Speech and multimedia Transmission Quality (STQ); Speech quality performance in the presence of background noise; Part 1: Background noise simulation technique and background noise database

RES/STQ-288

Kakovost prenosa govora in večpredstavnih vsebin (STQ) - Kakovost govora v prisotnosti šuma ozadja - 1. del: Simulacijska tehnika šuma ozadja in podatkovna zbirka šumov ozadja

Kakovost prenosa šuma ozadja je pomemben dejavnik, ki bistveno prispeva k sprejeti celotni kakovosti govora. Obstoječo in še novejšo generacijo terminalov, omrežij in konfiguracij sistemov, vključno s širokopasovnimi storitvami, je mogoče znatno izboljšati s pravilnim projektiranjem terminalov in sistemov ob prisotnosti šuma ozadja. Ta dokument:
• vsebuje opis okolja za simulacijo šuma, v katerem so uporabljeni realistični scenariji za šum ozadja za laboratorijsko uporabo;
• vsebuje zbirko podatkov, vključno z relevantnimi vzorci šuma ozadja za subjektivno in objektivno vrednotenje.
V tem dokumentu so podane informacije o tehnikah zapisovanja, ki so potrebne za zapisovanje šuma ozadja, ter obravnavane so prednosti in pomanjkljivosti obstoječih metod. V tem dokumentu so opisane zahteve za laboratorijske pogoje. Opisani so postopki nastavljanja zvočnikov ter umerjanja zvočnikov in izenačevanja temperature.
Določeno simulacijsko okolje je mogoče uporabiti za vrednotenje in optimizacijo terminalov ter zapletenih konfiguracij, vključno s terminali, omrežji in drugimi konfiguracijami. Glavna območja uporabe naj so: pisarna, domače okolje in avtomobil.
Namestitev in zbirka podatkov, kot sta opisani v tem dokumentu, se uporabljata za naslednje:
• objektivno vrednotenje delovanja terminalov v različnih (simuliranih) okoljih s šumom ozadja;
• vrednotenje obdelave govora s predhodno obdelanim govornim signalom ob prisotnosti šuma ozadja, ki ga zabeleži terminal;
• subjektivno vrednotenje terminalov na podlagi izvedbe pogovornih preskusov, specifičnih preskusov dvojnih prenosov ali preskusov oddajanja in prejemanja ob prisotnosti šuma ozadja;
• subjektivno vrednotenje preskusov prejemanja tretjih oseb z zapisovanjem vzorcev govora terminalov ob prisotnosti šuma ozadja.

General Information

Status
Not Published
Current Stage
12 - Completion
Due Date
24-May-2022
Completion Date
12-May-2022

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ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)






ETSI STANDARD
Speech and multimedia Transmission Quality (STQ);
Speech quality performance
in the presence of background noise;
Part 1: Background noise simulation technique
and background noise database

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
2 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)

Reference
RES/STQ-288
Keywords
noise, performance, quality, speech
ETSI
650 Route des Lucioles
F-06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex - FRANCE

Tel.: +33 4 92 94 42 00  Fax: +33 4 93 65 47 16

Siret N° 348 623 562 00017 - APE 7112B
Association à but non lucratif enregistrée à la
Sous-Préfecture de Grasse (06) N° w061004871

Important notice
The present document can be downloaded from:
http://www.etsi.org/standards-search
The present document may be made available in electronic versions and/or in print. The content of any electronic and/or
print versions of the present document shall not be modified without the prior written authorization of ETSI. In case of any
existing or perceived difference in contents between such versions and/or in print, the prevailing version of an ETSI
deliverable is the one made publicly available in PDF format at www.etsi.org/deliver.
Users of the present document should be aware that the document may be subject to revision or change of status.
Information on the current status of this and other ETSI documents is available at
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If you find errors in the present document, please send your comment to one of the following services:
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If you find a security vulnerability in the present document, please report it through our
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Notice of disclaimer & limitation of liability
The information provided in the present deliverable is directed solely to professionals who have the appropriate degree of
experience to understand and interpret its content in accordance with generally accepted engineering or
other professional standard and applicable regulations.
No recommendation as to products and services or vendors is made or should be implied.
No representation or warranty is made that this deliverable is technically accurate or sufficient or conforms to any law
representation or warranty is made of merchantability or fitness
and/or governmental rule and/or regulation and further, no
for any particular purpose or against infringement of intellectual property rights.
In no event shall ETSI be held liable for loss of profits or any other incidental or consequential damages.

Any software contained in this deliverable is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, express or implied, including but not
limited to, the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement of intellectual property
rights and ETSI shall not be held liable in any event for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages
for loss of profits, business interruption, loss of information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of or related to the use
of or inability to use the software.
Copyright Notification
No part may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and
microfilm except as authorized by written permission of ETSI.
The content of the PDF version shall not be modified without the written authorization of ETSI.
The copyright and the foregoing restriction extend to reproduction in all media.

© ETSI 2022.
All rights reserved.

ETSI

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
3 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 5
Foreword . 5
Modal verbs terminology . 5
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 References . 7
2.1 Normative references . 7
2.2 Informative references . 8
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations . 9
3.1 Terms . 9
3.2 Symbols . 9
3.3 Abbreviations . 9
4 Overview of existing methods for realistic sound reproduction. 9
4.1 Introduction . 9
4.2 Surround Sound Techniques. 10
®
4.3 IOSONO . 11
4.4 Eidophonie . 11
4.5 Four-loudspeaker arrangement for playback of binaurally recorded signals . 12
4.6 NTT Background-Noise Database . 13
4.7 General conclusions . 13
5 Recording arrangement . 14
5.1 Binaural equalization . 14
5.2 The equalization procedure . 14
6 Loudspeaker Setup for Background Noise Simulation . 16
6.1 Test Room Requirements . 16
6.2 Loudspeaker Positioning . 17
6.3 Equalization and Calibration . 18
6.4 Accuracy of the reproduction arrangement . 23
6.4.0 Introduction. 23
6.4.1 Comparison between original sound field and simulated sound field . 23
6.4.2 Displacement of the test arrangement in the simulated sound field . 24
6.4.3 Transmission of background noise: Comparison of terminal performance in the original sound field
and the simulated sound field . 26
6.5 Simulation of additional acoustic conditions . 30
7 Background Noise Simulation in cars . 31
7.1 General setup . 31
7.2 Recording arrangement . 32
7.2.0 Introduction. 32
7.2.1 Recording setup with the terminal's microphone . 32
7.2.2 Recording setup with a pair of cardioid microphones. 33
7.3 Equalization and Calibration with the terminal's microphone . 33
7.4 Equalization and Calibration with a pair of cardioid microphones . 38
7.5 Accuracy of the reproduction arrangement . 43
7.5.1 Comparison between original sound field and simulated sound field . 43
7.5.2 Transmission of background noise: Comparison of terminal performance in the original sound field
and the simulated sound field . 44
8 Background Noise Database . 47
8.0 Introduction . 47
8.1 Binaural signals . 47
8.2 Binaural signals identical to the background noise recordings provided in ETSI TS 103 224 . 50
8.3 Stereophonic signals . 51
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
4 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
Annex A (informative): Comparison of Tests in Sending Direction and D-Values Conducted
in Different Rooms . 52
A.0 Introduction . 52
A.1 Test Setup . 52
A.2 Results of the Tests . 53
A.2.0 Introduction . 53
A.2.1 Sending Frequency Response Characteristics and SLR . 53
A.2.2 D-Value with Pink Noise . 53
A.2.3 D-Value with Cafeteria Noise . 54
A.3 Conclusions . 54
Annex B (informative): Graphs . 55
History . 63

ETSI

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
5 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
Intellectual Property Rights
Essential patents
IPRs essential or potentially essential to normative deliverables may have been declared to ETSI. The declarations
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, are publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be
found in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to
ETSI in respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the
ETSI Web server (https://ipr.etsi.org/).
Pursuant to the ETSI Directives including the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation regarding the essentiality of IPRs,
including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not
referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web server) which are, or may be, or may become,
essential to the present document.
Trademarks
The present document may include trademarks and/or tradenames which are asserted and/or registered by their owners.
ETSI claims no ownership of these except for any which are indicated as being the property of ETSI, and conveys no
right to use or reproduce any trademark and/or tradename. Mention of those trademarks in the present document does
not constitute an endorsement by ETSI of products, services or organizations associated with those trademarks.
DECT™, PLUGTESTS™, UMTS™ and the ETSI logo are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its

Members. 3GPP™ and LTE™ are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and of the 3GPP
Organizational Partners. oneM2M™ logo is a trademark of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and of the
®
oneM2M Partners. GSM and the GSM logo are trademarks registered and owned by the GSM Association.
Foreword
This ETSI Standard (ES) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Speech and multimedia Transmission
Quality (STQ).
The present document is part 1 of a multi-part deliverable covering Speech and multimedia Transmission Quality
(STQ); Speech quality performance in the presence of background noise, as identified below:
ETSI ES 202 396-1: "Background noise simulation technique and background noise database";
ETSI EG 202 396-2: "Background noise transmission - Network simulation - Subjective test database and results";
ETSI EG 202 396-3: "Background noise transmission - Objective test methods".
Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and
"cannot" are to be interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of
provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
Introduction
Background noise is present in most of the conversations today. Background noise may impact the speech
communication performance to terminal and network equipment significantly. Therefore testing and optimization of
such equipment is necessary using realistic background noises. Furthermore reproducible conditions for the tests are
required which can be guaranteed only under lab type condition.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
6 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
The present document addresses this issue by describing a methodology for recording and playback of background
noises under well-defined and calibratable conditions in a lab-type environment. Furthermore a database with real
background noises is included.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
7 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
1 Scope
The quality of background noise transmission is an important factor, which significantly contributes to the perceived
overall quality of speech. Existing and even more the new generation of terminals, networks and system configurations
including broadband services can be greatly improved with a proper design of terminals and systems in the presence of
background noise. The present document:
• describes a noise simulation environment using realistic background noise scenarios for laboratory use;
• contains a database including the relevant background noise samples for subjective and objective evaluation.
The present document provides information about the recording techniques needed for background noise recordings and
discusses the advantages and drawbacks of existing methods. The present document describes the requirements for
laboratory conditions. The loudspeaker setup and the loudspeaker calibration and equalization procedure are described.
The simulation environment specified can be used for the evaluation and optimization of terminals and of complex
configurations including terminals, networks and other configurations. The main application areas should be: office,
home and car environment.
The setup and database as described in the present document are applicable for:
• Objective performance evaluation of terminals in different (simulated) background noise environments.
• Speech processing evaluation by using the pre-processed speech signal in the presence of background noise,
recorded by a terminal.
• Subjective evaluation of terminals by performing conversational tests, specific double talk tests or talking and
listening tests in the presence of background noise.
• Subjective evaluation in third party listening tests by recording the speech samples of terminals in the presence
of background noise.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
https://docbox.etsi.org/Reference.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document.
Not applicable.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
8 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
2.2 Informative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
The following referenced documents are not necessary for the application of the present document but they assist the
user with regard to a particular subject area.
[i.1] Surround Sound Past, Present, and Future: "A history of multichannel audio from mag stripe to
Dolby Digital", Joseph Hull - Dolby Laboratories Inc.
[i.2] AES preprint 3332 (1992): "Improved Possibilities of Binaural Recording and Playback
Techniques", K. Genuit, H.W. Gierlich; U. Künzli.
NOTE: Available at http://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=6801.
[i.3] AES preprint 3732 (1993): "A System for the Reproduction Technique for Playback of Binaural
Recordings", N. Xiang, K. Genuit, H.W. Gierlich.
NOTE: Available at http://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=6501.
[i.4] NTTAT Database: "Ambient Noise Database CD-ROM".
NOTE: Available at http://www.ntt-at.com/product/noise-DB.
[i.5] ISO 11904-1: "Acoustics - Determination of sound imission from sound sources placed close to
the ear - Part 1: Technique using a microphone in a real ear (MIRE technique)".
[i.6] J. Blauert: "The psychophysics of human sound localization", Spatial Hearing.
[i.7] Recommendation ITU-T P.57: "Artificial ears".
[i.8] Recommendation ITU-T P.58: "Head and torso simulator for telephonometry".
[i.9] Recommendation ITU-T P.340: "Transmission characteristics and speech quality parameters of
hands-free terminals".
[i.10] Recommendation ITU-T P.64: "Determination of sensitivity/frequency characteristics of local
telephone systems".
[i.11] Recommendation ITU-T G.722: "7 kHz audio-coding within 64 kbit/s".
[i.12] Genuit, K.: "A Description of the Human Outer Ear Transfer Function by Elements of
Communication Theory (No. B6-8)".
th
NOTE: Proceedings of the 12 International Congress on Acoustics. Toronto published on behalf of the
th
Technical Program Committee by the Executive Committee of the 12 International Congress on
Acoustics.
[i.13] IEC 60050-722: "International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Chapter 722: Telephony".
[i.14] "Wellenfeldsynthese - Eine neue Dimension der 3D-Audiowiedergabe"; Fernseh- und
Kino-Technik, Nr. 11/2002, pp. 735-738.
[i.15] N.Lee: "IOSONO" Computers in Entertainment, volume 2, issue 3 (2004).
[i.16] P. Scherer: "Ein neues Verfahren der raumbezogenen Stereophonie mit verbesserter Übertragung
der Rauminformation"; Rundfunktechnische Mitteilungen, 1977, pp. 196-204.
[i.17] Void.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
9 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
[i.18] ETSI TS 151 010-1: "Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+) (GSM); Mobile
Station (MS) conformance specification; Part 1: Conformance specification (3GPP TS 51.010-1)".
[i.19] ETSI TS 103 224: "Speech and multimedia Transmission Quality (STQ); A sound field
reproduction method for terminal testing including a background noise database".
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms apply:
crosstalk: appearance of undesired energy in a channel, owing to the presence of a signal in another channel, caused
by, for example induction, conduction or non-linearity
NOTE: See IEC 60050-722 [i.13].
3.2 Symbols
Void.
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
CD Compact Disc
EQ Equalization
FFT Fast Fourier Transform
FIR Finite Impulse Response
HATS Head And Torso Simulator
IIR Infinite Impulse Response
MIRE Microphone In Real Ear
MRP Mouth Reference Point
NTT Nippon Telegraph and Telephone corporation
SLR Send Loudness Rating
VHF Very High Frequency
4 Overview of existing methods for realistic sound
reproduction
4.1 Introduction
In general the existing methods for close to original sound recording and reproduction aimed for different applications:
• Techniques intending to reproduce the actual sound field.
• Techniques providing hearing adequate (ear related) signals in the human ear canal.
• Techniques generating artificial acoustical environments.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
10 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
Within this clause the different methods are briefly described and their applicability for close to original sound-filed
reproduction is discussed. A variety of methods have been studied, in the following a summary of the most important
ones relevant to the present document is given. The different methods were analysed on the basis of the following
requirements:
• The background noise recording technique should be:
- easy to use;
- easy to calibrate;
- capable of wideband recording;
- available at reasonable costs;
- mostly compatible to existing standards and procedures used in telecommunications testing;
- applicable to different environments (at least office, home and car).
• The background noise simulation arrangement should:
- be easy to setup;
- not require any specific acoustical treatment for the simulation requirement;
- provide a mostly realistic background noise simulation for all typical background noises faced with in
telecommunication applications;
- be easy to calibrate;
- be mostly insensitive against the positioning of (test)-objects in the simulated sound field;
- be applicable to all typical terminals used in telecommunication;
- be available at reasonable costs.
4.2 Surround Sound Techniques
The basics of surround techniques are found in cinema applications. The virtual image provided by stereophonic
presentation of sounds seemed not to be sufficient for the large screen display in cinema. In the 1950s 4-channel and
6-channel sound tracks recorded on magnetic stripes associated to the films were developed, 4-channel and 6-channel
loudspeaker systems were installed in cinemas to reproduce the multichannel sounds. The newer techniques were
®
mostly developed and marketed by Dolby [i.1]: Dolby Surround, Dolby Surround Pro Logic, Dolby Digital and Dolby
Digital Surround are examples for the techniques introduced more recently. The most common configuration is the
"5.1-configuration" used in cinema but in home applications as well. The reproduction system consists of left and right
channel, a centre speaker, two surround channels (left and right, arranged in the back of the listener) and a low
frequency channel for low frequency effects.
The aim of all surround system is to create an artificial acoustical image in the recording studio rather than recording a
real acoustical scenario and providing true to original playback possibilities.
On the recording side special surround encoders are used allowing the 5-channel signal to be encoded from a special
mixing console to the 5.1 digital data stream. The playback system consists of a special decoder allowing to separate the
5 channels again and distribute them on the 5.1 loudspeaker playback system. The systems are mono and stereo
compatible and can handle the older 4-channel surround techniques by a specific decoder.
Applications:
Typical applications for surround systems are cinemas and home theatres. The source material is produced by
professional recording studios using multi-channel mixing consoles and specific 5.1 decoding techniques. In mostly all
cases virtual environments are created which support the visual image by an appropriate acoustical image.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------
11 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
Conclusion:
Surround techniques are designed for creating acoustical images rather than for close to original recording and
reproduction. Although the spatial impression provided by surround techniques is sometimes remarkable the acoustical
image created is always artificial. Due to the lack of easy to use recording techniques allowing a spatial recording of a
sound field surround sound techniques are not suitable for creation of a background noise database with realistic
background noises and calibrated background noise simulation in a lab.
®
4.3 IOSONO
®
The IOSONO sound system (see [i.14], [i.15] and [i.16]) is based on the Wave-Field Synthesis. It employs Huygens
principle of wave theory. Applied to acoustics this principle means that it is possible to reproduce any form of wave
front with an array of loudspeakers, so that virtual sound sources can be placed anywhere within a listening area. For
practical use it is necessary to position loudspeakers all-round the playback room. In order to generate realistic sound
fields the input signal for each loudspeaker has to be calculated separately. For this purpose each single sound source
(e.g. voices) has to be recorded individually. If the recordings are done in a room, the characteristics (like reverberation)
of the recording room also have to be recorded separately. All resulting sound tracks are then mixed and manipulated
during the post-editing process and the reproduction.
The natural and realistic spatial sound reproduction is then achieved in a wide area of the play back room. Common 5.1
stereo systems achieve a "realistic" sound reproduction only in a small area of the reproduction room.
Applications:
Typical applications are sound systems for home use, cinemas and other entertainment events. The IOSONO sound
system is also able to play back recordings made in common stereo or 5.1 stereo techniques.
Conclusion:
The drawbacks of this method are the componen
...

Final draft ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-03)






ETSI STANDARD
Speech and multimedia Transmission Quality (STQ);
Speech quality performance
in the presence of background noise;
Part 1: Background noise simulation technique
and background noise database

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
2 Final draft ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-03)

Reference
RES/STQ-288
Keywords
noise, performance, quality, speech
ETSI
650 Route des Lucioles
F-06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex - FRANCE

Tel.: +33 4 92 94 42 00  Fax: +33 4 93 65 47 16

Siret N° 348 623 562 00017 - APE 7112B
Association à but non lucratif enregistrée à la
Sous-Préfecture de Grasse (06) N° w061004871

Important notice
The present document can be downloaded from:
http://www.etsi.org/standards-search
The present document may be made available in electronic versions and/or in print. The content of any electronic and/or
print versions of the present document shall not be modified without the prior written authorization of ETSI. In case of any
existing or perceived difference in contents between such versions and/or in print, the prevailing version of an ETSI
deliverable is the one made publicly available in PDF format at www.etsi.org/deliver.
Users of the present document should be aware that the document may be subject to revision or change of status.
Information on the current status of this and other ETSI documents is available at
https://portal.etsi.org/TB/ETSIDeliverableStatus.aspx
If you find errors in the present document, please send your comment to one of the following services:
https://portal.etsi.org/People/CommiteeSupportStaff.aspx
Notice of disclaimer & limitation of liability
The information provided in the present deliverable is directed solely to professionals who have the appropriate degree of
experience to understand and interpret its content in accordance with generally accepted engineering or
other professional standard and applicable regulations.
No recommendation as to products and services or vendors is made or should be implied.
No representation or warranty is made that this deliverable is technically accurate or sufficient or conforms to any law
and/or governmental rule and/or regulation and further, no representation or warranty is made of merchantability or fitness
for any particular purpose or against infringement of intellectual property rights.
In no event shall ETSI be held liable for loss of profits or any other incidental or consequential damages.

Any software contained in this deliverable is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, express or implied, including but not
limited to, the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement of intellectual property
rights and ETSI shall not be held liable in any event for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages
for loss of profits, business interruption, loss of information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of or related to the use
of or inability to use the software.
Copyright Notification
No part may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and
microfilm except as authorized by written permission of ETSI.
The content of the PDF version shall not be modified without the written authorization of ETSI.
The copyright and the foregoing restriction extend to reproduction in all media.

© ETSI 2022.
All rights reserved.

ETSI

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
3 Final draft ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-03)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 5
Foreword . 5
Modal verbs terminology . 5
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 References . 7
2.1 Normative references . 7
2.2 Informative references . 8
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations . 9
3.1 Terms . 9
3.2 Symbols . 9
3.2 Abbreviations . 9
4 Overview of existing methods for realistic sound reproduction. 9
4.1 Introduction . 9
4.2 Surround Sound Techniques. 10
®
4.3 IOSONO . 11
4.4 Eidophonie . 11
4.5 Four-loudspeaker arrangement for playback of binaurally recorded signals . 12
4.6 NTT Background-Noise Database . 13
4.7 General conclusions . 13
5 Recording arrangement . 14
5.1 Binaural equalization . 14
5.2 The equalization procedure . 14
6 Loudspeaker Setup for Background Noise Simulation . 16
6.1 Test Room Requirements . 16
6.2 Loudspeaker Positioning . 17
6.3 Equalization and Calibration . 18
6.4 Accuracy of the reproduction arrangement . 23
6.4.0 Introduction. 23
6.4.1 Comparison between original sound field and simulated sound field . 23
6.4.2 Displacement of the test arrangement in the simulated sound field . 24
6.4.3 Transmission of background noise: Comparison of terminal performance in the original sound field
and the simulated sound field . 26
6.5 Simulation of additional acoustic conditions . 30
7 Background Noise Simulation in cars . 31
7.1 General setup . 31
7.2 Recording arrangement . 32
7.2.0 Introduction. 32
7.2.1 Recording setup with the terminal's microphone . 32
7.2.2 Recording setup with a pair of cardioid microphones. 33
7.3 Equalization and Calibration with the terminal's microphone . 33
7.4 Equalization and Calibration with a pair of cardioid microphones . 38
7.5 Accuracy of the reproduction arrangement . 43
7.5.1 Comparison between original sound field and simulated sound field . 43
7.5.2 Transmission of background noise: Comparison of terminal performance in the original sound field
and the simulated sound field . 44
8 Background Noise Database . 47
8.0 Introduction . 47
8.1 Binaural signals . 47
8.2 Binaural signals identical to the background noise recordings provided in ETSI TS 103 224 . 50
8.3 Stereophonic signals . 51
ETSI

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4 Final draft ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-03)
Annex A (informative): Comparison of Tests in Sending Direction and D-Values Conducted
in Different Rooms . 52
A.0 Introduction . 52
A.1 Test Setup . 52
A.2 Results of the Tests . 53
A.2.0 Introduction . 53
A.2.1 Sending Frequency Response Characteristics and SLR . 53
A.2.2 D-Value with Pink Noise . 53
A.2.3 D-Value with Cafeteria Noise . 54
A.3 Conclusions . 54
Annex B (informative): Graphs . 55
History . 63

ETSI

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
5 Final draft ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-03)
Intellectual Property Rights
Essential patents
IPRs essential or potentially essential to normative deliverables may have been declared to ETSI. The declarations
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, are publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be
found in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to
ETSI in respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the
ETSI Web server (https://ipr.etsi.org/).
Pursuant to the ETSI Directives including the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation regarding the essentiality of IPRs,
including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not
referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web server) which are, or may be, or may become,
essential to the present document.
Trademarks
The present document may include trademarks and/or tradenames which are asserted and/or registered by their owners.
ETSI claims no ownership of these except for any which are indicated as being the property of ETSI, and conveys no
right to use or reproduce any trademark and/or tradename. Mention of those trademarks in the present document does
not constitute an endorsement by ETSI of products, services or organizations associated with those trademarks.
DECT™, PLUGTESTS™, UMTS™ and the ETSI logo are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its

Members. 3GPP™ and LTE™ are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and of the 3GPP
Organizational Partners. oneM2M™ logo is a trademark of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and of the
®
oneM2M Partners. GSM and the GSM logo are trademarks registered and owned by the GSM Association.
Foreword
This final draft ETSI Standard (ES) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Speech and multimedia
Transmission Quality (STQ), and is now submitted for the ETSI standards Membership Approval Procedure.
The present document is part 1 of a multi-part deliverable covering Speech and multimedia Transmission Quality
(STQ); Speech quality performance in the presence of background noise, as identified below:
ETSI ES 202 396-1: "Background noise simulation technique and background noise database";
ETSI EG 202 396-2: "Background noise transmission - Network simulation - Subjective test database and results";
ETSI EG 202 396-3: "Background noise transmission - Objective test methods".
Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and
"cannot" are to be interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of
provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
Introduction
Background noise is present in most of the conversations today. Background noise may impact the speech
communication performance to terminal and network equipment significantly. Therefore testing and optimization of
such equipment is necessary using realistic background noises. Furthermore reproducible conditions for the tests are
required which can be guaranteed only under lab type condition.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
6 Final draft ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-03)
The present document addresses this issue by describing a methodology for recording and playback of background
noises under well-defined and calibratable conditions in a lab-type environment. Furthermore a database with real
background noises is included.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
7 Final draft ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-03)
1 Scope
The quality of background noise transmission is an important factor, which significantly contributes to the perceived
overall quality of speech. Existing and even more the new generation of terminals, networks and system configurations
including broadband services can be greatly improved with a proper design of terminals and systems in the presence of
background noise. The present document:
• describes a noise simulation environment using realistic background noise scenarios for laboratory use;
• contains a database including the relevant background noise samples for subjective and objective evaluation.
The present document provides information about the recording techniques needed for background noise recordings and
discusses the advantages and drawbacks of existing methods. The present document describes the requirements for
laboratory conditions. The loudspeaker setup and the loudspeaker calibration and equalization procedure are described.
The simulation environment specified can be used for the evaluation and optimization of terminals and of complex
configurations including terminals, networks and other configurations. The main application areas should be: office,
home and car environment.
The setup and database as described in the present document are applicable for:
• Objective performance evaluation of terminals in different (simulated) background noise environments.
• Speech processing evaluation by using the pre-processed speech signal in the presence of background noise,
recorded by a terminal.
• Subjective evaluation of terminals by performing conversational tests, specific double talk tests or talking and
listening tests in the presence of background noise.
• Subjective evaluation in third party listening tests by recording the speech samples of terminals in the presence
of background noise.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
https://docbox.etsi.org/Reference.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document.
Not applicable.
ETSI

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8 Final draft ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-03)
2.2 Informative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
The following referenced documents are not necessary for the application of the present document but they assist the
user with regard to a particular subject area.
[i.1] Surround Sound Past, Present, and Future: "A history of multichannel audio from mag stripe to
Dolby Digital", Joseph Hull - Dolby Laboratories Inc.
[i.2] AES preprint 3332 (1992): "Improved Possibilities of Binaural Recording and Playback
Techniques", K. Genuit, H.W. Gierlich; U. Künzli.
NOTE: Available at http://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=6801.
[i.3] AES preprint 3732 (1993): "A System for the Reproduction Technique for Playback of Binaural
Recordings", N. Xiang, K. Genuit, H.W. Gierlich.
NOTE: Available at http://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=6501.
[i.4] NTTAT Database: "Ambient Noise Database CD-ROM".
NOTE: Available at http://www.ntt-at.com/product/noise-DB.
[i.5] ISO 11904-1: "Acoustics - Determination of sound imission from sound sources placed close to
the ear - Part 1: Technique using a microphone in a real ear (MIRE technique)".
[i.6] J. Blauert: "The psychophysics of human sound localization", Spatial Hearing.
[i.7] Recommendation ITU-T P.57: "Artificial ears".
[i.8] Recommendation ITU-T P.58: "Head and torso simulator for telephonometry".
[i.9] Recommendation ITU-T P.340: "Transmission characteristics and speech quality parameters of
hands-free terminals".
[i.10] Recommendation ITU-T P.64: "Determination of sensitivity/frequency characteristics of local
telephone systems".
[i.11] Recommendation ITU-T G.722: "7 kHz audio-coding within 64 kbit/s".
[i.12] Genuit, K.: "A Description of the Human Outer Ear Transfer Function by Elements of
Communication Theory (No. B6-8)".
th
International Congress on Acoustics. Toronto published on behalf of the
NOTE: Proceedings of the 12
th
Technical Program Committee by the Executive Committee of the 12 International Congress on
Acoustics.
[i.13] IEC 60050-722: "International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Chapter 722: Telephony".
[i.14] "Wellenfeldsynthese - Eine neue Dimension der 3D-Audiowiedergabe"; Fernseh- und Kino-
Technik, Nr. 11/2002, pp. 735-738.
[i.15] N.Lee: "IOSONO" Computers in Entertainment, volume 2, issue 3 (2004).
[i.16] P. Scherer: "Ein neues Verfahren der raumbezogenen Stereophonie mit verbesserter Übertragung
der Rauminformation"; Rundfunktechnische Mitteilungen, 1977, pp. 196-204.
[i.17] Void.
ETSI

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9 Final draft ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-03)
[i.18] ETSI TS 151 010-1: "Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+) (GSM); Mobile
Station (MS) conformance specification; Part 1: Conformance specification (3GPP TS 51.010-1)".
[i.19] ETSI TS 103 224: "Speech and multimedia Transmission Quality (STQ); A sound field
reproduction method for terminal testing including a background noise database".
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms apply:
crosstalk: appearance of undesired energy in a channel, owing to the presence of a signal in another channel, caused
by, for example induction, conduction or non-linearity
NOTE: See IEC 60050-722 [i.13].
3.2 Symbols
Void.
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
CD Compact Disc
EQ Equalization
FFT Fast Fourier Transform
FIR Finite Impulse Response
HATS Head And Torso Simulator
IIR Infinite Impulse Response
MIRE Microphone In Real Ear
MRP Mouth Reference Point
NTT Nippon Telegraph and Telephone corporation
SLR Send Loudness Rating
VHF Very High Frequency
4 Overview of existing methods for realistic sound
reproduction
4.1 Introduction
In general the existing methods for close to original sound recording and reproduction aimed for different applications:
• Techniques intending to reproduce the actual sound field.
• Techniques providing hearing adequate (ear related) signals in the human ear canal.
• Techniques generating artificial acoustical environments.
ETSI

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10 Final draft ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-03)
Within this clause the different methods are briefly described and their applicability for close to original sound-filed
reproduction is discussed. A variety of methods have been studied, in the following a summary of the most important
ones relevant to the present document is given. The different methods were analysed on the basis of the following
requirements:
• The background noise recording technique should be:
- easy to use;
- easy to calibrate;
- capable of wideband recording;
- available at reasonable costs;
- mostly compatible to existing standards and procedures used in telecommunications testing;
- applicable to different environments (at least office, home and car).
• The background noise simulation arrangement should:
- be easy to setup;
- not require any specific acoustical treatment for the simulation requirement;
- provide a mostly realistic background noise simulation for all typical background noises faced with in
telecommunication applications;
- be easy to calibrate;
- be mostly insensitive against the positioning of (test)-objects in the simulated sound field;
- be applicable to all typical terminals used in telecommunication;
- be available at reasonable costs.
4.2 Surround Sound Techniques
The basics of surround techniques are found in cinema applications. The virtual image provided by stereophonic
presentation of sounds seemed not to be sufficient for the large screen display in cinema. In the 1950s 4-channel and
6-channel sound tracks recorded on magnetic stripes associated to the films were developed, 4-channel and 6-channel
loudspeaker systems were installed in cinemas to reproduce the multichannel sounds. The newer techniques were
®
mostly developed and marketed by Dolby [i.1]: Dolby Surround, Dolby Surround Pro Logic, Dolby Digital and Dolby
Digital Surround are examples for the techniques introduced more recently. The most common configuration is the
"5.1-configuration" used in cinema but in home applications as well. The reproduction system consists of left and right
channel, a centre speaker, two surround channels (left and right, arranged in the back of the listener) and a low
frequency channel for low frequency effects.
The aim of all surround system is to create an artificial acoustical image in the recording studio rather than recording a
real acoustical scenario and providing true to original playback possibilities.
On the recording side special surround encoders are used allowing the 5-channel signal to be encoded from a special
mixing console to the 5.1 digital data stream. The playback system consists of a special decoder allowing to separate the
5 channels again and distribute them on the 5.1 loudspeaker playback system. The systems are mono and stereo
compatible and can handle the older 4-channel surround techniques by a specific decoder.
Applications:
Typical applications for surround systems are cinemas and home theatres. The source material is produced by
professional recording studios using multi-channel mixing consoles and specific 5.1 decoding techniques. In mostly all
cases virtual environments are created which support the visual image by an appropriate acoustical image.
ETSI

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11 Final draft ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-03)
Conclusion:
Surround techniques are designed for creating acoustical images rather than for close to original recording and
reproduction. Although the spatial impression provided by surround techniques is sometimes remarkable the acoustical
image created is always artificial. Due to the lack of easy to use recording techniques allowing a spatial recording of a
sound field surround sound techniques are not suitable for creation of a background noise database with realistic
background noises and calibrated background noise simulation in a lab.
®
4.3 IOSONO
®
The IOSONO sound system (see [i.14], [i.15] and [i.16]) is based on the Wave-Field Synthesis. It employs Huygens
principle of wave theory. Applied to acoustics this principle means that it is possible to reproduce any form of wave
front with an array of loudspeakers, so that virtual sound sources can be placed anywhere within a listening area. For
practical use it is necessary to position loudspeakers all-round the playback room. In order to generate realistic sound
fields the input signal for each loudspeaker has to be calculated separately. For this purpose each single sound source
(e.g. voices) has to be recorded individually. If the recordings are done in a room, the characteristics (like reverberation)
of the recording room also have to be recorded separately. All resulting sound tracks are then mixed and manipulated
during the post-editing process and the reproduction.
The natural and realistic spatial sound reproduction is then achieved in a wide area of the play back room. Common 5.1
stereo systems achieve a "realistic" sound reproduction only in a small area of the reproduction room.
Applications:
Typical applications are sound systems for home use, cinemas and other entertainment events. The IOSONO sound
system is also able to play back recordings made in common stereo or 5.1 stereo techniques.
Conclusion:
The drawbacks of this m
...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1:2022
01-september-2022
Kakovost prenosa govora in večpredstavnih vsebin (STQ) - Kakovost govora v
prisotnosti šuma ozadja - 1. del: Simulacijska tehnika šuma ozadja in podatkovna
zbirka šumov ozadja
Speech and multimedia Transmission Quality (STQ) - Speech quality performance in the
presence of background noise - Part 1: Background noise simulation technique and
background noise database
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
ICS:
33.040.35 Telefonska omrežja Telephone networks
SIST ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1:2022 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1:2022

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SIST ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1:2022
ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)






ETSI STANDARD
Speech and multimedia Transmission Quality (STQ);
Speech quality performance
in the presence of background noise;
Part 1: Background noise simulation technique
and background noise database

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SIST ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1:2022

2 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)

Reference
RES/STQ-288
Keywords
noise, performance, quality, speech
ETSI
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© ETSI 2022.
All rights reserved.

ETSI

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SIST ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1:2022

3 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 5
Foreword . 5
Modal verbs terminology . 5
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 References . 7
2.1 Normative references . 7
2.2 Informative references . 8
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations . 9
3.1 Terms . 9
3.2 Symbols . 9
3.3 Abbreviations . 9
4 Overview of existing methods for realistic sound reproduction. 9
4.1 Introduction . 9
4.2 Surround Sound Techniques. 10
®
4.3 IOSONO . 11
4.4 Eidophonie . 11
4.5 Four-loudspeaker arrangement for playback of binaurally recorded signals . 12
4.6 NTT Background-Noise Database . 13
4.7 General conclusions . 13
5 Recording arrangement . 14
5.1 Binaural equalization . 14
5.2 The equalization procedure . 14
6 Loudspeaker Setup for Background Noise Simulation . 16
6.1 Test Room Requirements . 16
6.2 Loudspeaker Positioning . 17
6.3 Equalization and Calibration . 18
6.4 Accuracy of the reproduction arrangement . 23
6.4.0 Introduction. 23
6.4.1 Comparison between original sound field and simulated sound field . 23
6.4.2 Displacement of the test arrangement in the simulated sound field . 24
6.4.3 Transmission of background noise: Comparison of terminal performance in the original sound field
and the simulated sound field . 26
6.5 Simulation of additional acoustic conditions . 30
7 Background Noise Simulation in cars . 31
7.1 General setup . 31
7.2 Recording arrangement . 32
7.2.0 Introduction. 32
7.2.1 Recording setup with the terminal's microphone . 32
7.2.2 Recording setup with a pair of cardioid microphones. 33
7.3 Equalization and Calibration with the terminal's microphone . 33
7.4 Equalization and Calibration with a pair of cardioid microphones . 38
7.5 Accuracy of the reproduction arrangement . 43
7.5.1 Comparison between original sound field and simulated sound field . 43
7.5.2 Transmission of background noise: Comparison of terminal performance in the original sound field
and the simulated sound field . 44
8 Background Noise Database . 47
8.0 Introduction . 47
8.1 Binaural signals . 47
8.2 Binaural signals identical to the background noise recordings provided in ETSI TS 103 224 . 50
8.3 Stereophonic signals . 51
ETSI

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SIST ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1:2022

4 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
Annex A (informative): Comparison of Tests in Sending Direction and D-Values Conducted
in Different Rooms . 52
A.0 Introduction . 52
A.1 Test Setup . 52
A.2 Results of the Tests . 53
A.2.0 Introduction . 53
A.2.1 Sending Frequency Response Characteristics and SLR . 53
A.2.2 D-Value with Pink Noise . 53
A.2.3 D-Value with Cafeteria Noise . 54
A.3 Conclusions . 54
Annex B (informative): Graphs . 55
History . 63

ETSI

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SIST ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1:2022

5 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
Intellectual Property Rights
Essential patents
IPRs essential or potentially essential to normative deliverables may have been declared to ETSI. The declarations
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, are publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be
found in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to
ETSI in respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the
ETSI Web server (https://ipr.etsi.org/).
Pursuant to the ETSI Directives including the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation regarding the essentiality of IPRs,
including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not
referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web server) which are, or may be, or may become,
essential to the present document.
Trademarks
The present document may include trademarks and/or tradenames which are asserted and/or registered by their owners.
ETSI claims no ownership of these except for any which are indicated as being the property of ETSI, and conveys no
right to use or reproduce any trademark and/or tradename. Mention of those trademarks in the present document does
not constitute an endorsement by ETSI of products, services or organizations associated with those trademarks.
DECT™, PLUGTESTS™, UMTS™ and the ETSI logo are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its

Members. 3GPP™ and LTE™ are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and of the 3GPP
Organizational Partners. oneM2M™ logo is a trademark of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and of the
®
oneM2M Partners. GSM and the GSM logo are trademarks registered and owned by the GSM Association.
Foreword
This ETSI Standard (ES) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Speech and multimedia Transmission
Quality (STQ).
The present document is part 1 of a multi-part deliverable covering Speech and multimedia Transmission Quality
(STQ); Speech quality performance in the presence of background noise, as identified below:
ETSI ES 202 396-1: "Background noise simulation technique and background noise database";
ETSI EG 202 396-2: "Background noise transmission - Network simulation - Subjective test database and results";
ETSI EG 202 396-3: "Background noise transmission - Objective test methods".
Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and
"cannot" are to be interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of
provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
Introduction
Background noise is present in most of the conversations today. Background noise may impact the speech
communication performance to terminal and network equipment significantly. Therefore testing and optimization of
such equipment is necessary using realistic background noises. Furthermore reproducible conditions for the tests are
required which can be guaranteed only under lab type condition.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
SIST ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1:2022

6 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
The present document addresses this issue by describing a methodology for recording and playback of background
noises under well-defined and calibratable conditions in a lab-type environment. Furthermore a database with real
background noises is included.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
SIST ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1:2022

7 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
1 Scope
The quality of background noise transmission is an important factor, which significantly contributes to the perceived
overall quality of speech. Existing and even more the new generation of terminals, networks and system configurations
including broadband services can be greatly improved with a proper design of terminals and systems in the presence of
background noise. The present document:
• describes a noise simulation environment using realistic background noise scenarios for laboratory use;
• contains a database including the relevant background noise samples for subjective and objective evaluation.
The present document provides information about the recording techniques needed for background noise recordings and
discusses the advantages and drawbacks of existing methods. The present document describes the requirements for
laboratory conditions. The loudspeaker setup and the loudspeaker calibration and equalization procedure are described.
The simulation environment specified can be used for the evaluation and optimization of terminals and of complex
configurations including terminals, networks and other configurations. The main application areas should be: office,
home and car environment.
The setup and database as described in the present document are applicable for:
• Objective performance evaluation of terminals in different (simulated) background noise environments.
• Speech processing evaluation by using the pre-processed speech signal in the presence of background noise,
recorded by a terminal.
• Subjective evaluation of terminals by performing conversational tests, specific double talk tests or talking and
listening tests in the presence of background noise.
• Subjective evaluation in third party listening tests by recording the speech samples of terminals in the presence
of background noise.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
https://docbox.etsi.org/Reference.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document.
Not applicable.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
SIST ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1:2022

8 ETSI ES 202 396-1 V1.8.1 (2022-05)
2.2 Informative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
The following referenced documents are not necessary for the application of the present document but they assist the
user with regard to a particular subject area.
[i.1] Surround Sound Past, Present, and Future: "A history of multichannel audio from mag stripe to
Dolby Digital", Joseph Hull - Dolby Laboratories Inc.
[i.2] AES preprint 3332 (1992): "Improved Possibilities of Binaural Recording and Playback
Techniques", K. Genuit, H.W. Gierlich; U. Künzli.
NOTE: Available at http://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=6801.
[i.3] AES preprint 3732 (1993): "A System for the Reproduction Technique for Playback of Binaural
Recordings", N. Xiang, K. Genuit, H.W. Gierlich.
NOTE: Available at http://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=6501.
[i.4] NTTAT Database: "Ambient Noise Database CD-ROM".
NOTE: Available at http://www.ntt-at.com/product/noise-DB.
[i.5] ISO 11904-1: "Acoustics - Determination of sound imission from sound sources placed close to
the ear - Part 1: Technique using a microphone in a real ear (MIRE technique)".
[i.6] J. Blauert: "The psychophysics of human sound localization", Spatial Hearing.
[i.7] Recommendation ITU-T P.57: "Artificial ears".
[i.8] Recommendation ITU-T P.58: "Head and torso simulator for telephonometry".
[i.9] Recommendation ITU-T P.340: "Transmission characteristics and speech quality parameters of
hands-free terminals".
[i.10] Recommendation ITU-T P.64: "Determination of sensitivity/frequency characteristics of local
telephone systems".
[i.11] Recommendation ITU-T G.722: "7 kHz audio-coding within 64 kbit/s".
[i.12] Genuit, K.: "A Description of the Human Outer Ear Transfer Function by Elements of
Communication Theory (No. B6-8)".
th
NOTE: Proceedings of the 12 International Congress on Acoustics. Toronto published on behalf of the
th
Technical Program Committee by the Executive Committee of the 12 International Congress on
Acoustics.
[i.13] IEC 60050-722: "International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Chapter 722: Telephony".
[i.14] "Wellenfeldsynthese - Eine neue Dimension der 3D-Audiowiedergabe"; Fernseh- und
Kino-Technik, Nr. 11/2002, pp. 735-738.
[i.15] N.Lee: "IOSONO" Computers in Entertainment, volume 2, issue 3 (2004).
[i.16] P. Scherer: "Ein neues Verfahren der raumbezogenen Stereophonie mit verbesserter Übertragung
der Rauminformation"; Rundfunktechnische Mitteilungen, 1977, pp. 196-204.
[i.17] Void.
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[i.18] ETSI TS 151 010-1: "Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+) (GSM); Mobile
Station (MS) conformance specification; Part 1: Conformance specification (3GPP TS 51.010-1)".
[i.19] ETSI TS 103 224: "Speech and multimedia Transmission Quality (STQ); A sound field
reproduction method for terminal testing including a background noise database".
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms apply:
crosstalk: appearance of undesired energy in a channel, owing to the presence of a signal in another channel, caused
by, for example induction, conduction or non-linearity
NOTE: See IEC 60050-722 [i.13].
3.2 Symbols
Void.
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
CD Compact Disc
EQ Equalization
FFT Fast Fourier Transform
FIR Finite Impulse Response
HATS Head And Torso Simulator
IIR Infinite Impulse Response
MIRE Microphone In Real Ear
MRP Mouth Reference Point
NTT Nippon Telegraph and Telephone corporation
SLR Send Loudness Rating
VHF Very High Frequency
4 Overview of existing methods for realistic sound
reproduction
4.1 Introduction
In general the existing methods for close to original sound recording and reproduction aimed for different applications:
• Techniques intending to reproduce the actual sound field.
• Techniques providing hearing adequate (ear related) signals in the human ear canal.
• Techniques generating artificial acoustical environments.
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Within this clause the different methods are briefly described and their applicability for close to original sound-filed
reproduction is discussed. A variety of methods have been studied, in the following a summary of the most important
ones relevant to the present document is given. The different methods were analysed on the basis of the following
requirements:
• The background noise recording technique should be:
- easy to use;
- easy to calibrate;
- capable of wideband recording;
- available at reasonable costs;
- mostly compatible to existing standards and procedures used in telecommunications testing;
- applicable to different environments (at least office, home and car).
• The background noise simulation arrangement should:
- be easy to setup;
- not require any specific acoustical treatment for the simulation requirement;
- provide a mostly realistic background noise simulation for all typical background noises faced with in
telecommunication applications;
- be easy to calibrate;
- be mostly insensitive against the positioning of (test)-objects in the simulated sound field;
- be applicable to all typical terminals used in telecommunication;
- be available at reasonable costs.
4.2 Surround Sound Techniques
The basics of surround techniques are found in cinema applications. The virtual image provided by stereophonic
presentation of sounds seemed not to be sufficient for the large screen display in cinema. In the 1950s 4-channel and
6-channel sound tracks recorded on magnetic stripes associated to the films were developed, 4-channel and 6-channel
loudspeaker systems were installed in cinemas to reproduce the multichannel sounds. The newer techniques were
®
mostly developed and marketed by Dolby [i.1]: Dolby Surround, Dolby Surround Pro Logic, Dolby Digital and Dolby
Digital Surround are examples for the techniques introduced more recently. The most common configuration is the
"5.1-configuration" used in cinema but in home applications as well. The reproduction system consists of left and right
channel, a centre speaker, two surround channels (left and right, arranged in the back of the listener) and a low
frequency channel for low frequency effects.
The aim of all surround system is to create an artificial acoustical image in the recording studio rather than recording a
real acoustical scenario and providing true to original playback possibilities.
On the recording side special surround encoders are used allowing the 5-channel signal to be encoded from a special
mixing console to the 5.1 digital data stream. The playback system consists of a special decoder allowing to separate the
5 channels again and distribute them on the 5.1 loudspeaker playback system. The systems are mono and stereo
compatible and can handle the older 4-channel surround techniques by a specific decoder.
Applications:
Typical applications for surround systems are cinemas and home theatres. The source material is produced by
professional recording studios using multi-channel mixing consoles and specific 5.1 decoding techniques. In mostly all
cases virtual environments are created which support the visual image by an appropriate acoustical image.
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Conclusion:
Surround techniques are designed for creating acoustical images rather than for close to original recording and
reproduction. Although the spatial impression provided by surround techniques is sometimes remarkable the acoustical
image created is always artificial. Due to the lack of easy to use recording techniques allowing a spatial recording of a
sound field surround sound techniques are not suitable for creation of a background noise database with realistic
background noises and calibrated background noise simulation in a lab.
®
4.3 IOSONO
®
The IOSONO sound system (see [i.14], [i.15] and [i.16]) is based on the Wave-Field Synthesis. It employs Huygens
principle of wave theory. Applied to acoustics this principle means
...

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