Parallel Tuner AGC Range Selection to Prevent Audio Clipping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Automated Gain Control (AGC) protocols in media monitoring meters waste time and resources by testing a full range of gain levels each time, regardless of the audio volume, leading to inefficient signature generation and watermark extraction.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an AGC parameter protocol using multiple tuners in parallel to identify a smaller range of gain levels within which the border between clipping and no clipping occurs, thereby reducing the time and resources required for the AGC protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional AGC protocols test the full range of gain levels, then accurate gain control is achieved, but time and computational resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the full gain level range into multiple sub-ranges and uses multiple tuners to test these sub-ranges in parallel. This segmentation allows the system to maintain comprehensive coverage of the gain spectrum while reducing the time required by distributing the testing workload across multiple concurrent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary testing of gain level ranges using multiple tuners to identify which sub-range contains the optimal gain level before committing to detailed testing in that range. This preliminary action eliminates the need to test all gain levels exhaustively, thereby reducing overall execution time while preserving accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If traditional AGC protocols test the full range of gain levels, then accurate gain control is achieved, but computational resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the gain level range into sub-ranges and assigning different tuners to test these sub-ranges simultaneously, the patent reduces the total number of sequential computational operations required. This parallelization maintains measurement accuracy while decreasing overall computational resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial testing of gain ranges by using multiple tuners to cover different sub-ranges concurrently, rather than exhaustively testing every possible gain level sequentially. This approach achieves sufficient accuracy for practical purposes while significantly reducing computational overhead.
3Productivity
If multiple tuners are used in parallel to identify smaller gain level ranges, then AGC protocol efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple tuners that can be configured to test different gain level sub-ranges, making the system adaptable to various audio conditions and gain requirements. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware resources to serve multiple testing purposes simultaneously, improving efficiency without requiring fundamentally different device components.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to determine automated gain control parameters for an automated gain control protocol are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first tuner to amplify an audio signal. Disclosed example apparatus also include a second tuner to amplify the audio signal. Disclosed example apparatus also include a first controller to tune the first tuner to apply a first gain representative of a first range of gains to the audio signal to determine a first amplified audio signal and tune the second tuner to apply a second gain representative a second range of gains to the audio signal to determine a second amplified audio signal, the second range of gains lower than the first range of gains. Disclosed example apparatus also include a second controller to select the first range of gains to be utilized in an automated gain control protocol when the first gain results in clipping of the first amplified audio signal and the second gain does not result in clipping of the second amplified audio signal.