Multi-Channel AGC Grouping for Spatial Audio Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-audio channel systems, existing Automatic Gain Control (AGC) methods either damage the perception of sound locations by amplifying or attenuating signals uniformly across channels, leading to signal distortion when channels transmit sound from different sources.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that group audio channels based on signal similarity or correlation, using the same AGC unit for correlated channels and different units for non-correlated channels, ensuring appropriate gain control for each group to prevent distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple AGC units are used to process different audio channels respectively, then each channel can be processed independently, but the perception of sound locations and orientation sense is damaged and stereo sound effect is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing of multiple audio channels that carry correlated signals into a single AGC unit. By detecting signal correlation between channels and grouping correlated channels together, the system applies unified gain control to preserve the spatial relationships and stereo sound effects while still providing independent processing for uncorrelated channels.
2Device complexity
If the same AGC unit is used to process all audio channels uniformly, then processing is simplified, but signals from different sources are distorted when amplifying or attenuating uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments audio channels into different groups based on signal correlation analysis. Channels with correlated signals are grouped together and processed by the same AGC unit, while uncorrelated channels are processed separately. This segmentation allows the system to use fewer AGC units than processing each channel independently, while still preventing distortion by avoiding uniform processing of channels from different sources.
3Device complexity
If audio channels transmitting sound from different sources are processed by the same AGC unit, then device complexity is reduced, but signal distortion occurs due to uniform amplification or attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through signal correlation detection between audio channels. By continuously analyzing the correlation state of signals on different channels, the system dynamically determines which channels should be processed by the same AGC unit. This feedback mechanism prevents distortion by ensuring that channels with different signal sources are not processed uniformly, while still allowing simplified processing for channels with correlated signals.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for controlling gain in a multi-audio channel system as well as a voice processing system are disclosed. The method includes: judging whether signals on any audio channels are similar or correlated; sorting audio channels of similar or correlated signals into one group if the similar or correlated signals exist on the audio channels, and using the same Automatic Gain Control (AGC) unit to process signals of this group of audio channels; and using different AGC units to process other non-similar or non-correlated signals on audio channels. The gain control apparatus includes: a judging unit, a grouping unit, a control processing unit, and at least two AGC units. Therefore, in a multi-audio channel communication, the perception of the sound locations of similar or correlated audio channels is not damaged, and the non-similar or non-correlated audio channels doe not interfere with each other.