Clear-Com has announced updates to the Arcadia Central Station as well as enhancements to the Eclipse HX Digital Matrix System, which is now running the latest EHX v15 software that delivers expanded configuration capabilities, increased system capacity, and enhanced network resilience while also enabling the introduction of ARC (Access, Resource, Configuration). Both developments will be spotlighted at the upcoming 2026 NAB Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center at booth C5807.
ARC introduces a fundamentally new architectural model designed to re-define how intercom systems are designed, deployed, and experienced in shifting to a more software-defined future. Rather than binding users, devices, and resources to fixed physical infrastructure, ARC decouples hardware from system behavior, transforming the intercom into a more flexible, software-defined platform, helping systems to dynamically adapt to users, workflows, and environments in real time.
This architectural shift is designed to enable more efficient use of system resources and removing traditional hardware constraints. ARC can reduce system complexity and cost while simultaneously expanding capability and in many use cases.
Built on three foundational layers (Access, Resource, and Configuration) ARC is designed to deliver a more intelligent and user-centric approach to communication:
· Access introduces secure, identity-based system entry, allowing users to log in and operate across devices and locations.
· Resource allows dynamic allocation of system capacity through floating or fixed assignments to help improve efficiency, scalability, and resilience.
· Configuration establishes role-based workflows, allowing users to move between panels, beltpacks, and virtual clients while maintaining consistent communication and system behavior.
Together, these layers remove traditional hardware constraints for a more agile, resilient, and scalable intercom experience, aligned with the needs of modern, distributed production environments.
With expanded support for the FreeSpeak family and the latest high-density keypanels, users can now also build larger, more flexible systems with increased endpoint density. System capacity has grown to support up to 424 registered beltpacks with up to 255 online at a time, enabling more complex and demanding communications environments.
Meanwhile, updates to Arcadia Central Station further enhance its role as an intercom core with expanded support for broadcast, live production, and other communication environments. New capabilities include:
? IFB support, expanding program audio and monitoring workflows.
? Support for AES67-enabled panels, improving interoperability within IP-based systems.
Arcadia continues to support a range of Clear-Com endpoints, including FreeSpeak wireless systems, HelixNet wired beltpacks, V-Series keypanels, V-Series-Iris-X keypanels, and analog (2-wire) partyline within a single platform.
“These updates mark a step change in how intercom systems are conceived and deployed,” says Bob Boster, president of Clear-Com. “With ARC, we’re introducing a new architectural approach that breaks traditional constraints between users, devices, and infrastructure. The result is a more flexible, efficient, and scalable system that allows customers to do more with less… unlocking new levels of performance that simply weren’t possible before.”
www.clearcom.com
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