System and method for measuring audio path delay for amplifier
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024124346
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-08-16
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-28
Smart Images
Figure 2025027995000001 
Figure 2025027995000002 
Figure 2025027995000003
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] Aspects disclosed herein generally relate to systems and methods for measuring audio path delay for an amplifier, and this and other aspects are described in further detail below. [Background technology]
[0002] An audio system generally includes an electronic control unit ("ECU") (e.g., an audio head unit or audio controller), an amplifier, and at least one loudspeaker. An audio interface is provided and arranged between the ECU and the amplifier to communicate (or provide) an audio input signal to the amplifier. The amplifier may then amplify the audio input signal, so that the loudspeaker transmits the amplified audio input signal into the listening environment. A data channel bus (or digital bus) may transmit the audio input signal digitally from the ECU to the amplifier at high speed. However, the amplifier provides the amplified audio input signal in analog form to the loudspeaker. It may be desirable to measure the time it takes the amplifier to process the audio input signal compared to the time it takes the loudspeaker to play the amplified audio signal in the listening environment. In some cases, this may be difficult to do. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]
[0003] In at least one embodiment, an audio system for measuring delay is provided. The audio system includes an audio controller, an amplifier, a network-to-analog converter, and a measurement controller. The audio controller is programmed to send an audio input signal in the digital domain. The amplifier is programmed to process the audio input signal and convert the processed audio input signal to a first processed audio signal in the analog domain. The amplifier is further programmed to amplify the first processed audio signal to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain and output the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more loudspeakers. The network-to-analog converter is programmed to convert the processed audio input signal to a second processed audio signal in the analog domain. The measurement controller is further programmed to determine a delay for the amplifier and (i) process the audio input signal, (ii) convert the processed audio input signal to a first processed audio signal, (iii) amplify the first processed audio signal, and (iv) output the amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the output amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain.
[0004] In at least another embodiment, a method for measuring delay in an audio system is provided. The method includes transmitting an audio input signal in the digital domain and processing the audio input signal with an amplifier. The method further includes converting the processed audio input signal to a first processed audio signal in the analog domain and amplifying the first processed audio signal by the amplifier to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain. The method further includes outputting the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more loudspeakers and converting the processed audio input signal to a second processed audio signal in the analog domain by a network-to-analog converter. The method further includes determining a delay for the amplifier and (i) processing the audio input signal, (ii) converting the processed audio input signal to a first processed audio signal, (iii) amplifying the first processed audio signal, and outputting the amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the output amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain.
[0005] In at least another embodiment, a computer program product is provided that is embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium stored in a memory that is programmed and executable by at least one controller in an audio system. The computer program product includes instructions for transmitting an audio input signal in the digital domain and instructions for processing the audio input signal with an amplifier. The computer program product includes instructions for converting the processed audio input signal to a first processed audio signal in the analog domain and instructions for amplifying, by the amplifier, the first processed audio signal to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain. The computer program product includes instructions for outputting the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more speakers and instructions for converting, by a network-to-analog converter, the processed audio input signal to a second processed audio signal in the analog domain. The computer program product includes instructions for determining a delay for the amplifier to (i) process the audio input signal, (ii) convert the processed audio input signal into a first processed audio signal, (iii) amplify the first processed audio signal, and (iv) output an amplified audio signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the output amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain.
[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims, however other features of the various embodiments will become more apparent and will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present invention provides, for example, the following items. (Item 1) 1. An audio system for measuring delay, comprising: an audio controller programmed to transmit an audio input signal in the digital domain; Processing the audio input signal; converting the processed audio input signal into a first processed audio signal in the analog domain; amplifying the first processed audio signal to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain; an amplifier programmed to output the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more loudspeakers; a first digital-to-analog converter programmed to convert the processed audio input signal into a second processed audio signal in the analog domain; a measurement controller programmed to determine a delay for the amplifier and: (i) process the audio input signal; (ii) convert the processed audio input signal to the second processed audio signal; (iii) amplify the first processed audio signal; and (iv) output the amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the output amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain; The audio system comprising: (Item 2) The audio system of the preceding item, wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine a first period of time corresponding to a first amount of time for the amplifier to process the audio input signal. (Item 3) 2. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine a second period of time corresponding to a second amount of time for the first digital-to-analog converter to convert the processed audio input signal to the second processed audio signal in the analog domain. (Item 4) The audio system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine a third period of time corresponding to a third time during which the amplifier amplifies the first processed audio signal and outputs the amplified audio output signal. (Item 5) 2. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine the delay of the amplifier based on the sum of the first period, the second period, and the third period. (Item 6) Item 11. An audio system as described in any preceding item, wherein the amplifier includes a network physical layer programmed to process the audio input signal. (Item 7) 2. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the amplifier includes a second digital-to-analog converter programmed to convert the processed audio input signal to the first processed audio signal in the analog domain. (Item 8) 2. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the amplifier includes an output circuit configured to amplify the first processed audio signal. (Item 9) 1. A method for measuring delay in an audio system, comprising the steps of: transmitting an audio input signal in the digital domain; processing the audio input signal in an amplifier; converting the processed audio input signal into a first processed audio signal in the analog domain; amplifying the first processed audio signal with the amplifier to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain; outputting the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more loudspeakers; converting, by a first digital-to-analog converter, the processed audio input signal into a second processed audio signal in the analog domain; determining a delay for the amplifier; (i) processing the audio input signal; (ii) converting the processed audio input signal to the first processed audio signal; (iii) amplifying the first processed audio signal; and (iv) outputting the amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the output amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain; The method comprising: (Item 10) 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a first period of time corresponding to a first amount of time for the amplifier to process the audio input signal. (Item 11) 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a second period of time corresponding to a second amount of time for the first digital-to-analog converter to convert the processed audio input signal to the second processed audio signal in the analog domain. (Item 12) 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a third period of time corresponding to a third amount of time during which the amplifier amplifies the first processed audio signal and outputs the amplified audio output signal. (Item 13) 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the delay of the amplifier based on a sum of the first period, the second period, and the third period. (Item 14) 13. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the audio input signal at the amplifier comprises processing the audio input signal at a network physical layer. (Item 15) 5. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the processed audio input signal to the first processed audio signal in the analog domain further comprises converting the processed audio input signal to the first processed audio signal in the analog domain by a second digital-to-analog converter. (Item 16) A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium stored in a memory that is programmed and executable by at least one controller in an audio system, the computer program product comprising: Transmits audio input signals in the digital domain, processing the audio input signal in an amplifier; converting the processed audio input signal into a first processed audio signal in the analog domain; amplifying the first processed audio signal with the amplifier to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain; outputting the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more loudspeakers; converting the processed audio input signal by a first digital-to-analog converter into a second processed audio signal in the analog domain; determining a delay for the amplifier; (i) processing the audio input signal; (ii) converting the processed audio input signal to the first processed audio signal; (iii) amplifying the first processed audio signal; and (iv) outputting the amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the output amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain. said computer program product comprising instructions. (Item 17) 2. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising determining a first period of time corresponding to a first amount of time for the amplifier to process the audio input signal. (Item 18) 2. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising: determining a second period of time corresponding to a second amount of time for the first digital-to-analog converter to convert the processed audio input signal into the second processed audio signal in the analog domain. (Item 19) 20. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising: determining a third period of time corresponding to a third amount of time during which the amplifier amplifies the first processed audio signal and outputs the amplified audio output signal. (Item 20) 20. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising: determining the delay of the amplifier based on a sum of the first period, the second period, and the third period. (Summary) An audio system for measuring delay is provided. The audio system includes an audio controller, an amplifier, a first digital-to-analog converter, and a measurement controller. The audio controller is programmed to send an audio input signal in the digital domain. The amplifier is programmed to process the audio input signal and convert the processed audio input signal to a first processed audio signal in the analog domain. The amplifier is further programmed to amplify the first processed audio signal to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain and output the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more speakers. The first digital-to-analog converter is programmed to convert the processed audio input signal to a second processed audio signal in the analog domain. The measurement controller is further programmed to determine a delay of the amplifier. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0007] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example audio system.
[0008] [Diagram 2] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a more detailed embodiment using test equipment to measure the delay of an amplifier in the audio system of FIG. 1;
[0009] [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates a schematic of a system for measuring audio path delay, according to one embodiment.
[0010] [Figure 4] 2 illustrates a schematic of a method for measuring audio path delay according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Where necessary, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, but it will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to variously use the present invention.
[0012] It should be understood that the following description of the embodiments is provided for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes. The division of the examples of functional blocks, controllers, units, or other devices shown in the figures should not be interpreted as indicating that these functional blocks, controllers, units, or other devices must be realized as physically separate units. It is recognized that these functional blocks, controllers, units, or other devices shown or described can be combined or separated in any manner. It is also recognized that the functional blocks, controllers, units, or other devices can be implemented as circuits, electronic chips, or circuit elements. One or more of the blocks shown in the figures can also be implemented in a common circuit, chip, circuit element, or unit.
[0013] The use of singular forms (such as, without limitation, "a") is not intended to limit the quantity of an item. The use of relative terms such as, but not limited to, "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "upper", "lower", "upper", "side", "first", "second", (such as "third"), "entrance", "exit", etc., are used in the written description for clarity when specifically referring to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure or the appended claims, unless otherwise specified. The terms "including" and "including" are exemplary rather than limiting, and the term "may" includes "may, but not necessarily", unless otherwise specified. Regardless of the use of any other language in this disclosure, the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings are examples given for purposes of illustration and description, and are not the only embodiments of the subject matter herein.
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates generally an example of an audio system 100. The system 100 generally includes a head unit (HU) 102 (e.g., audio controller 102), an amplifier 104, and a number of loudspeakers 106a-106b (or "106"). Generally, the audio controller 102 sends an audio input signal to the amplifier 104. The amplifier 104 then processes the audio input signal and sends an amplified audio output signal to the speaker 106 to reproduce the input audio signal in a listening environment 108. In one example, the loudspeaker 106 may be configured to reproduce the input audio signal within a cabin (not shown) of a vehicle. It is recognized that the audio system 100 may be utilized in vehicle applications, home theater applications, and the like.
[0015] A digital communication bus 110 is positioned between the audio controller 102 and the amplifier 104. Thus, in this regard, the audio controller 102 transmits audio input channels digitally over the digital communication bus 110 to the amplifier 104. The amplifier 104 processes and amplifies the audio input signal to generate a processed and amplified audio input signal. The amplifier 104 transmits the processed and amplified audio input signal as an analog signal to the speaker 106 for playback. In general, it is desirable to know as to the amount of time (e.g., delay d) it takes for the amplifier 104 to process and output (e.g., including amplification) a received audio input signal. However, there is a challenge in obtaining the delay due to the amplifier 104, assuming that the received audio input signal is transmitted digitally from the audio controller 102 to the amplifier 104 and further that the amplified audio output signal as output from the amplifier 104 is in the analog domain.
[0016] FIG. 2 generally illustrates a more detailed embodiment using test equipment 150 to measure the delay of the amplifier 104 of the audio system of FIG. 1. As shown, FIG. 2 includes a comparison of the audio controller 102, the amplifier 104, the loudspeaker 106, and the test equipment 150. An embodiment of the test equipment 150 can be used to determine the delay d associated with the amplifier 104. The test equipment 150 includes a network analyzer 152, a network analyzer display 154, and an oscilloscope 156. The network analyzer 152 may be operatively coupled to the digital communication bus 110. It will be appreciated that the digital communication bus 110 may enable communication over a Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) or an Automotive Audio Bus ("A2B"). The network analyzer 152 is configured to monitor bus activity between the audio controller 102 and the amplifier 104, given that the audio controller 102 and the amplifier 104 communicate digitally. The display 154 displays the bus activity on the digital communication bus 110 to a user.
[0017] The oscilloscope 156 may be electrically coupled to the output of the amplifier 104 to monitor signal transmission and other aspects associated with the transmission of the amplified audio output to the loudspeaker 106. As described above, the amplifier 104 transmits the amplified audio output signal in the analog domain. In this regard, the oscilloscope 156 may be triggered based on the output of the amplifier 104 being active. Given that two different measurement sources (e.g., the network analyzer 152 and the oscilloscope 156) are being used, it may be difficult to measure the delay, or the amount of time required for the amplifier 104 to process / amplify the received audio. Other reasons why it may be difficult to measure the delay include, among others, (i) the two devices (e.g., the network analyzer 152 and the oscilloscope 156) are made by different manufacturers or belong to different tool vendors, (ii) challenges in synchronizing the timestamp on the digitized audio input signal with the output of the analog-based audio output signal, (iii) zoom range, and / or (iv) difficulty in setting the trigger of the oscilloscope 156 to measure the audio output signal. In particular, because the use of an oscilloscope 156 to measure the output of the amplifier 104 is different from the network analyzer 152 used to measure the audio input signal on the digital communication bus 110, there may not be an efficient way to synchronize the measured audio signal between the network analyzer 152 and the oscilloscope 156.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic of a system 200 for measuring audio path delay in an audio system, according to one embodiment. The system 200 includes an audio controller 102, an amplifier 104, a plurality of loudspeakers 106, and a test apparatus 150. Similar to FIG. 1, the audio controller 102 transmits an audio input signal to the amplifier 104 via a digital communication bus 110 in the digital domain. Further, the amplifier 104 processes and amplifies the received audio input signal. The amplifier 104 then outputs an audio output signal in the analog domain. The test apparatus 150 includes an audio bus-to-analog converter 302 (e.g., a first digital-to-analog converter) and an oscilloscope 156. In this regard, the test apparatus 150 may be used to measure delays in terms of the amount of time required for the amplifier 104 to process and amplify (e.g., the audio input signal) the audio input signal to generate an amplified audio output signal and generate the amplified audio output signal. The system 200 may also include at least one measurement controller 201 (hereinafter "measurement controller 201") that may be operatively coupled to the test equipment 150 to process the audio input signal, amplify the audio input signal to generate an amplified audio output signal, and provide a delay or amount of time to the amplifier 104 to output the amplified audio output signal, as will be discussed in more detail below. It will be appreciated that the measurement controller 201 may be part of the audio controller 102, the amplifier 104, and / or the test equipment 150.
[0019] The amplifier 104 includes a network physical layer 310, an audio processor 312, and an output circuit 314. The network physical layer 310 receives an audio input signal from the audio controller 102 and pre-processes data related to the audio input signal before such information is sent to the audio processor 312. The network physical layer 310 generally converts the audio input signal into a digital audio synchronous clock-based signal. In one example, the network physical layer 310 receives the audio input signal and decodes network management and control signals. The network physical layer 310 receives the audio input signal and transfers the audio input signal between the internal portion of the audio controller 102 and the digital audio network. The network physical layer 310 transfers the audio data on the audio input signal to an audio bus 320, which is primarily internal to an electronic control unit (not shown) within the amplifier 104. Once processed by the network physical layer 310, the audio input signal may include bit clock and frame synchronization along with digital data corresponding to the desired audio data to be played. The audio bus 320 supports the following protocols: 2 S, time division multiplexing (TDM), and the like.
[0020] The audio bus 320 is positioned between the network physical layer 310 and the audio processor 312. The audio processor 312 can perform any number of audio processing operations, such as, but not limited to, providing surround sound audio, providing immersive audio, muting, equalization, etc. The types of audio processing operations performed by the audio processor 312 can vary based on different customer requirements. The audio bus-to-analog converter 302 is coupled to the audio bus 320. In general, the audio bus-to-analog converter 302 converts digital data transmitted on the audio bus 320 between the network physical layer 310 and the audio processor 312 to the analog domain. In this respect, the audio bus-to-analog converter 302 is a digital-to-analog converter. The output circuit 314 includes a digital-to-analog converter 313 (or a second digital-to-analog converter) for converting the digital data before the audio output signal is output to the loudspeaker 106. The oscilloscope 156 may be connected to the output of the audio bus to analog converter 302 and the output of the amplifier 104 to obtain measurement(s) from these location(s).
[0021] In general, the amount of time that the network physical layer 310 processes the audio input signal and outputs the audio input signal on the audio bus 320 may generally be defined by a first period of time, such as T1. The first period of time T1 may be a known or fixed value (i.e., a determined value) because the manufacturer of the network physical layer 310 may provide information regarding the time consumed by the network physical layer 310 to process the audio input signal and output the audio input signal to the audio bus 320. In yet another example, if such information regarding a known or fixed value is not available or is not accurately provided by the manufacturer, the oscilloscope 156 may be used to measure the first period of time, T1. The measurement controller 201 may determine (or store) information corresponding to the first period of time T1.
[0022] The time it takes the audio bus to analog converter 302 (e.g., a digital-to-analog converter) to convert the digital data from the audio bus 320 into analog form may be fixed (or known) and is generally defined by a second period, such as T2. Information relating to the second period, T2, may also be known or fixed (i.e., determined) based on information provided by the manufacturer of the audio bus to analog converter 302. In yet other examples, the second period, T2, may be measured using the oscilloscope 156 if such information regarding a known or fixed value is not available or is not accurately provided by the manufacturer. The measurement controller 201 may determine (or store) information corresponding to the second period, T2.
[0023] The time required for the amplifier 104 (e.g., the output circuit 314) to execute the software process and amplify the audio input signal to generate the audio output signal, and for the output circuit 314 to output the audio output signal, is generally defined by a third period, e.g., T3. The output circuit 314 includes any number of amplifiers (e.g., either software-based and / or hardware-based amplifiers) to amplify the audio output signal in the analog domain and output it to the speaker 105. As described above, the controller 201 can store information corresponding to the first period T1 and the second period T2, because these values may be known or fixed in advance. The controller 201 can also store information corresponding to the third period T3 after the oscilloscope 156 measures this value.
[0024] The oscilloscope 156 may be coupled to the output of the audio bus to analog converter 302 to receive an analog version of the processed audio input signal and to the output of the amplifier 104 to receive an analog version of the amplified audio output signal. If the output of the audio bus to analog converter 302 outputs an analog signal and the amplifier 104 outputs an analog signal, the oscilloscope 156 measures the two analog signals to determine the second period T2 and the third period T3. As described above, the first period T1 may be fixed and known and is stored in the measurement controller 201. The oscilloscope 156 may send the measured or calculated values of the second period T2 and the third period T3 to the controller 201. The measurement controller 201 may then sum the first time period T1, the second time period T2, and the third time period T2 (e.g., T1+T2+T3) to ascertain the total time (or delay) used by the amplifier 104 to process the audio input signal, amplify the audio input signal to generate an amplified audio output signal, and output the amplified audio output signal to the loudspeaker 106. The measurement controller 201 may report the delay caused by the amplifier 104 to a user via a display (not shown) or other mechanism. It should be appreciated that various automobile manufacturers may use strict requirements regarding the overall delay used by the amplifier 104 to receive the audio input signal, amplify the audio input signal to generate an audio output signal, and output the audio output signal to the loudspeaker 106. The disclosed system 200 enables audio providers the ability to precisely calculate such delays.
[0025] The disclosed system 200 can generally measure the delay associated with the amplifier 104 in processing an audio input signal, amplifying it, and outputting the amplified audio output signal to the loudspeaker 106. The disclosed system 200 can also determine the delay (e.g., a fixed delay (i.e., a first period T1 and / or a second period T2)) with the network-based audio data and output the audio output signal at the same timestamp. The disclosed system 200 can also enable a user to view the network audio data (e.g., shift the fixed delay) and also view the output of the amplifier 104 at the same zoom. Generally, the audio bus-to-analog converter 302 and the output of the amplifier 104 are both analog, and therefore the oscilloscope 156 can measure the time delay associated with the analog output of the audio bus-to-analog converter 302 and the amplifier 104. In this case, the oscilloscope 156 has an input channel capability of ≧2. The disclosed system 200 may also perform a trigger for the oscilloscope 156 to trigger measurements on the outputs of the audio bus to analog converter 302 and amplifier 104. The oscilloscope 156 may receive an input from a user to set a certain signal level as a trigger and then begin time measurements of the outputs to the audio bus to analog 302 and amplifier 304. Similarly, the disclosed system 200 may also extend the disclosed operations to perform general cross signal measurements. In essence, in this extension, delay measurements may be extended to the in of digital network A, the out of digital network B, or analog in and digital network out.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates generally a method 400 for measuring audio path delay, according to one embodiment.
[0027] In operation 402, the audio controller 102 is programmed to transmit an audio input signal in the digital domain.
[0028] At operation 404, the amplifier 104 is programmed to (i) process an audio input signal via the network physical layer 310, (ii) convert the processed audio input signal to a first processed audio signal in the analog domain via a digital-to-analog converter 313, (iii) amplify the first processed audio signal to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain, and (iv) output the amplified audio output signal via the output circuitry 314 to drive one or more speakers 106.
[0029] In operation 406, the audio bus to analog converter 302 is programmed to convert the processed audio input signal (eg, the output of the network physical layer 310) to a second processed audio signal in the analog domain.
[0030] At operation 408, the measurement controller 201 is further programmed to determine a delay (e.g., T1+T2+T3) for the amplifier 104 and (i) process the audio input signal (e.g., T1), (ii) convert the processed audio input signal to a first processed audio signal (e.g., T2), (iii) amplify the first processed audio signal, and (iv) output an amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the output amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain.
[0031] It is understood that the controllers disclosed herein may include any number of microprocessors, integrated circuits, memory devices (e.g., FLASH, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), or other suitable variations thereof), and software that cooperate with each other to perform the operation(s) disclosed herein. In addition, such disclosed controllers may use one or more microprocessors to execute a computer program embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium that is programmed to perform any number of the disclosed functions. Furthermore, any controllers shown herein include a housing and various numbers of microprocessors, integrated circuits, and memory devices (e.g., FLASH, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM)) located within the housing. The disclosed controller(s) also include hardware-based inputs and outputs for receiving and transmitting data to and from other hardware-based devices, respectively, as described herein.
[0032] Although exemplary embodiments have been described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe every possible form of the invention. Rather, the words used herein are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.
Claims
1. 1. An audio system for measuring delay, comprising: an audio controller programmed to transmit an audio input signal in the digital domain; processing said audio input signal; converting the processed audio input signal into a first processed audio signal in the analog domain; amplifying the first processed audio signal to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain; an amplifier programmed to output the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more loudspeakers; a first digital-to-analog converter programmed to convert the processed audio input signal into a second processed audio signal in the analog domain; a measurement controller programmed to determine a delay for the amplifier and: (i) process the audio input signal; (ii) convert the processed audio input signal to the second processed audio signal; (iii) amplify the first processed audio signal; and (iv) output the amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the output amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain; The audio system comprising:
2. 2. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine a first period of time corresponding to a first amount of time for the amplifier to process the audio input signal.
3. 3. The audio system of claim 2, wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine a second period of time corresponding to a second amount of time for the first digital-to-analog converter to convert the processed audio input signal to the second processed audio signal in the analog domain.
4. 4. The audio system of claim 3, wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine a third period of time corresponding to a third time during which the amplifier amplifies the first processed audio signal and outputs the amplified audio output signal.
5. 5. The audio system of claim 4, wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine the delay of the amplifier based on a sum of the first period, the second period, and the third period.
6. 2. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the amplifier includes a network physical layer programmed to process the audio input signal.
7. 7. The audio system of claim 6, wherein the amplifier includes a second digital-to-analog converter programmed to convert the processed audio input signal to the first processed audio signal in the analog domain.
8. The audio system of claim 7 , wherein the amplifier includes an output circuit configured to amplify the first processed audio signal.
9. 1. A method for measuring delay in an audio system, comprising the steps of: transmitting an audio input signal in the digital domain; processing the audio input signal in an amplifier; converting the processed audio input signal into a first processed audio signal in the analog domain; amplifying the first processed audio signal with the amplifier to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain; outputting the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more loudspeakers; converting, by a first digital-to-analog converter, the processed audio input signal into a second processed audio signal in the analog domain; determining a delay for the amplifier; (i) processing the audio input signal; (ii) converting the processed audio input signal to the first processed audio signal; (iii) amplifying the first processed audio signal; and (iv) outputting the amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the output amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain; The method comprising:
10. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining a first period of time corresponding to a first amount of time for the amplifier to process the audio input signal.
11. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining a second period of time corresponding to a second amount of time for the first digital-to-analog converter to convert the processed audio input signal to the second processed audio signal in the analog domain.
12. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining a third period of time corresponding to a third amount of time during which the amplifier amplifies the first processed audio signal and outputs the amplified audio output signal.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising determining the delay of the amplifier based on a sum of the first period, the second period, and the third period.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein processing the audio input signal with the amplifier comprises processing the audio input signal at a network physical layer.
15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein converting the processed audio input signal to the first processed audio signal in the analog domain further comprises converting the processed audio input signal to the first processed audio signal in the analog domain by a second digital-to-analog converter.
16. 1. A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium stored in a memory that is programmed and executable by at least one controller in an audio system, the computer program product comprising: Transmits audio input signals in the digital domain, processing the audio input signal in an amplifier; converting the processed audio input signal into a first processed audio signal in the analog domain; amplifying the first processed audio signal with the amplifier to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain; outputting the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more loudspeakers; converting, by a first digital-to-analog converter, the processed audio input signal into a second processed audio signal in the analog domain; determining a delay for the amplifier; (i) processing the audio input signal; (ii) converting the processed audio input signal to the first processed audio signal; (iii) amplifying the first processed audio signal; and (iv) outputting the amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the output amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain. said computer program product comprising instructions.
17. 17. The computer program product of claim 16, further comprising determining a first period of time corresponding to a first amount of time for the amplifier to process the audio input signal.
18. 18. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising determining a second period of time corresponding to a second amount of time for the first digital-to-analog converter to convert the processed audio input signal to the second processed audio signal in the analog domain.
19. 20. The computer program product of claim 18, further comprising determining a third period of time corresponding to a third amount of time during which the amplifier amplifies the first processed audio signal and outputs the amplified audio output signal.
20. 20. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising determining the delay of the amplifier based on a sum of the first period, the second period, and the third period.