New NEXO-Firmware v1.2.2

The Firmware version v1.2.2 of NEXO, of the AES67 network audio converter, that enables the transmission of 2 audio channels and reception of 2 audio channels via Level 3 IP networks, includes new features for advanced management of remote microphones and external inputs.

NEXO is the flexible solution for projects that need to integrate remote system intercoms and analog devices into IP network infrastructures while maintaining EN 54-16 certification throughout.

The NEXO interface already allows up to 32 ACSI v2 system intercom stations to be connected to its local microphone port.
The new “ACSINet Virtual Mic” feature expands the range of applications.
Connected microphones can be converted into ACSINet microphones using switch contacts or level detection and transmitted to the connected NEO+ system via the IP network.

With this new version, up to four A-1 microphones can be daisy-chained to a NEXO connection.
Although only one microphone can transmit at a time, each microphone can have preconfigured routings, i.e., different destination zones that have been previously defined in the NEO+ configuration.

This is an advantage in projects with multiple single-zone microphones, as they can be connected without external logic or switching devices. Everything can be managed directly via NEO+ and NEXO.

The new ACSINet Virtual Mic feature, available since NEXO version 1.2, expands the system’s connectivity and gives NEXO greater versatility when integrating microphones and/or triggers into the ACSINet system.

These new features can be classified as follows:

1. Microphone with switch contact
   Thanks to the Virtual Mic feature, it is now possible to connect a conventional analog microphone and switch contacts to the NEO+ system via ACSINet. With a simple configuration specifying which NEXO GPIO inputs are assigned to the microphone’s TALK and BUSY functions and which ACSINet profile is used, it is possible to connect this microphone to the system via the IP network. In addition, thanks to the bus connection mode of the LDA A-1 microphones, it is possible to connect up to 4 A-1 microphones to one NEXO.
2. Connecting microphones via noise gate
   Another option is to use noise gate triggering, which detects when someone is speaking when the audio level of the analog input exceeds a certain threshold (configurable in the NEXO Config Tool application). This feature is compatible with both conventional analog microphones and pre-recorded message and audio servers.
3. Generating virtual buttons via the GPIO input contacts
   The NEXO GPIO inputs can now be configured as triggers, allowing events and user-defined actions to be programmed in the NEO+ system.