Leading exhibition and conference centre ExCeL London is being refurbished and expanded nearly 10 years after it opened its doors for the first time, writes David Davies. As part of this significant endeavour, Ateïs is providing processing and control technology for the PA and VA systems in both the existing and new areas of the ExCeL complex.
For phase one of the project, which was completed last summer, Ateïs provided its IDA VA system and LAP linked audio processors. The LAPs are connected to the IDAs over an RS-232 link, with each LAP having four secure channels set aside for transmitting emergency message and live announcements from the fireman’s microphone. The LAPs also provide some audio processing, and can be used as a 32-channel matrix mixer.
In the wake of this installation – which fitted into 14 racks across eight machine rooms – Ateïs is constructing a new PA/VA system for the new area of ExCeL. This second phase of the project is due for completion in May.
As the work nears completion, the two systems will be brought together. “There will be a period of amalgamating the two individual networks into one big, venue-wide network,” confirmed Ateïs UK sales director Neil Voce.
Speaking to Installation Europe, Voce added: “For Ateïs UK, this is the first project of this magnitude we’ve been involved with. It’s significant that our combination of networking and advanced DSP capabilities won our SINAPS system the contract against strong competition. Particularly, the use of fibre between racks sharing the cabling infrastructure with the Fire Detection gave us a significant cost advantage. We’ve really enjoyed developing the application with the customer and putting so many of our products into action on one landmark site.”
