BIB8DR2

The NGTC-BIB8DR2 is an AES67 enabled Digital to Analog Audio Converter for the nexgentec™ audio distribution solution.
It features four digital inputs sets, each capable of converting multichannel audio signals to 2-channel audio on AES67.

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Common Features

Key Features

  • Converts coaxial or Toslink digital audio signals to 2-channel audio on AES67 (auto-switching with priority on Toslink)
  • Supports sampling rates of 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz, 24-bit, all bitstream formats
  • Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.008% @ 1 kHz
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): > 95 dB
  • Crosstalk: > 84 dB @ 1 kHz
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Powered via Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Subsections of BIB8DR2

Installation

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  1. AES67 network interface (POE) – please use UTP cabling
  2. Coax digital audio input
  3. Toslink digital audio input
Note

All connections to the NGT-BIB8D should be made before power is applied

Attention

The BIB8D has 4 input pairs, and for each pair, only one input can be used at a time: Coax or Toslink. If both are connected within a pair, Toslink takes priority.

Configuration

Setup interoperability between MCP4kR2 and Dante devices

Caution

AES67 interoperability settings are required for every Dante device that should receive a AES67 stream

To enable your Dante devices to receive an AES67 stream, AES67 interoperability must be enabled. This is done by using Audinate’s Dante Controller, which can be obtained from the Audinate website or any other manufacturer specific software tool.

In Dante controller all your Dante devices that are connected to the network will show up automatically.

  1. Start the Dante Controller Software and wait for it to be synchronized with the network
  2. Select the “device info” tab in the software
  3. Double click on the DSP you would like to configure for AES67, a new window will open
  4. Select the “AES67 config” tab
  5. Enable AES67 mode and make a note of the Tx multicast prefix. You will need this number later, even if you are not using the DSP as a transmitter. This must be the same for all DSP’s that are ready for AES67.
  6. Reboot the Dante device
  7. This needs to be done with every Dante device that will receive an AES67 stream

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Subsections of Configuration

AES67 Network Setup (AudioGrid)

To configure the AES67 download latest generation Audio Grid Controller Software. Your PC needs to be connected to the AES67 network and have its addressing set in the same IP range.

AudioGridController

AES67 Network Address Setup

Start the software and go to the “Device Config” tab

  1. Select the device to be configured
  2. Enter “IP Address” and “Subnet Mask”
  3. Hit “Apply”

AES67 Stream Address Setup

Caution

The AES67 stream of each device needs to be configured to be received by the Dante/AES67 devices

Start the software and go to the “Device Config” tab

  1. Select the device to be configured
  2. Select “Create / Delete” in the “Multicst flow” selection

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  1. In the Multicast flow config, click on “AG” first and then on “AES67”. Next, select the “Manual IP and Port” option.
  2. You can set your desired multicast IP. Typically in combination with Dante Audio products, the multicast IP starts with “239.69.”, port 5004.
  3. Select the channels that should be multicast.
  4. Click on “Create”.

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Audio Routing using Audinate’s Dante Controller

Global site parameters

Natively the audio routing can be done by using Audinate’s Dante Controller in case if its not auto configured by the DSP’s management software. In Dante Controller all your Dante and AES67 devices that are connected to the network will show up automatically.

The BIB8DR2 will be shown at the ‘‘Dante Transmitters’’ part, using its multicast address@hostname-HH-HH-HH where ‘‘HH-HH-HH’’ are the last three bytes of the devices MAC address.

  • Make the audio connections in the Dante controller

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Specifications

General

• Converts coaxial or Toslink digital audio signals to 2CH audio on AES67 (autoswitch with priority on Toslink)
Digital Audio Input
Type TOSLINK / COAX
Format All Bitstream Formats
Sampling Rates 32, 44.1, 48, 96 KHz
Bit Depth Up to 24-bit
Audio Performance
Crosstalk >84dB@1kHz
System THD+N <0.008%@1kHz
Freq. Response 20Hz – 20kHz, +/- 1dB
Digital Audio Output
Type 8 channels, full range
Format Aes67
AES67 Network with WebUI
Physical Level Standard Ethernet
Connector Single RJ-45
Cable Quality CAT-5/6/7
Transmission Speed 100 Mbps Full Duplex
General
Power POE, 15W max
Total heat dissipation <50>.00 BTU/hr
Operating temp 5°C – 30°C
Dimensions L: 250mm, W: 208mm, H:44mm
Compliance CE, ROHS

Audio Channel Assignment

Channel Assignment
1/2 Input A Left/Right
3/4 Input B Left/Right
5/6 Input C Left/Right
7/8 Input D Left/Right
Step files

Firmware

Audio Card Firmware Update

The latest generation of BIB8D features an AES67 daughter board that fully supports AES67, ensuring compatibility with Dante™. Additionally, these devices have mDNS discovery enabled, allowing them to be detected in the Dante Controller, similar to a Dante product.

However, starting with Dante Controller V12, a pop-up message may appear indicating that unlicensed Dante™ products are being used. To address this, the new firmware will disable Dante™ discovery, and all R2 units will be recognized as AES67 devices.

Update to the Latest AES67 only Firmware Release

Files
  1. Download the latest programmer and firmware files
  2. Unzip the firmware files (BIB8D-FW_4102-4108.zip) into a folder.
  3. Run the updater tool (Fdt_factory1.63.exe). Note that the discovery function works for up to 10 units. If you have more units, use the IP address filter for efficient navigation.
  4. Open the FPGA firmware file with the updater tool (fpga_a408_4108.bit).
  5. Open the MCU firmware file with the updater tool (mcu_407d_4102.bin).

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  1. Update all units with the new MCU by clicking in the field MCU Upgrade.
  2. Update all units with the new FPGA by clicking in the field FPGA Upgrade.
  3. Select all updated units in the latest row for reboot.
  4. Click “Reboot”.
Notice

After the reboot, click “Refresh” to update the device list. If the devices appear as expected, you can proceed with the update process.

  1. Open the Initialize data file with the updater tool (BIB8-AES67.c).

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  1. Update all units with the new Init data fle by clicking in the field Init Data.
  2. Select all updated units in the latest row for reboot.
  3. Click “Reboot”.
Notice

After the reboot, you need to set the multicast address for AES67 to work. Use the Audio Grid Controller to do this.

Refer to the following instructions to configure it with the AudioGrid controller