Ravenna is a technology for real-time transport of audio and other media data over IP networks. Ravenna was introduced on September 10, 2010 at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam. Ravenna can operate on most existing network infrastructures using standard networking technology. Performance and capacity scale with network performance. Ravenna is designed to match broadcasters' requirements for low latency, full signal transparency and high reliability. Fields of application include in-house signal distribution for broadcasting houses and other fixed installations, flexible setups at venues and live events, outside broadcasting support, and inter-studio links across wide area network links and production facilities.
Standard protocols
Ravenna is an IP-based solution. As such it is based on protocol levels at or above layer 3 of the OSI reference model. All protocols and mechanisms used within Ravenna are based on widely deployed and established standards:
Streaming is based on the well-established RTP / RTCP protocols with payload formats defined by various RFCs.
Ravenna is an open-technology standard without a proprietary licensing policy. A first-draft version of the Ravenna specification is publicly available. The development is jointly executed within the RAVENNA Partner Group under the leadership of ALC NetworX GmbH, Munich. Current Ravenna partners include:
Ravenna contributes to the standardization efforts within AES SC-02-12-H X192 - High-performance streaming audio-over-IP interoperability. As a result of the X192 Task Group work, the AES67-2013 standard for audio applications of networks - high-performance streaming audio-over-IP interoperability was published on September, 11th, 2013. Ravenna is already compatible with AES67, since all relevant mechanisms, protocols and formats used for synchronization, transport and payload mandated by AES67 are fully supported. Ravenna also contributes to the SMPTE TC-32NF-60 DG Studio Video over IP group which is defining the SMPTE ST 2110 suite of standards. Ravenna is compatible with the audio parts SMPTE ST 2110-30 and -31. "SMPTE ST 2110-31 - AES3 Transparent Transport" has been drafted from Ravenna's "AM824 - RTP payload format for AES3 ".
