Digital audio - Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying IEC 60958 - Part 9: Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to the MAT format

IEC 61937-9:2017(E) describes the method to convey non-linear PCM bitstreams encoded according to the MAT format.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2007. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: addition of new frame rates.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
09-Aug-2017
Current Stage
PPUB - Publication issued
Start Date
10-Aug-2017
Completion Date
11-Sep-2017

Relations

Effective Date
05-Sep-2023

IEC 61937-9:2017 Overview

IEC 61937-9:2017 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies the interface method for non-linear Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) encoded audio bitstreams conforming to the Metadata-enhanced Audio Transmission (MAT) format. It builds upon the foundation of IEC 60958 digital audio interfaces and delivers a standardized approach for conveying non-linear PCM bitstreams according to the MAT format. This second edition, published in 2017, supersedes the 2007 first edition and includes significant technical revisions such as the addition of new frame rates to improve synchronization with video frame rates.

Key objectives of this standard include enabling accurate data transmission of MAT bitstreams through the IEC 61937 interface and ensuring interoperability between transmitting devices and receivers implementing MAT decoding.


Key Topics Covered

  • Scope and Application: Defines the method for conveying non-linear PCM bitstreams encoded via MAT over IEC 60958-compliant digital interfaces.

  • Mapping of Audio Bitstreams: Details the use of IEC 61937-1 and IEC 61937-2 to map MAT data into appropriate data bursts for transmission, including use of burst-info metadata fields.

  • MAT Data-Burst Format: Specifies the structure of the MAT data-burst, including headers and payload containing a single complete MAT frame-crucial for correct decoding and synchronization.

  • Pause Data-Bursts: Defines the timing and repetition rate of pause data-bursts to maintain continuous data stream integrity.

  • Frame Rates and Synchronization: Includes tables defining fractional and integer MAT audio frame rates, their shorthand notation, and repetition periods aligned with common video frame rates such as 59.94 fps and 119.88 fps to ensure video-audio sync.

  • Decoding Latency: Details on latency components which help transmitters schedule data-bursts for synchronization with video signals.

  • Latency and Burst Timing Tables: Provides specific repetition periods in IEC 60958 frames correlated to different MAT audio sampling frequencies (e.g., 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 96 kHz) to optimize timing compliance.


Practical Applications

  • Professional Audio Equipment: Ensures compatibility between digital audio transmitters and receivers in professional audio and multimedia production environments.

  • Broadcast and Streaming Systems: Enhances synchronization between digital audio streams and video content, especially important in broadcasting and video streaming setups where MAT audio encoding is utilized.

  • Consumer Audio Devices: Enables standardized MAT transmission over common digital audio interfaces (e.g., SPDIF), facilitating better interoperability and user experience in home entertainment systems.

  • Multimedia Equipment Development: Assists device manufacturers in implementing compliant digital audio interfaces that support advanced non-linear PCM formats under MAT.

  • Synchronization in Video Production: Critical for aligning audio bitstreams with video frame rates to avoid lip-sync errors in film, TV production, and live events.


Related Standards

  • IEC 60958: The foundational digital audio interface standard defining physical and data layer specifications for linear and non-linear PCM audio transmission.

  • IEC 61937-1: Defines the general requirements for transmitting non-linear PCM encoded bitstreams via IEC 60958.

  • IEC 61937-2: Governs the burst-info fields used in the transmission protocol essential for identifying data types and controlling data-burst repetition.

  • Metadata-enhanced Audio Transmission (MAT): The audio coding format defining non-linear PCM streams embedding metadata for enhanced audio quality and channel management.

  • ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2: Provides guidance on the preparation and drafting of international electrification standards like IEC 61937-9.


Keywords: IEC 61937-9, MAT format, non-linear PCM, digital audio interface, IEC 60958, audio bitstreams, IEEE audio synchronization, digital audio standards, metadata-enhanced audio, MAT data-burst, audio-video synchronization, audio frame rate, IEC standards.

Standard

IEC 61937-9:2017 - Digital audio - Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying IEC 60958 - Part 9: Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to the MAT format

English language
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Frequently Asked Questions

IEC 61937-9:2017 is a standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its full title is "Digital audio - Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying IEC 60958 - Part 9: Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to the MAT format". This standard covers: IEC 61937-9:2017(E) describes the method to convey non-linear PCM bitstreams encoded according to the MAT format. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2007. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: addition of new frame rates.

IEC 61937-9:2017(E) describes the method to convey non-linear PCM bitstreams encoded according to the MAT format. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2007. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: addition of new frame rates.

IEC 61937-9:2017 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 33.160.30 - Audio systems; 35.040 - Information coding. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

IEC 61937-9:2017 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to IEC 61937-9:2007. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

You can purchase IEC 61937-9:2017 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of IEC standards.

Standards Content (Sample)


IEC 61937-9 ®
Edition 2.0 2017-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Digital audio – Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying
IEC 60958 –
Part 9: Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to the MAT format
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IEC 61937-9 ®
Edition 2.0 2017-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Digital audio – Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying

IEC 60958 –
Part 9: Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to the MAT format

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.160.30; 35.040 ISBN 978-2-8322-4702-0

– 2 – IEC 61937-9:2017 © IEC 2017
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 5
3.4 Abbreviated terms . 6
4 Mapping of the audio bitstream on to IEC 61937-1 . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 MAT burst-info . 6
5 Format of MAT data-bursts . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 Pause data-burst . 7
5.3 Audio data-bursts . 7
5.3.1 The MAT data . 7
5.3.2 Latency of the MAT decoder . 10
Bibliography . 11

Figure 1 – MAT data-burst . 7
Figure 2 – Latency of MAT decoding . 10

Table 1 – Shorthand notation for fractional frame rates . 6
Table 2 – Fields of burst-info . 6
Table 3 – Repetition period of the pause data-bursts . 7
Table 4 – Data-type-dependent information for MAT . 7
Table 5 – Sampling frequency of MAT-encoded audio and IEC 60958 frame rate . 8
Table 6 – MAT audio frame rate and corresponding data-burst repetition period for
video-frame-aligned MAT bitstreams . 8
Table 7 – MAT data-burst sequence and repetition period variance to ensure MAT
audio frame alignment at 59,94 and 119,88 fps . 8
Table 8 – MAT data-burst: meaning of Pc bits 8 to 11 when bit 12 of Pc = 1 . 9
Table 9 – Maximum burst-length values per MAT data-burst repetition period . 9

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
DIGITAL AUDIO –
INTERFACE FOR NON-LINEAR PCM ENCODED AUDIO
BITSTREAMS APPLYING IEC 60958 –

Part 9: Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to the MAT format

FOREWORD
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International Standard IEC 61937-9 has been prepared by technical area 4: Digital system
interfaces and protocols, of IEC technical committee 100: Audio, video and multimedia
systems and equipment.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2007. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) addition of new frame rates.

– 4 – IEC 61937-9:2017 © IEC 2017
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
100/2721/CDV 100/2933/RVC
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61973 series, published under the general title Digital audio –
Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying IEC 60958, can be found on
the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document
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