Introduction to audio and video techniques

Duration

30h Th, 22h Pr, 8h Labo.

Number of credits

Lecturer

Jean-Jacques Embrechts

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Course description :
This course addresses the basic principles of the methods and techniques used in audio and video. It mainly emphasizes the signals and their properties, both in audio and video, both in the analog and digital domains. For audio signals, the devices used for recording and playback are particularly described. Finally, the techniques for audio and video compression are presented.
Contents :
- Fundamentals of acoustics, audio signal and systems (properties and measurements)
- Microphones and loudspeakers,
- Principles of digital audio (introducing the compact disc and digital audio signal processing)
- The video signal (analog and digital)
- Audio and video compression (MPEG).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of the course, it is intended that the student will be able to:
- identify the principal properties of analog audio signals in the time and frequency domains,
- determine, analyse and synthesize the frequency response of the condenser microphone as a function of its elements,
- determine, analyse and synthesize the frequency response of the eletrodynamic loudspeaker as a function of its elements,
- understand the different steps to transform an analog audio signal into a digital signal and vice versa,
- determine the equations that model a simple audio digital system and analyse its behaviour (both through mathematics and listening). The example of an artificial reverberator will be particularly detailed,
- identify and measure the principal properties of analog video signals in the time and frequency domains,
- understand how to digitize a video signal,
- understand the principles of audio and video compression.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

This course is organized for students who have obtained a Bachelor degree in engineering. In particular, the following prerequisite knowledge is required:
- Systems' analysis,
- Electrical circuits (an introduction to),
- Fundamentals of signal processing .

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

This course is given in English.
First of all, this course is organised in modules, each of them consisting in a general presentation ex cathedra. Some modules are followed by applications and exercices with the teacher.
Two laboratory measurement sessions are planned, one for the audio signals (and loudspeakers) and the other for video signals. Groups of students are created and their presence is mandatory. These laboratory sessions are only organised once per academic year.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Face-to-face learning, except during the laboratory sessions which are supervised by a member of the laboratory staff.

Recommended or required readings

The necessary documents (five chapters and slides) will be available on-line for the students registered to this course: on the intranet (myUlg platform).

Some further (non mandatory) readings are also suggested at the end of each chapter.

Assessment methods and criteria

A written examination is organised in january, on the theory, exercises and laboratory sessions.
No document can be consulted during this examination, unless otherwise stated (it is recommended to be equipped with an electronic calculator).
The two laboratory reports are part of the evaluation. A student who did not participate to the two laboratory sessions will receive a quotation of zero for this evaluation.
An oral examination is organised during the second session of examination (in august or september). The conditions of this examination are the same as in january, except that the laboratory reports are no longer considered for the evaluation.
During the examinations, the questions will be asked in english. The student is allowed to answer in english or in french.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

The course is organised during the autumn semester (monday morning).
Site: Montefiore Institute B28.
The main language for this course is english.

Contacts

J.J. Embrechts

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