Introduction
The Algo IP voice paging system is a network-based solution which integrates into any SIP enabled telephone system. A variety of speakers (wall / ceiling / horn) and paging adapters are available to suit any public address (PA) application requirement whether it is a single room or large enterprise / campus environment.
Any combination of Algo speakers can be deployed from one to many. There is no limit to the scale of the solution. The speakers are PoE (48V, IEEE802.3af, Class 0) and connect to the network via RJ45. No amplifier is required. Other than a PoE switch to power the speaker(s) and network connectivity for multicast or registration as a third party SIP endpoint, no other hardware or software is required to operate the paging system. All Algo IP speakers support G.711 and Wideband (HD Voice) G.722 codecs, and work with hosted / cloud and premise-based telephone systems.
Premise Telephone System Configuration
Hosted Telephone System Configuration
How It Works
As part of a VoIP telephone system, the Algo speaker is an endpoint like any other IP telephone. In the simplest configuration, the speaker is activated by calling an extension associated with it on the telephone system.
The speaker is registered to the telephone system using a web interface accessible via the speaker’s IP address. The Algo Network Device Locator can help to find the speaker’s IP address or the device can announce this information itself via the DHCP server once connected to the network. Central provisioning is also supported for registering multiple endpoints in larger enterprise deployments.
Depending on the telephone system, a SIP endpoint license may be required to register the device. One license will be required per extension registered. If multiple extensions are registered to one endpoint speaker, then a license will be required for each extension registered. In a hosted environment, the extension required for the speaker will be treated the same as any other extension on the telephone system and incur a monthly cost or similar fee.
Endpoint Web GUI Example
The speaker’s Page extension can be called from any device in the UC environment. When called, the speaker will auto-answer and provide a page tone upon answering, after which the user can make a voice page announcement.
Multicast Scalable
Using an RTP multicast, any number and combination of Algo speakers can activate simultaneously to announce a voice page. There is no limit to the number of endpoints receiving a multicast. The Algo paging system can be easily scaled to cover any size room, building, campus or enterprise environment. Speakers are configured as either “Master” or “Slave” for multicasting purposes. Only the Master endpoint speaker is registered to the telephone system. Slave devices do not require registration. This minimizes the costs associated with additional endpoint extensions in a hosted environment or SIP licensing which may be required with a premise-based telephone system.
The Slave speakers require PoE and network connectivity to receive a multicast, all wired as a home run to a networked PoE switch. No additional Algo hardware or software is required. Note: In a multicast configuration all speaker endpoints require full power from each PoE port connected to a device. The power requirements are 48V, IEEE802.3af, Class 0.
Zone Paging
Zones are created in the Algo paging system using a multicast IP address. Each multicast IP address configured in the Master endpoint, will send the page audio stream to the specific group of Slave devices configured to receive the multicast. Slave devices can be members of any number of multicast zones.
The 8188 and 8186 speakers, as well as the 8301 paging adapter, permit up to 50 Page extension registrations per device. This allows for extension-based calling of page zones to be configured (e.g. one button dialling of a page zone from a phone). Zones can also be configured as DTMF selectable in all speakers and adapters (i.e., 8180, 8186, 8188, 8301, 8373), where only one Page extension is registered to the telephone system. In this scenario, zone paging is selected via the telephone keypad after the device answers the page call (e.g. press 3 for office, 4 for warehouse, etc.). All Call and Priority Call can be configured using either the extension-based method or DTMF selection.
Where the telephone system supports Page Groups and the inclusion of a third party SIP endpoint, Algo speakers can be part of this configuration to allow page audio over both telephone and speaker simultaneously.
If desired, the Algo speaker can also be configured to multicast to include more endpoints as part of the Page Group call. This is particularly helpful where there is a limit to the number of extensions permitted in a Page Group and additional speakers are required to provide coverage over an area.
Besides an RTP multicast, Algo speakers also support Polycom Group Page and Syn-Apps SA-Announce.
Legacy Analog Amplifier Integration
Algo paging adapters are designed to IP enable a legacy analogue amplifier and speaker infrastructure. These adapters offer seamless integration of the analogue paging system into the UC environment. Like Algo speakers, the adapters register to the telephone system as a third party SIP endpoint. A Page extension on the adapter will auto-answer when called.
An isolated and balanced Line Out on the paging adapters will interface with most traditional amplifiers without any hum or noise. XLR and terminal Line Out connection options are available to suit any pro audio, commercial or consumer amplifier.
The 8301 adapters illustrated below is typically designed for a single amplifier / single zone application, although the 8301 will pass DTMF for zoned amplifiers. Where multiple amplifiers are involved, a separate 8301 will be required for each. Using multicast, separately zoned amplifiers can be easily accommodated in addition to All Call.
IP Enabled Amplifier
The paging adapters also feature multicast capability to allow for simultaneous voice paging to Algo IP speakers and provide page audio to a legacy analogue amplifier to create a hybrid paging system.
Hybrid Paging System – IP & Analog
For zone paging, the 8373 adapter supports three separate speaker channels using high current internal zone control relays. The 8373 eliminates the need for an external zone control module. For applications with more than three zones on a single amplifier, additional 8373 adapters can be deployed using multicast. Zones can be configured as Page extensions or DTMF selectable.
What is the difference between the Algo 8373 and 8301 Paging Adapters?
Scheduled Bells, Tones, Announcements & Music
A Scheduler for automating the playing and multicasting of WAV files (e.g., bells, tones, announcements, music, etc.), can be easily integrated into the Algo voice paging system using the 8301 endpoints. This device uses the NTP server to synchronize with IP clocks, and is ideal for schools (i.e., class changes, recess, playing an anthem, etc.), retail and healthcare (e.g., store closing, visiting hours, etc.), and workplace shift changes, breaks, etc. Any combination and number of Algo endpoint speakers are compatible with the 8301 to receive a multicast. The audio available from the 8301 can also be simultaneously played via its Line Out to integrate a legacy analogue amplifier.
Note: The 8301 also offers a 3.5mm Aux In for playing and/or multicasting music from an iPod or similar digital device.
Emergency Notification Alerting
All Algo speakers support registration for Ring extensions. Typically this is used for loud ringing, however, other types of alerting are possible (e.g., lockdown, evacuation, reverse evacuation, medical emergency, safety or weather alert, etc.). Any device in the UC environment calling the speaker’s Ring extension will activate playing a custom WAV file when the extension is configured for ring/announcement activation only.
Up to 10 Ring extensions are available to register on a single Algo speaker (i.e., 8186, 8188) and 8301 adapters, allowing for different types of emergency notification alerting to occur when a specific Ring extension is called on the endpoint. Only the WAV file configured for a given Ring extension will play when called. A Call to Cancel feature in the endpoint will allow the alert to play continuously for the duration of the event until a designated extension registered to the speaker or adapter is called to stop the alert. All Algo speakers (i.e., 8180, 8188, 8186), paging adapters (i.e., 8301, 8373) and strobes (8128) can receive a multicast for such emergency alerting. Deployments for larger mass notification applications can easily incorporate Algo visual and audible notification endpoints and seamlessly integrate legacy analogue infrastructure via paging adapters if required.
Push buttons can also be used to activate emergency alerts. On the 8188, 8186 and 8301 endpoints, an auxiliary input is available to permit a wall button or external switch, such as the Algo 1202 or 1203, to be connected with a single twisted pair (e.g. 24 gauge CAT 3 or 5). Any type of button providing a contact closure can be used for this application. The button can be configured on the endpoint device in three different ways:
- 1. Initiate a SIP call for two-way communication
- 2. Dial an extension and play an announcement saved as a WAV file in the device
- 3. Play and/or multicast a WAV file for notification alerting (as illustrated below)
