Audio Signal Processing Using Non-Linear Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio signal processing methods fail to effectively correct the non-linearity of electroacoustic transducers and account for the non-linear psychoacoustical characteristics of the human ear, leading to variations in sound quality and perception.
Innovation Solution
An audio signal processing method that approximates the psychoacoustical characteristics of the human ear using a fifth-degree polynomial and adds non-linear elements to the audio chain, specifically quadratic and hyperbolic functions, to correct the non-linearity of electroacoustic transducers and reduce distortions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If non-linear elements are added to correct transducer non-linearity, then sound quality and acoustic image improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correction coefficients for non-linearity compensation in lookup tables before audio playback. The correction characteristics are predetermined based on transducer behavior models, allowing real-time correction without complex computational processing during audio reproduction, thus improving sound quality while maintaining device simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary correction module between the audio signal source and the electroacoustic transducer. This intermediary component applies pre-calculated correction coefficients to compensate for transducer non-linearity, effectively decoupling the complexity of non-linearity correction from the main audio processing chain and allowing standard transducers to achieve improved sound quality
2Measurement precision
If psychoacoustical characteristics are taken into account, then distortion correction accuracy improves, but calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating psychoacoustical correction coefficients offline and storing them in lookup tables. The complex psychoacoustical models are evaluated in advance to determine optimal correction characteristics for different operating conditions, allowing simple table lookup and interpolation during real-time audio processing, thus achieving high correction accuracy without real-time computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using lookup tables that store correction coefficients for different signal levels and frequencies. Instead of performing complex psychoacoustical calculations for every audio sample, the system changes parameters by selecting appropriate pre-calculated coefficients based on current operating conditions, significantly reducing real-time computational requirements while maintaining high distortion correction accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for audio signal processing in an audio chain to correct a non-linearity of the electroacoustic transducers in the audio chain by adding non-linearities in the audio chain in front of at least one electroacoustic transducer in the audio chain using an approximation of the quadratic function. The method accommodates the psychoacoustical characteristics of the human ear by adding non-linearities in the audio chain in front of at least one electroacoustic transducer in the audio chain approximating by a non-linear fifth degree polynomial function for a pressure change by the human ear up to p_Δ. The method and apparatus reduce non-linearities of the entire audio chain with the human ear, by adding non-linearities in the audio chain so that an audio chain characteristic reduces the non-linearity of the human ear polynomial approximation to the pressure change p_Δ=±1 Pa.