Low-overhead control channel for wireless audio systems

Abstract

A wireless audio system is provided that uses novel low-overhead in-band control and audio transmission. The wireless audio system includes a first wireless audio device configured to operate separate physical layer channels for audio data and control data and to transmit the audio data and control data using a single wideband carrier, and also includes one or more second wireless audio devices configured to receive the audio data and the control data and to execute instructions based on the control data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-reference This application claims the priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 803,788, filed on February 27, 2020, and the entire content of the U.S. Patent Application is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application generally relates to a wireless audio system that may include a plurality of subscriber devices and a base station. One or more of the base station and the subscriber devices are configured to transmit both audio data and control data. In particular, this application relates to a wireless audio system in which audio data and control data are transmitted on the same broadband carrier.

Background Art

[0003] Audio production may involve the use of many components, including microphones, wireless base stations, wireless subscriber devices, recorders, and / or mixers for capturing, recording, and presenting the audio of productions such as television programs, news broadcasts, movies, live events, and other types of productions. Microphones typically capture the audio of the production, and this audio is transmitted wirelessly from the microphone and / or wireless base station to the wireless subscriber device. The wireless base station can be connected to the recorder and / or mixer so that crew members, such as production sound mixers, can record and / or mix the audio. Electronic devices such as computers and smartphones may be connected to the recorder and / or mixer so that crew members can monitor the audio levels and timecodes.

[0004] Wireless base stations, wireless subscriber devices, wireless microphones, and other portable wireless communication devices include antennas for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals, including digital or analog signals such as modulated audio signals, data signals, and / or control signals. Users of portable wireless communication devices include stage performers, singers, actors, and news reporters.

[0005] A wireless base station may transmit RF signals, including audio signals, to one or more wireless subscriber devices. A wireless base station may be contained within, for example, a wireless handheld microphone or bodypack held or worn by a user, and may include an integrated transmitter and antenna. Alternatively, a wireless base station may be contained within an access point, rack-mount transceiver, or other centralized unit. Wireless subscriber devices may be portable devices such as wireless earphones, wireless conferencing units, bodypacks, in-ear wireless monitors, microphones, intercom devices, and others.

[0006] In addition to transmitting and receiving audio data, audio systems may also need to transmit various types of control information. Control information, or control data, may be used to control volume, transmit battery life data, encryption keys, and other information to ensure proper operation of base stations and subscriber devices. In some cases, control data is transmitted using a separate out-of-band mechanism from the audio data. For example, control data may be transmitted over a separate communication link, such as via infrared (IR) or Wi-Fi links. However, these techniques require separate transmit and receive hardware in the transmitter and receiver. Furthermore, using separate communication links for audio and control data can lead to coverage area mismatches due to greater interference on one link than the other, line-of-sight issues (especially when control data is transmitted over an IR link), and other problems. In other cases, audio and control data are multiplexed to a single channel at the physical layer, rather than being transmitted over separate communication links. While this technique can solve some of the problems mentioned above, it introduces others. For example, the combined bitrate of audio and control data is limited by the physical layer channels, and therefore there is no flexibility in individually setting the relative link performance for audio and control data.

[0007] Therefore, wireless audio systems that utilize low-overhead in-band control, which do not require separate communication links, provide the same coverage area for both audio and control data, and allow independent control of the coding rate and modulation scheme of audio and control data, are promising. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0008] Embodiments of this disclosure are intended to solve or assist in solving the problems mentioned above by providing a wireless audio system that enables the transmission of both audio and control information using a low-overhead in-band scheme.

[0009] In one embodiment, the audio system includes a first wireless audio device (e.g., a base station or subscriber device) configured to operate separate physical layer channels for audio data and control data, and to transmit the audio data and control data using a single broadband carrier. The audio system also includes one or more second wireless audio devices (e.g., one or more base stations or subscriber devices) configured to receive the audio data and control data and to execute commands based on the control data.

[0010] In some examples, one or more second wireless audio devices are further configured to operate separate physical layer channels for second audio data and second control data, and to transmit the second audio data and second control data using a single broadband carrier. Furthermore, the first wireless audio device may be configured to receive second audio data and second control data, and to execute instructions based on the second control data.

[0011] In some examples, the first wireless audio device is further configured to use different modulation schemes and / or coding rates for audio data and control data based on a desired bit error rate.

[0012] In some examples, the first wireless audio device is further configured to combine audio data and control data into frames, each frame containing a downlink portion and an uplink portion. Frames may be structured according to a frame scheme, which is repeated every N frames. Each frame in the frame scheme may contain a broadcast channel slot. A broadcast channel slot may contain information used by one or more subscriber devices to access the audio system, including N frames in the frame scheme. Each of the N frames in the frame scheme may contain M pairs of control channel slots, where the first slot of a given pair of control channel slots is contained in the downlink portion of a given frame, and the second slot of the pair of control channel slots is contained in the uplink portion of the frame. Each of the one or more second wireless audio devices is assigned one pair of control channel slots.

[0013] In a second embodiment, the wireless base station of the audio system may include a processor configured to operate a first physical layer channel for audio data and a second physical layer channel for control data. The wireless base station of the audio system may also include an antenna configured to transmit the audio data and the control data using a single broadband carrier.

[0014] In some examples, the processor is further configured to use different modulation schemes and coding rates for audio data and control data.

[0015] In some examples, the processor is also configured to combine audio data and control data into frames, each frame containing a downlink portion and an uplink portion. The processor may operate using a frame scheme, which is repeated every N frames. Each frame in the frame scheme may contain a broadcast channel slot. The broadcast channel slot may contain information used by one or more subscriber devices to access the audio data and control data, including the number of frames N in the frame scheme.

[0016] In some embodiments, each of the N frames in a frame scheme may include M pairs of control channel slots, where the first slot of a given pair of control channel slots is included in the downlink portion of a given frame, and the second slot of a given pair of control channel slots is included in the uplink portion of the frame. A wireless base station may be configured to communicate with one or more subscriber devices, each of which is assigned one pair of control channel slots.

[0017] In a third embodiment, non-temporary computer-readable memory stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause a set of actions to be performed. The set of actions includes operating a first physical layer channel using audio data to be transmitted to a wireless subscriber device. The set of actions also includes operating a second physical layer channel using control data to be transmitted to a wireless subscriber device. The set of actions further includes controlling an antenna to transmit the audio data and control data using a single broadband carrier.

[0018] These and other embodiments, as well as various combinations and forms, will become apparent and more readily apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, which present exemplary embodiments illustrating various ways in which the principles of the present invention can be utilized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a wireless audio system according to several embodiments. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of exemplary computing devices, such as a first wireless audio device, a second wireless audio device, a base station, and / or a subscriber device, in a wireless audio system according to several embodiments. [Figure 3] This is a simplified block diagram illustrating an exemplary frame scheme according to several embodiments. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows various operations for wirelessly transmitting audio and control information using a low-overhead in-band control channel scheme, according to several embodiments. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows various operations for wirelessly transmitting audio and control information using a low-overhead in-band control channel scheme, according to several embodiments. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] The following description illustrates and illustrates one or more specific embodiments of the present invention in accordance with the principles of the present invention. This description is provided not to limit the present invention to the embodiments described herein, but to explain and teach the principles of the present invention in a manner that will enable those skilled in the art to understand the principles, and that by this understanding, they will be able to be applied to implement not only the embodiments described herein but also other embodiments that may be conceived in accordance with the principles. The scope of the present invention is intended to encompass all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the accompanying claims, either literally or on the basis of the doctrine of equivalents.

[0021] It should be noted that in this description and drawings, similar or substantially identical elements may be given the same reference numerals. However, in some cases, these elements may be given different numerals, for example, where such notation facilitates a clearer description. Furthermore, the drawings presented herein are not necessarily drawn to actual scale, and in some cases, the proportions may be exaggerated to more clearly depict certain features. Such notation and drawing conventions do not necessarily suggest an essential purpose. As stated above, this specification is intended to be understood as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the invention as taught herein and understood by those skilled in the art.

[0022] The wireless audio systems described herein may utilize a single RF carrier to transmit both audio and control data. Multiple audio and control channels may be transmitted together within a single frame. Embodiments of this disclosure include using separate physical layer channels for audio and control information, thereby enabling separate individual operations on channel modulation and channel coding rates. This configuration allows the user to set initial parameters for the control and audio channels at the time of setting up the wireless audio system, as well as to adjust the parameters of the control and audio channels in real time, thereby improving the functionality of the wireless audio system.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless audio system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless audio system 100 may include a first wireless audio device 110 (also referred to as a wireless base station 110 in some embodiments) and a plurality of second wireless audio devices 120A-I (also referred to as wireless subscriber devices 120A-I in some embodiments). The first wireless audio device may be a base station, such as a wireless access point, a rack-mounted transceiver, or any other suitable device. One or more of the second wireless audio devices may be subscriber devices, such as wireless earphones, wireless conference units, body packs, in-ear wireless monitors, microphones, intercom devices, and the like. The wireless audio system 100 may also include an audio source (not shown) that communicates with the first wireless audio device 110. The audio source may generate one or more audio source signals that may include one or both of audio data and control data. The first wireless audio device 110 may modulate the audio data and / or control data received from the audio source.

[0024] The first wireless audio device 110 can be a computing device such as a computing device described in more detail with respect to FIG. 2. In some examples, the first wireless audio device 110 can include one or more antennas. In some examples, the first wireless audio device 110 may utilize antenna diversity and may also use multiple antennas. Antenna diversity can include, for example, using physically separated antennas (i.e., antennas positioned apart in space). It is contemplated and possible for the first wireless audio device 110 to have three or more antennas and for any number of second wireless audio devices 120A - I to exist. In some embodiments, the first wireless audio device 110 can be an access point or other centralized unit. The second wireless audio devices 120A - I can be, in some embodiments, portable wireless subscriber devices such as wireless earphones, wireless conference units, or body packs.

[0025] In some embodiments, the wireless audio system 100 can be an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) broadband audio system that enables various types of traffic to be carried on individual sub - carriers and multiplexed together into a single broadband carrier. The RF signals transmitted by the first wireless audio device 110 and received by one or more of the second wireless audio devices 120A - I can include, for example, data symbols having audio data and control data. The data symbols can be, in some embodiments, QPSK / QAM - modulated sub - carriers capable of carrying audio data signals and / or control signals. As pointed out below, other modulation schemes and coding rates can also be used.

[0026] As used herein, audio data may include information used by a plurality of second wireless audio devices 120A-I to output audio (speech) through one or more speakers. Control data may include information used to control volume, indicated battery life, encryption key-related information, and others.

[0027] As noted above, both audio data and control data may be necessary for an audio system to function properly. In some cases, audio data and control data are transmitted and received using separate communication mechanisms, for example, by transmitting audio data over a radio frequency (RF) connection and control data over another mechanism such as infrared (IR), Wi-Fi, or another "out-of-band" link. As a result of using two different mechanisms, coverage area mismatches may occur between audio data and control data. For example, if control data is transmitted over IR, a line of sight may be required, while audio data transmitted over an RF carrier does not require a line of sight.

[0028] Alternatively, if the system were to attempt to transmit audio and control data through the same interface mechanism, one approach would be to multiplex multiple audio and control data into one at the physical layer. However, this results in a combined bitrate, which is limited by the physical layer channels. Furthermore, there is no flexibility in setting the relative link performance of the audio and control data. In addition, there is relatively high overhead due to the inability to dynamically change the performance characteristics associated with one or both of the audio and control data.

[0029] In embodiments of this disclosure, the audio system 100 is configured to help address some or all of the problems described above. For example, the first wireless audio device 110 is configured to operate separate physical layer channels for audio data and control data. This allows each physical layer channel to have a different modulation scheme and coding rate. For example, the modulation scheme for audio data may be 16-QAM with a coding rate of 3 / 4. Furthermore, the modulation scheme for control data may be QPSK with a coding rate of 1 / 2. The modulation schemes and coding rates may be the same or different for audio data and control data based on one or more desired operating characteristics.

[0030] In some cases, the modulation scheme and coding rate for either or both audio and control data can be determined based on a desired bit error rate. A particular modulation scheme and coding rate are chosen to balance minimizing the error rate while maintaining a sufficient data transmission rate. Choosing a more robust modulation scheme and coding rate (e.g., 16-QAM with a coding rate of 3 / 4 compared to QPSK with a coding rate of 1 / 2) results in a lower bit error rate over a given transmission range, but at the expense of data transmission rate.

[0031] In other examples, the modulation scheme and coding rate for either or both audio and control data can be set based on the desired range of transmission. In this case, the modulation scheme and coding rate are chosen to balance maximizing range while maintaining a sufficient data transmission rate. Choosing a more robust modulation scheme and coding rate will narrow the transmission range but increase the transmission rate. In either case, a more robust modulation scheme and coding rate are usually chosen for control data than for audio data so that the physical layer link can be established and maintained even in channel conditions where audio channel performance is inferior.

[0032] The physical layer channels are then combined to form a single RF carrier, which is transmitted or broadcast to multiple second wireless audio devices 120A-I, where each second wireless audio device 120A-I receives both audio data and control data from the same signal.

[0033] The second wireless audio devices 120A-I may be computing devices, such as computing devices described in more detail with respect to Figure 2. In some examples, the second wireless audio devices 120A-I may each include one or more antennas. In some examples, the second wireless audio devices 120A-I may utilize antenna diversity and may use multiple antennas. Antenna diversity may include, for example, the use of physically separated antennas (i.e., antennas positioned far apart in space). It is intended and possible for the second wireless audio devices 120A-I to have three or more antennas. In some embodiments, the second wireless audio devices 120A-I may be portable wireless subscriber devices such as wireless earphones, wireless conferencing units, bodypacks, in-ear wireless monitors, microphones, intercom devices, and others.

[0034] In some examples, a second wireless audio device 120A-I may receive audio and control data transmitted by the first wireless audio device 110. The second wireless audio device 120A-I may then demodulate, convert, and / or process the received RF signals to generate analog or digital output audio signals and control signals. The second wireless audio device 120A-I is also configured to execute various commands based on the received control data. For example, the second wireless audio device may be configured to modify the volume, change the encryption, adjust the timing, and so on.

[0035] In some examples, the first wireless audio device and one or more second audio devices may be further configured to operate as transceivers. In this case, one or more second wireless audio devices may be further configured to operate separate physical layer channels for second audio data and second control data, and to transmit the second audio data and second control data using a single broadband carrier. The first wireless audio device may then be further configured to receive the second audio data and second control data, and to execute commands based on the second control data. Thus, if the first wireless audio device is a base station capable of operating as both a transmitter and a receiver, and one or more second wireless audio devices are subscriber devices capable of operating as both transmitters and receivers, each device can be configured to operate separate physical layer channels for audio data and control data, and to transmit both audio data and control data using a single broadband carrier.

[0036] Figure 2 shows a simplified block diagram of an exemplary computing device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. One or more of the first wireless audio device 110 and the second wireless audio devices 120A to I may be computing devices such as computing device 200. In that case, the first wireless audio device 110 and / or the second wireless audio devices 120A to I may include one or more components of computing device 200.

[0037] The computing device 200 may be configured to perform a variety of functions or operations, such as those described in this disclosure (and the accompanying drawings). The computing device 200 may include a variety of components, including a processor 210, memory 220, user interface 230, and communication interface 240, all of which are communicatively coupled by a system bus, network, or other connectivity mechanism 250. It should be understood that the examples disclosed herein may refer to computing devices and / or systems having components that may or may not be physically located in close proximity to one another. Some embodiments may take the form of a cloud-based system or device, and the term “computing device” should be understood to include distributed systems and devices (e.g., cloud-based ones), as well as software, firmware, and other components configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. Furthermore, as noted above, one or more features of the computing device 200 may be physically remote and may also be communicatively coupled to the computing device, for example, via a communication interface 240.

[0038] The processor 210 may include a general-purpose processor (e.g., a microphone processor) and / or a dedicated processor (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP)). The processor 210 may be any suitable processing device or set of processing devices, including, but not limited to, a microphone processor, a microphone controller-based platform, an integrated circuit, one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0039] Memory 220 may be volatile memory (e.g., RAM including non-volatile RAM, magnetic RAM, ferroelectric RAM, etc.), non-volatile memory (e.g., disk memory, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, memistor-based non-volatile solid-state memory, etc.), immutable memory (e.g., EPROM), read-only memory, and / or mass storage devices (e.g., hard drives, solid-state drives, etc.). In some examples, memory 220 includes multiple types of memory, particularly volatile and non-volatile memory.

[0040] The memory 220 may be a computer-readable medium capable of embedding one or more instruction sets, such as software for performing the methods of the disclosure. The instructions may embody one or more of the methods or logic described herein. For example, the instructions may reside, all or at least partially, in the memory 220, one or more of the computer-readable medium, and / or in the processor 210 during the execution of the instructions.

[0041] The terms “non-temporary computer-readable medium” and “computer-readable medium” include one or more media, such as centralized or distributed databases, and / or associated caches and servers that store one or more instruction sets. Furthermore, the terms “non-temporary computer-readable medium” and “computer-readable medium” include any tangible medium that can store, encode, or carry instruction sets that are executed by a processor or cause a system to execute one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein. Where used herein, the term “computer-readable medium” is expressly defined to include any type of computer-readable storage device and / or storage disk, and to exclude propagating signals.

[0042] The user interface 230 can facilitate interaction with the device's user. For this purpose, the user interface 230 may include input components such as a keyboard, keypad, mouse, touch-sensitive panel, microphone, and camera, and output components such as a display screen (which may be combined with, for example, a touch-sensitive panel), sound speaker, and haptic feedback system. The user interface 230 may also include devices that communicate with the input or output components, such as short-range transceivers (RFID, Bluetooth, etc.), telephone interfaces, cellular communication ports, routers, or other types of network interface equipment. The user interface 230 may be located inside the computing device 200, or it may be external and connected wirelessly, or via a connection cable, such as through a universal serial bus port.

[0043] The communication interface 240 may be configured to allow device 200 to communicate with one or more devices (or systems) according to one or more protocols. In one example, the communication interface 240 may be a wired interface, such as an Ethernet interface or a high-resolution serial digital interface (HD-SDI). In another example, the communication interface 240 may be a wireless interface, such as a cellular, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi interface. In some examples, the communication interface may include one or more antennas and may be configured to transmit and receive RF signals.

[0044] The data bus 250 may include one or more wires, traces, or other mechanisms for communicatively connecting the processor 210, memory 220, user interface 230, and communication interface 240, and / or any other applicable computing device components.

[0045] Figure 3 is a simplified block diagram showing an exemplary frame scheme 300 according to several embodiments. A first wireless audio device 110 (e.g., a wireless base station) may be configured to combine audio data and control data into a frame, which is then transmitted or broadcast to a plurality of second wireless audio devices 120A-I (e.g., wireless subscriber devices). Each frame may include a downlink portion and an uplink portion. In some examples, the frame is evenly divided between the downlink and uplink portions. In other examples, the downlink portion is larger than the uplink portion (i.e., has a larger data capacity), and vice versa.

[0046] The wireless audio system operates according to frame scheme 300, in which case the frames are repeated in a certain pattern. For example, scheme 300 contains N frames, showing the first frame i, the second frame i+1, and the last frame i+N-1. In this case, the scheme is repeated again from frame i after frame i+N-1 has been transmitted.

[0047] Please understand that the illustrated example in Figure 3 is merely one example provided to illustrate a particular feature, and that many other examples can be used while remaining within the scope of this disclosure.

[0048] The illustrative frame scheme shown in Figure 3 illustrates that each frame contains multiple slots and capacity for audio data. In one example, each frame in frame scheme 300 contains a broadcast channel slot 302. The broadcast channel slot 302 contains information used by one or more of the second wireless audio devices 120A-I to access the audio system 100, including the number N of frames in the frame scheme. This allows each of the second wireless audio devices 120A-I to determine when the frame will be repeated. The broadcast channel slot may also contain various other pieces of information used by the second wireless audio devices 120A-I to access the audio system 100.

[0049] Multiple frames in the frame scheme 300 include, in some examples, one or more slots reserved for a common control channel (e.g., a random access channel 306 and / or a common control channel slot 304). These slots may be shared so that each of the multiple second wireless audio devices 120A-I can access them. The random access channel slot 306 and / or common control channel slot 304 may be included in all frames of the frame scheme 300, or in only a subset of frames (e.g., only in the first frame of the scheme).

[0050] In some examples, multiple frames in frame scheme 300 also include multiple control channel slot pairs. Each control channel slot pair corresponds to one of multiple second wireless audio devices 120A-I. In the illustrated example, each frame contains M control channel slot pairs. Each control channel slot pair includes a first slot in the uplink portion of the frame and a second slot in the downlink portion of the frame. For example, the first control channel slot pair includes a first slot 308A in the uplink portion of frame i+1 and a second slot 308B in the downlink portion of frame i+1.

[0051] In the illustrated example, frame scheme 300 contains N frames. Each of the N frames may contain M channel slot pairs. Thus, frame scheme 300 can support M × N separate second wireless audio devices. However, one or more of the N frames may contain shared slots (e.g., a common control channel 304 and / or a random access channel 306), reducing the total number of supported second wireless audio devices.

[0052] In some examples, the parameters N (i.e., the number of frames in the frame scheme) and M (i.e., the number of control channel slot pairs in a given frame) are selected by the user during setup. That is, these parameters are modifiable based on the requirements of the environment in which they are used, and can be arbitrarily modified to ensure that latency, audio data throughput, and other desired operating characteristics are met. The selected values ​​of M and N can be based on the desired maximum number of required audio channels, while still meeting system requirements regarding control channel bitrate and latency. For example, if fewer wireless subscriber devices are required, M can be reduced to shorten the control channel latency. Alternatively, if more wireless subscriber devices are used, the latency can be increased to accommodate additional wireless subscriber devices while maintaining the audio data bitrate.

[0053] In some examples, each second wireless audio device receives device-specific control information in only one of the total N frames. In this case, the larger the number of frames N in the frame scheme, the longer the delay (i.e., latency) between frames containing control data for a given second wireless audio device.

[0054] Alternatively, if fewer frames N are used but each frame contains a control channel-to-slot ratio M, the available capacity for audio data in each frame will be smaller. Consequently, a shorter control latency will result in a lower audio data bitrate. In this case, a balance must be struck if the latency is increased (i.e., additional frames N are added) to reduce the overhead present in a given frame (i.e., the control channel-to-slot ratio M is smaller).

[0055] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Method 400 may enable a wireless audio system to use low-overhead in-bandwidth control data transmission with audio data, without limitations on existing methods for transmitting audio and control data. Method 400 details a network entry process for a wireless subscriber device to join the system. The flowchart in Figure 4 represents machine-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 220), which may include one or more programs that, when executed by a processor (e.g., processor 210), cause a computing device 200 and / or one or more systems or devices to perform one or more of the functions described herein. While exemplary programs are described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 4, many other methods for performing the functions described herein may be used instead. For example, to implement Method 400, the execution order of blocks may be rearranged or performed sequentially or in parallel with one another, blocks may be modified, deleted, and / or combined. Furthermore, since Method 400 is disclosed in relation to the components of Figures 1 to 3, some of the functions of those components will not be described in detail below.

[0056] Method 400 may begin in block 402. In block 404, Method 400 includes synchronizing with the frequency and timing of the system. This is done by having a wireless subscriber device attempt to make network entry to the audio system.

[0057] In block 406, method 400 includes decoding a broadcast channel (e.g., BCH302 in Figure 3). The decoded BCH information enables the wireless subscriber device to determine the value of N, i.e., the number of frames N in the frame scheme. This enables the wireless subscriber device to determine when the next repeating frame will occur.

[0058] In block 408, method 400 includes sending a Random Access Channel (RACH) request in a slot allocated for random access (e.g., slot 306 in Figure 3). The RACH request includes a request for the allocation of a dedicated control channel pair that will be associated with the wireless subscriber device.

[0059] In block 410, method 400 includes a wireless subscriber device monitoring a common control channel (CCCH) slot for RACH responses.

[0060] In block 412, method 400 includes determining whether a response has been received on CCCH. If no response has been received, method 400 includes delaying for an arbitrary period of time in block 414. Method 400 then returns to block 408, where a new RACH request is sent by the wireless subscriber device.

[0061] If a RACH response is received by the wireless subscriber device in block 412, method 400 proceeds to block 416. In block 416, the wireless subscriber device obtains a dedicated control channel pair assignment (e.g., slots 308A and 308B in Figure 3) based on the RACH response.

[0062] In block 418, method 400 then includes a wireless subscriber device performing one or more actions, such as a bandwidth request, using a dedicated control channel pair.

[0063] Method 400 then terminates in block 420.

[0064] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Method 500 may enable a wireless audio system to use low-overhead in-bandwidth control data transmission with audio data, without limitations on existing methods for transmitting audio data and control data. Method 500 details a method for transmitting both audio data and control data from a wireless base station to a wireless subscriber device. The flowchart in Figure 5 represents machine-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 220), which may include one or more programs that, when executed by a processor (e.g., processor 210), cause a computing device 200 and / or one or more systems or devices to perform one or more of the functions described herein. While exemplary programs are described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 5, many other methods for performing the functions described herein may be used instead. For example, to implement Method 500, the execution order of blocks may be rearranged or performed sequentially or in parallel with one another, and blocks may be modified, deleted, and / or combined. Furthermore, since Method 500 is disclosed in relation to the components shown in Figures 1 to 3, the functions of some of these components will not be described in detail below.

[0065] Method 500 begins in block 502. In block 504, Method 500 includes operating a first physical layer channel for audio data. In block 506, Method 500 includes operating a second physical layer channel for control data. The physical layer channels for control data and audio data may be separate from each other, and the control data may correspond to the audio data (i.e., including commands to change the playback volume, timing, etc., of a wireless subscriber device).

[0066] In block 508, method 500 includes transmitting audio data and control data from separate physical layers using a single broadband carrier. In block 510, method 500 includes a wireless subscriber device receiving the combined audio data and control data. The wireless subscriber device can then decode and / or process the received data to determine whether any commands are present in the data. In block 512, method 500 includes the wireless subscriber device executing a command (e.g., changing the volume) based on the received control data. Method 500 then terminates in block 514.

[0067] Any process description or block in the figures should be understood to represent a module, segment, or code portion containing one or more executable instructions for performing a particular logical function or step in the process, and as will be understood by those skilled in the art, but the scope of embodiments of the present invention includes alternative implementations in which functions may be performed in an order different from those shown or considered, such as substantially simultaneously or in the opposite order, depending on the functionality involved.

[0068] This disclosure is intended to illustrate how various embodiments can be made and used in accordance with the art, and is not intended to limit the fair scope and spirit of its true intent. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the exact forms disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the foregoing teachings. The embodiments have been selected and described to best illustrate the principles of the art described and its practical applications, and so that those skilled in the art can utilize the art in various embodiments with various modifications suitable for a particular intended use. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the embodiments as determined by the appended claims (which may be amended during the pendency of this patent application) and all equivalents thereof, as interpreted in accordance with a fair, lawful and equitable scope.

Claims

1. A first wireless audio device, By operating separate physical layer channels for audio data and control data, The audio data and the control data are combined to form a frame, each frame including a downlink portion and an uplink portion, the first wireless audio device operates using a frame scheme that is repeated every N frames, each frame in the frame scheme including a broadcast channel slot, the broadcast channel slot representing the number N of frames in the frame scheme, A first wireless audio device configured to transmit the aforementioned audio data and control data using a single broadband carrier, One or more second wireless audio devices, The audio data and control data are received, One or more second wireless audio devices configured to execute commands based on the control data, An audio system equipped with [specific features / features].

2. The one or more second wireless audio devices are By operating separate physical layer channels for the second audio data and the second control data, The system is further configured to transmit the second audio data and the second control data using a single broadband carrier. The first wireless audio device described above is The second audio data and the second control data are received, Further configured to execute instructions based on the second control data, The audio system according to claim 1.

3. The audio system according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless audio device is a base station configured to connect to a recorder or mixer, and the one or more second wireless audio devices include one or more subscriber devices.

4. The audio system according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless audio device is further configured to use different modulation schemes for the audio data and the control data.

5. The audio system according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless audio device is further configured to use different coding rates for the audio data and the control data.

6. The audio system according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless audio device is further configured to determine different modulation schemes or coding rates with respect to the audio data and the control data based on a desired bit error rate.

7. The audio system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the N frames of the frame scheme include M pairs of control channel slots, the first slot of a given pair of control channel slots is included in the downlink portion of a given frame, and the second slot of a given pair of control channel slots is included in the uplink portion of the frame.

8. The audio system according to claim 7, wherein each of the one or more second wireless audio devices is assigned a corresponding pair of control channel slots.

9. A wireless base station for an audio system including one or more wireless subscriber devices, It is a processor, Activate the first physical layer channel that uses audio data, Activate a second physical layer channel that uses control data, The audio data and the control data are combined to form a frame, each frame including a downlink portion and an uplink portion, the processor operates using a frame scheme that is repeated every N frames, each frame in the frame scheme includes a broadcast channel slot, and the broadcast channel slot represents the number N of frames in the frame scheme. A processor configured in such a way, The antenna and the control data are configured to transmit the aforementioned audio data and control data using a single broadband carrier. A wireless base station equipped with the necessary components.

10. The wireless base station according to claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to use different modulation schemes for the audio data and the control data.

11. The wireless base station according to claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to use different coding rates for the audio data and the control data.

12. The wireless base station according to claim 9, wherein one or more of the N frames of the frame scheme include M pairs of control channel slots, the first slot of a given pair of control channel slots is included in the downlink portion of a given frame, and the second slot of a given pair of control channel slots is included in the uplink portion of a frame.

13. The wireless base station according to claim 12, wherein the wireless base station is configured to communicate with one or more subscriber devices, and each of the one or more subscriber devices is assigned a corresponding pair of control channel slots.

14. A non-temporary computer-readable memory in which instructions are stored, wherein the instructions are executed by a processor. To operate a first physical layer channel that uses audio data to be transmitted to wireless subscriber devices in an audio system that includes one or more wireless subscriber devices, Activating a second physical layer channel that uses control data to be transmitted to the aforementioned wireless subscriber device, The process involves combining the audio data and the control data to form a frame, where each frame includes a downlink portion and an uplink portion, the processor operates using a frame scheme that repeats every N frames, each frame in the frame scheme includes a broadcast channel slot, and the broadcast channel slot indicates the number N of frames in the frame scheme, and combining them to form a frame. Controlling the antenna to transmit the aforementioned audio data and control data using a single broadband carrier. Non-temporary, computer-readable memory that allows a set of operations, including the execution of a specific action.

Images