LQ-R4W8

Description  

LQ interfaces allow networked interfacing for intercom and audio using standalone devices or linked deployments of multiple decentralized devices over LAN, WAN or Internet infrastructures with audio routing, mixing and transport of specialized control signalling via up to 24 Channels and Direct connections using the Opus codec.  

Various LQ hardware options are available with 2-wire, 4-wire, and 4-wire GPIO interface in 2-, 4- or 8-port portable or rackmount device.  

LQ links its channels natively with other LQ interfaces, Gen-IC Virtual Intercom and HelixNet HMS-4X* digital partyline and allows for virtual interfacing using I.V. Direct (/IVC Direct) to Eclipse E-IPA (/IVC32) matrix cards & Arcadia Central Stations or SIP telephone systems over all types of networks. 

Architecture 

LQ interfaces allow linking up to (6) units into a Link Group which allows non-blocking mixing and routing of Channels and Direct connections over a network using Clear-Com’s patented I.V. Core decentralized network mixing technology where all incoming audio is converted into Ethernet streams and intelligently routed to associated interface ports for mixing.  

Audio transport  

Gen-IC Virtual Intercom interfaces use the low latency Opus codec, supporting interface ports with either 12kHz or 20kHz frequency response, adjustments of data rate, bandwidth, and latency to optimize performance for the quality of service provided by the available network infrastructure³. 

Link Group  

In larger deployments one LQ becomes the Link Group designated leader ensuring the system configuration, channels and assignments are shared by all LQ interfaces in the Link Group and that operation continuous in case of an outage of any Link Group member.  

LQ interfaces can link with Gen-IC Premium Virtual Intercom service over the internet providing a way to add a high density of Gen-IC supported Agent-IC and Station-IC Virtual Clients to a dedicated hardware intercom system on-premises or to bridge multiple intercom systems over the internet. LQ interfaces provide 2-Wire, 4-Wire, 4-Wire with GPIO, I.V. Direct (/IVC Direct) and SIP client connectivity to Gen-IC Premium Virtual Intercom.  

LQ interfaces can link with HelixNet HMS-4X¹ main stations using the HLI-ET2 module over LAN and WAN networks. This allows the main station to use the LQ ports as additional audio input and output to the HelixNet HMS-4X system. LQ device also allows HelixNet users add Agent-IC, Station-IC virtual intercom clients as well as I.V. Direct (/IVC Direct) and SIP¹ client interface ports to the HelixNet channels. 

Analog Interface Hardware Options 

LQ interfaces are available with factory fitted analog interfaces for connectivity to a variety of 3rd party audio and intercom systems with audio interface ports assignable to any Channel or Direct: 

• 2-Wire Partyline allows interfacing to existing analog partyline intercom system infrastructures or to add partyline user stations or interfaces. 2-Wire ports include software configurable partyline power supply, termination and auto-null. 

• 4-Wire provide the ability to connect analog line-level audio inputs and outputs and include the option to pass through Clear-Com signalling to compatible panels, interfaces, and matrices. 

• 4-Wire with GPIO provides additional isolated Input and Relay Outputs for control events that can be assigned to VOX, Call or to trigger other virtual or physical GPO. 4-Wire with GPIO additionally includes a software configurable pad to allow interfacing to mic level inputs on two-way radios. 

All interface ports include adjustable bandwidth and latency to accommodate a wide variety of network infrastructure quality of service. 

Virtual Interface Ports 

LQ interfaces include the capability to create virtual interface ports for connectivity to a variety of Clear-Com and 3rd party telephone systems with audio interface ports assignable to any Channel or Direct: 

• I.V. Direct (/IVC Direct) Clear-Com Interface ports can connect to Eclipse HX matrices using the E-IPA (/IVC-32) network card or Arcadia Central Station locally & globally over LAN, WAN and Internet using the G.722 codec.  

I.V. Direct port includes bi-directional audio and are routable through firewalls with adjustable network Quality-of-Service settings and secured with username and password. I.V. Direct ports include call and virtual GPIO control signalling that become available as an Eclipse control or as Virtual GPIO in the Arcadia Logic module. Each LQ Series device can connect up to (8) I.V. Direct (/IVC Direct) ports⁴ on different Eclipse HX E-IPA (/IVC-32) network card or Arcadia Central Station. 

• SIP (or VoIP) telephone client ports can register to a 3rd party SIP server/provider. Each LQ device can support up to (8) bi-directional SIP ports⁴. Alternatively, LQ devices support bridging SIP Client ports intelligently to Eclipse HX matrices using 4-wire or E-IPA (/IVC-32) network card providing incoming call alerts, auto answer or manual off-hook options, on-hook control, outbound manual dialling, and speed dials from the Eclipse panel.

Agent-IC & Station-IC Virtual Client Host 

LQ interfaces include the capability to locally host Clear-Com’s Agent-IC Virtual Mobile Client and Station-IC Virtual Desktop Client. LQ provides Virtual Clients access to any Channel and associated LQ interface. Individual Agent-IC and Station-IC Virtual Client keysets provide with large talk/listen controls, individual level control, visual call signalling and device notifications. LQ hosts centrally administrated credentials for the Virtual Clients as well as Roles that may include different keyset configuration for the user can be fixed to specific credentials or selected from the clients. The Virtual Clients connect locally or via an external router to the host LQ device over any common network infrastructure, including wired Ethernet, WiFi or 3G/4G/LTE networks. LQ can support up to (8) Virtual Clients concurrently in its default configuration⁴. Station-IC and Agent-IC virtual clients give the user a simple, flexible, and remote connection to any intercom system. 

Default Capacity 

LQ devices can link to up to a total of (6) members in a Link Group which allow non-blocking routing and mixing of audio and intercom from any input to any output regardless of geographical location. Default capacity of a single LQ unit is used by the up to (8) Analog Interface ports and (8) Virtual Interface Ports (total I.V. Direct/IVC Direct, SIP¹) and (8) Virtual Clients (total Agent-IC¹, Station-IC²). Capacity can then be re-allocated depending on the exact details of the system deployment using the LQ Resource Estimator tool which is available on the Clear-Com website to guide alternative use of LQ capacity.

Configuration 

LQ devices include an OLED front panel display to allow initial configuration of the unit network settings, analog port settings, ability to hang-up active SIP calls and information on the units licensed capabilities. 
Once the LQ is network accessible it is configured in the browser-based Core Configuration Manager™ (CCM) interface which facilitates setup, configuration, and monitoring. CCM is designed to be used with standard web browser on computers and tablets. CCM setup includes naming of LQ Link Groups, channels, interface ports, creation of virtual interface ports, configuration of port bandwidth/latency, virtual client accounts and Virtual Client roles. CCM Configuration allows for association of interface ports to channels and direct connections as well as the ability to assign channels to keysets on virtual client roles. CCM Monitoring provides a page that displays the status of the system and its active connections.  LQ configurations can be stored to a file and recalled. 

Licensing Options¹

LQ devices can be licensed for up to (8) Agent-IC Virtual Mobile Clients² in increments of 1 or 8 licenses and (8) SIP Client Interface Ports in an increment of 8 licenses. Licenses are delivered from Clear-Com as a license ticket and are applied by the user to an internet connected LQ from the CCM or using an offline activation. Once the license has been applied to the LQ it is permanently fixed to the unit.

Hardware Options 

LQ devices are housed in durable steel enclosures with textured powder coating for grip and to resist scratches and scuff marks during the life of the device. The devices are fanless for quiet operation in acoustically sensitive environments. 2 Port LQ portable units include rubber feet for surface friction while 4 and 8 Port LQ-R 1RU rackmount units include small handles to make assist pulling LQ-R units out of racks. 

Power Options 

2 Port LQ portable units can be powered using standard PoE or a supplied plug-in PSU while the 4 and 8 Port LQ-R 1RU rackmount units feature redundant DC inputs and come supplied with (2) inline PSU.

¹ Requires optional license 

²Station-IC requires a license on the client computer when used with LQ 

³HMS-4X is a legacy product. LQ uses WavPack codec with fixed parameters when linked to HMS-4X.