Audio signal rate adaptation method and system

A system for adapting a transmission rate of an audio signal transmitted over a time division multiplexed communications link from a source to a destination comprising:

• a first variable-depth storage component for receiving and temporarily storing the audio signal;
• a first processor for selectively withdrawing the audio signal from the first variable-depth storage component, for encapsulating the audio signal into packets compatible with the time division multiplexed communication link, and for transmitting the packets over the time division multiplexed communications link;
• a second processor for receiving the packets from the time division multiplexed communications link, for removing the audio signal from the encapsulating packets, and for depositing the audio signal into a second variable-depth storage component;
• wherein the first processor internally implements the first variable-depth storage component, and the second processor internally implements the second variable-depth storage component;
• and
• wherein the first processor selectively withdraws the audio signal as a predetermined function of an amount of data in the first variable-depth storage component, and the second processor selectively withdraws the audio signal as a predetermined function of an amount of data in the second variable-depth storage component.

A system for adapting a transmission rate of an AES/EBU digital audio signal transmitted over a time division multiplexed communications link from a source to a destination, comprising:

• an encapsulator, including a first variable-depth storage component for receiving and temporarily storing the AES/EBU digital audio signal, wherein the encapsulator (i) selectively withdraws the AES/EBU digital audio signal from the first variable-depth storage component, (ii) encapsulates the AES/EBU digital audio signal into packets compatible with the time division multiplexed communication link, and (iii) transmits the packets over the time division multiplexed communications link;
• and,
• an extractor for receiving the packets from the time division multiplexed communications link, for removing the AES/EBU digital audio signal from the encapsulating packets, and for depositing the AES/EBU digital audio signal into a second variable-depth storage component;
• wherein the encapsulator selectively withdraws the AES/EBU digital audio signal as a predetermined function of an amount of data in the first variable-depth storage component, and the extractor selectively withdraws the AES/EBU digital audio signal as a predetermined function of an amount of data in the second variable-depth storage component.

A system for adapting a transmission rate of an AES/EBU digital audio signal transmitted over a time division multiplexed communications link from a source to a destination, comprising:

• a first FIFO for receiving and temporarily storing the AES/EBU digital audio signal;
• a first processor for selectively withdrawing the AES/EBU digital audio signal from the first FIFO, for encapsulating the AES/EBU digital audio signal into packets compatible with the time division multiplexed communication link, and for transmitting the packets over the time division multiplexed communications link;
• a second processor for receiving the packets from the time division multiplexed communications link, for removing the AES/EBU digital audio signal from the encapsulating packets, and for depositing the AES/EBU digital audio signal into a second FIFO, the second processor being clocked by a clocking signal derived from a signal source having a frequency which is variable according to a control signal from the second processor, wherein the second processor monitors the second FIFO and adjusts the control signal so as to maintain the second FIFO approximately half full;
• wherein the first processor selectively withdraws the AES/EBU digital audio signal as a predetermined function of an amount of data in the first FIFO, and the second processor selectively withdraws the AES/EBU digital audio signal as a predetermined function of an amount of data in the second FIFO.