Unifying multiple audio bus interfaces in audio system

Abstract

Systems and methods for unifying multiple audio bus interfaces in an audio system are disclosed herein. In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes: a master slave audio device including a first control circuit; and a slave audio device, the slave audio device comprising a second control circuit. The master slave audio device and the slave slave audio device are communicatively coupled via a slave state link, and the first control circuit and the second control circuit are each configured to receive mode instructions from the master audio device indicating operation in one of a split mode and a unified mode. The second control circuit is configured to transmit a slave state to the master audio device via a second control channel when operating in the separate mode, and to transmit a slave state to the master slave audio device via a slave state link when operating in the unified mode.

Description

[0001] Priority application

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application serial number 18 / 178,010, filed on March 3, 2023, entitled “UNIFYING MULTIPLE AUDIO BUSINTERFACES IN AN AUDIO SYSTEM,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. background

[0003] I. Technical Field

[0004] The technology of the present disclosure generally relates to audio systems, more particularly to SOUNDWIRE audio systems, and even more particularly to audio bus interfaces using the SOUNDWIRE protocol.

[0005] II. Background Technology

[0006] Mobile communication devices are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in today's society. This popularity is due in part to the many features now enabled on these devices. The increased processing power in these devices has meant that mobile communication devices have evolved from mere communication tools to sophisticated mobile entertainment centers, enabling an enhanced user experience. These mobile communication devices typically include at least one microphone and multiple speakers. These microphones and speakers typically have analog interfaces that require a dedicated two-wire connection between each pair of devices. Because mobile communication devices are capable of supporting multiple audio devices, it may be desirable to allow a microprocessor or other control device in the mobile communication device to simultaneously communicate audio data to multiple audio devices via a common communication bus.

[0007] In this regard, MIPI ® The Alliance initially developed the Serial Low-Power Interchip Media Bus (SLIMbus). SM or SLIMBUS) to handle audio signals in mobile communication devices. The first version was announced in October 2005, and v1.01 was released on December 3, 2008. In response to industry feedback, MIPI also developed SoundWire SM SOUNDWIRE is a communications protocol for a processor in a mobile communication device ("master") to control the distribution of digital audio streams between one or more audio devices ("slaves") via one or more SOUNDWIRE slave data ports. Version 1 was released on January 21, 2015. Version 1.2 was released in April 2019, and the standard is still evolving and requires further innovation. MIPI members are currently discussing version 1.4.

[0008] Some conventional implementations of SOUNDWIRE audio devices may employ two separate SOUNDWIRE links, with a first SOUNDWIRE master and slave audio device pair handling data transmission, and a second SOUNDWIRE master and slave audio device pair handling data reception. However, some computing platforms may require the use of only a single SOUNDWIRE link, which makes the use of multiple pairs of SOUNDWIRE devices impractical. This issue could be addressed by increasing the number of ports provided by each SOUNDWIRE device, but this approach would increase the physical size, power consumption, and integration complexity of such devices, which may be undesirable. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Various aspects disclosed in the detailed description include systems and methods for unifying multiple audio bus interfaces in an audio system. In this regard, the audio system provides multiple slave audio devices, one of which is designated as a "master slave audio device" and the other slave audio devices as "slave slave audio devices." The master slave audio device and the slave slave audio devices can be selectively configured to operate in a unified mode or a split mode. In the unified mode, the master slave audio device and the slave slave audio devices are configured to communicate with a single master audio device using a single audio bus interface. The master slave audio device performs functionality for aggregating status information (e.g., slave status and / or interrupt status, as a non-limiting example) from the slave slave audio devices and communicates such status information to the master audio device on behalf of the slave slave audio devices. Each of the slave slave audio devices sends status information to the master slave audio device instead of the master audio device, and may also use port offsets and / or physical layer offsets to make the ports, port configuration registers, physical layer (PHY) elements, and / or physical layer configuration registers of the slave slave audio devices appear to be connected to corresponding elements of the master slave audio device. In split mode, the audio bus interfaces of the primary and secondary slave audio devices operate independently in a manner similar to conventional operation, allowing each audio bus interface to connect to a different primary audio device. In this manner, exemplary aspects of the present disclosure provide a way to unify or separate slave audio devices (such as SOUNDWIRE devices), enabling support for different computing platform requirements without incurring additional physical area or power consumption.

[0010] In another aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) is provided. The IC includes a primary slave audio device, the primary slave audio device including a first control circuit and a first audio bus interface, the first audio bus interface including a first control channel and a first plurality of data channels. The IC also includes a secondary slave audio device, the secondary slave audio device including a second control circuit and a second audio bus interface, the second audio bus interface including a second control channel and a second plurality of data channels. The primary slave audio device and the secondary slave audio device are communicatively coupled via a slave state link, and the first control circuit and the second control circuit are each configured to receive a mode instruction from the primary audio device indicating operation in one of a split mode and a unified mode. The second control circuit is configured to, when operating in the split mode, transmit a slave state of the secondary slave audio device to the primary audio device via the second control channel. The second control circuit is further configured to, when operating in the unified mode, transmit the slave state of the secondary slave audio device to the primary slave audio device via the slave state link.

[0011] In another aspect, a method for unifying multiple audio bus interfaces is provided. The method includes receiving, by control circuitry of a slave audio device, a first mode instruction from a master audio device indicating operation in a unified mode. The method also includes, while operating in the unified mode, transmitting, by the control circuitry, a first slave state of the slave audio device to the master slave audio device via a slave state link that communicatively couples the slave audio device and the master slave audio device.

[0012] In another aspect, a method for unifying multiple audio bus interfaces is provided. The method includes receiving, by control circuitry of a primary slave audio device, a mode instruction from a master audio device indicating operation in a unified mode. The method also includes, while operating in the unified mode, receiving, by the control circuitry, a slave state of the subordinate slave audio device via a slave state link communicatively coupling the subordinate slave audio device and the primary slave audio device. The method also includes transmitting, by the control circuitry, the slave state of the subordinate slave audio device and the slave state of the primary slave audio device to the master audio device via a control channel of the primary slave audio device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1A and Figure 1B is a block diagram of exemplary topologies of audio systems in different configurations using one (1) or two (2) audio buses, such as the SOUNDWIRE audio bus;

[0014] Figure 2A and Figure 2B They are from Figure 1A and Figure 1B A block diagram of a master audio device and a slave audio device configured in a configuration;

[0015] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an audio system according to some aspects, the audio system including a master slave audio device and a slave slave audio device configured to operate in a unified mode, wherein both communicate with a single master audio device using a single audio bus interface;

[0016] Figure 4 This is an example based on some aspects Figure 2A and Figure 2B A block diagram of an audio system in which a master slave audio device and slave slave audio devices configured to operate in a split mode communicate with a separate master audio device using separate audio bus interfaces;

[0017] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Illustrated according to some aspects Figure 3 and Figure 4 Example operations performed by the slave audio device when operating in unified mode and split mode;

[0018] Figure 6A and Figure 6B Illustrated according to some aspects Figure 3 and Figure 4 exemplary operations performed when the primary slave audio device operates in unified mode; and

[0019] 7A to 7C Yes, it can include Figure 3 and Figure 4 A block diagram of an exemplary processor-based system for an audio system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] With reference now to the accompanying drawings, several exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are described. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

[0021] Various aspects disclosed in the detailed description include systems and methods for unifying multiple audio bus interfaces in an audio system. In this regard, the audio system provides multiple slave audio devices, one of which is designated as a "master slave audio device" and the other slave audio devices as "slave slave audio devices." The master slave audio device and the slave slave audio devices can be selectively configured to operate in a unified mode or a split mode. In the unified mode, the master slave audio device and the slave slave audio devices are configured to communicate with a single master audio device using a single audio bus interface. The master slave audio device performs functionality for aggregating status information (e.g., slave status and / or interrupt status, as a non-limiting example) from the slave slave audio devices and communicates such status information to the master audio device on behalf of the slave slave audio devices. Each of the slave slave audio devices sends status information to the master slave audio device instead of the master audio device, and may also use port offsets and / or physical layer offsets to make the ports, port configuration registers, physical layer (PHY) elements, and / or physical layer configuration registers of the slave slave audio devices appear to be connected to corresponding elements of the master slave audio device. In split mode, the audio bus interfaces of the primary and secondary slave audio devices operate independently in a manner similar to conventional operation, allowing each audio bus interface to connect to a different primary audio device. In this manner, exemplary aspects of the present disclosure provide a way to unify or separate slave audio devices (such as SOUNDWIRE devices), enabling support for different computing platform requirements without incurring additional physical area or power consumption.

[0022] The present disclosure is well suited for use with next generation SOUNDWIRE audio systems, such as those set forth in the draft specifications for SOUNDWIRE-I3S v0.4r08 (January 23, 2020) or v0.4r09, copies of which are available to MIPI members. Such audio systems rely on a differential audio bus having at least two conductors (DP (Data Positive), DN (Data Negative)) for each channel. There may be up to eight (8) channels (i.e., up to sixteen conductors) in such a bus. In the following references Figure 3 Before proceeding to address certain aspects of the present disclosure in more detail, Figure 1A and Figure 1B An overview of different audio system configurations is presented in Figure 2A and Figure 2B The block diagrams of the master audio device and the slave audio device are presented separately.

[0023] In this regard, Figure 1AA first audio system 100 is illustrated that includes a master audio device 102 coupled to an audio bus 104 via a bus interface 106, and a slave audio device 108 coupled to the audio bus 104 via a bus interface 110. In some aspects, the audio bus 104 can be a differential audio bus and can extend along a broad linear signal path on a physical medium. The audio bus 104 can be coupled to additional slave audio devices (not shown) in various topologies and at varying distances from the master audio device 102.

[0024] Figure 1B The second audio system 112 is illustrated as being employable, for example, in a mobile computing platform where more than one audio bus and corresponding bus interfaces are used. Figure 1B As can be seen, a first master audio device 114 and a first slave audio device 116 are coupled to a first audio bus 118 via respective bus interfaces 120 and 122 , while a second master audio device 124 and a second slave audio device 126 are coupled to a second audio bus 128 via respective bus interfaces 130 and 132 . Figure 1B The configuration illustrated in FIG can be used in an implementation in which the first audio bus 118 and the second audio bus 128 each carry data in different directions. For example, the first audio bus 118 can be used to carry data sent by a microphone, while the second audio bus 128 can be used to carry data received by a speaker.

[0025] Figure 2A An exemplary host audio device such as Figure 1A and Figure 1B The main audio devices 102, 114 and 124 are shown in FIG. 1 , wherein a block diagram of the main audio device 200 is provided. The main audio device 200 may be, for example, Figure 1A The main audio device 200 may further include a bus interface 202, which may be a physical layer (PHY) element (in the Figure 2A ) 204 or may work with the PHY element, which is configured to couple to the audio bus 206, which corresponds functionally to the Figure 1A and Figure 1B The main audio device 200 may include an internal bus 208 that connects the main control circuit (in the Figure 2A ) 210 is coupled to the PHY element 204 and a memory 212 and / or registers 214.

[0026] Figure 2B A block diagram of an exemplary slave audio device 216 is provided, which corresponds to Figure 1A and Figure 1B The slave audio devices 108, 116 and 126. The slave audio device 216 may be a microphone, a speaker, a codec, a DSP, etc. The slave audio device 216 may include a bus interface 218, which may be a PHY element (in Figure 2B ) 220 or may work with the PHY element, which is configured to couple to an audio bus 222, which corresponds functionally to the Figure 1A and Figure 1B The audio bus 104, 118 and 128 of the slave audio device 216 may include an internal bus 224, which is connected to the control circuit (in Figure 2B 2) 226 is coupled to the PHY 220 and registers 228. In addition, the slave audio device 216 may include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) or an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (in Figure 2B ) 230 , the DAC or the ADC may be coupled to an input or output element 232 .

[0027] As discussed above, some general implementations of SOUNDWIRE audio devices may Figure 1BThe approach illustrated in the text uses two separate SOUNDWIRE links. However, some computing platforms may require the use of only a single SOUNDWIRE link, which makes the use of multiple pairs of SOUNDWIRE devices impractical. Therefore, some exemplary aspects disclosed herein provide a mechanism for unifying multiple audio bus interfaces (such as SOUNDWIRE) in an audio system. In such aspects, the audio system provides a single audio bus (e.g., a SOUNDWIRE bus) for connectivity coupling a master audio device to multiple slave audio devices. One of the slave audio devices is designated as a "master slave audio device," while the remaining slave audio devices are designated as "slave slave audio devices." The master slave audio device and the slave slave audio devices can be selectively configured to operate in a unified mode or a separate mode. In the unified mode, the master slave audio device and the slave slave audio device are connected to a single master audio device via a single audio bus and are configured to communicate with the master audio device via a single audio bus interface. The master slave audio device performs functionality for aggregating status information from the slave slave audio devices and communicates such status information to the master audio device on behalf of the slave slave audio devices. In split mode, the audio bus interfaces of the master slave audio device and the slave slave audio device operate independently in a manner similar to conventional operation, allowing each audio bus interface to connect to a different master audio device.

[0028] To illustrate an audio system including a master slave audio device and a slave slave audio device configured to operate in a unified mode, an Figure 3 .exist Figure 3 In FIG, an audio system 300 includes a master audio device 302 communicatively coupled to an integrated circuit (IC) 304 including a master slave audio device 306 and a slave slave audio device 308. The master slave audio device 306 includes a control circuit 310 for controlling functionality of the master slave audio device 306, and the slave slave audio device 308 includes a control circuit 312 for controlling functionality of the slave slave audio device 308. Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG, the primary slave audio device 306 and the secondary slave audio device 308 are communicatively coupled to each other via a slave state link 314 and an interrupt state link 316, each of which comprises a communication line or bus. Figure 3 Only a single slave audio device 308 is illustrated in , but some aspects may provide that the IC 304 includes multiple slave audio devices 308 , each of which is configured to provide functionality similar to that attributed herein to the slave audio device 308 .

[0029] IC 304 communicates via multiple communication channels (in Figure 3LANE) 318(0)-318(X), 320(0)-320(X) via corresponding multiple PHY elements (in Figure 3 The master audio device 302 is communicatively coupled to the master audio device 306 and the slave audio device 308. The master slave audio device 306 and the slave slave audio device 308 are also communicatively coupled to the same clock line (in Figure 3 The primary slave audio device 306 and the secondary slave audio device 308 receive a clock signal (not shown) from the master audio device 302 via a clock line (labeled "CLK") 326. The communication channels 318(0)-318(X), 320(0)-320(X) and the clock line 326 may be collectively referred to as an "audio bus" and may include, for example, a SOUNDWIRE audio bus.

[0030] exist Figure 3 In the example, communication channel 318(0) serves as the primary control channel for the audio device 306 (in Figure 3 The communication channel 318 (X) operates as a data channel 330 (0) among a plurality of data channels 330 (0)-330 (D) of the primary slave audio device 306. The primary slave audio device 306 also includes a plurality of ports (in Figure 3 One or more of the plurality of ports may be configurably connected to the control channel 328 and / or the data channels 330(0)-330(D) to transmit and / or receive data. The primary slave audio device 306 also provides PHY control registers (in the ) that may be configured to modify the configuration of the PHY elements 322(0)-322(H). Figure 3 ) 334(0)-334(R), and also includes port configuration registers (in Figure 3 (labeled "PORT CONFIG") 336(0)-336(C).

[0031] Similarly, communication channel 318(0) serves as a control channel for the slave audio device 308 (in Figure 3 The communication channel 318 (X) operates as a data channel 340 (0) of a plurality of data channels 340 (0)-340 (D) of the slave audio device 308. The slave audio device 308 also includes a plurality of ports (in Figure 3One or more of the plurality of ports may be configurably connected to the control channel 338 and / or the data channels 340(0)-340(D) ​​to transmit and / or receive data. The slave audio device 308 further provides PHY control registers (in the ) that may be configured to modify the configuration of the PHY elements 324(0)-324(H). Figure 3 ) 344(0)-344(R), and also includes port configuration registers (in Figure 3 (labeled "PORT CONFIG") 346(0)-346(C).

[0032] In an exemplary operation, the control circuit 310 of the primary slave audio device 306 and the control circuit 312 of the secondary slave audio device 308 may receive a mode instruction 348 from the master audio device 302 indicating operation in either unified mode or split mode. Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG, the slave audio device 308 can be configured to monitor or sample the communication channel 318(0) operating as the control channel 328 of the master audio device 306 and can therefore detect and respond to commands from the master audio device 302 directed to the slave audio device 308. Figure 3 In the example of , the mode instruction 348 indicates that the master slave audio device 306 and the slave slave audio device 308 are to operate in a unified mode, and therefore the control circuit 310 and the control circuit 312 set the operating modes of the master slave audio device 306 and the slave slave audio device 308 to the unified mode, respectively.

[0033] When the slave audio device 308 operates in unified mode, both the master audio device 306 and the slave audio device 308 receive the same clock signal from the clock line 326 and both sample the communication channel 318(0) as the corresponding control channels 328 and 338, and sample the communication channel 318(X) as the corresponding data channels 330(0) and 340(0). When operating in unified mode, the master audio device 306 and the slave audio device 308 are also configured with the same unique ID (not shown).

[0034] The control circuit 312 of the slave audio device 308 is configured to transmit the slave state of the slave audio device 308 to the slave via the slave state link 314 (in Figure 3The slave status 350 is sent to the primary slave audio device 306 (i.e., rather than sending the slave status 350 to the master audio device 302 itself). As non-limiting examples, the slave status 350 may indicate, for example, an attached state, a detached state, or an alarm state of the slave audio device 308. Upon receiving the slave status 350 of the slave audio device 308, the control circuit 310 of the primary slave audio device 306 compares the slave status 350 with the slave status of the primary slave audio device 306 (in Figure 3 The two slave states are aggregated (labeled “SLV STAT” in FIG) 352 and sent to the master audio device 302 via the control channel 328 of the primary slave audio device 306 (ie, at the appropriate location within the bus frame (not shown)).

[0035] Some aspects may also provide that, in unified mode, the control circuit 312 of the slave audio device 308 may also transmit the interrupt status (in Figure 3 STAT) 354 is sent to the primary slave audio device 306. When the control circuit 310 of the primary slave audio device 306 receives the interrupt status 354 via the interrupt status link 316, the control circuit 310 transmits the interrupt status 354 of the slave audio device 308 and the interrupt status of the primary slave audio device 306 (in the interrupt status link 316) via the control channel 328. Figure 3 STAT” in the figure) 356 is sent to the main audio device 302.

[0036] Continue to refer Figure 3 According to some aspects, the slave audio device 308 is offset from the physical layer (in Figure 3358, which is labeled "PHY OFFSET" in the figure, and which is associated with a physical layer offset that can be used to enable the PHY elements 324(0)-324(H) and physical layer control registers 344(0)-344(R) of the slave audio device 308 to appear to the master audio device 302 to be connected to the PHY elements 322(0)-322(H) and PHY control registers 334(0)-334(R), respectively, of the master slave audio device 306 when operating in unified mode. Thus, for example, if the primary slave audio device 306 includes two (2) PHY elements 322 ( 0 ) and 322 ( 1 ) referenced using index values ​​zero ( 0 ) and one ( 1 ) (i.e., PHY0 and PHY1 ), the control circuitry 312 may configure the physical layer offset 358 to a value of two ( 2 ) and may add the physical layer offset 358 to the index values ​​of the PHY elements 324 ( 0 ) and 324 ( 1 ) when referencing the PHY elements 324 ( 0 ) and 324 ( 1 ) (i.e., referring to them as PHY2 and PHY3 ) so that they appear to be contiguous with the PHY elements 322 ( 0 ) and 322 ( 1 ). In a similar manner, in some aspects, the slave audio device 308 is associated with a port offset 360 that can be used to enable the ports 342 (0)-342 (P) and port configuration registers 346 (0)-346 (C) of the slave audio device 308 to appear to the master audio device 302 to be connected to the ports 332 (0)-332 (P) and port configuration registers 336 (0)-336 (C), respectively, of the master slave audio device 306 when operating in unified mode.

[0037] In some aspects, the data channels 330(0)-330(D) of the primary slave audio device 306 can be configurably associated with different ones of the ports 332(0)-332(P), and similarly, the data channels 340(0)-340(D) ​​of the slave audio device 308 can be configurably associated with different ones of the ports 342(0)-342(P). In such aspects, the control circuitry 310 of the primary slave audio device 306 can receive register configuration instructions 362 from the master audio device 302 via the control channel 328 of the primary slave audio device 306. The control circuitry 310 sets the port configuration registers 336(0)-336(C) based on the corresponding register configuration instructions 362 received from the master audio device 302 on the control channel 328. The control circuit 310 may then associate one or more of the ports 332(0)-332(P) with a data channel in the plurality of data channels 330(0)-330(D) of the master slave audio device 306 based on the plurality of port configuration registers 336(0)-336(C). In a similar manner, the control circuit 312 of the slave audio device 308 may receive the register configuration instruction 364 from the master audio device 302 via the control channel 328 of the master slave audio device 306. The control circuit 312 may then associate one or more of the ports 342(0)-342(P) with a data channel in the plurality of data channels 340(0)-340(D) ​​of the slave audio device 308 based on the plurality of port configuration registers 346(0)-346(C).

[0038] Figure 4 This is an example Figure 3 1 is a block diagram of an audio system 300 in which a master slave audio device 306 and a slave slave audio device 308 are configured to operate in a split mode. In the split mode, the master slave audio device 306 is configured to communicate with a first master audio device 400, while the slave slave audio device 308 is configured to communicate with a second master audio device 402. The slave slave audio device 308 receives a separate clock signal (not shown) from a clock line 404. The communication channel 320(0) operates as a control channel 338 for the slave slave audio device 308, while the communication channel 320(X) operates as a data channel 340(0) of a plurality of data channels 340(0)-340(D) ​​of the slave slave audio device 308.

[0039] When in split mode, both the slave state link 314 and the interrupt state link 316 are inactive, so the master slave audio device 306 and the slave slave audio device 308 each communicate the slave state and the interrupt state directly to the corresponding master audio devices 400 and 402. Therefore, the control circuit 312 of the slave slave audio device 308 can communicate the slave state (in Figure 4 STAT) 406 is sent to the master audio device 402 and may also send the interrupt status of the slave audio device 308 (in Figure 4 The control circuitry 312 of aspects of the slave audio device 308 may also configure each of the port offset 360 and the physical layer offset 358 to a value of zero (0) when operating in split mode.

[0040] To illustrate some aspects Figure 3 and Figure 4 Example operations performed by the slave audio device 308 when operating in unified mode and split mode, Figure 5A and Figure 5B A flowchart illustrating exemplary operation 500 is provided. For clarity, Figure 5A and Figure 5B When cited Figure 3 and Figure 4 It should be understood that Figure 5A and Figure 5B Some of the operations shown in operation 500 may be performed in an order different from that illustrated herein, and / or may be omitted in some aspects.

[0041] Operation 500 Figure 5A Start with the following operations: Slave audio device (e.g. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The control circuit of the slave audio device 308) (e.g., Figure 3 and Figure 4 control circuit 312) from a master audio device (such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 The master audio device 302 receives a first mode instruction (eg, Figure 3 Then, the control circuit 312 sets the operating mode of the slave audio device 308 (block 504). If the control circuit 312 sets the operating mode to the split mode at block 504, the operation 500 is performed. Figure 5B If the control circuit 312 sets the operating mode to the unified mode at block 504, then the operation 500 continues at block 506. Figure 5A Continue at block 508.

[0042] When the slave audio device 308 operates in the unified mode, the control circuit 312 controls the slave audio device 308 and the master audio device (eg, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The master slave audio device 306) is communicatively coupled to the slave state link (e.g., Figure 3 and Figure 4 The slave state link 314 will be controlled by the first slave state of the slave audio device 308 (eg, Figure 3 350) is sent to the primary slave audio device 306 (block 508). In some aspects, the control circuit 312 may interrupt the state link (such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 The interrupt state link 316 will be controlled by the first interrupt state of the slave audio device 308 (eg, Figure 3 The interrupt status 354) is sent to the primary slave audio device 306 (block 510).

[0043] Some aspects may provide that, when operating in unified mode, the control circuit 312 may configure the port offset (eg, port offset 360) to be primarily derived from the port configuration registers (eg, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The control circuit 312 may also set the physical layer offset (eg, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The physical layer offset 358) is configured as a primary slave to the PHY control registers of the audio device 306 (e.g., Figure 3 and Figure 4 334(0)-334(R)) of the slave audio device 308 (block 514). In this manner, when operating in unified mode, the PHY control registers 344(0)-344(R) and port configuration registers 346(0)-346(C) of the slave audio device 308 appear to the master audio device 302 to be contiguous with the PHY control registers 334(0)-334(R) and port configuration registers 336(0)-336(C), respectively, of the master audio device 306. In some aspects, the operations 500 may be performed in Figure 5B Continue at block 516 of .

[0044] Now go to Figure 5B According to some aspects, the operations 500 may continue with the following operations: the control circuit 312 receives a signal from the primary audio device 306 based on the control channel (eg, Figure 3 and Figure 4The corresponding register configuration instruction (eg, Figure 3 The control circuit 312 may then configure the plurality of ports (eg, Figure 3 and Figure 4 Ports 342(0)-342(P)) are connected to multiple data channels of the slave audio device 308 (e.g., Figure 3 and Figure 4 The data channels in the plurality of data channels 340(0)-340(D)) are associated (block 518).

[0045] If the control circuit 312 Figure 5A At block 504 of the embodiment, the operation mode of the slave audio device 308 is set to the separation mode. When the control circuit 312 operates in the separation mode, the second slave state (e.g., Figure 4 The control circuit 312 may also transmit the second interrupt status (eg, Figure 4 The interrupt status 408 of the control circuit 312 is sent to the primary audio device 302 (block 520). In some aspects, the control circuit 312 may configure each of the port offset 360 and the physical layer offset 358 to a value of zero (0) when operating in the split mode (block 522).

[0046] Figure 6A and Figure 6B Provides examples according to some aspects Figure 3 and Figure 4 Flowchart of exemplary operations 600 performed when the primary slave audio device 306 operates in unified mode. Figure 6A and Figure 6B When cited Figure 3 and Figure 4 It should be understood that Figure 6A and Figure 6B Some of the operations shown in operation 600 may be performed in an order different from that illustrated herein, and / or may be omitted in some aspects. Figure 6A In the example, operation 600 begins with the following operations: mainly from the control circuit of the audio device 306 (such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 control circuit 310) from the master audio device (e.g., Figure 3 and Figure 4The master audio device 302) receives a mode instruction indicating operation in a unified mode (eg, Figure 3 In response, the control circuit 310 sets the operating mode of the primary slave audio device 306 (ie, to the unified mode) (block 604).

[0047] When operating in unified mode, the control circuit 310 of the master slave audio device 306 performs a series of operations (block 606). The control circuit 310 controls the slave audio devices (e.g., Figure 3 and Figure 4 The slave state link (eg, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The slave status link 314) receives the slave status of the slave audio device 308 (e.g., Figure 3 The control circuit 310 then sends the control signal to the primary slave audio device 306 via the control channel (e.g., Figure 3 and Figure 4 The control channel 328 of the slave audio device 308 will be the slave state 350 of the slave audio device 308 and the slave state of the master slave audio device 306 (e.g., Figure 3 352) is sent to the master audio device 302 (block 610). In some aspects, the operation 600 may be performed at Figure 6B Continue at block 612.

[0048] Now refer to Figure 6B , continues with operations performed by the primary slave audio device 306 when in unified mode (block 606). In some aspects, the control circuit 310 may interrupt the state link (e.g., Figure 3 and Figure 4 The interrupt status link 316) receives the interrupt status of the slave audio device 308 (e.g., Figure 3 The control circuit 310 then sends the interrupt status 354 of the slave audio device 308 and the interrupt status of the master audio device 306 via the control channel 328 (e.g., Figure 3 Some aspects may provide that the control circuit 310 receives interrupt status 356 from the master audio device 302 on the control channel 328 based on the corresponding register configuration instruction (eg, Figure 3 Register configuration instructions 362) to set multiple port configuration registers (e.g., Figure 3 and Figure 4 The control circuit 310 may then configure the plurality of ports (eg, Figure 3 and Figure 4 Each of the ports 332(0)-332(P)) is connected to a plurality of data channels of the primary slave audio device 306 (e.g., Figure 3 and Figure 4 The data channels 330(0)-330(D)) are associated with each other (block 618).

[0049] Thus, exemplary aspects of the present disclosure provide a way to unify or separate slave audio devices, such as SOUNDWIRE devices, that enable support for different computing platform requirements without incurring additional physical area or power consumption.

[0050] The systems and methods for unifying multiple audio bus interfaces in an audio system according to various aspects disclosed herein can be provided in or integrated into any processor-based device. Non-limiting examples include: a set-top box, an entertainment unit, a navigation device, a communication device, a fixed location data unit, a mobile location data unit, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a tablet device, a phablet, a server, a computer, a portable computer, a mobile computing device, a wearable computing device (e.g., a smartwatch, a health or fitness tracker, eyewear, etc.), a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a monitor, a computer monitor, a television, a tuner, a radio, a satellite radio, a music player, a digital music player, a portable music player, a digital video player, a video player, a digital video disc (DVD) player, a portable digital video player, an automobile, a vehicle assembly, an avionics system, a drone, and a multirotor aircraft.

[0051] The exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are well suited for use with the SOUNDWIRE bus, although other differential audio buses may also benefit from the concepts disclosed herein. As used herein, references to SOUNDWIRE refer to references to SOUNDWIRE-I3S version v0.4r27 and its final versions. There are a variety of locations in a computing device where a SOUNDWIRE bus may be incorporated. In this regard, 7A to 7C Various placements of some exemplary aspects are illustrated. In most cases, the overall architecture is the same.

[0052] Figure 7AA system-level block diagram of an exemplary mobile terminal 700 (such as a smartphone, mobile computing device tablet, etc.) is provided. Mobile terminal 700 includes an application processor 704 (sometimes referred to as a host) that communicates with a mass storage element 706 via a Universal Flash Storage (UFS) bus 708. Application processor 704 can further be connected to a display 710 via a display serial interface (DSI) bus 712 and to a camera 714 via a camera serial interface (CSI) bus 716. Various audio elements, such as a microphone 718, a speaker 720, and an audio codec 722, can be coupled to application processor 704 via a serial low-power inter-chip multimedia bus (SLIMbus) 724. Additionally, the audio elements can communicate with each other and with audio codec 722 via a SOUNDWIRE bus 726. A modem 728 can also be coupled to SLIMbus 724. Modem 728 may further connect to application processor 704 via a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) or PCI Express (PCIe) bus 730 and / or a system power management interface (SPMI) bus 732. Note that in some implementations, SLIMbus 724 may be replaced by a SOUNDWIRE bus.

[0053] Figure 7A The SPMI bus 732 may also be coupled to a wireless local area network (WLAN) integrated circuit (IC) (WLAN IC) 734, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) 736, a companion integrated circuit (sometimes referred to as a bridge chip) 738, and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) 740. It should be understood that separate PCI buses 742 and 744 may also couple the application processor 704 to the companion integrated circuit 738 and the WLAN IC 734. The application processor 704 may further be connected to a sensor 746 via a sensor bus 748. The modem 728 and the RFIC 740 may communicate using a bus 750.

[0054] like Figure 7A 7, RFIC 740 may be coupled to one or more RFFE elements, such as antenna tuner 752, switch 754, and power amplifier 756, via a radio frequency front end (RFFE) bus 758. Additionally, RFIC 740 may be coupled to an envelope tracking power supply (ETPS) 760 via bus 762, and ETPS 760 may communicate with power amplifier 756. Together, these RFFE elements (including RFIC 740) may be considered an RFFE system 764.

[0055] Figure 7B 1 illustrates an alternative placement of the SOUNDWIRE NEXT bus according to some exemplary aspects. While most components are the same as the mobile terminal 700, Figure 7B 7 has a SOUNDWIRE bus 726B that couples the audio codec 722 to the microphone 718 and the speaker 720. The application processor 704 can be coupled to a SOUNDWIRE NEXT bus 770, which can be coupled to an optional bridge 772. If the bridge 772 is present, the bus 774 can be a SOUNDWIRE bus. If the bridge 772 is not present, the SOUNDWIRE NEXT bus 770 can be directly coupled to the microphone 718B, the speaker 720B, and / or the audio codec 722B.

[0056] Similarly, Figure 7C Another alternative placement of a SOUNDWIRE NEXT bus according to some exemplary aspects is illustrated. In mobile terminal 700C, audio codec 722 may be coupled to SOUNDWIRE bus 726C and SOUNDWIRE NEXT bus 780. SOUNDWIRE NEXT bus 780 may be coupled to microphone 718C and speaker 720C.

[0057] Those skilled in the art will further understand that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithms described in conjunction with the various aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, instructions stored in a memory or another computer-readable medium and executed by a processor or other processing device, or a combination of both. For example, the master and slave audio devices described herein can be employed in any circuit, hardware component, integrated circuit (IC), or IC chip. The memory disclosed herein can be of any type and size and can be configured to store any desired type of information. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability, the functionality of various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps has been generally described above. How such functionality is implemented depends on the specific application, design choices, and / or design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality differently for each specific application, but such specific implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of this disclosure.

[0058] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the various aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or executed with a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative embodiment, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0059] The various aspects disclosed herein may be embodied in hardware and instructions stored in hardware and may reside, for example, in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readable medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. In an alternative embodiment, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a remote station. In an alternative embodiment, the processor and storage medium may reside as discrete components in a remote station, a base station, or a server.

[0060] It is also noted that the operational steps described in any of the exemplary aspects herein are described for the purpose of providing examples and discussion. The described operations may be performed in many different orders other than the order illustrated. In addition, the operations described in a single operational step may actually be performed in a plurality of different steps. In addition, one or more operational steps discussed in the exemplary aspects may be combined. It will be understood that, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, many different modifications may be made to the operational steps illustrated in the flow chart. Those skilled in the art will also understand that any of a variety of different technologies and techniques may be used to represent information and signals. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0061] The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations. Therefore, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0062] Specific implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0063] 1. An integrated circuit (IC), comprising:

[0064] A main slave audio device, wherein the main slave audio device includes:

[0065] a first control circuit; and

[0066] a first audio bus interface, the first audio bus interface comprising a first control channel and a first plurality of data channels;

[0067] A slave audio device, the slave audio device comprising:

[0068] a second control circuit; and

[0069] a second audio bus interface, the second audio bus interface comprising a second control channel and a second plurality of data channels;

[0070] the master slave audio device and the slave slave audio device being communicatively coupled via a slave state link;

[0071] The first control circuit and the second control circuit are each configured to receive a mode instruction from a master audio device indicating operation in one of a separate mode and a unified mode; and

[0072] The second control circuit is configured to:

[0073] When operating in the split mode, transmitting a slave status of the slave audio device to the master audio device via the second control channel; and

[0074] When operating in the unified mode, the slave status of the dependent slave audio device is sent to the master slave audio device via the slave status link.

[0075] 2. The IC of clause 1, wherein the first control circuit is configured, when operating in the unified mode:

[0076] receiving the slave status of the dependent slave audio device via the slave status link; and

[0077] The slave status of the subordinate slave audio device and the slave status of the master slave audio device are sent to the master audio device via the first control channel.

[0078] 3. An IC according to any one of clauses 1 to 2, wherein:

[0079] The master slave audio device and the slave slave audio device are further communicatively coupled via an interrupt state link; and

[0080] The second control circuit is configured to:

[0081] When operating in the split mode, sending an interrupt status of the slave audio device to the master audio device via the second control channel; and

[0082] When operating in the unified mode, the interrupt status of the dependent slave audio device is sent to the master slave audio device via the interrupt status link.

[0083] 4. The IC of clause 3, wherein the first control circuit is further configured, when operating in the unified mode:

[0084] receiving the interrupt status of the dependent slave audio device via the interrupt status link; and

[0085] The interrupt status of the subordinate slave audio device and the interrupt status of the master slave audio device are sent to the master audio device via the first control channel.

[0086] 5. An IC according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein:

[0087] The dependent slave audio device is associated with a port offset and a physical layer offset; and

[0088] The second control circuit is configured to:

[0089] When operating in the split mode, configuring each of the port offset and the physical layer offset to a value of zero (0); and

[0090] When operating in the unified mode:

[0091] configuring the port offset to be a count of a port configuration register of the primary slave audio device; and

[0092] The physical layer offset is configured as a count of a physical layer control register of the primary slave audio device.

[0093] 6. An IC according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein:

[0094] The primary slave audio device further includes a first plurality of ports and a first plurality of port configuration registers;

[0095] The slave audio device further includes a second plurality of ports and a second plurality of port configuration registers;

[0096] the first control circuit being configured to, when operating in the unified mode, associate each port of the first plurality of ports with a data lane of the first plurality of data lanes based on the first plurality of port configuration registers; and

[0097] The second control circuit is configured to, when operating in the unified mode, associate each port of the second plurality of ports with a data lane of the second plurality of data lanes based on the second plurality of port configuration registers.

[0098] 7. The IC of clause 6, wherein:

[0099] the first control circuit being configured to, when operating in the unified mode, set the first plurality of port configuration registers based on first corresponding register configuration instructions received from the master audio device on the first control channel; and

[0100] The second control circuit is configured to, when operating in the unified mode, set the second plurality of port configuration registers based on second corresponding register configuration instructions received from the master audio device on the first control channel.

[0101] 8. The IC of any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the master audio device, the primary slave audio device, and the slave slave audio device each comprise a SOUNDWIRE-I3S audio device.

[0102] 9. The IC of clause 8, wherein:

[0103] The primary slave audio device includes a microphone device; and

[0104] The slave audio device includes a speaker device.

[0105] 10. An IC according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, said IC being integrated into a device selected from the group consisting of: a set-top box; an entertainment unit; a navigation device; a communication device; a fixed location data unit; a mobile location data unit; a global positioning system (GPS) device; a mobile phone; a cellular phone; a smartphone; a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone; a tablet computer; a phablet; a server; a computer; a portable computer; a mobile computing device; a wearable computing device; a desktop computer; a personal digital assistant (PDA); a monitor; a computer monitor; a television; a tuner; a radio; a satellite radio; a music player; a digital music player; a portable music player; a digital video player; a video player; a digital video disc (DVD) player; a portable digital video player; an automobile; a vehicle component; an avionics system; an unmanned aerial vehicle; and a multirotor aircraft.

[0106] 11. A method for unifying multiple audio bus interfaces, the method comprising:

[0107] receiving, by the control circuit of the slave audio device, from the master audio device, a first mode instruction indicating operation in a unified mode; and

[0108] When operating in the unified mode, a first slave state of the slave slave audio device is sent by the control circuit to the master slave audio device via a slave state link communicatively coupling the slave slave audio device and the master slave audio device.

[0109] 12. The method according to clause 11, wherein:

[0110] The dependent slave audio device and the master slave audio device are further communicatively coupled via an interrupt state link; and

[0111] The method also includes sending, by the control circuitry, a first interrupt status of the dependent slave audio device to the master slave audio device via the interrupt status link while operating in the unified mode.

[0112] 13. A method according to any one of clauses 11 to 12, wherein:

[0113] The dependent slave audio device is associated with a port offset and a physical layer offset; and

[0114] The method further comprises, while operating in the unified mode:

[0115] configuring, by the control circuit, the port offset to be a count of a port configuration register of the primary slave audio device; and

[0116] The physical layer offset is configured by the control circuit as a count of a physical layer control register of the primary slave audio device.

[0117] 14. A method according to any one of clauses 11 to 13, wherein:

[0118] The slave audio device further includes a plurality of ports and a plurality of port configuration registers; and

[0119] The method also includes associating, by the control circuitry based on the plurality of port configuration registers, each of the plurality of ports with a data channel of a plurality of data channels of the slave audio device when operating in the unified mode.

[0120] 15. The method of clause 14, further comprising, when operating in the unified mode, setting, by the control circuitry, the plurality of port configuration registers based on corresponding register configuration instructions received from the master audio device over a control channel of the primary slave audio device.

[0121] 16. The method according to any one of clauses 11 to 15, further comprising:

[0122] receiving, by the control circuitry, from the primary audio device a second mode instruction indicating operation in a split mode; and

[0123] When operating in the split mode, a second slave state of the slave audio device is transmitted by the control circuit to the master audio device via the control channel of the slave audio device.

[0124] 17. The method according to clause 16, wherein:

[0125] The dependent slave audio device and the master slave audio device are further communicatively coupled via an interrupt state link; and

[0126] The method also includes sending, by the control circuitry, a second interrupt status of the slave audio device to the master audio device via the control channel while operating in the split mode.

[0127] 18. A method according to any one of clauses 16 to 17, wherein:

[0128] The dependent slave audio device is associated with a port offset and a physical layer offset; and

[0129] The method also includes configuring, by the control circuitry, each of the port offset and the physical layer offset to a value of zero (0) when operating in the split mode.

[0130] 19. A method for unifying multiple audio bus interfaces, the method comprising:

[0131] receiving, by the control circuit of the primary slave audio device, a mode instruction from the master audio device indicating operation in the unified mode; and

[0132] When operating in the unified mode,

[0133] receiving, by the control circuitry, a slave status of the slave audio device via a slave status link communicatively coupling the slave audio device and the master slave audio device; and

[0134] The slave status of the dependent slave audio device and the slave status of the master slave audio device are sent by the control circuit to the master audio device via a control channel of the master slave audio device.

[0135] 20. The method according to clause 19, wherein:

[0136] The dependent slave audio device and the master slave audio device are further communicatively coupled via an interrupt state link; and

[0137] The method further comprises, while operating in the unified mode:

[0138] receiving, by the control circuitry via the interrupt status link, an interrupt status of the dependent slave audio device; and

[0139] The interrupt status of the subordinate slave audio device and the interrupt status of the master slave audio device are sent by the control circuit to the master audio device via the control channel.

[0140] 21. A method according to any of clauses 19 to 20, wherein:

[0141] The primary slave audio device further includes a plurality of ports and a plurality of port configuration registers; and

[0142] The method also includes associating, by the control circuitry based on the plurality of port configuration registers, each of the plurality of ports with a data channel of a plurality of data channels of the primary slave audio device when operating in the unified mode.

[0143] 22. The method of clause 21, further comprising, when operating in the unified mode, setting, by the control circuitry, the plurality of port configuration registers based on corresponding register configuration instructions received on the control channel from the master audio device.

Claims

1. An integrated circuit (IC), comprising: A main slave audio device, wherein the main slave audio device includes: a first control circuit; and a first audio bus interface, the first audio bus interface comprising a first control channel and a first plurality of data channels; A slave audio device, the slave audio device comprising: a second control circuit; and a second audio bus interface, the second audio bus interface comprising a second control channel and a second plurality of data channels; the master slave audio device and the slave slave audio device being communicatively coupled via a slave state link; The first control circuit and the second control circuit are each configured to receive a mode instruction from a master audio device indicating operation in one of a separate mode and a unified mode; and The second control circuit is configured to: When operating in the split mode, transmitting a slave status of the slave audio device to the master audio device via the second control channel; and When operating in the unified mode, the slave status of the dependent slave audio device is sent to the master slave audio device via the slave status link.

2. The IC of claim 1 , wherein the first control circuit is configured, when operating in the unified mode: receiving the slave status of the dependent slave audio device via the slave status link; and The slave status of the subordinate slave audio device and the slave status of the master slave audio device are sent to the master audio device via the first control channel.

3. The IC of claim 1 , wherein: The master slave audio device and the slave slave audio device are further communicatively coupled via an interrupt state link; and The second control circuit is configured to: when operating in the split mode, transmitting an interrupt status of the slave audio device to the master audio device via the second control channel; as well as When operating in the unified mode, the interrupt status of the dependent slave audio device is sent to the master slave audio device via the interrupt status link.

4. The IC of claim 3 , wherein the first control circuit is further configured, when operating in the unified mode: receiving the interrupt status of the dependent slave audio device via the interrupt status link; and The interrupt status of the subordinate slave audio device and the interrupt status of the master slave audio device are sent to the master audio device via the first control channel.

5. The IC of claim 1 , wherein: The dependent slave audio device is associated with a port offset and a physical layer offset; and The second control circuit is configured to: When operating in the split mode, configuring each of the port offset and the physical layer offset to a value of zero (0); and When operating in the unified mode: configuring the port offset to be a count of a port configuration register of the primary slave audio device; as well as The physical layer offset is configured as a count of a physical layer control register of the primary slave audio device.

6. The IC of claim 1 , wherein: The primary slave audio device further includes a first plurality of ports and a first plurality of port configuration registers; The slave audio device further includes a second plurality of ports and a second plurality of port configuration registers; the first control circuit being configured to, when operating in the unified mode, associate each port of the first plurality of ports with a data lane of the first plurality of data lanes based on the first plurality of port configuration registers; and The second control circuit is configured to, when operating in the unified mode, associate each port of the second plurality of ports with a data lane of the second plurality of data lanes based on the second plurality of port configuration registers.

7. The IC of claim 6, wherein: the first control circuit being configured to, when operating in the unified mode, set the first plurality of port configuration registers based on first corresponding register configuration instructions received from the master audio device on the first control channel; and The second control circuit is configured to, when operating in the unified mode, set the second plurality of port configuration registers based on second corresponding register configuration instructions received from the master audio device on the first control channel.

8. The IC of claim 1, wherein the master audio device, the primary slave audio device, and the secondary slave audio device each comprise a SOUNDWIRE-I3S audio device.

9. The IC of claim 8, wherein: The primary slave audio device includes a microphone device; and The slave audio device includes a speaker device.

10. The IC of claim 1 , wherein the IC is integrated into a device selected from the group consisting of: a set-top box; an entertainment unit; a navigation device; a communication device; a fixed location data unit; a mobile location data unit; a global positioning system (GPS) device; a mobile phone; a cellular phone; a smartphone; a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone; a tablet computer; a phablet; a server; a computer; a portable computer; a mobile computing device; a wearable computing device; a desktop computer; a personal digital assistant (PDA); a monitor; a computer monitor; a television; a tuner; a radio; a satellite radio; a music player; a digital music player; a portable music player; a digital video player; a video player; a digital video disc (DVD) player; a portable digital video player; an automobile; a vehicle component; an avionics system; an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); and a multirotor aircraft.

11. A method for unifying multiple audio bus interfaces, the method comprising: receiving, by the control circuit of the slave audio device, from the master audio device, a first mode instruction indicating operation in a unified mode; as well as When operating in the unified mode, a first slave state of the slave slave audio device is sent by the control circuit to the master slave audio device via a slave state link communicatively coupling the slave slave audio device and the master slave audio device.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The dependent slave audio device and the master slave audio device are further communicatively coupled via an interrupt state link; and The method also includes sending, by the control circuitry, a first interrupt status of the dependent slave audio device to the master slave audio device via the interrupt status link while operating in the unified mode.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The dependent slave audio device is associated with a port offset and a physical layer offset; and The method further comprises, while operating in the unified mode: configuring, by the control circuit, the port offset to be a count of a port configuration register of the primary slave audio device; as well as The physical layer offset is configured by the control circuit as a count of a physical layer control register of the primary slave audio device.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The slave audio device further includes a plurality of ports and a plurality of port configuration registers; and The method also includes associating, by the control circuitry based on the plurality of port configuration registers, each of the plurality of ports with a data channel of a plurality of data channels of the slave audio device when operating in the unified mode.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising, when operating in the unified mode, setting, by the control circuit, the plurality of port configuration registers based on corresponding register configuration instructions received from the master audio device over a control channel of the primary slave audio device.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: receiving, by the control circuitry, from the primary audio device, a second mode instruction indicating operation in a split mode; as well as When operating in the split mode, a second slave state of the slave audio device is transmitted by the control circuit to the master audio device via the control channel of the slave audio device.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The dependent slave audio device and the master slave audio device are further communicatively coupled via an interrupt state link; and The method also includes sending, by the control circuitry, a second interrupt status of the slave audio device to the master audio device via the control channel while operating in the split mode.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein: The dependent slave audio device is associated with a port offset and a physical layer offset; and The method also includes configuring, by the control circuitry, each of the port offset and the physical layer offset to a value of zero (0) when operating in the split mode.

19. A method for unifying multiple audio bus interfaces, the method comprising: receiving, by the control circuit of the primary slave audio device, a mode instruction from the master audio device indicating operation in a unified mode; as well as When operating in the unified mode, receiving, by the control circuitry, a slave status of the slave audio device via a slave status link communicatively coupling the slave audio device and the master slave audio device; as well as The slave status of the dependent slave audio device and the slave status of the master slave audio device are sent by the control circuit to the master audio device via a control channel of the master slave audio device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: The dependent slave audio device and the master slave audio device are further communicatively coupled via an interrupt state link; and The method further comprises, while operating in the unified mode: receiving, by the control circuitry via the interrupt status link, an interrupt status of the slave audio device; as well as The interrupt status of the subordinate slave audio device and the interrupt status of the master slave audio device are sent by the control circuit to the master audio device via the control channel.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein: The primary slave audio device further includes a plurality of ports and a plurality of port configuration registers; and The method also includes associating, by the control circuitry based on the plurality of port configuration registers, each of the plurality of ports with a data channel of a plurality of data channels of the primary slave audio device when operating in the unified mode.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising, when operating in the unified mode, setting, by the control circuitry, the plurality of port configuration registers based on corresponding register configuration instructions received from the master audio device over the control channel.

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