Acoustic data transmission
Acoustic data transmission, also known as data over sound, is a method for transmitting digital information using acoustic signals, i.e. via audible or inaudible sound waves.
An early example of this technology were acoustic couplers, used in the early days of digital data communication to connect data processing systems to the telephone network solely via audio signals.[1] A recent research project is Gibberlink, a method in which two AI voice assistants, after recognizing each other, switch from English to a special sound-based communication protocol.[2]
Depending on the environment, data transmission rates of up to 1,000 bit/s can be achieved. Distances of up to 10 meters are realistic with standard consumer hardware; longer ranges can be covered using high-powered speaker systems.[3][4]
Applications
[edit]This method is used for device identification, authentication, and command transmission, enabling acoustic communication between devices by using speakers and microphones to send and receive encoded data.[5]
Since acoustic data transmission allows for wireless communication without radio frequency (RF) signals, it can be employed in environments where RF is restricted or prohibited—such as military facilities, hospitals, or aircraft.[6][7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Definition of ACOUSTIC COUPLER". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ Starkov, Boris (2025-06-29), PennyroyalTea/gibberlink, retrieved 2025-06-29
- ^ Cho, Kiho; Choi, Jae; Kim, Nam Soo (2015-04-18). "An acoustic data transmission system based on audio data hiding: method and performance evaluation". EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing. 2015 (1): 10. doi:10.1186/s13636-015-0053-x. ISSN 1687-4722.
- ^ Nesfield, James (2019-06-24). "Sending Data Over Sound: How and Why?". Electronic Design. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ Koparanov, Kiril Andreev; Antonova, Elena Ventseslavova; Nakov, Ognyan Nakov; Minkovska, Daniela Veleva; Georgiev, Krasin Krasimirov; Stoyanova, Lyudmila Yordanova (2023-09-18). "Input Data Time Range Impact on Forecast Quality Using Automated Procedures". 2023 International Scientific Conference on Computer Science (COMSCI). IEEE. pp. 1–4. doi:10.1109/comsci59259.2023.10315937. ISBN 979-8-3503-2525-6.
- ^ Djalma L. S. Silva. "Data over Sound Technology" (PDF). puc-rio.br. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ EETimes (2019-10-25). "Data Over Sound: Encryption is Key". EE Times. Retrieved 2025-06-29.