BSS BLU-102 – Conferencing DSP with AEC and Telephone Hybrid

Product Overview

The BSS BLU-102 is a fixed-I/O Soundweb London conferencing processor designed for commercial AV installations where acoustic echo cancellation and POTS telephone integration are primary requirements. With 10 analog inputs, 8 analog outputs, 8 independent AEC algorithms with AGC and noise cancellation, and an RJ-11 telephone interface, it addresses the full signal chain for boardrooms, conference rooms, and multi-space conferencing deployments from a single 1U rack-mount unit. The BLU-102 connects to the broader Soundweb London system via its 48-channel BLU link digital audio bus, compatible with the larger 256-channel bus of BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-160, BLU-120, BLU-BIB, and BLU-BOB devices. Configuration is handled entirely within HiQnet Audio Architect, with GPIO and RS-232 ports available for integration with room control systems.

Product Description

The BSS BLU-102 is a purpose-built conferencing processor in the Soundweb London family, designed to handle the complete audio signal chain for meetings rooms and teleconferencing environments without requiring additional I/O expansion hardware. Its fixed configuration of 10 analog inputs and 8 analog outputs covers a typical medium-sized conference room with room to spare, while the RJ-11 telephone port provides direct connection to a standard POTS telephone network — including analog PBX systems — without requiring a separate telephone hybrid unit. Dedicated AEC processing supports up to 8 independent acoustic echo cancellation algorithms simultaneously, each with an individual reference signal. The AEC engine can process audio from the local analog inputs or from the BLU link digital audio bus, allowing a single BLU-102 to serve multiple conferencing spaces. Automatic Gain Control (AGC) per algorithm maintains consistent microphone levels automatically, compensating for varying talker distances and room conditions. Noise Cancellation (NC) per algorithm removes steady-state background noise such as HVAC, projector fans, and laptop cooling systems from the microphone signal path before it reaches the far end. Analog inputs provide software-configurable gain in 6dB steps up to +48dB per channel, with per-channel 48V phantom power for condenser microphones, both managed within HiQnet Audio Architect. The 48-channel BLU link digital audio bus operates over Cat5e cabling at 100m between devices, with fiber media converters extending range to over 40km. When integrated with larger BLU link devices, the BLU-102’s 48 channels represent channels 1–48 of the Soundweb London 256-channel bus. Front panel LEDs provide phantom power, signal present, and clip status per channel without a PC connection. Twelve control inputs and 6 logic outputs enable GPIO integration with room control systems, and the Soundweb London Interface Kit documents RS-232 and third-party control integration for AMX, Crestron, and similar platforms. The BLU-102 is configured entirely in software through HiQnet Audio Architect using a drag-and-drop processing object library.

Key Features

• 10 Analog Inputs with 48V Phantom Power — Software-configurable gain in 6dB steps to +48dB per channel; per-channel phantom power for condenser microphones.
• 8 Analog Outputs — Fixed analog output configuration for driving amplifiers, ceiling speakers, or other downstream equipment in conference room deployments.
• 8 Independent AEC Algorithms — Each algorithm has its own reference signal, enabling one BLU-102 to serve multiple conferencing spaces or microphone zones simultaneously.
• Automatic Gain Control (AGC) — Per-algorithm AGC maintains consistent microphone send levels regardless of talker position or distance from the microphone.
• Noise Cancellation (NC) — Per-algorithm noise cancellation removes steady-state background noise from the signal path before transmission to the far end.
• RJ-11 POTS Telephone Interface — Onboard telephone hybrid for direct connection to analog POTS or PBX telephone lines, eliminating the need for a separate hybrid unit.
• 48-Channel BLU link Digital Audio Bus — Low-latency, fault-tolerant audio bus over Cat5e; represents channels 1–48 of the Soundweb London 256-channel bus for compatibility with larger devices.
• GPIO Integration — 12 control inputs and 6 logic outputs for integration with room booking systems, wall panels, and GPIO-compatible control processors.
• HiQnet Audio Architect Configuration — Fully software-configured; no hardware jumpers or DIP switches. Drag-and-drop processing objects cover EQ, dynamics, routing, mixing, and logic.
• Front Panel LED Indication — Per-channel LEDs show phantom power, signal present, and clip status for quick field diagnostics without a connected PC.
• Third-Party Control Integration — Soundweb London Interface Kit included; Crestron, AMX, and RS-232 control modules available for volume, mute, and routing control.
• Single Rack Space Form Factor — 19" 1U chassis for installation in standard AV equipment racks in conference rooms, server rooms, or AV head-end closets.

Typical Applications

• Boardroom
• Conference room
• Huddle room
• Commercial meeting space
• Government space
• Training room
• All-hands room
• Multi-purpose room

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many conference rooms can a single BLU-102 serve?

A: With 8 independent AEC algorithms, each with its own reference signal, a single BLU-102 can provide echo cancellation for up to 8 separate microphone zones or conferencing spaces simultaneously. Audio can come from local analog inputs or from the BLU link digital audio bus, giving integrators flexibility in how microphone signals are routed to the device.

Q: What type of telephone connection does the BLU-102 support?

A: The BLU-102 includes a single RJ-11 POTS telephone interface that connects directly to a standard analog telephone network or analog PBX line. This onboard hybrid eliminates the need for a separate telephone hybrid device. For VoIP (SIP) telephone integration, the BSS BLU-103 should be considered instead.

Q: What is the difference between the BLU-102 and the BLU-101?

A: The BLU-101 provides 12 analog inputs, 8 AEC algorithms, and no telephone interface — it is optimized for microphone-heavy rooms without telephone dial-in requirements. The BLU-102 provides 10 analog inputs, 8 AEC algorithms, and adds an RJ-11 POTS telephone hybrid for rooms that require dial-in conferencing over a standard telephone line.

Q: Does the BLU-102 integrate with Crestron or AMX control systems?

A: Yes. BSS provides Crestron Series 3 and Series 4 modules, AMX NetLinx and HPro Gateway Comm modules, and the full Soundweb London Interface Kit for third-party control integration. These allow volume control, muting, input selection, and preset recall from room control systems via RS-232 or IP.

Q: Is the BLU-102 compatible with the BLU-160 or BLU-806 on the same BLU link network?

A: Yes. The BLU-102’s 48-channel BLU link bus represents channels 1–48 of the Soundweb London 256-channel bus. When integrated with BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-160, BLU-120, BLU-BIB, or BLU-BOB devices, audio routes freely between all devices across the shared bus within a single HiQnet Audio Architect project.

Q: Can the BLU-102 cancel echo from speakers in the same room as the microphones?

A: Yes. The AEC algorithm on the BLU-102 removes loudspeaker audio from the microphone signal path using a reference signal from the loudspeaker output, preventing the far end from hearing an echo of their own voice. Each of the 8 algorithms has its own reference, enabling independent AEC for multiple zones with different loudspeaker feeds.

Q: Where can I purchase the BSS BLU-102?

A: The BSS BLU-102 (SKU: BSSBLU102M) is available at Creation Networks. Contact us for project pricing, system design support, and post-installation technical assistance.