The RAS-208 and RAS-216 are programmable passive audio switchers. The RAS-208 is for stereo operation and can accommodate up to eight (8) stereo balanced pairs to be switched to a single stereo output. The RAS-216 is designed for monaural operation with up to 16 balanced inputs that can be selected to a single mono output. The signal path in both models is passive, using sets of relays that allow analog and digital audio signals, as well as control signals, to pass through the switcher. No active circuitry in the signal path; relay switching is used throughout.
Control and monitoring can be accomplished in various ways to accommodate nearly every interface situation. RS-232 serial and standard GPIO control and status indications are available, along with a LAN interface that supports SNMP v2. The serial interfaces are programmable by the user to input serial commands for virtually any interface. A pre-programmed RS-232 command set supports the Sage ENDEC and Digital Alert Systems DASDEC™ EAS Encoder/Decoder products.
With the programming function, you can create a custom serial interface tailored to your specific requirements. The RAS-208 and RAS-216 also support a GPIO interface for remote control, and remote-control panels are available for each model from BDI. The remote-control panels are serial interfaces connected with a single CAT5 cable and can accommodate cable runs of up to 1000 feet (305 meters). Regardless of the application — switching sources, network feeds, or switching satellite receivers — the RAS-208 and RAS-216 provide an easy-to-use interface.
Broadcast Devices also provides Microsoft Windows Application software and an SNMP MIB file, downloadable from the RAS-200 Series product page on our website, to set up serial communication. You can select either the BDI command set or the EAS command set, which is supported by Sage Digital ENDEC and Digital Alert Systems DASDEC™ systems. There is also a provision for creating your own serial commands to match automation and satellite receiver systems. The software also allows users to customize the input channel labels and switcher names.