Broadcom PIPA Pure IP Audio

PIPA makes a cost effective “Error Free” audio/video over IP link using multiple DSL or WAN.  Any codec can be used without adding additional latency.

PIPA is a specialised IP router optimized for the carriage of audio (or low bit rate video) over up to 4 lossy IP circuits giving a perfect IP stream.  It is a ½ width 1U rack mounting unit – as part of the Broadcom range which includes a DSL modem and Battery packs. It is mains or battery powered and has a web browser interface for control and diagnostics and a range of SNMP traps.

PIPA uses enhanced packet delivery methods using packets from whichever of 2 to 4 routes to provide a "PURE"  AV over IP stream to the decoder. The failure of a single route even down to individual packet loss is immediately handled and the stream switched by other routes giving HITLESS switching – no holes in your content!

Links can be either Uni-Directional or Bi-Directional thus enabling, for instance, an OB to receive Talkback/cue as well as sending Programme content to the studio.

PIPA will work with any codec with RTP encapsulation and includes Network Address Translation (NAT) and its port isolation makes it immune to penetration attack making it easy to integrate with IT networks.

It has no long buffers and thus does not increase the latency of the connection any more than maybe one packet to allow for its processing.

User configuration and full diagnostics is by a web browser interface – and PIPA also allows the secure control of the remote codec over any one of the links.

Applications

PIPA is designed to provide a very cost effective solution to audio connectivity over IP by the use of multiple lossy circuits which are commony DSL or similar and are inexpensive.  It works alongside other IP traffic thus the links can be used for other purposes – from telemetry on a STL link to being the Corporate WAN.  

Broadcom offer PIPA as a Pre-configured unit or as part of a managed Audio (or video) over IP service.