JP2012253429A - Transmitter and receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transmitter, a receiver, a two-way communication interface device, and a signal transmission method in accordance with a high-speed communication standard between devices.SOLUTION: A two-way communication interface device includes at least one signal line, a first communication transmission line, a second communication transmission line, a transmission side connection unit, and a reception side connection unit. The signal line can transmit an image signal, an audio signal, and a control signal transmitted by a second transmission mode different from a first transmission mode from a transmission side device to a reception side device. The first communication transmission line transmits transmission side communication information different from an image signal, an audio signal, and a control signal from a transmission side to a reception side. The second communication transmission line transmits an image signal, an audio signal, a control signal, and transmission side communication information from the reception side to the transmission side. The transmission side connection unit includes a function display mechanism for giving notice of availability of transmission by the second transmission mode. The reception side connection unit includes a function display mechanism for giving notice of availability of transmission by the second transmission mode.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a transmission device, a reception device, a bidirectional communication interface device, and a signal transmission method.

  As a bidirectional communication interface device, a high-definition digital media interface (HDMI) cable, an optical fiber, and the like are widely used.

  In connection using an HDMI cable, for example, HEC (HDMI, which can exchange control signals via HDMI-ARC (Audio Return Channel, version 1.4) or Ethernet (registered trademark) / Ethernet (registered trademark). Ethernet Channel, version 1.4) has been established.

International Publication WO2008-056707

  10GbE (10 Gigabit Ethernet) standardized by IEEE (Institue of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3ae in accordance with demands for higher transmission speed (transmission capacity) or higher transmission distance (transmissible distance) A cable capable of high-speed communication similar to)) has already been put into practical use for unidirectional communication.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a transmission device, a reception device, a bidirectional communication interface device, and a signal transmission method that are adapted to a high-speed communication standard that is compatible with the 100 GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) standard.

  According to the embodiment, the bidirectional communication interface device includes at least one signal line, a first communication transmission line, a second communication transmission line, a transmission side connection unit, and a reception side connection unit. To do. At least one signal line can transmit the video signal, the audio signal, and the control signal transmitted by the second transmission method different from the first transmission method from the transmitting device to the receiving device. The first communication transmission line transmits transmission side communication information different from the video signal, the audio signal, and the control signal from the transmission side device to the reception side device. The second communication transmission line transmits a video signal, an audio signal, a control signal, and transmission side communication information from the reception side device to the transmission side device. The transmission side connection unit includes a function display mechanism for notifying that transmission by the second transmission method is possible while connecting to the transmission side device. The reception side connection unit includes a function display mechanism for connecting to the reception side device and notifying that transmission by the second transmission method is possible.

Schematic which shows an example of the bidirectional | two-way communication interface apparatus to which embodiment is applied. Schematic which shows an example of the bidirectional | two-way communication interface apparatus to which embodiment is applied. Schematic which shows an example of the transmission side of the bidirectional | two-way communication interface apparatus to which embodiment is applied. Schematic which shows an example of the transmission side of the bidirectional | two-way communication interface apparatus to which embodiment is applied. Schematic which shows an example of the bidirectional | two-way communication interface apparatus to which embodiment is applied. Schematic which shows an example of the bidirectional | two-way communication interface apparatus to which embodiment is applied.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a bidirectional communication interface system to which the embodiment is applied. The elements, configurations, and functions described below may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software using a microcomputer (processing device, CPU) or the like.

  The bidirectional communication interface 101 includes a cable body 101a, a first (source device side) connector 111 that is connected to the source device 201, and a second (sink device side) that is connected to the sink device 301. A connector 121 is included. The source device 201 includes an interface unit (receptacle (device-side connector)) 211 that connects to the first connector 111 of the bidirectional communication interface 101. The sink device 301 includes an interface unit (receptacle (device-side connector)) 311 connected to the second connector 121 of the bidirectional communication interface 101.

  The source device 201 records, for example, video (video) signals and audio or audio (audio) signals of a program or a program, and plays back a recorder device, a player device that can only play back content, a game device, a video camera, etc. including. The source device 201 can also be connected to a personal computer (PC), a PC, a data playback device (optical disc drive device) that plays back data (content) held on an optical disc such as a DVD standard / CD standard, etc. For example, a portable terminal device or digital photo camera device having a memory device such as a reader / writer (data reproducing device) or SSD capable of reading data (contents) from an SSD (Solid State Drive, semiconductor memory device) Alternatively, it may be a mobile phone device or a navigation device that is mounted on a car or the like and can be carried by a user.

  The sink device 301 includes, for example, a television receiver that reproduces video signals and audio or audio signals, a monitor device (display) that displays video signals, and a speaker (and audio amplifier) that reproduces audio or audio signals.

  2 shows an example of signal transmission in the cable main body 101a, the first connector 111 connected to the source device 201, and the second connector 121 connected to the sink device 301 in the bidirectional communication interface 101 schematically shown in FIG. Indicates.

  As described above, the bidirectional communication interface 101 has directionality according to the identification by the first connector 111 connected to the source device and the second connector 121 connected to the sink device. Therefore, the first connector 111 includes a protrusion 111a and a recess 111b that can be connected only to the connector 211 of the source device 201. Therefore, the connector 211 of the source device 201 includes a recess 211 b that connects to the protrusion 111 a of the first connector 111 and a protrusion 211 a that connects to the recess 111 b of the first connector 111. Similarly, the second connector 121 includes a protrusion 121 a and a recess 121 b that can be connected only to the connector 311 of the sink device 301. Accordingly, the connector 311 of the sink device 301 includes a recess 311 b that connects to the protrusion 121 a of the second connector 121 and a protrusion 311 a that connects to the recess 121 b of the second connector 121. In addition, as long as the shape of each protrusion and a recessed part can show the directionality in the bidirectional | two-way communication interface 101, arbitrary shapes can be used, and the combination of a recessed part and a protrusion can also be set freely.

  The bidirectional communication interface 101 also includes first to third channels CH0, CH1 and CH2, a clock line CK, and HPD (Hot Plug Detected) / RSV (Reserve) lines defined by twist (pair) lines, respectively. Including. Note that the HPD line is a signal line that conforms to the current HDMI (High-definition Digital Media Interface) standard and is used to detect the connection of the counterpart device. The RSV line may be used as, for example, a bidirectional communication path in accordance with a standard that the bidirectional communication interface 101 complies with.

  In addition, the bidirectional communication interface 101 includes a power line (PW) capable of supplying + 5V power from the power source (Vcc) included in the source side (first) connector 111 to the sink side (second) connector 121, This includes CEC lines conforming to the HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) standard.

  That is, the bidirectional communication interface 101 is connected to either a cable (interface) that uses “method 1” compliant with the current HDMI standard or a cable that applies “method 2” described below with reference to FIGS. It is possible to transmit a video signal and an audio signal to the sink device 301 (from the source device 201), and bidirectional communication is possible between them.

  The connector 211 of the source device 201 includes a transmission unit 221 that is responsible for signal transmission when “method 1” is applied, a transmission / reception unit 222 that is responsible for signal transmission in “method 2”, transmission according to “method 1”, and transmission / reception according to “method 2”. A switch SW for switching, an amplifier AMP231 for increasing the signal strength of the first to third channels CH0, CH1, and CH2 (and the clock line CK), and a microcomputer 232 are included. Note that the bidirectional communication interface 101 uses the ID display unit (memory) 101b prepared in the first connector 111 to confirm that the cable body 101a is compatible with “method 2”. Can be detected by the detection unit 232a prepared as follows.

  The connector 311 of the sink device 301 includes a receiving unit 321 that is in charge of signal transmission when “method 1” is applied, a transmission / reception unit 322 that is in charge of signal transmission in “method 2”, and first to third channels CH0, CH1, and CH2 ( EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) for enabling the source device 201 to determine the performance (reproduction capability) of the AMP unit (amplifier) 331, the microcomputer 332, and the sink device 301 that increase the signal strength of the clock line CK). 334. The EDID 334 provides performance information of the sink device (television device) 301 (for example, the receivable timing of the television device is up to 1080p, etc.) in accordance with a read command from the source device 201 so that the source device 201 can obtain it. .

  In FIG. 2, the output of the “method 1” transmission unit 221 of the connector 211 on the source device 201 side reaches the terminal unit via the SW / AMP unit (analog amplifier circuit block) 231, and the output of the bidirectional communication interface 101. 1 is input to the cable body 101 a through the connector 111. The output of the “method 2” transmission / reception unit 222 of the connector 211 on the sink device 201 side reaches the terminal unit via the SW / AMP unit (analog amplifier circuit block) 231 and connects to the terminal unit. The data is input to the cable body 101 a through the first connector 111 of the terminal 101.

  Specifically, at the time of transmission by “method 1”, as shown in an example in FIG. 3, the audio signal is packetized by the packetization processing unit 235 and time-multiplexed in the blanking period of the video signal (B / G / R). The The R, G, and B signals of the video signal are parallel signals before the TMDS (Transition-Minimized Differential Signaling) encoder (encoder 1) 233 (by the parallel conversion unit 236). After being converted from 8 bits to 10 bits, they are converted to serial data.

  The output of the TMDS encoder 233 is amplified to a predetermined intensity by a SW / AMP unit (which can also incorporate an amplifier / waveform equalizer) 231, and the first to third channels CH0, CH1, CH2, and The signal is input to the connector 311 of the sink device 301 through the clock line CK. When the SW / AMP unit 231 includes a waveform equalizer, the degree of waveform equivalence at the time of feedback is evaluated as necessary. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the transmission signal or the influence on the discrimination performance (resulting in the reduction of the discrimination ability) with respect to high-speed transmission or long-distance transmission.

  In the sink device 301, the signal transmitted by the “method 1” is input to the receiving unit 321 via the AMP unit 331, and demodulated into a video signal and an audio signal by the receiving unit 321 and a subsequent processing unit. .

  Note that communication between the sink device 301 and the source device 201 can be realized by the transceiver 241 using the twist (pair) of the HPD line / RSV line and the transceiver interface 234 (communication 1).

  On the other hand, at the time of transmission by “method 2”, as shown in an example in FIG. 3, all of the audio signal and video signal (B / G / R) are packetized by the packetizing unit 238 and serial data is encoded by the encoder (2) 242. And input to the cable body 101a via the SW / AMP unit (amplifier) 231. In addition, the packetization processing unit 235 included in the transmission unit 221 (for “method 1”) packetizes only the audio signal, and transmits transmission information (identification information indicating communication transmission, that is, signal transmission according to “method 2”). The two pieces of packet information packetized by the packetizing unit 238 are multiplexed by the multiplexing unit 246, serially converted by the encoder (3) 243, amplified by the SW / AMP unit (amplifier) 231 to a predetermined intensity, Input to the connector 311 of the device 301. It is sent to the HDMI terminal via the amplifier. For the clock, the basic clock generated by the crystal oscillator is stabilized by the clock PLL 245 and used.

  Incidentally, the communication 2 includes an information signal created on the sink device 301 side and packetized by the transmission / reception unit 322 on the sink device 301 side, an audio signal multiplexed with the information signal, and the like. Therefore, the information input from the sink device 301 (on the sink device 301 side) through the cable body 101a is the received signal of the transceiver 241 switched according to the switching signal from the microcomputer 232 (see FIG. 2). The decoder (1) 244 Is then separated into an information signal (communication 2), an audio signal, and the like by the separation unit 247. Hereinafter, the information signal (communication 2) is depacketized by the depacket unit 249 and input as information from the sink device 301 (to the source device 301).

The difference between “Method 1” and “Method 2” is more specifically:
a) When the clock line CK channel is “method 1”, only the TMDS clock is transmitted, and when it is “method 2”, signal data is also transmitted.
b) When the first to third channels CH0, CH1, and CH2 are “scheme 1”, only signal data is transmitted, and when “scheme 2” is used, signal data that can reproduce a clock is transmitted.
c) When the HPD / RSV line is “method 1”, bidirectional communication is performed, but when “method 2” is performed, unidirectional communication in the reverse direction (direction from the sink device 301 to the source device 201) is performed. It is that.

  As described above, by providing the SW / AMP unit (which can also incorporate an amplifier) 231 in the bidirectional communication interface 101 (cable body 101a) compatible with the embodiment shown as “method 2”, transmission distance and High-speed communication is possible under certain conditions without requiring the static / dynamic waveform equalizer recommended for 10GbE (10 Gigabit Ethernet) communication etc. It becomes possible. When the transmission distance can be limited to a certain distance, for example, about 1 m (meter), the AMP unit 231 (AMP unit 331 on the sink side) itself may be omitted.

  As described above, the bidirectional communication interface 101 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 corresponds to “method 2”. For the communication 2 described above, the clock line CK is used for communication from the source device 201 to the sink device 301. And the HPD / RSV line is used for communication from the sink device 301 to the source device 201.

  Note that when the bidirectional communication interface 1101 compliant with the current HDMI standard as shown in FIG. 6 is used, the communication 1 is executed by the “method 1”.

  FIG. 4 illustrates the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in more detail.

  In order to realize “method 1”, the TMDS encoder (encoder 1) 233 performs 8/10 conversion on the signal C in which the R, G, and B video signals and audio signals (and clocks) are multiplexed.

  That is, the audio signal and the signal C multiplexed with the clock and the 8-bit video signals of R, G, and B are converted to 10 bits and converted into serial data, respectively. For the 8/10 conversion, a frequency that is ten times the frequency of the TMDS clock (TMDS-Clock) is generated in the clock PLL that has received the TMDS clock.

  In order to realize “method 2”, the encoder (2) 242 and the encoder (3) 243 convert each packetized BGR video signal into 66 bits in units of 64 bits, and then perform serial conversion processing. The data is input to the cable (interface) 101 through the AMP unit 241 (source device 201 → sink device 301).

  On the other hand, the decoder (1) 244 converts the audio signal and clock multiplexed signal (serial data) D received from the sink device 301 into parallel data every 66 bits and then inversely converts them into 64 bits. (66/64 conversion). As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the output of the decoder (1) 244 is separated into an information signal (communication 2), an audio signal, and the like by the separation unit 247.

  FIG. 5 shows an example in which higher-speed communication transmission is possible for “method 2” in the bidirectional communication interface described with reference to FIGS. In addition, it is possible to transmit data and a clock with a single line by using the transmission system demonstrated below with FIG. In FIG. 5, regarding the transmission unit (Tx) block and the reception unit (Rx) block, the PMA block 363 and the CDR unit 363a on the sink device side are extracted and described.

  In the 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) class already standardized by IEEE (Institue of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3ae, the video signal B transmitted from the source device 201 side to the sink device 301 side is an asynchronous high-speed memory ( FIFO) and packetization block 253 perform speed conversion and bit parallel conversion into a 64-bit parallel signal, and 66 bits in PCS (Physical Coding Sublayer) block 261 of the transmitter (Tx) located in the next stage. After the conversion, the data is converted into serial data by a PMA (Physical Medium Attachment) block 263 and transmitted to the sink device side.

  On the sink device 301 side, the serial data received by the receiving unit (Rx) is converted into 66-bit parallel data in the PMA block 363 including the CDR (Clock Data Recovery) unit 363a, and converted to 64-bit by the PCS block 361. Conversion (66/64 conversion). The clock and data information converted into 64 bits by the PCS block 361 is subjected to speed conversion and bit parallel conversion into a video signal B by a depacket processing and asynchronous high-speed memory (FIFO) block 353. Since G and R are substantially the same as the B signal, description thereof is omitted.

  The PCS block 261 is responsible for coding and scrambling processing for data, that is, communication information. The PCS block 361 on the sink device 301 side is responsible for data scrambling and decoding.

  The CDR unit 363a restores the input signal to the original data of the input signal.

  The PMA unit 263 provides a LAN (Local Area Network) function, acquires a MAC (Media Access Control) address of the sink device 301, and specifies a data transmission destination, that is, a counterpart device. Note that the PMA block 363 on the sink device 301 side similarly recognizes the source device 201 as a transmission source.

  More specifically, a reference clock is generated by a crystal resonator and an oscillator (XO) on the source device 301 side, and the PLL (Phased Lock Loop) unit 267 on the XO side has 156.25 MHz (CKf1), the next (next) The PLL section 269 of the stage generates a 5.15625 GHz clock (CKf2), and a divided frequency (1 / N) 265 generates a clock (CKf2) divided by 33 (CKf3) of 156.25 MHz. Yes. The clock CKf2 is used for 64/66 conversion by the PCS block 261. The clock CKf3 is used to drive the FIFO / packetization block 253 and the PCS block 261.

  On the other hand, on the sink device 301 side, a reference clock is generated by a crystal resonator and an oscillator (XO) 365, and is 156.25 MHz (denoted as CKf1 ′ because the source device side has an error) in the PLL unit 367. A 5.15625 GHz clock (similarly CKf2 ′) is generated by the PLL unit 369 (next stage), and the CDR unit 363a (within the PMA block 363) follows the change point of the data received based on the clock CKf2 ′. Then, a clock (CKf2) matching the frequency on the source device 301 side is generated, and data processing is performed at the same time.

  Hereinafter, the FIFO / depacketization block 353 and the PCS block 361 are generated by using a frequency-divided clock (CKf3) 156.25 MHz obtained by frequency-dividing the clock (CKf2) output from the CDR unit 363a by a division period (1 / N) 365. Driven and the reverse processing of the source device 201 side is performed. Since G and R are substantially the same as the B signal, description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to transmit data and a clock through a single line, and a 100 GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) standard, which is faster than communication based on the 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) standard, can be used. Expected high-speed communication.

  In FIG. 5, a DFE (Decision Feedback Equalizer) adaptive waveform equivalent technique may be employed instead of the PMA block (including the CDR unit) of the receiving unit (Rx).

As described above, in the embodiment,
High-speed communication transmission corresponding to two transmission methods, “method 1” in which the clock line CK channel transmits only the TMDS clock or “method 2” in which the clock line CK channel also transmits signal data, is possible. In the case of “method 2”, signal data capable of reproducing the clock can be transmitted simultaneously in the signal channel. In particular, in the “method 2”, an HPD / RSV line that performs unidirectional communication in the reverse direction (the direction from the sink device 301 to the source device 201) is provided. High-speed transmission is possible.

  Note that the identification of “method 1” and “method 2” (similar to the current HDMI standard) is also automatically performed using the characteristics of the shape of the connector attached to the interface (cable body). The burden on the user does not increase.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video display apparatus (TV receiver / display / sink apparatus), 101 ... Two-way communication interface (HDMI), 111 ... Plug, 201 ... Recording / reproducing apparatus (recorder apparatus / STB / tuner apparatus / source apparatus), 211 ... Connector (source device), 221... Receptacle (connector), 311... Connector (sink device), 321... Receptacle (connector).

ShinSo location delivery embodiment comprises a transmitter, a transceiver, and a setting unit. Transmission unit, by a first transmission method for transmitting by multiplexing audio signals and control signals, that sends a video signal, an audio signal and a control signal. The transmission / reception unit transmits the video signal, the audio signal, and the control signal by the second transmission method that multiplexes and transmits the video signal, the audio signal, and the control signal, and communicates with a device that is connected in the second transmission method. . The setting unit determines whether the connected bidirectional communication interface device corresponds to the first transmission method or the second transmission method, and sets which of the first and second transmission methods is applied. To do.

Claims (11)

A transmission unit that transmits a video signal, an audio signal, and a control signal according to the first transmission method;
A transmission / reception unit that transmits a video signal, an audio signal, and a control signal by a second transmission method different from the first transmission method, and that receives a video signal, an audio signal, and a control signal supplied by the second transmission method; ,
It is determined whether the connected bidirectional communication interface device is the first transmission method and / or the second transmission method, or a third transmission method different from both, and any of the first to third transmission methods is applied. A setting section for setting
A transmission apparatus comprising:   The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first transmission method is such that the control signal channel transmits only the control signal.   The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second transmission method uses a control signal channel to transmit a control signal and signal data. A receiving unit for receiving a video signal, an audio signal and a control signal transmitted by the first transmission method;
A transmission / reception unit for receiving a video signal, an audio signal, and a control signal transmitted by a second transmission method different from the first transmission method, and transmitting the video signal, the audio signal, and the control signal in the second transmission method; ,
It is determined whether the connected bidirectional communication interface device is the first transmission method and / or the second transmission method, or a third transmission method different from both, and any of the first to third transmission methods is applied. A setting section for setting
A receiving apparatus comprising:   5. The receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in the first transmission method, the control signal channel transmits only the control signal.   5. The receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in the second transmission method, the control signal channel transmits the control signal and the signal data. At least one signal line capable of transmitting a video signal, an audio signal, and a control signal transmitted by a second transmission method different from the first transmission method from the transmitting device to the receiving device;
A first communication transmission line for transmitting transmission side communication information different from the video signal, audio signal and control signal from the transmission side device to the reception side device;
A second communication transmission line for transmitting a video signal, an audio signal, a control signal, and transmission side communication information from the reception side device to the transmission side device;
A transmission side connection unit including a function display mechanism for notifying that transmission by the second transmission method is possible while connecting to the transmission side device;
A receiving side connection unit including a function display mechanism for notifying that transmission by the second transmission method is possible while connecting to the receiving side device;
A bidirectional communication interface device comprising:   8. The bidirectional communication interface device according to claim 7, wherein the transmission side connection unit and the reception side connection unit can be connected only to a transmission side device and a reception side device, respectively. The control signal channel transmits only the control signal, the first transmission method, the control signal channel transmits the control signal and the signal data, the first transmission method, and the second transmission method. By a third transmission method different from any of the transmission methods, at least a video signal, an audio signal and a control signal can be transmitted.
When it is determined that the first transmission method is applicable, communication information different from the video signal, audio signal, and control signal is transmitted between the transmission side device and the reception side device by the bidirectional communication unit. And
A signal transmission method for transmitting communication information only from a receiving device to a transmitting device when it is determined that the second transmission method is applicable.   The signal transmission method according to claim 9, wherein a twisted pair wire is used for transmission of communication information.   The signal transmission method according to claim 10, wherein the second transmission method is applicable based on identification information notified by a connection unit between each of the transmission side device and the reception side device of the bidirectional communication interface device. .

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