Design and Usage

When it comes to Audio or video over IP, you always want the most accurate PTP clock available ensuring the highest audio quality.

Most professional media network standards for audio and video employ the Precision Time Protocol (PTP/IEEE1588) time and sync protocol to synchronise all devices across the network. However, mission critical broadcast, production, safety and live network systems require specialist PTP-Smart network switches for correct PTP timing and sync data handling, which results in the best possible sync accuracy and optimum network and system performance, stability and capacity. 

The Artel Quarra PTP 1G Half Rack ethernet switch is invaluable to any IP Audio/video network. Tested in conjunction with, and approved by ALC NetworX (Ravenna AES67) it gives operators a wide range of functionality with a straight forward easy to use interface. 

There are two versions of the Quarra 1G. A 1U rack-mountable version that also benefits from dual-redundant power supplies and desktop version (Compact) with Single PSU  

The PTP clock is the anchor to ensuring every device on the AoIP network is precisely synchronized. If the distance of devices varies there are going to be timing issues and the PTP clock ensures that all signals, however far, come together at exactly the same time.

artel 10g quarra close up

Specification & Key Features

  • Dedicated PTP-Smart hardware and processing
  • Guaranteed best network sync and timing performance for PTPv2 Audio-over-IP protocols such as AES67, Ravenna and Livewire
  • Up to 100-fold improvement in jitter performance compared with standard Managed Switch technology
  • Improved clock and sync stability in systems with mixed network and legacy video and audio sync references
  • Consistent sync performance regardless of network size and complexity
  • Improved immunity from PTP sync data buffering and latency due to heavy network traffic
  • Tighter sync performance allows for reduced input and output buffer sizes, reducing signal latency and roundtrip times for improvements in, for example:
    On-air or comms conversation fluency
  • Musical performers’ timing
  • Greater flexibility in network topology without compromise to sync performance
  • Reduced workload for Network GrandMaster devices
  • Facilitates common Dante and AES67 networks
  • Optional GPS lock synchronises multiple sites or systems independent of distance and network inter-connection stability
  • Carrier Grade switch platform with dual-redundant power supplies in the rackmount version

Benefits

  • Industry’s most accurate Timing Synchronization for nanosecond accuracy
  • Ravenna AES67 approved
  • Straight forward to use
  • Dual AC PSU for total redundancy
  • Full management from Web GUI or command line interface
  • No training required – units can be quickly and easily configured.

Applications:

  • Live Video
  • Live Sound
  • Audio Broadcast
  • Music Production
  • Post Production
  • Broadcast DTT/DTV IP distribution

The Artel Quarra range is RAVENNA/AES67 Approved, meaning it’s the perfect switch for use in Audio-Over-IP setups. This makes it perfect for use with Merging Technologies Horus or HAPI, providing an elegant all in one solution for AES67.

The Artel Quarra switches provide the essential Quality-of-Service (QoS) and IGMP multicast management to extract the best sync and network performance for all audio-over-IP protocols, including: Audinate Dante, AES67, Ravenna and Livewire.

Downloads

Quarra 1G Data Sheet

Download

Quarra Configuration Guide for AES67

Download

To discuss your projects needs, or to book a demo, don’t hesitate to contact us!

To get in touch, call us on 0118 402 5090