QSC Q-Sys Networking Application Note

Application Note
Q-Sys
The intention of this document is to provide network
administrators an overview of the requirements needed to
implement a Q-Sys Audio System on a converged network. In
order to simplify this group of networking requirements for
ease of communication between parties, QSC has named these
requirements the "Q-LAN Protocol Suite".
Overview of Q-Sys
Q-Sys is a system that performs complex routing, processing and
management of audio in a facility. The elements of a Q-Sys system:
• The Core is based on an Intel™ server processor. It runs the
system and handles the signal processing functions.
• I/O Frames are connected to the Core via the network and
provide a means for audio signals to be brought into the
Core from analog and digital sources as well as sending the
processed audio to power amplifiers, powered loudspeakers
or other audio devices. The I/O Frames are fitted with cards
appropriate to the types of inputs and outputs they will receive
or send.
• Peripheral devices including Page Stations and Touch Screen
Controllers may also be used in a system.
• Q-Sys Designer software is used by the system designer to
create signal flows, processing and control screens for a system.
I/O Frame
Up to 16
Audio Sources
Networking Overview
TM
Q-Sys™ Core
Q-Sys™ Core
Gigabit Switch
I/O Frame
QSC DataPort QSC
Amplifiers Loudspeakers
1
Layer-3 Networking
All Q-Sys network protocols are Internet Protocol (IP) based and
support advanced networks beyond the simple Layer-2 LAN.
Because Q-Sys is a live system, real-time performance is required
on either the LAN or the Layer-3 environments. On a Layer-3
network, routers replace some, or all, of the network switches.
Therefore, routers need to have the same performance and
feature requirements as the switches they replace.
Q-LAN Protocol Suite
Sampling Clock
• IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) used for synchronisation
• UDP on Ports 319 and 320
• ≤100 packets per second
• ≤100 bytes per packet
• 224.0.1.129 ~ 224.0.1.132 – registered to IEEE
• Address used depends on clock configuration selected in
the Designer software
AES Digital Audio
I/O Frame
QSC DataPort
Amplifiers
Date: 01/18/2011
Revision: A
Author: Scott Kalarchik
Figure A1
QSC
Loudspeakers