Media Clock Synchronization Using Calibrated Time-Domain Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In media playback systems, achieving precise signal synchronization between media providing and receiving terminals requires additional circuits for clock signal calibration, increasing circuit costs.
Innovation Solution
A media communication system with a local clock generation circuit, time calibration circuit, media clock processing circuit, and signal processing circuit that generates calibrated clock signals and time-related information to synchronize media signals without additional time domain conversion circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional circuits are added for clock signal calibration, then signal synchronization precision is improved, but circuit cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own output media signal as the input signal for calibration, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment. The media providing terminal generates test signals that are fed back to itself or to other terminals, allowing autonomous calibration without additional external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing media signal transmission path is used for dual purposes: normal media playback and clock signal calibration. The same circuits that transmit audio/video signals are also utilized to transmit calibration test signals, making the calibration function share existing infrastructure rather than requiring separate dedicated calibration circuits.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional circuits are added for clock signal calibration, then time domain alignment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces time stamp information as an intermediary mechanism to track and align time domains between different terminals. Instead of complex circuit-level synchronization, the system uses software-based time stamping and calculation to achieve time domain alignment, simplifying the hardware requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/circuit-based synchronization methods with software-based processing. Instead of using additional hardware circuits for clock calibration, the system uses digital signal processing, time stamp calculation, and software control to achieve the same synchronization effect, reducing hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a media communication apparatus having built-in signal synchronization mechanism. A local clock generation circuit generates a reference clock signal and a media clock signal. A time calibration circuit performs time calibration process with an external apparatus to generate time calibration information to further calibrate the reference clock signal and the media clock signal accordingly to generate a calibrated reference clock signal and a calibrated media clock signal on a standard time domain. A media clock processing circuit generates a sampling signal according to the calibrated media clock signal. A signal processing circuit generates time related information according to the calibrated reference clock signal to process an input media signal according to the time related information and the sampling signal and generate an output media signal.