Axon will unveil at IBC, Neuron, the first network attached processor (NAP) for IP broadcast environments

Axon's next-generation Neuron signal processing platform delivers plenty of power to support 200 Gb/s and 64 channels or 16 UHD channels in a single rack unit.

Axon will reveal in IBC 2018 (10.A21), Neuron, he first network connected processor (Network Attached Processor, NAP). Developed to meet the needs of complex IP and hybrid environments, this next-generation signal processing platform delivers powerful power for support 200 Gb/s and 64 channels or 16 UHD channels in a single rack unit.

Axon's technical director, Peter Schut, highlights that "the move to IP is keeping many in the broadcast industry awake at night, particularly given the challenge of integrating and controlling increasingly complex technological layers, while guaranteeing bandwidth performance for new formats such as UHD. To solve these problems, a NAP is needed: a network-connected processor! And with our new Neuron NAP, Axon sets the standard."

Native IP infrastructure

For those heading to a Pure native IP infrastructure, Neuron is extremely efficient as glue modular in a centralized and virtual environment, capable of processing all the necessary tasks in a live and baseband video domain. It allows multiple channels in a single device and eliminates the physical cascade of products to offer the possibility of interconnecting in the desired order, without the need to use different cables.

New formats like Ultra HD and 8K use an exponentially growing amount of bandwidth. This is where Neuron comes into play. In a single rack unit, it can process up to 200 Gb/s and deliver 64 1080p channels or 16 UHD channels in the same rack space.

As media production moves from a hardware-centric to an application-based approach and mixed CAPEX/OPEX business models are adopted, the scalability and performance offered by Neuron will enable flexible delivery of different types of production, opening up new opportunities for broadcasters and providing significant savings in terms of both space and budget.

Hybrid path to IP

For those taking a hybrid path to IP, it is clear that the deployment of COTS switches and CPU-based hardware has failed to provide features present in SDI routers such as embedding, de-embedding, frame up/down/cross synchronization and multi-display.

Neuron seamlessly bridges that gap by providing a impressive processing power based on FGPA with an efficient connection to legacy SDI I/O. By bundling SDI technology on an IP platform, all audio and video processing tasks are handled with ultra-high bandwidth. Up to 80 SDI connectors can be added in the same 1RU, making it one of the most space-efficient, cost-effective, and power-efficient processing devices available today.

"We are delighted to launch Neuron at IBC and demonstrate this disruptive technology to visitors. It has already been enthusiastically received by our customers, many of whom are pioneers in IP production, and have been impressed by its spectacular performance. We are confident that Neuron will facilitate and accelerate the move to IP, especially in sports production, where its guaranteed bandwidth performance will support the launch of new formats, including 8K," concludes Schut.