Milan-AVB

Info
  • Endstation: A device that either converts audio into Milan-AVB (Talker), or from Milan-AVB into audio (Listener). The Talker/Listener functionality can be combined in the same device. All Endstations are Milan certified
  • Switch: A device that forwards Streams from Talkers to Listeners and usually is the gPTP Grandmaster.
  • Milan-AVB operates on OSI layer 2. Therefore, all addressing is done with MAC addresses.

Milan-AVB is based on a set of IEEE specifications. As explained in the Introduction, Milan-AVB is a tightly constrained specification that is tailored to the needs of the ProAV industry.

To enhance readability, this chapter minimizes the use of technical terms and references. The content is organized by the logical functions of an audio network transmission. The unique features of Milan-AVB are explained with minimal technical detail to ensure clarity.

Milan-AVB terms

Have a look at Fig. 1 which shows the general naming scheme in a Milan-AVB network. The terms are explained in the following.

Milan-AVB Names Milan-AVB Names
Fig. 1: Milan-AVB Names

Endstation

A device that converts audio from or into the Milan-AVB network. Endstations can contain either Talker or Listener functionality or contain both. Endstations are Milan certified.

Talker Endstation

A Talker converts an audio signal into the Milan-AVB network. Could be a digital microphone or a stage box.

Listener Endstation

A Listener extracts an audio signal from the Milan-AVB network. Could be an amplifier.

Switch

A Switch forwards streams from a Talker to a Listener. Usually, a Switch is the gPTP GrandMaster in a network. Switches are AVB certified.

Bridged Endstation

A Bridged Endstation incorporates the Talker and or Listener functionality as well as the Switch functionality.

OSI layers

Milan-AVB operates on Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Data Link Layer (Layer 2). Meaning there is no need for IP addresses. All addressing in Milan-AVB is done via Medium Access Control (MAC) addresses.