Studio Technologies Model 48D Dante Bridge

Dante audio-over-Ethernet has found wide acceptance as a network "backbone" due to its ease of use, excellent audio performance, strong interoperability, and wide adoption by a large number of equipment manufacturers. However, interconnecting audio signals on independent local-area-networks that support Dante can present a challenge. The Model 48D makes that a simple task to implement. Interconnecting a Model 48D with two Ethernet connections, along with a minimal amount of configuration, is all that's required to make the unit part of a sophisticated, networked audio system.

The Model 48D can be powered by Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) or an external source of 12 volts DC. Standard connectors are used for the Ethernet and DC power interconnections. The Model 48D's enclosure has a "1/2-rack" 1U form factor and weighs less than two pounds, making it well suited for use in portable applications. Alternately, using one of the optional rack-mounting kits one or two Model 48D units can be mounted in a single space (1U) of a standard 19-inch rack enclosure. The unit is built to professional standards and is intended for demanding 24-hour operation.

The Dante Controller software application can be used to configure all Dante network and audio parametres. Front-panel LED indicators, an LCD display, and five push-button switches are provided to view and revise selected operating parametres. The Model 48D is compatible with the Dante Domain Manager^™ (DDM) software application and is complaint with AES67 digital audio signals.

Dante Audio-over-Ethernet

Audio data is sent to and received from the Model 48D using the Dante audio-over-Ethernet media networking technology. Two separate network interfaces allow completely independent configurations. Audio signals with a sample rate of 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz and a bit depth of up to 24 are supported. Up to four audio channels in each direction can pass (be "bridged") between the Model 48D's two network interfaces. (Four channels at 48 kHz sample rate and two channels at a sample rate of 96 kHz.)

Sample rate converter (SRC) integrated circuits ensure that audio that enters on one network interface exits the corresponding network interface with correctly-aligned digital audio information. Each interface has four Dante input (receiver) and output (transmitter) channels. They are associated on a one-to-one basis with the channels both interfaces. For example, input 1 on Network A is associated with output 1 on Network B. Routing (subscribing) of the Dante input and output channels to other devices can be performed using the Dante Controller software applications.

Applications

The Model 48D's primary application is to interconnect audio channels associated with two independent networks that are supporting Dante-compliant equipment. Up to four channels of audio in each direction can be "bridged" between each network. Each Dante network can have its own master clock, bit depth, and sample rate. Circuitry within the Model 48D ensures that the audio signals can pass between the networks with minimal degradation to performance. The Model 48D's two network ports are fully metallically isolated and share very little network data. This helps to ensure that the risk of security issues is minimized. Only uncompressed PCM digital audio signals pass, by way of sample-rate-converter (SRC) integrated circuits, between the two network interfaces.

The most basic application for the Model 48D is to allow up to four audio channels on two independent Dante networks to be interconnected — there's really no simpler means of interconnecting Dante audio channels from between two separate networks. With standard connectors and PoE power, setup can be completed in just a few minutes. This makes Model 48D units effective in both fixed and portable applications. Ideal uses would include stadiums, concert venues, media production studios, and education facilities where "guests" frequently need to interconnect their Dante equipment with "house" resources. One of the Model 48D's network connections can be secured while the other remains "open" for guest use.

As the number of mobile broadcast facilities that utilize Dante-compliant equipment increases so does the need to interconnect them with a venue's resources. But maintaining isolation between the two networks can be important for reasons of both signal-integrity and security. In just minutes the Model 48D can allow audio signals in both directions to be traversing the two networks.