IRVINE, Calif.-The CDMA Development Group announced it has developed and tested advanced speech coding programming that will bring high-quality voice communications to subscribers using Code Division Multiple Access personal communications services and cellular systems.
The algorithm, or the CDMA 13 kilobit-per-second vocoder, is contained on a single chip inside a wireless handset and mobile switching center or base station that is being deployed in many CDMA cellular and PCS systems worldwide, the group explained.
The 13 kbps vocoder is fully compatible and interoperable with existing CDMA systems.
CDG said it conducted listener testing of the new algorithm at AT&T Bell Laboratories’ Speech Coding Test Center in Homdel, N.J. The test evaluated the algorithm under a number of conditions, including background noise, mobile-to-mobile calling and male and female speech patterns and concluded that in all cases the 13 kbps vocoder improved voice quality dramatically, CDG said.
“There is no doubt that … this new speech coding technology will bring high quality voice communications to CDMA and PCS systems,” said George Zysman, technology vice president of AT&T Network systems’ wireless equipment group. “The 13 kbps vocoder has been a key factor in why a number of PCS and cellular operators around the world are selecting CDMA,” he added.
