Audio Signal Routing Unit for Low Latency Digital Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital mixers face challenges in processing multiple audio channels with low latency, requiring high programming effort and being costly and labor-intensive, especially when migrating to new hardware platforms.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a central processing unit for complex audio processing and a secondary processing unit, such as an FPGA or GPU, for summation, optimized for parallel processing, implemented on a personal computer with a routing and control unit to efficiently route and control audio signals, allowing for low-latency processing and easy adaptation to new hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If digital mixers use multiple DSPs for processing audio signals, then processing capability is improved, but programming complexity and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio processing system into multiple independent processing units (first processing unit for audio processing, second processing unit for summation) that can be programmed separately. Each unit handles specific tasks, allowing independent optimization and simplifying the overall programming complexity while maintaining high processing capability.
2Productivity
If digital mixers are implemented on FPGAs for high processing power, then processing capability and low latency are improved, but programming effort and development time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing functions across different hardware platforms (CPU for complex audio processing, FPGA/GPU for parallel summation operations). This allows each component to be optimized independently and programmed in appropriate languages, reducing overall development time while maintaining high processing power and low latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a routing unit as an intermediary component that manages signal flow between the interface unit, first processing unit, and second processing unit. This routing unit simplifies the control logic and coordination between different processing units, reducing the overall programming complexity and development time.
3Productivity
If PCs with high processing power are used for audio mixing, then processing capability is improved, but latency increases making them unsuitable for live applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments processing tasks to separate latency-sensitive operations (summation on FPGA/GPU) from less time-critical operations (complex audio processing on CPU). This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high processing power and low latency by optimizing each segment for its specific requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for processing audio signals, comprising: - an interface unit (104) for receiving a plurality of audio signals; - a first processing unit (101) adapted to perform an audio processing of an audio signal; - a second processing unit (102) adapted to perform a summation of audio signals; - a routing unit (103) configured to route received audio signals between said interface unit (104), said first processing unit (102) and said second processing unit (103); and a control unit (105) adapted to provide control information for each of said audio signals indicating how an audio signal is to be processed, the control unit (105) controlling said routing unit (103) such that a received audio signal for which the control information indicates that the audio signal is to be audio processed is routed to the first processing unit (101) and that a received audio signal for which the control information indicates that the audio signal is to be summed with another audio signal is routed to the second processing unit (102).