Crown Audio PIP-Lite Module - Manual (Page 9)

page 9 Reference Manual
Networked PIP Series
*A PIP2-compatible amplifier is necessary to use these PIP modules. To determine if the amplifier is
PIP2 compatible, look for the logo on the back of the amplifier. These PIPs are NOT compatible
with older Crown PIP amplifiers (except the PIP-Lite if a USP2 adapter is first installed in the amplifier.
See Section 9 for more detail on the USP2 adapter.)
1
Note that the PIP-Lite and PIP-USP3 cannot receive or transmit CobraNet audio. Please use the PIP-
USP3/CN if this function is desire d.
1 Welcome
The Crown
®
Networked PIP™ series includes the PIP-Lite, PIP-USP3, and
PIP-USP3/CN. Each PIP (Programmable Input Processor) is a module for a PIP2™ com-
patible amplifier.* The module connects the amplifier to a 100 Mb Ethernet network allow-
ing it to be remotely controlled and monitored via System Architect or IQwic software.
Each PIP is a network component and connects to the audio control/monitor network using
standard 100Mb Ethernet hardware. This provides faster communications with HiQnet or
TCP/IQ than the previous current loop, IQ
® bus, connectivity method. With this protocol, a
large (or small) system can be interconnected using standard off-the shelf 100 Mb Ethernet
components (switches, Network Interface Cards, and cables). All the PIPs can also be con-
nected to the same network used to pass CobraNet audio.
1
The audio path in the PIP-Lite is processed totally in the analog domain without the inher-
ent noise induced by analog-to-digital conversions. While DSP-type functions are not
included with this type of architecture, the standard SmartAmp™ features are. These fea-
tures include level control, input compressors, multimode output limiters, error reporting
and load monitoring. The enhanced AUX port capability allows the user to interface with
the amplifier to provide external manual control and monitoring.
The Crown PIP-USP3 and PIP-USP3/CN include the same SmartAmp features as the
PIP-Lite. In addition, the USP3 and USP3/CN are 3rd generation DSP-based PIPs.
Their SHARC DSP processor gives the user an enormous amount of digital signal process-
ing. Audio routing, faders, meters, polarity & mute, input compressors, filters, multimode
output limiters, error reporting, and load monitoring are all available. A built in noise gen-
erator and sine-wave generator provide noise masking and test capabilities. In addition, the
PIP-USP3/CN allows the transport of real-time digital audio via CobraNet™ over the same
100Mb Ethernet network, providing a simple to install, single-plug solution for full-band-
width audio distribution, control, and monitoring.
Figure 1.1
PIP Series
Modules
IN USE/
CONDUCTOR
LINK/
ACTIVITY
tm
ANALOG AUDIO INPUTS
TCP / IQ
PIP-Lite
Analog
PIP-USP3
DSP-based
PIP-USP3/CN
DSP-based
Works with CobraNet