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
RJ45 |
2x |
AES67 |
bidirectional |
SFP |
2x |
NEXUS format |
bidirectional |
Technical Specifications
Data Formats
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
NEXUS / NEXUS Star Technical Specifications

XFIP Technical Specifications
