At Integrated Systems Europe, audio specialist Sennheiser is presenting “WiCOS”, a wireless conference system that automatically avoids interference. The system’s automatic dynamic frequency management uses two frequency ranges – 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz – for wireless transmission and automatically switches the range if it detects interference on its wireless frequencies. This means that WiCOS can be operated much more reliably than conventional wireless conference systems.

“A conference system has to operate with absolute reliability,” explained Jens Werner, Product Manager for Conference and Information Systems at Sennheiser. “For that reason, in addition to the usual 2.4 GHz range, which is often subject to interference from Bluetooth transmitters and WLANs, WiCOS uses the range from 5.1 to 5.8 GHz for its transmission. If the system detects another transmitter, it automatically – and inaudibly – switches frequency.”
 

WiCOS can operate continuously for at least 20 hours and can integrate up to 16 (!) translation channels, making it an attractive solution for the conference market. The system can also be used without a PC and its removable microphones ensure easy transportation and flexible installation. Particularly secure 128-bit encryption, which can be programmed by the user, provides security against tapping.
 

“The audio quality of the conference system is outstanding,” Jens Werner added. “Conventional systems often suffer from relatively poor speech intelligibility when only a few delegate units are being used, with the result that people eventually give up and revert to using a general public address system. In the WiCOS system on the other hand, the loudspeakers of the delegate units provide absolutely clear sound even when only a few units are being used.”

A clever combination
The WiCOS system includes an Access Point, which controls the communication between the delegate units and the chairman’s unit (see system overview for equipment options).

In wireless conference applications, the battery-powered conference units are wirelessly connected with the Access Point. The volume can be adjusted at the chairman’s unit – and the system is immediately ready for use. For even more convenient system operation, the Access Point has an integrated web server that allows the conference manager to configure and supervise the system conveniently using a browser.
 

For interpreting applications – or to integrate existing equipment – WiCOS can easily be combined with Sennheiser’s wired SDC 8200 conference and interpretation system.
 

Jens Werner: “WiCOS provides rental companies and conference centres with a highly reliable, easy to operate and flexible conference system that offers the full benefits of Sennheiser’s comprehensive expertise in RF wireless technology.”
 
 
WiCOS will be available from April 2009.

Please visit Sennheiser at Integrated Systems Europe 2009, Hall 2, Stand A.68.

The Sennheiser Group, with its headquarters in Wedemark near Hanover, Germany, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems. The family-owned company, which was established in 1945, recorded sales of over €395 million in 2007, 83% of which were generated abroad. Sennheiser employs almost 2,000 people worldwide, around 55% of whom are in Germany. Sennheiser has manufacturing plants in Germany, Ireland and the USA, and is represented worldwide by subsidiaries in France, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark (Nordic), Russia, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Japan, China, Canada, Mexico and the USA, as well as by long-term trading partners in many other countries. Also part of the Sennheiser Group are Georg Neumann GmbH, Berlin (studio microphones), K + H Vertriebs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (Klein + Hummel studio monitors, installed sound) and the joint venture Sennheiser Communications A/S (headsets for PCs, offices and call centres).

 
Download pressrelease:
press_release_030209_en.zip (12,3 MB)
 

You can find all the latest information on Sennheiser by visiting our website at http://www.sennheiser.com/, or by contacting:
 

Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
Press & PR • Edelgard Marquardt
Am Labor 1 • 30900 Wedemark
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)5130 600 329
Fax: +49 (0)5130 600 295
E-mail: edelgard.marquardt@sennheiser.com

System overview

	WiCOS AP Access Point for controlling the conference units Network socket for connecting a PC; sockets for connecting an SDC 8200 system and further Access Points (for a larger wireless radius, the radius per Access Point is approximately 30 m); status indicator; adjustable antennas; various fixture possibilities.
	WiCOS D delegate unit Microphone LED and microphone light ring to indicate entitlement to speak and request to speak; microphone key; loudspeaker for the conference channel; two headphone sockets for the conference channel; volume control for the headphone outputs.
	WiCOS DV delegate unit Additionally with voting keys (yes, no, abstention); headphone sockets and selection keys for choosing the translation channel (selection of up to 16 translation channels + the conference language); display for the translation channel, voting results and headphone volume.
	WiCOS C chairman’s unit Priority key for muting all live microphones; ‘Next’ key opens the delegate microphones in request to speak; microphone button and status LED; volume control for headphone outputs; keys for adjusting the volume for all conference units.
	WiCOS CV chairman’s unit Additionally with a multi-display to show the voting mode, loudspeaker mode and media control mode; two selection keys for voting, loudspeaker volume and media control; voting keys (yes, no, abstention); display for the translation channel, voting results and headphone volume; selection keys for the translation channel (selection of up to 16 translation channels + the conference language through the headphones).
	Transport case With fixtures for an Access Point, up to twelve microphones and up to twelve delegate units as well as compartments for the plug-in power supplies, rechargeable accupacks and accessories.