Audio Packet Timestamp Smoothing for Clock-Domain Jitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Timestamps in audio processing systems can be unreliable due to jitter or oscillations when converted between clock domains, leading to inaccurate latency estimation and false discontinuity detection.
Innovation Solution
A method for timestamp smoothing that includes estimating an initial timestamp, predicting a smoothed timestamp, and correcting for clock skew to improve accuracy and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If timestamps are converted from one clock domain to another clock domain, then time information is provided for audio processing, but jitter or oscillations occur in the timestamps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting potential discontinuities in timestamps before they cause harmful effects. The system monitors timestamp sequences, identifies discontinuities ahead of time, and prepares correction mechanisms to prevent jitter and oscillations from affecting audio processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring timestamp sequences for discontinuities and using this information to adjust and correct timestamp values. The system detects timestamp anomalies, feeds this information back into the correction algorithm, and applies real-time adjustments to eliminate jitter and oscillations, ensuring reliable timestamp conversion between clock domains.
2Stability of the object's composition
If timestamp smoothing is applied to remove jitter, then timestamp stability is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the timestamp sequence into manageable segments or windows for analysis. Instead of processing the entire timestamp sequence at once, the system segments it into smaller portions, detects discontinuities in each segment, and applies localized corrections. This reduces processing complexity while maintaining timestamp stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by applying smoothing corrections only to specific portions of the timestamp sequence where discontinuities are detected, rather than uniformly processing all timestamps. The system identifies problematic regions and applies correction algorithms selectively, reducing overall processing complexity while effectively removing jitter and oscillations where needed.
3Measurement precision
If iterative calculation is performed to estimate initial timestamp, then estimation accuracy is improved, but computation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing preliminary calculations to establish initial estimates and bounds for timestamp values before executing iterative refinement algorithms. The system prepares initial conditions, pre-calculates reference values, and sets up optimization parameters in advance, which significantly reduces the number of iterations needed to achieve accurate timestamp estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the iterative calculation process adaptive and dynamic. The system adjusts the number of iterations, convergence criteria, and calculation intensity based on real-time assessment of timestamp stability and discontinuity patterns. When timestamps are stable, fewer iterations are performed; when discontinuities are detected, the system dynamically increases computational effort to ensure accurate estimation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed for timestamp smoothing to remove jitter. In some embodiments, a method of smoothing timestamps associated with audio packets comprises: receiving, using at least one processor, a series of input timestamps for audio packets and their respective packet lengths; estimating, using the at least one processor, an initial timestamp based on the series of input timestamps, the packet lengths and a sample time; calculating, using the at least one processor, a predicted timestamp based on the estimated initial timestamp; and smoothing, using the at least one processor, the predicted timestamp.