HelixNet System Operation
Main Station
User Station
Connectivity
LQ Integration Options
The HelixNet HMS-4X main station is a combination of a system master and an intercom user station with XLR Powerline connections to user stations. HMS-4X hosts up to three HLI interface modules for external connectivity, including Ethernet and Fiber.
The HelixNet IP networking guide provides specifications, best practices and guidance for the integration of HelixNet into an existing or new IP network.
HMS is required as the HelixNet Master. Link Group may include five additional HMS Members, including up to three LQ devices for a maximum of six HMS/LQ in Link Group. HMS link using HLI-ET2 or HLI-FBS modules over LAN/WAN connections. Link Group supports up to 64 endpoints (station/port).
System provides 12 or 24 intercom channels assignable to any user station or port in the system. Four Channels can be assigned to station. Program Audio can be associated with any channel with independent endpoint level control.
99 Roles for naming and dynamic configuration of user station settings. Role can be applied to multiple user stations.
XLR Powerline: (2) Powerline, 3-pin XLR-M/F
Headset: 4-pin XLR–M
Program Audio: 3-pin XLR–F
Stage Announce: 3-pin XLR–M
Hot Mic/IFB Interface: 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TRS Jack
GPIO: 25-pin D-type female (4 GPI, 4 GPO, 5V)
USB: Type A & Micro AB (factory service use)
Headset Mic Impedance: 200Ω (Dynamic)
Headset Mic Voltage: 1.7V (Electret selectable)
Limiter: +23dB
Route to 4-wire output at 0dBu:
Mic Gain: 60dB (Dynamic), 45dB (Electret)
Frequency Response: 200Hz – 10 kHz ±3dB
Distortion: <0.2% THD @ 1kHz
Noise: <-55dBu (Dynamic), <-65dBu (Electret)
Load Impedance: >32Ω
Output Level: +12dBu before clipping
Sidetone: -12dB (selectable)
Route from a 4-wire input at 0dBu:
Max Gain: 0dB
Frequency Response: 40Hz – 10kHz ±3dB
Distortion: <0.1% THD @ 1kHz
Noise: <-65dBu
Headphone Limiter: 0dB (selectable)
Load Impedance: 8Ω
Output Level: +18dBu before clipping
Route from a 4-wire input at 0dBu:
Max Gain: 18dB
Frequency Response: 200Hz – 10kHz ±3dB
Distortion: <0.1% THD @ 1kHz
Noise: <-50dBu
Maximum Level Before Clipping: +18dBu
Nominal Input Level: 0dBu (selectable)
Input Impedance: >= 10KΩ
Route to 4-wire output at 0dBu:
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 10kHz ±3dB
Distortion: <0.2% THD @ 1kHz
Noise: <-65dBu
Maximum Level Before Clipping: +18dBu
Nominal Output Level: 0dBu (selectable)
Output Impedance: <= 100Ω
Route from a dynamic headset:
Frequency Response: 300Hz – 12kHz ±3dB
Distortion: <0.1% THD @ 1kHz
Noise: <-55dBu
Maximum Level Before Clipping: +12dBu
Nominal Output Level: 0dBu (selectable)
Output Impedance: <= 100Ω
Route from a dynamic headset:
Frequency Response: 300Hz – 12kHz ±3dB
Distortion: <0.2% THD @ 1kHz
Noise: <-55dBu
Two independent network XLR Powerlines
Frequency Modulated Ethernet – OFDM
Output Voltage: ±29.5V DC
Output Current (Max): 1.5A per Powerline
Frequency: 100kHz-25MHz
Requires shielding integrity between Powerlines
Support up to 10 beltpacks each
Support up to 3-10 stations each
Use HelixNet Cable Calculator to validate load and cable distance.
Input Frequency Range: 100 – 240V AC
Input Frequency Range: 50 – 60Hz
Power (Max): 250W
Input Power Connector: IEC-C14
Practical Power Range:
Power (Normal): 80-250W
BTU (Normal): 275-850BTU/hr
Dependent on hosted modules and powerline connected beltpacks
32º – +104ºF (0 – +40ºC)
90% relative humidity
1.75 x 19 x 13in (HxWxD)
(44 x 483 x 320mm)
5.83lbs. (2.65kg)
Ethernet IPv4 – Unicast Audio and Control
mDNS – Multicast Device Discovery
Layer 3 – Routable with mDNS function limitations
WavPack – Audio Codec
Unicast:
Port 80 TCP – Web Interface, System Management, Expansion
Port 655 TCP – Link Group Audio/Database
Port 6001 TCP – System Management
Port 6001 UDP – Audio Streams
Multicast:
Port 5353 UDP – mDNS, Names, Discovery, Linking, Expansion
Optional for device names and linking
Mandatory for HMS/HRM Expansion
Link Group Endpoint Support: 64 Endpoints are user stations, active Interface ports, Program Audio inputs and LQ accounts.
Bandwidth:
300 kbps each audio input linking between HMS/LQ
Link Group audio sent dynamically between members
300-600 (max) kbps from each audio input to HMS
1200-2400 (max) kbps from HMS to each endpoint audio output
Network Jitter Tolerance:
<= 128ms jitter buffer per audio stream receiver automatically adjusted to network performance
QoS Tags:
DSCP=46, High Priority/Expedited Forwarding (EF)
Link-Local Default IP Address Range:
169.254.0.0/16
System Reserved IP Ranges:
10.0.0.0/8 for endpoints
172.23.0.0/16 for Link Group
Managed Ethernet Switch – Layer 3
100/1000 Base-T ports for endpoints
1000 Base IP Trunks between switches
QoS Configuration
Energy Efficient Ethernet bypass option
IGMP Snooping bypass option
