Case Study: Integration of Network-Based Audio Processors and VoIP Phone Systems

Company

Loudoun County Courthouse, Leesburg, VA

User Request: Establish high-quality teleconferencing to support the increased need for language interpretation services.

Loudoun County is Virginia's fastest-growing county with a highly diverse population, requiring a broad array of language interpretation services within the courtroom setting. As a result, the need for two-way audio communication has increased considerably. Remote interpretation services are becoming more common and offer a rapid and efficient interpretation of virtually any language in a variety of manners, including simultaneous and consecutive interpretation of oral conversations, as well as sight translation of written documents.

Methods of remote testimony used in the past have generally proven ineffective. A speakerphone was placed on the bench in its simplest form, with all concerned parties standing nearby. Microphones were sometimes placed adjacent to the speakerphone allowing the remote audio to be amplified. Local presenters were still required to shout to be heard at the remote end. Overall intelligibility was poor, and the services were often deemed unusable.

Taking advantage of newer network-based technologies, Dewberry has developed practical, holistic audio solutions utilizing readily available hardware. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems is now the standard for most government entities. Multiple audio video manufacturers produce digital signal processors that integrate with existing speaker and microphone systems and are designed to operate on traditional Local Area Networks (LAN). Network connectivity eliminates the need for dedicated interfaces and simplifies connecting with a facility's VoIP system. Most VoIP systems use Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to establish communications. The software systems used to operate the digital signal processors are capable of communicating via SIP and can set up, establish, and control two-way communications, much like a traditional phone call. Traditional processing integral to digital signal processors, including equalization, compression/limiting, and echo canceling, greatly improves the call's overall quality, resulting in sufficient sound pressure levels and high intelligibility levels. When paired with an integrated touch screen control system, the operation of the systems is greatly simplified.

Dewberry

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COURT TECHNOLOGY