XFIP

Uncompromising Integration of NEXUS into Audio-Over-IP Networks: AES67, Ravenna, Redundancy and Easy Configuration

With the XFIP card it is possible to connect AoIP networks to the NEXUS system. AES67 and Ravenna are supported and managed via a user-friendly web interface. With 2 active ports, 256 audio channels can be received and transmitted redundantly in up to 32 IP streams.

XFIP is the most effective solution for connecting a single Base Device or the entire NEXUS system to an AoIP network.

The open standard for audio-over IP transmissions is AES67. Common formats like Dante, Ravenna, Livewire and Q-Lan find a common denominator and become interoperable. Not only synchronization and network transport, but also clock identification and transmission setup are standardized in the standard. In order to ensure maximum compliance with future standards, subsequent extensions and various AoIP protocols such as AES67 and Ravenna, Stage Tec uses DirectOut's AES67.IO modules to communicate with the IP world.

The configuration via a web interface is particularly user-friendly. Status monitoring is performed via the NEXUS operating program.

A single XFIP card can convert a total of up to 256 incoming channels or output channels. With 32 input and 32 output streams each, all 256 audio channels of a Base Device can be converted. These can come from any source in the entire NEXUS network and can also be processed, mixed and output in any conceivable format within the system.

Equipped with complete redundancy according to the SMPTE 2022-7 standard (Seamless Protection Switching), the XFIP is up to the special requirements of real-time audio. For this purpose, a stream can be effortlessly sent and received on two physically separated networks via the two integrated RJ45 ports.

Additional redundancy can be realized by logic programming with alternative streams. In addition, all information about the status of the active connections is available for transfer to external control software, i.e. fully automatic monitoring of the AoIP streams can be performed using the NEXUS system. As is typical for NEXUS boards, precise synchronization in both networks is of course ensured. When the NEXUS system is configured as the PTPv2 master for the connected AoIP networks, the high-precision internal clock is used. Alternatively, the clock of the PTP grandmaster can be used as the synchronous source for the NEXUS system.

Redundancy According to SMPTE 2022-7 (Seamless Protection Switching)

The uninterruptible switching described in the SMPTE 2022-7 standard can be configured for the secure transmission of audio streams.

Adjustable Digital Gain at Inputs and Outputs

A digital gain (+/-20 dB) is available on all input and output channels.

Saving and Loading Configurations

For easy configuration changes, presets containing all or selected parameters can be saved and loaded.

Automated Status Monitoring

The AES67.IO module of the XFIP board provides the NEXUS system with all information about the status of each individual stream. This allows fully automatic monitoring of the AoIP stream via a logic circuit. If NEXUS is integrated into an SNMP environment, e-mails or SMS can be sent in the event of an error. In an emergency, the precise evaluation provides clear feedback, e.g. which network has failed, thus helping to contain sources of error. For redundancy beyond the ST2022-7 standard, content-equivalent alternative streams can be used, which are automatically switched between in the event of failure.

Connections

XFIP_1

1 x 4TE

RJ45	2x	AES67	bidirectional
SFP	2x	NEXUS format	bidirectional

Technical Specifications

Data Formats

AES67, Ravenna

Channels

	256 channels in and 256 channels out are available on the Nexus side
	Each AES67.IO module can use all 256 NEXUS channels
	Streams with up to 256 channels are supported

Stream Transmission

	Up to 32 streams bidirectional
	Unicast/Multicast support
Connection Protocols	SIP (Unicast), RTSP (Multicast), SAP (Multicast), manual multicast stream configuration
Discovery	Bonjour for Device Dicovery
Stream Delay (Offset)	8 - 8192 Samples

Sample Rates

NEXUS 44,1 kHz; 48 kHz; 88,2 kHz; 96 kHz

Audio Data

AES67.IO Module	L16 (16 Bit), L24 (24 Bit), L32 (raw 32 Bit, non-standard for bit transparent transmission), AM824
Nexus	24 Bit

Ethernet Interface

Connector	2x RJ45 1000 BASE-T, Pri+Sec
Data rate	1.000 Mbit
IP address	DHCP, Zeroconf or manual configuration
IGMP	v1, v2, v3
MTU	1500 (no Jumbo Frames)

Audio Clocking

PTP	PTPv2 (IEEE1588) with IP4 and multicast
PTP Sync Intervals	31.25 ms; 62.5 ms; 125 ms; 250 ms; 500 ms; 1 s; 2 s; 4 s; 8 s; 16 s
PTP delay mechanism	E2E, P2P
PTP Profile	Media Profil according to AES67-2015
PTP Clock Modes	Slave: NEXUS is synchronized to the PTP clock of the network grandmaster; the sensitivity of the internal clock source can be configured. With PTPv2 compatible network switches, clock quality according to AES11 can be achieved
	Grandmaster: the internal clock can serve as a clock source for the network

Operation Conditions

Temperature range	0° C to +50° C
Max humidity	max. 90 %, non-condensing

Storage Conditions

Temperature range	–35° C to +70° C
Max humidity	max. 90 %, non-condensing

Power Supply

Voltage	+4,75…5,25 V
Currrent	max. 1,3 A

Mechanical Data

Weight

NEXUS / NEXUS Star Technical Specifications

XFIP Technical Specifications

Analogue Audio Components

XAD+

The XAD+ board is designed for connecting analog signal sources with line levels. The board offers eight inputs, is available with different connectors and uses the patented TrueMatch converter for outstanding audio values.

XDA+

The XDA+ board is intended for connecting devices that require an analog line level at the input. The board has eight outputs, is available with different connectors and offers outstanding audio values.

XMICplus

The XMIC+ microphone input board features eight TrueMatch® 32-bit converters, each with a 4-channel active microphone splitter. Each of the channels has separate gain control, adjustable impact sound filters and a phase inverter and works in a permanent self-monitoring and self-calibration.

HXAD

HXAD NEXUS cards offer eight analog stereo line inputs (16 audio channels). Versions with D-Sub or RJ45 connectors are available, which are particularly suitable for applications that require small sizes with high audio quality at the same time.

HXDA

The HXDA board is designed for the output of analog, 2-channel signals with line level. With 16 audio channels on only 4HP, it is suitable for fixed installations requiring a large number of output channels, for example.

Digital Audio Components

XFIP

With the XFIP card it is possible to connect AoIP networks to the NEXUS system.

XDIP

The XDIP card establishes the connection between Dante and NEXUS networks. With four Ethernet ports, it operates as a switch and supports redundant Dante connections.

XSDI

With the XSDI card, audio signals can be extracted from a digital SDI video data stream, replaced and simultaneously embedded again.

XHDI

With the XHDI card, audio signals can be extracted from an HDSDI digital video stream, replaced and simultaneously embedded again.

XDEE

The XDEE board series is designed as Dolby-E output board for the NEXUS system. It supports all features provided in the Dolby specifications and supplements them with useful options such as auxiliary sync generation to allow limited operation even if video sync is missing.

XDED

The XDED board series is designed as Dolby-E and Dolby-D input board for the NEXUS system. It supports all features provided in the Dolby specifications and supplements them with useful options such as auxiliary sync generation to allow limited operation even if video sync is missing.

HXETR

The small size with a high number of AES3 inputs and outputs makes the HXETR cards ideal for applications where many external devices have to be connected to a NEXUS system via AES/EBU signals in the smallest of spaces. 8 inputs and 8 outputs together make 32 audio channels.

XETR

The XETR AES/EBU boards combine four 2-channel digital inputs and four 2-channel digital outputs on one NEXUS board. Versions with only inputs and outputs are available; versions with XLR or BNC connections offer great structural flexibility.

XER

The XER card is the digital gateway to the NEXUS world by receiving and evaluating AES/EBU data streams. A pragmatic operating concept ensures pleasant handling.

XER-M

The XER-M module is intended for connecting digital microphones.

XET

For individual requirements the card is offered with a variety of connector types: XLR, BNC, Cinch and optical TOSLINK; versions with RJ 45 and D-Sub connectors allow all signal lines to be routed together via the respective connector in an installation-friendly manner.

XAF

With an XAF card it is possible to integrate devices with a Toslink optical port in 8-channel ADAT format into a NEXUS network. The card has an input and an output and processes a total of 16 audio channels.

XMF

The XMF MADI card provides a simple, powerful solution for connecting a NEXUS system to MADI equipment anywhere.

XTF

With the XTF card, Stage Tec provides an I/O card that supports the TASCAM multi-track format. With eight input and eight output audio channels and an optional sample rate converter, the board supports high-quality signal transfer between the NEXUS network and connected TASCAM devices.

DSPs- & Controllers Component

System Components

NEXUS Star Components

RIF67

With the RIF67 card it is possible to connect up to eight AoIP networks to a NEXUS system. AES67 and Ravenna are supported. The RIF67 cards are available in four versions: with 2, 4, 6 or 8 active ports. A total of 256 audio channels can be output in IP streams. Depending on the expansion level of the board, 8 channels (RIF67-1) down to 2 channels (RIF67-4) can be bundled per stream.

RMDQ

The RMD cards form the scalable DSP of the first generation for Stage Tec's large digital mixing consoles of the AURUS and CRESCENDO families. As development progressed, they were replaced by the RMDQ card generation.

RCX

The RCX card is the central unit in the NEXUS Star Router. It manages the device and provides the internal matrix with 4,096 x 4,096 crosspoints. External control systems can be connected to the NEXUS network via various interfaces. The RCX card can be redundantly equipped, which is what the safety concept of the NEXUS system is all about.

RFOC

The RFOC card is the counterpart to the XFOC network cards in NEXUS base devices. Standard SFP modules allow the very flexible integration of the Star Router into NEXUS networks of any topology. Due to the high switching capacity of the Star Routers, RFOC cards can be used to form a star point in the network, via which many basic devices can be connected to each other centrally.

RMF

The RMF MADI card is the consistent scaling of the XMF MADI card for NEXUS base devices. As a router card, it allows up to four MADI universes to be integrated into a NEXUS network. The four ports, both BNC and SFP ports for LC-duplex fiber optics, are connected directly to the matrix of the Star Router and can be routed from there system-wide.

RSYNC

The RSYNC board supports special applications that require a larger number of different sync inputs and/or outputs. Among them is a BNC input for video genlock or blackburst, which supports both bi-level and tri-level sync.

RMC

The RMC card is the heart of every AURUS or CRESCENDO mixer. It handles every single operation, manages the mixer projects and controls the entire data exchange between the console interface, the NEXUS network and the DSP cards assigned to the console. Up to two mixing console surfaces can be connected to one RMC card. In addition, there are connections for time code, MIDI and other controls such as RAS.

RMCQ

The RMCQ card is the heart of the new AVATUS IP mixing consoles from Stage Tec. It handles every single operation, manages the mixer projects and controls the entire data exchange between the console interface, the NEXUS network and the DSP cards assigned to the console.

Base Devices

Optical Multiplexer

AVATUS	Analogue-Audio-Components
AURUS platinum	Digital-Audio-Components
CRESCENDO platinum	DSPs- & Controllers-Component
AURATUS platinum	System-Components
ON AIR flex	NEXUS Star-Components
	Base Units
	OMUX Optical Multiplexer