The European Union-funded “Together Anywhere, Together Anytime” (TA2) project aims to bring high-quality, near-virtual reality videoconferencing to homes via the Internet. Thirteen partners from seven countries have taken on the task of developing new technologies and concepts for simplifying and improving Internet group communication, such as by creating a platform that allows participants in scattered geographic locations to appear to be sitting around the same table.
TA2 partners feel that the project is destined to play an important role in an increasingly mobile world where people are routinely moving to different cities and countries for study- or work-related reasons. Many of these individuals, the partners believe, would appreciate a consumer-oriented videoconferencing system that would allow users to interact with each other realistically, enjoying activities such as board games or viewing snapshots and home videos with family and friends.
According to the project’s organizers, TA2 experiences will be characterized by their naturalness, including clear, relaxed voice communication and intelligent video features. One of the venture’s research partners is the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS) in Erlangen, Germany. Fraunhofer researchers are working to ensure that home videoconferencing systems will have a listenable and consistent sound quality. To this end, they have developed the Audio Communication Engine, software consisting of reciprocally tuned components that are designed to improve the sound quality and clarity of videoconferences.
Fraunhofer researchers say the key component for providing excellent sound in a consumer videoconferencing environment is the MPEG Enhanced Low Delay AAC audio codec. The software is designed to ensure low-delay high-quality sound output even at low bit-rates. The codec’s echo control also eliminates troublesome echoes, freeing users from having to wear a headset and enabling them to freely move around a room. Sophisticated signal processing enhances microphone signals as well as multi-channel speaker output. The Fraunhofer scientists say they have already turned their attention to real world implementation by designing versions of their Audio Communication Engine tailored for integration into TV sets, set-top boxes and home audio systems.
TA2 is a part of the European Research Program 7, which receives funding from the European Commission. TA2 research is scheduled to conclude in January 2012.
