Model 5401 User Guide Issue 1, March 2023
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 7
Model 5401
OCK
signals to be used for a variety of purposes.
Conguration choices allow the frequency
and level of the sine-wave signals to be opti-
mized for specic applications.
Master Clock Support for Dante
Networks
A core part of the technology underlying
Dante audio-over-Ethernet networking
ensures that all connected devices follow a
common timing reference. This is accom-
plished using the industry-standard IEEE
1588-2002 precision time protocol (PTPv1).
Any connected Dante device can be used as
a master clock; there is no requirement that
a dedicated master clock device be utilized
to realize adequate performance. However,
the actual performance can range widely
depending on the specic Dante devices
available and the overall number of Dante
devices on the network.
Many Dante devices utilize the 2- or 4-
channel Ultimo™ integrated circuit to imple-
ment Dante connectivity. While Ultimo
devices will fully support Dante audio trans-
port they are not well suited to serve as a
master clock. Ultimo’s PTP performance
is limited and does not have the ability to
synchronize with an external timing refer-
ence. Other Dante devices use the Brooklyn
II module to support Dante connectivity. In
many cases these devices can provide good
basic performance as a master clock includ-
ing some that allow connection of an exter-
nal source of word clock.
However, problems and limitations may
arise when these devices are called upon
to perform “double duty,” serving both a
primary function (such as analog-to-Dante
interfacing or audio signal processing) as
well as acting as a master clock. This is un-
derstandable as the main purpose of these
devices is to serve a function other than
as a master clock. Timing related features,
such as allowing connection of a video bi- or
tri-level sync signal is rarely, if ever, sup-
ported. And PTP performance can degrade
when the computing power of a device is
intended primarily for handling and manipu-
lating digital audio signals. This can lead to
the required PTP resources being in short
supply when the number of Dante devices
that need timing messages moves into the
hundreds. Also, rmware updates, cabling
changes, and other maintenance tasks
typically associated with a general-purpose
Dante audio device would impact the master
clock functionality for an entire installation.
The Model 5401 was specically designed
to support a Dante-based audio system’s
master clock requirements. The unit’s gen-
eration of audio tones and implementation of
the word clock output utilize hardware that is
separate from that associated with PTP func-
tionality. As such, this secondary functionality
will not interfere with PTP operation. Unlike a
general-purpose audio device, once mount-
ed in an equipment rack and the required
interconnections are made, the Model 5401
will perform its tasks without risk of interrup-
tion due to conicting resource demands.
Overall Networking Capability
Using the Dante Controller application
program the Model 5401’s two Gigabit
Ethernet ports can be selected to operate in
one of three modes: Switched, Redundant,
and Pri Dante/Sec Mgmt. In the Switched
mode, a single Ethernet connection to either
of the Model 5401’s Ethernet ports will pro-
vide Dante master clock functionality as well
as access to the Model 5401’s management
webpages. The remaining Model 5401 Eth-
ernet port will provide network “loop-through”
capability and can be used to interface with
another piece of Ethernet-connected equip-
ment. In the Redundant mode, two inde-
pendent Ethernet connections are made to
