ISO/IEC 23003-3:2020/Amd 1:2021

Overview

ISO/IEC 23003-3:2020/Amd 1:2021 is an international standard published by ISO and IEC that serves as an amendment to Part 3 of the MPEG audio technologies series. This part focuses on Unified Speech and Audio Coding (USAC), which integrates speech and audio coding techniques into one efficient framework. The 2021 Amendment 1 specifically addresses reference software and conformance testing related to USAC, ensuring consistent implementation and interoperability of MPEG audio technologies worldwide.

As a crucial extension, this amendment enhances the reliability and practical deployment of USAC by defining standardized software tools and conformance procedures. It supports developers, manufacturers, and service providers in validating their products and solutions against established benchmarks, fostering a globally harmonized technical landscape in audio coding.

Key Topics

• Unified Speech and Audio Coding (USAC): An integrated codec that combines speech and audio compression methods within a single framework for efficient streaming and storage.
• Reference Software: Standardized code implementations provided to demonstrate compliance and support development of USAC-compliant products.
• Conformance Testing: Procedures and criteria used to verify that implementations adhere to the USAC specification, ensuring interoperability and performance consistency across different platforms and devices.
• Standard Amendment: Updates and modifications to the original Part 3 standard focusing on software tools and conformance aspects, underscoring evolving requirements in audio technology.
• International Collaboration: Developed by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29, fostering cooperation among national bodies and experts in audio coding standards.

Applications

The ISO/IEC 23003-3:2020/Amd 1:2021 amendment provides practical value for a wide range of applications involving speech and audio processing, including:

• Digital Broadcasting: Enables high-quality, low-bitrate audio streaming for radio, TV, and online media using unified coding schemes.
• Multimedia Streaming Services: Supports adaptive streaming platforms by providing efficient audio compression with broad device compatibility.
• Communication Systems: Enhances voice clarity and audio quality in telephony, VoIP, and conferencing solutions with advanced USAC techniques.
• Consumer Electronics: Facilitates incorporation of standardized audio codecs in smartphones, tablets, and smart speakers for consistent media playback.
• Professional Audio Production: Assists developers of audio tools and hardware to maintain conformity to international standards, resulting in reliable audio encoding and decoding.

Related Standards

• ISO/IEC 23003 series: Comprises multiple parts covering various aspects of MPEG audio technologies beyond USAC, such as parametric coding and metadata handling.
• ISO/IEC 23001: Systems technologies for coding audio, video, and other media information, relevant for integrated multimedia solutions.
• ISO/IEC 23008: High efficiency video coding (HEVC) standards, often deployed alongside audio coding in multimedia delivery.
• MPEG Audio Layer III (MP3): An earlier audio compression standard that preceded USAC but is widely referenced for backward compatibility.
• ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29: The subcommittee responsible for standardizing audio and multimedia formats, overseeing updates and maintenance of MPEG standards.

ISO/IEC 23003-3:2020/Amd 1:2021 plays a vital role in the continued development and enforcement of unified speech and audio coding standards. It ensures that industry stakeholders have access to trusted reference materials and conformance frameworks, which are essential for innovation and quality assurance in the audio technology ecosystem. For organizations involved in audio codec development, deployment, and testing, compliance with this amendment guarantees alignment with internationally recognized best practices.