Patent ID: 8315410
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: H03G

Abstract:
1. A dynamic range controller for converting a varying input signal to an output signal with a controlled dynamic range, comprising: a gain setting block arranged to receive the input signal and to set a gain value to be applied to the input signal in converting it to said output signal, the input signal being a digital audio signal comprising a series of samples; a delay block arranged to delay the input signal by a predetermined time T prior to applying said gain value, the delay block providing temporary storage of N said samples of said digital audio signal; and an anti-clip control block arranged to provide a control signal to the gain setting block based on a level of the input signal such that an attack rate, with which said gain value is reduced, is adaptively controlled to decrease the level of said output signal to at most a maximum permitted signal level within the time T, said maximum permitted signal level being a clipping level of the input signal, and said control signal being indicative of a value d/N where d is an amount by which the clipping level is predicted to be exceeded.