel Configuration..............................................................................................................................11
Editing Input Channel Attributes .......................................................................................................................13
Output Channel Configuration...........................................................................................................................14
Editing Output Channel Attributes.....................................................................................................................16
Crosspoint Map..................................................................................................................................................17
Mix Buses, Summing, and Gain.........................................................................................................................19
Onboard Web GUI Metering..............................................................................................................................20
GPIO...................................................................................................................................................................21
Setting Up DSP Effects......................................................................................................................................23
System Automation............................................................................................................................................24
Typical System Setup and Overview.....................................................................................................................26
Connecting SAS Guest Headphone Devices......................................................................................................27
Connecting SAS Remote and Ancillary Function Controllers ..........................................................................28
Web Browser Compatibility..................................................................................................................................29
SYSCFG.TXT........................................................................................................................................................29
Appendix A: Support and Limited Warranty.........................................................................................................30
Figure 1: Nucleus IP Engine Overview...................................................................................................................5
Figure 2: Nucleus Front Panel .................................................................................................................................6
Figure 3: Nucleus Rear Panel Analog Section.........................................................................................................7
Figure 4: SD Card SYSCFG File.............................................................................................................................8
Figure 5: Web Interface Access...............................................................................................................................9
Figure 6: Nucleus Web Server Menu.......................................................................................................................9
Figure 7: Network Config Screen..........................................................................................................................10
Figure 8: Input Channel Configuration View, Source Category ...........................................................................11
Figure 9: Input Channel Configuration View, Console Options Page...................................................................12
Figure 10: Edit Source Attributes Page .................................................................................................................13
Figure 11: Output Channel Configuration View, Output Category.......................................................................14
Figure 12: Output Channel Configuration View Basic Options Page...................................................................15
Figure 13: Edit Output Channel Attributes Page...................................................................................................16
Figure 14: System Crosspoint Map, Unity Gain Green and Blue Mapping..........................................................17
Figure 15 DSP Mix Bus Crosspoint Map..............................................................................................................19
Figure 16: Crosspoint Map Web GUI Meter Outputs ...........................................................................................20
Figure 17: GPIO alpha configuration ....................................................................................................................21
Figure 18: Fixed GPIO Control / Config...............................................................................................................22

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Figure 19: Adjust Effects Parameters ....................................................................................................................23
Figure 20: System Automation Control landing page ...........................................................................................24
Figure 21: Automation event editor.......................................................................................................................25
Figure 22: Typical IP Console System Overview..................................................................................................26
Figure 23: SAS Guest Headphone Amplifier and Analog Output Wiring ............................................................27
Figure 24: SAS Controller Wiring.........................................................................................................................28

Nucleus AoIP DSP Engine User Guide / Revision 9 / Page 4of 30
Preface
Thank you for purchasing the SAS Nucleus IP DSP Engine. The Nucleus was designed for high-quality
audio switching, mixing, and processing with redundancy built in, suitable for critical no-fault operations. The
following manual is an overview of the features and functions of the Nucleus IP engine along with typical
applications that are tailored for radio and television broadcast operations.
Proprietary Notice
This document contains proprietaryinformation, which may not be disclosed to others or used in
manufacturing, or any other purpose, without written permission from Sierra Automated Systems &
Engineering Corporation. The information and design disclosed herein were originated by and are the
propertyof Sierra Automated Systems & Engineering Corporation. All patent, proprietary design,
manufacturing, reproduction, use and sales rights are reserved except where those rights are expressly
granted to others.
Copyright Notice
Copyright 2023 by Sierra Automated Systems & Engineering Corporation, Burbank, California, USA.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission from Sierra Automated
Systems & Engineering Corporation is prohibited.
Limited Warranty
This product SAS Nucleus IP Engine of Sierra Automated Systems & Engineering Corporation (SAS)
is warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of five years from the date of
sale (see Support and Other Information for details.)
User Guide Revision
This Nucleus IP Engine User Guide is published by the Engineering Department of Sierra Automated
Systems & Engineering Corporation, which is responsible for its contents. SAS reserves the right to revise this
publication and to make changes in the content hereof without obligation to notifyany person or organization of
such revisions or changes
Who is the T-Rex?
In this manual you’ll see some “T-Rex Tips” highlighting shortcuts and other “easy peasy”
ways to accomplish your goals. Who is he and why is he here? We have had frequent
sightings of him in the SAS office. Some swear they see him sketching out helpful hints
and system diagrams on the whiteboard late at night, others recall his brilliant explanations
of the inner workings of SAS gear. Still others say he makes a mean pizza and can play
nearly anything on the piano. We don’t really know for sure, but we can assure you that
while his arms may be short, his brain is definitely not the size of walnut!

Nucleus AoIP DSP Engine User Guide / Revision 9 / Page 5of 30
Overview
The Nucleus IP Engine is a fully-integrated DSP mixing engine housed in a 1 RU chassis. The high-capacity,
small-footprint engine provides all functions necessary for a radio studio and many other audio mixing and
routing applications. The Nucleus contains no fans and may be placed in a control room or studio environment.
The Nucleus connects directly onto any Ethernet LAN and is controlled and configured using a standard
HTML5 Web browser. The DSP engine is self-contained and provides analog and AES3 digital inputs and
outputs in addition to Dante/AES67 audio-over-IP inputs and outputs. The Dante AoIP mechanism allows for
direct connection to any other Dante or AES67 device, including numerous third-party devices and Audinate’s
Dante Virtual Soundcard (DVS) for Windows and macOS.
The Nucleus IP Engine can be integrated into SAS Digital Audio Networks such as the Core64, 32KD (with
AoIP upgrade), and other SAS AoIP equipment such as additional Nucleus or RIO Bravo IP engines and Luna
mic preamps.
Figure 1: Nucleus IP Engine Overview

Nucleus AoIP DSP Engine User Guide / Revision 9 / Page 6of 30
Features:
•Fully-integrated DSP mixing IP engine, up to 46 separate mixes (23 stereo or 46 mono)
•8 analog input channels (4 stereo or 8 mono) and 16 analog output channels (8 stereo or 16 mono)
•4 AES3 inputs (4 stereo or 8 mono) and 8 AES3 outputs (8 stereo or 16 mono)
•64 Dante/AES67 AoIP input and output channels (32 stereo or 64 mono)
•Primary and synchronous secondary Dante network ports for redundant AoIP networking
•6 stereo effects chains with windowed AGC, parametric EQ, and peak limiter
•12 mono mic processing chains with downward expander, compressor, EQ, and AGC/peak limiter
•Silence and peak detection on audio I/O and mix buses
•HTML5 user interface for control and configuration
•Integrated automation for control room and show control
•Redundant power connectors, low voltage +24 VDC
•2 direct Cat6 cables for console connections – audio (meters, board op headphones, and cue speaker)
and data (faders and buttons)
•4 additional data ports for guest turrets, router control panels, etc.
•Analog audio outputs and auxiliary data ports include +12VDC power for turrets, control panels,
headphone amps, etc.
Front Panel
The Nucleus DSP IP Engine front panel shown in Figure 2 provides access to the System SD Memory module
(for system backup) and has the following LED Indicators:
Figure 2: Nucleus Front Panel
V Digital
Lights blue to indicate that the power supply is functioning normally
V Analog
Lights blue to indicate that the power supply is functioning normally
Audio Link
Lights green to indicate that the Dante AoIP interface is functioning normally
Control Link
Lights green to indicate that the Control LAN is connected. Blinks with LAN activity.
Run
Blinks green every ¼ second to indicate that the unit’s operating system is responding
Master
Lights green to indicate that the unit is providing master clock to the network
Message
Blinks green when a control message (e.g. a console button press) has been processed
Error
Blinks red when a command could not be processed; check the error log for details

Nucleus AoIP DSP Engine User Guide / Revision 9 / Page 7of 30
Rear Panel
All installation and connection to ancillary devices for the Nucleus are accomplished using RJ-45 connectors
located on the rear panel (see Figure 3). The connector detail is as follows:
Figure 3: Nucleus Rear Panel Analog Section
J1 & J2 POWER: two connectors for feeding redundant power (+24 VDC) from SAS power supplies.
J3 DANTE PRIMARY & SECONDARY:dual RJ-45 for connection to the Dante/AES67 AoIP network.
These ports can be operated in Redundant Network Mode or Switched Network Mode. Always start by
using the Primary network interface for Dante AoIP. Sometimes the ports are set for Switched operation
from the factory and a short cable from Control J4 to J3S Secondary allows one Cat6 cable connected to
J3P Primary to connect both the Dante port and the Control port to the network switch. For more info
see NETWORK CONFIGURATION on Page 9.
J4 CONTROL LAN: Connects to your control network. This can be on the same as the AoIP LAN but may be
different if you are isolating control and audio. Use a Web browser on this Control LAN to access and
configure the Nucleus IP Engine.
J5 ANALOG INPUTS: J5A 1,2, J5B 3,4, J5C 5,6, J5D 7,8.
ORG = Odd channel, BRN = Even channel
J5 ANALOG OUTPUTS: J5E 1,2, J5F 3,4, J5G 5,6, J5H 7,8.
ORG = Odd channel, GRN = Ground, BLU = +12VDC, BRN = Even channel
J6 ANALOG OUTPUTS:J6A 9,10, J6B 11,12, J6C 13,14, J6D 15,16.
ORG = Odd channel, GRN = Ground, BLU = +12VDC, BRN = Even channel
J6 DIGITAL INPUTS:J6E 1,2, J6F 3,4, J6G 5,6, J6H 7,8.
ORG = AES3 audio (both channels)
J7 DIGITAL OUTPUTS:J7A 1,2, J7B 3,4, J7C 5,6, J7D 7,8.
ORG = AES3 audio (both channels)
J7 CONSOLE SYSTEM:
J7E Connects to console DIG AUD A port (Meter 1, Meter 2, Board Op Headphones, Cue/Talkback),
J7F Connects to Console RS-485 A port,
J7G Timer Start/Stop/Reset (system GPIO relays 5, 6, and 7 on ORG, GRN, BRN, respectively),
J7H “On-Air” light relay (system GPIO relay 8 on ORG pair)
J8A GPIO:GPIO 1-4. Relay output on ORG pair and opto input on BRN pair.
J8E RS485:RS-485 for SAS router controllers, button panels, intercoms, etc. Includes +12VDC to power
these devices.

Nucleus AoIP DSP Engine User Guide / Revision 9 / Page 8of 30
Getting Started
1. The Nucleus control LAN has a static IP address. The factory-set IP address is printed on a tag
attached to the back of the unit. If the IP address must be changed before first boot, remove the SD
memory card from the front panel “System Backup” slot and insert it into a standard PC card reader.
Using your favorite plain-text editor (e.g. Notepad), open the SYSCFG.TXT file on the SD card.
You should see data similar to Figure 4. Use the text editor to set the IP address, subnet mask, and
default gateway as required. Then simply save your changes back to the SD card.
2. Re-install the SD card in the slot on the front panel, and be sure it clicks into place.
3. Connect the power cord supplied by SAS to the J1 or J2 connector (or both for dual power supply
operation).
4. After 5-10 seconds, the boot process should complete and the front panel Run light will flash.
5. Connect the Nucleus to your IP network using the “CONTROL LAN” (J4) connector.
6. Open your Web browser and type the IP address.
Figure 4: SD Card SYSCFG File
T-Rex Tip
: If you can access the engine at its current IP address, you can also view and change it
using the Network Configuration Menu described below.
T-Rex Tip 2
: All engine configuration data is on the SD memory card in various files.
You can back up an engine by copying the contents of the SD card to a folder on a PC, and restore
by copying those files back to the SD card. You can even swap SD cards to keep a rotating back up.
Just be sure to label them so you don’t put the rock station on the classical station and news on the
sports talk. More information on system backups will be described later in this manual.

Nucleus AoIP DSP Engine User Guide / Revision 9 / Page 9of 30
7. Enter Username and Password and click Submit. The default user name and password from the
factory is: User: SASDefault, Password: sas as shown in Figure 5 below. You can change both
Username and Password if needed.
Figure 5: Web Interface Access
8. The Web GUI will display the landing page, as shown in Figure 6.
9. You can navigate through the various pages using the gray buttons on the left (hover over them to
display sub-menus where applicable)
Figure 6: Nucleus Web Server Menu

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Network Configuration
Choose the Network Config tab to obtain a window similar to Figure 7 below. Here you can change any
network-related settings in your system. When all the network configuration values are entered in the fields,
press the Send button to push your changes to the system. Hover over each field to display an explanation of
what each field requires. If the IP address of the Nucleus is known, it can be viewed and changed from this
menu instead of modifying the SYSCFG.TXT file on the SD card.
Figure 7: Network Config Screen
T-Rex Tip: This step shows how to set/change the Control LAN IP address of the Engine.
While the Control LAN IP address is static, the Dante/AES67 LAN defaults to DHCP and is
dynamic. However, the Dante/AES67 ports can be set to Static IP addresses. Use Dante Controller
to set up the Dante port addresses and other parameters.
T-Rex Tip 2 : The Dante/AES67 ports can operate in Redundant or Switched mode. Please use
Dante Controller to set up the Dante ports. Note that AES67 can only use the Primary network.
This document may reference technical details on Dante AoIP. For more in depth information on
Dante please visit the Audinate website. They have great learning resources available. YouTube is
also a great place to find Dante info, and of course you can pick our brains any time at SAS.
T-Rex Tip 3 : Use this menu to configure an SNTP server for accurate time-of-day information.
This ensures your system log messages have meaningful timestamps, among other things.
Also set SNMP parameters if using an SNMP Manager to Monitor and Control the Nucleus.
Please contact SAS Engineering for MIB tables (will also be posted on sasaudio.com).

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Input Channel Configuration
The DSP engine allows a user to configure input source attributes using simple forms and pull down menus
from the Web GUI. There are many attributes that can be assigned to each source. Hover over Local Router
Control and then select Input Channel Config to get a form as shown in Figure 8 below: This form allows
you to view the attributes of each source, including label, type (general, microphone, etc.), location, and more in
a single screen.
Figure 8: Input Channel Configuration View, Source Category
The Nucleus Engine Inputs are categorized in 4 Groups:
- 16 User (or Fixed): These are physical analog or AES3 inputs on the Nucleus
- 46 Mix Bus Sources: These are the mixes generated inside the Nucleus
- 64 Network: These are sources coming from Dante or AES67 devices
- 64 Effects Sources: These are returns from the Nucleus’s internal effects chains
T-Rex Tip
: Use the Channel Type menu on the left to help navigate to the category of interest to
avoid scrolling around unnecessarily. With all the time you saved by not scrolling, you can treat
yourself to a nice fresh donut and coffee. Or a steak. Maybe a rack of ribs and a side salad.

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A single page (or form) cannot display all of the various attributes that can be associated with every source so
the various groups of attributes are displayed in pages (Note: you can see all attributes for any one Source –
click Edit. See next page). By clicking either of the two top-right buttons (see blue highlight): you can scroll
through each page of attributes to be displayed; these pages are: Basic Options, Console Options, GPI Options,
GPO Options, Silence Detect, Peak Detect, and Channel Status Info. The following diagram, Figure 9, shows
the input configuration attributes for Console Options page. These are view-only forms; any setting of attribute
values must be accomplished by clicking the Edit button for a specific channel.
Figure 9: Input Channel Configuration View, Console Options Page
T-Rex Tip
: Use the Page Scrolling buttons to help navigate to the Source Channel Attributes to
view.
T-Rex Tip 2
: Click Edit to go to the Edit Attributes screen from any page. Check out the next
section that details all the information you can store for each channel.

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Editing Input Channel Attributes
Attributes for each source can be configured by clicking the Edit button of the input channel. A new window
will pop up as shown in Figure 10. This screen is used to set all of the attributes that can be associated with
each input. Click Save and all of the fields that were entered will be stored in the engine.
Figure 10: Edit Source Attributes Page
T-Rex Tip
: Use the mouse pointer to hover over any programmable field to view a tool-tip to
explain the attribute setting in more detail. There are helpful hints abound, try it out!
T-Rex Tip 2
: Use the Channel Notes to help keep track of wiring runs and lists, to display even the
external information related to that source. No more crumpled legal pads with coffee stained notes
on what channels do what and go where!

Nucleus AoIP DSP Engine User Guide / Revision 9 / Page 14 of 30
Output Channel Configuration
The DSP engine allows a user to configure output attributes similar to those of the inputs, using simple forms
and pages to view the attributes of each output. Hover over Local Router Control and then select Output
Channel Config to get the form shown in Figure 11 below: This form allows you to view the attributes of each
output such as: label, type (general, speaker, program bus, etc.), location, etc. in a single screen.
Figure 11: Output Channel Configuration View, Output Category
Outputs are categorized in 3 groups,
46 Mix Bus outputs: These are used to do all mixing within the engine.
32 Fixed Output (or User Outputs): These are the physical analog and AES3 outputs on the engine. Some of
these are used to feed the console meters, cue speaker, headphones, etc.
64 Network Feeds: These are outputs to Dante and AES67 devices.
64 Sends to Effects: These outputs are used to feed the engine’s onboard effects chains.
T-Rex Tip
: Use the Channel Type to help navigate to the category of interest to avoid scrolling
around unnecessarily. Because that could be habit forming and you’ll never get the rest of your
Nucleus set up.

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Similar to the Input Config viewing screens a single table cannot display all of the various attributes that can be
associated with every output, so the attributes are broken into different views. By clicking either of the two top-
right buttons (see blue highlight), you can scroll through each page of attributes to be displayed. These pages
are: Basic Options, Console Options, Silence Detect, Peak Detect, and Channel Status Info. The following
diagram shows the output configuration attributes for Basic Options page. These are view-only forms; any
setting of values must be accomplished by clicking the Edit Button for a specific channel. (Clicking Edit does
allow you to see all attributes for the one selected Output.)
Figure 12: Output Channel Configuration View Basic Options Page

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Editing Output Channel Attributes
Attributes for each Output can be configured by clicking the Edit button; a new window will pop up as shown in
Figure 13. Hover over any field to display information on what that field does. Click Save and all of the fields
that were entered will be stored in the Nucleus DSP Engine.
Figure 13: Edit Output Channel Attributes Page
T-Rex Tip
: Use the mouse pointer to hover over any programmable field to view a tool-tip to
explain the attribute setting in more detail. There are helpful hints abound, try it out!
T-Rex Tip 2
: Use the Channel Notes to help keep track of wiring runs and lists, to display even the
external information related to that source. No more crumpled legal pads with coffee stained notes
on what channels do what and go where!

Nucleus AoIP DSP Engine User Guide / Revision 9 / Page 17 of 30
Crosspoint Map
The Nucleus DSP engine can operate as a console system, route sources to destinations, and distribute a single
source to many outputs. A quick, “at a glance” picture of the system mapping can be viewed by hovering over
Local Router Control and selecting Crosspoint Map. The screen in Figure 14 will appear. A tool-tip will
appear when the mouse is hovered over any of the fields. Using the “Chan Block” fields, the map can be
filtered by categories of inputs and outputs, similar to the input and output configuration pages.
Each cell on the crosspoint map represents a possible connection from an input to an output. Dots of various
colors appear in these cells to indicate what connections have been made:
Normal crosspoint
Crosspoint with fader ID (created by a console module)
High priority (IFB) crosspoint
Inhibit (crosspoints are prohibited from being made in this cell)
Each dot represents one channel. Stereo connections are indicated by multiple dots in sequence.
To create or modify a crosspoint, left-click on the source-to-destination square to create a connection based on
the settings of the “Crosspoint Command Options” fields at the left, or right-click on the square and choose the
connection type from the pull down list. For stereo routes, make your changes to the left channel, and the right
channel will follow automatically.
The Nucleus also supports a higher priority “IFB/Intercom” connection. This mode is used for talkback and
similar functionality where a connection should temporarily interrupt any existing connections to an output and
restore the output to its previous state when the high-priority connection is removed.

Nucleus AoIP DSP Engine User Guide / Revision 9 / Page 18 of 30
Figure 14: System Crosspoint Map, Unity Gain Green and Blue Mapping
T-Rex Tip: While the IFB priority level is mainly intended for talkback, it can be used for many
other things as well. Use it to bypass part of an airchain during maintenance, override an
automation system during a breaking news event, or even side-chain your EAS with the help of
automation events (more on those later). Any normal crosspoint commands received while an IFB
crosspoint is present will be processed in the background, but they won’t take effect until the IFB
crosspoint is removed.

Nucleus AoIP DSP Engine User Guide / Revision 9 / Page 19 of 30
Mix Buses, Summing, and Gain
Certain outputs of the system can have multiple sources “summed” onto them at once, creating a mix of those
sources at the output. This is accomplished by using the “Make Summing Change” option under “Crosspoint
Command Options”, or using the “Sum On” function in the right-click menu. Fixed outputs can accommodate
up to 2 sources (this is typically used to convert a stereo source to mono), while Mix Bus outputs can
accommodate up to 64 sources at once.
You can find out what sources are currently connected to a given output by left-clicking the output name and
choosing “Get Info”. Likewise, you can find every output that’s using a particular source by left-clicking the
input name and choosing “Get Info” there.
Figure 15 DSP Mix Bus Crosspoint Map
The crosspoint map also offers access to gain adjustments at several points in the audio routing path. These can
be accessed by left-clicking on a source name, destination name, or crosspoint and clicking “Adjust Gain” (this
option will be grayed out if it’s not available in a particular context – for example, the gain of an individual
crosspoint can only be changed on Mix Bus outputs).
T-Rex Tip
: On any input name, output name, or crosspoint, you can also access the “Get Info”
function via Ctrl+Click, and “Adjust Gain” via Alt+Click. Boom!
T-Rex Tip 2: Need to sum more inputs than your output can handle? Simply find an available mix
bus, sum your inputs to that, then route that mix bus to your output!

Nucleus AoIP DSP Engine User Guide / Revision 9 / Page 20 of 30
Onboard Web GUI Metering
The Crosspoint map also displays 2 stereo audio meters. These meters are fed from the last four mix buses (two
stereo pairs) in the system. You can choose what sources to monitor on the meters by routing them to these mix
buses on the crosspoint map. Additionally, you can route a source to the right-hand meter by left-clicking on its
name and choosing “Route to Meter”.
Figure 16: Crosspoint Map Web GUI Meter Outputs
T-Rex Tip: The Web GUI meter mix bus outputs are named by default from the SAS factory.
Change the name to suit your need, but remember that the last 2 stereo mix bus pairs always feed
the Web GUI meters. And those meters are great for troubleshooting an input. Don’t be shy, select
your sources to them and see what you’re hearing!