Voice Activity Detection (VAD)

Voice Activity Detection (VAD) or Sound Detection is a feature available for the IP Station range. Voice Activity Detection samples the peak amplitude detected at the microphone every 30 ms and converts it to dB. If the sampled amplitude is continously above a trigger amplitude for a set duration, then a DAK key is triggered.

The VAD feature is available only when the station operates in ICX-AlphaCom mode.

Station Web interface

The Voice Activity Detection configuration is done from the IP-station web interface at:

• Advanced ICX-Alphacom --> VAD for INCA Stations
• Advanced ICX-Alphacom --> Sound Detection for Turbine Stations

The following settings are possible to configure:

Sound Detection configuration page in IP Stations

• Sound Detection status: Enable or Disable the feature
  • In Turbine v. 4.7 the options are expanded:
    • Disable
    • Enable (Disable When Audio Out) - The Sound Detection is enabled when the station is in idle, and disabled when the station is in conversation, listening to Simplex Conference or Audio Program, or any other audio mechanism. This is to prevent the station from trigger by its own loudspeaker audio
    • Enable (Always) - The Sound Detection is always active, also when in conversation, listening to Simplex Conference or Audio Program, or any other audio mechanism. Can be used on devices without speaker (e.g. TKIE kit acting as mobile radio interface)
• Minimum amplitude (dBA): Choose the trigger amplitude
• Minimum duration of audio (ms): Choose for how long the sampled amplitude must be above the "Trigger ampltiude" before triggering the DAK key
• DAK key to activate: Choose which DAK key to trigger. The station will simulate that this DAK key is pressed.
• Minimum time before reactivation (ms): Choose how long to wait before enabling VAD after triggering the DAK key
• Report DAK key off after (ms): This parameter sets the duration of the DAK key press.

AlphaPro Configuration

DAK configuration in AlphaPro

Modifying parameters by Data Command

The parameters used by the Sound Detection feature can be modified by an ACDP data command. This command can also be triggered from the Event Handler.

$DIP L301 "vad 75 350 5 2000 200 1"

This command will change the parameters on station 301 to the values shown in the image above. The last parameter ("1") enables the feature. Value "0" would disable the feature.

Notes on operation

• The sound pressure SPL is dropping by 6 dB (four times) for every doubling of the distance from the microphone.
• The audio detection is before the noise reduction circuit, so in case Noise Reduction is activated, noise will always cause the detector to trigger.
• The VAD is working only when the station is in idle. It will not work if the Station is for example in conversation or in conference.
  • Turbine devices with firmware 4.7 or later can also trigger during converation or while in conference.
• The VAD feature is only available when the station is used in ICX-AlphaCom mode. The feature is not available in Pulse or SIP mode.

Software requirement

• INCA Station software 01.09.3.0 or later.
• Turbine: available in all versions

Related articles

• Scream Alarm using VAD