Lawo Outwits Virus, Performs Remote FAT for NRK

Lawo Outwits Virus, Performs Remote FAT for NRK posted: 09/04/2020

Covid-19 has disrupted normal business in most of the world, but that's cold comfort when you're a broadcaster depending on equipment to be finalized. Lawo to the rescue! To help commission new radio systems for NRK, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, Lawo engineers conducted a fully-remote FAT (Factory Acceptance Test), using carefully selected online conferencing media to interact with NRK's on-site project team and certify their new systems to be broadcast-ready.

NRK's complex system infrastructure includes three Lawo Power Core platforms: one used as a main router, and two deployed for Next-Generation radio applications in two self-op radio studios. All three are controlled with custom graphical interfaces built with VisTool, Lawo's touchscreen GUI-builder software. The setup also includes an mc 56 production console with Lawo mxGUI software in a separate studio; for radio programs with live music performances, the mc 56 can take over mixing and broadcast control with comprehensive functionality for both studios.

Lawo's commitment to its customers means keeping a constant watch for new technologies and innovative approaches to solving problems. In this case, the task was tackled by J rgen Sigrist, Application Engineer, Software Customizing and System Configuration.

It took me some days to set up the test scenario by combining a computer, two webcams and three Lawo VisTool screens, as well as the mxGUI of an mc 56 production console, says J rgen. But it was worth it, as this setup made it possible for one person to operate the mixing console, pull and plug the GPIOs, press the buttons and trigger the playout of the audio.

Since all the involved NRK engineers are also currently working from home offices, the conditions for this remote session were excellent. Everyone in the team had already changed over to online communication during previous phases of the project, so we were all able to safely exploit the full scope of possibilities, explains B rje Br ggemann, Senior Solutions Engineer and Project Manager. The customers were able to share and update I/O lists and documents and complete the checklist during the test. To do this, we used another platform which, in addition to audio and video, also enabled comments and document exchange.

With this virtual Factory Acceptance Test, we achieved a valid acceptance of the customer systems despite the current difficult circumstances, which do not allow on-site visits says Sigrist, who conducted the remote FAT. Not only will the knowledge we gained be invaluable in the future, the corresponding online infrastructure is indispensable because it allows the customers team uninterrupted, direct access to the test setup so they can check system functions themselves.

Of course the savings in travel time gained with this virtual FAT are significant, notes Sigrist, but perhaps best of all is that we all get to stay close to our own familiar coffee machines!

About Lawo

Lawo designs and manufactures pioneering network, control, audio and video technology for broadcast and post production, as well as live performance and theatrical applications. Products include control and monitoring systems, digital audio mixing consoles, routers, video processing tools as well as solutions for IP-based A/V infrastructures and routing systems. All products are developed in Germany and manufactured according to highest quality standards at the company's headquarters in the Rhine valley town of Rastatt, Germany.

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