Kompandor - definition
Kompandor - definition
A Compressor is an electronic device or circuit used in transmission and signal processing systems, the purpose of which is to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by applying a technique of compression and expansion of signal dynamics - so-called companding (companding, from compressing and expanding).](/mx/en/news/library-articles/page/69124/) This process is based on non-linear modification of signal amplitude: in the transmitting path the signal is subjected to [dynamic compression (reduction of the range of amplitude changes), while in the receiving path it is expanded to the original range.
The purpose of the compander is to reduce the influence of noise added during the transmission or recording of the signal. Pre-distortion compression allows 'amplification' of weak parts of the signal that would be drowned out by noise, while expansion on the receive side restores the natural dynamic range while reducing the proportion of noise in the final signal. The net effect is an improved quality of the received signal, especially when the system's own noise level is low or when transmitting in bandwidth- and dynamics-limited conditions.
Compandors are used in analogue and digital systems such as switched telephony (μ-law and A-law systems), professional public address, wireless systems, audio recorders and audio transmission equipment. In music applications, they can act as dynamic circuits that shape the timbre of the sound or act as signal path elements that reduce noise. In digital systems, companding is sometimes implemented programmatically as part of the coding of signals with a large dynamic range with a limited number of bits.
In terms of design, companding can be realised as an analogue circuit using Operational amplifiers, Diodes, transistors or specialised integrated circuits, or as a functional block in DSP signal processors. It is crucial to maintain adequate inverse characteristics between the compression and expansion functions to ensure that distortion is minimised and that the original signal is faithfully reproduced.
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