Audio Amplifier Circuitry for Low-Complexity Ultrasonic Chirps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio systems face increased complexity and power consumption when supporting ultrasonic signal generation due to the need for additional circuitry to produce and encode ultrasonic signals onto audible audio signals, which also requires higher data rates and increased system complexity.
Innovation Solution
The audio amplifier circuitry is structured with separate data interfaces for audible and ultrasonic signals, using an echo reference signal to condition audible signals and generate ultrasonic signals independently, reducing data rate requirements and system complexity by combining these signals within the amplifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional circuitry is added to generate ultrasonic signals, then ultrasonic signal generation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio amplifier circuitry is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes both audible audio signals and generates ultrasonic chirp signals through the integrated ultrasonic chirp generator circuitry. The combination circuitry merges these functions by combining audible audio signals with ultrasonic chirp signals, allowing a single system to handle both audio playback and ultrasonic signal generation without requiring separate dedicated hardware systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional circuitry is added to generate ultrasonic signals, then ultrasonic signal generation capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the processing of audible audio signals and generation of ultrasonic chirp signals within a single audio amplifier system. The combination circuitry integrates both signal types, and the DAC circuitry converts the combined digital signal to analog, allowing the system to share common components such as the amplifier and output stage, thereby reducing overall power consumption compared to having separate independent systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If higher data rates are used to support ultrasonic signals, then ultrasonic signal generation is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing into distinct functional blocks: audio signal processing circuitry for audible signals, ultrasonic chirp generator circuitry for ultrasonic signals, and combination circuitry to merge them. This segmentation allows each block to process its specific signal type efficiently without requiring the entire system to operate at higher data rates, as the division of labor enables optimized processing paths.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate data interfaces are used for audible and ultrasonic signals, then ultrasonic signal generation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the processing of audible audio signals and generation of ultrasonic chirp signals within a single audio amplifier system. The combination circuitry integrates both signal types, and the DAC circuitry converts the combined digital signal to analog, allowing the system to share common components such as the amplifier and output stage, thereby reducing overall power consumption compared to having separate independent systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An example apparatus includes: audio amplifier circuitry including: audio signal processing circuitry having an output; a register having an output; ultrasonic chirp generator circuitry having an input and an output, the input of the ultrasonic chirp generator circuitry coupled to the output of the register; combination circuitry having a first input, a second input, and an output, the first input of the combination circuitry coupled to the output of the audio signal processing circuitry, the second input of the combination circuitry coupled to the ultrasonic chirp generator circuitry; digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry having an input and an output, the input of the DAC circuitry coupled to the output of the combination circuitry; and an amplifier having an input coupled to the output of the DAC circuitry.