You can set up either single or multi-zone external overhead paging (OHP), as shown in Table 2, but only one OHP system can be connected to the ATA. Synapse supports most OHP systems that can connect to PBX Analog Station (FXS) ports connections as well as those that support direct Audio Input detection, also known as VOX Detect. If you already have an OHP, you need to figure out the necessary configuration before installation and setup. This introduction may help you figure out your system. If not, refer to your OHP system's product documentation for installation and configuration instructions or contact your OHP equipment provider.
Table 2. [ATA] Single- vs. Multi-Zone Overhead Paging Systems
Single-Zone Paging Multi-Zone Paging
Broadcasts to all overhead speakers at once. Broadcasts to speakers grouped into separate zones. Can be included in a Synapse Paging Zone. See “Paging
Zones” on page 121. Cannot be included in a Synapse Paging Zone because the multi-zone OHP cannot be paged together with Desksets. Does not appear in the Deskset Paging Zones menu unless
you add Single-Zone paging to a paging zone you create. Automatically appears in the Deskset Paging Zones menu as Overhead Paging. Requires no additional user input to initiate a page. Requires using the Deskset dial pad to enter digits to address
the OHP paging zone. For a connection through a FXS port, requires you to set a
delay determined by trial and error. This delay, which starts after the user presses , gives the paging equipment time to prepare to broadcast the message. It is required for every page, even if the OHP is not the chosen paging zone. See “Single-Zone Overhead Paging Delay” on page 119.
There is no programmed delay as the paging equipment provides feedback to the user when to start speaking.
If your OHP is single-zone, you will have to decide whether it requires an FXS connection or an AUX OUT connection. You can only connect a multi-zone OHP to an ATA FXS port, i.e. a multi-zone OHP system cannot be connected to the AUX OUT port. Equipment that can interface with the AUX OUT jack can be “dumb” in its audio output. It doesn't require any exchange of signals to be ready to broadcast.
Equipment that uses an FXS port must be able to go on and off hook, because the FXS ports use telephone signals to exchange information. The OHP generally includes some sort of controller or telephone interface, which often requires setting up, for example, “PABX loop start trunk port access”, or “RJ-11 for Tip and Ring connections”.
There are three possible OHP configurations.
Single-Zone Paging
Single-zone paging means that all speakers connected to the OHP system are activated together (i.e they are in the same zone).
Single-Zone OHP equipment connected to the AUX OUT jack:
Use this configuration to connect single-zone paging equipment that uses a 3.5 mm audio jack as input. For example, use this configuration if the OHP device is just an amplified speaker. Verify that the OHP input levels are compatible with ATA level. See “Appendix A: Technical Specifications” on page 190. Only single- zone paging is supported in this configuration.
Even though the OHP has no RJ-11 jack, it may still have a Tip/Ring interface, requiring hard wiring. Whenever possible, try both the AUX OUT jack and an FXS port to find the best configuration for your needs.
Single-Zone OHP equipment connected to one of the FXS ports:
Use this configuration to connect paging equipment that interfaces through a telephone line. Typically, any OHP that connects to an FXS port has some intelligence to go off and on hook or otherwise send a signal back to the pager. These are generally controllers or telephone interfaces with controls and settings.
In this configuration, you can specify a paging delay to compensate for the fixed delay introduced by the OHP
system. This delay ensures that the paging tone is played simultaneously on both Desksets and on the OHP system. See “Single- Zone Overhead Paging Delay” on page 119.
Multi-Zone Paging
Broadcasts to speakers grouped into separate zones. Since the multi-zone OHP systems require zone selection, they cannot be combined into one zone together with Synapse Desksets.
Multi-Zone OHP equipment connected to one of the FXS ports:
When paging is configured as a multi-zone OHP, a dedicated Overhead Paging zone automatically appears as the last entry in the Deskset paging menu.
Overhead paging can not be added to Synapse-specific paging zones (see “Multi-Zone Overhead Paging” on page 120) because the multi-zone OHP cannot be paged together with Desksets.