Embedded Multichannel Linux Audiosystem for Musical Applications

Abstract

Due to the quickly growing performance and decreasing cost, embedded systems have become suitable for new application areas in recent years. Especially digital signal processing in the audio domain requires high computing performance to complete complex calculations in a fixed amount of time (i.e. real-time processing). In this paper, a novel multichannel, low-latency Linux-based audio system is introduced. The driver architecture is described and an evaluation of the system is presented. The development of the driver architecture includes ALSA device drivers, that use the ASoC layer, sound server settings, device tree overlays and capes, register maps, and real-time patches to the kernel. The overall system has been evaluated, regarding technical sound quality and latency, to gauge its usefulness as a powerful new platform for audio development projects, such as embedded digital effect processors for musicians.