Wireless Audio Clock Synchronization Across Sleep State Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time synchronization protocols in wireless communication systems fail to account for devices transitioning between active and sleep states, leading to synchronization errors and decreased audio playback quality in peripheral devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a time synchronization method where peripheral devices synchronize their local clocks to an access point's timing synchronization function clock (TSF_AP) and maintain an estimated time-to-play timing synchronization function software clock (TSF_est), receiving timing synchronization information from the wireless communication device to adjust playback timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing time synchronization protocols are used, then devices can operate independently, but synchronization errors occur when devices transition between active and sleep states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an access point as an intermediary time reference that both the wireless communication device and peripheral device synchronize to. Instead of direct device-to-device synchronization that fails during state transitions, the access point serves as a stable mediator that maintains time reference continuity, allowing devices to re-synchronize after waking from sleep without accumulating timing errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where devices exchange timing information and adjust their local clocks based on received time synchronization data. The peripheral device receives timing adjustments from the access point and uses this feedback to correct its clock drift, while the wireless communication device similarly adjusts based on feedback from the access point, creating a closed-loop synchronization system.
2Device complexity
If devices use independent time synchronization, then device complexity is reduced, but audio playback quality deteriorates due to synchronization errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the time synchronization function into the existing wireless communication protocol by utilizing the access point's timing synchronization function clock that is already maintained for network operations. Instead of adding a separate dedicated synchronization hardware clock, the system combines audio playback timing with the network's existing time synchronization infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while improving audio synchronization.
3Reliability
If devices remain in active state for time synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic time synchronization where devices wake up at scheduled intervals to receive time synchronization updates from the access point, then return to sleep mode. This periodic approach maintains synchronization accuracy by regularly correcting clock drift while minimizing power consumption by keeping devices in low-power states between synchronization events, rather than requiring continuous active operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a peripheral device may synchronize a local clock to an access point timing synchronization function clock (TSF_AP) that is maintained by an access point (AP) connected to the peripheral device. The peripheral device may maintain, based at least in part on the local clock, an estimated time-to-play timing synchronization function clock (TSF_est) that is associated with outputting user data. The peripheral device may receive, from the AP, timing synchronization information that is based at least in part on a comparison between a wireless communication device (WCD) time-to-play timing synchronization function software clock (TSF_soft) and the TSF_est. The peripheral device may output the user data based at least in part on the TSF_est and the timing synchronization information. Numerous other aspects are described.