Ascent provides up to 32 channels of AES3, Analog and AES67 channels in two form factors, and is the industry’s first audio codec to support Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) protocol for reliability and security

CINCINNATI, March 7, 2019 — GatesAir, a global leader in wireless, over-the-air content delivery solutions for radio and TV broadcasters, will unveil Intraplex® Ascent, a scalable, multichannel Audio over IP transport solution that addresses the convergence of broadcast operations with IT infrastructure. Introduced as a technology demonstration at IBC in September, the 2019 NAB Show marks the official introduction of the complete working solution.

Ascent offers a direct connection to traditional digital and analog audio interfaces, and is compliant with both the AES67 standard and today’s leading AoIP networking solutions (Ravenna, LiveWire+ and Dante). Ascent is available in two form factors: a 1RU server, with configurable options for physical and AES67 channels; and a software-only solution that operates in a virtualized container. Both versions support up to 32 audio channels (AES3, AES67, analog) and are interoperable with most Intraplex Audio over IP codecs. GatesAir will demonstrate each at its NAB booth (N3303) from April 8-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The software-defined innovation is GatesAir’s first Intraplex system to live on a COTS x86 server, and provides broadcasters with a highly scalable, redundant and cloud-based transport platform for multichannel contribution and distribution. The platform streamlines installation and management by removing the need for many separate codecs and auxiliary hardware components, freeing multiple equipment racks in enterprise-level facilities.

Ascent adds further value by allowing users to manage many Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) streams on a centralized platform – an industry-first in Audio over IP networking for broadcasters. SRT is a low-latency open source media streaming protocol which provides packet encryption and re-transmission capabilities for reliability and security. To further strengthen stream robustness and reliability, Ascent integrates Dynamic Stream Splicing (DSS), an Intraplex technology that diversifies SRT data across redundant networks. The addition of DSS to SRT will add protection against certain types of packet losses and complete network failures.

“Audio over IP has become a widely accepted technology, with a growing number of hardware and software solutions for broadcasters to choose from,” said Keyur Parikh, Vice President and General Manager, Intraplex Product Line. “As an early innovator of Audio over IP codecs and networking solutions for broadcasters, GatesAir is taking the next logical step for our customers with direct integration into the IT infrastructure. With our Dynamic Stream Splicing application and SRT capability to fortify stream security and reliability, our customers now have a simple platform to manage many channels coming in and out of the studio or headend – all on a single, highly-redundant, multi-core server.”

About GatesAir   

GatesAir, Inc., a portfolio company of The Gores Group, provides complete solutions for over-the-air radio and television broadcasting, leveraging wireless spectrum to maximize performance for multichannel, mission-critical services. Powering over-the-air networks worldwide with unparalleled reliability for nearly 100 years, GatesAir’s turnkey solutions enable broadcasters to create, transport and transmit radio and TV content.  With customers in more than 185 countries, the company leads the industry in innovation and design breakthroughs, improving efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership with all products designed and assembled in the USA. Visit www.gatesair.com for more information, Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gatesair, and follow us on Twitter at @GatesAir.

About The Gores Group

The Gores Group, founded in 1987 by Alec Gores, is a global investment firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can benefit from the firm’s operating experience and flexible capital base. The firm combines the operational expertise and detailed due diligence capabilities of a strategic buyer with the seasoned M&A team of a traditional financial buyer. Over its 30-year history, The Gores Group has become a leading investor having demonstrated a reliable track record of creating value in its portfolio companies alongside management. Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Gores Group maintains offices in Boulder, CO, and London. For more information, please visit http://www.gores.com.