AuviTran’s new AxC-AES67 card is part of their Audio ToolBox suite with expanded AES67 audio bridging and interconnections, successfully supporting a Dante-AES67-AVB MILAN bridge.
Millenium Centre auditorium
The AxC-AES67 card is a new interface in the Audio ToolBox suite from AuviTran, a French audio network and bridging specialist and equipment manufacturer. AuviTran now has a collection of 21 AxC interface cards and can cater for most networked audio interconnecting requirements.
Expanding Interoperability in Networked Audio
AxC-AES67 is fully compatible with AES67 and RAVENNA protocols, and supports industry standard SMPTE2110, ST2022-7 Seamless Protection Switching and NMOS IS-04 + IS-05. Taking up one slot of AuviTran AVBx3 or AVBx7 ToolBox platforms – which each hold 3 or 7 cards – this interface card is versatile and features up to 64 input channels and 64 output channels at 48kHz. Combined with other AuviTran Audio ToolBox cards, the AxC-AES67 makes it possible to set up multiple professional audio systems while directly interconnecting different network audio protocols.
Operating as a flexible analogue Stage Box when combined with AxC-AX4M and AxC-AX4O AuviTran cards, the AxC-AES67 is useful when addressing complex audio systems that require interoperability with multiple protocols. AuviTran’s AxC-AES67 has already been used successfully in various complex audio structure integrations.
AuviTran AxC-AES67 interface card
Dante-AES67-AVB MILAN Triple Bridge
Pushing the application of audio protocol engineering, AuviTran recently completed a Dante-AES67-AVB MILAN triple bridge of a type not seen before, at the Millennium Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland.
MILAN signal distribution and networking works as a high level interoperability system based on the Audio Video Bridging (AVB) standard. AVID, L-Acoustics, Meyer Sound, d&b audiotechnik and Biamp, among other audio developers, have defined the specifications for achieving direct interoperation between products implementing MILAN.
The facility operators at the Millennium Centre venue, which houses modern but complex auditorium and entertainment facilities, partnered with AuviTran to deploy an infrastructure solving numerous bridging issues. Because the Centre is equipped with systems operating under different protocols, its networked audio system needs to be able to handle multiple systems and protocols as well as a high channel count, especially for immersive audio experiences in its largest cinema hall.
Audio ToolBox software control.
Specifically, the large AVB speaker array has to connect to a Dante-operated master console. Meanwhile, the immersive audio experience system operates under the AES67 protocol, which is not inherently compatible with the chosen AVB and Dante setup. The high channel count requirement is due to the large dimensions of the venue, and the overall system must also guarantee full synchronisation to avoid potential latency issues.
Protocols And Technology Gaps
Although the main interconnection issues were initially overcome, when productions needed to add one-off workflows, other drawbacks were encountered. Latency challenges and channel count limitations were not fully addressed, leaving the Millennium technical staff with an incomplete system.
AuviTran hardware proved able to support a suitable, multi-bridging system featuring AVB/Dante/AES67 integration, a critical requirement for this project. The Millennium Centre is now equipped with several of AuviTran’s ToolBoxes and AxC-cards selected to bridge the protocols and technology gaps as needed – AxC-AVB, AxC-AES67 and AxC-Dante.
As well as compatibility, using AuviTran’s equipment has also improved performance, making it possible to deliver very competitive immersive audio experiences.
The actual workflow integrates AuviTran Audio ToolBoxes and the new AxC-AES67 interface card, combined with AxC-Dante and AxC-AVB (MILAN certified) cards, and from there building a complex triple bridge that directly interconnects Dante, AVB and AES-67 protocols. It gives the Centre an advantage whenever solving issues that involve several networked audio protocols. www.auvitran.com
