Blueline Digital Technology brings Audio Connectivity to Brazil's Salvador Bahia Airport. Pro Audio specialist Erhardt Projetos this innovative IP-based distributed audio system because it delivers all the reliability and functionality the airport needs.

Brazil's Luis E. Magalhaes International Airport, also known as the Salvador Bahia Airport has been fitted with a WORK PRO Blueline Digital distributed audio system that is helping airport staff and passengers to hear important announcements in perfect clarity. 

The airport is currently undergoing an extensive expansion and modernisation programme that is being carried out in conjuction Actemium, a subsidiary of VINCI Énergies. The first phase of the project was completed at the end of 2019 and involved the expansion of the passenger terminal, the construction of a new pier with six boarding bridges, the installation of a new baggage handling system and new client services including free and high-speed Wi-Fi. 

The task of ensuring communications connectivity throughout the new pier and between the old and new parts of the terminal fell to Erhardt Projetos, one of Brazil largest pro audio and video companies which specialises in project design, equipment distribution, digital automaton and integration services. Among the many projects Erhardt Projectos has carried out in recent years are major infrastructure developments related to the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 and the World Cup in 2014, including the Maracana, Dunas and Gremio Stadia and the Olympic Velodrome. 

The company's chief technical offer, José Roberto Erhardt, says: "The sound system we installed was designed to support the operation of the new Pier by allowing the dissemination of sound messages with a high degree of intelligibility. It covers various zones including domestic and international arrivals and departures, the document inspection area, Connectors between the new Pier and the old terminal, and complementary buildings. As well as generally assisting passengers and staff, a key requirement of the sound system was that it had to support the security and operation of the airport site, wether in normal operating situations or in case of emergency and evacuation of the complex".

The solution Erhardt Projectos chose involved over 250 loudspeakers, a power amplifier, an audio matrix, 14 WORK PRO SPS 8 call stations and 14 WORK PRO DM 115 call station microphones, all controlled over IP networks by an Equipson Blueline Digital distributed audio system consisting of 45 BLR 2 Lite MKII stereo over AoIP receivers and one BLS2 SD MKII stereo AoIP sender with a micro SD Player. 

José Roberto Erhardt says the Blueline Digital system was chosen because it is cost effective, easy to design and very quick to install thanks to its user friendly interface. It allows several channels of audio to be transmitted and controlled via Ethernet, with very low latency, and transmission can be a simple case of linking one point to another, or it can involve multiple poins-or even a full multichannel system with control of alarm management. 

"We think the Blueline Digital System is an excellent solution as it complements the robust audio distribution systems that we use in our system integrations" José Roberto Erhardt says. "We also like the fact that its configuration software is user friendly and has an uncomplicated logic, which makes life much easier for our technicians installing it on site". 

Alongside its general capabilities, there were some very specific reasons why Equipson's Blueline Digital distributed audio system was ideal for the Salvador Bahia Airport project. These included: 

-100% IP-with long distances between the equipment racks and the Call Station user points, having a fully IP system was vital as it would have been very difficult to use an analog solution.

-The modular nature of the system, which made it possible to acquire the exact number of units needed. This resulted in a more cost effective solution for the customer because it was cheaper than acquiring a complete, all in one system where unused units went to waste. 

-Having simple and intuitive software with system management meant integrators could customize their work environment. 

-Having a PoE power supply for each module made the cable organization inside the rack cleaner and more organized, and released the rack Power Strip doors.

José Roberto Erhardt adds that support from Equipson and from its local distributor, Grupo Discabos, was very efficient, which gave his staff confidence in the product. 

"Working side by side with the manufacturer enables us to request customizations for our special projects", he says. "The Blueline Digital System installed at Salvador Bahia Airport has been working 24/7 with no failures since its implementation some months ago. The partnership we now have with Equipson means that we are very happy to recommend the company's BlueLine and WORK PRO products and indeed we are now installing these in a number of other projects".