Axon Successfully Demonstrates 4K over Ethernet-AVB

At IBC2013 AXON introduced the possibilities that AVB-Ethernet has as an alternative to baseband coax cabling. AVB is the term for an integrated framework of standards that sit alongside a transport layer format (described in IEEE 1722) and includes important elements such as network timing/synchronization and quality of service/bandwidth management.

One of the advantages using AVB is that there is no requirement in for IP address management which makes the solution a ‘plug and play’ system. A new device (or ‘AVB node’) is automatically registered in the network and available to be linked to other devices. Connections are established with very low latency. Since the switches are part of the transport mechanism, the system is very easy to setup.

This year the continuing developments of AXON in this field have led to the demonstration of 4K over AVB-Ethernet. In order to showcase this, AXON used one Extreme Networks switch for 2 quadrants and the other 2 quadrants were transported over another Extreme switch plus an Arista switch. AVB's guaranteed timing produced a perfectly timed picture as an output. Visitors witnessing the 4K demo recognized the advantage of AVB-Ethernet in live production areas, instead of using 4 coax cables!

AXON also used the demo to showcase separate audio streams (intercom and audio monitors) over Ethernet through AVB. This shows that audio and video can be transported over the AVB-Ethernet simultaneously and independently, something that is not possible with S2022 as this standard is focusing on longer distance transport rather than live production.

About AXON
Headquartered in The Netherlands, and with offices across the world, AXON develops, manufactures and markets high quality broadcast equipment for the conversion, processing and compliance recording of audio and video signals. Products integrate advanced signal processing techniques, innovative engineering and modular flexibility and provide high quality, affordability and reliability within mission-critical broadcast applications.