Aqua Cobalt C100-I / 100W FM Transmitter in an industrial chassis

Housed in a rugged, Industrial chassis, the Cobalt C100-I is designed for demanding environments, in an ultra -compact form that is designed to be mounted in various ways. 

With its maximum output power of 100W, Cobalt C100-I Transmitter has the same, superior audio quality and sound clarity of all other COBALT Transmitters clarity thanks to it‘s Direct to Channel Digital technology (DDS). Running on a fully customized LINUX OS system, this low distortion modulator is available on all models within the COBALT family of FM Transmitters. Inputs and outputs include Analog, AES/EBU, Digital MPX (AES192), ITU-R BS412.9 Limiter, Ethernet, USB, GPIO, GPS Sync with built in SFN capabilities.

The Cobalt C100-I does away with the Screen and front panel controls and is setup and controlled via its web-remote, on either Wi-Fi or LAN.

A standard DC Input lets you run the COBALT C100-I on a 48V DC power system and opens further possibilities for off-grid power options.

Radio market beating sound will let you stand out to your listeners, with its built-in 4 band Audio Processor with Bass enhancement, Pilot protection, Wide AGC and a whole bunch of expertly designed modern presets, so you sound great right from the start.

The advanced communication package with Intuitive web interface and remote control via Ethernet (https) lets you make changes or monitor the COBALT C10-I Transmitter.

Full SNMP management and the ability to send emails, alerts and monitor audio remotely gives you added confidence knowing you have full control from anywhere in the world on any device with a Web browser.

Easy access to all components and software controlled variable fan speed, will guarantee you low cost of maintenance. 

The highest AC efficiency, a compact design and reduced weight mean low cost of transportation and far the lowest total cost of ownership in its class.         

Features:

• 4 Band Audio Processing
• Dynamic, UECP Compliant RDS Encoder
• Direct to Digital Synthesized modulation
• Digital MPX Encoder
• MPX Power Limiter
• Linux OS
• Ethernet Control and SNMP
• GPS Sync
• Standard Auxiliary DC power input

Specifications:

GENERAL

Output Power (W)                   100W

Range (W)     5-100W

RF Output connector             N-Type (Female)

Input ACV @ 50/60Hz           100-240

Power Connector                    IEC 13A filtered

Power consumption               ~50W @ max power

AC-RF efficiency typ                ~30%

Temperature controlled fan 1

Power supplies                         1

Dimensions WxDxH (inch)   6.5 x 12 x 5.1

Dimensions WxDxH (cm)      16.6 x 31.2 x 13.2

Weight            3.7kg / 8.14lb

MODULATOR

Transmitter type                      Solid-state FM Stereo transmitter

Modulator    Direct-to-channel (DDS)

RF Output Frequency Range                            VHF Band II, 87-108MHz

RF Frequency Steps                100kHz

Frequency Stability                 ±1 ppm or ±150Hz in 0-50⁰C range with internal 10MHz clock  reference

FM Modulation Range Capability                   75kHz default, 100% modulation user adjustable up to 105kHz  140%), maximum 300kHz

RF

Power Stability                         ≤ ± 0.25dB

Asynchronous/AM noise      ≤ -60dB

Synchronous AM s/n ratio   ≤ -60dB

RF Harmonic and Spurious Suppression      Meets ETSI requirements

VSWR operation                      Fully protected against gradual or sudden VSWR conditions. Proportional power reduction from VSWR 1.5:1

STEREO ENCODER

Performance 400Hz/1kHz test tones at modulation level ≤75kHz

Modes            Stereo, Mono L+R, Mono L, Mono R

Frequency response               20Hz-15kHz ±0.02dB

Pre-emphasis                            0, 50 or 75μs

Pilot tone       19kHz, adjustable level 0-12%

Subcarriers suppression       ≤ -70dB

Stereo separation                    ≥75dB AES/EBU input, ≥70dB Analogue input

Stereo SNR    ≥80dB with 75us de-emphasis, ≥75dB without de-emphasis, both inputs

Stereo THD+N                           <0.03%

Crosstalk        ≥70dB, between L+R and L-R due to channel matching, both inputs

MONO PERFORMANCE

Frequency response               20Hz - 15kHz  ±0.02dB

Pre-emphasis                            0, 50 or 75 µs

Mono SNR     ≥75dB AES/EBU input, ≥70dB Analogue input

Mono THD+N                            ≤0.002% analogue input, ≤0.001% AES input, with 75us  de-emphasis

ANALOGUE MPX INPUT PERFORMANCE

Frequency response               10Hz-53kHz ±0.03dB, 53kHz-70kHz ±0.3dB

FM SNR          10Hz-53kHz ±0.03dB, 53kHz-70kHz ±0.3dB

THD+N            ≤0.003% with 75us de-emphasis

DIGITAL MPX INPUT PERFORMANCE

Frequency response               -90kHz ±0.005dB

FM SNR          ≥100dB, with 75us de-emphasis

THD+N            ≤0.001% with 75us de-emphasis

AUDIO INPUTS

Analogue       2 x XLR female, 10kΩ impedance, level adjustable 0-24dBu

Digital              24dBu AES/EBU via RJ45 per StudioHUB+, level adjustable  -20-0dBFS, sampling rates 32-192 kHz

AUDIO OUTPUT

Headphones Out                     1/4" (6.3mm) female stereo socket, software adjustable volume, minimum load impedance 16Ω

WIDEBAND INPUTS

Analogue MPX                          BNC,  10kΩ impedance, level adjustable 0-12dBu

Digital MPX   AES/EBU via RJ45 per StudioHUB+, level -20-0dBFS, sampling rate 192kHz left channel

Analogue  RDS                          BNC,  10kΩ impedance, level adjustable from 0.1-10Vpp

WIDEBAND INPUTS

Analogue MPX                          BNC,  10kΩ impedance, level adjustable 0-12dBu

Digital MPX   BNC,  10kΩ impedance, level adjustable 0-12dBu

RDS GENERATOR

Type                Fully Dynamic RDS/RDS2/RBDS Generator

Protocols       ASCII commands, UECP protocol and X-Command Multi-port architecture

Ports               

UART over USB-B & Ethernet

COMMUNICATION AND CONTROL

10MHz input BNC, 50Ω terminated

1PPS input    BNC, 50Ω terminated

RF sample output                    SMA, 50Ω, -30dBc

UART over USB                         USB-B, system control

USB                  2 x USB-A, storage & FW upgrade

Ethernet         1 x RJ45

RS232             DB25 shared connector, system control

GPIO                DB25 shared connector, 8 x output & 8 x input, all optically isolated.

Interlock/RF Mute                   DB25 shared connector, programmable logic/polarity

Analogue voltage output      DB25 shared connector, 4-channel 0-5V range

ENVIRONMENTAL

Altitude          15,000 ft / 4,420m AMSL

Temperature range                 0 to +45ºC working. -10 to +50ºC storage

Humidity        95% @ 35ºC, non-condensing