11
I.
INTRODUCTION
The Comrex BRIC-Link is a low-cost, high-performance solution for audio-to-IP conversion. Leveraging many of the
core technical aspects of Comrex’s successful remote broadcast BRIC-Link product line, the BRIC-Link provides for
an elegant way of moving Linear or compressed audio with very low delay. BRIC-Link may be used over a range of IP
links, is very simple to use, and doesn’t require the expense of more full-featured codecs. While it carries an entry-
level cost, BRIC-Link maintains superb audio specifications and hardware reliability, making the system suitable for
STLs and other mission-critical functions.
BRIC-Link is contained in a small desktop package. Two BRIC-Links may be installed to occupy 1RU of rack space.
ApplICATIONs
The BRIC-Link is uniquely suited to point-to-point “nailed up” high-quality audio links over a variety of data
networks, like ISM band IP radios, T1s, satellite channels, WANs, and LANs. The robustness of the BRIC Normal
technology (Broadcast Reliable Internet Codec) used in the box allows the system to perform well on the public
Internet as well (using AAC or Opus compression modes).
AUDIO CODINg
For users concerned about delay and coding artifacts, the BRIC-Link offers a robust stereo or mono Linear mode
that does not compress audio. In addition, unique to real-time audio codecs, BRIC-Link offers FLAC lossless
compression, reducing network throughput by 30-40% with absolutely transparent coding and no tandem coding
concerns. For situations where further reduced bandwidth is desired, BRIC-Link offers AAC/HE-AAC modes as
standard, allowing superb audio quality at dramatically reduced data rates. For compatibility with mobile phone
and web applications, BRIC-Link also implements Opus audio compression, along with VoIP standard G.722.
TRANsmIssION mODes AND DelAy
The BRIC-Link is a true codec, offering a full-duplex stereo encoder and decoder in each unit. When two-way
transmission is not required, the reverse channel may be disabled. The BRIC Normal technology incorporated
includes a jitter buffer manager that automatically balances delay and stability, dynamically increasing and
decreasing delay based on network performance. For networks where QoS is known, these parameters may be set
to maintain a consistent level of jitter buffer.
End-to-end coding delay in Linear modes is less than 25 ms. Delays when using FLAC and Opus modes are less than
30 ms. AAC modes incorporate around 100 ms total end-to-end delay while HE-AAC modes deliver around 220 ms.
In addition to coding delay, network propagation and jitter buffers will add delay to any IP link and are network
dependent.
Summary of Contents for BRIC-Link
Page 1: ...Product Manual ...
