Sending audio over voip without a PC/laptop

Development Boards Arduino
1

I am interested in setting up microphone, that can be plugged into a wall for power, and attached to an arduino or other device. The goal is to capture audio in realtime and send the audio info over a network, via TCP/IP. I would build a few of these units in different physical spaces, and access each via IP, and mix the signals as part of an art exhibit.

It is not necessary to record the audio data. Latency is not a concern - this is not performative based. The area to record is a general space - pristine quality is not needed, just good enough to make out a conversation.

I was thinking of using an Arduino, but have gotten advice that the Arduino would be overloaded trying to handle the audio. Someone mentioned DSP. What parts do I need? What would the cost of the components be?

Another option is using a webcam, and extracting just the audio, discarding the video data. If I get a simple webcam, is there a way I can plug it in to an Arduino + Ethernet shield, without using a PC/laptop/macbook? Do I still need some sort of DAC/DSP ?

Any suggestions helpful.

Thanks

SD

2

Are you dead-set on using IP? There are alternatives that are much, much simpler for the case you describe, where wide area routing isn’t needed.

3

Def not, I just figured it would be the only way.

How else do I get audio data from multiple locations physically apart from each other, in real time to one central place ?

4

lfchords:
Def not, I just figured it would be the only way.

How else do I get audio data from multiple locations physically apart from each other, in real time to one central place ?

So you have one microphone and multiple listeners. Unidirectional.

  1. Microphone, amplifier, low impedance unshielded twisted pair wires to n loudspeakers

  2. Microphone, FM broadcast band transmitter to multiple FM broadcast radio receivers (pocket radios)

Many other more complex ways to do this.

5

A VOIP implementation should be feasible using this XMOS Ethernet kit:

http://www.xmos.com/products/developmen … hernet-kit

6

lfchords:
How else do I get audio data from multiple locations physically apart from each other, in real time to one central place ?

How remote?

BTW, VOIP has some very specific requirements. Arduino’s might not have the horsepower to perform the signal processing needed to encode the audio into the compressed streams needed by VOIP. Depending on the number of endpoints and how much bandwidth you have between them and the central node you may be able to get away with sending raw audio over UDP. Another alternative is to try plugging VOIP into Digikey’s search to see if there are any hardware codecs or a cheap DSP available to offload the signal processing.

7

leon_heller:
A Voip implementation should be feasible using this XMOS Ethernet kit:

http://www.xmos.com/products/developmen … hernet-kit

Awesome!

Isn’t it amazing how far we have come in technology?

I’m Lovin’ it!!!

8

leon_heller:
A VOIP implementation should be feasible using this XMOS Ethernet kit:

http://www.xmos.com/products/developmen … hernet-kit

_____________

Best thing is… it’s fast and relatively inexpensive. I found one for $139 and was very impressed with its capabilities!

Good luck!

9

I am currently using the XMOS Ethernet kit and I’ve got to admit that it is a game changer. I don’t believe there is another product that can compete with it on the market. I strongly recommend it as well.