Audible clarity is not a strong suit for most cellular phones. Whether caused by poor reception, inadequate volume levels on a handset or noisy natural surroundings, cell-phone conversations can turn into yelling matches worthy of daytime talk shows.
Israeli-based Waves Ltd. thinks its recently introduced Maxx-Voice software, combined with its MaxxBass software, is the answer for poor intelligibility of the human voice over wireless communication channels.
According to Waves, Maxx-Voice overcomes the limited ability of speech communication systems to accommodate the natural variations in speech levels, enabling superior audible clarity in cellular phones by stabilizing and maximizing speech signal levels.
“We set out to target an algorithm to help the sound quality in wireless systems,” said Gilad Keren, chief executive officer of Waves. “Small speakers, like those in cell phones, cannot reproduce the low frequencies used in speech.”
Keren noted that future applications involving the transmission of music over wireless handsets will further tax current speaker capacity, producing sound quality consumers will find lacking.
Featuring peak limiting using the Waves L1 Ultramaximizer technology, dynamic range compression, Adaptive Release Control Technology and background noise filtering, MaxxVoice maximizes root mean square for a given peak-to-peak limitation. In addition, MaxxVoice is designed to handle input level variations of more than 30 decibels RMS, increase loudness levels for low input signals and enable louder sound with minimal audible distortion.
MaxxBass, in turn, manipulates the sound of harmonics at high frequencies, which are common in typical cell-phone speakers, to duplicate lower frequencies that produce a more natural-sounding voice tone.
While new to the wireless communications industry, Waves said it can leverage its 12 years of experience in audio processing and as a supplier of sound signal processing software and user interfaces for the professional audio and multimedia markets.
In addition, Waves said its core competency in understanding how the biomechanics of the ear relate to the psychoacoustics of the mind enable it to develop numerous digital signal processor algorithms for improving the listening experience.
Samsung signs on
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. recently signed a licensing agreement with Waves to integrate MaxxVoice into mobile telephones produced by Samsung’s Wireless Terminals Division. The agreement also grants Samsung exclusive rights in Korea for one year to MaxxVoice technology.
“By integrating MaxxVoice technology in its mobile phones, Samsung will create a new standard for speech intelligibility in mobile communications,” Keren noted. “To stay competitive, other mobile-phone developers will have no choice but to also offer their customers the kind of near natural sound achievable with Waves’ technology.”
