Due to manufacturing and shipping costs, the 5500 is sold in the Eastern Hemisphere only.

Optimod-FM 5500: Features

User-Friendly Interface

LCD and full-time LED meters: An LCD and full-time LED meters make setup, adjustment and programming of OPTIMOD-FM easy - you can always see the metering while you are adjusting the processor. Navigation is by dedicated buttons, soft buttons (whose functions are context-sensitive), and a large rotary knob. The LEDs show all metering functions of the processing structure (Two-Band or Five-Band) in use.
Universal transmitter protection & audio processing for FM broadcast: The 5500 provides universal transmitter protection and audio processing for FM broadcast. It can be configured to interface ideally with any commonly found transmission system in the world.
Pre-emphasis limiting for the two standard pre-emphasis curves of 50 µs & 75 µs: The 5500 provides pre-emphasis limiting for the two standard pre-emphasis curves of 50 µs and 75 µs. Its pre-emphasis control is seldom audibly apparent, producing a clean, open sound with subjective brightness matching the original program.
Tight peak control at all its outputs: The 5500 achieves extremely tight peak control at all its outputs — analog left/right, AES3 left/right, and composite baseband.
Stereo encoder integrated with audio processing: By integrating the stereo encoder with the audio processing, the 5500 eliminates the overshoot problems that waste valuable modulation in traditional external encoders.
Stereo encoder has two outputs with independent level controls.: The stereo encoder has two outputs with independent level controls, each capable of driving 75 Ω in parallel with 47,000 pF (100 ft / 30 m of coaxial cable).
Bandwidth-limiting & overshoot compensation: The 5500 prevents aliasing distortion in subsequent stereo encoders or transmission links by providing bandwidth-limiting and overshoot-compensated 15 kHz low-pass filters ahead of the 5500's audio outputs and stereo encoder.
Anti-aliased clippers: Anti-aliased clippers running at 256 kHz samplerate prevent any trace of "digital clipper" sound.

Flexible Configuration

Analog & AES3 digital inputs & outputs: The 5500 includes analog and AES3 digital inputs and outputs. Both digital input and digital output are equipped with sample-rate converters and can operate at 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz samplerates. The pre-emphasis status and output levels are separately adjustable for the analog and digital outputs. The input failsafe feature allows the 5500 to automatically switch from its digital input to its analog input (or vice-versa) if the primary input suffers a loss-of-audio failure.
Internal, DSP-based stereo encoder (with a patented "half-cosine interpolation" composite limiter operating at 512 kHz samplerate): The 5500 has an internal, DSP-based stereo encoder (with a patented "half-cosine interpolation" composite limiter operating at 512 kHz samplerate) to generate the pilot tone stereo baseband signal and control its peak level. The composite limiter is a unique, "you can only do this in DSP" process that beats composite clippers by preserving stereo imaging while fully protecting the stereo pilot tone, RDS/RBDS and subcarriers.
Transformerless, balanced 10 kΩ instrumentation-amplifier circuits: The analog inputs are transformerless, balanced 10 kΩ instrumentation-amplifier circuits, and the analog outputs are transformerless balanced, and floating (with 50 Ω impedance) to ensure highest transparency and accurate pulse response.
Two independent composite baseband outputs with digitally programmable output levels: The 5500 has two independent composite baseband outputs with digitally programmable output levels. Robust line drivers enable them to drive 100 feet of RG-59 coaxial cable without audible performance degradation.
Two subcarrier inputs: The 5500 has two subcarrier inputs that are mixed with the output of OPTIMOD-FM's stereo encoder before application to the composite output connectors. One input can be re-jumpered to provide a 19 kHz pilot reference output. Each input has an internal level trim to accommodate subcarrier generators with output levels as low as 220 mV.
Precise control of audio bandwidth to 15 kHz: The 5500 precisely controls the audio bandwidth to 15 kHz. This prevents overshoots in uncompressed digital links operating at a 32 kHz samplerate and prevents interference to the pilot tone and RDS (or RBDS) subcarrier.
Defeatable, extremely accurate multiplex power limiter: The 5500 has a defeatable multiplex power limiter that controls the multiplex power to ITU-R BS412 standards. An adjustable threshold allows a station to achieve maximum legal multiplex power even if the downstream transmission system introduces peak overshoots into the 5500-processed signal. Because this limiter closes a feedback loop around the audio processing, it allows the user to adjust the processor's subjective setup controls freely without violating BS412 limits, regardless of program material. The multiplex power limiter acts on all outputs (not just the composite output). It reduces clipper drive when it reduces power, simultaneously reducing clipping distortion. To prevent audible gain pumping, a user-adjustable gain offset control allows the user to minimize the amount of gain control that the controller performs.
10 MHz clock / wordclock reference input: The 5500 has a 10 MHz clock / wordclock reference input, which can be used to lock the stereo pilot tone to a high precision external reference like a GPS-based frequency standard.

This facilitates using the 5500 in single-frequency network applications.
Rigorously RFI-suppressed input, output & power connections: All input, output and power connections are rigorously RFI-suppressed to Orban's traditional exacting standards, ensuring trouble-free installation.
Certified: The 5500 is designed and certified to meet all applicable international safety and emissions standards.

Adaptability through Multiple Audio Processing Structures

Complete audio processing system: A processing structure is a program that operates as a complete audio processing system. Only one processing structure can be on-air at a time. OPTIMOD-FM realizes its processing structures as a series of high-speed mathematical computations made by Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chips.
Three processing structures: The 5500 features three processing structures: Optimum Five-Band (or "Multiband"; 15 ms delay) for a consistent, "processed" sound, free from undesirable side effects, Ultra-Low-Latency Five-Band (5 ms delay) for environments where talent monitors live off-air and they object to the delay of Optimum Five-Band and Two-Band for a transparent sound that preserves the frequency balance of the original program material. A special Two-Band preset creates a no-compromise "Protect" function that is functionally similar to the "Protect" structures in earlier Orban digital processors. The Optimum Five-Band and the Two-Band structures can be switched via a mute-free crossfade; switching to or from the Ultra-Low Latency Five-Band structure causes the audio to mute momentarily.
Rides gain over an adjustable range of up to 25 dB: The 5500 rides gain over an adjustable range of up to 25 dB, compressing dynamic range and compensating for both operator gain-riding errors and gain inconsistencies in automated systems.
Multiband compression, limiting & clipping: The 5500 can increase the density and loudness of the program material by multiband compression, limiting, and clipping. This improves the consistency of the station's sound and increasing loudness and definition remarkably, without producing unpleasant side effects.
Two-Band processing structure is phase-linear: The 5500's Two-Band processing structure is phase-linear to maximize audible transparency.
5500 PC Remote application: The 5500 can import and run any 8300, 8400, 8500 or 8600 "LL" (Low-Latency) preset via the 5500 PC Remote application. This means that you can use an 8300, 8400, 8500 or 8600 to develop presets for 5500, provided you do not use features in the other processors not supported by the 5500. (If you try to import a preset that uses features unsupported by 5500, the 5500 will interpret that preset as best it can by using its available processing features.)

Controllable

Eight programmable, optically isolated "general-purpose-interface" (GPI) ports: The 5500 can be remote-controlled by 5 - 12V pulses applied to eight programmable, optically isolated "general-purpose interface" (GPI) ports.
5500 PC Remote software: 5500 PC Remote software is a graphical application that runs under Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7. It communicates with a given 5500 via TCP/IP over modem, direct serial and Ethernet connections. You can configure PC Remote to switch between many 5500s via a convenient organizer that supports giving any 5500 an alias and grouping multiple 5500s into folders. Clicking a 5500's icon causes PC Remote to connect to that 5500 through an Ethernet network, or initiates a Windows Dial-Up or Direct Cable Connection if appropriate.

The PC Remote software allows the user to access all 5500 features (including advanced controls not available from the 5500's front panel), and allows the user to archive and restore presets, automation lists, and system setups (containing I/O levels, digital word lengths, GPI functional assignments, etc.).
Versatile real-time clock: OPTIMOD-FM contains a versatile real-time clock, which allows automation of various events (including recalling presets) at pre-programmed times. The clock can be synchronized automatically to an Internet timeserver.
Bypass Test Mode: A Bypass Test Mode can be invoked locally, by remote control (from either the 5500's GPI port or the 5500 PC Remote application) or by automation to permit broadcast system test and alignment or "proof of performance" tests.
Built-in line-up tone generator: OPTIMOD-FM contains a built-in line-up tone generator, facilitating quick and accurate level setting in any system.
Upgradable Software: OPTIMOD-FM's software can be upgraded by running Orban-supplied downloadable upgrade software on a PC. The upgrade can occur remotely through the 5500's Ethernet port or serial port (connected to an external modem) or locally (by connecting a Windows^® computer to the 5500's serial port through the supplied null modem cable).
Administrating and Marketable: The SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) features allow you to monitor your Optimod’s status and to send Alarm notifications via your Optimod’s Ethernet connection to your network.
API: This interface can be used to allow custom third-party applications (including automation systems) to recall presets, view status and set the controls.

Stand-Alone Stereo Encoder Operation

Samplerate and multiples thereof: The samplerate is 64 kHz and multiples thereof, up to 512 kHz. The internal audio bandwidth is high enough to prevent overshoot caused by spectral truncation of the left/right input signals that are band-limited to 18 kHz or lower.
Low-pass filtering: 15, 16 or 17 kHz linear-phase low-pass filtering can be applied to the input signal. To minimize input/output delay, this filter can be bypassed, which is appropriate if the input signal is correctly band-limited by the audio processor driving the 5500.
Left/right domain overshoot limiter: A left/right domain overshoot limiter is available. This uses the same technology as Orban's 8218 stand-alone stereo encoder, combining look-ahead and band-limited clipping techniques to control STL-induced overshoots while minimizing artifacts.
Dual-mode composite limiter: A dual-mode composite limiter is available. It can operate in either "Half-Cosine Interpolation" mode or conventional hard clipper mode. The "Half-Cosine" mode provides better separation and preservation of stereo imaging, while the "Hard" mode provides brighter sound because it creates waveforms that are closer to square waves. Both modes provide excellent spectral protection of the pilot tone and subcarrier regions. To ensure accurate peak control, the limiter operates at 512 kHz samplerate.
J.17 de-emphasis: The 5500 can apply J.17 de-emphasis to the input signal.
ITU412 multiplex power controller: A high-accuracy ITU412 multiplex power controller is available, with user control over the multiplex power threshold.

This allows you to compensate for overshoots in the signal path upstream from the 5500, preventing excessive reduction of the multiplex power.
SSB Stereo Encoder Operation:: The 5500 allows its stereo encoder’s stereo subchannel modulator to operate in an experimental compatible single sideband/vestigial sideband mode.
Flat or pre-emphasized input signal: The input signal can be flat or pre-emphasized to 50 µs or 75 µs.
Silence alarm and digital audio fault tally outputs: Silence alarm and digital audio fault tally outputs are available.
Inputs and outputs: All normal 5500 inputs and outputs are available, including analog and digital inputs, two composite outputs with independent level controls and two subcarrier inputs (one of which can be repurposed to emit a 19 kHz pilot reference output for RDS/RBDS generators).

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