Commissioning the DANS

It is recommended to perform commissioning at a time of day where background noise is minimal. If such a time is not possible, a handheld noise generator with speaker can be used to provide a constant noise suitable for commissioning which is above the background noise level. However, commissioning may be difficult if the ambient background noise level is still higher than the maximum output level of the generator. DANS should be commissioned after the rest of the system commissioning has been performed. This ensures that the broadcast levels are correct.

Equipment Required

Prepare the following equipment before DANS01 commissioning and test:

1. A handheld pink noise generator with speaker:

• To play towards DANS01 sensors to help with commissioning and to test the system.
• May need to be left in place for several minutes. An apparatus such as a stand or tripod may be required.

2. DANS01 powered and connected to input(s).

DANS Input Commissioning

In case of DANS01 sensor fault, any outputs controlled by this sensor will output at full volume regardless of the current route’s “ANS” setting. If an output is controlled by multiple DANS01 sensors, a fault on one (or more) sensor will causethe output to go to full volume. DANS01 sensor fault is reported on audio router front panel as IPxx AUDIO INPUT (where xx isthe input number).

For each input connected with a DANS01 sensor:

1. Launch the RDT (Router Dynamic Configuration Tool).

2. Select “Inputs”.

3. Click the spanner icon to open the “Properties” window.

DANS Input Parameters

4. There should be a surveillance tone visible on the “Trim” and “Level” meters. Make a note of this level.

Usually DANS01 surveillance tone level is approximately -12 dB.

5. Set “Surveillance” to enabled. The DANS01 surveillance tone will be removed from the meters.

6. Set the surveillance “Threshold” to 4 dB lower than the noted DANS01 surveillance tone level. Usually this would be -16 dB.

7. Ensure “Trim” and “Level” are set to 0 dB.

8. Ensure all other input audio parameters are disabled or at default settings.

9. Click “Commit System Settings” to save the settings.

DANS Output Commissioning

To avoid out of sync volume changes, “delay” should not be used on outputs controlled by DANS01.

DANS01 outputs require commissioning in order to minimise the effect their own announcement audio has on DANS01 operation. This is done on the RDT (Router Dynamic Configuration Tool).

DANS Output Parameters

The DANS output settings are as follows:

• Output – The announcement level detected by DANS01 sensors from the DANS01 output loudspeaker.
• Adjacent 1 to 4 – The announcement level detected by DANS01 sensors from up to four other output loudspeakers.
• Sensors – A meter displaying the current audio detected by the DANS01 sensor(s).
• DANS Compensation – Enables / disables DANS01 compensation on this output.
• Max Noise Threshold – Sets the noise level threshold at which this output goes to maximum output volume.
• Range – Sets the maximum output volume attenuation.
• Attack – Sets the speed at which the system increases output volume after an increase in ambient noise.
• Release – Sets the speed at which the system decreases output volume after a decrease in ambient noise.

DANS Type:

• Gap – The DANS01 output volume is frozen whilst announcement audio is present on the DANS01 output.
• Dynamic – The DANS01 output volume continues to be adjusted whilst announcement audio is present on the DANS01 output.

DANS Sensor Type:

• Sum – The DANS01 attenuation calculation is based on the sum of all measured noise on all DANS01 sensors connected to this output.
• Mean – The DANS01 attenuation calculation is based on the mean (average) of all measured noise of all DANS01 sensors connected to this output.

• Noise – A meter displaying the calculated ambient noise.
• UGain – A meter displaying the current DANS01 attenuation level on this output.

The DANS output settings are as follows:

• Output – The announcement level detected by DANS01 sensors from the DANS01 outputloudspeaker.
• Adjacent 1 to 4 – The announcement level detected by DANS01 sensors from up to four other outputloudspeakers.
• Sensors – A meter displaying the current audio detected by the DANS01 sensor(s).
• DANS Compensation – Enables / disables DANS01 compensation on this output.
• Max Noise Threshold – Sets the noise level threshold at which this output goes to maximum outputvolume.
• Range – Sets the maximum output volume attenuation.
• Attack – Sets the speed at which the system increases output volume after an increase in ambientnoise.
• Release – Sets the speed at which the system decreases output volume after a decrease in ambient noise.

• DANS Type:

• Gap – The DANS01 output volume is frozen whilst announcement audio is present on the DANS01 output.
• Dynamic – The DANS01 output volume continues to be adjusted whilst announcement audio is present on the DANS01 output.
• DANS Sensor Type:
• Sum – The DANS01 attenuation calculation is based on the sum of all measured noise on all DANS01 sensors connected to this output.
• Mean – The DANS01 attenuation calculation is based on the mean (average) of all measured noise of all DANS01 sensors connected to this output.
• Noise – A meter displaying the calculated ambient noise.
• Gain – A meter displaying the current DANS01 attenuation level on this output.

For each output controlled by the DANS:

1. Launch the RDT (Router Dynamic Configuration Tool).

2. Select “Outputs”.

3. Trigger an ANS disabled announcement to DANS01 output.

4. Configure the output level to desired maximum output volume, if not done already.

5. Open the “DANS Properties” window using the “DANS” icon.

6. Set “DANS Type” as required:

7. Set the “DANS Sensor Type” as required:

DANS Sensor Type is only relevant if more than one DANS01 sensor is controlling this output.

8. Inspect the “Noise” meter to check the background noise level. a. If the noise reading is constant, note this value. b. If the noise reading is fluctuating greatly (more than 1 dB):

i. Turn on the handheld pink noise generator and point towards one of the DANS01 sensors controlling this output.

ii. Gradually increase the generator level until it is just above the background noise level and gives a constant reading.

iii. Note this value.

iv. Leave the generator in the same position and playing noise throughout this section.

The noise meter level will always show some fluctuation. Within 1 dB is sufficient. In a system with multiple DANS01 outputs and sensors it can be easy to commission against the wrong sensor. To avoid issues, it is recommended to point the noise generator towards each DANS01 sensor connected to this audio router in turn to confirm the correct one.

9. Set “DANS Compensation” to enabled.

10. Set “Range” to 0 dB.

11. Set “Attack” to 10 ms.

12. Set “Release” to 100 ms.

13. Set the “Max Noise Threshold” as required

Max Noise Threshold should be available in the site documentation. It determines the noise level at which announcements will be broadcast at maximum output level.

14. Set the “Output” on the DANS Properties window to -inf (the lowest setting)

15. Trigger an ANS disabled controlled pink noise route to this DANS01 output only.

16. Inspect the “Noise” meter on the DANS Properties window.

17. Increase the “Output” on the DANS Properties window until the “Noise” meter reading reaches the noise level that was noted at step 8 above. 18. Stop the pink noise route.

19. Set “Range” to 5 dB.

20. Trigger an ANS enabled announcement to this output only.

21. Confirm the announcement has minimal or no effect on the “Gain” meter reading.

22. If the “Gain” reading is greatly affected by the announcement, increase the “Output” setting in 1 dB steps until it stops.

23. Stop the handheld noise generator (if used).

24. Stop the test announcement.

25. Set “Range” as required.

26. Click “Commit System Settings” to save the settings.

Range should be available in the site documentation. It determines the maximum attenuation applied to announcements at low noise levels. The site documentation may describe “Minimum Noise Threshold” rather than range. If this is the case, the range can be calculated from: Maximum Noise Threshold – Minimum Noise Threshold is the Range

DANS Adjacent Output Commissioning

Adjacent outputs are outputs that are close or loud enough to be detected by DANS01 sensor(s). These outputs require further commissioning to minimise their effect on DANS01 operation.

Each DANS01 controlled output can include up to four adjacent output

Adjacent outputs are any other DANS01 controlled or non-DANS01 controlled outputs in range. The RDT only displays adjacent outputs if they are configured in the PAVA SCT.

For each output controlled by DANS01:

1. Ensure the DANS01 outputs are configured as per section 3.3 DANS01 Output Commissioning.

2. Launch the RDT (Router Dynamic Configuration Tool).

3. Select “Outputs”.

4. Click the “DANS” icon to open the “DANS Properties” window.

Adjacent Outputs Commissioning

5. Inspect the “Noise” meter to check the background noise level.

a. If the noise reading is constant, note this value.

b. If the noise reading is fluctuating greatly (more than 1 dB):

i. Turn on the handheld pink noise generator and point towards one of the DANS01 sensors controlling this output.

ii. Gradually increase the generator level until it is just above the background noise level.

iii. Note this value.

iv. Leave the generator in that same position and playing noise throughout this section.

The noise meter level will always show some fluctuation. Within 1 dB is sufficient

6. Set “Adjacent 1” setting on the DANS Properties window to -inf (the lowest setting).

7. Trigger an ANS disabled controlled pink noise route to this adjacent output only.

8. Inspect the “Noise” meter on the DANS Properties window.

9. Increase the “Adjacent 1” setting on the DANS Properties window until the “Noise” meter reading reaches the noise level that was noted at step 0 above.

10. Stop the pink noise route.

11. Trigger an ANS disabled announcement to this adjacent output only.

12. Confirm the announcement has minimal or no effect the “Gain” meter reading.

13. If the “Gain” reading is greatly affected by the announcement, increase the “Adjacent 1” setting in 1 dB steps until it stops.

14. Stop the emergency announcement.

15. Repeat from step 6 on page 11 for each remaining adjacent output on this DANS01 controlled output.

16. Stop the handheld noise generator (if used).

17. Click “Commit System Settings” to save the settings.

Testing the System

It is important to test the system to ensure that the DANS01 settings are correct.

Below is an example test to be used as guidance only. The test should be modified according to the system setup, announcements levels, and noise levels.

For each DANS01 controlled output:

1. Ensure there are no IPxx AUDIO INPUT faults on the system for any DANS01 sensor controlling this output.

2. At low noise level, trigger an ANS enabled announcement to the outputs.

3. Confirm the correct amount of attenuation is applied to the output volume according to the “Range” setting and the “Gain” meter.

4. With this announcement still in progress, play an ANS disabled announcement to all adjacent zones.

5. Confirm the output level of the DANS01 controlled output has minimal or no effect from the emergency announcement.

6. Increase the background noise using a handheld noise generator.

7. Confirm the output level of the DANS01 controlled output increases accordingly.