GatesAir, a Thomson Broadcast subsidiary dedicated to wireless content delivery, will flex its Audio over IP muscle at IBC2024 with a trio of new Intraplex solutions to help customers both streamline their infrastructure and take advantage of broader networking opportunities. Global debuts include the fourth entry into GatesAir’s second generation of Intraplex IP Link codec solutions, and the company’s first Intraplex solution to help DAB broadcasters strengthen their IP contribution and distribution strategies.
“As networking technologies continue to mature, we see no limit to how Audio over IP can help broadcasters both simplify their infrastructure and unlock new possibilities to reach larger audiences,” said Keyur Parikh, vice president of engineering, GatesAir. “From consolidating more technologies inside our codecs to helping our DAB customers establish more efficient transport methods, GatesAir continues to evolve the Intraplex family to help broadcasters operate more efficiently and extend the reach of their content.”
New Two-Channel Codec and MPX Bridge
IBC marks the global debut of GatesAir’s Intraplex IP Link 200n codec, adding a full duplex, two stereo-channel option to GatesAir’s second generation of IP Link solutions. The IP Link 200n comes one year after the debut of the IP Link 100n, a single stereo-channel version that otherwise offers the same impressive feature set thanks to a modernised platform with greater capacity for more integrated features.
Along with network path redundancy through GatesAir’s Dynamic Stream Splicing (DSS) software — long a characteristic of GatesAir’s Audio over IP innovations — the IP Link 200n’s greater capacity absorbs 10-band audio processing technology and updated audio compression algorithms. These enhancements at once improve program audio quality and optimize bandwidth management for radio broadcasters across STL, studio-to-studio, and streaming applications. The IP Link 200n also supports Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) for ultra-low-latency networking, cloud connectivity to simplify live stream monitoring, and backward compatibility with first-generation IP Link codecs. For large enterprise network applications, the IP Link 200n pairs well with Intraplex Ascent, GatesAir’s bulk cloud transport platform.
GatesAir will demonstrate all four second-generation IP Link solutions at IBC, which also includes a half-rack codec ideal for remote broadcasting and contribution (IP Link 100c) and a module (IP Link 100e) for GatesAir Flexiva transmitters that removes the need for an external codec. All four solutions also support GatesAir’s Intraplex patented SynchoCast3 technology, a dynamic, scalable simulcasting solution for overlapping transmitters that helps broadcasters cover a broader geographic area with a single frequency.
GatesAir will also introduce a new Intraplex device for radio broadcasters using analogue audio processors to transport AES-192 and digital MPX signals. The new MPX Bridge provides a fast and convenient way to digitally transport an FM composite signal across an IP network, and eliminates the need to invest in a new processor to access the benefits of an IP network. Available immediately, the device works with all second-generation IP Link products.
Low-Latency DAB Transport
GatesAir will also unveil an enhancement to its IPConnect transport technology to help broadcasters establish ultra-low-latency IP transport for large DAB networks. IPConnect has been extensively used to reliably distribute HD Radio and DTV signals across IP networks using its SRT and DSS transport schemes. The newly added capability extends those same capabilities to real-time IP-based EDI streams, enabling DAB broadcasters to reduce their operational expense by migrating from ETI or satellite-based distribution to IP. The Intraplex technology ingests EDI streams and wraps them in the SRT protocol for transport to one or more points across the DAB network, with the added protection of network path redundancy through GatesAir’s DSS software. On arrival, the EDI packets are extracted and delivered to the local radio transmitter through Intraplex IP Link codecs.
“Many broadcasters are using EDI to interface MUX outputs to the transmitter for the distribution of DAB signals, and DAB broadcasters using terrestrial IP networks are experiencing more packet losses and network jitter,” said Parikh. “GatesAir’s IPConnect technology within its codecs delivers the reliability and security of DSS and SRT when transporting EDI streams to eradicate these issues for stress-free distribution.”
Stand 8.C74
