Joint Uplink-Downlink Audio Filtering for Background Noise
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio processing systems struggle to effectively filter background noise from audio recordings without impairing the primary audio signal, particularly in real-time communication scenarios, leading to degraded audio quality and listener experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with filter modules that process audio at both the uplink and downlink stages, utilizing modules like AEC, voicing probability, and noise suppression to dynamically adjust noise filtering based on feedback, ensuring accurate suppression of background noise while preserving the audio signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If aggressive noise filtering is applied to suppress background noise, then background noise is reduced, but the primary audio signal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processing is divided into two separate stages: uplink processing that suppresses background noise from the captured audio signal, and downlink processing that filters the audio source being played through the playback device. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary noise suppression at the uplink stage before transmission, and then applies additional filtering at the downlink stage based on feedback parameters. This preliminary action ensures that noise is reduced early in the process while preserving the integrity of the primary audio signal for further processing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If noise filtering is applied during uplink, then background noise is suppressed, but audio playback glitching and buffering increase due to network instability
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines parameters associated with the audio signal during uplink processing and uses these parameters to control the downlink filtering stage. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt the noise filtering intensity based on network conditions and audio quality metrics, preventing over-filtering that could cause playback issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The noise filtering parameters are dynamically adjusted based on the determined audio signal parameters and network conditions. The system can modify the filtering intensity in real-time to balance noise suppression with maintaining audio playback stability, preventing buffering and glitching.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If downlink filtering is applied to audio source, then background noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a unified audio processing framework that handles both uplink and downlink processing through integrated filter modules. This multi-functional approach consolidates the processing logic, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate independent processing systems for each stage.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of processing audio is disclosed. The method includes capturing, via a recording device of an apparatus, an audio signal, wherein the audio signal includes background noise. The method also includes determining, at an uplink stage by a processor, whether the audio signal includes a voice segment of a speaker, and filtering, initially during the uplink stage, the audio signal to suppress or eliminate the background noise. The method further includes determining, by the processor, one or more parameters associated with the audio signal, and responsive to receiving the one or more parameters, filtering, at the downlink stage and based on the one or more parameters, an audio source associated with the audio signal that is played through a playback device of the apparatus during capturing of the audio signal, whereby the audio source includes the background noise of the audio signal captured by the recording device.