Network Media Adapter Clock Synchronization for AVB Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networked audio/video (A/V) media devices struggle to communicate effectively across networks like Ethernet Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) and Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) without a media on/off ramp, limiting the ability of millions of legacy sources and sinks to perform streaming.
Innovation Solution
A network media adapter with peripheral interfaces for connecting to multiple A/V sources and sinks, featuring processing components that synchronize and syntonize local media clocks to ensure media data integrity, and a quality of service (QoS)-compliant media interface for transmitting and receiving processed A/V media data over networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If legacy A/V sources and sinks are connected directly to networks without a media adapter, then device complexity is reduced, but media data integrity is compromised and streaming cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The network media adapter serves as an intermediary device between legacy A/V sources/sinks and the network infrastructure. It includes processing components that synchronize and syntonize local media clocks of A/V sources and sinks to ensure media data integrity affiliated with network protocols such as Ethernet Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) and TCP/IP, thereby enabling reliable streaming without requiring modifications to legacy devices.
2Ease of operation
If legacy A/V devices are used without clock synchronization, then ease of operation is improved, but media data integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network media adapter automatically performs clock synchronization and syntonization functions without requiring manual configuration by users. The processing components within the adapter handle clock alignment between A/V sources and sinks autonomously, ensuring media data integrity while maintaining ease of operation for legacy devices.
3Productivity
If media data is transmitted over networks without proper protocol compliance, then productivity is improved by simpler transmission, but media data integrity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The network media adapter modifies transmission parameters to ensure protocol compliance. It synchronizes media clocks and adjusts timing parameters according to network protocols such as Ethernet Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) and TCP/IP, enabling reliable streaming transmission over networks while maintaining media data integrity through proper parameter management.
Data Source
AI summary
A network media adapter includes peripheral interfaces for connection to connectors of audio/video (“A/V”) sources and sinks to respectively receive media data from the A/V sources and to transmit media data to the A/V sinks. Components are configured to syntonize or synchronize local media clocks of the A/V sources and sinks to ensure media data integrity affiliated with a protocol of a media network over which the media data is transported. A quality of service (QoS)-compliant media interface is integrated in the network media adapter through which to send and receive processed A/V media data to and from the media network according to the protocol. Other components may be configured to process, encapsulate, and transport over the media network the media data received from the A/V sources. Still other components may be configured to receive media data from the media network and decapsulate, process, and transmit the media data through one or more peripheral interfaces connected to the A/V sinks.