High-Definition Multimedia Interface Specification Version 1.4 HEAC 4.1 Overview ‘The Audio Retum Channel function allows delivery of a single IEC 60958-1 stream from an HDMI Sink to an adjacent HDMI Source/Repeater in the reverse direction to the TMDS signal (See HEAC 2) after negotiation using CEC Audio Return Channel Control (see CEC 13.17). 9. Audio Ampiiier a TWOS sal HDMI Source cc) JHDMISink (HDMI Repeater) ‘Aro Return Chanel EAC Figure 4-1 Audio Retum Channel Overview Typically, the Audio Return Channel function is used as a connection between a TV (HDMI Sink) and an audio Amplifier (HDMI Source/Repeater) to deliver an audio signal from the TV to the audio Amplifier, in conjunction with using the CEC System Audio Control Feature (see CEC 13.15). HEAC 4.2 Relationship with IEC 60958/IEC 61937 ‘The interface format of the Audio Return Channel is defined in IEC 60958-1.This IEC 60958-1 stream also shall comply with IEC 60958-3 or IEC 61937 specifications, NOTE: Supplement 2 specifies a different physical specification from IEC 60958-1. (See Section HEAC 2) ‘Transmitted audio shall have an audio sample rate (fs) within #1000 ppm of the sample rate indicated in Channel Status bits 24 through 27 of IEC 60958-3. NOTE: the allowed rate values do not include the IEC 60958-3 specified “Sample frequency not indicated” value. ‘An HOM! device that has an Audio Return Channel receiver function shall support two- channel 16-bit L-PCM audio at sample rates of 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 48 kHz defined in IEC 60958-3 on the ARC connection. ‘An HDMI device that has an Audio Return Channel transmitter function shall support two-channel 16-bit L-PCM audio at least one of these sample rates on the ARC connection. NOTE: Clock frequencies correspond, respectively, to 4.096MHz, 5.6448MHz, and 6.144MHz. ‘Support of other audio formats as defined in IEC 60958-3 or compressed audio as defined in IEC 61937 (all parts) is optional. CEC messages may be used to discover the supported audio formats, see section CEC 13.18.3. HEAC 4.3 Functionality In order to use the Audio Return Channel feature, itis necessary to discover and control the capabilities of the devices in the respective paths, using CEC (Supplement 1). An Audio Return Channel device shall support HDMI Licensing, LLC Confidential Page HEAC 58 of 72High-Definition Multimedia Interface Specification Version 1.4 CEC and shall not utilize audio data transmissions via the Audio Return Channel towards any HDMI devices without the procedures specified in CEC 13.17. The discovery and control are identical for ARC common mode transmission and ARC single mode transmission, and performed with no discrimination between both modes, The CEC messages activate or de-activate the Audio Retum Channel and may enable power control of the ‘Audio Return Channel transmitter (ARC Tx) and receiver (ARC Rx). When the Audio Return Channel is de-activated, the ARC Tx device andior ARC Rx device may power down their ARC-related functionalities. In the case where the ARC Tx device detects that the ARC Rx device has been unplugged from the ARC Tx device, the ARC Tx device shall stop audio data transmissions via the Audio Return Channel and deactivate its ARC Tx functionality on the port fo which that ARC Rx device was connected. ‘The ARC Tx device is allowed to stop sending its audio signal via the Audio Return Channel temporarily while keeping the link active. The ARC Rx device should take appropriate measures to prevent an undesired noise on its audio output, HDMI Licensing, LLC Confidential Page HEAC 59 of 72