Riedel systems drive integrated comms at Paris La Défense Arena

Riedel Communications’ MediorNet real-time media network, Artist digital matrix intercom and Bolero wireless intercom are providing a signal routing and communications backbone for Paris La Défense Arena, a showpiece domed stadium located in the famous La Défense business area west of Paris.

MediorNet provides integrated, decentralised and redundant signal distribution and processing throughout the 40,000-seat arena, which opened in October 2017. Through tight integration with MediorNet, Artist and Bolero enable flexible communications with clear audio quality.

Left to right: Georges Da Silva, deputy COO, Paris La Défense Aréna; Jean-Marc Poissenot, COO, Paris La Défense Aréna; Sébastien Bouton, operations manager, Paris La Défense Aréna

One of only two multiuse domed stadiums in Europe, Paris La Défense Arena features moveable seating that enables it to be used for a variety of indoor sports and entertainment events at various capacities. The arena is the home venue for the French rugby union club Racing 92 and will play host to gymnastics events for the 2024 summer games.

Jean-Marc Poissenot, chief operating officer, Paris La Défense Arena said, “MediorNet is a powerful solution for handling the complexities of transporting, routing, and processing video and audio signals across the long distances spanning our arena. Plus, the combination of Artist and Bolero, with its unique Advanced DECT Receiver technology, delivers reliable communications that are immune to the multipath reflections you can expect in many stadium deployments.”

The decentralised MediorNet backbone enables Paris La Défense Arena to route any type of signal from any point in the stadium to any other point or points without requiring staff to reconfigure any cables. The network reduces single points of failure and creates operational efficiencies by enabling arena staff to place physical I/Os closer to where they are needed. In addition, MediorNet’s integrated processing capabilities include embedding/de-embedding, frame synchronisation, video/audio delays, and a test pattern generator, reducing the need for single-purpose peripheral devices.

An Artist-32 digital matrix intercom mainframe enables robust and reliable crew communications throughout the arena. The Artist intercom supports 12 Bolero wireless beltpacks together with an RSP-2318 SmartPanel in the control room. With its integrated mic and speaker, each highly intuitive Bolero beltpack can also be operated as a wireless keypanel or as a walkie-talkie radio. Operators, administrators, and crew enjoy seamless communications workflows thanks to the integration of wireless and wired technology in a single decentralised system.