Devices for Polyphonic Audio Signal Prediction & Frame Loss Concealment

Brief Description

A process that exploits the periodicity and redundant nature of audio signals to predict future periodic components and conceal frame loss in an audio signal.

Background

Most audio signals are periodic in nature, which means that the signal carries redundant information.  The prediction of audio signals with only one periodic component (monophonic) is a highly researched area with many solutions, while the prediction of polyphonic signals is not.  Polyphonic signals contain multiple periodic components and are much more common in systems than monophonic signals. Compression and transmission of polyphonic audio is a fast-expanding field, with applications ranging from streaming music to teleconferencing.

Description

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara have developed novel devices that exploit the periodicity and redundant nature of audio signals to predict future periodic components and conceal frame loss in an audio signal.  This method allows for coding schemes and networking systems to compress or store audio information with higher accuracy and efficiency than traditional methods.  Higher efficiency audio compression and frame loss concealment can greatly improve the quality of such applications as high-definition teleconferencing and wireless audio streaming.

Advantages

• Major performance improvement in audio-related applications

• Higher audio compression efficiency and accuracy

Applications

• Audio compression, networking, delivery to mobile devices 

• High efficiency music storage and distribution

• Wireless audio streaming

• High-definition teleconferencing

This technology is available for licensing.

Patent Status