Audio over IP

What is Audio over IP?

Audio over IP is a digital audio transport technology over IP networks. This technology is a specialty of ATEÏS. Audio over IP allows the use of existing IT network infrastructure to transmit all digital audio signals, where the deployment of audio cables was previously inevitable and sometimes even impossible.

The digital audio frames, grouped into IP packets are transported via RTP/UDP protocol on heterogeneous networks such as fiber, copper (CAT5/6, PCL) or even wireless (WIFI), for broadcasting in a local (LAN) or an extended (WAN) network. 

Audio over IP is a competitive solution which uses the standard network, simplifying installations without imposing a topology.

Which applications?

From the standard applications like shopping malls, hotels, museums, theme parks, hospitals and schools, to more complex multi-site environments, IP networks exist everywhere.

IP technology

Each device has its own IP address on the network, whether it concerns:

• Equipment capable of injecting an audio signal into the network through IP microphones, message players or music sources, 
• Equipment capable of playing these signals via loudspeakers placed in the broadcasting zones.

The system routes digital audio between sources and distribution points in real time, also called streaming.

The network quality is a decisive factor in the success of an audio over IP sound system project. Delay in packets routing and loss of packets can result in degradation of original signal restitution.

Especially, use of internet should be carefully considered, as it doesn't offer any guarantees.

A controlled network, for example with Quality of Service Management (QoS), will always ensure stability, even if ATEÏS equipment offer all options for the right settings.

ATEÏS has a complete and extensive range of products, offering a native IP solution, and provides the ideal proposition for Public Address Systems.

These products enable to select the best solution for audio broadcasting, according to the application and considering:

• Available network speed and bandwidth,
• Expected audio quality,
• Latency between transmission and reception points, induced by the entire system.

Broadcasting can be done in G.711, G.722, G.729, mp3, Speex or LPCM for maximum quality.

Broadcasting mode can be:

• Unicast: a copy of the signal is sent to each receiver,
• Multicast: only one instance of the signal is sent into the network and each receiver can play it, similarly to radio stations once can listen in a car.
  

In addition, SIP protocol allows ATEÏS equipment to be compatible with digital telephony standards. 

Naturally, IP network also enables sending and receiving of commands between the different devices. A global management and automation solution is then facilitated.

Finally, some equipment implement PoE technology, providing simple installation, without need for any external power supply.

IP technology also simplifies supervision and maintenance: configuration and status monitoring of each device can be achieved by web browser, via the IP address of the device and in SNMP.

Experience our ATEÏS Audio over IP product range

ATEÏS offers a full range of Audio over IP products: 

• IP audio decoder,
• IP audio encoder, 
• Amplified IP audio decoder,
• IP matrices,
• IP door station,
• IP paging microphones,
• IP network loudspeakers,
• IP software.

View our Audio over IP products