Introduction to SoundWire

[Andreas]

Just a quick note.

SoundWire is a new MIPI Audio Interface specification. It specifies a low complexity, low power, low latency, two-pin (clock and data), multi-drop bus that allows for the transfer of multiple audio streams along with embedded control/command information.

This protocol is intended to eventually replace HDA and I2S in PCs and embedded systems.

We explore the details of the recently added SoundWire Linux subsystem (merged into Linux 4.16) to help people get introduced to SoundWire and speed up the adoption of this new bus. We explain the SoundWire bus, interfaces and changes required by the existing device drivers in order to add SoundWire support. We also explore the enumeration methods used for different architectures.

https://osseu18.sched.com/event/FwHM/introduction-to-soundwire-vinod-koul-linaro

SoundWire_ELC_EU_18.pdf

[Andreas]

Source: Current Specifications | MIPI

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MIPI Audio Specifications

MIPI Alliance provides two interfaces, MIPI SLIMbus(R) and MIPI SoundWire, which simplify the integration of multiple audio components in a wide range of devices, from smartphones to PCs to automobiles. Engineers can use the interfaces to meet customers’ increasingly sophisticated expectations for audio quality and audio-based user interactions. The interfaces also minimize costs, pin count and power consumption.

MIPI SLIMbus and MIPI SoundWire are developed by the MIPI Audio Working Group.

Both MIPI SLIMbus and MIPI SoundWire are implemented on CMOS I/Os. Each interface uses a two-wire hardware and transport interface, and supports embedded control and data channels, multiple clocks, isochronous and asynchronous modes, PCM and PDM formats, as well as embedded interrupts, wake-up and clock-stop.

A summary of the features and the respective capabilities of the two specifications can be found in this Technical Brief.

Specifications

• MIPI SLIMbus
  An interface transporting audio for larger-sized components in mobile and mobile-influenced designs.

• MIPI SoundWire
  A comprehensive, unified interface for small audio peripherals.