Audio Timing Synchronization Using Adjustable Filter Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless audio systems face challenges in maintaining low latency and synchronization across multiple endpoints, particularly in wireless networks, leading to issues like channel-to-channel latency and packet loss that affect the quality of multi-channel audio systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that synchronizes media and sample clocks using a novel mechanism involving adjustable filters and frequency tracking to maintain precise timing across network endpoints, utilizing techniques such as PTP and AVBTP, and employing frequency diversity and error concealment to handle packet loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless transmission is used to distribute audio signals, then ease of installation and flexibility are improved, but latency and synchronization precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where receiving devices send timing information back to transmitting devices, enabling dynamic adjustment of transmission timing to compensate for variable wireless delays and maintain synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary timing measurements and establishes synchronization parameters before actual audio transmission begins, allowing the system to pre-compensate for known delays and establish synchronized operation across all devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple network endpoints are connected for multi-channel audio, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but channel-to-channel latency and synchronization precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the multi-channel audio transmission into synchronized time slots and uses separate timing references for each channel, allowing independent timing control while maintaining overall synchronization across all channels
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures channel-to-channel latency variations and applies compensating delay adjustments to individual channels, effectively counterbalancing the timing differences that arise in multi-channel wireless transmission
3Device complexity
If wireless transmission is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability and packet loss resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements error concealment mechanisms that prepare and store alternative audio data or interpolated values in advance, allowing receiving devices to compensate for lost packets without audible degradation by using pre-prepared replacement data
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback channels to detect packet loss conditions and dynamically adjust transmission strategies, requesting retransmission or switching to error concealment modes based on real-time network conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for novel systems and methods of audio transmission that alleviate shortcomings in the art and provide novel mechanisms for robust and scalable audio transmission. In some embodiments, a method is provided for receiving an input time datum, determining a time period from the input time datum to a second time, the second time occurring after the input time datum, determining a value for at least one parameter of an adjustable filter based on the time period, configuring the adjustable filter based on the value of the at least one parameter, determining an output time datum by applying the configured adjustable filter to the input time datum, and outputting the output time datum.