Signal Error Prediction for Seamless Audio Source Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital transmission systems face challenges in predicting and addressing signal degradation beyond a certain threshold, leading to undesirable audio output, such as interruptions or distortion, due to uncorrectable errors in wireless and wired communication.

Innovation Solution

Generating parameters based on transmission-related characteristics, such as signal strength, error correction, and noise levels, to predict when a signal will degrade, allowing for proactive actions like switching to alternative audio sources or adjusting volume to maintain audio quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If forward error correction (FEC) is applied to digital transmission signals, then the receiver can recover transmitted data even when parts of the received signal are disturbed, but when the disturbance exceeds a certain threshold, the output data cannot be suitably corrected and becomes undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata recovery capabilityVSAvoiduncorrectable errors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of multiple signal parameters (signal-to-noise ratio, bit error rate, frame error rate) to predict future signal degradation and identifies a threshold point where uncorrectable errors will occur, allowing preventive action before the actual degradation happens

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors transmission parameters and uses this feedback to predict signal quality degradation, enabling dynamic adjustment of transmission parameters or switching to alternative sources before uncorrectable errors occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the receiver waits for error correction to determine signal quality, then accurate error assessment can be made, but this causes delays in ascertaining alternative audio streams and produces interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror assessment accuracyVSAvoidinterruption delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system analyzes multiple parameters in advance and predicts the point at which uncorrectable errors will occur, allowing the receiver to prepare and switch to alternative sources before actual signal degradation happens, eliminating interruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains a buffer of alternative audio streams and prepares switching mechanisms in advance, so when signal degradation is predicted, the transition to alternative sources can occur seamlessly without audio interruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Measurement precision

If the system continuously monitors signal parameters to predict degradation, then accurate prediction can be achieved, but this increases system complexity and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal degradation prediction accuracyVSAvoidparameter monitoring system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a multi-functional approach where the same parameter monitoring infrastructure serves both real-time error correction and predictive analysis functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining prediction accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts which parameters are monitored and the frequency of monitoring based on current signal conditions, reducing processing complexity during stable conditions while maintaining high prediction accuracy when degradation is detected

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3410624B1Error estimation in signal communications
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 NXP BV
  • EP3410624B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3410624B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3410624B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to processing signals including data exhibiting characteristics that facilitate assessment of transmission errors. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, parameters are generated based signal transmission characteristics and are indicative of a different types of signal characteristics, including an amount of error correction that has been carried out on the signal. Two or more of the parameters are selected based on properties of signal disturbance under different reception conditions for the signal, and a degree of disturbance in the signal is predicted based on the selected parameters and signal conditions for the respective parameters at which the signal cannot be corrected. An output generated with the signal is then controlled, based on the predicted degree of disturbance and a threshold degree of disturbance.