{"product_id":"motu-ultralite-mk5","title":"MOTU AVB Switch","description":"\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1. PRODUCT OVERVIEW\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe MOTU AVB Switch is a dedicated six-port Gigabit Audio Video Bridging (AVB) Ethernet switch, occupying a unique and essential role in MOTU’s professional AVB networking ecosystem. Rather than a conventional audio interface with analogue inputs and outputs, the AVB Switch is a pure-networking infrastructure device — its purpose is to interconnect multiple MOTU AVB audio interfaces and other AVB-capable devices into a single, seamlessly synchronised, high-channel-count network. It sits in the MOTU product line as the connective tissue between devices such as the 1248, 16A, 8M, UltraLite-mk5 AVB (legacy AVB model), 828es, and any third-party AVB-compliant hardware.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAudio Video Bridging (AVB) is a suite of IEEE 802.1 standards specifically engineered to extend standard Gigabit Ethernet for real-time, deterministic streaming of audio and video. Where ordinary Ethernet operates on a best-effort delivery model — packets may arrive out of order or be delayed — AVB introduces three critical enhancements: IEEE 802.1AS for network-wide precision time synchronisation (accurate to nanoseconds), IEEE 802.1Qav for Credit-Based Shaping (prioritised bandwidth reservation), and IEEE 802.1Qat for Stream Reservation Protocol (guaranteed resource allocation per stream). The net result is a network that can simultaneously carry hundreds of audio channels with deterministic, ultra-low latency and rock-solid phase coherence across every connected device.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe MOTU AVB Switch provides six 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports, all of which are full AVB-compliant ports. In practice, five ports are typically deployed as AVB audio networking ports — connecting MOTU AVB interfaces, other MOTU AVB switches, or third-party AVB equipment — while the sixth port is used for bridging to a standard Ethernet network, enabling internet access or wireless router connectivity alongside the professional audio network. Crucially, every port on the device can be independently configured for either AVB or standard Ethernet operation via the MOTU Discovery application, offering complete flexibility in network architecture. The switch supports operational bandwidths of 10, 100, and 1,000 Mbit\/s, auto-negotiating the link speed to match each connected device.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe device was introduced alongside MOTU’s first generation of AVB audio interfaces and has been maintained and firmware-updated continuously. At its street price (typically in the USD 200–300 range internationally), the MOTU AVB Switch represents a highly cost-effective entry point into professional AVB networking compared to enterprise-grade AVB switches from vendors such as Cisco, Netgear, or Extreme Networks — which are not optimised for professional audio discovery protocols such as IEEE 1722 (AVTP) or MOTU’s own Discovery application. For any facility deploying two or more MOTU AVB interfaces, or for any engineer requiring studio-to-stage audio routing over Ethernet, the MOTU AVB Switch is the purpose-built, manufacturer-endorsed solution.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e \n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2. AVB TECHNOLOGY: THE ENGINEERING FOUNDATION\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2.1 IEEE 802.1AS — Precision Time Protocol (gPTP)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cornerstone of AVB’s advantage over standard Ethernet for audio is its implementation of IEEE 802.1AS, a generalised Precision Time Protocol (gPTP) that establishes a network-wide time base shared by every device on the switch. The MOTU AVB Switch acts as a grandmaster clock — or participates in an IEEE 802.1AS Best Master Clock Algorithm (BMCA) to elect the grandmaster — and distributes timing information to all connected devices with nanosecond-level accuracy. In a MOTU AVB system, MOTU’s documentation states that network-wide synchronisation can be established with a single click via the MOTU Discovery application.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo appreciate why nanosecond accuracy matters in audio, consider that at a sample rate of 96 kHz, one sample occupies approximately 10.4 microseconds (10,400 nanoseconds). Even at the most demanding professional tolerances, sample-accurate synchronisation requires timing precision well within this window. AVB’s gPTP protocol achieves synchronisation accuracy far tighter than a single sample period, ensuring that all devices on the network maintain phase-coherent clocking. This eliminates the subtle comb-filtering artifacts and inter-channel phase errors that arise when multiple audio interfaces are clocked independently or via word clock distributed over cable runs subject to propagation delay variance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2.2 IEEE 802.1Qav — Credit-Based Shaping (CBS)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIEEE 802.1Qav defines a Credit-Based Shaping (CBS) algorithm that prioritises AVB audio and video streams over standard Ethernet traffic at the hardware level of each switch port. The AVB Switch maintains a ‘credit’ counter for each stream class: Class A streams (lowest latency, typically 125 μs presentation time) and Class B streams (2 ms presentation time). By metering transmission of AVB frames and accumulating credits during idle periods, CBS guarantees that AVB streams can always claim their reserved bandwidth share regardless of burst traffic from standard Ethernet devices on the same network. An engineer running the MOTU AVB Switch alongside a standard office network can therefore be confident that audio streams will never be starved by a large file transfer or video stream on the non-AVB portion of the network.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2.3 IEEE 802.1Qat — Stream Reservation Protocol (SRP)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStream Reservation Protocol (SRP) is the mechanism by which AVB devices advertise the bandwidth they require and negotiate with the switch to reserve it. When a MOTU 1248, for example, announces that it will be transmitting a stream of 8 audio channels at 96 kHz, the AVB Switch evaluates whether sufficient bandwidth is available across every hop of the intended network path and, if so, reserves it. This reservation persists for the duration of the stream. The result is that the MOTU AVB Switch provides guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) for all active audio and video streams — a property that is architecturally impossible to achieve with standard unmanaged switches, regardless of how much headroom exists in their nominal bandwidth specification.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e \n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3. PORT ARCHITECTURE AND PHYSICAL INTERFACE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3.1 Six 1-Gigabit Ethernet Ports\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe MOTU AVB Switch provides six RJ-45 Ethernet ports on its rear panel, all operating at 1 Gigabit per second (1,000 Mbit\/s). All six ports are full AVB-capable ports, meaning any of them can carry AVB audio streams, participate in the gPTP clock hierarchy, and implement SRP bandwidth reservation. In a typical deployment, five ports are used for AVB device connectivity — connecting MOTU audio interfaces, additional MOTU AVB switches, or third-party AVB devices — while the sixth port is bridged to a standard Ethernet network for router, Wi-Fi access point, or internet uplink connectivity. However, this is a configuration choice rather than a hardware constraint: the MOTU Discovery application allows each port to be independently configured as AVB or non-AVB.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll six ports support auto-negotiation of link speed (10\/100\/1000 Mbit\/s), which means they are backward-compatible with older 100 Mbit\/s Ethernet devices. However, for full AVB performance — especially for high channel-count audio networks — MOTU recommends operating all AVB ports at 1 Gigabit to maximise bandwidth and minimise latency. The ports comply with IEEE 802.3ab (1000BASE-T) for Gigabit operation over copper cabling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3.2 Cabling Requirements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe MOTU AVB Switch requires standard shielded CAT-5e or CAT-6 Ethernet cables. The maximum supported cable run between the switch and any connected device or switch is 100 metres (328 feet), which is the standard IEEE 802.3ab limit for 1000BASE-T. This is a significant practical advantage over coaxial word clock distribution (typically limited to 10–15 metres without active buffering), legacy AES3 digital audio (limited to approximately 100 metres at standard impedance), and analogue audio (subject to signal degradation with length). In a large venue or multi-room studio, a single CAT-6 cable run of up to 100 metres can carry dozens or hundreds of audio channels simultaneously while delivering nanosecond-accurate clock sync.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3.3 Front Panel LED Metering\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe front panel of the MOTU AVB Switch carries 12 activity LEDs, providing two indicators per port. The left-hand LED for each port indicates a 1 Gbit\/s connection, glowing solid when the link is established and blinking with network activity. The right-hand LED indicates a 100 Mbit\/s connection, following the same solid\/blink convention. This dual-LED system allows an engineer to verify at a glance both the link speed of each connection and whether data is actively flowing on that port, which is invaluable during network commissioning, troubleshooting, and live event operation. A separate PWR (power) LED confirms that the unit is energised and operating.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e \n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4. NETWORK CAPACITY AND SCALABILITY\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4.1 Maximum Simultaneous Audio Streams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe MOTU AVB Switch supports up to 512 simultaneous AVB audio streams across the network at any given time. Each AVB stream can carry 1 to 8 (Class A) or 1 to 8 (Class B) audio channels, depending on the stream configuration. With 8-channel streams, 512 simultaneous streams equates to 4,096 simultaneous audio channels. With 16-channel streams (available on MOTU interfaces that support extended stream formats), the theoretical maximum rises to 8,192 simultaneous audio channels. MOTU notes that actual network performance may vary depending on the specific topology, number of connected devices, and other factors; these figures represent the theoretical upper bound of AVB’s IEEE-defined architecture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4.2 Multi-Switch Scaling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe MOTU AVB Switch is designed to be cascaded. By connecting MOTU AVB switches to one another through their AVB ports, engineers can extend the network to accommodate more devices. MOTU’s published topology guidance states that theoretically, up to 150 MOTU AVB devices can be interconnected using 37 MOTU AVB switches. In practice, the maximum network diameter (the longest chain of switches between any two endpoints) is constrained by the IEEE 802.1AS timing budget: each switch hop adds propagation delay, and the protocol specifies a maximum number of bridge hops to preserve synchronisation integrity. For most real-world professional audio deployments — even large live events with multiple stage boxes, front-of-house, monitor world, and recording truck connections — a topology of two to four cascaded switches is sufficient.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4.3 Mixed AVB and Standard Ethernet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA defining architectural feature of the MOTU AVB Switch is its ability to carry both AVB audio streams and standard Ethernet traffic on the same physical network simultaneously. The Credit-Based Shaping algorithm (IEEE 802.1Qav) ensures that AVB streams always receive their reserved bandwidth share, so standard Ethernet traffic — including internet browsing, file transfers, or remote control of MOTU devices via a tablet or laptop — cannot interrupt or degrade the audio streams. This coexistence is a substantial operational advantage in venues and studios where separate networks for audio and IT are impractical or prohibitively expensive to maintain.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e \n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5. MOTU DISCOVERY APPLICATION AND CONFIGURATION\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5.1 Automatic Device Discovery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen MOTU AVB interfaces are connected to the MOTU AVB Switch and powered on, the MOTU Discovery application (available for macOS and Windows) automatically detects all connected devices and presents them in a graphical network view. Discovery operates using IEEE 1722.1 (AVDECC — AV Device Enumeration, Discovery and Control), the standard AVB control protocol, meaning it will also discover and display third-party AVB devices that implement AVDECC. No manual IP address assignment, no subnet configuration, and no VLAN management is required by the user. From the engineer’s perspective, the experience is plug-and-play: connect the cables, open the Discovery app, and the network is ready to configure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5.2 Per-Port AVB\/Non-AVB Configuration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThrough the MOTU Discovery application’s switch settings interface, each of the six ports on the MOTU AVB Switch can be independently configured as an AVB port or a non-AVB (standard Ethernet) port. This configurability is important in installations where, for example, one port must connect to a corporate network switch that does not support AVB, or where a specific port is reserved for a control laptop that uses standard TCP\/IP networking. Configuring a port as non-AVB excludes it from AVB stream reservation and clock distribution, ensuring that the non-AVB device cannot disrupt the timing or bandwidth budget of the audio network.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5.3 Firmware Updates\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe MOTU AVB Switch supports over-the-network firmware updates delivered through the MOTU Discovery application. This is significant because MOTU has periodically released firmware updates that expand AVB channel counts, improve synchronisation performance, and add compatibility with newer MOTU audio interfaces. An engineer who purchased an AVB Switch at initial release has access to the same firmware capabilities as a unit purchased today, ensuring long-term investment protection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e \n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6. COMPATIBLE MOTU AVB DEVICES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6.1 MOTU AVB Audio Interfaces\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe MOTU AVB Switch is fully compatible with all current and legacy MOTU AVB audio interfaces. The primary compatible interfaces include the 1248 (48 channels, 12 mic preamps), 8M (eight mic\/line channels with integral AVB switch), 16A (16-channel analogue interface with integral dual-port AVB switch), 112D (112 channels via AVB and USB), UltraLite-mk5 AVB (legacy AVB model — the current gen5 UltraLite-mk5 uses USB only and does not support AVB), 828es, 624, and other interfaces from MOTU’s AVB and USB\/AVB product lines. Third-party AVB devices that comply with the IEEE 802.1 AVB standard and implement IEEE 1722.1 AVDECC are also discoverable and configurable through the MOTU ecosystem, though MOTU does not guarantee interoperability with all third-party AVB hardware.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6.2 Third-Party AVB Compatibility\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe MOTU AVB Switch is an IEEE 802.1 compliant device. It will interoperate at the switching level with any AVB-compliant third-party switch or device. For audio stream exchange between MOTU and third-party AVB interfaces, the relevant protocols are IEEE 1722 (AVTP audio transport) and IEEE 1722.1 (AVDECC device control). Many third-party professional audio devices supporting AVB use these standard protocols, including certain Avid, Focusrite, and other manufacturer products. However, stream format compatibility and control application integration may vary; engineers should verify specific third-party device compatibility with MOTU’s current technical notes prior to deploying in a production environment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e \n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7. BUILD QUALITY AND FORM FACTOR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe MOTU AVB Switch is housed in a compact, desktop-form-factor metal enclosure designed for use on a tabletop, equipment shelf, or rack-adjacent positioning. It is not a standard 19-inch rackmount unit, but its compact dimensions make it easy to position near a rack, at a stage box location, or in a control room equipment bay. The front panel presents the 12 activity LEDs and the power LED in a clean, uncluttered layout, providing at-a-glance network status without requiring a display or menu system. The rear panel provides the six RJ-45 ports and the DC power inlet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePower is supplied via the included external 15V DC power supply (the unit accepts 12–18V DC at 0.5A with tip-positive polarity), making it compatible with a range of third-party DC power supplies and in-rack DC distribution systems for touring and install applications. The low power consumption (maximum approximately 9 watts at 18V\/0.5A) and the absence of internal cooling fans make the MOTU AVB Switch silent in operation — an important consideration for studio environments and broadcast facilities where fan noise is unacceptable. Exact physical dimensions and weight are not published on the MOTU product page; engineers requiring precise enclosure dimensions should contact MOTU or their authorised distributor directly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e \n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8. IDEAL APPLICATIONS AND USE CASES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMulti-interface professional recording studio requiring phase-coherent audio routing between two or more MOTU AVB interfaces (e.g., 1248 + 16A + 8M in a large tracking room)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLive sound reinforcement with MOTU AVB stage boxes connected to front-of-house and monitor world positions over long CAT-6 cable runs — replacing heavy analogue multicore or expensive digital snakes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBroadcast studio requiring precisely synchronised audio-over-IP networking between multiple MOTU AVB interfaces in different rooms or racks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHouse of worship audio systems requiring high channel counts across nave, choir loft, and production suite, all synchronised on a single network\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePost-production facility with MOTU AVB interfaces in edit suites connected to a shared routing network\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUniversity and conservatory audio teaching facilities requiring a scalable, configurable multi-device audio network for student learning\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMobile recording and event production rigs where a compact, self-contained AVB network must be deployed and struck rapidly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTouring production systems using multiple MOTU AVB stage boxes at different positions in a venue, interconnected over standard CAT-6 infrastructure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAudio rental companies requiring a single switch device that interoperates with any combination of MOTU AVB hardware in their inventory\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStudio installations requiring both AVB audio networking and standard internet connectivity on the same cabling infrastructure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImmersive audio production environments (Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D) requiring large channel counts across multiple MOTU AVB interfaces\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e \n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9. MATHEMATICAL AND TECHNICAL VALIDATION\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9.1 Bandwidth Validation: Audio Streams vs. Gigabit Capacity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA useful cross-check is to verify that the claimed audio stream capacity is consistent with the available 1 Gigabit bandwidth. Consider 512 simultaneous AVB streams, each carrying 8 channels at 96 kHz, 24-bit. The data rate per channel is 96,000 samples\/sec × 24 bits = 2.304 Mbit\/s. For 8 channels per stream: 8 × 2.304 = 18.432 Mbit\/s per stream. For 512 streams: 512 × 18.432 = 9,437.2 Mbit\/s total, which substantially exceeds a single 1 Gigabit link. This indicates that the 512-stream figure applies to the aggregate network capacity across all ports simultaneously, not through a single port. Each individual 1 Gigabit port can carry approximately 54 audio channels at 96 kHz\/24-bit within the AVB bandwidth reservation budget (typically 75% of total link bandwidth is reservable for AVB streams by the CBS specification: 0.75 × 1,000 Mbit\/s = 750 Mbit\/s \/ 18.432 Mbit\/s per 8-ch stream ≈ 40 streams × 8 channels = ~320 channels per port). The 512-stream total reflects the full switching capacity across all ports of the device.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9.2 Clock Sync: Nanosecond Accuracy vs. Sample Period\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt 192 kHz (MOTU’s maximum supported sample rate on many interfaces), one sample period is 1 \/ 192,000 = approximately 5,208 nanoseconds. IEEE 802.1AS gPTP typically achieves synchronisation accuracy in the range of 10–100 nanoseconds in well-constructed local networks. This places the synchronisation error at approximately 0.002% to 0.02% of a single sample period at 192 kHz — confirming that the ‘better-than-sample-accurate’ claim in MOTU’s documentation is technically supported and not marketing hyperbole. The nanosecond-level precision is achieved by compensating for known propagation delays, residence times in switch buffers, and asymmetric path delays using the IEEE 802.1AS path delay measurement protocol.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9.3 Power Budget Verification\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe MOTU AVB Switch accepts 12–18V DC at 0.5A maximum. At the nominal 15V supply: P = V × I = 15V × 0.5A = 7.5W maximum at nominal supply voltage. At the maximum accepted voltage: P = 18V × 0.5A = 9W absolute maximum. This is a very low power consumption for a six-port managed Gigabit switch, consistent with the use of a purpose-designed AVB switch ASIC (such as those produced by Aquantia, Marvell, or a similar vendor) operating in a fanless thermal design. No mathematical discrepancy is observed in the published power specification.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e \n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10. MOTU AVB ECOSYSTEM CONTEXT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe MOTU AVB Switch is most valuable when understood as a component of MOTU’s broader AVB ecosystem, rather than as a standalone product. MOTU began shipping AVB-enabled audio interfaces with the 1248 in 2014, and the AVB Switch was introduced concurrently to support multi-device AVB networks from the outset. Since then, MOTU has progressively expanded the AVB ecosystem to include the 16A, 8M, 112D, UltraLite-mk5 AVB (legacy), 828es, 624, and other interfaces, all sharing the same underlying AVB networking architecture and all configurable through a unified MOTU Discovery software environment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA distinctive feature of several MOTU AVB interfaces — including the 8M and 16A — is the inclusion of an integral two-port or multi-port AVB switch embedded within the audio interface itself. This allows limited daisy-chaining of MOTU AVB interfaces without a separate external switch. For larger networks requiring more than two or three devices, or for deployments where the network topology benefits from a centralised switching point, the MOTU AVB Switch is the appropriate solution. The external switch enables star-topology networks (every device connects to a single central switch), which offers superior synchronisation accuracy and simpler troubleshooting compared to daisy-chain topologies.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor engineers comparing AVB to Dante (the competing AoIP protocol from Audinate) or to AES67\/RAVENNA: AVB is a deterministic, IEEE-standardised Layer 2 protocol with guaranteed Quality of Service built into the hardware, while Dante and AES67 are Layer 3 protocols running over standard IP networks. AVB’s hardware-level QoS guarantees and nanosecond synchronisation accuracy represent fundamental engineering advantages for applications demanding absolute timing integrity. The primary trade-off is that AVB requires AVB-capable switches at every network hop, whereas Dante can run over standard unmanaged switches. The MOTU AVB Switch’s competitive pricing and plug-and-play operation substantially reduce this deployment barrier for MOTU ecosystem users.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e ","brand":"Shivansh Electronics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52777412362607,"sku":"MOTU-AVB-Switch","price":54000.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0964\/4766\/0399\/files\/MOTU-AVB-Switch-5-Port-Gigabit-Ethernet-RJ45-Ports-Top-Front-Panel-Activity-LEDs-AVB-Network.png?v=1774548501","url":"https:\/\/shivanshelectronics.in\/products\/motu-ultralite-mk5","provider":"Shivansh Electronics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}