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Chapter 5 - Design of Matrix Intercom Systems 71
Now, let’s take the opposite tack; what would be the reasons for going to a single large
matrix? Some of the reasons might include:
• Operations require ability for any of the 512 users to communicate with any of the other
users.
• Desire for single point of administration, control, troubleshooting and monitoring.
• Design of the facility is highly decentralized operationally, and day to day, different
portions of the facility must work together.
• Certain users must work with all the facilities, and giving them four separate keypanels
(one per system) is not feasible.
Now we have helped to identify whether to use one large matrix or a number of smaller
ones. What happens when you get mixed answers to the questions above? Certain
requirements drive you to use separate matrices, but one or two key factors seem to
demand a single matrix.
A couple of different options or “hybrid designs” can be used in these cases.
The first and simplest is to define a few common points of contact between the intercom
matrices. Take the following example, a television complex has two studios and two
control rooms. Normally Control A works with Studio A, and Control B with Studio B.
Occasionally, the wall between the two studios opens, (never mind how; that’s the
architects problem!) and there is a need for Control A to work with the cameras in the
combined Studio AB.
Let’s further presume the normal method of operation has the cameras in each studio
receiving two channels of intercom; a “Technical PL” created in the intercom
configuration, and a “Production PL” also created in the intercom configuration of the
respective matrices for Studio A and Studio B.
Figure 5.5
Separate Studios, Separate Intercom
A quick way of allowing the combined operation would be to configure (in AZ™-EDIT)
the Production and Technical PLs of each matrix to include two available sets of ports on a
Dir A
TD A
PROD A
CAM 2
VIDEO A
PROD PL A
TECH PL A
CAM 1
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
XX
X
X
X
X
PROD PL A
TECH PL A
Dir A
TD A
PROD A
CAM 2
VIDEO A
CAM 1
INDEPENDENT MATRICES IN 2 STUDIOS
STUDIO A
X X X
X X X
X X X
STUDIO B
Dir B
TD B
PROD B
CAM 4
VIDEO B
PROD PL B
TECH PL B
CAM 3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
XX
X
X
X
X
PROD PL B
TECH PL B
Dir B
TD B
PROD B
CAM 4
VIDEO B
CAM 3
X X X
X X X
X X X
X
= Technical PL Studio B
= Production PL Studio B
X
X
= Technical PL Studio A
= Production PL Studio A
X