INFRACOM® ICen IV
Copyright by Brähler ICS 9
3. Short description
INFRACOM®is a system for the wireless transmission of sound using infrared light. By far the
most important application is in simultaneous interpretation installations, where it is combined with
interpreter consoles of model DOL7.
3.1 System function
The INFRACOM®system consists of several components:
The central component is the Compact Transmitter ICen IV. The inputs are signals from several
audio channels (for instance, several different language channels with simultaneous interpretation).
It converts them into the appropriate FM signals for wireless transmission.
Infrared radiators transmit the information carried by the audio channels in the form of frequency-
modulated infrared light.
Within the radiator's area, receivers are used to pick up the information transmitted in the form of
infrared light signals. These receivers are about the size of a pack of cigarettes. Headphones are
plugged in to listen to their audio output. Receivers can be moved at will anywhere within the area
that is fully illuminated by the radiators. They can be switched to receive up to 32 channels.
Whenever the INFRACOM®system is used as a simultaneous interpretation installation it is
operating in combination with one or several interpreter consoles. The various languages are fed
into the appropriate outgoing channels. The interpreter consoles also include a number of functions
that are essential to ensure the uninterrupted transmission of simultaneous translation.
These consoles are installed inside sound-proofed interpreter booths.
Interpreters sit inside these booths and use headphones to listen to the original sound, which is
normally called the floor channel. At the same time they speak their translation into an outgoing
channel.
Wherever we have a combination of a Microphone system and DOL7 interpreter consoles it is
INFRACOM’s job to transmit several audio channels wireless to the auditorium.
The purpose of the DOL7 interpreter console is to feed in the various languages (i.e. the
interpreter’s voice output) onto the appropriate outgoing channel.
3.2 Use
In combination with a microphone management system (such as CDS200, AUTOMIC), the system
can provide the best communication facilities for organized events that need several languages.
Each and every participant (a term often used is "delegate") can use the microphone system to
speak, and what he or she says will be translated simultaneously so that other delegates will be
able to listen to it in one of the languages. This technique permits direct communication in several
languages even at very large scale events.
It is a simple matter to set up the INFRACOM®system in such a way that it is protected against
eavesdropping from outside. Since all information is transmitted in the form of light waves, it is
possible to use opaque material as necessary to limit the area to which it is to be transmitted. Dark
curtains drawn across windows, for instance, are enough to shield a room reliably from the outside
world.
Although the INFRACOM®system is most commonly used in combination with an interpretation
system and microphone-management system, it is also possible to use it for other purposes.
During organized events, for instance, it is possible to use infrared light to transmit information to
individual participants wearing receivers without disturbing anyone else present.
Another example might be museums applications. There it is possible to provide information on
individual exhibits by means of infrared light radiated only to a limited area in front of the particular
exhibit. Visitors listen to the information with receivers and headphones.
