Avb

AVB, short for Audio Video Bridging, is a family of networking standards developed under IEEE 802.1 to enable deterministic, time‑synchronized transmission of audio and video over Ethernet. The goal is to provide low latency, minimal jitter, and guaranteed bandwidth for media streams within local networks, reducing the need for dedicated, purpose‑built media networks. The AVB specification set originally centered on IEEE 802.1BA, with supporting standards that address timing, resource reservation, and traffic control.

Key components include IEEE 802.1AS for clock synchronization (based on generalized PTP), IEEE 802.1Qav for traffic shaping to ensure timely delivery of streams, and IEEE 802.1Qat for the Stream Reservation Protocol (SRP) to reserve network resources along a path. Later enhancements and related standards, such as IEEE 802.1Qcc, extended SRP functionality and tuning capabilities. Together these mechanisms enable coordinated timing, resource reservation, and scheduled traffic to achieve deterministic network behavior for audio and video streams.

Development and adoption: AVB emerged from collaboration among hardware vendors, integrators, and broadcasters in the 2000s and was formalized in IEEE standards. The Avnu Alliance, established to promote interoperability, certifies devices and products that implement AVB, helping ensure cross‑vendor compatibility. Over time, AVB contributed to broader time‑sensitive networking (TSN) efforts within IEEE 802.1, which extend deterministic networking concepts to larger and more varied environments, including automotive and industrial networks.

Applications: AVB is used in professional audio, video production, broadcasting, and stage systems to enable synchronized playback and distributed media across Ethernet networks. It supports multi‑room audio, synchronized video feeds, and scalable, networked media distribution essential for live events and broadcast workflows.

See also: Time-Sensitive Networking, IEEE 802.1 standards, Avnu Alliance.