Split Connected Isochronous Group for TWS-LE Audio Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face incompatibility issues between True Wireless Stereo (TWS) and Bluetooth Low Energy Audio (LEA) modes, leading to poor user experience when peripheral devices like earbuds disconnect or switch roles, particularly with different types of user equipment (UE) such as Bluetooth Enhanced Audio (BEA) and Dual Mode (DUMO) UEs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a split connected isochronous group (CIG) configuration where one peripheral device takes ownership of the control channel and delegates audio streams to another, maintaining compatibility between TWS and LEA modes by swapping addresses and keys, and coordinating transmit power and frequency hopping to ensure seamless operation with both BEA and DUMO UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single peripheral device maintains the control channel in TWS mode, then audio quality and connectivity stability are improved, but the device cannot seamlessly switch between TWS and LEA modes without re-pairing
Solution Approach 1:
The control channel is segmented and delegated to different peripheral devices. In the split connected isochronous group, one peripheral device (e.g., first earbud) maintains the control channel for TWS mode, while another peripheral device (e.g., second earbud) can take over or share audio streams. This segmentation allows flexible mode switching between TWS and LEA without requiring re-pairing, as each device can independently manage its role in the audio transmission.
2Reliability
If peripheral devices operate in True Wireless Stereo mode with a single control channel, then audio performance is optimized, but the system cannot support multiple audio streams simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple audio streams are merged into a single connected isochronous group. The patent enables a peripheral device to establish multiple connected isochronous streams (CIS) within one group, allowing simultaneous transmission of multiple audio streams (e.g., left and right audio channels, or multiple audio sources) while maintaining optimized audio performance through a shared control channel. This merging capability supports both TWS and LEA modes without sacrificing audio quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If peripheral devices frequently switch roles between master and slave, then adaptability to different modes is improved, but connection stability and audio continuity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control channel ownership is made dynamic and configurable. The patent allows peripheral devices to dynamically switch roles and control channel ownership based on operational needs, while maintaining connection stability through proper synchronization protocols. The system can transition between different role configurations (master-slave or peer-to-peer) without disrupting audio continuity, as the control channel is handed over with proper timing and state management.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a first peripheral device may establish, with a user equipment (UE), a first connected isochronous stream (CIS), a second CIS, and a control channel for the first CIS and the second CIS, where the first peripheral device is configured to output audio signals for the first CIS and handle feedback for the first CIS. The first peripheral device may transmit, to a second peripheral device paired with the first peripheral device, an indication that the second peripheral device is to output audio signals for the second CIS and handle feedback for the second CIS. The first peripheral device may receive the first CIS, while maintaining the control channel for the first CIS and the second CIS. Numerous other aspects are described.