AIXpressor Overview

Introduction

AIXpressor is a flexible hardware platform that provides a virtualized environment for many of the well-known Jünger audio algorithms and is capable of simultaneously running multiple processing instances.

In addition to various audio processing options, AIXpressor offers traditional physical I/O and integrates AoIP (Audio over IP) including Livewire, Dante (optional), SMPTE ST 2110-30 and -31, and acts as a versatile "edge server" to ease the migration from traditional analog, AES, and SDI I/O to an IP-based infrastructure.

Hardware

The engine of the AIXpressor is an x86 Intel Atom multi-core CPU-based System on Module (SoM) using the SMARC form factor. The CPU manages all audio-related functions including processing and loudness measurement, provides AoIP connectivity, and hosts the web server that provides remote access through a browser-based GUI. A high-performance FPGA completes the system and handles internal hardware I/O routing.

• Chassis: 1RU (1.75") x 19" high-density multi-channel I/O and audio processing unit

• Display: 8" front panel high-resolution TFT touch display

• Status Indicators: Multicolor status LED

• Power Buttons: Individual power buttons for each power supply

• Headphones: 6.3mm (1/4") front panel headphone jack

• RJ45 Network Connectors: 1GB Ethernet ports for control and AoIP

• USB A Connectors: One front panel and one rear panel USB 3.0 type A connectors

• USB B Connectors: One rear panel USB 2.0 type B connector

• Expansion Slots: Four expansion slots, each capable of handling 64 bi-directional audio channels for the following optional I/O boards:

  • SD/HD/3G-SDI

  • MADI

  • Dante/AES67

  • 4-channel AES3 I/O

  • 4-channel analog I/O

  • 8-channel analog out

• On-board I/O: Native I/O includes:

  • 4-channel AES3 I/O

  • 8-channel analog I/O

  • 2 SFP Cages: 2x MADI or tieLight I/O

• External Sync: BNC input for Wordclock, AES, Black Burst, or Tri-Level

Software

• Jünger Level Magic loudness management per ITU BS.1770-1, -2, -3, and -4, EBU R128, ATSC A/85, ARIB TR-B32, Free TV OP-59, Portaria 354, Voice Leveler

• Spectral Signature™ dynamic filter

• True Peak sample-accurate peak limiter

• 5-band parametric EQ with high-pass and low-pass filters

• Phase rotator

• De-esser

• Expander/Gate

• Voice Over for stereo and 5.1-channel input

• Commentator Automix (3x2 commentators over stereo or 5.1 IT, loudness-controlled program mix, n-1 feeds, clean feeds)

• Upmixing to 5.1 with automatic failover

• FM Conditioner

• Dolby E encoding and decoding

I/O

AIXpressor natively supports four AES3, eight analog, and two MADI fiber I/Os. Up to four additional interface modules - the same as those made popular in the Jünger D*APx series of products - are optionally installable. AES3 and analog channels may be configured as 8 In / 8 Out or 4 In / 12 Out to support immersive audio formats such as Dolby® Atmos and Fraunhofer MPEG-H 3D Audio, allowing for configurations up to 7.1.4.

MADI ports may alternately be configured to use the proprietary Jünger tieLight interface, providing high channel-count and low latency connections between multiple AIXpressors and/or servers running flexAI software.

Comprehensive routing setups permit a nearly unlimited combination of signal flow from hardware and/or AoIP inputs, to/from optional Dolby decoders and encoders, and multiple audio processors to hardware and/or AoIP outputs.

Control

The use of presets helps facilitate routing paths and audio processing parameters. Presets may be recalled on demand by the operator via the web-based GUI or simple external control systems, but may also be integrated into complex automated scenarios and executed by an event manager. Ember+ and NMOS protocols IS-04, -05 are supported, as is SNMP (a REST API is on the road map).

Applications and Use Cases

The operational needs of today's broadcasters vary so widely that it would be impossible to provide detailed scenarios of how AIXpressor can be used. Its flexible design makes it suitable as a dedicated, stand-alone audio routing and processing tool, or as an integral part of a facility-wide connected audio infrastructure. It is equally at home at ingest, in studios and master control rooms, as part of on-air play-out systems, or in rebroadcasting and distribution facilities.

woks audio and its sales partner Telos Alliance stand ready to help you discover how AIXpressor and other Jünger Audio processors can meet your needs and integrate into your particular facility.