Audio Signal Synchronization Control Using Broadcast I2C
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for audio device synchronization require a common external interrupt line, which is not feasible for wireless audio devices, especially in stereo or multichannel configurations without altering the existing bus network topology.
Innovation Solution
An audio signal synchronization control device using a host controller, multiple audio devices, and a communication unit capable of broadcast communication with separate device control addresses and a common synchronization address, along with a clock oscillator providing a master clock, enables synchronization without an external interrupt signal, utilizing I2C bus topology for control and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a common external interrupt line is wired for slave devices to generate synchronization signal, then synchronization between slave devices is achieved, but device complexity increases and wire routing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The I2C bus is made multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as the existing control communication bus and as the synchronization signal transmission medium. The host controller uses the same I2C bus to transmit both control commands and synchronization signals, eliminating the need for separate dedicated synchronization wiring while maintaining reliable synchronization across all slave devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The host controller acts as an intermediary that generates synchronization signals internally and transmits them through the existing I2C bus to slave devices. This mediator approach eliminates the need for external interrupt lines by having the host controller mediate the synchronization signal distribution through the available communication infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If a new two-wire bus is added between host controller and slave devices for synchronization, then synchronization is achieved without external interrupt lines, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The I2C bus is made multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as the existing control communication bus and as the synchronization signal transmission medium. The host controller uses the same I2C bus to transmit both control commands and synchronization signals, eliminating the need for separate dedicated synchronization wiring while maintaining reliable synchronization across all slave devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization signal transmission function is merged with the existing I2C control communication function. By combining both functions into a single bus system, the patent eliminates the need for separate synchronization wiring and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining ease of synchronization control.
3Productivity
If broadcast communication with synchronization address is used, then multiple audio devices can be synchronized simultaneously, but power consumption increases due to all devices processing the signal
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization address is configured with selective response capability where only specific slave devices (e.g., audio devices in stereo or multichannel mode) process and respond to the synchronization signal, while other devices ignore it. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous synchronization of multiple audio devices without requiring all devices to fully process the broadcast signal, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The device operates in different modes (stereo mode, multichannel mode, monaural mode) that change the synchronization behavior. In stereo/multichannel modes, the device responds to broadcast synchronization signals, while in monaural mode it may ignore them. This parameter-based mode switching allows the system to optimize power consumption based on operational requirements while maintaining synchronization capability when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio signal synchronization control device of the present disclosure includes a host controller, a plurality of audio devices, a communication unit capable of performing broadcast communication for controlling the plurality of audio devices from the host controller, and a clock oscillator that supplies a master clock of the same source oscillation to the plurality of audio devices. The host controller performs broadcast communication with a plurality of audio devices using a synchronization address. Each of the plurality of audio devices includes a synchronization control unit that generates a synchronization reset signal in a case where broadcast communication is performed by a synchronization address, a clock reset control unit that generates a timing signal in response to the synchronization reset signal, and an audio signal processing unit that processes audio data in accordance with the timing signal.