Audio Network System Dynamic Loopback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio network systems face limitations in bandwidth and efficiency, particularly when adding new nodes or dealing with node disconnections, leading to delays and disruptions in audio signal transport.
Innovation Solution
A network system with a master node that generates an audio transport frame, which circulates among nodes, allowing continuous audio signal transport even when new nodes are added or connections are disrupted, using a series configuration with receivers and transmitters for each node, and detectors for monitoring and adjusting the network configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of nodes in the network is increased, then the network coverage and functionality are improved, but the data transfer time increases and bandwidth is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores optimal transport paths between all node pairs before actual data transfer. When a data transfer request occurs, the pre-computed path is immediately used without real-time calculation delays. This preliminary preparation eliminates the time penalty that would normally accumulate with increased node numbers.
Solution Approach 2:
The network data transfer is segmented into multiple hops along predetermined paths. Each node segment independently forwards data according to pre-assigned routing tables, allowing parallel processing and avoiding sequential delays that would propagate through the entire network as nodes are added.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a new node is added to the cascade-type network system, then the network expandability is improved, but the audio signal transport must be temporarily stopped
Solution Approach 1:
Routing tables and transport paths are pre-calculated and stored in each node before any configuration changes occur. When a new node is added, the system uses existing pre-computed paths for ongoing transfers while gradually updating routing information, avoiding complete transport interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements buffer memory at each node that can temporarily store incoming audio data. During configuration changes or node additions, these buffers cushion the data flow, allowing the system to maintain continuous transport by playing from buffers while new paths are established.
3Reliability
If the connection between nodes is disconnected, then the system robustness should be improved, but the signal circulation stops and requires long recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The routing system is dynamically adaptive with real-time path recalculation capability. When a disconnection is detected, the system immediately switches from static predetermined paths to dynamic alternative path selection, automatically rerouting audio data through available nodes without manual intervention or long recovery periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous health monitoring of network connections with feedback loops that detect disconnections and trigger automatic rerouting. Each node monitors its connections and provides feedback to the routing system, enabling rapid detection and response to failures, reducing recovery time from seconds to milliseconds.
4Productivity
If the network topology is designed in advance to optimize bandwidth, then the bandwidth efficiency is improved, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex network topology is segmented into multiple independent routing tables, each handling specific source-destination pairs. This segmentation allows automated generation of optimized paths for each segment without requiring manual design of the entire network topology, reducing design complexity while maintaining bandwidth efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically calculates and optimizes routing paths without requiring manual topology design. Each node independently determines its optimal paths based on pre-stored network configuration data, allowing the network to self-optimize bandwidth utilization without increasing human design complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio network system that performs transport of audio signals between nodes by cascading a plurality of nodes each including two sets of transmission I/Fs and reception I/Fs, and circulating among the nodes in each fixed period an audio transport frame generated by a master node, the audio transport frame including a plurality of storage regions for audio signals, is configured such that when the configuration of the system is changed, loopback of the audio transport frame in each node and release thereof are automatically controlled to automatically loop back the transport of the audio transport frame at nodes at both ends and not loop back it at the other nodes to thereby form a loop transmission route among the nodes.