Page 10 of 88
Network Interface and Transmission Protocol
RockNet is NOT based on Ethernet even though it uses CA T.5 cables.
The RockNet transport protocol is proprietary and regular Ethernet products can NOT be implement ed
in a RockNet audio net work.
No particular IT or comput er networking know-how is needed to setup and operate RockNet.
The RockNet RN.300 Net work Interfac e incorporates two Media Numerics’ proprietary core technolo-
gies in order to enable RockNet to carry 160 c hannels of 24bit/48k Hz audio over a single CA T.5 cable
in a redundant ring topology:
- LATERAL™
Ultra low latency asynchronous data transmission enables RockNet to support various redundant
network topologies and to provide real-time, isochronous data trans port in conjunction with pack-
etized data such as TCP/ IP. The data rate is 400 Mps on CA T5 cable and the number of nodes is
infinit e, though limited to 99 for practical reason.
- CONCRETE™
Clock recovery and jitter rejection utilizes a unique digital PLL structure. Jitter magnitude, spectrum
and probability distribution are de-randomized by a sophisticated digital modulation scheme, result-
ing in an extremely high jitter rejection and zero jitter build-up through the net work.
All devices can be configured intuitively by front panel push buttons.
A system check can be performed within a few sec onds per each device even without using a com-
puter.
Build-in Redundancy
RockNet incorporat es a streamline redundancy concept on device and network level.
Network Redundancy
The net work interface of eac h device features two Ethercon© RJ45 interconnections for fail-save
transmission of audio signals on CA T.5 infrastructure. Two network connectors are used to link to a
neighbour device in a redundant ring topology. They can also be used to provide a parallel link in case
of point to point applications.
Based on the redundant ring topology, RockNet forms a self-healing network in case of connection
failures between two devices.
The 160 channels travel clockwise and counter clockwise simultaneously through the ring.
A connection failure bet ween two devices does not affect the audio transmission or system integrity.
The ring is self-healing for single connection failures and offers significant advantages in performance,
consistency and flexibility.
RockNet automatically detects a failure described above and reconfigures the net work links to handle
this problem without affecting the remaining audio net work.
The net work redundancy mechanism (in conjunction with the aut o addressing feature) also offers the
opportunity to open the ring of an active audio network (e.g. during a running show) and easily link a
new RockNet device into the ring without interrupting the audio signal.
USO
RESTRITO
