Bi-directional AES/EBU Digital Audio and Remote Power over a single Cable

Although the AES/EBU digital audio standard has already been adapted to optical, twisted pair [1] and coaxial cables [2]. This paper explores cabling options for new and emerging applications of digital audio communications. Enabling features include remotely powering devices over the audio cable and bi-directional communications. Remote power benefits both ends of the audio reproduction chain: microphones and instrument pickups on the input end and loudspeakers and headphones on the output end. Bi-directionality is an important feature because so many audio applications have inputs and outputs that are physically proximate, e.g., headset microphones with monitoring, stage boxes, and signal processing effects.