Zenitel Ambient Noise Sensor (ANS)
From Zenitel Wiki
An Ambient Noise Sensor (ANS) is a sample and hold device that monitors ambient noise continuously as a broadcast is made. The measured ambient noise level at that point in time is used to determine a reduction in broadcast level from a commissioned maximum value. In quiet conditions, the system allows greater volume attenuation to avoid unnecessary loudness. As ambient noise increases, the ANS progressively limits the amount of volume reduction, ensuring announcements remain clear and intelligible. In effect, the ANS acts as a volume attenuator, reducing how much the volume can be turned down while maintaining adequate speech intelligibility.
Operation
The operation of the ANS depends entirely on what it's mode is set to:
- Enabled: the router audio output level will be adjusted to compensate for worst case ambient noise level.
- None: Ignore the Ambient noise adjustment and broadcast at normal levels - normally used for Emergency messages and Microphones
- Tolerant: This function allows the system to continue sampling ambient noise levels while the input is routed. This is useful for low level background music but must be used with care. It is important the audio levels of the background music does not exceed the minimum ANS level, otherwise the background music could directly drive the perceived ambient noise levels.
Key Points
- Each router output can be controlled by up to 4 x ANS sensors. All ANS's for a zone must be connected either the Vipedia-12 on board GPIO or an external BMB.
- ANS noise thresholds are configured in the VIPEDIA-12 SCT.
- High and Low range settings define the maximum and minimum ranges of the ANS which can be set.
- The ANS hardware has a switch to adjust its sensitivity for maximum and minimal operational ranges (Please note these must match the Noise Control settings in the SCT configuration):
- Hi setting = 65 dBA - 95 dBA
- Lo setting = 55dBA - 85dBA
- Please note: ANS internal switches are set to the Hi position by default when shipped
Configuration, Commissioning and Connections
Troubleshooting the ANS
Obsolete Variants
- ANS04E
- ANS03
- ANS02
- ANS01