src/devices/audio/terminology.jd

page.title=Audio Terminology
@jd:body

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<div id="qv-wrapper">
  <div id="qv">
    <h2>In this document</h2>
    <ol id="auto-toc">
    </ol>
  </div>
</div>

<p>
This document provides a glossary of audio-related terminology, including
a list of widely used, generic terms and a list of terms that are specific
to Android.
</p>

<h2 id="genericTerm">Generic Terms</h2>

<p>
These are audio terms that are widely used, with their conventional meanings.
</p>

<h3 id="digitalAudioTerms">Digital Audio</h3>

<dl>

<dt>acoustics</dt>
<dd>
The study of the mechanical properties of sound, for example how the
physical placement of transducers such as speakers and microphones on
a device affects perceived audio quality.
</dd>

<dt>attenuation</dt>
<dd>
A multiplicative factor less than or equal to 1.0,
applied to an audio signal to decrease the signal level.
Compare to "gain."
</dd>

<dt>bits per sample or bit depth</dt>
<dd>
Number of bits of information per sample.
</dd>

<dt>channel</dt>
<dd>
A single stream of audio information, usually corresponding to one
location of recording or playback.
</dd>

<dt>downmixing</dt>
<dd>
To decrease the number of channels, e.g. from stereo to mono, or from 5.1 to stereo.
This can be accomplished by dropping some channels, mixing channels, or more advanced signal processing.
Simple mixing without attenuation or limiting has the potential for overflow and clipping.
Compare to "upmixing."
</dd>

<dt>duck</dt>
<dd>
To temporarily reduce the volume of one stream, when another stream
becomes active.  For example, if music is playing and a notification arrives,
then the music stream could be ducked while the notification plays.
Compare to "mute."
</dd>

<dt>FIFO</dt>
<dd>
A hardware module or software data structure that implements
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFO">First In, First Out</a>
queueing of data.  In the context of audio, the data stored in the queue
are typically audio frames.  A FIFO can be implemented by a
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_buffer">circular buffer</a>.
</dd>

<dt>frame</dt>
<dd>
A set of samples, one per channel, at a point in time.
</dd>

<dt>frames per buffer</dt>
<dd>
The number of frames handed from one module to the next at once;
for example the audio HAL interface uses this concept.
</dd>

<dt>gain</dt>
<dd>
A multiplicative factor greater than or equal to 1.0,
applied to an audio signal to increase the signal level.
Compare to "attenuation."
</dd>

<dt>Hz</dt>
<dd>
The units for sample rate or frame rate.
</dd>

<dt>latency</dt>
<dd>
Time delay as a signal passes through a system.
</dd>

<dt>lossless</dt>
<dd>
A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lossless_compression">lossless data compression</a>
algorithm preserves bit accuracy across encoding and decoding.
The result of decoding any previously encoded data is equivalent to the original data.
Examples of lossless audio content distribution formats include
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_disc">CDs</a>, PCM within
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WAV">WAV</a>, and
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FLAC">FLAC</a>.
Note that the authoring process may reduce the bit depth or sample rate from that of the
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_mastering">masters</a>.
Distribution formats that preserve the resolution and bit accuracy of masters
are the subject of "high-resolution audio".
</dd>

<dt>lossy</dt>
<dd>
A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lossy_compression">lossy data compression</a>
algorithm attempts to preserve the most important features of media across
encoding and decoding.  The result of decoding any previously encoded
data is perceptually similar to the original data, but is not identical.
Examples of lossy audio compression algorithms include MP3 and AAC.
As analog values are from a continuous domain, whereas digital values are discrete,
ADC and DAC are lossy conversions with respect to amplitude.  See also "transparency."
</dd>

<dt>mono</dt>
<dd>
One channel.
</dd>

<dt>multichannel</dt>
<dd>
See "surround sound".
Strictly, since stereo is more than one channel, it is also "multi" channel.
But that usage would be confusing.
</dd>

<dt>mute</dt>
<dd>
To (temporarily) force volume to be zero, independently from the usual volume controls.
</dd>

<dt>overrun</dt>
<dd>
An audible <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glitch">glitch</a> caused by failure
to accept supplied data in sufficient time.
See Wikipedia article <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffer_underrun">buffer underrun</a>
[sic; the article for "buffer overrun" describes an unrelated failure].
Compare to "underrun."
</dd>

<dt>panning</dt>
<dd>
To direct a signal to a desired position within a stereo or multi-channel field.
</dd>

<dt>PCM</dt>
<dd>
Pulse Code Modulation, the most common low-level encoding of digital audio.
The audio signal is sampled at a regular interval, called the sample rate,
and then quantized to discrete values within a particular range depending on the bit depth.
For example, for 16-bit PCM, the sample values are integers between -32768 and +32767.
</dd>

<dt>ramp</dt>
<dd>
To gradually increase or decrease the level of a particular audio parameter,
for example volume or the strength of an effect.
A volume ramp is commonly applied when pausing and resuming music, to avoid a hard audible transition.
</dd>

<dt>sample</dt>
<dd>
A number representing the audio value for a single channel at a point in time.
</dd>

<dt>sample rate or frame rate</dt>
<dd>
Number of frames per second;
note that "frame rate" is thus more accurate,
but "sample rate" is conventionally used to mean "frame rate."
</dd>

<dt>sonification</dt>
<dd>
The use of sound to express feedback or information,
for example touch sounds and keyboard sounds.
</dd>

<dt>stereo</dt>
<dd>
Two channels.
</dd>

<dt>stereo widening</dt>
<dd>
An effect applied to a stereo signal, to make another stereo signal which sounds fuller and richer.
The effect can also be applied to a mono signal, in which case it is a type of upmixing.
</dd>

<dt>surround sound</dt>
<dd>
Various techniques for increasing the ability of a listener to perceive
sound position beyond stereo left and right.
</dd>

<dt>transparency</dt>
<dd>
The ideal result of lossy data compression, as stated in the
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparency_%28data_compression%29">Transparency Wikipedia article</a>.
A lossy data conversion is said to be transparent if it is perceptually indistinguishable from the
original by a human subject.
</dd>

<dt>underrun</dt>
<dd>
An audible <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glitch">glitch</a> caused by failure
to supply needed data in sufficient time.
See Wikipedia article <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffer_underrun">buffer underrun</a>.
Compare to "overrun."
</dd>

<dt>upmixing</dt>
<dd>
To increase the number of channels, e.g. from mono to stereo, or from stereo to surround sound.
This can be accomplished by duplication, panning, or more advanced signal processing.
Compare to "downmixing."
</dd>

<dt>virtualizer</dt>
<dd>
An effect that attempts to spatialize audio channels, such as trying to
simulate more speakers, or give the illusion that various sound sources have position.
</dd>

<dt>volume</dt>
<dd>
Loudness, the subjective strength of an audio signal.
</dd>

</dl>

<h3 id="hardwareTerms">Hardware and Accessories</h3>

<p>
These terms are related to audio hardware and accessories.
</p>

<h4 id="interDeviceTerms">Inter-device interconnect</h4>

<p>
These technologies connect audio and video components between devices,
and are readily visible at the external connectors.  The HAL implementor
may need to be aware of these, as well as the end user.
</p>

<dl>

<dt>Bluetooth</dt>
<dd>
A short range wireless technology.
The major audio-related
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_profile">Bluetooth profiles</a>
and
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_protocols">Bluetooth protocols</a>
are described at these Wikipedia articles:

<ul>

<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_profile#Advanced_Audio_Distribution_Profile_.28A2DP.29">A2DP</a>
for music
</li>

<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_protocols#Synchronous_connection-oriented_.28SCO.29_link">SCO</a>
for telephony
</li>

<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bluetooth_profiles#Audio.2FVideo_Remote_Control_Profile_.28AVRCP.29">Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)</a>
</li>

</ul>

</dd>

<dt>DisplayPort</dt>
<dd>
Digital display interface by VESA.
</dd>

<dt>HDMI</dt>
<dd>
High-Definition Multimedia Interface, an interface for transferring
audio and video data.  For mobile devices, either a micro-HDMI (type D) or MHL connector is used.
</dd>

<dt>Intel HDA</dt>
<dd>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_High_Definition_Audio">Intel High Definition Audio</a>
(commonly shortened to HDA) is a specification for, among other things, a front-panel connector.
Not to be confused with generic "high-definition audio" or "high-resolution audio."
</dd>

<dt>MHL</dt>
<dd>
Mobile High-Definition Link is a mobile audio/video interface, often
over micro-USB connector.
</dd>

<dt>phone connector</dt>
<dd>
A mini or sub-mini phone connector
connects a device to wired headphones, headset, or line-level amplifier.
</dd>

<dt>SlimPort</dt>
<dd>
An adapter from micro-USB to HDMI.
</dd>

<dt>S/PDIF</dt>
<dd>
Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format is an interconnect for uncompressed PCM.
See Wikipedia article <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S/PDIF">S/PDIF</a>.
</dd>

<dt>Thunderbolt</dt>
<dd>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_%28interface%29">Thunderbolt</a>
is a multimedia interface that competes with USB and HDMI for connecting to high-end peripherals.
</dd>

<dt>USB</dt>
<dd>
Universal Serial Bus.
See Wikipedia article <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB">USB</a>.
</dd>

</dl>

<h4 id="intraDeviceTerms">Intra-device interconnect</h4>

<p>
These technologies connect internal audio components within a given
device, and are not visible without disassembling the device.  The HAL
implementor may need to be aware of these, but not the end user.
</p>

<p>
See these Wikipedia articles:
</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General-purpose_input/output">GPIO</a></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%C2%B2C">I²C</a>, for control channel</li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%C2%B2S">I²S</a>, for audio data</li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McASP">McASP</a></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SLIMbus">SLIMbus</a></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Peripheral_Interface_Bus">SPI</a></li>
</ul>

<h3 id="signalTerms">Audio Signal Path</h3>

<p>
These terms are related to the signal path that audio data follows from
an application to the transducer, or vice-versa.
</p>

<dl>

<dt>ADC</dt>
<dd>
Analog to digital converter, a module that converts an analog signal
(continuous in both time and amplitude) to a digital signal (discrete in
both time and amplitude).  Conceptually, an ADC consists of a periodic
sample-and-hold followed by a quantizer, although it does not have to
be implemented that way.  An ADC is usually preceded by a low-pass filter
to remove any high frequency components that are not representable using
the desired sample rate.  See Wikipedia article
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog-to-digital_converter">Analog-to-digital converter</a>.
</dd>

<dt>AP</dt>
<dd>
Application processor, the main general-purpose computer on a mobile device.
</dd>

<dt>codec</dt>
<dd>
Coder-decoder, a module that encodes and/or decodes an audio signal
from one representation to another.  Typically this is analog to PCM, or PCM to analog.
Strictly, the term "codec" is reserved for modules that both encode and decode,
however it can also more loosely refer to only one of these.
See Wikipedia article
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_codec">Audio codec</a>.
</dd>

<dt>DAC</dt>
<dd>
Digital to analog converter, a module that converts a digital signal
(discrete in both time and amplitude) to an analog signal
(continuous in both time and amplitude).  A DAC is usually followed by
a low-pass filter to remove any high frequency components introduced
by digital quantization.
See Wikipedia article
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital-to-analog_converter">Digital-to-analog converter</a>.
</dd>

<dt>DSP</dt>
<dd>
Digital Signal Processor, an optional component which is typically located
after the application processor (for output), or before the application processor (for input).
The primary purpose of a DSP is to off-load the application processor,
and provide signal processing features at a lower power cost.
</dd>

<dt>PDM</dt>
<dd>
Pulse-density modulation
is a form of modulation used to represent an analog signal by a digital signal,
where the relative density of 1s versus 0s indicates the signal level.
It is commonly used by digital to analog converters.
See Wikipedia article
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-density_modulation">Pulse-density modulation</a>.
</dd>

<dt>PWM</dt>
<dd>
Pulse-width modulation
is a form of modulation used to represent an analog signal by a digital signal,
where the relative width of a digital pulse indicates the signal level.
It is commonly used by analog to digital converters.
See Wikipedia article
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-width_modulation">Pulse-width modulation</a>.
</dd>

<dt>transducer</dt>
<dd>
A transducer converts variations in physical "real-world" quantities to electrical signals.
In audio, the physical quantity is sound pressure,
and the transducers are the loudspeaker and microphone.
See Wikipedia article
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transducer">Transducer</a>.
</dd>

</dl>

<h3 id="srcTerms">Sample Rate Conversion</h3>

<dl>

<dt>downsample</dt>
<dd>To resample, where sink sample rate &lt; source sample rate.</dd>

<dt>Nyquist frequency</dt>
<dd>
The Nyquist frequency, equal to 1/2 of a given sample rate, is the
maximum frequency component that can be represented by a discretized
signal at that sample rate.  For example, the human hearing range is
typically assumed to extend up to approximately 20 kHz, and so a digital
audio signal must have a sample rate of at least 40 kHz to represent that
range.  In practice, sample rates of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz are commonly
used, with Nyquist frequencies of 22.05 kHz and 24 kHz respectively.
See
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyquist_frequency">Nyquist frequency</a>
and
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_range">Hearing range</a>
for more information.
</dd>

<dt>resampler</dt>
<dd>Synonym for sample rate converter.</dd>

<dt>resampling</dt>
<dd>The process of converting sample rate.</dd>

<dt>sample rate converter</dt>
<dd>A module that resamples.</dd>

<dt>sink</dt>
<dd>The output of a resampler.</dd>

<dt>source</dt>
<dd>The input to a resampler.</dd>

<dt>upsample</dt>
<dd>To resample, where sink sample rate &gt; source sample rate.</dd>

</dl>

<h2 id="androidSpecificTerms">Android-Specific Terms</h2>

<p>
These are terms specific to the Android audio framework, or that
may have a special meaning within Android beyond their general meaning.
</p>

<dl>

<dt>ALSA</dt>
<dd>
Advanced Linux Sound Architecture.  As the name suggests, it is an audio
framework primarily for Linux, but it has influenced other systems.
See Wikipedia article
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Linux_Sound_Architecture">ALSA</a>
for the general definition. As used within Android, it refers primarily
to the kernel audio framework and drivers, not to the user-mode API. See
tinyalsa.
</dd>

<dt>audio device</dt>
<dd>
Any audio I/O end-point which is backed by a HAL implementation.
</dd>

<dt>AudioEffect</dt>
<dd>
An API and implementation framework for output (post-processing) effects
and input (pre-processing) effects.  The API is defined at
<a href="http://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/audiofx/AudioEffect.html">android.media.audiofx.AudioEffect</a>.
</dd>

<dt>AudioFlinger</dt>
<dd>
The sound server implementation for Android. AudioFlinger
runs within the mediaserver process. See Wikipedia article
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_server">Sound server</a>
for the generic definition.
</dd>

<dt>audio focus</dt>
<dd>
A set of APIs for managing audio interactions across multiple independent apps.
See <a href="http://developer.android.com/training/managing-audio/audio-focus.html">Managing Audio
Focus</a> and the focus-related methods and constants of
<a href="http://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/AudioManager.html">android.media.AudioManager</a>.
</dd>

<dt>AudioMixer</dt>
<dd>
The module within AudioFlinger responsible for
combining multiple tracks and applying attenuation
(volume) and certain effects. The Wikipedia article
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_mixing_(recorded_music)">Audio mixing (recorded music)</a>
may be useful for understanding the generic
concept. But that article describes a mixer more as a hardware device
or a software application, rather than a software module within a system.
</dd>

<dt>audio policy</dt>
<dd>
Service responsible for all actions that require a policy decision
to be made first, such as opening a new I/O stream, re-routing after a
change, and stream volume management.
</dd>

<dt>AudioRecord</dt>
<dd>
The primary low-level client API for receiving data from an audio
input device such as microphone.  The data is usually in pulse-code modulation
(PCM) format.
The API is defined at
<a href="http://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/AudioRecord.html">android.media.AudioRecord</a>.
</dd>

<dt>AudioResampler</dt>
<dd>
The module within AudioFlinger responsible for
<a href="src.html">sample rate conversion</a>.
</dd>

<dt>audio source</dt>
<dd>
An <a href="http://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/MediaRecorder.AudioSource.html">audio source</a>
is an enumeration of constants that indicates the desired use case for capturing audio input.
As of API level 21 and above, <a href="attributes.html">audio attributes</a> are preferred.
</dd>

<dt>AudioTrack</dt>
<dd>
The primary low-level client API for sending data to an audio output
device such as a speaker.  The data is usually in PCM format.
The API is defined at
<a href="http://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/AudioTrack.html">android.media.AudioTrack</a>.
</dd>

<dt>audio_utils</dt>
<dd>
An audio utility library for features such as PCM format conversion, WAV file I/O, and
<a href="avoiding_pi.html#nonBlockingAlgorithms">non-blocking FIFO</a>,
which is largely independent of the Android platform.
</dd>

<dt>client</dt>
<dd>
Usually same as application or app, but sometimes the "client" of
AudioFlinger is actually a thread running within the mediaserver system
process. An example of that is when playing media that is decoded by a
MediaPlayer object.
</dd>

<dt>HAL</dt>
<dd>
Hardware Abstraction Layer. HAL is a generic term in Android. With
respect to audio, it is a layer between AudioFlinger and the kernel
device driver with a C API, which replaces the earlier C++ libaudio.
</dd>

<dt>FastCapture</dt>
<dd>
A thread within AudioFlinger that sends audio data to lower latency "fast tracks"
and drives the input device when configured for reduced latency.
</dd>

<dt>FastMixer</dt>
<dd>
A thread within AudioFlinger that receives and mixes audio data from lower latency "fast tracks"
and drives the primary output device when configured for reduced latency.
</dd>

<dt>fast track</dt>
<dd>
An AudioTrack or AudioRecord client with lower latency but fewer features, on some devices and routes.
</dd>

<dt>MediaPlayer</dt>
<dd>
A higher-level client API than AudioTrack, for playing either encoded
content, or content which includes multimedia audio and video tracks.
</dd>

<dt>media.log</dt>
<dd>
An AudioFlinger debugging feature, available in custom builds only,
for logging audio events to a circular buffer where they can then be
dumped retroactively when needed.
</dd>

<dt>mediaserver</dt>
<dd>
An Android system process that contains a number of media-related
services, including AudioFlinger.
</dd>

<dt>NBAIO</dt>
<dd>
An abstraction for "non-blocking" audio input/output ports used within
AudioFlinger. The name can be misleading, as some implementations of
the NBAIO API actually do support blocking. The key implementations of
NBAIO are for pipes of various kinds.
</dd>

<dt>normal mixer</dt>
<dd>
A thread within AudioFlinger that services most full-featured
AudioTrack clients, and either directly drives an output device or feeds
its sub-mix into FastMixer via a pipe.
</dd>

<dt>OpenSL ES</dt>
<dd>
An audio API standard by
<a href="http://www.khronos.org/">The Khronos Group</a>. Android versions since
API level 9 support a native audio API that is based on a subset of
<a href="http://www.khronos.org/opensles/">OpenSL ES 1.0.1</a>.
</dd>

<dt>silent mode</dt>
<dd>
A user-settable feature to mute the phone ringer and notifications,
without affecting media playback (music, videos, games) or alarms.
</dd>

<dt>SoundPool</dt>
<dd>
A higher-level client API than AudioTrack, used for playing sampled
audio clips. It is useful for triggering UI feedback, game sounds, etc.
The API is defined at
<a href="http://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/SoundPool.html">android.media.SoundPool</a>.
</dd>

<dt>Stagefright</dt>
<dd>
See <a href="{@docRoot}devices/media.html">Media</a>.
</dd>

<dt>StateQueue</dt>
<dd>
A module within AudioFlinger responsible for synchronizing state
among threads. Whereas NBAIO is used to pass data, StateQueue is used
to pass control information.
</dd>

<dt>strategy</dt>
<dd>
A grouping of stream types with similar behavior, used by the audio policy service.
</dd>

<dt>stream type</dt>
<dd>
An enumeration that expresses a use case for audio output.
The audio policy implementation uses the stream type, along with other parameters,
to determine volume and routing decisions.
Specific stream types are listed at
<a href="http://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/AudioManager.html">android.media.AudioManager</a>.
</dd>

<dt>tee sink</dt>
<dd>
See the separate article on tee sink in
<a href="debugging.html#teeSink">Audio Debugging</a>.
</dd>

<dt>tinyalsa</dt>
<dd>
A small user-mode API above ALSA kernel with BSD license, recommended
for use in HAL implementations.
</dd>

<dt>ToneGenerator</dt>
<dd>
A higher-level client API than AudioTrack, used for playing DTMF signals.
See the Wikipedia article
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-tone_multi-frequency_signaling">Dual-tone multi-frequency signaling</a>,
and the API definition at
<a href="http://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/ToneGenerator.html">android.media.ToneGenerator</a>.
</dd>

<dt>track</dt>
<dd>
An audio stream, controlled by the AudioTrack or AudioRecord API.
</dd>

<dt>volume attenuation curve</dt>
<dd>
A device-specific mapping from a generic volume index to a particular attenuation factor
for a given output.
</dd>

<dt>volume index</dt>
<dd>
A unitless integer that expresses the desired relative volume of a stream.
The volume-related APIs of
<a href="http://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/AudioManager.html">android.media.AudioManager</a>
operate in volume indices rather than absolute attenuation factors.
</dd>

</dl>