Psychoacoustic bass enhancement system on reconfigurable analog signal processor

Abstract

Because of size and cost constraints, small loudspeakers are used in many applications. It is very difficult to have a good low-frequency response in these small speakers. To produce good-sounding bass, we use psychoacoustic techniques to enhance deep bass in small loudspeakers-hence "extending" the bandwidth of auditory signals. This system is implemented in the analog domain, demonstrating the efficient signal processing capability of low power analog circuits. The bass enhancement system is designed, programmed, and tested on a floating-gate based field programmable analog array (FPAA), a reconfigurable analog signal processor. Measurements from a working prototype are presented. We can transfer the analog system developed on the FPAA to custom IC designs, or use the FPAA as the final implementation platform.