Voting Comparator DSP Audio Stream Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently processing multiple analog audio streams due to the limited number of digital signal processors (DSPs), which affects the quality of the selected signal and increases costs, while also being incompatible with various communication protocols.
Innovation Solution
A voting comparator system that utilizes a limited number of DSPs by employing a full decode process for the highest ranked stream and a batch or burst decode process for lesser ranked streams, allowing for real-time processing of multiple streams with improved signal quality metrics and protocol compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full decode DSP process is used for every analog audio stream, then signal quality is maintained, but the number of DSPs required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the decode process into two distinct types: full decode DSP processes for high-priority streams and batch decode DSP processes for lower-priority streams. This segmentation allows the system to apply different processing levels to different streams, maintaining quality for critical streams while reducing resource consumption for others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different processing qualities to different streams based on their priority. The full decode process provides high-quality processing for selected streams, while batch decode provides acceptable quality for others. This localized approach to quality ensures that resources are concentrated where most needed rather than uniformly distributed.
2Quantity of substance
If batch or burst decode processes are used for lesser ranked streams, then the number of DSPs is reduced, but real-time processing capability is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic stream selection and ranking mechanisms that allow the system to adaptively assign streams to full decode or batch decode processes based on current conditions. This dynamics enables the system to prioritize real-time processing for high-priority streams while allowing lower-priority streams to be processed in batches, optimizing the balance between speed and resource usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that batch decode processes continuously accumulate and process streams, while full decode processes continuously handle high-priority streams. This continuous operation across different processing modes ensures that the system remains efficient without sacrificing real-time capability for critical streams.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols are supported, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the voting comparator and DSP processes to handle multiple communication protocols through a unified architecture. The stream selection and ranking mechanisms are protocol-agnostic, allowing the same core processing logic to work across different protocols without requiring separate dedicated processing paths for each protocol.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for selecting a preferred signal from homogenous streams of a subscriber call in an analog or mixed mode wireless communication network. The method and apparatus have particular significance to un-decoded analog radio packets which require digital signal processing to decode at least their signaling information. The method allocates at least one stream with the best signal qualities to real-time full-decoding in a DSP, and allocates lower quality streams to non-real time burst decoding in the same or another DSP. As signaling quality changes in the homogenous streams, the full-decoding can be re-allocated to a now higher quality stream. Burst decoding lower quality streams allows for more efficient use of DSP processing power and allows more streams to be processed without significant affect on audio content or quality.