Low-Cost Digital Audio Equalizer Automatically Adjusts Conference Calls

Feb. 2, 2004

Using a sophisticated DSP-based approach, the OctiVox Clear Call module corrects the audio level on all incoming calls in an office conference-call setup, no matter how many parties are on the line. This low-cost 6- by 4-in. unit from Octiv Inc. automatically adjusts the loudness of each individual caller to an optimal level so that everyone can be heard, loud and clear.

Compatible with most conference phones and speakerphones, the device corrects audio volume for callers up to 32 feet from the microphone (24-dB difference). Its multiband dynamics processing samples thousands of times a second to provide professional-strength volume matching and clarity for all incoming calls. Based on testing by Dynastat, the user-satisfaction mean opinion score (MOS) has gone from 4.0 to 4.38. (In the MOS scale, 1 is bad, 4 is good, and 5 is excellent.)

Multiple automatic gain controls (AGCs) loudness-correct each incoming caller's voice and then separate them into three bands of audio (low, mid, and high) to optimize each person's spectral balance. Peaks are controlled and unwanted hiss and noise are reduced, all in real time, within microseconds.

The full-duplex unit plugs into the wall jack and accepts the plug from your analog phone (RJ11 jack). Suggested retail price is $249. For availability, go to www.hellodirect.com.

Octiv Inc.www.octiv.com (510) 280-5000

See associated figure

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.