Time-Multiplexed Serial Link for Audio Video Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multimedia systems, the simultaneous transmission of high-speed video data and low-speed audio data over a single medium is challenging due to the need for separate dedicated physical mediums, which is undesirable in space and weight-constrained applications like automotive and aircraft systems, where a simpler and more compact solution is required.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for transmitting high-speed and low-speed data via a serial data link using a transmitting device that generates low-speed data frames with a frame separation code and time-multiplexes them with high-speed data frames, allowing for simultaneous transmission of video and audio data over a single unshielded twisted wire pair, with encoding and decoding mechanisms to ensure proper data separation and boundary detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate dedicated physical mediums are used to transfer video and audio data, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and physical space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines video data and audio data transmission into a single physical medium (UART bus) by time-multiplexing the data frames. The transmitting device constructs composite data frames that include both video data and audio data, allowing both data types to share the same physical channel without requiring separate dedicated cables for each data type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data transmission process into distinct time slots within a single data frame. The data frame is divided into a video data portion and an audio data portion, with clear delimiters separating them. This segmentation allows the receiving device to correctly identify and separate the video and audio data streams despite them sharing the same physical medium.
2Reliability
If separate dedicated cables are used for video and audio transmission, then data integrity is maintained, but weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges video and audio transmission into a single cable by using time-division multiplexing. Instead of having separate dedicated cables for each data type, the system combines both data streams into one composite signal that travels over a single UART bus, directly reducing cable weight and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the conflict between data integrity and cable reduction by adding a temporal dimension to the transmission. Rather than transmitting video and audio simultaneously on separate cables, the system transmits them sequentially in time slots within the same cable, using time as an additional dimension for data separation.
3Device complexity
If high speed and low speed data are transmitted simultaneously over a single medium, then device complexity is reduced, but data separation and boundary detection become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs clear segmentation markers (delimiters) that separate the video data portion from the audio data portion within the composite frame. These delimiters provide unambiguous boundaries that the receiving device can easily detect, making data separation straightforward despite the complexity of handling multiple data types on a single medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses distinctive delimiter patterns (analogous to color changes) that provide clear visual distinction between different data types. The delimiters have specific bit patterns that are easily distinguishable from the actual data, allowing the receiving device to reliably identify where video data ends and audio data begins.
4Weight of moving object
If a single medium is used for both video and audio transmission, then physical space and weight are reduced, but transmission speed and data rate management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission into clearly defined time slots within each frame. The video data portion and audio data portion are transmitted in sequential segments with predetermined durations, allowing the receiving device to manage data rates by simply counting the number of bits received in each segment rather than dealing with complex rate negotiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent manages data rate differences by changing the temporal parameters of transmission. Instead of trying to transmit both data types at the same high speed, the system adjusts the time allocation and framing parameters to accommodate the different data rates of video and audio streams while using the same physical medium.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for transmitting video and audio data words via a serial data link. A transmitting device includes a first module for generating an audio data frame comprising an audio data word and a frame separation code; and a second module for generating high speed data frames each comprising at least a portion of a video data word and only a portion of the audio data frame, and for transmitting the high speed data frames via the serial data link. A receiving device includes a first module for forming the video data word from one or more high speed data frames, and a second module for forming the audio data frame from portions of high speed data frames. The second module may extract the audio data word from the audio data frame, and generate an audio clock based on a rate in which audio data words are received.