automatic volume control (AVC)

Automatic Volume Control (AVC) stands for automatic volume control. This control technology adjusts the volume of radios, car radios, hearing aids, telephones, cell phones, cassette recorders, headsets and other audio components to the volume of the ambient noise.

The automatic volume control increases the volume level of the audio signal when the ambient noise becomes louder. This keeps the ratio of volume to ambient noise constant; the listener perceives the ambient noise as less distracting and can hear and understand the audio signals better.

The automatic volume control is a dynamic compression, with which the signal is not distorted. The amplitude changes linearly, small levels experience proportionally the same compression as large levels. By linearizing the level, overcompensation and thus amplitude distortion of the volume are avoided.

In contrast to Automatic Volume Control (AVC), Automatic Gain Control( AGC) controls the overall gain of one or more amplifier circuits.