Open Control Architecture standardised as AES70

Open Control Architecture (OCA), an open control and monitoring standard for pro-audio and AV media network devices, has been standardised by the Audio Engineering Society Standards Committee (AESSC) in the new AES70-2015 standard for audio applications of networks – Open Control Architecture publication.

With the ratification of OCA as AES70, it is now an official public open standard.

"AES70 represents another important step towards the interoperable networked working environment that audio professionals will rely on," said Bruce Olson, chair for the AESSC. "The AES will continue to develop the standards necessary to enhance these tools."

According to the OCA, combining AES70 system control with standard media transport will bring a complete media network solution to the market, one in which devices from diverse manufacturers can readily interoperate. In particular, AES70 includes a complete Discovery specification which will complement media transport standards and solutions such as AES67. However, AES70 may be implemented with any media transport mechanism, including AVB/TSN and analogue cable.

Speaking for the OCA Alliance, Jeff Berryman, chair of the OCA Technical Workgroup and the AES writing group for AES70, said: “The availability of an interoperable control, configuration, monitoring, and diagnostic architecture for media networks will provide new opportunities for highly integrated systems. Such systems will be able to exchange control data and information in ways previously not possible.”

“This is another major step towards making the OCA/AES70 vision a reality. One where all network devices are talking the same remote control language, AES70. In this emerging world, media system integrators and users will be free to choose the best products for their own purposes, with few compatibility concerns," added Marc Weber, chair of the OCA Marketing workgroup. "Systems will have long service lifetimes with rich on-going upgradeability. The OCA Alliance and the AES are looking forward to the growth of a media network ecosystem that will offer standardised system control capabilities for professional audio and AV products and systems.”

http://www.aes.org/standards
http://www.oca-alliance.com