Power Core RP v2 - Controls, Connectors and Indicators
The descriptions below provide a quick guide to the controls, connectors and indicators. For more information about how to connect the device, see Power Core RP v2 - Wiring.
This topic covers both of the current hardware revisions. Note that the front panel controls differ slightly, while the rear panel is the same for both revisions.
Front View, Revision 3
The front panel display can be used to edit local device parameters such as the IP address.
The STATUS LED indicates the health of the device and sync status.
- If the LED is blinking at regular intervals, then the device is working properly and the LED color indicates the sync source/status.
- If the LED is lit and static, then either the device is booting or there is an internal problem.
The table below describes all possible meanings.
| Blinking STATUS LED | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Blue ↔ Off | Synchronized to PTP master |
| Yellow ↔ Off | Trying to sync to PTP master |
| Red ↔ Off | Synchronized to internal clock |
| Green ↔ Off | Synchronized via Wordclock |
| Magenta ↔ Off | Synchronized via MADI |
| Red ↔ white | Device is PTP Master, sync source = internal |
| Green ↔ white | Device is PTP Master, sync source = Wordclock |
| Magenta ↔ white | Device is PTP Master, sync source = MADI |
| Static STATUS LED | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Off | System powered off |
White | System starting |
Color (not white) | System failure |
The RESET button can be used to reboot the device and load the warm start data. The button is recessed to prevent accidental operation.
This operation should NOT be performed while the device is live on-air!
The DONGLE port should be used to connect the USB memory stick containing your system's WIBU license(s). A safety cap is available to prevent accidental removal of the dongle. If fitted, you will need a T10 star tool to remove the cap.
The dwc0 and dwc1 network ports provide a connection to the device's control system.
It is possible to configure dwc0 and dwc1 as redundant interfaces using either a LACP bond or generic failover mode using the Power Core web UI.
The control network must be separate from the streaming network connected to the RAVENNA/AES67 ports (6).
The ra0, ra1, ra2 and ra3 interfaces can be used to stream audio to and from the IP network. The first pair of interfaces are enabled as standard. The second pair of interfaces can be enabled by purchasing the optional AddOnRAV+ license.
The Ravenna interfaces can be used to connect the Power Core to the media network (to stream audio to and from the mc2 console). The RP offers 3 default configurations:
- 32x 8ch Streams
- 16x 16ch Streams
- 4x 64ch Streams
Using the AddOn RAV+ license doubles the stream count. The streams are fully compatible with SMPTE ST2110-30/31, AES67 and RAVENNA. To achieve redundant streaming, compatible with SMPTE ST2022-7, you must use both interfaces: ra0/ra1 or ra2/ra3.
The streaming network must be properly managed and configured.
The four MADI/AIOX ports may be configured in one of three modes:
- Mode 1: Front Port 1, 2, 3, 4 are configured independently (4x64ch)
- Mode 2 : Front Port 1 and 2 are a redundant pair, Front Port 3 and 4 are independent (1x64ch + 2x 64ch)
- Mode 3 : Front Port 1 and 2 are a redundant pair, as well as Front Port 3 and 4 (2x 64ch)
The SD card stores all of the system software and configuration data. It can be accessed by removing the safety cover (included).
It can be quickly inserted into a replacement device (if you are exchanging the hardware). Or, removed and copied (to create a backup of the system data).
Power Core revision 3 supports three other control data ports.
CAN - this port is not used by mc2 systems. It should be left unconnected.
RS-422 - this port is not used by mc2 systems. It should be left unconnected.
USB - the USB port can be used for debugging.
The two WCLK connectors can be used for external synchronization.
If Ravenna streams are being used, the Power Core RP v2 must be synchronized to PTP arriving from the streaming network OR must be configured as a PTP Master. If the Power Core RP v2 is a PTP Slave:
WCLK IN will not be used.
WCLK OUT provides an output of the current system reference. It can be used to distribute a wordclock signal to non-PTP devices.
If the Power Power Core RP v2 is a PTP master
WCLK IN can be connected to provide an external sync reference
WCLK OUT provides an output of the current system reference. It can be used to distribute a wordclock signal to non-PTP devices.
The WCLK OUT will not function while the Power Core is being rebooted.
Front View, Revision 2
The asterisks (*) indicate a difference in functionality from a revision 3 frame: fewer RAVENNA/AES67 ports (6); no access to SD card (8); no USB port (9); GPIOs are included (11). All other controls work in an identical manner, with some variations in the connector labelling.
The front panel display can be used to edit local device parameters such as the IP address.
The STATUS LED indicates the health of the device and sync status.
If the LED is blinking at regular intervals, then the device is working properly and the LED color indicates the sync source/status.
If the LED is lit and static, then either the device is booting or there is an internal problem.
The table below describes all possible meanings.
| Blinking STATUS LED | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Blue ↔ Off | Synchronized to PTP master |
| Yellow ↔ Off | Trying to sync to PTP master |
| Red ↔ Off | Synchronized to internal clock |
| Green ↔ Off | Synchronized via Wordclock |
| Magenta ↔ Off | Synchronized via MADI |
| Red ↔ white | Device is PTP Master, sync source = internal |
| Green ↔ white | Device is PTP Master, sync source = Wordclock |
| Magenta ↔ white | Device is PTP Master, sync source = MADI |
| Static STATUS LED | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Off | System powered off |
White | System starting |
Color (not white) | System failure |
The RESET button can be used to reboot the device and load the warm start data. The button is recessed to prevent accidental operation.
This operation should NOT be performed while the device is live on-air!
The DONGLE port should be used to connect the USB memory stick containing your system's WIBU license(s). A safety cap is available to prevent accidental removal of the dongle. If fitted, you will need a T10 star tool to remove the cap.
The CONTROL A and B network ports provide a connection to the device's control system.
It is possible to configure CONTROL A and B as redundant interfaces using either a LACP bond or generic failover mode using the Power Core web UI. It connects the device to the management network (for administration and control).
The control network must be separate from the streaming network connected to the RAVENNA/AES67 ports (6).
The RAVENNA/AES67 A and B interfaces can be used to stream audio to and from the IP network.
In an mc2 installation, the ports connect the device to the media network (to stream audio to and from the mc2 console). The streams must be configured by HOME (as part of the system setup).
The streams are fully compatible with SMPTE ST2110-30/31, AES67 and RAVENNA. To achieve redundant streaming, compatible with SMPTE ST2022-7, you must use both interfaces: ra0/ra1 or ra2/ra3.
The streaming network must be properly managed and configured.
The four MADI/AIOX ports may be configured in one of three modes:
- Mode 1: Front Port 1, 2, 3, 4 are configured independently (4x64ch)
- Mode 2 : Front Port 1 and 2 are a redundant pair, Front Port 3 and 4 are independent (1x64ch + 2x 64ch)
- Mode 3 : Front Port 1 and 2 are a redundant pair, as well as Front Port 3 and 4 (2x 64ch)
Power Core revision 2 supports two other control data ports.
CAN - this port is not used by mc2 systems. It should be left unconnected.
RS-422 - this port is not used by mc2 systems. It should be left unconnected.
The two WCLK connectors can be used for external synchronization.
If Ravenna streams are being used, the Power Core RP v2 must be synchronized to PTP arriving from the streaming network OR must be configured as a PTP Master. If the Power Core RP v2 is a PTP Slave:
WCLK IN will not be used.
WCLK OUT provides an output of the current system reference. It can be used to distribute a wordclock signal to non-PTP devices.
If the Power Core RP v2 is a PTP master
WCLK IN can be connected to provide an external sync reference
WCLK OUT provides an output of the current system reference. It can be used to distribute a wordclock signal to non-PTP devices.
The WCLK OUT will not function while the Power Core is being rebooted.
The front panel GPIO connector provides 8 x GPI (optocouplers) and 8 x GPO (silent and self-healing relays) for local signaling and switched functions. These GPIOs are available in HOME.
Rear View (all revisions)
Up to 8 expansion I/O cards can be fitted to the slots at the rear of the frame. All cards are hot-pluggable. Options include: Mic/Line In, Line Out, Studio I/O, AES3 I/O, Dante, MADI, MADI SRC, and GPIO.
The CASE screw is used to ground the frame. Please see Power Core RP v2 - Grounding.
Power Core comes with dual power feeds: AC and DC. To use the DC input, you will need the external DC power supply which must be ordered separately. If both inputs are connected, then the two feeds provide main and redundant power.
Please see Power Core RP v2 - Power Supplies.
Comparison of Revisions
The table below compares the current hardware revisions; all differences are highlighted in bold.
| Revision 3 | Revision 2 | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | SYSTEM Display & Menu Control | yes | yes | |
| 2. | STATUS LED | yes | yes | |
| 3. | RESET button | yes | yes | |
| 4. | DONGLE port | yes | yes | |
| 5. | CONTROL Network Ports | 2 | 2 | dwc0 = CONTROL A; |
| 6. | RAVENNA/AES67 Network Ports | 4 | 2 | ra0 = RAVENNA A; ra1 = RAVENNA B |
| 7. | MADI/AIOX Ports | 4 | 4 | |
| 8. | Front panel access to SD card | yes | no, access is internal | |
| 9. | USB service port | yes | no, use RS-422 port | |
| 10. | WCLK IN & OUT | yes | yes | |
| 11. | Front panel GPIO | no | yes | GPIO can be added via the rear expansion I/O cards |