Audio Load Impedance Detection With Adaptive Current Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low impedance in audio input and output devices, such as IEMs, leads to high electrical current draw, inefficiency, and audible distortion in audio systems, particularly in live performance environments.
Innovation Solution
An audio system with an impedance detection device and current adjustment mechanism, including a digital signal processor to detect impedance and a current adjuster to adaptively provide current based on detected impedance, improving efficiency and reducing distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If low impedance devices (e.g., IEMs with 10 ohms or less) are connected to the audio system, then the system can drive more devices in parallel with lower total impedance, but this results in high electrical current draw, low efficiency, and audible distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic impedance detection and adaptive current adjustment. The system continuously monitors the impedance of connected devices and dynamically adjusts the current output accordingly. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to adapt to different device configurations (improving versatility) while optimizing power delivery to minimize losses (reducing energy waste).
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (current output levels) based on detected impedance values. By measuring impedance and adjusting current parameters in real-time, the system achieves both compatibility with various devices and optimized energy efficiency, resolving the contradiction between versatility and energy loss.
2Reliability
If high current is provided to low impedance loads, then the connected devices can operate effectively, but this causes audible distortion in certain frequency ranges at high volume levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system detects impedance values and uses this information to adjust current output. This closed-loop control ensures that devices receive sufficient current for effective operation while preventing excessive current that would cause distortion, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis by detecting impedance and automatically adjusts its output parameters. This self-regulating capability ensures devices operate effectively without manual intervention while inherently preventing distortion by limiting current to appropriate levels, resolving the contradiction between effective operation and distortion prevention.
3Ease of operation
If battery power is used in the receiver to enable portability, then the system becomes mobile and convenient, but the limited power source reduces runtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes power consumption parameters based on detected device impedance. By optimizing current delivery efficiency through real-time parameter adjustment, the system extends battery runtime while maintaining portability, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and duration of action.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to audio systems and methods with load impedance detection and current adjustment. An audio system (e.g., personal stage monitoring (PSM) receiver) may include an impedance detector that detects impedance of the connected load, and a current adjuster that provides an adjustable available current to the connected load based on the detected impedance. The current adjuster may be amplifier(s) (e.g., buffers) connected in parallel between an audio amplifier of the PSM receiver and the connected device. The current adjuster may adaptively adjust available current that may be provided/delivered to the connected device (e.g., when the connected device is a low-impedance load) and disable additional current made available to the connected device when the connected load is a high-impedance load. The impedance detector may be configured to measure the impedance of an unknown load in real time to facilitate the adaptive availability of the current by the current adjuster.