Low bit rate multichannel audio coding methods and apparatus using

Abstract

A low bit rate encoder for compression-encoding digital audio signals of a plurality of channels makes use of both the property of the audio signal and the hearing sense of the human being. The encoder includes: an energy detecting section for detecting energies of the digital audio signals every digital audio signals of the respective channel, a bit allocation amount determining section for determining bit allocation amounts to the respective channels on the basis of the detected result, a compression-encoding section for compression-encoding the digital audio signals on the basis of the bit allocation amounts allocated for every respective channel in accordance with the determined bit allocation amounts, and a multiplexing section for multiplexing the compression-encoded signals every respective channels. The bit allocation amount determining means operates to determine bit allocation amounts so that the relationship between the energy and the bit allocation amount of the digital audio signal represents a non-linear characteristic, such that according as energy of the digital audio signal increases, the bit allocation amount increases as a whole. Thus, redundancy of bit allocation amount in compression-encoding of the multi-channel system is eliminated, and high quality compression encoding/decoding can be realized.