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Wheatstone will demonstrate a new hitless failover redundancy option for its WheatNet IP audio network at the 2026 NAB Show, designed to maintain the continuous operation of critical broadcast infrastructure.
The company said the new capability is available for its Blade 4 I/O access units as well as mix engines used with the LXE and Strata console platforms. According to Wheatstone, the feature allows WheatNet IP facilities to switch automatically to a backup I/O unit or console mix engine without interrupting audio or network traffic.
Wheatstone said the approach differs from traditional failover systems, which can introduce a brief pause during a switch to a backup component. The company says its hitless redundancy technology eliminates packet loss, making the system suitable for live video workflows using SMPTE-2022-7 as well as for audio networking environments based on AES67.
According to Wheatstone, the redundancy architecture uses dual mix engines or I/O Blades that remain synchronized in real time. If a primary Blade 4 or a mix engine fails, the backup unit automatically takes over, maintaining uninterrupted operation.
The system uses a high-frequency “heartbeat” signal between the primary and backup units to monitor system status and trigger failover if a fault occurs. Wheatstone said system status is displayed in the WheatNet IP Navigator management software, where operators can also initiate manual failover during maintenance or system upgrades.
The company said the hitless redundancy technology was first introduced as an option for its Arcus IP audio console for television sound, which debuted at the 2025 NAB Show.
Wheatstone will demonstrate the hitless failover redundancy feature at the 2026 NAB Show, booth C1051.
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