The Avnu Alliance has announced a new certification programme to allow quicker, more convenient and less expensive testing and certification of professional audio-video (A/V) end devices for its members.
The Milan Advanced Certification Program streamlines certification testing at independent test houses for end devices implementing the Milan network protocol. It also introduces an enhanced Certification Management System, new pre-certification validation test tools, and global access to test houses around the world.
‘This is a new approach to open standard certification for the professional A/V industry,’ says Avnu Alliance Pro AV Segment Chair, Richard Bugg. ‘There are other open standards in this industry, however, these don’t guarantee interoperability on their own. Milan manufacturers have come together to invest their expertise, resources, and experience to ensure a system architecture that will work for the future of many ecosystems, all supported by a first-of-its-kind independent certification programme. This is Milan’s solution to enabling a long-term, stable, no-compromise network of future-ready devices that is easier and less expensive to implement and evolves with the market’s requirements.’
Milan is a standards-based, user-driven deterministic network protocol for professional media that, through certification, assures devices will work together at high levels of convenience, reliability and functionality. To guarantee interoperability between Milan devices from different manufacturers, Avnu’s Milan Advanced Certification Program employs robust test plans and scripts that are performed at independent authorised certification labs around the world to ensure compliance with the Milan specifications, and to guarantee seamless interoperability with all other Milan-Certified end devices and Avnu-Certified switches in the signal chain, regardless of function or manufacturer.
Avnu Express Test Tool
The Avnu Alliance has also introduced tools to streamline the certification process for vendors. Available today, The Avnu Express Test Tool enables vendors to internally verify device conformance prior to submission for certification testing, providing insights into the product that can be used to optimise product development, increasing the probability of certification success, and saving time, resources and money. Vendors can also use the test tool, which bundles test control and test engine software along with a set of hardware equipment, to verify the performance of end devices using Certified modules. Avnu members can purchase floating licenses that allow teams across geographic locations to work using the same tool and the Avnu Express Test Tool will be automatically updated as new test plans become available.
‘The test tool significantly lowers the barrier for certification,’ says Avnu Alliance Certification Work Group co-chair, Genio Kronauer. ‘Now, we can enter the certification process with greater assurance that a device will pass and iterate new devices with far more efficiency. This tool will be a powerful catalyst for the growth of available Milan products.’
Certification Management System and Product Registry
Avnu has launched a new testing portal and comprehensive Certification Management System (CMS) that provides Milan members with real-time visibility into the testing process with the introduction of a Debug ID, as well as the ability to track device testing progress and timelines, view results, and manage the public listing and marketing opportunities for newly certified products.
Avnu member customers and end-users also have access to a new Certified Product Registry, making it easier to find devices to design into networked A/V systems.
The Milan Advanced Certification program is currently open for submission of professional audio end devices that meet Milan specifications. All Milan-Certified devices work with any Avnu-Certified switches. Companies interested in submitting devices for Milan Certification can join Avnu Alliance at the Milan Associate Membership level or manufacturers interested in joining workgroups within Avnu to collaborate with other members and collectively define Milan requirements for the future are welcome to join Avnu Alliance as a Promoter Member to ensure their specific development needs are met.
More: www.avnu.org
