VOCAL provides a range of adaptive beamforming algorithms for videoconferencing and multimedia systems, ultrasonic imaging, and wireless systems. These modular software libraries are optimized for all major processors and platforms. VOCAL’s beamformer software may be licensed as source code or binary with custom solutions available to meet unique application requirements.
Beamforming is used to combine waves of the same frequency, either constructively or destructively, in the spatial and temporal domains. On the receiver side by having multiple spatial samples of waves, a beamformer can enhance or cancel a wave coming from a certain direction. Similarly on the transmitter side, multiple spatial transmitters can generate waves so that the radiation pattern is coherent or destructive in a desired direction.
Beamforming is a ubiquitous technology when it comes to wave propagation. It does not matter if the wave is light, acoustic, seismic, or ultrasonic, etc. a beamformer can be applied. Because of the wide range of beamformer applications, there exist multiple design criteria for beampatterns. They include creating beams that match a desired beampattern, having a minimum beamwidth for a certain sidelobe level, or null steering.
When selecting an appropriate software solution for a beamformer application, one must first ask several questions:
- What information will be available?
- What information is needed to form the beampattern?
- How will this information be obtained?
- What is the criteria for forming the beampattern?
Examples of different algorithms that are used in adaptive beamforming include:
- Minimum Variance Distortionless Response
- Statistical Eigen Beamformer
- Beamspace Beamformer
- Frost Beamformer
- Generalized Sidelobe Cancellers
VOCAL’s adaptive beamforming algorithms are a key component of our Voice Quality Enhancement system which can dramatically improve the audio output and user listening experience. Adaptive beamforming is also available with our Mobile VoIP solutions for Android and iOS devices. Our adaptive beamformer software has important applications in dynamic environments including ultrasonic diagnostics as well as in wireless and MIMO communications.
To learn more about various applications for a beamformer, check out the following links:
