Audio signal processing

Audio signal processing

Audio signal processing, sometimes referred to as audio processing, is the intentional alteration of auditory signals, or sound. As audio signals may be electronically represented in either digital or analog format, signal processing may occur in either domain. Analog processors operate directly on the electrical signal, while digital processors operate mathematically on the digital representation of that signal.

Contents

Audio coding architecture

There are several efficient signal models[ e.g. transform-based,standard filter structure,wavelet-packet]and compression standard for digital audio reproduction. Coders do nothing but segment input signals into quasi-stationary frames ranging from 2 to 50 ms.The temporal and spectral component of each frame can be estimated through time-frequency analysis.This time-frequency system mapping is usually matched to the analysis properties of human auditory system.The objective of audio coding is to extract from the input audio a set of time-frequency parameters that is amenable to quantization. Based upon design parameters the section usually contains one of the following:

  1. Unitary transform
  2. Harmonic/sinusoidal analyzer
  3. Source system analysis(low pulse and multi pulse excitation)
  4. Signal adaptive bank of critically sampled,uniform/non-uniform bandpass filter
  5. Time-invarient bank of critically sampled,uniform/non-uniform bandpass filter.
  6. Hybrid versions of the above

The choice of methodology depends upon tradeoff between time and frequency resolution requirements.

History

Audio signals are sound waves—longitudinal waves which travel through air, consisting of compressions and rarefactions. These audio signals are measured in bels or in decibels. Audio processing was necessary for early radio broadcasting, as there were many problems with studio to transmitter links.[1]

Audio coding architecture

There are several efficient signal models (e.g. transform based, standard filter structure, wavelet-packet) and compression standard for digital audio reproduction. Coders are nothing but segment of input signal into quasi-stationary frames ranging from 2 to 50 ms. The temporal and spectral component of each frame can be estimated through time-frequency analysis. This time-frequency system mapping is usually matched to the analysis properties of human auditory system.

Analog signals

Main article: Analog signal processing

"Analog" indicates something that is mathematically represented by a set of continuous values; for example, the analog clock uses constantly-moving hands on a physical clock face, where moving the hands directly alters the information that clock is providing. Thus, an analog signal is one represented by a continuous stream of data, in this case along an electrical circuit in the form of voltage, current or charge changes (compare with digital signals below). Analog signal processing (ASP) then involves physically altering the continuous signal by changing the voltage or current or charge via various electrical means.

Historically, before the advent of widespread digital technology, ASP was the only method by which to manipulate a signal. Since that time, as computers and software became more advanced, digital signal processing has become the method of choice.

Digital signals

Main article: Digital signal processing

A digital representation expresses the pressure wave-form as a sequence of symbols, usually binary numbers. This permits signal processing using digital circuits such as microprocessors and computers. Although such a conversion can be prone to loss, most modern audio systems use this approach as the techniques of digital signal processing are much more powerful and efficient than analog domain signal processing.[2]

Application areas

Processing methods and application areas include storage, level compression, data compression, transmission, enhancement (e.g., equalization, filtering, noise cancellation, echo or reverb removal or addition, etc.)

Audio Broadcasting

Audio broadcasting (be it for television or audio broadcasting) is perhaps[weasel words] the biggest market segment (and user area) for audio processing products—globally.[citation needed]

Traditionally the most important audio processing (in audio broadcasting) takes place just before the transmitter. Studio audio processing is limited in the modern era due to digital audio systems (mixers, routers) being pervasive in the studio.

In audio broadcasting, the audio processor must

  • prevent overmodulation, and minimize it when it occurs
  • compensate for non-linear transmitters, more common with medium wave and shortwave broadcasting
  • adjust overall loudness to desired level
  • correct errors in audio levels

See also

References

  1. ^ Atti, Andreas Spanias, Ted Painter, Venkatraman (2006). Audio signal processing and coding ([Online-Ausg.] ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 464. ISBN 0471791474. http://books.google.com/books?id=Z_z-OQbadPIC. 
  2. ^ Zölzer, Udo (1997). Digital Audio Signal Processing. John Wiley and Sons. ISBN 0471972266. 

Further reading


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