Unleashing the Power of Audio Processing: A Guide to Enhancing Embedded Media

Audio processing is a crucial aspect of embedded media processing. Although audio data requires less memory and processing power compared to video, it plays a significant role in delivering high-quality sound experiences. In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of audio processing, including the anatomy of the human ear from an audio processing perspective, the digital filter model of the basilar membrane, and the concept of human auditory masking.

Understanding Audio Processing Fundamentals: Audio signals are captured in digital format and undergo compression techniques to store or stream high-fidelity audio data efficiently. The human ear acts as a spectrum analyzer, with the outer ear directing soundwaves into the eardrum and causing vibrations in the middle ear. The cochlea, a part of the inner ear, can be mathematically modeled using the digital filter model, allowing for the analysis of different audio frequencies.

 Digital Filter Model of the Basilar Membrane: The basilar membrane, a curved portion within the cochlea, contains digital filters that process specific frequency bands. Implementing 128 filters sequentially would be impractical due to the time delay and processing power required. To achieve real-time capability, a parallel filter bank model is used, where 32 filter banks process the audio signals simultaneously.

Human Auditory Masking: The human ear's ability to mask certain audio components is essential in audio coding systems. Simultaneous masking occurs when certain frequencies with lower sound pressure levels are silenced out by louder frequencies, while non-simultaneous masking occurs within specific time intervals. These masking effects are taken into consideration when designing audio coding systems, such as the popular MP3 and AAC codecs.

Wide Band Audio Coding: To achieve low bit rates while maintaining high audio quality, the psychoacoustic properties of the human ear are utilized. The frequency range is divided into bands, and redundant masked samples are discarded to reduce the output bit rate. This lossy compression technique is applied in codecs like MP3, AAC, WMA, Vorbis, FLAC, and AC-3. 

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