Audio Signal Processing System Fault Tolerance via Active Passive Engine Mirroring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio signal processing systems face challenges in maintaining continuous audio signal transmission without interruptions, especially in fault-tolerant configurations, as conventional methods require substantial time for backup devices to take over, leading to breaks in audio output during engine switching.
Innovation Solution
An improved audio signal processing system that circulates a transmission frame through interconnected devices, allowing each device to read and write data to storage regions, enabling seamless switching between signal processing devices with minimal interruption by using active and passive engine roles and state data management to facilitate rapid mirroring without wasting transmission channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fault-tolerant mixing system with dual engines is used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and wiring operation become cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses data copying between active and backup engines through the audio network. The backup engine receives and processes copies of audio signals and control data from the active engine, enabling seamless failover without physical wiring duplication. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through functional copying rather than physical redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio network infrastructure serves multiple functions: transmitting audio signals, control data, and status information between engines and devices. This multi-functional network replaces dedicated wiring for each function, reducing overall wiring complexity while maintaining system reliability through the backup engine configuration.
2Reliability
If conventional backup device takeover method is used, then reliability is improved, but loss of time occurs during engine switching
Solution Approach 1:
The backup engine performs preliminary processing of audio signals and control data in advance, maintaining readiness to take over immediately. The system continuously updates the backup engine with current signal states and parameter settings, so when switching is needed, the backup engine can assume the active role instantly without processing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio network continuously transmits audio signals and control data to both active and backup engines simultaneously. This continuous data flow ensures the backup engine remains synchronized with the active engine at all times, enabling seamless transition without interruption or delay in audio output.
3Reliability
If dualized wiring configuration is used for fault tolerance, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with an electronic/audio network-based data transmission system. Instead of physically connecting each audio signal and control line to both engines, the system uses digital data packets transmitted over the audio network, dramatically simplifying physical wiring while maintaining fault tolerance through software-controlled engine switching.
4Reliability
If conventional engine mirroring is implemented, then reliability is improved, but transmission channel efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges audio signal transmission, control data transmission, and status information transmission into a single audio network infrastructure. By combining multiple data streams into one network channel and using efficient packet switching, the system maintains comprehensive engine mirroring for reliability while optimizing transmission channel utilization and avoiding redundant dedicated wiring for each data type.
Data Source
AI summary
Region having a same size in a audio signal region of a transmission frame is allocated to each of an active engine and passive engine. The active engine reads out input signals written into regions of the frame, performs signal processing on the read-out signals, and writes resultant signals into the region allocated to the active engine. The passive engine reads out the input signals written into the regions, performs the same signal processing as the active engine on the read-out signals, and writes resultant output signals into the region allocated to the passive engine. When a flag of the active engine is indicative of a normal state, an output device reads out the output signals from the region allocated to the active engine, but, when the flag is indicative of an abnormal state, the output device reads out the output signals from the region allocated to the passive engine.