Multi-channel audio

Audio transmission over IP networks opens up for advanced multi-channel audio formats. Such formats can be used for high quality sound reproduction and virtual acoustics beyond today's stereo and surround sound formats, e.g., for video-conferencing with significantly improved sound quality. For multichannel formats, the coding is a central issue due to the growth in bandwidth for an increase in number of channels. This project studies multi-channel audio formats for advanced applications that are suitable for communications over IP Networks. Application-dependent requirements, channel correlation, coding aspects, packet loss handling, psychoacoustic phenomena related to spatial hearing, electro- and room acoustic aspects of end terminals are studied in order to optimize format requirements. A focus is placed on the Ambisonics format which has a layered structure. Furthermore, the multidimensional nature of the perception of realistic sound fields requires new quality metrics. Simulations and real perception experiments will be used in this project.

Relations to external projects and activities:
Collaboration with Bård Støfringsdal, PhD student at the Dept. of Electronics and Telecommunications, NTNU, in the project Sound reproduction in virtual acoustics

Project coordinator: Peter Svensson
Professor: Peter Svensson
Postdoc: Asbjørn Sæbø
PhD student: Audun Solvang