Airchain
Inbroadcast engineeringfor radio or television, theairchainortransmission chain(UK) (sometimesair chain(US) or justchain(UK)) is the path or route anaudioorvideosignaltakes on its way through aradio stationortelevision station.[1]
The airchain begins withcameras,microphones,CD players,turntables,telephone hybrids,video tape recorders,satelliteand otherremotefeeds, and other input devices in thestudioandcontrol room.These feed into amixing console,possibly via a router. The output then goes to anaudio processor,and finally to thetransmitter,feedline,andantenna.Often, there is astudio-transmitter linkviaradioorbroadbanddedicated circuit(usuallyT1orE1line).
The airchain may be all-analogue,all-digital,or most likely some hybrid of the two.
All-analog airchains typically use cables terminated inXLRconnectors between each device. All-digital airchains also often use XLR connectors, except carryingAES/EBUdigital audio instead. Alternatively, some digital airchains have significant portions of audio carried overTCP/IP,in which caseEthernetis used.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^Ahern, Steve (July 25, 2020).Making Radio: A Practical Guide to Working in Radio in the Digital Age.Taylor & Francis. Chapter 19 - THE TRANSMISSION CHAIN, subsection THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.ISBN9781000257793.