Milan is a new networking protocol built on top of IEEE Audio Video Bridging (AVB) / Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) open standards with added specification requirements for professional media to ensure that all Milan devices will work together on a professional audio (and eventually video) network. Milan adds essential agreements about implementation for the network layer and the application layer, including requirements for compatible and compliant media formats, media-clocking, redundancy, and controller software, while ensuring those requirements are implemented correctly through compliance testing and certification of end devices to form a fully interoperable ecosystem for deterministic networking in the professional audio market.
The new Milan Advanced Certification Program, designed to scale the ecosystem of Milan-Certified devices, uses a new low-cost Avnu Express Test Tool that allows manufacturers to internally test and verify device conformance prior to submission for certification. The program also streamlines certification testing at independent test houses for end devices implementing Milan and introduces a significantly enhanced Certification Management System.
To guarantee interoperability amongst Milan devices from various manufacturers, Avnu’s new Milan Advanced Certification Program delivers the test plans and scripts that are performed at the independent authorized certification labs around the world. This, the Avnu explains, ensures compliance with the Milan specifications to guarantee seamless interoperability with all other Milan-Certified end devices, and Avnu-Certified switches in the signal chain, regardless of function or manufacturer.
“This is a new approach to open standard certification for the Pro AV industry. There are other open standards in this industry, however, they don’t guarantee interoperability on their own. Milan manufacturers have come together to invest their expertise, resources, and experience to ensure a system architecture that will work for the future of many ecosystems, all supported by a first-of-its-kind independent certification program,” says Richard Bugg, Avnu Alliance Pro AV Segment Chair.
The organization has launched a new low-cost validation test tool, the Avnu Express Test Tool, that vendors can use to internally verify device conformance prior to submission for certification testing, providing valuable insights into the product that can be used to optimize product development, increasing the probability of certification success, and saving manufacturers time, resources, and money. Vendors can also use the test tool, which bundles test control and test engine software along with a set of hardware equipment, to verify the performance of end devices using Certified modules. Avnu members can purchase floating licenses that allow teams across geographic locations to work using the same tool and the Avnu Express Test Tool will be automatically updated as new test plans become available.
“The new test tool significantly lowers the barrier for certification,” says Genio Kronauer, Avnu Alliance Certification Work Group co-chair. “Now, we can enter the certification process with greater assurance that a device will pass and iterate new devices with far more efficiency. This tool will be a powerful catalyst for the growth of available Milan products.”
Avnu has also launched a new testing portal and comprehensive Certification Management System (CMS) with simplified and intelligent certification workflows for seamless, transparent communication. The new CMS provides Milan members with real-time visibility into the testing process with the introduction of a Debug ID, as well as the ability to track device testing progress and timelines, view results, and manage the public listing and marketing opportunities for newly Certified products.
Avnu member customers and end users also get access to a new Certified product registry with a robust database and advanced filtering capabilities, making it easier to find devices to design into networked AV systems. Milan-Certified devices need to work with AVB, Avnu-Certified switches, a list of which can be found here.
www.avnu.org
