A single chip solution for interfacing digital audio in broadcast applications

Many implementations of the AES (Audio Engineering Society)/EBU (European Broadcasting Union) serial transmission format for linearly represented digital audio data fall short of meeting the needs of the broadcasting industry, or even the full standard. Examples of problem areas are given, performance aspects of an implementation are discussed, and possible solutions considered. The BBC has implemented the AES/EBU interface in discrete logic, and as a single VLSI device which performs the functions of an AES/EBU interface transceiver. The internal structure of the VLSI device is described with reference to possible problem areas already highlighted. A brief outline of the AES/EBU interface is also given