Power Amplifier Channel Verification on Vehicular TDM Audio Buses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicular audio systems lack efficient methods to verify the functionality of power amplifiers in multi-channel audio transmission, particularly through TDM audio buses, without comprehensive testing of individual amplifier channels.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a TDM converter, audio signal processor, channel configurator, and controller to selectively route test signals to specific power amplifier channels via dial switches and resistors, enabling quick and precise verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a TDM audio bus is used to transmit multi-channel audio data, then audio transmission efficiency is improved, but the ability to test individual power amplifier channels is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio transmission efficiencyVSAvoidindividual channel testing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the TDM audio bus into individually controllable channels by introducing a channel configurator with multiple configuration units. Each configuration unit corresponds to a specific audio channel and can be independently controlled through dial switches, allowing test signals to be routed to specific power amplifier channels while maintaining the TDM bus structure for efficient multi-channel transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive testing of all power amplifier channels is performed, then verification accuracy is improved, but testing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic channel selection capability through the channel configurator and controller, allowing the testing system to dynamically route test signals to only the specific power amplifier channels that need verification. This dynamic routing maintains high verification accuracy for selected channels while significantly reducing testing time by avoiding unnecessary testing of all channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If individual channel selection for testing is implemented, then testing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidchannel configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary channel configuration through pre-arranged configuration units with dial switches that are physically connected to specific audio channels. The controller is pre-programmed with the correspondence between configuration units and channels, allowing rapid channel selection without complex real-time configuration, thus improving testing efficiency while keeping the configuration system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4329336B1System and method for verifying power amplifier of on-board audio system
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 SUZHOU SONAVOX ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4329336B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4329336B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Disclosed are a system and method for verifying a power amplifier of a vehicular audio system. The system includes: a TDM converter for converting an audio signal into a TDM signal; an audio signal processor for receiving the TDM signal and generating and outputting a test signal for transmitting to the power amplifier, the audio signal processor having N audio channels, N>1; a channel configurator having M configuration units, M≥N, each of the audio channels corresponding to one of the configuration units, and each of the configuration units having a selected state and a non-selected state; and a controller for determining that each of the configuration units is in the selected state or non-selected state and controlling the audio signal processor to place the TDM signal in audio channel(s) corresponding to configuration unit(s) in the selected state.