Audio Interface Control Multiplexing for Dynamic Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital audio interfaces, such as the I2S bus, require additional pins for control signals, increasing the size and cost of integrated circuits and limiting the ability to change settings during audio stream transmission without stopping the stream, which is audible and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method and circuit for multiplexing control data with digitized analog data using a keyword packet and command packets within the audio signal frames, allowing for dynamic configuration of digital audio devices without interrupting the audio stream by truncating frames to insert control information at specific sub-channels, and verifying cyclic redundancy checks to ensure data integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional pins are added for control signals in digital audio interfaces, then control capability is improved, but device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidnumber of pins

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges control signal transmission with audio data transmission by multiplexing control words into the audio data stream. The control words are inserted at specific positions within the audio data frames, allowing the same physical interface to carry both audio and control information without requiring separate control lines or additional pins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The audio data stream is transformed into a universal carrier that can transport both audio information and control instructions. By making the audio stream multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for dedicated control interfaces, thereby reducing the number of pins while maintaining full control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If audio stream is stopped for device configuration, then control accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidaudio stream continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between audio data transmission and control word transmission within the same time-domain stream. Control words are inserted at specific positions in the audio frames, allowing the system to adaptively carry out configuration operations without completely stopping the audio stream, thus maintaining productivity while enabling configuration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary action by inserting control words at predetermined positions within audio frames before the actual audio data is processed. This allows the receiving device to prepare for configuration changes in advance while the audio stream continues, avoiding interruptions and maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If control data is inserted into audio stream, then device complexity is reduced, but data integrity may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through cyclic redundancy checks (CRC) that are calculated for the audio data frames. When control words are inserted, the receiving device can verify the integrity of the data using these feedback codes, allowing it to detect and correct errors, thus maintaining data integrity while keeping the interface simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for potential data errors by incorporating error detection and correction codes before the control data is inserted into the audio stream. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even when control words are multiplexed with audio data, the integrity of the transmitted information is preserved through preventive error protection measures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9348780B2Circuit and methods to use an audio interface to program a device within an audio stream

Publication Date: 2016.05.24 DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR BV

AI summary

Method and apparatus for controlling a digitized analog audio device from a control circuit communicating with the digitized analog audio device with a serial digital analog audio protocol on a serial communication medium multiplexes command data words within digitized analog audio data frames. The digitized analog audio device extracts the command data words from the digitized analog audio data frames. The command data word includes a keyword packet, a command packet, an optional address packet, and an optional data packet. The keyword packet, a command packet, an optional address packet, and an optional data packet are each inserted into a separate number of truncated digitized analog audio data frames for iterative and successive transmission. The iterative transmission of the packets of the command word decreases the likelihood that digitized analog audio frames would contain packets of the command word.