ETFOptimize | High-performance ETF-based Investment Strategies

Quantitative strategies, Wall Street-caliber research, and insightful market analysis since 1998.


ETFOptimize | HOME
Close Window

Industry Consortium EEMBC Targets Audio-Processing Performance with New Benchmark

By: WebWire

EEMBC is pleased to announce the development of AudioMark, the first end-to-end benchmark specifically focused on audio processing. Slated for release in 2023, AudioMark will be invaluable for developers of embedded microprocessors that cater to voice-controlled appliances, speech recognition, and other related audio processing tasks.

Voice interaction has grown from a specialized interface associated with intelligent speakers to something we encounter every day. As this demand for ubiquitous audio-processing has increased, the microprocessor industry has shifted to provide the technology that powers it

“AudioMark is a departure from EEMBC's kernel-specific benchmarks, for good reason: audio processing performance depends on more than just the individual steps in the pipeline,” says EEMBC President Peter Torelli. “It was clearly necessary to develop an end-to-end benchmark for this critical task.”

Because audio processing encompasses so many different scenarios, AudioMark will be designed with several flexible parameters. A device that listens for a single word or phrase, for instance, has different processing needs than one that understands a multi-word vocabulary, and is more likely to process locally than send audio to the cloud. Other variables include single versus multiple audio streams, fixed- or floating-point computations, and if a DSP is used alongside the processor.

“Audio is a rapidly growing part of our business, and we need a reliable way of comparing our products with each other, and with our competitors',” says Dr. Ashutosh Pandey, Lead Principal Engineer at Infineon Technologies and the technical lead of the AudioMark working group at EEMBC. “But audio processing exercises so many aspects of compute, and can be pursued in many different ways. It's critical that the industry have an audio benchmark that's flexible, but coherent enough to be meaningful.”

Fortunately, many aspects of the audio processing pipeline are fairly consistent. Nearly all start with a microphone with 16-bit output at 44.1 kHz, perform spectral analysis via Fourier transform, and must apply echo and noise cancellation. Similarly, other processes such as beam-forming and direction-of-arrival, are also key pipeline components. The final steps may employ a local feature extractor and neural net, or be synthesized for delivery to a cloud-based endpoint.

In order to ensure that AudioMark strikes the right balance between flexibility and consistency, numerous expert advisors have been recruited from the EEMBC community. Intel, Arm, onsemi, Renesas, Infineon, STMicroelectronics, Synopsys, and Texas Instruments have already signed on to assist in AudioMark's development and testing, and their help will be invaluable.

With AudioMark still in early development, there's a huge opportunity for microprocessor makers to get involved in shaping the benchmark that will help shape the industry. “By providing information about their specific tasks and processes, EEMBC members will ensure that AudioMark is as relevant and useful as possible,” says Torelli, “making this an ideal time to join as a member—especially if audio processing is part of your business.”
 

— WebWireID290674 —


Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.


 

IntelligentValue Home
Close Window

DISCLAIMER

All content herein is issued solely for informational purposes and is not to be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor should it be interpreted as a recommendation to buy, hold or sell (short or otherwise) any security.  All opinions, analyses, and information included herein are based on sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, is made including but not limited to any representation or warranty concerning accuracy, completeness, correctness, timeliness or appropriateness. We undertake no obligation to update such opinions, analysis or information. You should independently verify all information contained on this website. Some information is based on analysis of past performance or hypothetical performance results, which have inherent limitations. We make no representation that any particular equity or strategy will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. Shareholders, employees, writers, contractors, and affiliates associated with ETFOptimize.com may have ownership positions in the securities that are mentioned. If you are not sure if ETFs, algorithmic investing, or a particular investment is right for you, you are urged to consult with a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). Neither this website nor anyone associated with producing its content are Registered Investment Advisors, and no attempt is made herein to substitute for personalized, professional investment advice. Neither ETFOptimize.com, Global Alpha Investments, Inc., nor its employees, service providers, associates, or affiliates are responsible for any investment losses you may incur as a result of using the information provided herein. Remember that past investment returns may not be indicative of future returns.

Copyright © 1998-2017 ETFOptimize.com, a publication of Optimized Investments, Inc. All rights reserved.