Fraunhofer’s HD communication technology enables a “same-room” experience over next-generation networks

BARCELONA – 14 February, 2011 – Fraunhofer IIS, the world’s authoritative source of audio and multimedia technologies, is presenting HD communication over an LTE-A (Long Term Evolution Advanced) 4G cellular network, featuring low delay, CD quality audio and HD video at Mobile World Congress 2011 (stand 2E41). Fraunhofer’s technology allows users to experience completely natural mobile phone conversation, just as if the participants were sitting in the same room.

Fraunhofer’s solutions for high quality HD communication over LTE includes its Audio Communication Engine, which combines several components to vastly improve the sound quality and clarity of mobile phone calls.  This audio package includes high-quality, low-delay audio codecs, robust acoustic echo control and a low delay IP streaming system. Fraunhofer also shows its matching low delay video solution based on PC hardware. This combination of technologies delivers the highest audio and video quality along with imperceptible latency, enabling 4G network operators to provide a dramatically improved communications experience compared to current network technologies.

“As next generation networks roll out, Fraunhofer provides a next generation communication experience by combining its low delay video technology and Audio Communication Engine to deliver a much more enjoyable and productive experience while on the phone,” said Harald Popp, head of the department Multimedia Realtime Systems, at Fraunhofer IIS. “With consumers’ increasing demand for HD quality, Fraunhofer is meeting expectations by delivering a new communication experience to mobile subscribers who can forget about distance, as voices sound as clear and natural as if talking to someone in the same room.”

Fraunhofer’s low delay video technology consists of low delay, high-quality video encoding and decoding based on H.264. This enables high quality HD video at 4G compatible bit-rates.

Fraunhofer’s Audio Communication Engine includes the MPEG audio communication codec “AAC Enhanced Low Delay” to ensure CD quality audio at very low coding delays and bit rates. Second, robust, multi-channel echo control software reliably removes echoes, providing hands-free convenience and complete freedom to move around a room. Finally, a specially matched IP streaming stack and error concealment tools allow for high-quality audio even under adverse network conditions.

Fraunhofer will demonstrate its HD communication technologies for CD-quality phone calls over a LTE-A network at the Fraunhofer IIS Stand 2E41 in Hall 2 at Mobile World Congress 2011.

For more information, visit http://www.iis.fraunhofer.de/en/bf/amm/.