Distributed USB Host Drivers for Audio Latency and Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices face increased power consumption and latency issues when using USB Type-C digital audio peripherals, which hinder battery life and user experience.
Innovation Solution
Distributing USB host drivers to a low-power processor, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), allowing audio packet processing to bypass the application processor, enabling it to remain in sleep mode and reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If USB packet processing is performed on the application processor, then processing capability is sufficient, but power consumption increases and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The USB host driver functionality is segmented and distributed across two processors: the application processor handles high-level USB protocol management and device enumeration, while the low-power processor handles time-critical audio packet processing. This segmentation allows the application processor to enter sleep mode during audio streaming, reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate processing capability through the distributed architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the application processor and low-power processor, enabling the low-power processor to receive audio data from USB hardware directly without involving the application processor in the data path. This intermediary mechanism reduces latency by creating a direct processing path while allowing the application processor to remain in low-power state.
2Measurement precision
If USB Type-C digital audio peripherals are used, then audio quality improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The low-power processor serves as an intermediary that handles the power-intensive USB audio packet processing tasks, allowing the application processor to maintain low power consumption while still supporting high-quality digital audio throughput. The intermediary architecture enables the system to deliver premium audio quality without proportionally increasing overall system power consumption.
3Reliability
If the application processor processes all USB data, then processing completeness is ensured, but the application processor cannot enter sleep mode
Solution Approach 1:
Processing responsibilities are segmented between two processors: the application processor ensures protocol correctness and device management (maintaining reliability), while the low-power processor handles continuous audio packet processing. This segmentation enables the application processor to enter sleep mode during steady-state audio playback, extending battery life while maintaining processing completeness through coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-power processor is pre-configured with USB audio processing capabilities and can independently handle audio packet processing without requiring the application processor to remain active. This preliminary setup of distributed processing capability allows the system to achieve power savings while ensuring complete processing of USB audio data through the low-power processor's autonomous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for using distributed Universal Serial Bus (USB) host drivers are disclosed. In one aspect, USB packet processing that was historically done on an application processor is moved to a distributed USB driver running in parallel on a low-power processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP). While a DSP is particularly contemplated, other processors may also be used. Further, a communication path is provided from the low-power processor to USB hardware that bypasses the application processor. Bypassing the application processor in this fashion allows the application processor to remain in a sleep mode for longer periods of time instead of processing digital data received from the low-power processor or the USB hardware. Further, by bypassing the application processor, latency is reduced, which improves the listener experience.