BEYOND AUTOMOTIVE
A2B is a high bandwidth, bidirectional, digital audio bus. A2B is capable of transporting I2S/TDM/PDM data and I2C control information, along with clock and power, using a single, 2-wire UTP cable over distances up to 15 m between nodes and 40 m over the entire daisy chain. A2B can be used as its own network with embedded sub-networks, or as an endpoint transport bus used in combination with other, longer distance protocols. The clock is synchronous on all nodes in a single A2B network. Microphone and serial audio data is received on each node in the system simultaneously.
Advantages of A2B Audio Bus
Configurable, Flexible, Low Risk and Easy to Use
A2B transceivers allow an I2C host to access all transceivers in a system. Designing an A2B enabled system is simplified using the SigmaStudio® graphical design environment—the same development tool that supports the Analog Devices SigmaDSP® and SHARC® processor families. A broad array of full-featured evaluation systems is available to quickly prototype an A2B network and facilitate early system proof of concept, test, verification, and debug.
Reduced System & Cable Costs, Weight, & Complexity
A2B eliminates the need for an expensive microcontroller and external memory. The transceiver’s ability to provide power to remote nodes over the same UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable used to transport data removes the need for a local power supply on each bus-powered subordinate node, reducing the overall system BOM costs. The UTP cable provides system-level cost savings when compared to other digital bus architectures that may require two or three twisted-pair connections or a costly cabling scheme, such as the heavy cable harnesses required to connect audio systems in vehicles.
Superior Audio Quality
With a configurable 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz frame rate and up to a 50 Mbps bandwidth, A2B is ideal for transporting digital audio and delivers superior audio quality relative to analog connections. System nodes support up to 32 bus slots in each direction, and the slot widths are programmable up to 32-bit, thereby supporting I2S and numerous TDM configurations up to TDM32. PDM input is also natively supported, with the transceiver decimating the input to PCM format before placing it on the A2B bus.
Deterministic Low Latency
A2B technology ensures simultaneous sampling and delivery of data on all system nodes for each frame. The frame structure is fully managed at the main node to program each transceiver’s use of the available data slots in both directions, whether to contribute, extract, or read and pass data on to the next node in the line topology. Delays due to bus collisions or the reassembly of packetized data are removed. A2B features deterministic and very low, sub 50 µs latency.
A2B Solves Automotive and Other Audio Market Challenges
Automotive and Transportation
- Audio ECU
- Active noise cancellation
- Road noise cancellation
- Personal audio zones/active speakers
- eCall and telematics systems
- Autonomous driving systems
- Smart radio connectivity
Building Technology
(Smart Buildings)
- Microphone arrays for hands-free/speech recognition
- A/V conference rooms
- Residential intercom systems
Consumer
- ProAV
- Vital signs monitoring (wearables)
- Home theater
A2B: A Better Audio Design Experience
A2B is solving problems in Automotive, Smart Buildings, Consumer and new emerging applications. In this webcast you will learn how to make the cabling in your audio system less complex, less expensive, and lighter. We will discuss how A2B can simplify and solve your audio design challenges.
A2B is Solving the Audio Design Challenges of Today and Tomorrow
ADI's leading-edge A2B solution is capable of transporting data and control information over a single, 2-wire UTP cable. This reduces the system's cost, weight and complexity of the cable and can be used in new and emerging applications including Automotive, Building Technology and Consumer.
This 4th generation A2B transceiver adds SPI connectivity significantly increasing embedded control and OTA capabilities. The AD2433W supports super-premium audio systems by increasing the max #nodes and max bus distance specifications to 17 and 80m, respectively.
This enhanced, 4th generation A2B transceiver supports up to 50W of bus power -- making it particularly well suited for emerging high power applications such as personal audio zones (PAZ) and remote tuner modules (RTM).
A2B Products
SHARC Audio Module (ADZS-SC589-MINI)
The SHARC® Audio Module is an expandable hardware/software platform that enables project prototyping, development and deployment of audio applications including effects processors, multi-channel audio systems, MIDI synthesizers, and many other DSP-based audio projects.
The centerpiece of the SHARC Audio Module is the Analog Devices ADSP-SC589 SHARC processor, a remarkable engine for audio processing which incorporates dual SHARC+ DSP cores and an ARM core.
A2B Evaluation Boards
Interactive Signal Chains
Clockworks eight channel microphone array for A2B provides a simple way for evaluating or prototyping audio processing applications that need the acoustic properties of a microphone array. The kit is a three board stack: the AD2428W based Clockworks A2B to I2S module, the ADAU7118 based PDM to I2S board, and the microphone array board. When combined with ADI’s SHARC or SigmaDSP boards powerful speech and audio processing applications can be created. Custom microphone boards to match specific requirements are available.
For more information please visit Clockworks.
The Thor96 Board is a single-board computer powered by the NXP i.MX 8M SoC, incorporating a quad-core 64-bit Arm-A53, dedicated GPU and VPU, 4K support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a wide range of I/O. 96Boards is a 32-bit and 64-bit ARM® Open Platform hosted by Linaro™ with the intension to serve the software/ maker and embedded OEM communities. It includes an A2B interface and driver demo.
For more information please visit Thor96
By combining the capabilities of Audio Precision’s APx500 audio analyzers and software, and Mentor’s A2B Analyzer System, software and ASIO driver, developers can easily create a complete, closed-loop multichannel A2B audio test system.
The APx audio analyzer, along with the Mentor analyzer platform, delivers comprehensive, multichannel audio measurement analysis and offers a wide range of interface options, including analog, Bluetooth®, digital serial (TDM) and PDM. Working as a complete system, these tools eliminate the effort required to develop, and support, in-house, custom test solutions.
For more information please visit Audio Precision.
Clockworks’ A2B module offers developers a simple way to develop A2B products by creating prototypes based on the A2B module connected to EVM board(s) for the desired peripheral functions. Typically, Clockworks’ A2B module is used with ADC or DAC boards, but can also be used with Class D amplifier devices with direct I2S input, or digital microphones with I2S output.
For more information please visit Clockworks.
A2B does not have to stop at the automobile industry. The daisy chain system can be implemented into many other products to improve efficiency and lessen cost. DE Design Works is working to make the technology available across all industries.
DE Design Works deep breadth of product design experience, quick-to-market prototyping, proven turnkey design methods, testing capabilities, quality management, and production support offer a suite of value services in product development ending with the right product designed for the market at the fastest possible rate.
For more information please visit dedesignworks.
With the extension coreA2B, the labCORE hardware platform can connect to the Audio Bus A2B® developed by Analog Devices. Whether automotive, avionics, consumer, or building technology: It enables testing and optimizing devices connected to the bus in any applications. coreA2B can be operated as a master or a slave node, listen passively, and provides the unique feature of Proxy mode, where it gains full control over all data on the bus.
For more information, please visit HEAD acoustics.
The A2B Analyzer System is designed for development teams servicing automotive OEMs, Tier 1s, and audio connectivity equipment suppliers. The deterministic nature of the A2B technology makes it particularly well-suited for automotive audio devices (active speakers, microphones) and newer applications, such as active noise cancellation (ANC), in-car communications, and so on.
For more information please visit A2B Analyzer System.
The A2B Bus Monitor System is a powerful debug tool that provides unprecedented insights into the network traffic on an A2B technology based audio network. The A2B Bus Monitor System is a combination of a compact, professional grade, single-unit hardware device, and an easy to use host application software.
For more information please visit A2B Bus Monitor System.
ITD 1024 is an off-the-shelf solution for A2B®, an emerging automotive audio bus. In combination with a comprehensive set of software tools, ITD 1024 allows rapid testing of various A2B® components, such as audio speakers, amplifiers, microphone arrays, sensors, and actuators.
For more information please visit ITD 1024.
The NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Pegasus™ platform uses A2B transceiver to interface with remote audio input and output devices to the NVIDIA Xavier SoC digital audio ports (DAP). A2B enables Tier 1s, OEMs and system integrators to implement a reliable audio interface to the Xavier SoCs using low cost and light weight cables to optimize system cost and fuel efficiency.
For more information please visit NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Pegasus.
The third-generation Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Automotive Cockpit Development Platform (ADP) based on the Qualcomm® SA8155P processor from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (QTI) provides OEMs and ecosystem partners with access to QTI’s high-performance automotive infotainment, advanced driver assist platform for developing, testing, optimizing and showcasing next-generation in-vehicle infotainment solutions.
A2B enables Tier 1s, OEMs and system integrators to implement a reliable audio interface to the SA8155P platform using low cost and light weight cables to optimize system cost and fuel efficiency.
For more information, please visit the page on Qualcomm’s Automotive Development Platform.
RAD-A2B combines Analog Devices’ A2B technology with two CAN/CAN-FD transceivers and one LIN channel to allow mixed network messages in one time stamped log. The RAD-A2B tool includes one channel for A2B receive-only monitoring and one channel that can act as an emulator node.
For more information please visit Intrepid Control Systems.
The Renesas Cockpit ECU Reference Hardware jumpstarts your automotive development by shortcutting several difficult and time consuming challenges including high speed LPDDR4 layout, peripheral layout, design optimization and functionality testing.
A2B enables Tier 1s, OEMs and system integrators to implement a reliable audio interface to the Renesas Cockpit ECU using low cost and light weight cables to optimize system cost and fuel efficiency.
For further information please visit the Renesas Cockpit Page.
Latest Resources
Videos
- Analog Devices A²B Audio Demo - Overhead Console
- Analog Devices A²B Audio Demo - In-Car Communication
- Analog Devices A²B Audio Demo - SHARC Audio Processing and Bus Powered Class-D Amplifiers
- Analog Devices A²B Audio Demo - In-Car Communication Introduction
- Analog Devices A²B Audio Demo - Karaoke Microphone
Technical Articles
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How A2B Technology and Digital Microphones Enable Superior Performance in Emerging Automotive Applications
Analog Dialogue
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The A to Z of A2B Applications
Analog Dialogue
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DC-to-DC Conversion Directly from Automotive Battery Input: 5 A, 3.3 V, and 5 V Supplies Meet Stringent EMI Emission Standards
Analog Dialogue
- Automotive Camera Link Technology Challenges and Solutions
- Innovative Digital Bus Architecture Reduces Audio System Costs
Press Releases
- Analog Devices Collaborates with Hyundai Motor Company to Launch Industry’s First All-Digital Road Noise Cancellation System
- Analog Devices Collaborates with Baidu on Project Apollo to Advance Autonomous Driving
- Analog Devices Enhanced A2B Transceivers Deliver Unparalleled Flexibility for Emerging Applications