matching delays between outputs
Hi, I've a fairly typical configuration where a stereo input runs through a crossover block. Each of the crossover's outputs goes through a parametric EQ block and then to I2S. This means each of the outputs passes though some number of filters in the crossover and then some some number in its specific parametric EQ, depending on how the blocks are configured. I'm curious if one needs to do anything to avoid introducing skew between the outputs. I'm not finding the latency in samples of first order filters or biquads on a search of the SigmaStudio docs or EngineerZone so I suspect it's negligible. Am I correct all the filters in each signal path would be calculated all the way through on every sample and hence no skew is introduced? I'm most interested in the 144x parts but the closest thread I've been able to find only mentions 1701 latency when the core's just passing through data. That thread hints filters add additional delay.
I recognize latency isn't a hard thing to measure but I'm currently in an evaluation and capacity planning phase and hence don't have silicon handy to put under the scope. It would be helpful to have this info at design time. But if I need to wait 'till verification time to measure the details it's not the end of the world----worst case would seem to be a few extra biquads with b0 = 1 and a1 = b1 = a2 = b2 = 0 would be needed. Or maybe b0 = a1 = b1 = a2 = b2 = 1 if there's optimization.
EDIT: Looks like there'll be splitters involved too as I've need for the output of one of the parameteric EQs to appear on two I2S links. SigmaStudio allows me to pull a second wire from an output or parametric EQ terminal but then won't let the other end attach to anything. So it seems a splitter's required to get things hooked up even though the gain will always be unity.
Hi Todd:
I believe the latency introduced in your system would be the same in all your signal chain. I presume you are concerned about phase problems at the output of your speakers. I don't think this will be a problem however I to compensate for some potential special offset within your transducers, I would probably add some precautionary delay cells at the output of all channels.
Let me know if this is all clear.
Best regards
Miguel
Hi Miguel, you're correct I'm concerned with time alignment. In this case I'm just looking at a DSP changeover on mechanical assemblies that're already validated for keeping the acoustic centers aligned within +-0.25*Fs. Good point that designing in some delay cells wouldn't be a bad idea anyway, though.
Thanks,
Todd
Hi Todd,
Check here for a brief discussion of how the crossover filters in your signal path might introduce a non-linear delay to the signal.
https://ez.analog.com/thread/10483?tstart=0
If you want to avoid this issue, you can use FIR filters in a linear phase configuration. However, SigmaStudio does not include tools for calculating FIR coefficients, so you would have to use some sort of external tool to do that.
Hey Brett, thanks for the thoroughness. The phase shifts introduced from IIR filters' minimum phase responses are fine in this case.
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