overview

Ethernetworking Professional AudioEtherSound is an elegantly simple and open standard for networking digital audio. Fully compliant with the Ethernet standard (IEEE 802.3), EtherSound leverages the investment of high-tech computing and telecommunications corporations on behalf of the pro audio industry.Professional audio applications such as live sound, recording and broadcast productions demand ultra-low latency and EtherSound delivers: input-to-output transmission time is six samples (125 microseconds at 48 kHz), regardless of the number of channels transmitted. EtherSound provides bi-directional transmission, high data capacity at mixed sample rates and powerful control functions. As Ethernet evolves, EtherSound keeps pace, because the network interface is implemented in FGPA (Field Programmable Gate Array) firmware.The patented EtherSound protocol takes advantage of established technologies to easily and economically create real-time audio networks using standard Ethernet cabling and components. Available to audio manufacturers via various licensing programs, EtherSound technology adds networking and remote control capabilities to pro audio products and enables audio networks incorporating products from multiple vendors. Its industry leading performance meets the requirements of even the most demanding audio applications such as live sound, broadcast, and recording.EtherSound provides bi-directional, deterministic, very low-latency transmission of synchronized audio channels and control data over standard Ethernet.64 channels of 24-bit/48 kHz PCM audio, plus embedded control and monitoring data, are transported via a single cable. Depending on the sampling frequency other channel counts are possible, i.e. 32 channels at 96 kHz. Thanks to built-in clock recovery, an ultra low jitter ensures premium audio quality.Special care has been taken to ensure full Ethernet IEEE802.3x compliance. EtherSound networks support Layer 2 (physical) peripherals and use standard CAT5 or CAT6 cables, fiber optics, switches, media converters, and other standard Ethernet components. EtherSound systems require a bandwidth of 100 Mbps and may runwithin a VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) as part of an existing corporate network.EtherSound is licensed to a growing number of pro audio manufacturers and enables digital audio distribution networks incorporating products from multiple vendors.The protocol has been invented by Digigram and was first presented to the public in 2001.Download the EtherSound technology brochureDownload the ES-Giga System Transport brochureDownload the ES-100 Audio Transport brochureKey features64 channels of uncompressed audio per cable in both directions. Overall system channel count can be higher.Audio format: 24-bit PCM at 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHzVery low and stable network latency suitable even for live sound, broadcast, and recordingRemote control: embedded control data over the same cable with vendor independent set of commandsNetwork flexibility: daisy-chain, star, or a combination of bothFully Ethernet standard IEEE802.3x compliant. Supports network Layer 2 (physical) peripherals.Cost-effective and flexible technology integration thanks to industry standard interfacesFlexible protocol open to future developmentsAttractive licensing schemesWide range of applications: mixing consoles, amplifiers, powered loudspeakers, processors, etc.EtherSound networks replace traditional point-to-point connections by architectures that are easier to design, install, and maintain:Daisy-chainStarCombined daisy-chain and star EtherSound requires a 100 Mbps Ethernet network. An EtherSound system may also run within a VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) as part of an existing corporate network.The ability to use EtherSound devices almost anywhere in the audio system breaks through the limitations of analog audio or AES/EBU installation schemes. They eliminate the need to bring all of the audio to a central switching or routing location, reduce cable, cable run, and installation expenses, and greatly simplify system reconfiguration.Thanks to the inherent routing capabilities of computer networks, input and output allocations may be easily updated without physical changes to the system's topology. Configuration tasks can be accomplished remotely via straightforward configuration software, or locally on the devices.Thanks to the inherent routing capabilities of computer networks, input and output allocations in an EtherSound network may be easily defined and updated without physical changes to the system's topology.All channels are independent from each other and can be routed individually across the network. Up to 64 channels of 24-bit/48 kHz PCM audio, plus embedded control and monitoring data, can be transported via a single cable. The total channel count of an EtherSound network may exceed 64 by "overwriting" existing channels in parts of the network. Depending on the sampling frequency other maximum channel counts per cable are possible, i.e. 32 channels at 96 kHz.In a bi-directional daisy-chain, all channels are available to all connected devices. In star architectures, all channels are available to all devices "downstream" of the input deviceEtherSound embeds bi-directional control and monitoring data in the EtherSound frame and thus eliminates the need for separate cables for the control and monitoring of equipment. The entire network can be configured, monitored, and controlled from a single point using PC software or a microcontroller.In order to facilitate the development of control applications, Digigram, the owner and supplier of EtherSound technology, offers a Software Development Kit (SDK) including an API (Application Programming Interface), which provides easy control of the connected devices (including GPIO and RS232 management) via a vendor independent set of commands.The SDK is available to EtherSound licensees and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) who want to include EtherSound control capabilities into their software:Background music and paging applicationsLogging applicationsControl applications, etc. Additionally, EtherSound licensees may extend the API with proprietary libraries to control advanced functions of their equipment.Digigram continuously tests Ethernet components so as to propose a list of switches, cables and other network infrastructure elements that offer best performances with EtherSound.Digigram cannot be held responsible for changes that manufacturers may apply to their products and that may change their behaviour.List of tested switchesList of tested cablesList of tested media convertersMore details about the EtherSound Tested ProgramEtherSound technology is available to audio manufacturers via a licensing program conducted by Digigram, owner and supplier of the technology.There are no fees of any kind associated with using EtherSound technology that is found in finished good products. Only manufacturers and developers of finished goods wishing to embed the technology into their products must pay the Licensing fees.The EtherSound licensing scheme offers multiple levels. In each case the licensee gets access to technology specifications and the full package of software development tools.Entry level: Hardware modules may be purchased from Digigram or authorized implementors. The possibility of customization by Digigram or authorized implementers exists.Advanced level: Manufacture Only Intellectual Property (MOIP) includes access to reference designs (schematic and bill of materials) and FPGA binary file. Reference designs and FPGA binary file may be customized by authorized implementors. Hardware manufacturing may be subcontracted.Developer level: Design and Manufacture Intellectual Property (DMIP) includes access to reference designs and FPGA source code (except EtherSound kernel provided as an object file). Reference designs may be customized by the licensee or authorized implementors. Hardware and/or software design may be subcontracted. At all levels, the licensees may be assisted by Authorized EtherSound Implementors to accelerate the development process and limit development investment. These services are especially interesting for Entry Level licensees who want to bring their EtherSound-enabled products very quickly to the market.Click here to learn more about Authorized EtherSound Implementors.EtherSound Evaluation KitAudio equipment manufacturers may purchase the EtherSound Evaluation Kit offering a ready-to-use platform for testing and evaluating EtherSound technology.Authorized EtherSound Implementors are specially trained technology companies that can supply development services to the EtherSound community and manufacture hardware modules. Audio manufacturers who lack experience with networking technologies or wish to outsource parts of the product development can call on them to bring their EtherSound-enabled products faster to the market.Authorized Implementors have the right to design and customize hardware modules that may be implemented by other EtherSound licensees. They further have the right to customize EtherSound reference designs and FPGA firmware for the account of other EtherSound licensees.To qualify, a company must own a Development Level EtherSound License and prove the necessary skills of senior engineers.Today the following companies :