Audio Module Synchronization Across Different Clock Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computing devices face challenges in providing efficient audio processing capabilities for multiple sounds from various applications while minimizing processor utilization, bus traffic, and latency, especially when handling high-definition audio and video content.
Innovation Solution
An improved audio system is introduced, featuring multiple audio processing modules, a clock manager, and a sample rate converter, which allows for independent operation and synchronization of modules, even when they do not share a common clock source, using a buffer to manage audio data flow and a sample rate converter to synchronize different data rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple audio processing modules are used to process multiple sounds from various applications, then audio processing capabilities are improved, but processor utilization and bus traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processing system is divided into multiple independent audio processing modules, each capable of processing specific audio streams. This segmentation allows distributed processing across modules rather than centralizing all processing in one processor, thereby improving overall audio processing capabilities while distributing the processing load to reduce single-point processor utilization.
2Productivity
If multiple audio processing modules are used to process multiple sounds from various applications, then audio processing capabilities are improved, but bus traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple audio processing modules are merged into a coordinated system with shared resources and synchronized operation. By combining modules into an integrated architecture where they can share bus interfaces and coordinate data flow, the system improves audio processing capabilities while reducing redundant bus traffic through efficient resource sharing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If audio processing modules operate independently with different clock sources, then module independence and adaptability are improved, but synchronization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
A synchronization mechanism acts as an intermediary between audio processing modules with different clock sources. This mediator coordinates the operations of independent modules, managing data flow and timing relationships without requiring the modules to share a common clock source, thereby maintaining module independence while reducing synchronization complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sample rate conversion is implemented to synchronize different audio data rates, then audio data compatibility is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sample rate conversion is performed in advance as a preliminary action when audio data enters the processing pipeline, rather than being converted on-demand during processing. This preliminary conversion ensures compatibility with the target audio processing module's expected sample rate, eliminating the need for repeated conversions and reducing overall processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide an audio system having wholly independent audio processing modules. The audio system includes a plurality of audio processing modules, a clock manager, a sample rate converter and a buffer. The audio processing modules are communicatively coupled to the clock manager and the buffer. The sample rate converter is communicatively coupled to the clock manager and the buffer. The buffer provides for storing audio data generated and consumed by the audio processing modules. The clock manager provides for determining the clock source of each audio processing module. The clock manager also provides for configuring the audio processing modules and the sample rate converter as a function the clock source of each audio processing module. The sample rate converter provides for synchronizing a flow rate of audio data generated by a first audio processing module and a flow rate of audio data consumed by a second audio processing module, when the clock source of the first and second audio processing modules are different.