• Audio signal processing including audio source coding, audio source separation and audio watermarking.
• Audio Perception including the subjective evaluation of audio and speech systems and the modeling of human auditory perception.
• Transmission signal processing for wireless broadcasting of digital information (audio, multimedia and data) to fixed, mobile and portable receivers. Our R&D program includes Software Defined Radio (SDR) implementation of modulators and receivers for digital audio and television broadcast standards.

To carry out these research activities, the Group has the following world class facilities:

• Audio Perception Laboratory meeting international standards.
• professional quality stereo and multichannel sound recording, production and reproduction equipment, including a custom hard disk based playback system for listening tests.
• general purpose powerful workstations and sophisticated software for computer simulation of digital communication systems as well as PC/DSP hardware platforms for real time prototyping and SDR implementation.

The facilities and expertise for conducting audio research and listening tests are unique in North-America. The Group has expertise in experimental design and statistical analysis for subjective testing as well as in signal processing related to digital audio technologies and digital wireless transmission. The Group has also extended expertise in wireless OFDM transmission over mobile channels.

Since its creation, the Advanced Audio Systems group has developed a portfolio of patents and technologies which are available for licensing. The group has also made several major contributions to the development of standards, including:

• ITU-R Recommendation BS.1770, "Algorithms to measure audio program loudness and true-peak audio level";
• ATSC, Document A/85, "ATSC Recommended Practice: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television", Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc.;
• ITU-R Recommendation BS.1387, "Method for objective measurements of perceived audio quality";
• ITU-R Recommendation BS.1534,"Methods for the subjective assessment of intermediate quality level of coding systems";
• ITU-R Recommendation BS.1116, "Methods for the subjective assessment of small impairments in audio Systems including multichannel sound systems";
• ITU-R Recommendation BS.1115, "Low Bit Rate Audio Coding",
• ITU-R Recommendation BS.1114, "System for terrestrial digital sound broadcasting to vehicular, portable and fixed receivers in the frequency range 30 - 3,000 MHz"
• ETSI TS 102 427 Standard, "Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Data Broadcasting - MPEG-2 TS Streaming" (DMB standard)
• ETSI TS 102 428 Standard, "Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); DMB Video Service - User application specification" (DMB standard)
• ETSI TS 102 563 Standard, "Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Transport of Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) audio" (DAB+ standard)

The audio loudness metering method adopted by the ITU-R in its BS.1770 recommendation has been developed by the Advanced Audio Systems group. It is being deployed in various broadcast organizations around the world. This is one of the major achievements of the group.

The Group wishes to increase its collaborative research and development endeavours with interested partners in the industry.