Wireless High Definition Multichannel Streaming Audio Network Technology based on the IEEE 802.11 Standards

摘要

A novel approach for the wireless distribution of uncompressed real-time multichannel streaming audio is presented. The technology is based on the IEEE 802.11 Point Coordination Function, Contention Free Medium Access Control with size-optimized multicast frames. The implementation supports eight independent audio streams with simultaneous 24-bit audio samples at the rate of 192 kHz. Frame length alignment algorithm is developed for smooth, low jitter flow. An audio specific Forward Error Correction scheme and a low system latency inter-channel synchronization method are described. The clock drift is handled by a sample stuffing/stripping algorithm. Implemented hardware and software structures are presented and the technology is compared with other wireless audio networking concepts. Emerging multichannel content formats are briefly reviewed.