2.3.2 Hardware Processes

CPU Process

The CPU completes these steps:

  1. Construct the audio command list in RDRAM for waveform synthesis.
  2. Transfer the audio command list and audio microcode to the RSP.
  3. Transfer the waveform data (linear PCM) from the RSP to RDRAM to the AI.

RSP Process

The RSP completes these steps:

  1. Execute the microcode transferred from RDRAM.
  2. Accept the audio command list in RDRAM and synthesize the waveform data.
  3. Transfer the synthesized waveform data to the audio buffer in RDRAM.

The following illustration shows the process:

Illustration

AI Process

The AI process transfers the waveform data from the audio buffer to the audio DAC (digital-to-analog converter).

Audio DAC Process

In the audio DAC, the digital waveform data is converted to an analog audio signal and output as illustrated here:

Illustration