I2S Bus Control Data Transmission via Unused Frame Phases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional serial audio stream technologies utilize a unidirectional signal line for data transfer from a microphone to a controlling device, limiting the ability to send control information effectively.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves utilizing an existing I2S bus to send control information from a master controlling device to a microphone by utilizing unused portions of the I2S audio word frame, incorporating a clock pin, frame pin, and data pin to transmit control bits alongside audio data, facilitating configuration and control of the microphone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a unidirectional signal line is used for data transfer from microphone to controlling device, then the audio data transmission is simple and reliable, but the ability to send control information from controlling device to microphone is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The data pin in the I2S interface is made multi-functional by allowing it to serve both as an audio data reception line (from microphone to controlling device) and as a control data transmission line (from controlling device to microphone). This is achieved by utilizing unused time slots within the existing audio data frame structure, enabling the same physical signal line to perform multiple functions without requiring additional dedicated control lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time dimension to the data transmission by dividing the frame into different phases: the first phase is dedicated to receiving audio data from the microphone, while the second phase is used for sending control information back to the microphone. This temporal segmentation allows bidirectional communication over a unidirectional physical connection, effectively adding a communication dimension without increasing physical line complexity.
2Productivity
If unused portions of I2S audio word frame are utilized for control information, then data transfer efficiency is improved, but the audio data transmission protocol becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The I2S audio word frame is segmented into distinct phases: a first phase for audio data transmission and a second phase for control information transmission. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the original audio data protocol integrity while efficiently utilizing previously wasted time slots in the frame structure for additional control communications, thereby improving overall data transfer efficiency without fundamentally altering the audio transmission mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Including control data in a serial audio stream is presented herein. A device can include a clock component that is configured to send, via a clock pin of the device, a bit clock signal directed to a slave device. A frame component can send, via a frame pin of the device, a frame clock signal directed to the slave device. A control component can receive, via a data pin of the device during a first portion of a phase of a period of the frame clock signal, slave data from the slave device on a bit-by-bit basis based on the bit clock signal according to an integrated interchip sound (I2S) based protocol; and send, via the data pin during a second portion of the phase after the first portion, a set of control bits directed to the slave device on the bit-by-bit basis based on the bit clock signal.