Spector Lumenex

Data Sheet
PM/0021e

Systems

ACE100
The Adaptable Communication Engine for High Integrity Voice and
Alarm Broadcast Systems. ACE combines the very latest information
technology with the most recent advances in processing hardware
to assure security and reliability of operation in the most critical
demanding applications.

ACE is fully reconfigurable either locally or remotely allowing

system operational parameters to be programmed to client
specification via Windows colour graphic suite ACEWINner,
embedded automatic surveillance routines verify the security of
all critical paths to provide the operator with an early warning of
system deterioration.
ACE provides highest intelligibility and clarity of speech and
audibility of critical life saving alarm tones by incorporation of
sophisticated signal processing algorithms and a full 20KHz audio
bandwidth. Using ASIC/surface mount technology, ACE
integrates embedded advanced digital signal processing to
realise minimal hardware which enables exceedingly high levels
of reliability and system availability.
Ultimate operational integrity is maintained by a distributed
processing architecture which is supervised by a comprehensive
surveillance sub system. Diagnostic routines issue external
status to hard copy print-out in addition to distribution to
optional intelligent ACET LCD displays and local or remote P.C.
monitor screens. Moreover, ACE is so flexible and re-configurable
that it can be extended in capacity to facilitate virtually all
operator requirements without recourse to wiring changes.
These can be improved and or amended by ACEWINner windows
configuration suite as the site grows and operating requirements
change.

ACETerminal Microphone Access Units

Two basic ACET types are available:
a) Bulkhead mount harsh service
locations
b) Ergonomic sheltered / internal
area locations
These provide man / machine interface
to the host ACE100 node. High quality
hypercardioid noise cancelling microphones are standard on all
ACET terminals, even hazardous area certified units.
Sophisticated data transmission techniques minimise field cable
requirements ensuring that critical MTBF / MTTR are enhanced

Morley Avenue
Mapperley
Nottingham
NG3 5FW
England

Tel: +44 (0) 115 955 11 99

Fax: +44 (0) 115 955 19 19
E-Mail: Spectorlumenex.uk@tycoint.com
http: www.spector-lumenex.co.uk

and installation and maintenance costs are drastically reduced.

See Data Sheets PM0010 & PM0012.

Amplifiers
The ACE node system management
operates in conjunction with a range of
miniature high efficiency intelligent
AMPIID audio power amplifiers offering
industry standard 50, 100, 150, 200,
250, 300 watts RMS power output on a
compact Eurocard (Higher single ended output powers are
available by bridging two AMPIID amplifiers which presents twice
the audio O/P). AMPIID provides full 70/100 volt loudspeaker line
supervision and with SALS (Spector Addressable loudspeaker
systems) address of individual loudspeaker devices. See Data
Sheets PM0001 & PM0002

ACE Node
The core of an ACE System is an ACE
100 Node. This carries a digital audio
routing matrix which facilitates
connection of up to 48 input sources to up to 48 broadcast zone
outputs. Up to 20 simultaneous speech and alarm / message
paths are permissible within the matrix.
The node can be fitted with up to two Sound Palette cards which
can each provide up to 8 minutes of secure high definition stored
speech as well as a menu of warning alarm tone signals.
Messages and alarm tone files are transferred from the system
configuration P.C. where they can be trimmed and edited to
download to the target system.
Connection to the node is executed by ACE Hubs, (Audio Hub,
Agile Data Hub, PIO, Non agile Data Hub, Ace Node switchover)
these provide the interface connection point for the outside
world field cables.

tyco
Fire & Integrated
Solutions

Description of ACE Infrastructure

ACE100 was designed to meet the requirements of medium
to large scale high integrity Public Address and Voice Alarm
systems. It builds on past experience and introduces novel
design features to remove the size barrier.

Typical ACEWINner Window Editing & Recording

Alarm Tone Or Message Files

An ACE100 system is made from Access Terminals, Audio

processors, Amplifiers Loudspeakers and Fault Monitors
which co-operate intelligently to provide high integrity
service.
Life safety systems must continue to operate in degrading
environments. One of ACEs strengths is its ability to
continue service during disruption, failing gracefully rather
than catastrophically. Full service returns automatically when
possible.
There is no Central Processor in an ACE100 system all
devices contribute to the overall operation of the system.

Typical ACEWINner Window Facilitating Assignment

Of Operator Pushbutton On An ACET

ACE100 systems have their functionality database

downloaded using ACEWINner during installation or at any
time thereafter. ACEWINner gives the user a view of the
system configuration that is abstract, not physical. He
defines what service he needs from the system but does not
have to be involved in how the service is provided. This is
important not only does it let the user concentrate on the
high-level requirement but it also allows the ACE100 system
to choose the best fit for the usage of system resources. In
particular, ACE100 stands out because of its open
networking philosophy. Almost every part of the system may
be monitored and controlled from almost any part of the
installation and its network viewed and controlled from
remote locations, even across geographical boundaries. This
was done to make dramatic reductions in the cost of site
visits. It is possible, for instance, to change the tapping of a
loudspeaker on an oil rig using a PC in the companys office,
rather than sending an engineer to the platform.
It is very important to grasp the difference between
operational use and fault monitoring in a safety system. It is
the duty of the fault monitoring process to keep the
installation in a fit state for operational use. It is not the duty
of operational use to expose system faults. When an
emergency arises and the installation is used in anger, it
should already be fit for use -- any faults should have been
detected and repaired earlier. Operational use in anger must
not be impeded by faulty devices. Rather, the system should
provide the best service it can at all times, even under
duress. This has major implications in the algorithms used in
Routing as distinct from those used in Fault monitoring.
ACE100 incorporates this philosophy.

Where there are more than one ACE100 node then

this Window allows the engineer to declare which
node port a source input is connected to.

Target Design Limits

Operator Key Function Types

Target design limits for ACE are listed in two groups:

9 Soft targets which may be changed or exchanged
if memory constraints allow
9 Hard targets which may not be changed without
considerable rework

There are fifteen types of operator buttons which may

be used on ACE100 access terminals at the time of
writing. They are summarised in Table 2. The term
destination means audio output and/or control output.

Soft Targets
9

Up to 255 Access Terminals (at present) with

minor implication if a higher target becomes
necessary

Up to 255 Dry Contact Access Terminals (as

above)

Up to approximately 1,000 Audio output zones

(theoretical limit is 16,000)

Up to approximately 1,000 Control Outputs

(theoretical limit is 16,000)

Up to approximately 25 Key Function types,

depending on complexity

Any Function Key can call zones (and, equally,

control outputs) according to the following
expected restrictions

Up to 10 zones chosen at random from 1,000 or

Up to 10 zones subtracted at random from 1,000

or

Up to 128 zones from 1,000 in no more than 5

clusters or

Any combination of zones from 250

50 individually monitored loudspeakers

loudspeaker clusters per audio output

Many Key Types have the option for Push-On-Push-Off

or Momentary action. Alarm Selectors may also be
declared to operate with only Fleeting stimuli. All Key
Types can be Enabled or Disabled in ACEWINner
without otherwise altering their configuration. New
types may be added as required. Key types are declared
in ACEWINner and implemented in the ACE Terminal,
PIO, PACET and Telephone Interface programme code.
Every operator key is equipped with one amber LightEmitting Diode (LED) which reflects the status of that
key. The Pseudo ACET (PACET) has additional features
but is otherwise compatible with the description.

or

Hard targets
9

Up to 256 Function Keys per Access Terminal

254 levels of routing priority, freely allocable

Up to eight pre-recorded pre-announce chimes per

access terminal, freely allocatable (See note 1)

Up to four seconds total duration for the variablelength pre-announcement chimes above

Fixed granularity: A large system is built from a

number of Nodes, each having:

Forty-eight audio input channels - 16 channels are

reserved for site-wide.

Forty-eight audio output channels - 16 channels

are reserved for site-wide.

Sixteen simultaneous audio paths (See note 2)

Simultaneous playback of
alarms/messages per Node

Up to 128 pre-recorded alarms/messages per

Node (See note 3)

Two telephone interfaces per Node (counting as

one playback)

two

pre-recorded

ACET/18/NK fitted with either single or dual

ACET602 pre-amplifiers.
19 console mount ACE operator man
machine interface.
Optional ACET/18/NK/IS
available for use in hazardous areas.

ACET 32 fitted with a single ACET602 pre-amplifier and

optional LCD readout.

Operator Key Types

Routes one audio source to any combination destinations. May
operate independently or in conjunction w ith a PTT key. If
configured to operate independently then m ay be allocated a preannounce chim e.

Zone Selector

Voice Group

Triggers the routing of any Zone Slectors w hich are pre-selected

and w hich are configured to w ait for the PTT. May be allocated a
pre-announce chim e.
Ducks all alarm s and routes one audio source over them . May be
allocated pre-announce chime.
Triggers the routing of one audio source to any com bination of
destinations pre-selected by uncomm itted selectors.

Push-To-Talk
Em ergency-Push-To-Talk
Source Trigger

Alarm Group

Alarm Select

Triggers playback of a pre-recorded m essage/alarm .

Alarm Attenuate

Reduces the level of a nom inated alarm.

Alarm M ute

Mutes a nominated alarm . See note 4.

Alarm Cancel

Cancels a nom inated alarm .

Cancel All Alarm s

Cancels all alarm s.

Alarm Attenuate Locally

Attenuates the volum e of a subsidiary output at a nom inated

am plifier. See note 5.

Cancel Local Alarm Attenuation

Cancels the above action.

Alarm Trigger

Triggers playback of a pre-recorded m essage/alarm to any

com bination of destinations pre-selected by Uncomm itted
Selectors.

Uncom m itted Selector

Defines the destinations to receive the audio source or prerecorded message/alarm triggered by a Source or Alarm Trigger.

Toggle Fault D isplay Option

Set the LCD display to read Operational Use or Fault Status.

M iscellaneous Group

Notes

(1) Only on physical access terminals, not dry contact

or virtual access terminals
(2) But note that a system partitioning may be used
if necessary and that this may increase or decrease
the number of simultaneous audio paths,
depending upon the partitioning regime.
(3) But note that a system configured to have all
messages stored at all nodes for safe redundancy
will be restricted to the alarm/message capacity of
a single node
(4) The Alarm Mute key type is not yet implemented
(5) The Local Alarm Attenuate is not yet implemented

ACETS01 Harsh environment Zone 1 certified ACET man

machine interface. Available single or twin key operation.

Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions have a policy of continuous product improvement, therefore this information is subject to change without notice.
Copyright. This publication is the property of Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions. It may not be copied or transmitted without the express written permission of Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions.