Encoded Audio Streams for Digital Radio Without Transcoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital radio broadcasting systems experience transcoding artifacts due to multiple encoders/decoders in the transmission path, leading to reduced audio quality.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method and system where a single codec is used from the audio source to the broadcast receiver, maintaining the codec throughout the digital radio broadcasting chain without intermediate decoding or encoding, and decoding only at the receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple encoders/decoders are used in the transmission path, then the system can process and adapt audio signals at intermediate stages, but transcoding artifacts are introduced and audio quality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the intermediate encoding/decoding steps from the audio transmission path. By taking out these processing stages, the system eliminates transcoding artifacts while maintaining the ability to process audio signals through alternative means such as packetization and protocol handling at the network layer rather than at the audio codec layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces packetization as an intermediary mechanism between the audio source and receiver. Instead of using multiple audio encoders/decoders, the system uses packetization to handle the audio data transmission, which acts as a mediator that preserves audio quality while enabling network transmission. The packetization layer handles adaptation and routing without touching the audio codec itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If audio is encoded at the radio station after receiving encoded signal, then the signal can be processed and adapted to broadcasting requirements, but the quality is reduced due to repeated encoding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by encoding the audio signal once at the audio source with appropriate quality, then preserving that encoded version throughout the transmission. The system prepares the audio in the correct format at the beginning, avoiding the need for re-encoding at the radio station. This preliminary encoding with quality preservation eliminates the quality degradation that would result from repeated encoding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the idea of re-encoding the audio signal at the radio station. Instead, the system recovers and preserves the original encoded audio data from the audio source and transmits it directly to the receiver. By discarding the intermediate re-encoding step, the system maintains the original audio quality while still enabling broadcasting through proper packetization and protocol handling.
3Quantity of substance
If encoded audio stream is transmitted over network, then bandwidth is reduced compared to uncompressed audio, but multiple transcoding steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the encoding operation with the audio source functionality. Instead of having separate encoding and transmission stages with multiple processing points, the system combines the audio encoding and packetization into a unified approach where the audio is encoded once at the source and then transmitted as packets without intermediate decoding/re-encoding. This merging reduces the number of processing steps while maintaining efficient bandwidth utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a method and system for transmitting an audio stream and a digital radio broadcasting system are disclosed. The method comprises providing an audio source remotely located to a digital radio broadcasting system. encoding at the audio source an audio stream with an audio codec resulting in an encoded audio stream, transmitting the encoded audio stream over a computer network to the digital radio broadcasting system. receiving the encoded audio stream and processing the encoded audio stream at the digital radio broadcasting system for broadcast by the digital radio broadcasting system without decoding of the encoded audio stream, and broadcasting the encoded audio stream by the digital radio broadcasting system.