Method and system for isochronous data stream management in high speed audio/video networks

An audio/video (AV) device, comprising:

• a stream management module that uses forwarding information including dynamic lane information to communicate AV path set-up request and response control messages between, the AV device and a peer AV device connected via a communication link, wherein the AV device includes multiple input/output (I/O) ports including multiple communication lanes for connecting the AV device to the peer AV device via the communication link, wherein the multiple communication lanes are selectively assigned;
• and
• a physical layer for communicating data between the AV device and the peer AV device;
• wherein the stream management module uses the forwarding information to establish AV path streams for isochronous AV data streaming between a source AV device and a destination AV device, and to stream isochronous AV data between the source AV device and the destination AV device in a switched network of AV devices, wherein a portion of the multiple communication lanes are selectively used for AV data communication in one direction and a remaining portion of the multiple communication lanes are enabled for AV data communication in a different direction.

An audio/video (AV) stream management system, comprising:

• a switched network of AV devices serially connected via communication links;
• wherein at least one of said AV devices comprises:
• a stream management module that uses forwarding information including dynamic lane information to communicate AV path set-up request and response control messages between said AV device and a peer AV device connected via a communication link, wherein each AV device includes multiple input/output (I/O) ports including multiple communication lanes for connecting the AV device to a peer AV device via the communication link, wherein the multiple communication lanes are selectively assigned;
• and
• a physical layer for communicating data between said AV device and the peer AV device;
• wherein the stream management module uses the forwarding information to establish AV path streams for isochronous AV data streaming between a source AV device and a destination AV device, and to stream isochronous AV data between the source AV device and the destination AV device in a switched network of said AV devices, wherein a portion of the multiple communication lanes are selectively used for AV data communication in one direction and a remaining portion of the multiple communication lanes are enabled for AV data communication in a different direction.