Adaptive Differential Pulse Code

Modulation (ADPCM)
ADPCM is a type of DPCM (Differential Pulse Code Modulation). It is also a differential
coding technique that uses differential values like DPCM. ADPCM was developed to
overcome the drawbacks of the DPCM (Differential Pulse Code Modulation) and DM
(Delta Modulation). However, a method of DM named Continuous Variable Slope Delta
Modulation (CVSDM) has more advantages than ADPCM.

Unlike DPCM, the signal variation in ADPCM helps to change the step size of the
quantization levels. It reduces the overload error during the modulation process. The
step size is directly proportional to the speed rate of the input message. If the variation
of the message signal is at a high rate, the step size will be high. Similarly, if the
variation of the message signal is at a slower rate, the step size will be small.

DPCM requires fewer levels for the quantization process as compared to the PCM (Pulse
Code Modulation) process. ADPCM requires fewer numbers of levels as compared to
both the DPCM and PCM. It means that ADPCM provides better bandwidth reduction
than DPCM and PCM. The numbers of levels are directly proportional to the bandwidth.
The fewer the levels, the lesser the bandwidth will be.

Block Diagram
The block diagram of the Adaptive differential PCM is shown below:
The block diagram of ADPCM contains the quantizer at ends, encoder, predictor (as the
feedback loop), and a decoder. The function of the encoder is similar to the modulation
process, and the function of the decoder is similar to the demodulation. Various
channels of 16k bits, 24, 32, and 40k bits have different applications. For example, 16k
and 24k bits channel is used to carry voice with DCME (Digital Circuit Equipment).

Quantizer
A quantizer is present in the circuit of ADPCM at both the transmitting and receiving
ends of the circuit. It reduces the number of discrete symbols. It adds some redundant
bits and compresses the data to make it suitable for storage and transmission.

Encoder
An encoder is a device that converts the analog signal to digital pulses. It responds to
each sample by generating a binary pulse or pattern. It also reduces the transmission
bandwidth depending on the step size of between the quantization levels. Different
levels quantizer can be used for assigning different number of binary digits.

Quantizer
It works as a reverse quantizer. It generates a quantized opposite signal using these
same binary digits.
Adaptive predictor
It completes the feedback loop by generating the estimation of the input signal. The
feedback loop detects the variations in the message signal, which helps in changing the
step size.

Decoder
The digitally encoded signal arrives at the receiver. It first removes the noise from the
signal. The quantization process does not allow the easy separation of the signal and
the noise. Hence, it is essential to remove the noise from the signal at the decoding
stage. It works similar to the demodulation process and converts the binary pulses to
the original form or the analog signal.

Advantages of ADPCM
The advantages of ADPCM are as follows:

o Good bandwidth compression

ADPCM has better bandwidth compression ability due to the less number of
quantization level involved in the quantization process.
o Low power consumption
ADPCM consumes low power than PCM and DPCM. It is due to its efficient algorithm
that uses lower transmission rates.
o No synchronization required
It does not require a handshake (start and stop bits) to start the transmission process.
o Easy modulation
The modulation of ADPCM follows the input signal. It helps it to detect any changes in
the signal. The variations in the signal are used to change the step size in the
quantization process. Hence, the modulation process of ADPCM is easy as compared to
DPCM.
o Step size can be changed
According to the signal variation, the step size in the Adaptive differential PCM process
can be changed.

Disadvantages of ADPCM
The disadvantages of ADPCM are as follows:

o High quantization noise than DPCM.

o The continuous variable slope delta modulation, a type of DM (Delta Modulation) has
better advantages than ADPCM (Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation).
o The step size variation by the receiver should match the step size variation made by the
transmitter.

Applications of ADPCM
ADPCM is used in various applications, such as IP telephony, also known as VoIP (Voice
over Internet Protocol). It is a technology that delivers voice transmissions over the IP
(Internet Protocol). The ADPCM algorithm is used to increase the line's capacity to twice.
This process is named G.726, a speech-coded standard covering the voice transmission
at different rates (16k bits, 24, 32, and 40k bits).

ADPCM vs. DPCM

Let's discuss the differences between these two types of PCM.

The differences between ADPCM and DPCM are listed below:

Category ADPCM DPCM

Full Form It stands for Adaptive Differential Pulse It stands for Differential Pulse
Code Modulation. Code Modulation.

Bandwidth ADPCM has higher bandwidth DPCM has lower bandwidth

compression compression ability than DPCM. compression ability.

Power Less Higher than ADPCM

consumption

Value Stored Difference value Multi-bit difference value

Best suited for Long distance transmission and digital High quality output and signal
data storage compression

Applications Telephone applications, computer Audio compression, video

storage, etc. compression, etc.