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INSTRUMENTS

Firmware Description
PurePath Digital Audio Processors

Loudness Description and Application

Guidelines for the TAS3108,TAS3208,and
TAS3204

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1. Loudness Compensation
Loudness compensation employs a, coefficient-programmable, biquad filter and the loudness gain, g, whose
output is only a function of the volume control setting. The biquad filter inputs are the channel processed audio
data stream that also feeds the volume gain-control mixer. The biquad output feed a gain control mixer whose
other input is the volume control setting after processing by the loudness gain, g.

Loudness compensation allows a given spectral segment of the audio data stream (as determined by the biquad
filter coefficients) to be given a delta adjustment in volume as determined by the programmable loudness gain, g.

The output of the function block f(volume_setting) is expressed in terms of the programmable I2C coefficients as:

g = f(volume_setting) = [(volume_setting)LG x2LO xG] +O

where:
LG = logarithmic gain = 5.23 format number
LO = logarithmic offset = 25.23 format number
G = gain = 5.23 format number
O = offset = 25.23 format number

If G is set to 0.0 and O is set to 0.0, loudness compensation is disabled.

If G is set to 0.0 and O is set to 1.0, then the biquad-filtered audio is directly added to the volume level adjusted
audio.

Typically, LG and LO are used to derive the desired loudness compensation function.
G is used to turn loudness compensation on and off.
O is used to enable and disable the biquad filter output when automatic volume tracking is turned off.

However, G and O can be given any other desired values.

1.1 The Gain Function

The loudness gain is a function of the volume, according to the following formula:
g = f(volume_setting) = [(volume_setting)LG x 2LO x G] +O

The loudness configuration is shown in the diagram below.

Audio Out = (Audio In) x volume_setting * [ 1+ g x F(s) Biquad)]

Audio Out = [Audio In x volume_setting ] + [Audio In x F(s)Biquad x volume_setting x g ].

A typical gain response for a loudness filter is

g = f(volume_setting) = √volume_setting

This is accomplished by setting g to 1/sqrt(volume-_setting) so the total gain of the system, volume_setting*g, will
be sqrt(v).

To set g = 1/sqrt(v) , we set LG to -0.5, G to 1, LO to 0 and O to 0.

The output of the soft volume/loudness compensation block then will be:

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audioOut = [audioIn × volume_setting] + [audioIn × F(s)Biquad × √volume_setting ]

Volume_setting

Audio Out
Audio In

F(s) Biquad

Loudness gain = g

Figure 1 Loudness Function

If loudness is enabled, to obtain a total cut (−∞ dB), it must be disabled by disabling it by setting the parameter G
to zero. This requirement is discussed in more detail in the subsequent paragraphs. Loudness compensation
tracks the volume control setting to allow spectral compensation. An example of loudness compensation would be
a boost in bass frequencies to compensate for weak perceived bass at low volume levels. Both linear and log
control laws can be implemented for volume gain tracking, and a dedicated biquad filter can be used to achieve
spectral discernment.

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Example 1 demonstrates the loudness function using the following properties:

• fc = 100 Hz;
• bw = 100 Hz;
• LG = -0.5
• LO = 0
• G=1
• O=0

The following plot is for Example 1. The various plots result from a change in the volume.

Figure 2 Loudness Example

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Example 2 is the same as Example 1 except fc and bw are set to 60Hz.

Example 2 demonstrates the loudness function using the following properties:
• fc = 60 Hz;
• bw = 60 Hz;
• LG = -0.5
• LO = 0
• G=1
• O=0

The following plot is for Example 2. Notice that the plot is shifted from 100 Hz to 60 Hz since fc is set to 60
Hz from the Example 1 example. The various plots result from a change in the volume.

Figure 3 Loudness Example

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The Gain Function Example 3

If G = 0 and O = 2, the following plot will result independent of the values of LG and LO. Notice that the filters
have a uniform gain relative to the volume level.

Example 3 demonstrates the loudness function. The various plots result from a change in the volume.
• fc = 100 Hz;
• bw = 100 Hz;
• LG = -0.5
• LO = 0
• G=0
• O=2

Figure 4 Loudness Example

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The Gain Function Example 4

Varying the values of LG and LO changes the function with which the loudness gain follows the volume. For
example, if LG is changed to -0.75, as opposed to -0.5, the dotted lines on the following plot show the result,
when compared to the solid lines for the previous Example. At lower volume levels, the loudness gain saturation
is reached, resulting in the same gain for either set of parameters.

Example 4 demonstrates the loudness function using the following properties. The various plots result
from a change in the volume.
• fc = 100 Hz;
• bw = 100 Hz;
• LG = -0.75
• LO = 0
• G=1
• O=0

Figure 5 Loudness Example

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The Gain Function Example 5

Now, if LG is changed to -0.25, the result is shown by the dotted lines in the following plot, where the solid lines
show the Example of LG = -0.5.

Example 5 demonstrates the loudness function using the following properties. The various plots result
from a change in the volume.
• fc = 100 Hz;
• bw = 100 Hz;
• LG = -0.25
• LO = 0
• G=1
• O=0

Figure 6 Loudness Example

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The Gain Function Example 6

Now, LG is returned to -0.5 and the result of manipulating LO is investigated. The dotted lines show the effect of
setting LO to 1.

Example 6 demonstrates the loudness function using the following properties. The various plots result
from a change in the volume.
• fc = 100 Hz;
• bw = 100 Hz;
• LG = -0.5
• LO = 1
• G=1
• O=0

Figure 7 Loudness Example

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The Gain Function Example 7

In the following plot, the dotted lines show the result of setting LO to -1.

Example 7 demonstrates the loudness function using the following properties. The various plots result
from a change in the volume.
• fc = 100 Hz;
• bw = 100 Hz;
• LG = -0.5
• LO = -1
• G=1
• O=0

Figure 8 Loudness Example

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