Digital audio - Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying IEC 60958 - Part 6: Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to the MPEG-2 AAC format

Specifies the method for the digital audio interface specified in IEC 60958 to convey non-linear PCM bitstreams encoded in accordance with the MPEG-2 AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) format.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
07-Aug-2002
Current Stage
DELPUB - Deleted Publication
Start Date
25-Jan-2006
Completion Date
26-Oct-2025

Relations

Effective Date
05-Sep-2023
Effective Date
05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC 61937-6:2002 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies the method for transmitting non-linear Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) encoded audio bitstreams over digital audio interfaces. Specifically, this part of IEC 61937 defines the approach to convey bitstreams encoded in the MPEG-2 Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) format through the IEC 60958 digital audio interface. MPEG-2 AAC, a widely adopted audio coding format defined by ISO/IEC 13818-7, offers efficient compression of high-quality audio and is used extensively in broadcasting and multimedia applications.

This standard ensures interoperability and consistency in digital audio transmission by establishing detailed requirements for data-burst formatting, synchronization, latency management, and compatibility with existing IEC 60958 interfaces. It enables manufacturers and system designers to implement robust and standardized digital audio interfaces for MPEG-2 AAC content, facilitating seamless integration across consumer electronics, professional audio equipment, and digital broadcasting systems.

Key Topics

  • Digital Audio Interface Specification
    IEC 61937-6 defines how non-linear PCM audio bitstreams encoded as MPEG-2 AAC data-bursts should be mapped onto the IEC 60958 digital audio interface protocol, ensuring standardized communication.

  • Bitstream and Data-Burst Formatting
    The standard details the construction of data-bursts including burst preambles, payloads containing complete MPEG-2 AAC Audio Data Transport Stream (ADTS) frames, and stuffing bits for timing alignment.

  • Pause Data-Bursts
    To fill stream gaps and maintain continuous transmission, the standard specifies the use of Pause data-bursts with recommended repetition periods, enhancing stream integrity and decoder synchronization.

  • Latency Management
    It defines latency as the sum of receiving delay and decoding delay, providing formulas and examples for calculating latency values. The recommended maximum latency is approximately 42.62 ms for synchronization with video signals.

  • Synchronization and Timing
    The standard establishes reference points for data-bursts occurring every 1,024 sampling periods with exact timing, ensuring precise synchronization between audio frames and external systems.

  • Compliance with Related IEC Standards
    IEC 61937-6 builds upon and complies with IEC 60958-1, IEC 60958-3, IEC 61937-1, and IEC 61937-2, integrating seamlessly with the broader family of digital audio interface standards.

Applications

  • Digital Broadcasting Systems
    IEC 61937-6 enables reliable transport of MPEG-2 AAC audio streams in digital television, satellite, and cable broadcasting, ensuring high-quality audio delivery synchronized to video.

  • Consumer Audio and Multimedia Devices
    This standard guides the implementation of digital audio interfaces in home theatre receivers, set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, and gaming consoles that support AAC audio decoding.

  • Professional Audio Equipment
    Audio production and post-production systems use this standard to facilitate standardized interconnection and transmission of compressed audio bitstreams between devices.

  • Automotive Multimedia Systems
    It supports in-vehicle infotainment systems requiring transmission of efficient, compressed high-fidelity audio over digital interfaces.

  • Streaming and Networked Audio Solutions
    IEC 61937-6 underpins protocols for streaming devices and networked audio equipment that handle AAC audio via standardized digital interfaces.

Related Standards

  • IEC 60958: Digital Audio Interface
    Defines the general digital audio interface protocol upon which IEC 61937-6 data-bursts are mapped.

  • IEC 61937-1 & IEC 61937-2: Non-linear PCM Bitstreams
    Provide the foundation for bitstream structure, burst-information, and stream gap handling used in IEC 61937-6.

  • ISO/IEC 13818-7: MPEG-2 AAC Audio Coding
    Specifies the AAC audio coding format used for non-linear PCM encoding referenced in IEC 61937-6.

  • IEC 60958-3: Consumer Applications
    Enhances IEC 60958 functionality tailored to consumer digital audio devices.

By adhering to IEC 61937-6:2002, manufacturers and engineers ensure interoperability and reliable digital transmission of MPEG-2 AAC audio over standardized external interfaces, supporting the growing demand for high-quality, compressed audio in various multimedia environments. This leads to enhanced audio experience in broadcasting, consumer electronics, and professional audio workflows.

Standard

IEC 61937-6:2002 - Digital audio - Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying IEC 60958 - Part 6: Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to the MPEG-2 AAC format Released:8/8/2002 Isbn:2831865239

English language
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Frequently Asked Questions

IEC 61937-6:2002 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 6: Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to the MPEG-2 AAC format". This standard covers: Specifies the method for the digital audio interface specified in IEC 60958 to convey non-linear PCM bitstreams encoded in accordance with the MPEG-2 AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) format.

Specifies the method for the digital audio interface specified in IEC 60958 to convey non-linear PCM bitstreams encoded in accordance with the MPEG-2 AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) format.

IEC 61937-6:2002 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 33.160.60 - Multimedia systems and teleconferencing equipment; 35.040.40 - Coding of audio, video, multimedia and hypermedia information. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

IEC 61937-6:2002 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to IEC 61937:2000, IEC 61937-6:2006. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

IEC 61937-6:2002 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


INTERNATIONAL IEC
STANDARD
61937-6
First edition
2002-08
Digital audio –
Interface for non-linear PCM encoded
audio bitstreams applying IEC 60958 –
Part 6:
Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to
the MPEG-2 AAC format
Reference number
Publication numbering
As from 1 January 1997 all IEC publications are issued with a designation in the

60000 series. For example, IEC 34-1 is now referred to as IEC 60034-1.

Consolidated editions
The IEC is now publishing consolidated versions of its publications. For example,

edition numbers 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 refer, respectively, to the base publication, the

base publication incorporating amendment 1 and the base publication incorporating

amendments 1 and 2.
Further information on IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC,
thus ensuring that the content reflects current technology. Information relating to
this publication, including its validity, is available in the IEC Catalogue of
publications (see below) in addition to new editions, amendments and corrigenda.
Information on the subjects under consideration and work in progress undertaken
by the technical committee which has prepared this publication, as well as the list
of publications issued, is also available from the following:
• IEC Web Site (www.iec.ch)
• Catalogue of IEC publications
The on-line catalogue on the IEC web site (www.iec.ch/catlg-e.htm) enables
you to search by a variety of criteria including text searches, technical
committees and date of publication. On-line information is also available on
recently issued publications, withdrawn and replaced publications, as well as
corrigenda.
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This summary of recently issued publications (www.iec.ch/JP.htm) is also
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• Customer Service Centre
If you have any questions regarding this publication or need further assistance,
please contact the Customer Service Centre:
Email: custserv@iec.ch
Tel: +41 22 919 02 11
Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
INTERNATIONAL IEC
STANDARD
61937-6
First edition
2002-08
Digital audio –
Interface for non-linear PCM encoded
audio bitstreams applying IEC 60958 –
Part 6:
Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to
the MPEG-2 AAC format
 IEC 2002  Copyright - all rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Electrotechnical Commission, 3, rue de Varembé, PO Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Telephone: +41 22 919 02 11 Telefax: +41 22 919 03 00 E-mail: inmail@iec.ch  Web: www.iec.ch
PRICE CODE
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
G
International Electrotechnical Commission
Международная Электротехническая Комиссия
For price, see current catalogue

– 2 – 61937-6  IEC:2002(E)
CONTENTS
1 Scope . 4

2 Normative references. 4

3 Definitions and terminology. 4

4 Mapping of the audio bitstream on to IEC 61937-1. 5

5 Format of MPEG-2 AAC data-bursts . 5

5.1 General . 5

5.2 Pause data-burst . 5

5.3 Audio data-bursts . 5
5.3.1 The data MPEG-2 AAC . 5
5.3.2 Latency of MPEG-2 AAC decoding. 6
Figure 1 – MPEG-2 AAC data-burst. 6
Figure 2 – Latency of MPEG-2 AAC decoding . 7
Table 1 – Fields of burst-info.5
Table 2 – Repetition period of Pause data-bursts . 5
Table 3 – Data-type-dependent information for data-type MPEG-2 AAC . 6

61937-6  IEC:2002(E) – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________
DIGITAL AUDIO –
INTERFACE FOR NON-LINEAR PCM ENCODED

AUDIO BITSTREAMS APPLYING IEC 60958 –

Part 6: Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to

the MPEG-2 AAC format
FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, the IEC publishes International Standards. Their preparation is
entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may
participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. The IEC collaborates closely with the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the
two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of the IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an
international consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation
from all interested National Committees.
3) The documents produced have the form of recommendations for international use and are published in the form
of standards, technical specifications, technical reports or guides and they are accepted by the National
Committees in that sense.
4) In order to promote international unification, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC International
Standards transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional standards. Any
divergence between the IEC Standard and the corresponding national or regional standard shall be clearly
indicated in the latter.
5) The IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with one of its standards.
6) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject
of patent rights. The IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61937-6 has been prepared by technical area 4, Digital system
interfaces, of IEC technical committee 100: Audio, video and multimedia systems and
equipment.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
100/500/FDIS 100/536/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
2005. At this date, the publication will be:
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
– 4 – 61937-6  IEC:2002(E)
DIGITAL AUDIO –
INTERFACE FOR NON-LINEAR PCM ENCODED

AUDIO BITSTREAMS APPLYING IEC 60958 –

Part 6: Non-linear PCM bitstreams according to

the MPEG-2 AAC format
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61937 specifies the method for the digital audio interface specified in
IEC 60958 to convey non-linear PCM bitstreams encoded in accordance with the MPEG-2
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) format.
NOTE MPEG-2 AAC is specified in ISO/IEC 13818-7.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60958-1, Digital audio interface – Part 1: General
IEC 60958-3, Digital audio interface – Part 3: Consumer applications
IEC 61937-1, Digital audio – Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying
IEC 60958 – Part 1: General
IEC 61937-2, Digital audio – Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying
IEC 60958 – Part 2: Burst-information
ISO/IEC 13818-7, Information technology – Generic coding of moving pictures and associated
audio information – Part 7: Advanced Audio Coding (AAC)
3 Definitions and terminology
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions apply.

3.1.1
LC profile
low complexity profile identified in ISO/IEC 13818-7: MPEG-2 AAC standard
3.1.2
latency
delay time of an external audio decoder to decode a MPEG-2 AAC data-burst defined as the
sum of two values of the receiving delay time and the decoding delay time
3.2 Abbreviations
AAC Advanced Audio Coding
ADTS Audio Data Transport Stream
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To be published.
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