Dvd audio decoder having a central sync-controller architecture

Abstract

An audio decoder architecture makes use of various component sharing techniques to conserve hardware and reduce implementation cost. In one embodiment, the audio decoder comprises a bitstreamer, a synchronization controller, a first and second decode controllers, a memory module, a data path, and an output buffer. The bitstreamer retrieves compressed data and provides token-aligned data to the synchronization controller and decode controllers. The synchronization controller initially controls the bitstreamer to locate and parse audio frame headers to extract decoding parameters. The synchronization controller initiates the decode controller which corresponds to an identified compression format, and turns control of the bitstreamer and data path over to the selected decode controller. The selected decode controller then controls the bitstreamer to parse the variable length code compressed transform coefficients. The coefficients are passed to the memory module and data path which operate under the control of the selected decode controller to inverse transform the coefficients and produce digital output audio data. If the inverse transform is successfully completed, the selected decode controller asserts a decode done signal, and control returns uneventfully to the synchronization controller.