Speech communication and the processing of acoustic signals play a prominent role in information technology. Speech dialog systems and chatbots, mobile telephony, broadcasting, hearing aids, and public address systems are widely used applications. In recent years, human-machine communication based on acoustic signals and linking the different modes of communication (auditory, visual, tactile) has also become essential in technical applications such as multi-modal human-machine interfaces or virtual environments.
Information technology with special consideration of communication acoustics is based on four pillars,
The particular appeal of this field lies in the interaction of these fields. The Institute of Communication Acoustics represents these topics in research and teaching.
The Institute of Communication Acoustics is primarily involved in research projects in speech and audio signal processing and corresponding applications in communication systems, hearing aids, and virtual reality. The lectures Systemtheorie I—III and the Bacherlor's Speech and Audio Communication lab course provide a sound basis for participation in these projects.
In the Master's program, you should focus on speech and audio signal processing, acoustics, communication systems, software design, and machine learning. In the context of artificial intelligence, especially the latter have become very important for practical work.
The Institute also offers seminars, Bachelor's, Master's theses, and projects that allow the in-depth study of individual topics.
The training offered at the Institute lays the foundation for a wide range of professional activities in the field of information technology, but also in acoustics. Potential fields of professional activity include the following:
Consequently, our graduates work for these companies and institutions, among others.
Access to the physical aspects of this field of work is made easier for electrical engineering and information technology students because acoustic waves and mechanical vibrations are similar to corresponding electromagnetic processes in many respects. Simple acoustomechanical systems can be treated like electrical networks using electroacoustic and electromechanical analogies. In this way, not only electroacoustic components (e.g. microphones, loudspeakers, headphones) but also non-technical systems such as the human speech production system or the auditory organ can be modeled in a simplified way.
For prospective engineers, the application of psychophysical research methods, specifically related to the response of human subjects to acoustic signals, may be somewhat unfamiliar. However, considering that in many information technology systems, the information sources, the information sinks, or both are humans, it becomes immediately clear that an engineering approach to the delivery, reception, and processing of information by people is indispensable, e.g., in connection with the design of human-machine interfaces.
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Last update: Jan 10, 2025