Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing intelligibility of a voice signal in a noisy environment includes a first noise estimator which estimates a far-end noise component from the far-end signal, and a second noise estimator which estimates a near-end noise component from the near-end signal. A noise reduction calculator determines a noise reduction gain from the estimated far-end noise, and an echo gain calculator determines an echo control gain. A master gain calculator combines both the echo control gain and the noise control gain into a master gain which is applied to the far-end signal. A comfort noise generator applies the pre-set minimum threshold of the master gain and constantly matches the spectrum of the far-end noise to synthesize a background noise for selectively mixing onto the far-end signal when echo is determined. Echo is determined based on a comparison of the near-end signal and the far-end signal spectra and by compensating the total gain applied.

Abstract: A method of improving convergence of an echo canceller in a full duplex speakerphone, wherein the echo canceller includes LEC (Line Echo Canceller) and AEC (Acoustic Echo Canceller) portions, comprising the steps of capturing coefficients during operation, storing the coefficients, and utilizing the stored coefficients as default values during start-up of a subsequent call. According to the method of the present invention, the amount of echo cancellation necessary to provoke a save of the coefficients decreases with time when it is not achieved by the system despite the presence of a reference signal (i.e. speakerphone signal).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for an improved echo canceller provide for faster convergence in echo canceling, which also contribute to better voice quality and provide for an increase in the capacity (number of channels) of a multi-channel voice processing products. Whitening filters are used to flatten the spectrum of the signals that pass through the echo canceller. Higher convergence rate is achieved when flattened signals pass through the echo canceller. A reconstruction filter is used to introduce the spectral envelop back into the outbound signal.

Abstract: A speaker-phone that is operable to perform system change detection, double-talk detection and if desired, optimal step-size control. The invention differentiates between system change and double-talk and is operable to these two situations differently. The invention does not rely solely on the energy measurements that are employed by conventional speaker-phones. Highly reliable system change detection is offered when compared to conventional speaker-phones. The direction and the amplitude of the system change is measured with very good detection probability in the invention. For double-talk detection, the invention does not rely on assumptions that the far-end echoes are of lower amplitude that the near-end signal in performing double-talk detection. The invention performs double-talk detection within a large diversity of echo-paths and background noise levels. A designer may tune the speaker-phone system to ensure proper double-talk detection near low levels of the near-end signal.

Abstract: A network echo canceller for integrated telecommunications processing. The network echo canceller processes echoes in multiple communication channels over a packet network. The network echo canceller adapts a least means squared finite impulse response filter to each communication channel in order to estimate an echo therein. The echo estimation is subtracted from signals that are being sent over each communication channel. The echo canceller includes a residual error suppressor to suppress non-linear sources of echo when desired. The echo canceller includes a double talk detector to inhibit filter adaptation during double talk. The network echo canceller is programmable into a digital signal processor and can be flexibly controlled through messaging.

Abstract: In a system in which echo transferred from a received signal to an outgoing signal is canceled by subtracting an adaptively predicted echo signal from the outgoing signal, howling is detected by detecting the effect of the predicted echo signal. The detected effect preferably depends on the magnitude or polarity of the predicted echo signal. The effect may be detected by comparing an envelope of the received signal or outgoing signal with a corresponding envelope of the residual outgoing signal left after echo cancellation. The echo attenuation on the echo path from the received signal to the outgoing signal may also be calculated, the conditions for howling detection being made more stringent as the detected echo attenuation increases. When howling is detected, it may be suppressed by attenuating the residual outgoing signal or initializing an adaptive filter that generates the predicted echo signal.

Abstract: An adaptive filter allowing rapid adaptation to a sudden and great change in a system to be estimated is disclosed A memory stores position information indicative of a signal block connected to each of M filter circuits and power information obtained from K filter coefficients generated by each of the M filter circuits. A valid/invalid block selector selects one as an invalid block from the M signal blocks connected to the M filter circuits and determines position information indicative of a selected signal block as an invalid block and a corresponding filter circuit that has been connected to the selected signal block. The position information indicative of the selected signal block is appended to a queue of a shift register and position information is output from a head of the queue. Based on the corresponding filter circuit and the position information received from the shift register, a matrix switch connecting M filter circuits and M signal blocks is controlled.

Abstract: A combined processor, such as might be used in a mobile handset or hands-free communication device, provides residual echo suppression and noise reduction while eliminating the need for explicit comfort noise generation. Operating within a near-end communication device, the processor receives an echo-canceled signal that is derived from a near-end input signal, and generates an output signal for subsequent transmission to a far-end communication device by applying a noise attenuation factor to the echo-canceled signal or to an average of that signal. The processor maintains the average signal across periods of speech and non-speech. During far-end-modes of operation, where only incoming audio from the far-end is active, the processor substitutes the average signal for the echo-canceled signal, such that a far-end listener receives the natural sounding average signal without receiving the objectionable, residual echo that may be in the echo-canceled signal.

Abstract: Handsfree telephony continues to be an increasingly desirable feature of modern telecommunications, whether in a conference room or mobile setting. Fundamental to the user acceptability of these systems is the performance of algorithms for acoustic echo cancellation, the purpose of which are to prevent the far-end signal from being transmitted back to the far-end talker. Most speech coding algorithms are based on some variant of Linear Predictive Coding (LPC), which reduces the amount of bits sent across a channel. Instead of doing echo cancellation in the time domain, the invention involves operating an acoustic echo canceller on the LPC parameters at the receiver, before the decoding stage.

Abstract: The step sizes for tap positions of an adaptive filter (124) in an echo canceller (125) for canceling an echo signal are individually selected based upon a profile of the echo environment. A training signal (112) is injected into the echo canceller and to the echo path during a training interval, or period. The adaptive filter profiles the echo path during the training interval. Respective step sizes &agr;[k] for the tap positions are generated as a function of the echo profile so generated.

Abstract: Switch 141 continuously switches between received signal 2 and a supplemental signal, which is obtained by processing the received signal 2 through filter 145 to use the output of switch 141 in place of received signal 2. Accordingly, adaptive filters 122 and 124 operate sometimes by using received signal 2 as the input signal and sometimes by using the supplemental signal as the input signal, so that it is possible to obtain adaptive filter coefficients by using twice the number of conditional equations as the case of using only received signal 2 as the input signal. Therefore, since the adaptive filter coefficients do not becomes indefinite, it is possible to converge the coefficients to the correct values. Further, since switching period between the original and the supplemental signals is controlled to be longer than the sampling period of the received signal, it is possible to suppress aliasing distortion of the received signal directly supplied to a speaker and to be maintain better sound quality.

Abstract: A communication device and method for detecting an infinite return loss (IRL) condition and temporarily halting or bypassing operations of an echo canceller in response to detecting that condition. The echo canceller includes an IRL detection module that analyzes the echo return loss and the echo return loss enhancement measured from the far-end and near-end signals. Based on the analysis, the IRL detection module determines whether to bypass the subtraction of the estimated echo in the outgoing near-end signal or continue normal operations.

Abstract: An echo cancellation device for reducing a magnitude of an echo occurring in a voice signal propagating in a channel of a communication system. The echo cancellation device is capable to selectively acquire an active operative mode and an inactive operative mode in response to a condition indicative of a level of echo present in the voice signal. In the active operative mode the echo cancellation device performs echo cancellation on the voice signal. In the inactive operative mode the echo cancellation device allows the voice signal to propagate without performing any echo cancellation.

Abstract: Frequency domain nonlinear processing techniques are applied in the context of echo suppression. According to exemplary embodiments, the filtering characteristic of a nonlinear processor is dynamically adjusted by comparing the power spectrum of a residual echo component of a communication signal with that of the overall communication signal itself. For example, the filtering characteristic can be adjusted so that the nonlinear processor blocks only those signal frequencies in which the residual echo is, in some sense, dominant. The disclosed techniques make full duplex communication possible during the entirety of a conversation, even while residual echo is being actively suppressed.

Abstract: A method is provided for use with a telecommunication relay device adapted to convey voice-band data signals over a given transmission path in a telecommunication network, which relay comprises a transmitter operative to encode and transmit voice-band data information, and a receiver operative to receive and decode said information and regenerate a voice-band data signal therefrom. The method that is provided comprises handling an echo associated with the regenerated signal and returned from the telecommunication network, in order to prevent it from being relayed backwards, thus impairing the voice-band data call process. The method comprises detecting and identifying the returned echo as such, and preventing it from being relayed.

Abstract: A communication circuitry for providing effective detection of tones in a communication network. The communication circuitry comprises filtration circuitry, summation circuitry, detection circuitry, and interface circuitry. The filtration circuitry is coupled to the summation circuitry and is configured to receive a communication, process the communication to estimate an echo return in the communication, and provide the estimated echo return to the summation circuitry. The summation circuitry is coupled to the detection circuitry and configured to receive the estimated echo return from the filtration circuitry, receive a tone transmission and echo return from the interface circuitry, subtract the estimated echo return from the tone transmission to generate a substantially pure tone, and provide the substantially pure tone to the detection circuitry. The detection circuitry is configured to receive the substantially pure tone and process the substantially pure tone to perform a programmed operation.

Abstract: An method and a device for echo suppression in a handsfree apparatus, particularly for a telephone is disclosed. With the aid of a control unit, control signals are generated from the signal of the far-end subscriber, the output signal of the loudspeaker-room-microphone system and the output signal of an adaptive filter used as reference, the control signals having an amplitude and a time response dependent on the speech mode. Using the control signals, the amplifications VE, VS of controllable amplifiers disposed in the receiving and transmitting paths are adapted to the speech mode, thus reducing the residual echo. The stepless transition of the amplifications from a quiescent value to a value attenuated with the factor and having an exponential time characteristic in response to a change of speech mode, provides an impression of natural speech.

Abstract: An echo suppressor for bi-directional communications includes an echo canceler and a residual echo suppressor having variable gain. The gain of the residual echo suppressor is controlled based on a characteristic, such as the estimated energy, of the residual voice echo, or alternatively the entire residual echo, preferably on a per-frame basis. In some embodiments, the residual voice echo energy is compared against the estimated non-echo energy to determine the required amount of gain to apply so as to attenuate the residual voice echo below a psychoacoustic perception level. In some optional embodiments, comfort noise is added to the output signal after the residual echo suppressor in an amount that corresponds to the amount of signal energy loss through the residual echo suppressor. Thus, in some embodiments, desired voice and background noise (including local background noise and comfort noise) are used to mask the presence of residual echo.

Abstract: Echo cancellation in data communication between modems utilizes analog echo cancellation to lessen reduction of usable dynamic range of the received signal at the input to the analog-to-digital converter (DAC) in the receiver. Two digital-to analog (D/A) conversions are provided in the modem's analog front end (AFE). One generates the analog signal for transmission. The other generates an analog representation of a cancellation signal that is used to electronically cancel the echo before analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion of the received signal. A preferred embodiment utilizes multiplexed DAC architecture to emulate two DACs by sharing DAC circuitry between data paths of the two D/A conversions.

Abstract: A system and method for canceling an echo signal. An input waveform is provided to an acoustic processor, and a determination is made whether the input waveform includes information representative of an echo signal. If the input waveform includes information representative of an echo signal, an output waveform is formed by attenuating a residual waveform with the acoustic processor. The residual waveform is attenuated by an attenuation factor that gradually changes from an initial attenuation value to a final attenuation value during the attenuation step. A system and method for adjusting an acoustic signal from a muted state to an unmuted state by varying an attenuation factor applied to an acoustic signal by an acoustic processor. The acoustic signal is provided to an acoustic processor. An output waveform is formed from the acoustic processor by adjusting the attenuation factor from a muted state to a first attenuation value associated with the non-muted state.

Abstract: An echo cancellation device (ECD) comprises an echo canceller (EC) including a transfer function estimator (EST, H) and a subtractor (ADD) and a residual echo suppression device (G, ADD2). The residual echo suppression device (G) comprises a residual echo filter (G) having an adjustable filter function (g). This filter function (g) can be adapted to either remove from the subtractor output (TNE′) the spectral characteristics relating to the reception signal (RFE) and/or to emphasize in the subtractor output signal (TNE′) a background signal spectral content relating to the transmission signal (TNE). A noise generation means (NGM′) can be provided at the output of the adaptable filter (G) for injecting a noise process in to the filter output signal (TNE′) prior to a speech coding in a speech coder (COD). The noise process masks in the filter output signal a spectral content relating to the reception signal (RFE).

Abstract: A dual rate echo canceller is provided for applications with asymmetric transmit and receive rates. In particular, the present invention provides Reduced Complexity Dual Rate Echo Canceller (RCDR-EC) architecture along with low complexity Least Mean Square (LMS) update rules. According to one aspect, the present invention is directed to an echo canceller that provides rate matching functionality for applications (e.g., ADSL, VDSL, etc.) with asymmetric data rates. The RCDR-EC of the present invention operates at the lower of the two rates, receive and transmit, requiring less computation per data sample. RCDR-EC implements a significantly smaller length echo cancellation filter (ECF) for achieving the same (or similar) level of echo suppression of conventional implementations. This reduces the hardware requirement for implementation of RCDR-EC.

Abstract: The magnitude processing circuit 607 non-linearly processes the received signal 2 and then outputs a non-linear processed signal. The delay processing circuit 300 further delays the non-linear processed signal and then outputs a delayed processed signal. The delayed processed signal is time-multiplexed with the non-linear processed signal. The multiplexed signal is used instead of the received signal 2. The adaptive filters 122 and 124 operate alternately with the non-linear processed signal or with the delayed processed signal obtained by non-linearly processing and then delaying the received signal 2 as the input signal. Adaptive filter coefficients can be obtained by using twice the number of conditions compared with the number is twice that for the case where only the received signal 2 is used as the input signal.

Abstract: To remove the echo of a received signal from a local input signal, an echo canceler adaptively estimates the transfer characteristics of the echo path. When a double-talk condition is detected, the echo canceler reverses the adaptation process and returns to a set of estimated transfer characteristics that were in use before the double-talk condition began. Imperfect echo cancellation due to incorrect estimation caused by double-talk is thus prevented inexpensively.

Abstract: A communication system includes an echo canceller and double-talk detector. The echo canceller includes an adaptive finite impulse response filter that generates an adaptive filter weight vector. The double talk detector computes a squared norm of the filter weight vector and detects an increase of the squared norm in order to detect double-talk status. Upon detection of double-talk status, operation of the echo canceller is suspended.

Abstract: Echo is canceled in a communication device including at least one microphone and a loudspeaker. Signals directed to the loudspeaker are filtered through at least one first filter. The filtered signals are subtracted from signals received by the microphone. At least one second filter filters the subtracted results to produce a signal corresponding to speech signals received by the microphone. At least one third filter filters the subtracted results to produce a signal corresponding to echo from the loudspeaker. The output from the third filter is subtracted from the output from the second filter to produce an echo-canceled signal. The device may include a number of microphones, and the first, second, and third filters may each include a number of filters equal to the number of microphones. The outputs from the second filter may be added, the outputs from the third filter may be added, and the sum of the outputs from the third filter may be subtracted from the sum of the outputs of the second filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for echo cancellation is presented. The echo canceller comprises an adaptive filter that tracks the impulse response of the echo path and produces an estimate of the echo. Filter adaptation is controlled by a controller based on the rate of the far-end speech signal, the rate of the near-end signal, an acoustic loss measure, and a double talk hangover indicator. The controller may also comprise a step size adaptation unit for determining the adaptation step size of the adaptive filter. In addition, the controller may comprise a noise replacement unit, which controls replacement of the echo residual signal with comfort noise to ensure echo is completely rejected when only the far-end speaker is talking.

Abstract: In methods and apparatus for echo cancellation, a noise estimate is selectively added to a downlink communications signals to improve the convergence speed and stability of an echo-canceling adaptive filter. The added signal content enables the echo-canceling adaptive filter to more quickly track echo path changes during user communications and prevents divergence of the adaptive filter during periods in which the downlink signal does not contain information (e.g., speech) sufficient to develop a quality echo path estimate. To prevent performance degradation from a user perspective, the added noise is made to resemble existing system noise (e.g., either near-end or far-end background noise). In exemplary embodiments, filter convergence speed and stability are further improved by whitening the spectrum and increasing the power level of the added noise whenever a near-end user is active and masking the added noise.

Abstract: An echo canceller circuit for use in an echo canceller system is set forth that provides sensitive non-linear echo path response detection. The echo canceller circuit comprises a first digital filter having non-adaptive tap coefficients to simulate an echo response occurring during a call. A second digital filter having adaptive tap coefficients to simulate an echo response occurring during the call is also used. The adaptive tap coefficients of the second digital filter are updated over the duration of the call. A coefficient transfer controller is disposed in the echo canceller circuit to transfer the adaptive tap coefficients of the second digital filter to replace the tap coefficients of the first digital filter when a set of one or more transfer conditions is met. A non-linear echo path response detector is provided. The non-linear echo path detector is responsive to one or more parameters of the first and second digital filters to detect a non-linear echo path condition.

Abstract: A system and method for canceling an echo signal. An input waveform is provided to an acoustic processor, and a determination is made whether the input waveform includes information representative of an echo signal. If the input waveform includes information representative of an echo signal, an output waveform is formed by attenuating a residual waveform with the acoustic processor. The residual waveform is attenuated by an attenuation factor that gradually changes from an initial attenuation value to a final attenuation value during the attenuation step.

Abstract: In an acoustic echocanceller (6), an estimate of an echo signal is determined by an adaptive filter (10) and is subtracted from the input signal by a subtracter (14). The spectrum estimator (12) determines the frequency spectrum of the estimate of the echo signal, and the filter (16) filters the output signal of the subtracter (14) with a filter having a transfer function dependent on the spectrum determined by the estimator (12). The use of this combination results in a substantial improvement of the suppression of the echo signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compensating for the background noise modulation caused by the operation of a non-linear processor on an audio signal include a controller that receives operating status information from the non-linear processor and generates a noise reduction control signal. The methods and apparatus further include a noise reduction circuit that receives the noise reduction control signal from the controller. The noise reduction circuit reduces the background noise in the audio signal when a noise reduction control signal is generated by the controller and injects synthesized background noise into the audio signal when a noise reduction control signal is not generated by the controller.

Abstract: An echo canceller circuit for use in an echo canceller system is set forth that provides sensitive non-linear echo path response detection. The echo canceller circuit comprises a first digital filter having non-adaptive tap coefficients to simulate an echo response occurring during a call. A second digital filter having adaptive tap coefficients to simulate an echo response occurring during the call is also used. The adaptive tap coefficients of the second digital filter are updated over the duration of the call. A coefficient transfer controller is disposed in the echo canceller circuit to transfer the adaptive tap coefficients of the second digital filter to replace the tap coefficients of the first digital filter when a set of one or more transfer conditions is met. A non-linear echo path response detector is provided. The non-linear echo path detector is responsive to one or more parameters of the first and second digital filters to detect a non-linear echo path condition.

Abstract: A hybrid echo suppresser and associated methods of use provide echo suppression in a bi-directional communications system, while minimizing desired-voice signal disruption. The hybrid echo suppresser includes a linear echo canceller (LEC), a non-linear processor (NLP), and a control circuit. The LEC operates on an echo-causing signal to produce an estimated-echo signal, which is subtracted from an input echo-containing signal, thereby producing an echo-cancelled signal. The NLP operates on this echo-cancelled signal to eliminate residual echo arising from system non-linearities. The control circuit repeatedly compares the echo-containing signal and the estimated-echo signal to determine if the echo-containing signal includes a desired-voice component. If not, the control circuit operates the NLP in an echo-voice mode having substantial signal attenuation.

Abstract: A compander circuit (20) for echo cancellation in telecommunications apparatus with an estimator module (21) for estimating an echo coupling and a delay of a line echo and a characteristic module (23) with an associated multiplier (24) for controlling the short-time output level of zout(k) as a function of the short-time input level of zin(k) is characterized in that at all inputs and outputs of the compander circuit (20), a plurality of N communications channels are applied and outputted, respectively, at an N-fold clock rate as compared with a single communications channel; that all memory units in the compander circuit (20) are designed as multiplexer-buffer-demultiplexer (MBD) units (30); and that a modulo-N counter (26) is provided which controls all MBD units (30) so that in each of the MBD units (30), always the same memory cell (351, 352, 35N) assigned to a particular communications channel is addressed.

Abstract: A process for suppressing total echoes comprising a plurality of partial echoes in telecommunications (TK) equipment such as terminals, transmission systems, or switching equipment by means of adaptive FIR (=Finite Impulse Response) filters that simulate the total echo and subtract it from the echo-affected useful signal transmitted to the respective TK equipment, whereby n partial FIR filters are provided, which respectively simulate a partial echo, is characterized in that m parallel, mutually independent TK channels are provided with an echo suppression function and that for this purpose a variable sub-quantity of the partial FIR filters is assigned to a TK channel to be operated, respectively, as required depending on the number of partial echoes and the size of the occurring delay times between signal and echo.

Abstract: An equipment (1) for the suppression of whole echoes composed of several partial echoes in telecommunications (TC) equipment, such as end devices, transmission systems or exchange equipment, with the help of adaptive FIR (=Finite Impulse Response) filters, which reproduce the whole echo and extract it from the echo-laden useful signal and which has been transferred to the respective TC equipment, in which the homogeneous FIR filters or partial filters (10), each of which are able to reproduce a whole echo or partial echo, are implemented on a single ASIC (=Application Specific Integrated Circuit) (9) for the m parallel and independent TC channels n to be served; and in which the whole echoes or partial echoes to be reproduced can be calculated in real time in the ASIC (9) and in which a digital signal processor (4) is designed to control the ASIC (9) and set the filter settings, especially after the coefficient required to reproduce the echo is calculated on the ASIC (9).

Abstract: A threshold estimation method in a telephony system estimates downlink power Rx and uplink power Ry. Echo model parameter candidates ai and bi are recursively determined for delayed Rx values. The bi having the minimum value is selected as an echo model parameter b, and in the corresponding delay &Dgr; is identified as the current echo delay. The model parameter candidate ai having the same delay is selected as model parameter a. The current echo return loss ERL is estimated from the estimated values of a and b. The current clip level is estimated from the estimated value of ERL and the estimated value of Rx that was measured &Dgr; time steps previously.

Abstract: To be able to successfully compensate the echos occurring in bidirectional telecommunications systems, comprising for example 2-wire/4-wire converters and/or AD/DA converters and/or satellite transmission links, the echo coupling factor and echo delay time for a system must be determined with a very high degree of accuracy and independently of the double talk situation. For this purpose, in accordance with the invention a process is provided wherein, by analyzing a dialogue, states and time segments are determined in which the probability of an incorrect evaluation of the coupling factor between the transmission paths and the echo delay time is very low. To improve the measurement accuracy, auxiliary quantities dependent upon the speech dynamics and the characteristic curve of the speech signal are introduced.

Abstract: A method of controlling an echo canceller for providing an echo cancellation signal by subtracting an echo replica signal either from a transmit signal or a receive signal. The method includes the steps of a first step of performing a speech detection based on the echo cancellation signal provided by the echo canceller; a second step of detecting a double talk condition based on a result of the speech detection performed by the first step; and a third step of controlling a learning operation of the echo canceller based on a result of the double talk detection performed by the second step.

Abstract: Residual echo components resulting from an adaptive echo canceler are minimized by employing a subband echo suppressor. The residual echo components are minimized by individually, controllably adjusting the echo suppressor attenuation level in each of the subbands to gradually attenuate echo peaks having a magnitude lower than a clipping threshold with the magnitude of the attenuation increasing for residual echoes of decreasing magnitude. Additionally, the threshold of suppression engagement is dynamically matched to the signal gain in the echo path for each subband. If the signal gain in a subband is high (strong echo), the suppressor must attenuate residual echo peaks in the subband of higher energy to maintain a constant quality of service.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and controlling severe echo. The system includes an echo canceller having an adaptive filter responsive to a set of coefficients, a first memory storing a software program operative to evaluate these coefficients to determine the severity of echo existing in the system, and a second memory accessible by the echo canceller and the first memory which stores the coefficients. Upon evaluating the coefficients, the system and method enables the proper mode of echo cancellation in the echo canceller.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, from the characteristic curve of the speech signal there are derived pulse sequences which are dependent upon the frequency but not the amplitude of the speech signal, so that in the case of a real echo, independently of the attenuation, identical pulse sequences occur in the case of the transmitted signal and, with a time shift, in the case of a received echo. The correspondence between the pulse sequences of transmitted signal and received signal is an indication that the received signal is an echo of the transmitted signal.

Abstract: A transmitted signal is coupled through a coarse delay and a fine delay to one input of a correlator. Another input of the correlator is coupled to a received signal. The delays are adjusted for maximum correlation and the output of the fine delay is subtracted from the received signal to reduce or eliminate an echo. The delays operate by sampling the signal and storing the samples at successive storage sites. The storage sites are read a predetermined time later, producing the delay. The read operation for the coarse echo includes three readings from separate sites and using the correlation products to indicate the magnitude and direction for changing the delay.

Abstract: An echo canceling apparatus has two microphones, both receiving an acoustic signal including a near-end speech component and an echo component. A first adaptive filter cancels the echo component in the output of the first microphone, obtaining a first residual signal. A second adaptive filter cancels the echo component in the output of the second microphone, obtaining a second residual signal. The two residual signals are added together with a timing delay compensating for the delay between their near-end speech components. In the resulting sum signal, the near-end speech component is enhanced, while the echo component, and a near-end background noise component, are relatively weakened.

Abstract: An adaptive filter (and a corresponding adaptive filtering method) for use in an echo cancellation environment, comprising a finite impulse response filter having a vector of adaptive coefficients, and an adaptive coefficient vector update module which modifies the vector of adaptive coefficients in response to an error signal and based on a predetermined probability density function for said error signal. In accordance with several illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the probability density function is advantageously non-Gaussian, and has certain advantageous characteristics which provide for robustness in the adaptive algorithm based thereupon.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling echo using zero echo path, ringing, and off-hook detection. When conditions for zero echo path are detected, the present embodiment bypasses echo cancellation by replacing the output signal with the input to the echo canceller. In addition, the present embodiment also provides ringing and off-hook detection which additionally evaluate when the output signal should be replaced by the input to the echo canceller. The system and method provides additional detection and control benefits to echo cancellers and can be implemented in echo cancellation systems without substantial change to the existing echo canceller.

Abstract: In a communication system (100), a first echo return loss through communication system (100) associated with a first call connection between a caller (111) and a first caller (114) is estimated. A second echo return loss associated with a second call connection between caller (111) and a second caller (112) is estimated. The call connection may be switching from the first call connection to the second call connection after estimating the first echo return loss, and from the second call connection to the first call connection after estimating the second echo return loss. Echo generated in the first call connection is cancelled based on at least the first echo return loss by an echo canceller in communication system (100) after switching from the second call connection to the first call connection.

Abstract: Apparatus for interconnecting the Tip and Ring telephone line interface to subsequent communications equipment or circuits through a differential line bridge circuit that extracts one or more unidirectional paths containing predominantly far-end energy, wherein, near-end speech signals have been canceled. The differential line bridge circuit maintains the longitudinal balance of the telephone line and exhibits improved noise immunity in the recovered far-end signal. It permits all telephone supervisory, alerting and bidirectional communication signals to pass transparently between the telephone line interface and the subsequent communications equipment or circuits. Access to on-hook service signals, such as calling party identification and short text messaging data transmissions, is inherently provided by the line bridge.