METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING COMFORT NOISE IN COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

Methods and apparatus for parametrically modeling background noise and generating comfort noise in echo suppression systems are disclosed. According to exemplary embodiments, a background noise model is based on a set of noise model parameters which are in turn based on measurements of actual background noise in an echo suppression system. The exemplary embodiments include autoregressive, autoregressive moving-average and frequency-domain models. An exemplary first-order autoregressive moving-average model includes a single fixed zero and a single variable pole. The single zero and the single pole are sufficient to provide appropriate spectral tilt in the resulting modeled noise, and the single zero ensures that the model is unconditionally stable. Integration of the exemplary parametric noise models with various echo suppression devices is also disclosed.