Communication Acoustics

What it is about

You will learn the fundamentals and applications of communication acoustics: from physical acoustics through signal processing, auditory physiology and psychoacoustics to electroacoustics, speech acoustics, recording/reproduction techniques and virtual acoustics. In the end you will be able to describe acoustic phenomena, perform simple calculations on sound propagation and signal processing, and independently address questions in communicative acoustics.

What you will be able to do

• Understand fundamentals of acoustics (waves, intensity, reflection, absorption)
• Signal and system knowledge (Fourier, DFT/FFT, LTI systems, filters)
• Structure and function of the peripheral hearing system and binaural hearing
• Fundamentals of psychoacoustics (thresholds, masking, loudness, pitch)
• Knowledge of electroacoustic components (microphones, speakers, headphones)
• Speech and speech signal processing (production, analysis, intelligibility)
• Recording and playback techniques as well as spatial audio coding
• Methods of sound field analysis and synthesis (microphone/speaker arrays, beamforming)
• Applications: room acoustics, auralization, ASR and speech synthesis, perceptual audio coding

What the module consists of

• LectureConveying content in short video tutorials and multimedia materials
• ExerciseDeepening through calculation examples, practical questions and online exercises

Teaching method

• Video tutorialsShort presentations for introducing individual topics and flexible use
• Online materials and audio examplesIndividual deepening and visualization of acoustic phenomena
• Electronically corrected online questionsSelf-check of understanding
• Online discussion groupExchange with fellow students and course tutors to clarify questions
• Presentation of current researchEstablishing the application reference