This article was posted on 12/01/1999.
Algorithm extracts signals from
wireless transmission noise
Siemens Corporate Research
have found a way to extract meaningful signals from the morass of transmission
noise and interference associated with cellular phones and computers with
wireless access to the Internet. Using a software algorithm that incorporates
blind source separation (BSS) techniques, the researchers were able to separate
a five-component signal into each of its individual components with complete
The BSS technique does not reduce transmission-error rates or make
transmissions more intelligible. Rather, the algorithm identifies and separates
multiple communications into their respective transmission paths, thereby
allowing base stations to process traffic more quickly.
If widely implemented, BSS technology could sharply reduce the costs of
Internet and wireless communications. In addition, since the same number of
base stations could service more users at the same time, Internet traffic would
To test the algorithm, the researchers had five people speak simultaneously
into two microphones, which simulated two antennas on a wireless PC or base
station. Unintelligible as a whole, the voice mixture was then filtered via the
BSS algorithm into five individual voices.
As a result of this experiment's success, the company predicts that the
software algorithm will migrate into hardware and be integrated into a
commercial product within two years. To hear a demonstration of how BSS
techniques were used to sort out the individual voices, visit
more information, call Guy Pierce of Siemens Corporate Research at
732-906-3805, or e-mail him at firstname.lastname@example.org .
--Mathew A. Dirjish