Internet
Fact-checked

At EasyTechJunkie, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR)?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR) is used in speech coding and involves audio data compression. Audio data compression allows for more storage on voice files. ".amt" is a popular filename extension for AMR. Many cell phones use AMR for speech recording storage.

AMR is especially associated with the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). GSM, a circuit-switched system, originated in Europe in the 1980s and is used in many European countries. Several cellular companies in the United States and other non-European countries also use GSM technology.

Woman holding a disc
Woman holding a disc

Speech coding uses a circuit speech codec, or voice codec, that digitally transforms speech. Music can be encoded and decoded in a voice codec, but the quality of the music produced is usually quite poor. The speech or voice codec is specifically made to analyze human speech rather than to offer quality sound in other audio forms such as music.

AMR used in cellular technology is said to provide the highest quality of speech clarity for remote mobile phone communication at the lowest possible cost. AMR is thought to be a very adaptable speech codec for many different radio channels. The AMR can adjust itself by providing extra bits to help correct errors when the channel conditions are bad, while still providing only a minimum amount of bits during good channel conditions. This quality means that the AMR has more bits available for speech coding than other speech codecs.

AMR is not the first voice codec used for GSM, but the fourth. The Enhanced Full-Rate (EFR) codec and the other two speech codecs differ from AMR as they can not adjust their rate of bits produced. AMR is said to offer the best voice quality of the four speech codecs. Cellular telephone manufacturers continue to develop AMR codec technology by striving for the most natural sounding voice quality possible. These manufacturers often conduct consumer tests to test for the clearest sounding voice transmission on cellular phones.

Voice Activity Detection (VAD), Comfort Noise Generation (CNG) and Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) are some important features of AMR. VAD differentiates speech from silence to aid in speech processing and the VAD in AMR helps improve the quality of speech coding. CNG is low-level background static added on purpose to help minimize some negative effects of silence such as sudden swings in sound levels from voice to silence. DTX technology controls the transmitter switch during wireless conversations so that the battery or amplifiers are not used unnecessarily during silent periods when there is no speech.

Discussion Comments

miriam98

I have a cell phone that stores its voice files in the .amr format. I was able to download an amr converter and convert those files to mp3 format, for listening to on my computer or mp3 player.

I’ve found this to be very useful when I’m traveling and talking with clients about important business agenda items I need covered for an upcoming meeting. I have real bad memory sometimes and my phone lets me store the conversations in .amr format for listening to later.

Sometimes, however, I don’t want to hear them on my phone but would prefer to transfer them to my mp3 player, where I can organize them in folders and sort them to my liking.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Woman holding a disc
      Woman holding a disc