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Q-Sys is an integrated system designed to work with QSC DataPort amplifiers and QSC loudspeakers and other QSC products to provide system-level
telemetry and control. Q-Sys can also be configured with generic amplifiers and/or generic loudspeakers, but there is a loss of functionality when not
using QSC compatible hardware.
QSC DataPort Amplifiers
QSC DataPort amplifiers (PowerLight™, CX, PL2, DCA, and PL3) can be used in a Q-Sys system to communicate with the Q-Sys DataPort card and
provides critical telemetry information and protection for both the amplifier and any QSC loudspeaker. Generic amplifiers can be used in a Q-Sys
system by connecting the amplifier to a Line Out connection; however, there is no telemetry or control of either the amplifier or loudspeakers (even
QSC loudspeakers) if Line Out cards are used.
Loudspeakers
Q-Sys, QSC DataPort amplifiers, and QSC loudspeakers work together to form an integrated system that provides specific loudspeaker processing
(Intrinsic Correction™), telemetry, and protection for the loudspeaker. You can use generic loudspeakers in a Q-Sys system, however there is no
Intrinsic Correction provided.
Redundancy
Q-Sys is capable of several redundant configurations to ensure a high level of overall system reliability.
•
2N Core redundancy
– Two Cores, primary and redundant, communicating with each other and peripherals to verify system health, and to
synchronize control settings.
•
2N Network redundancy
– Two separate networks - In this configuration, you can have each Q-Sys Core and/or I/O Frame connected to
both networks.
•
2N I/O redundancy
– For each I/O Frame, you can have a backup I/O Frame.
•
N+1 Amplifier redundancy
– One amplifier can back up from one to eight amplifiers with the Q-Sys DAB-801 (DataPort Amplifier Backup).
Network Redundancy
Both the Core and the I/O Frame have two network ports, LAN A (primary), and LAN B (backup). The LAN B port on I/O Frame becomes active
when it is configured in Q-Sys Designer as “Is Network Redundant” and connected. Because the I/O Frame is configured in the design file, the Core
recognizes it as being on LAN B as well as LAN A. During operation, the Core routes audio and control signals to both ports, so if LAN A, or a part of
LAN A fails, the Core switches to LAN B with no failover time.
Q-Sys Hardware Redundancy
The Core and I/O Frame can have backups connected to the network. Both are identified in Q-Sys Designer as being redundant. The backup Core
communicates with the primary to ensure it is up to date with any changes made on the primary, and to monitor the primary Core’s health. The Core
monitors the I/O Frames, if there is a problem detected with the primary I/O Frame, the Core switches to the backup. The audio inputs and outputs of
the primary and backup I/O Frames are wired in parallel, meaning that the audio source drives two inputs. The audio outputs of an offline I/O Frame
are disconnected by relays, so only the active I/O Frame, in a redundant pair, drives the outputs.
