Glossary

 

Term	Definition
Analog Port	Any of the matrix’s analog input/output RJ-45 connectors that are used to connect cable from the matrix to panels and interfaces. Each port connects to a separate audio channel in the matrix.
Alias label	A label that is temporarily assigned and replaces a previously labeled port or conference.
Bus	A bus is the channel or path between the components in the matrix along which electrical signals flow to carry information from one component to the next. In the Eclipse matrix the bus is located in the etched surface of the midplane.
Call signal	A call signal is an electronic signal sent from one panel or interface to another. A call signal can be audible and/or visual. Typically a call signal is sent to get the attention of a panel operator who may have turned down their intercom speaker’s volume or removed their headset. It can also be sent to activate an electronic relay.
Canvas	The assignment area of the Dynam-EC software which can save any user labeled background.
Category-5 (CAT-5) cable	EIA/TIA 568 category specification relating to network cabling. Shielded category-5 cabling is required for Eclipse matrix wiring.
CellCom®	Digital wireless communications product. Sold under the CellCom name in USA and as FreeSpeak in Europe and Asia.
Central matrix	The term central matrix is used to differentiate the central hardware and software of the intercom system from the connected audio devices. The central matrix consists of: The metal housing for the circuit cards and power supplies. The circuit cards. The power supplies. The rear panel connectors which connect the matrix’s hardware to panels and interfaces.
Conference	An internal matrix virtual partyline or busbar where many panels and interfaces can talk onto or listen from the party line without talking to themselves.
Destination	A device such as an intercom panel, beltpack, or interface to which audio signals are sent. The device from which audio signals are sent is called a source.
Duplex	All real-time communication between individuals talking face to face is full duplex, meaning that they can both talk and listen simultaneously. The Eclipse matrices provide full-duplex audio.
EHX	EHX is the Eclipse configuration software. EHX guides the operation of the matrix circuit cards and connected panels.
Ethernet	International standard which describes how information is transmitted across a network. Provides for the efficient organization of network components.
Fiber optic cable	A fiber-optic cable consists of a glass core covered with a reflective material called cladding and several layers of buffer coating to protect the cable from the environment. A laser sends light pulses through the glass core to the other end of the cable.
Fixed Group	In a Fixed Group communication configuration, an operator speaks to all members of a group at once, in the manner of an announcer. However, if a group member responds by calling the operator back with their answer-back key, the audio path goes to the operator panel only. This mode can be contrasted with a conference or partyline configuration in which all members of a group can speak to all other members at the same time.
FreeSpeak®	Digital wireless communications product. Sold under the FreeSpeak name in Europe and Asia and CellCom name in USA.
FreeSpeak II™	Digital wireless communications product.
Full duplex	Refers to transmission of signals in two directions simultaneously.
Hopping	Refers to making a trunk connection through other matrices to a destination matrix.
Hosted Direct	Refers to the default port function when one or two extra IP channels are configured.
IFB	Interruptible Foldback. The term foldback refers to sending program audio / feed, or some other audio mix, back to announcers while they are on the air. Doing so allows announcers to monitor themselves, other announcers, videotapes of commercials, or some mix of sources, while they on the air. This is typically found in television news and live broadcast events.Announcers usually wear a small ear piece so they can hear the selected foldback audio mix. When a director wants to give directions to an announcer on air, or to announce changes in the program, the director must interrupt the foldback. To do this, the director uses a channel specifically set up to interrupt the foldback audio.
Interface module	A piece of electronic hardware designed to convert the 4-wire signals of a central matrix port to some other form of communication, such as 2-wire partyline, telephone, etc. The interface module is connected to a central matrix port. The external non-4-wire device is then connected to the interface module.
ISO	The ISO function, short for panel ISOlation, allows a panel operator to call a destination and interrupt all of that destination’s other audio paths and establish a private conversation. When the call is completed the destination’s audio pathways are restored to their original state before the interruption.
Keygroup	KeyGroups provide a way of assigning a label to multiple panels simultaneously even within a networked matrix system. Once the KeyGroups have been defined using EHX, all the keys within a KeyGroup can be changed with a single assignment in Dynam-EC.
Label	A label is an alphanumeric name of up to five characters that identifies a source, destination, or control function accessed by an intercom panel. Labels appear in the displays of the intercom panel. Labels can identify panels, ports interfaced to other external equipment, fixed groups, party lines, and special control functions.
MADI	Multichannel Audio Digital Interface. The MADI or AES10 electronic communications protocol defines the data format and electrical characteristics of an interface carrying multiple channels of digital audio.
Multiplexing	The process by which two or more signals are transmitted over a single communications channel. Examples include time division and wavelength division multiplexing.
Non-volatile Memory	Data stored in the CPU’s firmware (ROM) that is not lost when the power is turned off.
Palette	The port, KeyGroup and Monitor selection screen in Dynam-EC.
Panel	Any intelligent intercom device connected to the rear-panel analog ports of the central matrix. This term does not refer to devices connected through interface modules.
Partyline	A wired shared communication system based on a single screened pair of wires. See the Encore range. Matrix requires the CCI-22 to interface to it.
Port	Any of the input/output connections (RJ-45 connectors) on the back panel of the central matrix. These connectors and the attached cables connect the central matrix to remote intercom devices. The term port emphasizes that the connection is a portal between the central matrix and the remote intercom devices.
Program	Any separate audio source that is fed into the intercom channels. In television applications, for example, the program audio is the audio that is broadcast on air.
Rack Unit (RU)	Standardized unit of mounting space on a rack panel. Each rack unit is 1.75 inches (44.45 mm) of vertical mounting space. Therefore 1 RU is 1.75 inches (44.45 mm) of vertical mounting space, 2 RU is 3.5 inches (88.9 mm), 3 RU is 5.25 inches (133.35mm), and so on.
Remote panel	Any intelligent intercom device connected to the back-panel ports of the system frame (matrix). This term does not refer to devices connected through interfaces.
Sidetone	The sound of the panel operator’s voice, as heard in their own earphone(s) as they speak.
Source	In this guide, the term source refers to a device (such as an intercom panel, interface, or beltpack) that sends audio into the matrix. The device to which audio is sent is called a destination.
VOX	In the Eclipse HX system, when audio at a panel exceeds a threshold, a light switches on at the panel’s port card to visually cue the operator. The threshold level is set in the EHX configuration software.