96 kHz.org
Advanced Audio Processing

shaped noise generator

Digital noise generation can easily be done with LFSR-registers as well as in hardware and as in software. This article shows, how to shape the spectrum accordingly to your needs:

A logic circuit represents a 20-bit LFSR that implements the well-established primitive polynom x^20 + x^3 + 1. It consists of 20 D-flip-flops connected in series, all connected to the same clock source. The output of bit 20 is fed directly back into the D input of bit 1.
An XOR gate is located between bit 3 and bit 4: It combines the output of bit 3 with the feedback signal from bit 20, and the result is fed into the input of bit 4. That already creates a suitable noise. The resulting frequency spacing is less than 0.1 Hz and thus completely inaudible for the ear. It is a uniform, analog hissing sound (close to white noise) with no defined pitch.

Using modern programable PLDs they are easy to be realized.


digital noise generator - Juergen Schuhmacher

 This circuit produces several noise channels which are shaped with indidual equalizers in order to achieve the desired spectrum. The specific profile of the harmonics according to fourrier analysis is taken into account here. The filter designed to limit frequencies to the 5th harmonic while the amount if overlapping of the channels make sure that the harmonics add to a flat profile.

digital noise generator - Juergen Schuhmacher

In modifiying the scale factors for the channels, it is possible to aproach the profile to white noise, brown noise and pink noise.

digital noise generator - Juergen Schuhmacher

Screenshot of a logic analyser with white noise setting

 

digital noise generator - Juergen Schuhmacher

Screenshot of a logic analyser with pink noise setting

See the code here: noiseshapping.c

 

Conclusion and Summary

 PLDs can be used to generate versatile noise signals for audio applications.

 

© 2001 - Dipl.-Ing. Jürgen Schuhmacher