Integrates with the new Polycom QSX, as well as Vortex
Installed Voice Systems, Global Management System, plus VSX 7400 and VSX
8400 video conferencing units!
Revolutionary voice quality and clarity from up to 20 feet
away
Have you ever wasted time on inefficient conference calls by
continuously having to repeat yourself or shout into the phone to be
heard? Well, Polycom has a revolutionary solution. The next generation
of conference phones is here!
Introducing the SoundStation VTX 1000:
No more shouting into the phone
No more huddling around the phone
No more, "I didn't hear that. Could you please repeat yourself?"
The SoundStation VTX 1000 enables you to speak naturally from 2 feet
to 20 feet away from the microphone, so those on the remote end of the
call can hear you clearly – leading to increased productivity, faster
decision making, a higher competitive advantage, and much happier
conference call participants
As the world’s first high-fidelity, wideband conference phone, the
SoundStation VTX 1000 covers the full range of the human speech
spectrum, making every voice, word, and syllable crystal clear – you’ll
think you were all in the same room! It’s like going from
black-and-white to color TV.
And, you can download new software for additional features and
functionality simply by dialing a number right from your SoundStation
VTX 1000 – that’s built-in investment protection!
Now is the time to experience the SoundStation VTX 1000. It's the
perfect solution for any size conference room and will provide full room
coverage for a 54' x 40' room.
Your business can't afford to use yesterday's technology and be stuck
with yesterday's problems.
Features
Acoustic
Clarity Technology
Unparalleled
room coverage
Revolutionary
voice quality
Built-in
investment protection
Maximum
configuration flexibility
Easy
to install/Easy to use
Capabilities and Characteristics
Some of the capabilities of the SoundStation VTX 1000
relate directly to its current features, while others may be more fully
utilized in the future (yes, its software is upgradeable; more about
that later), or in specific installations. Here are some of its internal
characteristics and capabilities.
Digital Architecture.
The SoundStation VTX 1000
operates on the TriMedia processor core, running at 200 MHz. This is a
multiprocessing DSP that runs five execution units simultaneously,
producing an aggregate of over 1000 million operations per second
(MOPS), and more than 800 million floating point operations per second (MFLOPS).
In calculation capacity, this can be compared to a one-GHz Pentium IV.
Program and ringtone storage is 4 MB, operating memory is 16 MB. This is
over 100 times the processing power of the SoundStation, one thousand
times the available memory.
Software Architecture.
The SoundStation VTX 1000
contains six independent 14kHz audio processing input channels: one for
each of the three internal mics, two external mics, and the auxiliary
input channel. Each of these performs a complex set of algorithms in
both time and frequency domains, at some points operating on internal
representations of the audio signals which are broken into 320 separate
frequency sub-bands. By comparison, the SoundStation Premier has three
input channels, each processing eight sub-bands.
Tone Controls:
Two tone controls, one treble
and one bass, can be accessed through the keyboard. Each of these is
implemented as a double biquad IIR digital filter, acting on the audio
path that leads to the loudspeaker.
PSTN Interface.
The telephone interface resides
in the Palomod
(a name combined from the Unimod of
SoundStation and SoundStation Premier, and the name that the project
team gave the SoundStation VTX 1000 while we were developing it,
Palomino).
This is a special circuit with extremely low distortion that is
configured and controlled (no more DIP switches for worldwide
flexibility) by a local microprocessor. It is also controllable to
present a wide range of real and complex impedances to the attached
telephone line, which is helpful in achieving an optimal match to
minimize line reflections while meeting individual country requirements.
This interface controller is commanded and the software is updated via
the cable that connects it to the SoundStation VTX 1000 console.
Power Subsystem.
The main power supply is a
full-range (100 — 264VAC, 50/60 Hz) switching supply integrated into the
Palomod. 22VDC is sent to the console, where it is converted to five
lower voltages by local linear and switching regulators. The 22 VDC is
highly regulated and conditioned to maintain very low noise in the
analog sections of the phone.
Narrowband Communication Protocols.
When connected to a far end in
narrowband mode, audio is carried over the twisted-pair phone line via
conventional analog techniques.
Wideband Communication Protocols.
Wideband audio is
transmitted by first compressing the near-end audio signal with a
high-bandwidth codec selected according to call requirements from a menu
including G.722.1, G.722.2, Siren14, and proprietary codecs, and
communicating it via a proprietary modem which is designed to optimize
latency, connect time, bidirectional data rate, and link reliability.
Sampling rate and inherent bandwidth.
The basic audio sampling rate
is 48 kHz (which gives a higher theoretical bandwidth limit than even
the 44.1 kHz used by Compact Disks). The inherent hardware bandwidth
(not including speaker and mics) within the SoundStation VTX 1000 is
consequently greater than 22 kHz. Internal mics and speaker are
certified to 14kHz. Interfaced to an external Vortex, the system can
operate to 22 kHz. Microphone
Configuration. Three cardioid mics
provide consistent frequency and sensitivity through a 14 kHz frequency
range, around the entire 360 degree coverage pattern. This compares to
the cardioid and hypercardioid patterns of Polycom's earlier systems,
all of which were limited to 3.3 kHz. The internal microphones can be
disabled via the user interface, which can be very useful in some
special situations.
Speaker configuration.
Acoustic suspension
speaker in an isolated enclosure, bandwidth to 14 kHz (the internal
speakers in SoundStation and SoundStation Premier are limited to a top
end of 3.3 kHz.). The internal speaker can be disabled via the user
interface, which can be very useful in some special situations.
External I/O.
The SoundStation VTX 1000 has
separate line-level input and output (AUX IN and AUX OUT) for
interfacing with external systems. This is different from the
SoundStation and SoundStation Premier, in which only one connection is
available and must be switched between input and output.
AUX IN.
The Auxiliary Input, AUX IN is
configurable for external microphone, wireless microphone, or sound
systems (such as CD players). Additionally, AUX-IN allows use of
Polycom’s Vortex™ Installed Voice system with external (table or ceiling
mounted) microphones.
AUX OUT.
The Auxiliary Output, AUX OUT
can be keyboard-configured to operate with an external subwoofer,
external PA system, or external recorder. Additionally, AUX OUT is used
to drive external speakers via Polycom’s Vortex Installed Voice system
with external speakers.
External subwoofer.
The wideband
operation of the SoundStation VTX 1000 extends not only upward to 14
kHz, but down to 80 Hz. The internal speaker is effective down to about
250 Hz. Below that, an external subwoofer (shipped as part of the
system) takes over. This allows the tabletop console to remain compact,
while not compromising overall sound quality. Incidentally, the system
still operates without this subwoofer attached; it's just the very
lowest frequencies that are absent.
Console Interface.
The console is connected to the
Palomod via an enhanced 8-wire P8 bus, similar to that in the
SoundStation Premier, which provides power, analog signaling, and RS-232
signaling. The console also has a 32 Mbps serial digital interface for
future expansion.
EX MICs.
Two enhanced EX mics are
supported. Each has a uniform cardioid pattern across the 14 kHz
frequency band (as compared to the 3.3 kHz EX mics in both SoundStation
and Premier systems). Note: The
SoundStation VTX 1000 EX mics are not compatible with those in the
SoundStation or SoundStation Premier.
High Fidelity Ringtones.
Ringtones are stored
as part of the program image, and can hence be downloaded along with new
software. These are stored in the Siren 7 compressed audio format for
memory efficiency, optimized for music quality.
LCD:
The LCD display is a 60 x 240
high-resolution monochrome LCD. It is backlit by an LED array for long
life.
Software Upgrading
Facilities.
The program memory, ringtones,
and user parameters are stored in an internal flash memory. This can be
upgraded by any of three paths: by calling an unmodified V.34 modem over
the phone line, by a connection to a compatible host system over the 32
Mbps digital link, or by RS-232 feed via the P8 bus. (The latter two
paths are only supported for factory use at present).
Security.
Security of three
kinds is of interest.
a. Phone line interception.
Narrowband calls over the SoundStation VTX 1000 have the same
sensitivity to interception (wiretapping) as those of any standard
analog phone. Wideband calls are considerably more resistant, as the
connection sounds like white noise to the casual listener, and
meaningful interpretation requires active participation in the line
probing process at the beginning of the call, which would disrupt the
call and so alert the participants to the interception attempt. Simply
listening to the call would be useless to any but an extremely
sophisticated incerceptor. Current software versions do not support
additional encryption of the data, although this would certainly be
possible in the future.
b. Software upgrade and user configuration security.
Remote or local software upgrade and system configuration are enabled
after the entry of a three-digit key from the unit keyboard. Without
this key set, a remote call attempting to contact the unit will not be
able to establish the basic V.34 modem connection. In the initial
release, a unit can only be upgraded by calling out to a server, so
there is no ability to call in and disrupt the software.
c. Radiated data. The system complies with the
requirements of FCC Part 15 Class B and CISPR 55022 Class B.
Consequently, its radiated energy is within very low limits.
Connection Protocol and Implications
The SoundStation VTX 1000 operates as both a narrowband
and wideband audioconferencing system. When first connecting to a far
end, it makes a determination of what kind of system is at the far end
and decides what to do next based on this determination. When both ends
are VTX-compatible, the dialogue works like this.
a. The answering device begins the dialogue by
generating a
ding
(a sound with specific characteristics). This
ding
has the meaning, "I am a VTX-compatible device,
and I have just answered this call. Are you a VTX-compatible device? Do
you want to convert this call to wideband voice mode?"
Ding is
a narrowband signal, audible to any calling telephone.
b. The calling device listens for the presence of the
ding,
and responds with a similar dong
sound.
Dong means, "I recognize that you
are a VTX-compatible device. I am also VTX-compatible, and I want to
convert this call to VTX Wideband mode."
c. The two units initiate a brief capabilities exchange
session. This confirms the identify of the units as VTX-compatible, and
also determines whether the line probing will be done using a
short train
(6 seconds) or
long train
(12 seconds) sequence. Each unit has a set
preference through its user interface. Training will use long train,
which provides the highest possible data rate on connection, unless both
are set to prefer short train.
d. During the line probing procedure, the nature of line
echoes, channel frequency response, and noise statistics are quantified.
With the line characterized, the VTXcompatible devices then establish a
digital link to each other. This process determines the line quality and
will allow the phone to maximize voice quality and bandwidth. If the
line quality is poor (too much noise or signal loss) the phones will
automatically reduce audio bandwidth, until at very low line qualities
they will revert to normal 3.3 kHz analog mode.
e. Over the digital link an audio channel is opened,
codecs are engaged, and twoway simultaneous wideband speech begins. Note
that a connection between two systems is only wideband when both ends
are VTXcompatible and are operating in this mode. A VTX-compatible
system communicating with another VTX-compatible system is probably
operating in the VTX mode, and will communicate with wideband audio.
However, a VTX-compatible system communicating with a SoundStation
Premier, for example, will be constrained by the fact that the Premier
is not VTX-compatible, so it will operate in its conventional narrowband
mode. However, even the narrowband performance and features of the
SoundStation VTX 1000 are superior to those of the Premier. This also
means that for a bridged, or multipoint, call to operate in VTX wideband
mode, the bridge must support this mode. This is because for each
endpoint, the bridge itself is the "other end;" data transfer is not
possible directly through the bridge; the data channel is too sensitive
to handle bridge processing directly (this is the same reason that
computer modems cannot communicate through a multipoint bridge call).
The bridge must demodulate the data, and remodulate it on the other
participating ports. However, as more than 70 percent of all business
calls today are point to point and so can support VTX wideband, this is
not a serious disadvantage.
Compatibility
The SoundStation VTX 1000 is compatible with many
Polycom products via direct connection, including the following:
