XMOS Delivers Industry's First Open Source Hardware Solution for Networked Audio & Video over Ethernet

SUNNYVALE, Calif. & BRISTOL, England -- May 11, 2009 -- XMOS, the leader in event-driven processors ™, has announced that it has been working with Harman International on joint technology development using the XMOS Ethernet Audio Video Bridging (AVB) Reference Design platform. The Ethernet AVB Reference Design, which is now commercially available, is ideal for the development of a broad range of professional and consumer networked audio and video applications, automotive entertainment systems and home networking systems.

The XMOS Ethernet AVB Reference Design delivers a complete AVB networked audio system, providing support for all AVB endpoint requirements, including Ethernet interface, packet processing, timing synchronization, configuration/stream setup and media rate recovery. All AVB features and functions are implemented entirely in royalty-free software on the XMOS XC1-G4 processor, adding to the growing body of open-source hardware for consumer electronics. This provides unparalleled flexibility in system design and fast modification for custom features, plus easy adaptation to cope with changes in emerging AVB Ethernet standards such as IEEE 802.1AS, IEEE 801.1Qav and IEEE P1722.

“We have been working closely with a range of innovative industry leaders, like XMOS, to accelerate the development of Ethernet AVB technology and standards to deliver a range of exciting, high performance new products,” said Rick Kreifeldt, Vice President of the System Development and Integration Group at Harman International. “We have been impressed that XMOS has been able to develop their programmable chip so quickly into a compelling AVB end-point solution.”

“Our engineers have been impressed with how easily XMOS devices can be customized for their specific applications. The architecture is extremely agile; today we’re working on Ethernet AVB, USB 2.0, and DSP but who knows what we’ll use it for tomorrow. Working with XMOS to validate their Ethernet AVB reference design has proven just how quickly and easily they – and we - can add new reference blocks,” said Robert Boatright, Director of Research – Corporate Technology Group, at Harman International.

James Foster, CEO of XMOS, commented: “Harman International’s deep knowledge of AVB protocols and comprehensive range of innovative applications in the consumer electronics, automotive and professional audio markets makes them an ideal lead customer to prove the robustness and flexibility of the XMOS processor.”

Pricing and availability

The XMOS AVB Reference Design Kit is available immediately for purchase at https://www.xmos.com/products/development-kits/xmos-avb-reference-design-kit priced at US$3750.

Each kit contains:

• Four XDK Development Kits with 100Mbs Ethernet ports
• 8-port Ethernet switch
• Ethernet Cables
• Power supply for each XDK
• Reference design software demonstration pre-installed on supplied SD card