Telos Systems, makers of industry-standard digital telephone systems for radio and TV, has provided a Series 2101 telephone system that will manage callers for 55 newly-built studios and 120 Omnia-3 digital audio processors that will help shape the sound of XM Satellite Radio's sound. XM Satellite Radio recently completed its state-of-the-art multistudio broadcast center in the Tech Corridor in Washington, DC.

"Many broadcasters understand the benefits of digital phone lines," comments Michael Dosch, Telos Systems' managing director. "The Series 2101 helps them exploit those benefits, giving them access to large numbers of incoming phone lines, and lets them administer and share those lines between multiple studios. It's the world's first telephone system designed specifically for large facilities."

The Telos Series 2101 Multi-Studio Talkshow System uses digital telephone lines (ISDN PRI, T-1 or E-1) to control and distribute up to 120 incoming callers dynamically across the many studios found in today's larger broadcast facilities. The Series 2101 delivers exceptional audio clarity for on-air telephone segments and talk shows through the use of sophisticated Digital Signal Processing (pioneered for broadcast phone systems by Telos in 1985). In addition, the use of digital telephone lines maintains a true four-wire path from the caller's Central Office to the radio studios for unmatched send/receive separation. Control of talk shows is also enhanced with faster, more precise call setup and line status reporting, Caller ID support, and the ability to screen talk shows from remote locations using LAN or WAN connections.

XM has also taken delivery of 120 new Omnia-3fm Digital Audio Processors made by Omnia, a Telos company. XM will use the Omnia-3fm to process the 100 channels of live satellite radio it will deliver to subscribers. Omnia digital audio processors have become the choice of leading broadcasters in top markets worldwide because of their ability to deliver clear, loud audio without the digital aliasing artifacts found in other, less sophisticated audio processors. The all-digital Omnia-3fm provides superior 48kHz sampling, three-band processing, AES/EBU inputs and outputs, integrated clipper and composite filter, and a digital stereo generator.

In early 2001, XM Satellite Radio will begin beaming digital music, news, sports, talk and children's programming directly from its two satellites to vehicle, home and portable XM-ready radios coast-to-coast.