Protocol Converter for Bidirectional Audio via ARC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protocol converters cannot support audio return channels (ARC/eARC) under the HDMI protocol, limiting the ability to receive and process audio signals from HDMI sink devices, resulting in one-way audio transmission and requiring additional devices for higher quality listening experiences.
Innovation Solution
A multimedia system with a protocol converter that processes audio signals received from a sink device via ARC or eARC, converting them into various formats for output through different audio transmission interfaces, including analog, digital, and radio-frequency interfaces, and supports HDMI-CEC for bidirectional control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional protocol converter is used to transmit audio signals from source to sink, then audio transmission is achieved, but the converter cannot receive or process audio return signals from the sink device
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol converter is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it can transmit audio signals from source to sink, receive audio return signals from the sink via ARC/eARC, process these returned signals through the audio protocol processing unit, and output them through various audio output interfaces. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the converter adaptable to bidirectional audio communication while preserving audio return channel support.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio protocol processing unit acts as an intermediary component within the protocol converter that specifically handles audio return signals. It receives the returned audio signals, processes them, and makes them available for output through different interfaces, thereby mediating between the HDMI ARC/eARC input and various audio output formats without requiring additional external devices.
2Reliability
If additional external devices are connected to achieve higher quality listening experiences, then audio quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol converter merges the audio return signal reception, processing, and output capabilities into a single integrated device. The audio protocol processing unit combines multiple audio processing functions (receiving ARC/eARC signals, decoding, format conversion) and the audio output module integrates multiple output interfaces (analog, digital, wireless) within one device, eliminating the need for separate external audio processors and simplifying the system configuration while maintaining high audio quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol converter is designed as a universal audio processing hub that can handle various audio formats and output to multiple types of audio devices simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows it to replace multiple specialized external devices, reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to deliver high-quality audio experiences across different output scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If audio signals are transmitted in one direction only from source to sink, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but bidirectional audio communication is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol converter implements dynamic audio signal routing that can adapt to different operational modes. It can operate in simple one-way transmission mode for basic applications, maintaining ease of operation, while also supporting bidirectional communication mode when ARC/eARC is activated, providing adaptability. The audio protocol processing unit dynamically processes returned audio signals only when needed, keeping the system simple for basic use cases while enabling advanced functionality when required.
Data Source
AI summary
A multimedia system and a protocol converter are provided. The multimedia system includes a sink device, e.g., a television, various audiovisual devices connected to the sink device, and the protocol converter. The protocol converter is connected to the sink device, and processes the audio and video signals inputted from a specific audiovisual source and outputted to the sink device to be played. The audio signals can be processed and played by an audio playback device directly connected with the protocol converter. Furthermore, the protocol converter can process the audio signals being returned from the sink device of the multimedia system via an audio return channel or an enhanced audio return channel. Finally, the received audio signals are converted and outputted to one of various audio output interfaces supported by the protocol converter.