Virtual Audio Transport Links for Flexible Peripheral Interconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital audio systems lack flexibility in reconfiguring interconnections between audio peripherals, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for additional transport link managers and complex interface management.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a virtual transport link manager that can be enabled or disabled based on application requirements, allowing for flexible allocation of control and data information across multiple transport links, and using a synchronous clock signal for synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transport link managers are used to manage multiple transport links, then the system can support more audio peripherals, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidinterface management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport link manager is designed to perform multiple functions: it can manage both control information and data information, and it can dynamically reconfigure transport links for different audio peripheral configurations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate management units for each transport link, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple transport link management functions are merged into a single transport link manager unit. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed in the system, simplifying the interface management architecture while preserving the ability to handle multiple audio peripherals through software-based reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Use of energy by moving object

If transport links are reconfigured to optimize bandwidth usage, then power efficiency improves, but the reconfiguration process adds system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidreconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport link manager implements dynamic reconfiguration capabilities, allowing the system to adaptively adjust transport link allocations based on current audio peripheral requirements. This dynamic approach enables optimal bandwidth utilization and power efficiency while the centralized management architecture keeps reconfiguration complexity contained within a single controller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (such as which transport links are active and how bandwidth is allocated) to optimize power efficiency. The transport link manager modifies these parameters based on detected audio peripheral configurations, enabling efficient resource utilization without requiring complex hardware changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If a virtual transport link manager is implemented for flexible allocation, then system adaptability improves, but the control mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport link allocation flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport link manager acts as an intermediary between the audio peripherals and the physical transport links. It virtualizes the transport link allocation, providing flexible assignment of transport resources to different audio devices while maintaining a simplified control interface. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of transport link management from the audio peripherals themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances flexibility and reduces costs by optimizing bandwidth usage and power efficiency while maintaining synchronization among audio peripherals.

Implementation Method 1

a frequency reference configured to generate a synchronous clock signal provided to the first audio peripheral and the second audio peripheral

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSynchronous clock signal:

Data Source

PatentUS20260017007A1Virtual digital audio management for system flexibility

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to flexible digital audio system interconnectivity. In accordance with one aspect, the disclosure includes assigning a plurality of virtual transport link managers to a plurality of transport links according to a control plane allocation and a data plane allocation; and transporting control plane information and data plane information over the plurality of transport links to a plurality of audio peripherals using the plurality of virtual transport link managers. In one example, the method further includes interconnecting the plurality of transport links to the plurality of audio peripherals with the control plane allocation and with the data plane allocation to form an interconnection.