The IRP dwcs 2.4 Digital Wireless Conferencing System was developed by IRP engineers after a detailed marketing and needs analysis. These surveys of many end-users (prospective clients) base turned up the fact that one of the primary concerns associated with the use of such systems was the need for security and the anti-monitoring aspects of any such proposed system.

Previous Technology
Heretofore, such wireless conferencing systems were an outgrowth of developments in wireless microphone technology - a medium that is primarily oriented to the entertainment and sound reinforcement aspects of our industry. Consequently, such UHF based technology does not provide the inherent security that is being demanded in conferencing type situations.
Another shortcoming of the UHF frequency range (470 - 958MHz) is the need to utilize a relatively high transmitting power in order to ensure an error-free transmission transfer. Use in the UHF range also raises the need for government licensing and frequency regulation inasmuch as systems operating in this frequency range are considered to be 'broadcasting mediums' - and are subsequently subject to restrictions with respect to operational modes.
Consequently, a combination of relatively high transmit levels - which can penetrate walls and radiate into the surrounding environment -- and the relative ease in which UHF frequencies can be severely compromised in an otherwise secure environment; and, the absence of any encryption makes such UHF systems inherently un-secure. Inasmuch, as such UHF systems are subject to licensing, it is relatively easy to secure the operating frequencies of such systems; and, with an appropriate 'scanner' such systems can quickly be compromised by merely introducing UHF monitors into the integrating of the operating UHF devices. This is a totally un-acceptable mode of operation for those users that are demanding and are reliant on safe, secure, uncompromised security for their conferencing operations.
Hence, it is a given, that conference systems in the UHF band have a high degree of uncertainty with respect to security in any type of secure conferencing applications.

The IRP Approach
To circumvent many of the problems inherent in the UHF range transmission band, and to ensure total security provisions; IRP choose to take a brand new look at the development of their new conferencing system. What evolved was the IRP dwcs 2.4 network. As the name implies, the dwcs 2.4 operates in the 2.4GHz band -- a band that is license-free, world-wide [the dwcs 2.4 is FCC part 15 and CE compliant]. Other inherent advantages of operating in the 2.4GHz band is the reduced transmitting power required as compared to UHF based systems; and, for all practicality the exclusion of signal penetration of walls.
In order to attain maximum security, the dwcs 2.4 signal transmission is handled in a complete different and unique method. The analog microphone signal from each system microphone station is converted at each station into a digital signal and transferred into a packet-like structure - similar to usual network systems. Subsequently, these packets are encoded with a 1024bit code and then transmitted in time slots. Two microphone stations always share one transmission channel with the packets nested into each other.
The central control unit maintains and transmits the system clock data that permits the microphone stations to transmit their encoded audio data. The received packets from the microphones are decoded by the central control and converted into a constant digital audio data stream. The digital audio is then further converted back into an analog audio signal. In systems that employ a fold-back channel, the composite digital audio stream is re-transmitted to all other microphone stations, converted to analog and delivered to all but the talker's station loudspeakers.

System Address Capability
Each delivered system is uniquely equipped with its own specific system address. All system components must bear the identical address to allow decoding of the 1024bit encryption. All system address information is maintained in a tightly secure data base administered by IRP. Since each system address is unique to that system it is impossible for other systems to communicate with each other. In this way, maximum security can be virtually guaranteed.
In the event a customer or client should need to expand a system using the same unique system address, IRP will verify that the address is indeed assigned to the requesting party. Additionally, multiple systems each with a unique address can be used by the same end-user. For example, in a conference center application multiple dwcs 2.4 system can be used simultaneously and adjacently without interference between the multiple systems. To provide maximum flexibility while maintaining security IRP will provide a PC software program that will allow the reprogramming of the owned microphone stations. Consequently, it is possible to use a varying number of microphones within any given system depending on the circumstances. The system address is not field re-programmable.

Interference
It is true that an external 2.4GHz device might pickup signal from the dwcs 2.4. However, since the external device will not have the system address characteristics and consequently cannot break the encryption code no audible audio will be delivered. In the worst case, some extraneous noise might be audible.
In the unlikely event that an extraneous 2.4GHz signal is introduced to the dwcs 2.4, the central control unit will reject the offending signal. Only data packets that are identified as system-own data will be processed and subsequently converted into an audible audio signal.

The dwcs2.4 uses the 2.4GHz range for the data transmission and is the next logical step in the development of wireless conference systems after systems, which use the UHF microphone technique for individual microphone stations.

Up to 8000 (!) microphone stations can theoretically be operated on one central station. Installation and operation are comparatively simple: The two antennas are connected, the necessary number of microphone stations are distributed and the system could be switched on and is running.

The main station consists of a mainframe, which contains the controller board with one data transceiver, the audio board with two transceivers, the antenna splitting board and the power supply.
The electronics in the individual microphone station has to fulfill two functions: first the data communication with the main station to anable the audio communication and second the transmission of the microphone signal itself.
As the first step the audio signal from the microphone is converted into a digital audio signal. This signal will be digitally encoded and transmitted as a 2.4GHz radio signal.

In order to activate a microphone station, the talk-button must be pressed. A short signaling at the button's LED displays the transmittal of the control data. If the substation is activated by the main station, then the signaling ring at the microphone and the button's LED light up and the audio signal is transmitted.
In the base version the dispatching of the microphone stations takes place via an automated intelligent self selection. Up to four microphone stations can be activated at the same time. With a second audio board altogether eight channels can be activated at the same time (i.e. eight open microphones). In a further stage of development it is possible to administer the microphone stations over an attached control computer.

After receiving the control data from a microphone station, this station is assigned to one of the audio channels on the audio board. The four audio outputs of the audio board are mixed to one audio sum output. Via jumpers the single channels could also be used individually. The audio sum signal is fed to the foldback channel which is feeding the loudspeaker of each microphone station. Additionally the audio outputs (sum or individual channels) can be fed to a sound reinforcement system.

The chairman microphone station has the option to mute all other station by pressing the "priority" button. Only the chairman station is active.
Every microphone station is equipped with a rechargable battery for more than eight hours of use. The status of the battery is continously under survelliance of the controller board in the main station.

The decisive advantages of this system are the very high degree of privacy because of the digital encoding and the ability to install the system license free at any location worldwide. The system can be used mobile and is immediately ready to go.
A comparable UHF system is very restricted in these points. It can never guaranty full privacy and every single channel's frequency must have a local approval.

For transport and charging of the microphone stations a flightcase system is available. The base unit FMS1 is the complete basic case with wheels and lid. This case is used to carry any additional accessories.
The unit FMS2 is the actual charging case. It can hold six microphone stations and is already equipped with the charging electronics.


       FMS2 for six microphone stations

To carry the unit FMS2 the unit FMS1 is necessary. The unit FMS2 has no own lid and should be seen as an additional unit to the basic unit FMS1. Up to five FMS2 can be added to one FMS1.

The dwcs24net Conference Control Software is a new designed PC control software to administrate the dwcs 2.4 Wireless Conference System.
The Conference Control Software is available for systems from Software Version 2.44. The dwcs 2.4 Wireless Conference System can also be administrated by any usual media control system (Crestron, AMX), using the serial protocol.

Control functions:
The dwcs 2.4 can be operated in the auto mode or in the operator mode. In the auto mode, no additional administration is necessary, four microphone stations can be activated at the same time, the chaiman's station has the priority.
In the operator mode, all microphone stations send a request to talk. In this status the station's LED will blink. The number of microphone stations sending a request to talk is not limited. With the Conference Control Software or with any custom administration software on a media control system, up to four microphone stations can be remotely activated.
Also any microphone station can be remotely deactivated or the microphone station's request status can be switched off.
On the operators's display all microphone stations can be placed into a graphic layout and the actual status of every station is visible.

dwcs 2.4 FEATURES:

Technical Specifications: