Course description
This course introduces the role and principles of the encoding and compression of speech, music and video in a digital communications system.
This course can be studied on its own or as part of the "PTT Level 3 Award in Principles of Telecommunications" study programme.
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- explain the digital communications system constraints that necessitate the compression of encoded speech and video signals.
- state the audio bandwidth requirements of speech and music signals and describe why the allocated audio bandwidth is restricted before encoding takes place.
- describe the principles of PCM analogue to digital encoding and the principles and benefits of non-linear encoding.
- describe the principles of the compression techniques employed to minimise the bit rate of encoded speech and music.
- explain the disadvantages of compression.
- describe the characteristics of the types of encoder used for telephony, digital broadcasting and music downloads.
- describe the bit rate requirements of video traffic and the principles of JPEG and MPEG video compression.
- describe the characteristics of the codecs used for video telephony and conferencing, television broadcasting, and video streaming services.
This online course includes assessments, the results of which are summarised in a certificate published at course completion.
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Suitability - Who should attend?
An understanding of the basic properties of analogue and digital signals. It is recommended that the PTT course "Analogue and digital signals" is studied before attempting this course.