Multi-Channel Audio Port for SLIMbus DMA Pipe Consolidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current SLIMbus systems require multiple DMA pipes to play stereo audio, leading to increased storage and communication bandwidth needs, which results in higher costs and power consumption, especially when supporting multiple audio channels like 5.1 or 6.1 surround sound.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of multi-channel output and input ports in the SLIMbus system allows for distributing audio streams across multiple data channels using a single DMA pipe, reducing the need for multiple pipes and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple DMA pipes are used to support multiple audio channels, then audio channel capability is improved, but storage and communication bandwidth requirements increase, leading to higher costs and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data channels into a single DMA pipe by implementing a multi-channel port that can simultaneously handle multiple data channels (e.g., 5.1 or 6.1 surround sound) through one DMA pipe, eliminating the need for separate DMA pipes for each audio channel. This consolidation reduces storage and communication bandwidth requirements while maintaining full audio channel capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-channel port is designed to perform multiple functions: it can handle stereo audio, 5.1 surround sound, 6.1 surround sound, and other multi-channel audio formats all through a single port and DMA pipe. This universal design allows the system to adapt to different audio configurations without requiring additional hardware resources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple DMA pipes are used to support multiple audio channels, then audio channel capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functionality of multiple DMA pipes into a single DMA pipe by implementing a multi-channel port that can simultaneously manage multiple data channels. This merging approach reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant DMA pipe structures while maintaining the ability to support multiple audio channels through unified resource management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple DMA pipes are used to support multiple audio channels, then audio channel capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple DMA pipe operations into a single DMA pipe, reducing the number of active hardware components and their associated power consumption. The multi-channel port efficiently manages multiple audio channels through one DMA pipe, thereby lowering overall power consumption while maintaining full audio channel capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Multi-channel audio communication in a Serial Low-power Inter-chip Media Bus (SLIMbus) system (300) is disclosed. A multi-channel output port (302(X)) is provided in a SLIMbus system. The multi-channel output port receives an audio stream from an audio source (e.g., a storage medium) via a direct memory access (DMA) pipe (308) and distributes the audio stream to multiple receiving ports (234,238) (e.g., speakers) over multiple data channels (316L,318R), all connected to the single multi-channel output port. A multi-channel input port is also provided in the SLIMbus system. The multi-channel input port connects to multiple data channels from multiple distributing ports (e.g., microphones). It is thereby possible to support multiple data channels with a single DMA pipe, thus improving implementation flexibilities and efficiencies of the SLIMbus system.