Executive Development Programme in Perceptual Audio Coding and Compression

This course is designed for senior audio engineers, researchers, and industry professionals aiming to enhance their expertise in perceptual audio coding and compression technologies. Participants will gain a deep understanding of advanced audio coding techniques, including perceptual models and psychoacoustic principles, essential for developing high-quality audio compression algorithms.

Attendees will learn to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios, improving audio quality in various applications such as streaming services, telecommunications, and video conferencing. The course also covers the latest industry standards and trends, equipping professionals with the knowledge to innovate and lead in the field.

1. 1. Introduction to Audio Coding and Compression: Learners will study the basics of audio coding and compression, including lossless and lossy compression techniques. They will gain foundational knowledge on entropy coding, quantization, and psychoacoustic models, preparing them for more advanced topics in perceptual audio coding.
2. 2. Psychoacoustic Models: This module will delve into the principles of psychoacoustics, focusing on masking effects, frequency masking, and time masking. Learners will understand how these models are used in the design of perceptual audio coders, enhancing their ability to critically evaluate audio compression algorithms.
3. 3. Perceptual Audio Coding Techniques: Learners will explore various perceptual audio coding techniques, such as perceptual entropy coding and time-frequency masking. They will learn to design and analyze coders that leverage perceptual masking to achieve high compression ratios while maintaining audio quality.
4. 4. Advanced Coding Algorithms: This module covers advanced coding algorithms like Hybrid Coding, Perceptual Linear Predictive Coding (PLPC), and Advanced Lossy Coding. Learners will develop skills in implementing and optimizing these algorithms for different audio applications.
5. 5. Error Concealment and Robustness: Focusing on robustness and error concealment techniques, this module teaches learners how to handle errors in audio streams and ensure seamless playback even under poor network conditions. Practical skills in designing robust audio codecs will be gained.
6. 6. Adaptive Bitrate Streaming: Learners will study adaptive bitrate streaming techniques that optimize audio quality for varying network conditions. They will learn to implement adaptive bitrate strategies and evaluate their performance in real-world scenarios.
7. 7. Speech and Music Coding: This module differentiates between speech and music coding, covering algorithms specifically designed for each. Learners will understand the unique challenges and requirements of coding speech and music, and how perceptual audio coding techniques can be tailored for these purposes.
8. 8. Codec Design and Evaluation: Learners will gain hands-on experience in designing and evaluating perceptual audio codecs. They will apply their knowledge to create new codecs and use objective and subjective metrics to assess their performance.
9. 9. Advanced Topics in Perceptual Audio Coding: This module explores cutting-edge topics in perceptual audio coding, such as deep learning approaches and blockchain-based transparent coding. Learners will be introduced to the latest research and trends in the field.
10. 10. Industry Applications and Case Studies: In this final module, learners will examine real-world applications of perceptual audio coding and compression in industries like broadcasting, streaming services, and telephony. Case studies will be analyzed to provide practical insights into the implementation and deployment of advanced audio coding solutions.