Signal Window Shaping for Low-Complexity Audio Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current signal processing technologies, particularly in audio and video coding systems, face challenges in achieving flexible and computationally efficient window functions that balance passband selectivity and stopband rejection, with existing methods like KBD and Sinha-Ferreira windows being computationally expensive and offering limited flexibility.

Innovation Solution

The development of a signal processor that determines window values through a weighted summation of linear terms and shaping functions, allowing for adjustable window characteristics with low computational effort, using sine functions and point-symmetric shaping functions to achieve good energy conservation and compaction characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If KBD or Sinha-Ferreira window functions are used to improve passband selectivity and stopband rejection, then filtering performance is improved, but computational complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassband selectivity and stopband rejectionVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The window function is segmented into multiple components (KBD window portion and sine window portion) that can be independently controlled. This allows the system to use only the necessary computational resources for the current signal characteristics, rather than always computing the full complex window function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The window function dynamically switches between different configurations based on signal characteristics. The mixing parameter α allows continuous adjustment between pure KBD (α=1) and pure sine (α=0) windows, enabling the system to adapt computational complexity to the actual filtering needs of each signal segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If fixed window functions are used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different signal characteristics is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to signal characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter α to adapt to different signal characteristics. By adjusting α between 0 and 1, the same window function structure can optimize for different signal types (e.g., transient vs. steady-state signals) without requiring multiple fixed window functions or complex adaptive algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The window function serves multiple functions through a single unified structure. It can operate as a pure KBD window, pure sine window, or any combination therebetween, making it universally applicable to different signal processing scenarios while maintaining a single implementation framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If complex window functions are used to improve energy compaction, then coding gain is increased, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoding gain and energy compactionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by using only the necessary portion of the window function for each signal segment. When signal characteristics don't require full KBD window complexity, the system uses a reduced version (lower α value), saving processing time while maintaining sufficient energy compaction for the given signal type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3096317B1Signal processor and method for processing a signal
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP3096317B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3096317B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3096317B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A signal processor for providing a processed version of an input signal in dependence on the input signal comprises a windower configured to window a portion of the input signal, or of a pre-processed version thereof, in dependence on a signal processing window described by signal processing window values for a plurality of window value index values, in order to obtain the processed version of the input signal. The signal processor also comprises a window provider for providing the signal processing window values for a plurality of window value index values in dependence on one or more window shape parameters.