User:U3573541/Public Address system with IP-based function

Background

A public address system (PA system) is a system which amplifies and announces messages to the public. It is widely used in public venues where it is required to broadcast or to inform the public. A small PA system can be used in lecture halls, churches, while a big PA system is applied in transport stations, hotels and stadiums.

The PA system includes many functions and takes hotels as an example. The functions consist of fire linkage, remote paging, television sound function, etc.  The infrastructure of the typical PA system consists of speakers, amplifiers and microphones. Traditional PA systems make use of copper wire cable for communication. However, due to the emergence and widespread use of the internet, PA systems also switch into internet protocol based (IP-based). This page will discuss the details of IP-based PA system in terms of its system design, functionality and possible developments.

Existing applications and Possible developments

Possible deveopment

Turn into wireless

Existing PA system, either traditional or IP-based one, still relys on cable connection. Traditional PA system makes use of both network cable and aux cable. With the help of network switches, IP-based version could be further reduced to using network cable only. However, cabling still cannot be ignored during installation of PA system. With the help of wireless technology, the PA system can get rid of most network cable.

In a normal IP-based PA system, a network switch is connecting the control computer and other mixer amplifiers.

By connecting each swtich and amplifier to a wireless device, for example a WIFI router, the system is given more freedom and easier to install. This arrangement provides a flexible solution for setting in a big indoor enviroment, such as a event to be held in a hall. The loudspeakers can be put in any place as long as there is electricity supply. Elctrical wiring is much easier than communication wiring and nearby equipment can even share the same electrical source, reducing the redundant wiring and cabling work.

Such application does not limited to WIFI, other technology like bluetooth can be applied too.

testing

Combine with intercom system, i.e IP PBX/PABX

PA system nowadays play an important role as an announcer/performer in modern city especially in sports stadiums, hospital and other public facilities. As mentioned in the previous items, it is easy to understand that the system design and function of the PA system. Private branch exchange (PBX) is well known as a telephony/intercom system used in PA system nowadays. To carter for the continuous improvement of IP PA system, IP PBX also need to develop and implement to facilitate the new system. Implementation of IP PBX not only can enhance the PBX reliability, but also to improve the whole IP PA system performance.

As IP PA system seems become the trend of future development, IP PBX is foreseeable to be implemented into it. The IP PBX system provide voice connectivity to the user’s phone inside the building and which is known as a telecommunication device. The telephony network can be observed easily by using the internet connection. With the help of the IP network, it is simple to set up and reliable to use as it supports both online and offline mode by controlling the IP PBX panel.

Integration of intercom/telephony to IP PA system may need the components as mentioned in the above chapters such as IP speaker, server, cable, Network Host, etc. or some of the existing component need to be updated to carter for the IP PA system. IP PBX share the use of the equipment of IP PBX system such as IP speaker and server. The infrastructure also include connection cable/fiber and amplifier to make the integration be completed. The electrical setting of this basic function is simply not complicated. For the front-end user, a pair of audio lines need to connect between the system and the speaker. At the back-end, only racks with electrical set-up for the server is enough to the whole system. These components are compatible to both IP PA and IP PBX system.

One of the basic function is related to announcement/large distribution of audio information after integration. Once the installation works of the mentioned infrastructure completed, the operator can setup call group in the IP PBX server for each zone. Then the IP address of the speakers in each zone can be assigned. The operator has a call in the group by using the simply grouping.

There are benefit over using IP PBX which listed as follow:

• As mentioned, the reliability is higher. The IP PBX will connect to the server or better to use cloud-based technology in order to transmit and receive the data by the operator. There are also multiple data center to monitor the performance. Operator can set-up zoning/groups for distribution of information. If one of the PBX network goes down, there are other groups can pick up the role of the one which malfunction.

• The things needed to build in the system is only the basic items such as password, domain control, addresses, etc. This action can be performed in the existing IP-PA server. So that, the cost of the infrastructure would be lower in IP PBX system as only existing equipment/component used to set-up the whole network and no need to purchase another equipment. Cost can then be saved.

• The communication cost of using IP PBX is low as the cabling work is much fewer and the material cost would be less than the traditional one.

Beside the benefit of the integration of the IP PA system and PBX system, there are still number of limitation.

• The software included operation system and other essential software as well as the network need to update/configure regularly. This lead to an additional maintenance cost for the whole system.

• There is no remote function for the IP PBX system. The operator cannot have the set-up at home and need to go back to office for the grouping function or even control the panel.