Broadcast Bionics produce truly innovative software solutions for the global broadcast
industry. Sometimes, however, completion of a system also calls for some hardware
and this was the case when it became necessary to bring multiple channels of “Music-on-Hold”
into the telecoms systems of large studio clients.
Benden Technology was able to take the project from concept all the way to production,
conducting electronic, mechanical and aesthetic design. Perhaps most importantly
we identified a suitable manufacturing partner and arranged production on Broadcast
Bionics’ behalf, enabling them to concentrate on their core activities while enjoying
the benefits of bespoke electronics.
Easy-Seal Products make office automation machinery for the international market.
When planning their next design, they knew that customer expectations would make
sophisticated electronic control and an intuitive user interface essential, but had
no in-house electronics expertise. Benden Technology worked with them to explore
the options, settling on a microcontroller-based system with a backlit liquid-crystal
display.
In addition to performing full electronic design of the chosen solution, we provided
advice on integration between the various parts of the system and assisted with production
and testing issues. Through appropriate choices of technology and elegant design,
Easy-Seal’s new machine is extremely efficient to manufacture and enjoys a real competitive
edge. It is also a truly global endeavour, with sections coming from several continents
- Benden’s electronics are in full production in the Far East.
Neil Brand is an internationally-renowned composer and silent-film accompanist. Unable
to find off-the-shelf equipment capable of converting his live playing into multiple
data streams to drive a full orchestra of instruments, he commissioned Benden Technology
to produce a custom solution.
The resulting processor accepts up to sixteen channels of MIDI (Musical Instrument
Digital Interface) performance data and distributes note information between 32 output
streams according to user-defined musical rules regarding polyphony, note priority
and pitch of each instrument.
It is implemented using a 16-bit Microchip microcontroller running Benden Technology
MIDI firmware. The hardware is compact and robustly constructed for use in a live
performance environment. It was produced as a one-off using our in-house prototyping
facilities.
Sound Broadcast Services (now part of Eddystone Broadcast) are the UK’s premier manufacturer
of FM broadcast equipment. When developing their next-generation FM exciter, they
turned to Benden Technology for the crucial stereo encoder module – the section which
filters, limits and then multiplexes incoming audio signals ready for transmission.
The new design incorporates the best of sbs’ heritage in this area while adding AES/EBU
digital audio handling and complete software control of all parameters.
The result is a densely-packed SMT module, considerably adding to the capabilities
of its predecessors whilst occupying 50% less space and with a sonic performance
described by experienced broadcasters as “excellent”. It is now in full production
in the UK.
