Sonifex - AVN-GPIO

AVN-GPIO GPIO to LAN Transceiver (PTP, EMBER+ & UDP)

Discover the ultimate control for your audio and AV system with Sonifex - AVN-GPIO! Now you can have complete control over your audiovisual devices in a smooth and intuitive way. AVN-GPIO allows you to easily control and monitor various functions, from changing channels and adjusting volume to starting and stopping playback.†

AVN-GPIO is designed to be compatible with most audio - and video systems, and can be easily integrated into existing infrastructure.
AVN-GPIO is part of the AVN series of network products from Sonifex and converts GPIO (General Purpose Inputs and Outputs) into network commands to control and be controlled by other equipment or software over a standard network.

It has 10 configurable GPIOs, 8 of which can be used for PTP-based programming, along with a relay. It offers virtual GPIOs that allow the device to trigger or be triggered by other Sonifex devices on the network with virtual GPIO without the need for additional cables (communication with virtual GPIO is via the Ethernet connection). Devices can either be connected over a network, or you can use Ember+ and UDP commands to accept commands from or control the AVN-GPIO.

The AVN-GPIO is a PTP (Precision Time Protocol) enabled GPIO device. IEEE1588-2008 PTPv2 is used to keep a hardware clock synchronized with a PTP master, such as the AVN-GMCS Grandmaster Clock, to achieve a sub-10ns synchronization with the master reference. This means that AVN-GPIO can be used to accurately time input events and trigger outputs at configured times.

AVN-GPIO supports Default and AES67 Media profiles, and also offers a custom profile that can be configured by the user.

It is housed in a robust aluminum box with side windows for screw mounting and is powered by PoE (Power over Ethernet).

Device configuration is done via an embedded web server. This allows configuration of PTP as well as live monitoring of its status. A GPIO routing web page is provided that allows physical, timed and virtual inputs to be connected to physical, timed and virtual outputs.

AVN-GPIO provides a simple UDP messaging system that allows other devices on the network to query device status information, for example to retrieve the time of a change in the input. Custom applications can also be written to query this information via UDP.

The device has 8 'timed' GPIOs, when used as inputs they can detect rising and falling edges and generate a timestamp synchronized with hardware PTP- the clock. This means that the recorded timestamps will be synchronized within 10ns with the PTP master in a properly configured system. When configured as outputs, a signal can be generated precisely at a time of your choosing, and the time the output toggles can be configured down to a nanosecond. Alternatively, these timed GPIOs can be configured to act as 'normal' GPIOs depending on your application.

There are also two 'normal' GPIOs. When normal GPIOs are configured as inputs, they can be set as either momentary or latchable. When configured as outputs, they pull the signal on the GPO pin to ground when active.

The AVN-GPIO has a voltage-free relay contact that can be used to control external equipment and also offers 6 x DC output voltage pins which can be used to drive external equipment such as signs as well as various sensors and actuators. When powered via PoE (Power over Ethernet), the AVN-GPIO provides 12V at 500mA total on these pins. When powered via the DC input, the AVN-GPIO provides 12V at 1.5A total on these pins. The DC outputs are fused to prevent more current being drawn than the device can supply, and these fuses automatically reset when the device is power cycled.

• 10 assignable GPIOs, 8 of which are PTP enabled.
• PTPv2 keeps the hardware clock synchronized with a PTP master to achieve an accuracy of less than 10 ns.
• A voltage-free relay contact to control external equipment.
• Virtual GPIO to send physical GPIO action commands over a network.
• A single cable can be used for both power and control.
• The built-in web server makes the AVN-GPIO easy to configure and enables that it can be controlled by any device with a web browser.
• It can power other devices via DC outputs.
• Uses Ember+ and UDP for communication, allowing programs to can be written to interact with it.
• A hardware PTP synchronized clock ensures that when input events are registered, even from two AVN GPIOs far apart, the timing is very accurate (<10ns ) with respect to each other.
• It enables very precise activation of outputs - two outputs kilometers apart can be triggered only a few nanoseconds apart when PTP synchronized.

Applications

• Motor racing timing: PTP-enabled timing outputs can be used to start a race at a specified time, then PTP-enabled timing inputs can be used to accurately record the time when cars cross the finish line with a nanosecond resolution. Results can be queried via UDP messages with a history of previous registrations also stored for querying.
• Connecting legacy equipment with only hardware I/Os to a network for remote control purposes. There are many Redbox units with hardware remotes that can now be controlled over a network, such as the RB-DD4, RB-SD1 or RB-OA3.
• Button presses can be converted to network commands, for example to act as inputs to software for handling events or to control remote equipment.
• Inputs from mechanical buttons and switches or devices can control lights and equipment connected to the AVN-GPIO over a network.
• Time-controlled switching, e.g. to turn lights on/off at specific times of the day, reconfigure which light switch turns on/off which light and/or control lights on/off via a web page.
• Timing power on/off for test equipment and heating system, along with specifying times when tests are passed.
• Control power to other equipment in unmanned/remote locations, while logging accurate event data (eg unmanned weather stations).
• Configure automated systems, control conveyors, turn machines on/off.
• Notification system for a control room to indicate an area that needs to be inspected and can be connected to an alarm/bell.
• Signal detection on a Sonifex AVN-CU2/4 comment device can be linked to a virtual GPO which is then used as an input to the AVN-GPIO.
• A physical input to an AVN-GPIO can be linked to a virtual GP output, which can be a virtual input on a Sonifex AVN Portal that can be used to disable/unlock a mix point.
• A physical input to an AVN GPIO can be connected to a virtual output to act as a virtual input on a Sonifex AVN Portal that can be used to disable/unlock a mix point.

Technical Specification

PTP Timing Specification

< strong>Profile Support:
IEEE 1588 Standard Profile, AES67 Media & Custom profile
Timing protocol: PTPv2, IEEE 1588-2008
Timing accuracy: PTP timestamp resolution 8 nanoseconds

Connections

Network: 1 x 100 Mbit/s Ethernet (RJ45/100BASE-TX) with Power over Ethernet (PoE)
GPIO, Power Out and Relay: 1 x 24 Pin Phoenix Style Terminal Block
DC Power In: 1 x 2.5mm Lockable DC Input, (Max 24V DC)
GPIO, PTP Enabled: 8
GPIO Normal: 2
No voltage Relay contact: 1 NC, NO, Wiper, 12V

Power over Ethernet (PoE): Standard IEEE 802.3af Class 0 PD Power Range 0.44 W to 12.94 W Typical PSE Power Consumption TBC 2.3W Maximum PSE Power Consumption 15.4 W

< strong>DC Power Out (Using PoE): Max Voltage 12V DC Max Current TBC 1.5 A Total

DC Power Out (Using DC Power In): Max Voltage 12V DC Max Current

Physical Specification
Dimensions (Unassembled) 10.6cm (W) x 7.3cm (D) x 4.3cm (H) 4.2" (W) x 2.9" (D) x 1.7" (H)
Dimensions (In Package) 17.4cm (W) x 9.5cm (D) x 5.6cm (H ) 6.9" (W) x 3.7" (D) x 2.2" (H)
Weight Net Weight: 0.2 kg Gross Weight: 0.3 kg