GatesAir, a Thomson Broadcast subsidiary dedicated to wireless content delivery, will introduce a new 1RU Intraplex IP Link hardware codec at IBC that represents the brand’s next generation of audio-over-IP hardware solutions along with two other IP Link products introduced last year. GatesAir’s Intraplex business will also introduce support for MicroMPX technology to enable bandwidth reduction for FM MPX signal transport over single-frequency networks. The MicroMPX implementation will be available in all three next-gen IP Link products, including the IP Link 100c half-rack-unit codec and IP Link 100e transmitter module.
The Intraplex IP Link 100n is a full-duplex, single stereo-channel codec for simultaneous reception and transmission of Audio over IP streams in STL (Studio-to-Transmitter), STS (Studio-to-Studio) and other networking applications for radio and streaming services. Like the IP Link 100c and 100e, the IP Link 100n offers a modernized platform that allows GatesAir to integrates more features under the hood, including 10-bit audio processing for improved program audio quality, Secure Reliable Transport (SRT), and cloud-based monitoring of live streams. It is compatible with all existing IP Link codecs, including the IP Link MPXp codec for FM-MPX composite signal transport; and Intraplex Ascent, GatesAir’s bulk cloud-transport platform for enterprise applications.
As with all IP Link products, the IP Link 100n is SRT-capable and integrated with Dynamic Stream Splicing (DSS) technology, a GatesAir industry-first innovation nearly ten years ago, which fortifies network path redundancy across two or more live streams for hitless protection against packet and link losses. Other features include dual power supplies and multi-source audio switching with automatic failover to backup streams and USB for on-air protection.
MicroMPX Integration
GatesAir will also introduce a new MicroMPX implementation at IBC that is now available in its new generation of Intraplex IP Link hardware products. MicroMPX is a third-party software library developed by Thimeo that helps FM broadcasters transport a full FM composite MPX signal at 320kb/s. When used within the IP Link 100c, 100e or 100n, customers will reduce bandwidth consumption by up to five times. This makes the combined solution ideal for reliable MPX transport over public internet connections and low-bandwidth distribution networks.
While MicroMPX technology has been adopted by other vendors, GatesAir offers a unique value proposition through integration with its Intraplex SynchroCast and DSS technology. SynchoCast3 provides a dynamic, scalable simulcasting solution for overlapping transmitters, helping broadcasters cover a broader geographic area with fewer frequencies. That makes SynchroCast’s integration with MicroMPX especially valuable for single-frequency networks that operate many transmitters on one FM frequency.
“With MicroMPX integration, FM SFN broadcasters using IP Links and SynchroCast3 software can distribute bandwidth-reduced streams to multiple transmitters with additional benefits including Dynamic Stream Splicing,” said Keyur Parikh, Vice President of Engineering, GatesAir. “This is an enormous benefit when planning operational expense budgets, as we are helping our customers lower bandwidth and distribution costs while also ensuring optimal stream protection for on-air relaibility.”
The new MicroMPX implementation is available today as an option for all three next-generation IP Link solutions, and GatesAir representatives will be present at IBC to discuss the technology implemtnation and use case examples.
Stand 8.C82
