Multimode FM Audio Codec Integration to Cut IC Count
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices requiring FM transmitter and receiver functionality with integrated stereo audio codec, headphone, and speaker drivers are inefficient due to the need for multiple integrated circuits, leading to increased complexity and size.
Innovation Solution
A multimode FM transceiver that operates in various signal processing modes, including FM transmission, reception, and audio processing, reusing hardware components to reduce complexity and size, and integrating an audio codec, headphone driver, and speaker driver within a single integrated circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple integrated circuits are used for FM transmitter functionality, audio processing, and driver circuitry, then each function can be implemented with dedicated hardware, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines FM transmitter, FM receiver, audio CODEC, headphone driver, and speaker driver functions into a single integrated circuit. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate integrated circuits, reducing device complexity while maintaining all required functionalities through shared hardware resources and mode switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit is designed with universal components that can operate in multiple modes. The same hardware blocks (ADC, DAC, mixers, amplifiers) are reused across different functional modes (FM transmit, FM receive, audio playback, speaker output), allowing a single device to replace multiple specialized components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple integrated circuits are used for audio processing and driver circuitry, then audio functionality can be implemented, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates audio processing functions (CODEC) and driver circuitry (headphone and speaker drivers) into the same integrated circuit that contains FM transmitter and receiver functionality. This consolidation significantly reduces the total device area compared to using separate integrated circuits for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit uses universal audio processing blocks that can serve multiple purposes. The same ADC and DAC are used for both FM radio audio output and speaker/headphone driver signals, maximizing the use of limited hardware resources within the compact integrated circuit.
3Ease of operation
If separate integrated circuits are used for FM receiver and audio CODEC functionality, then each function can operate independently, but the design time and integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges FM receiver and audio CODEC functions into a single integrated circuit with a unified architecture. This approach reduces design time by eliminating the need to design and integrate multiple separate circuits, while maintaining independent operational capability through mode switching that allows each function to operate autonomously when selected.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes processor and a control interface. The processor is adapted to in a first mode of operation, operate as part of one of a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter and in a second mode of operation. The processor also processes a first audio band signal to generate a second audio band signal. The control interface selects one of the first and second modes of operation.