Optocore networking solution for US Open ceremonies

Optocore was chosen by Audio Incorporated, which is the supplier of sound reinforcement and communication equipment for US Open Tennis, to provide X6R-FX-INTERCOM devices for the communication system used during this year’s US Open opening ceremonies held at Arthur Ashe Stadium, part of the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Flushing, Queens, New York. The high-profile tennis event began on 26 August and ended on 9 September.

As Mike Sinclair of Audio Incorporated explains: “We needed to find a way to connect the roof of the Broadcast Center building with our central patch area at the other end of the stadium in the photographers’ pit. We had to be ready to transport the program audio feed, Clear-Com Encore Analog Party Lines converted to 4-wire for a production channel and a lighting channel. We also used Optocore’s 100Mb LAN tunnel between devices to network show control computers and DMX lighting control together.”

Audio Incorporated employed Optocore X6R-FX-INTERCOM devices using the fiber infrastructure of Arthur Ashe stadium to connect and multiplex the various different audio and data streams over one pair of fiber lines. “We had to be ready for any eventuality and the Optocore X6R-FX-INTERCOM performed flawlessly with connectivity to spare,” says Sinclair.

“We needed to get communications and audio up to the highest reaches of the stadium, in a hyper-crowded situation,” says Rom Rosenblum, events communication system technician, US Open, and applications engineer, Clear-Com. “CBS, ESPN and every broadcaster covering the event was already hooked into existing copper lines. Without the Optocore devices, we’d have been communicating with cell phones to run the Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day event and Opening Ceremonies. Instead, as soon as we got the facility to install a piece of glass up to the roof, we were in business. A plug-and-play solution was never more welcome!”

The X6R-FX-INTERCOM has eight intercom duplex channels including data. The device can also be used as eight line inputs plus eight line outputs, plus 4 serial I/O or 2 GPIO.

“Optocore’s fiber systems are known for their top-notch features, immense reliability and dual redundant fiber runs and power supplies/sources,” says Mike Sinclair, owner, Audio Incorporated. “By utilising Optocore, rather than copper cables, we were able to save time and effort for all of our communication needs during the US Open.”