Abstract: An automatic gain control (AGC) algorithm is provided to the digital signal processor instructions of an audio processing unit of a multimedia multipoint server. The AGC algorithm operates to bring the power level of the audio signal of every active channel to within a fixed range. The AGC algorithm allows the use of non-calibrated microphones, corrects for long distance signal attenuation, and provides improved audio level reference for audio switching and audio level video switching. The AGC algorithm is structured into two steps: calibration and gain control. The calibration includes defining a noise threshold. Gain control includes first calculating a dynamic speech detection level. Second, with reference to the speech detection level, determining whether an incoming audio signal is a speech-based audio signal.

Abstract: An MMS circuit set-up system includes a real time link manager (RTLM) which is coupled to the audio video controller (AVC) of the MMS. The AVC receives data from the MMS reservation system about the starting and ending times for conferences and sends commands to the RTLM to set up connections for the conference. The RTLM is provided with a database of configuration and location information about remote sites and has access to the resource database of one or more ATM switches and/or other networking equipment. The RTLM sends configuration messages to ATM switches and/or other networking equipment in order to set up a conference. According to a presently preferred embodiment, the ATM switches are controlled by the RTLM using SNMP (simple network management protocol) via an ETHERNET.TM. connection to the slot controllers of the ATM switches and networking equipment which does not support SNMP are controlled by the RTLM using TCP/IP (transaction control protocol/internet protocol) via an ETHERNET.TM.