Introduction

In Radio broadcasting setup audio mixing

console is the heart of the system and

remained relatively unchanged for more
than twenty years.
The broadcast studios of today rely on
expensive and proprietary communication
means in order to network the large number
of studio devices.
Originally, source equipment connected to
stand-alone mixing consoles with discrete
analog signals.

Introduction
Later,

the
preferred
method
of
interconnection became AES/EBU digital.
Using modern computer networking
equipment, it is now possible to build
robust Networks capable of transporting
digital media signals throughout a
complete studio facility.
Introducing an IP-based network in the
studio environment is becoming an
increasingly attractive solution.
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Sources are
different now
Days have gone of playing from

carts, vinyl, cassette and reel tape in

a typical broadcast.
Most program audio is now recorded,
edited and played out of a PC system.
While consoles remain much the
same, the PC has quietly taken center
stage in todays radio studio.
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Sources are

Traditional consoles
handle PC audio the
different
now

same as any discrete source, hindering

potential intercommunication that might
enhance accuracy and efficiency.
Instead of using analog or AES/EBU
audio as the interconnection standard, it
is believed that all broadcast audio
systems of the future will use networked
Ethernet to provide a much more flexible
and cost-effective alternative to console
systems used today.
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Why Ethernet

Ethernet is so much better.

Very active development.
500+ channels (on Gigabit link).
Bi-directional traffic.
Easy RJ-45 connectors.
All the data capability we need.
Ubiquitous computer standard.
Routing, networking: inherent

(low cost).

Todays Ethernet
100

Mbps to 1 Gbit.
CAT 5e/6 Copper or Optical Fiber.
Switched star, not shared No
collisions.
Full-duplex.
Priority for audio Quality-of-Service.
Multicast allows one-to-many.

is not your grandfathers Ethernet!

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Enormous Capacity

10

Ethernet is
commonplace

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Radio facilities are fully

networked. Almost.

IP-based audio systems

represent the future.

IP Audio Systems
Today, IP-Audio is making traditional

audio distribution infrastructure as

obsolete as the cart machine.
These systems use the same IP
technology that powers business
data networks.
IP-Audio eliminates the discretewiring model used since the dawn of
radio.
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What is IP-Audio
Routing
Its not Internet audio!
Uses switched Ethernet
48 kHz / 24-bit uncompressed audio
Delivers real-time audio with

guaranteed QoS
Routes machine logic, PAD, custom
backfeedsalong with audio
sourceElement
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Why are IP-Audio

Networks
considered to be the
future of the broadcast
plant?
IP Audio networks
enable broadcasters
to cut costs by using a common
transport mechanism for audio,
control, messaging, and other data
traffic such as files and e-mail and
VoIP phones.
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Why are IP-Audio

Networks
considered to be the
future of the broadcast
plant?

IP-Audio networks provide

broadcasters the flexibility to
grow and change at will.
Traditional systems lack this
flexible connectivity.

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IP-Audio Defined
What is IP-Audio?
Digital audio over Ethernet
Designed to replace bulky cables
Provides converged audio and data paths
Enables source sharing between

multiple studios, stages or locations

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IP-Audio, Like VoIP?

Isnt

that like VoIP?

IP-Audio Differences:
High bit-rate, full fidelity
Isochronous and multi-channel
High-reliability
Guaranteed QoS
Low latency
No packet loss

Linear, uncompressed audio

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Why not AES/EBU?

Dead end: No development for 15

years.
One channel, one way.
Soldered XLR connectors.
No significant data capability.
Low volume, expensive.
Routing requires complex hardware.
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Standard Ethernet
Protocols
QoS (Quality of Service)
STP (Spanning Tree Protocol)
IGMP (Internet Group

Management Protocol)
UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

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THE FUTURE IS NOW

The broadcasting industry is on the
verge of an IP-fueled revolution in
distribution and infrastructure design

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How Audio Routed

Low cost mass market Ethernet switches offer this

function.
Since their function is to direct packets from port
to port, we can use them to move our signals from
whatever source to whatever destination we want.
Simple, flexible, facility-wide audio routing system,
almost for free.
Goodbye to racks of distribution amps or
expensive proprietary main frame router.
An audio source entered into the system from any
point becomes available for any number of
receiving destination.
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High-Performance Sound Card

Replacement
Soundcard emulation driver
directly packs / unpacks audio to /
from system Ethernet.
No hardware needed.

Balanced I/O with more than

100dB dynamic range, < 0.005%
distortion, headroom to +24dBu,
etc.
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It make excellent multi-channel

High-Performance Sound
Card Replacement

Sound card problems such as noise and multiple

conversions are avoided-audio remains in digital

form from the PCs files to the network with no
alteration or degradation.
With so much audio in radio stations being

either played from computers or recorded into

computers, it is a tremendous advantage.
Thus lowering cost and eliminating conversion

steps.
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Fidelity
Internet streams are usually compressed for

transmission over public links with limited,

variable bandwidth and low reliability.
But in Broadcast Ethernet Networked studio,
audio is not compressed- it uses studio grade
48khz/24-bit-PCM encoding.
Dynamic range more than 100dB, <.005%
THD, and headroom to +24dbu.
LANs offer a safe, controlled environment, no
risk of audio drop-outs from network problems
and plenty of bandwidth for many channels of
high-quality audio without compression.
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Convergence
IP is growing as a universal transport for

almost any kind of signal.

It is now in television studios, business
teleconferencing,
government
communications, banking, etc.
PBX companies like Lucent, Nortel, Mitel,
Alcatel, and Siemens have plunged into IP
transport for their telephone products.
An Ethernet network being used for audio in
broadcast studio may be shared with any other
data like computer data, telephone, audio, and
control on a single network and this will use
26 computer/telephone industry standard wiring.

How IP-Audio works:

An

Ethernet switch becomes an

audio router.

Advertises

audio sources to

receivers.
All
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sources available
everywhere.

How IP-Audio works:

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Audio sources connect to audio

nodes

How IP-Audio works:

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Nodes convert audio to

uncompressed, 24-bit/48 kHz
digital audio, then translate it to
packet data

How IP-Audio works:

Each audio node input/output is

assigned an IP address for
identification and routing purposes
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How IP-Audio works:

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Logic ports on each device are

connected to GPIO nodes, which
convert on/off, tally and other
commands to packet data

Nodes in Studios

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How IP-Audio works:

301

302

303
To LAN

192.168.2.30

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Each audio source is given a

channel number. Each node is
assigned an IP address for
identification and routing purposes

How IP-Audio works:

Each node makes its audio and

control data available to the
network
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How IP-Audio works:

Studio A

Studio B

Studio C

Each studios local Ethernet switch

is connected to the other rooms via
core switches or daisy-chain
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How IP-Audio works:

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Complete Studio

Network Multiple Studios.

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HOW IP-AUDIO WORKS

By integrating IP-Audio
interfaces into equipment,
installations are greatly
simplified

Compared to traditional multi-line

broadcast phone systems, an IPAudio based system requires only
a single Ethernet connection
simplifying installation

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HOW IP-AUDIO WORKS

By integrating IP-Audio
interfaces into equipment,
installations are greatly
simplified
With an IP-Audio based computer delivery
system, audio travels to the network via
the computers NIC card without
soundcards, multiple audio lines, or
D/A/D conversion

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HOW IP-AUDIO WORKS

BE, BSI, D.A.V.I.D. Systems, dMarc,
Enco, IDC, Netia, Omnia, OMT,
Pristine Systems, Prophet Systems,
Radio Systems, Synadyne, Telos and
Zenon Media have all announced IPAudio system compatibility

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HOW IP-AUDIO WORKS

In addition to simplified
installation, lower costs both
short and long term are
significant benefits of IP-Audio
systems

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Audio over Ethernet/IP:

Why Is It So Good?

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Supported by huge R&D from the

computer and telephone worlds.
Common, universal wiring.
As with PCs, volume brings
performance, variety, and low-cost.
Learn one system, then you
understand audio, phones, and data.
AIR has already invested in huge
infrastructure of CAT 6 networked
modern PC network at all stations.

Audio over Ethernet/IP needs:

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100% Reliability.
Low Delay.
One-to-many Routing.
Source Advertising.

Reliability

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Each node owns entire

link.
Full Duplex.
Switched.
Cannot exceed link capacity.

Modern Ethernets Priority

System.
Lets you combine audio, control, and
data traffic on the same network, with
no audio dropouts.
Input
Port

Classify
High-priority Queue

Inp
ut
Port Classify

Mux

Low-priority Queue

Output Section per Port

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Output
Port

Delay- Latency
In broadcast studio, we are very much

concerned about the audio delay in the

microphone-to-headphone path for live
announcers.
Packetizing audio for network transmission
causes delay.
Internet audio delay is often multiple
seconds because the receiving PCs need
long buffers to ride out network problems
and the delays inherent in multiple-hop
router paths.
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Delay- Latency
Delay

1-3 ms

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Effect

Undetectable

3-10 ms Audible shift in

voice character

comb filter effect

10-30 ms

A slight echo turning to

obvious slap at 25-30ms

30-50 ms Disturbing
echo, disorienting the
announcer

> 50 ms Too much delay

for live monitoring

With fast Ethernet switching on a

local network, it is possible to achieve
very low delay.

Delay Problem being

solved
Short packet length.

Short packets require less buffer time.

Low jitter = small buffers.

Low jitter means timely packet delivery.

Timely delivery means no buffering
required.

To achieve low jitter, every

node has a sophisticated sync
method using an extremely
precise PLL.
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APPLICATIONS:
Interchangeable Studios
For

years, broadcasters have built Mirror

studios for interchangeable use, but
Taking any room to air as needed presents
logistical challenges with traditional hardwired
systems.
With its decentralized, shared data approach, IPAudio networks simplify construction and use of
identical studios
Gigabit Ethernet has the capacity to carry
hundreds of simultaneous stereo audio channels
per link with audio, logic, and program
associated data all traveling the same CAT-6
cable
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APPLICATIONS:
Simple Scalability
Hardwired facilities are not amenable to

growth
IP-Audio networks are not subject to the
growth limitations of hardwired systems
Adding a new studio to the network is
accomplished by connecting its audio
nodes to a local Ethernet switch, which
links to the core switch via CAT-6; then
assigning IP addresses to the new inputs
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APPLICATIONS:
Quick Changes
With router/switchers, making system

changes or additions can prove difficult

Routers is limited in terms of

capacity
IP-Audio networks solve this
problem because they are
both scalable and modular
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APPLICATIONS:
Progressive Buildouts
IP-Audio networks ability to not only
scale, but to co-exist with other
systems enables broadcasters to
begin migrating to new technology
without being forced to make
wholesale changes to existing
studios
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APPLICATIONS:
Painless
Configuration/Documentation

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Each bidirectional Gigabit

Ethernet link can transport up
to 200 channels
simultaneously eliminating
multi-pair, home-and-back
cable runs, punch blocks, and
soldering - along with most
infrastructure troubleshooting

APPLICATIONS:
Remote Administration and
Control
Since all parts of an IP-Audio
network have assigned IP
addresses, the ability to
remotely administer the
system is built in
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Benefits IP Audio
Simplified and unified cabling
No multiple conversions.
Integrated data means you are ready for

synchronized text and metadata.

Tighter integration with delivery systems
means that mixing, scheduling, and playing
can work together.
Low-cost power.
Surround-ready.
Provisions for Redundancy.
Resource sharing is so easy.
Codec, Audio Processors, STL , EPABX,
CCTV, all are coming as IP enabled. For
their efficient use, it is most essential to timely
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changeover technology for studios too.

CONCLUSION
The numerous operational
benefits of IP-Audio networking
have been and are being
continuously proven by
professional broadcasters
around the world each and
every day.
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