The optional POLQA (Perceptual Objective Listening Quality Analysis) module brings Opticom’s POLQA 3 algorithm, as specified in the ITU-T P.863 standard, right into SoundCheck (Version 20 and later).
POLQA Analysis is a fast and cost-effective alternative to a panel of human listeners for perceptual measurements of speech degradation in communications applications ranging from telephones to smart devices. The quality of the speech signal is evaluated by comparing the degraded signal to the corresponding reference signal to determine the Mean Opinion Score (MOS). This end-to-end analysis may be implemented using either acoustic, digital, or electrical signals, and with either narrowband (300-3400Hz) or full band (10-20000Hz) signal analysis.
The POLQA option operates just like any other post-processing step within SoundCheck. The user may configure the reference and response waveforms, set test parameters, and define outputs through the familiar SoundCheck interface. The POLQA algorithm (licenced from Opticom and installed on your computer) is called from within SoundCheck, and returns results as graphs and tables like any other analyses. It can naturally be used within sequences to accelerate and simplify test procedures, and can also be used to process imported data using Batch File Processing. SoundCheck uses Version 3 of the algorithm which implements the ITU-T P.863 standard, but it also includes the option to analyze data using the older Version 2.4 for correlation with measurements made on older systems.
Example Applications
- Assessing the impact of a noise reduction algorithm on an audio communication system
- Evaluating the perceived audio degradation in a Bluetooth connection due to packet loss
- Analyzing distortions introduced in the audio path
- Quantifying the impact of various speech codecs an on perceived speech quality
POLQA licensing
Please note that the SoundCheck POLQA module includes an OEM license of the POLQA algorithm from Opticom GmbH. The terms and conditions of this license differ from SoundCheck’s licensing terms, particularly with regards its use on multiple devices, so please read this carefully before purchasing.
The POLQA software is a one-time permanent installation on one computer. Once installed, it is registered with the Opticom License Management System and it cannot be moved to another computer, or replaced. While the SoundCheck dongle can be moved around in order to use SoundCheck on multiple computers, the POLQA module will only function when SoundCheck is running on the computer with the POLQA license installed. Additional licenses may be purchased if operation on more than one computer, or a replacement computer, is needed.
Licensing Q&A:
How do I get my Opticom POLQA license?
When you purchase SoundCheck with the POLQA module, you will receive an email with an executable that you need to run on your machine. This will provide your PC’s MAC address to Listen, Inc. which will be used to assign the license to your machine. No other information will be collected. We will return to you the necessary activation files along with instructions on completing the installation.
What happens if I want to move it to a different computer?
You cannot move the POLQA software once it is installed. You will need to purchase an additional license. You can move your SoundCheck dongle, but the POLQA algorithm will only work when SoundCheck is running on the POLQA computer.
What happens if I get a new computer?
You will need to purchase a new POLQA license. If a computer upgrade is in your near future, you might want to upgrade before installing this module.
How can I use SoundCheck on my lab computer and my laptop when working elsewhere?
In this case, for greatest flexibility, we would suggest installing the POLQA algorithm and SoundCheck on your laboratory desktop, using it via remote login. Alternatively, if you use 2 devices regularly, you could purchase one version of SoundCheck with a POLQA license for each computer, so that you could have full functionality when moving the Soundcheck key between devices.
Can multiple people use the same POLQA license?
Remote access by more than one person to the computer upon which POLQA is installed is permitted, however this doesn’t include concurrent usage/access. For concurrent access by multiple end-users, please consult your Listen sales engineer.
Perceptual Objective Listening Quality Analysis (POLQA) according to ITU-T Recommendation P. 863 included in this product is protected by copyright and by European, US and other international patents and patent applications and is provided under license from OPTICOM Dipl.-Ing. M. Keyhl GmbH, Erlangen, Germany, 2022– www.opticom.de.
POLQA® is a registered trademark of OPTICOM GmbH. Used by permission.
© 2011 by the POLQA Coalition of OPTICOM GmbH, Germany – SwissQual AG, Switzerland – KPN, The Netherlands – TNO, The Netherlands.
www.polqa.info
