Systems and methods for hybrid adaptive noise cancellation

• US 9,462,376 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2013
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cirrus Logic Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cirrus Logic Incorporated
• Inventors: Alderson, Jeffrey D.
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, DAVID L
• Application Number:
  US13/948,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20140307887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 381/71.1, 381/71.2, 381/71.6, 381/71.8, 381/71.11, 381/71.12, 381/93, 381/94.9, 381/96
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/16 Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general G10K11/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17817 between the output signals and the error signals, i.e. secondary path
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17823 Reference signals, e.g. ambient acoustic environment
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17825 Error signals
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17827 Desired external signals, e.g. pass-through audio such as music or speech
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17833 by using a self-diagnostic function or a malfunction prevention function, e.g. detecting abnormal output levels
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17835 using detection of abnormal input signals
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17854 the filter being an adaptive filter
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17881 the reference signal being an acoustic signal, e.g. recorded with a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17885 additionally using a desired external signal, e.g. pass-through audio such as music or speech
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/108 Communication systems, e.g. where useful sound is kept and noise is cancelled
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1081 Earphones, e.g. for telephones, ear protectors or headsets
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3017 Copy, i.e. whereby an estimated transfer function in one functional block is copied to another block
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3022 Error paths
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3026 Feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3027 Feedforward
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3035 Models, e.g. of the acoustic system
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3039 Nonlinear, e.g. clipping, numerical truncation, thresholding or variable input and output gain
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3055 Transfer function of the acoustic system
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3056 Variable gain
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/503 : Diagnostics; Stability; Alarms; Failsafe
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/509 : Hybrid, i.e. combining different technologies, e.g. passive and active
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/002 : Damping circuit arrangements for transducers, e.g. motional feedback circuits

Abstract

In accordance with methods and systems of the present disclosure, a processing circuit may implement a feedback filter having a response that generates a feedback anti-noise signal component from a playback corrected error, the playback corrected error based on a difference between an error microphone signal and a secondary path estimate, and wherein the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component, a secondary path estimate filter configured to model an electro-acoustic path of the source audio signal and have a response that generates a secondary path estimate from the source audio signal, and a secondary coefficient control block that shapes the response of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter in conformity with a source audio signal and the playback corrected error by adapting the response of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter to minimize the playback corrected error.

Claims

1. A personal audio device comprising:

a personal audio device housing;

a transducer coupled to the housing for reproducing an audio signal including both a source audio signal for playback to a listener and an anti-noise signal for countering the effects of ambient audio sounds in an acoustic output of the transducer;

a reference microphone coupled to the housing for providing a reference microphone signal indicative of the ambient audio sounds;

an error microphone coupled to the housing in proximity to the transducer for providing an error microphone signal indicative of the acoustic output of the transducer and the ambient audio sounds at the transducer; and

a processing circuit that implements;

a feedback filter having a response that generates a feedback anti-noise signal component from a playback corrected error, the playback corrected error based on a difference between the error microphone signal and a secondary path estimate, and wherein the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component;

a secondary path estimate filter configured to model an electro-acoustic path of the source audio signal and have a response that generates a secondary path estimate from the source audio signal;

a secondary coefficient control block that shapes the response of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter in conformity with the source audio signal and the playback corrected error by adapting the response of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter to minimize the playback corrected error; and

a feedforward filter having a response that generates a feedforward anti-noise signal component from the reference microphone signal; and

wherein;

the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component and the feedforward anti-noise signal component; and

the processing circuit modifies processing of the feedforward filter responsive to a disturbance in the reference microphone signal, wherein modifying processing of the feedforward filter comprises one of disabling the feedforward filter from generating the feedforward anti-noise signal component, disabling adaptation of the feedforward filter, and resetting adaptation of the feedforward filter.

2. The personal audio device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit further implements a combiner to combine the source audio signal, the feedforward anti-noise signal component, and the feedback anti-noise signal component.

3. The personal audio device of claim 1, wherein the feedforward filter comprises an adaptive filter, and the processing circuit further implements a feedforward coefficient control block that shapes the response of the feedforward filter in conformity with the error microphone signal and the reference microphone signal by adapting the response of the feedforward filter to minimize the ambient audio sounds in the error microphone signal.

4. The personal audio device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit further implements a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component.

5. The personal audio device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit further implements a secondary path estimate performance monitor for monitoring performance of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter in modeling the electro-acoustic path.

6. The personal audio device of claim 5, wherein the secondary path estimate performance monitor monitors performance of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter by comparing the error microphone signal to the playback corrected error.

7. The personal audio device of claim 5, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate adaptive filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path, the processing circuit disables the feedback filter from generating the feedback anti-noise signal component.

8. The personal audio device of claim 7, wherein:

the processing circuit further implements a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

the processing circuit disables the feedback filter by setting the programmable feedback gain to zero.

9. The personal audio device of claim 5, wherein:

the processing circuit further implements a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate adaptive filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path, the processing circuit decreases the programmable feedback gain.

10. The personal audio device of claim 5, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate adaptive filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path for a particular frequency range of sound, the processing circuit implements a compensating filter to boost the source audio signal within such frequency range to the source audio signal being communicated to at least one of the transducer, the secondary path estimate adaptive filter, and the secondary coefficient control block.

11. A method of for canceling ambient audio sounds in the proximity of a transducer of a personal audio device, the method comprising:

receiving a reference microphone signal indicative of the ambient audio sounds;

receiving an error microphone signal indicative of the output of the transducer and the ambient audio sounds at the transducer;

generating a source audio signal for playback to a listener;

generating a feedback anti-noise signal component from a playback corrected error, the playback corrected error based on a difference between the error microphone signal and a secondary path estimate, countering the effects of ambient audio sounds at an acoustic output of the transducer, wherein an anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component;

adaptively generating the secondary path estimate from the source audio signal by filtering the source audio signal with a secondary path estimate adaptive filter modeling an electro-acoustic path of the source audio signal and adapting the response of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter to minimize the playback corrected error;

combining the anti-noise signal with the source audio signal to generate an audio signal provided to the transducer;

generating a feedforward anti-noise signal component, from a result of the measuring with the reference microphone, countering the effects of ambient audio sounds at an acoustic output of the transducer by filtering an output of the reference microphone, wherein the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component and the feedforward anti-noise signal component; and

modifying processing of the feedforward anti-noise signal component responsive to a disturbance in the reference microphone signal, wherein modifying processing comprises one of disabling generation of the feedforward-anti-noise signal component, disabling adaptation of the feedforward-anti-noise signal component, and resetting the feedforward-anti-noise signal component.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating the feedforward anti-noise signal by adapting a response of an adaptive filter that filters an output of the reference microphone to minimize the ambient audio sounds in the error microphone signal.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising applying a programmable feedback gain to a path of the feedback anti-noise signal component, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising monitoring performance of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter in modeling the electro-acoustic path.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein monitoring performance of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter in modeling the electro-acoustic path comprises comparing the error microphone signal to the playback corrected error.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising disabling generation of the feedback anti-noise signal component responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate adaptive filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising applying a programmable feedback gain to a path of the feedback anti-noise signal component, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component, and wherein disabling generation of the feedback anti-noise signal component comprises setting the programmable feedback gain to zero.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

applying a programmable feedback gain to a path of the feedback anti-noise signal component, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

decreasing the programmable feedback gain responsive to a determination that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising boosting, within a frequency range, the source audio signal communicated to the at least one of the transducer, the secondary path estimate adaptive filter, and the secondary coefficient control block responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate adaptive filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path.

20. An integrated circuit for implementing at least a portion of a personal audio device, comprising:

an output for providing a signal to a transducer including both a source audio signal for playback to a listener and an anti-noise signal for countering the effect of ambient audio sounds in an acoustic output of the transducer;

a reference microphone input for receiving a reference microphone signal indicative of the ambient audio sounds;

an error microphone input for receiving an error microphone signal indicative of the output of the transducer and the ambient audio sounds at the transducer; and

a processing circuit that implements;

a feedback filter having a response that generates a feedback anti-noise signal component from a playback corrected error, the playback corrected error based on a difference between the error microphone signal and a secondary path estimate, and wherein the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component;

a secondary path estimate adaptive filter for modeling an electro-acoustic path of the source audio signal having a response that generates the secondary path estimate from the source audio signal;

a secondary coefficient control block that shapes the response of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter in conformity with the source audio signal and the playback corrected error by adapting the response of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter to minimize the playback corrected error; and

a feedforward filter having a response that generates a feedforward anti-noise signal component from the reference microphone signal; and

wherein;

the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component and the feedforward anti-noise signal component; and

the processing circuit modifies processing of the feedforward filter responsive to a disturbance in the reference microphone signal, wherein modifying processing of the feedforward filter comprises one of disabling the feedforward filter from generating the feedforward anti-noise signal component, disabling adaptation of the feedforward filter, and resetting adaptation of the feedforward filter.

21. The integrated circuit of claim 20, wherein the processing circuit further implements a combiner to combine the source audio signal, the feedforward anti-noise signal component, and the feedback anti-noise signal component.

22. The integrated circuit of claim 20, wherein the feedforward filter comprises an adaptive filter, and the processing circuit further implements a feedforward coefficient control block that shapes the response of the feedforward filter in conformity with the error microphone signal and the reference microphone signal by adapting the response of the feedforward filter to minimize the ambient audio sounds in the error microphone signal.

23. The integrated circuit of claim 20, wherein the processing circuit further implements a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component.

24. The integrated circuit of claim 20, wherein the processing circuit further implements a secondary path estimate performance monitor for monitoring performance of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter in modeling the electro-acoustic path.

25. The integrated circuit of claim 24, wherein the secondary path estimate performance monitor monitors performance of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter by comparing the error microphone signal to the playback corrected error.

26. The integrated circuit of claim 24, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate adaptive filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path, the processing circuit disables the feedback filter from generating the feedback anti-noise signal component.

27. The integrated circuit of claim 26, wherein:

the processing circuit further implements a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

the processing circuit disables the feedback filter by setting the programmable feedback gain to zero.

28. The integrated circuit of claim 24, wherein:

the processing circuit further implements a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate adaptive filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path, the processing circuit decreases the programmable feedback gain.

29. The integrated circuit of claim 24, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate adaptive filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path for a particular frequency range of sound, the processing circuit implements a compensating filter to boost the source audio signal within such frequency range to the source audio signal being communicated to at least one of the transducer, the secondary path estimate adaptive filter, and the secondary coefficient control block.

30. A personal audio device comprising:

a personal audio device housing;

a transducer coupled to the housing for reproducing an audio signal including both a source audio signal for playback to a listener and an anti-noise signal for countering the effects of ambient audio sounds in an acoustic output of the transducer;

an error microphone coupled to the housing in proximity to the transducer for providing an error microphone signal indicative of the acoustic output of the transducer and the ambient audio sounds at the transducer;

a processing circuit that implements;

a feedback filter having a response that generates a feedback anti-noise signal component from a playback corrected error, the playback corrected error based on a difference between the error microphone signal and a secondary path estimate, and wherein the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component;

a secondary path estimate filter configured to model an electro-acoustic path of the source audio signal and have a response that generates a secondary path estimate from the source audio signal;

a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

a reference microphone coupled to the housing for providing a reference microphone signal indicative of the ambient audio sounds;

wherein;

the processing circuit further implements a feedforward filter having a response that generates a feedforward anti-noise signal component from the reference microphone signal the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component and the feedforward anti-noise signal component; and

the processing circuit modifies processing of the feedforward filter responsive to a disturbance in the reference microphone signal, wherein modifying processing of the feedforward filter comprises one of disabling the feedforward filter from generating the feedforward anti-noise signal component, disabling adaptation of the feedforward filter, and resetting adaptation of the feedforward filter.

31. The personal audio device of claim 30, wherein the processing circuit further implements a combiner to combine the source audio signal, the feedforward anti-noise signal component, and the feedback anti-noise signal component.

32. The personal audio device of claim 30, wherein the feedforward filter comprises an adaptive filter, and the processing circuit further implements a feedforward coefficient control block that shapes the response of the feedforward filter in conformity with the error microphone signal and the reference microphone signal by adapting the response of the feedforward filter to minimize the ambient audio sounds in the error microphone signal.

33. The personal audio device of claim 30, wherein the processing circuit further implements a secondary path estimate performance monitor for monitoring performance of the secondary path estimate filter in modeling the electro-acoustic path.

34. The personal audio device of claim 33, wherein the secondary path estimate performance monitor monitors performance of the secondary path estimate filter by comparing the error microphone signal to the playback corrected error.

35. The personal audio device of claim 33, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path, the processing circuit disables the feedback filter from generating the feedback anti-noise signal component.

36. The personal audio device of claim 35, wherein the processing circuit disables the feedback filter by setting the programmable feedback gain to zero.

37. The personal audio device of claim 33, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path, the processing circuit decreases the programmable feedback gain.

38. The personal audio device of claim 33, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path for a particular frequency range of sound, the processing circuit implements a compensating filter to boost the source audio signal within such frequency range to the source audio signal being communicated to the transducer and the secondary path estimate filter.

39. A method of for canceling ambient audio sounds in the proximity of a transducer of a personal audio device, the method comprising:

receiving an error microphone signal indicative of the output of the transducer and the ambient audio sounds at the transducer;

generating a source audio signal for playback to a listener;

generating a feedback anti-noise signal component from a playback corrected error, the playback corrected error based on a difference between the error microphone signal and a secondary path estimate, countering the effects of ambient audio sounds at an acoustic output of the transducer, wherein an anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component;

generating the secondary path estimate from the source audio signal by filtering the source audio signal with a secondary path estimate filter modeling an electro-acoustic path of the source audio signal;

applying a programmable feedback gain to a path of the feedback anti-noise signal component, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

combining the anti-noise signal with a source audio signal to generate an audio signal provided to the transducer;

receiving a reference microphone signal indicative of the ambient audio sounds;

generating a feedforward anti-noise signal component, from a result of the measuring with the reference microphone, countering the effects of ambient audio sounds at an acoustic output of the transducer by filtering an output of the reference microphone, wherein the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component and the feedforward anti-noise signal component; and

modifying processing of the feedforward anti-noise signal component responsive to a disturbance in the reference microphone signal, wherein modifying processing comprises one of disabling generation of the feedforward-anti-noise signal component, disabling adaptation of the feedforward-anti-noise signal component, and resetting the feedforward-anti-noise signal component.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising generating the feedforward anti-noise signal by adapting a response of an adaptive filter that filters an output of the reference microphone to minimize the ambient audio sounds in the error microphone signal.

41. The method of claim 39, further comprising monitoring performance of the secondary path estimate filter in modeling the electro-acoustic path.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein monitoring performance of the secondary path estimate filter in modeling the electro-acoustic path comprises comparing the error microphone signal to the playback corrected error.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising disabling generation of the feedback anti-noise signal component responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein disabling generation of the feedback anti-noise signal component comprises setting the programmable feedback gain to zero.

45. The method of claim 41, further comprising decreasing the programmable feedback gain responsive to a determination that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path.

46. The method of claim 41, further comprising boosting, within a frequency range, the source audio signal communicated to the at least one of the transducer, the secondary path estimate filter, and the secondary coefficient control block responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path.

47. An integrated circuit for implementing at least a portion of a personal audio device, comprising:

an output for providing a signal to a transducer including both a source audio signal for playback to a listener and an anti-noise signal for countering the effect of ambient audio sounds in an acoustic output of the transducer;

an error microphone input for receiving an error microphone signal indicative of the output of the transducer and the ambient audio sounds at the transducer; and

a processing circuit that implements;

a feedback filter having a response that generates a feedback anti-noise signal component from a playback corrected error, the playback corrected error based on a difference between the error microphone signal and a secondary path estimate, and wherein the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component;

a secondary path estimate filter configured to model an electro-acoustic path of the source audio signal and have a response that generates a secondary path estimate from the source audio signal; and

a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

a reference microphone input for receiving a reference microphone signal indicative of the ambient audio sounds;

wherein;

the processing circuit further implements a feedforward filter having a response that generates a feedforward anti-noise signal component from the reference microphone signal the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component and the feedforward anti-noise signal component; and

the processing circuit modifies processing of the feedforward filter responsive to a disturbance in the reference microphone signal, wherein modifying processing of the feedforward filter comprises one of disabling the feedforward filter from generating the feedforward anti-noise signal component, disabling adaptation of the feedforward filter, and resetting adaptation of the feedforward filter.

48. The integrated circuit of claim 47, wherein the processing circuit further implements a combiner to combine the source audio signal, the feedforward anti-noise signal component, and the feedback anti-noise signal component.

49. The integrated circuit of claim 47, wherein the feedforward filter comprises an adaptive filter, and the processing circuit further implements a feedforward coefficient control block that shapes the response of the feedforward filter in conformity with the error microphone signal and the reference microphone signal by adapting the response of the feedforward filter to minimize the ambient audio sounds in the error microphone signal.

50. The integrated circuit of claim 47, wherein the processing circuit further implements a secondary path estimate performance monitor for monitoring performance of the secondary path estimate filter in modeling the electro-acoustic path.

51. The integrated circuit of claim 50, wherein the secondary path estimate performance monitor monitors performance of the secondary path estimate filter by comparing the error microphone signal to the playback corrected error.

52. The integrated circuit of claim 50, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path, the processing circuit disables the feedback filter from generating the feedback anti-noise signal component.

53. The integrated circuit of claim 52, wherein the processing circuit disables the feedback filter by setting the programmable feedback gain to zero.

54. The integrated circuit of claim 50, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path, the processing circuit decreases the programmable feedback gain.

55. The integrated circuit of claim 50, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path for a particular frequency range of sound, the processing circuit implements a compensating filter to boost the source audio signal within such frequency range to the source audio signal being communicated to the transducer and the secondary path estimate filter.

56. A personal audio device comprising:

a personal audio device housing;

a transducer coupled to the housing for reproducing an audio signal including both a source audio signal for playback to a listener and an anti-noise signal for countering the effects of ambient audio sounds in an acoustic output of the transducer;

a reference microphone coupled to the housing for providing a reference microphone signal indicative of the ambient audio sounds;

an error microphone coupled to the housing in proximity to the transducer for providing an error microphone signal indicative of the acoustic output of the transducer and the ambient audio sounds at the transducer; and

a processing circuit that implements;

a feedback filter having a response that generates a feedback anti-noise signal component from a playback corrected error, the playback corrected error based on a difference between the error microphone signal and a secondary path estimate;

a feedforward filter having a response that generates a feedforward anti-noise signal component from the reference microphone signal, wherein the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component and the feedforward anti-noise signal component, wherein the feedforward filter is configured to be disabled from generating the feedforward anti-noise signal component responsive to a disturbance in the reference microphone signal; and

a secondary path estimate filter configured to model an electro-acoustic path of the source audio signal and have a response that generates a secondary path estimate from the source audio signal.

57. The personal audio device of claim 56, wherein the secondary path estimate filter is an adaptive filter, and the processing circuit further implements a secondary coefficient control block that shapes the response of the secondary path estimate filter in conformity with the source audio signal and the playback corrected error by adapting the response of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter to minimize the playback corrected error.

58. The personal audio device of claim 56, wherein the processing circuit further implements a combiner to combine the source audio signal, the feedforward anti-noise signal component, and the feedback anti-noise signal component.

59. The personal audio device of claim 56, wherein the feedforward filter comprises an adaptive filter, and the processing circuit further implements a feedforward coefficient control block that shapes the response of the feedforward filter in conformity with the error microphone signal and the reference microphone signal by adapting the response of the feedforward filter to minimize the ambient audio sounds in the error microphone signal.

60. The personal audio device of claim 56, wherein the processing circuit further implements a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component.

61. The personal audio device of claim 56, wherein the processing circuit further implements a secondary path estimate performance monitor for monitoring performance of the secondary path estimate filter in modeling the electro-acoustic path.

62. The personal audio device of claim 61, wherein the secondary path estimate performance monitor monitors performance of the secondary path estimate filter by comparing the error microphone signal to the playback corrected error.

63. The personal audio device of claim 61, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path, the processing circuit disables the feedback filter from generating the feedback anti-noise signal component.

64. The personal audio device of claim 63, wherein:

the processing circuit further implements a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

the processing circuit disables the feedback filter by setting the programmable feedback gain to zero.

65. The personal audio device of claim 61, wherein:

the processing circuit further implements a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path, the processing circuit decreases the programmable feedback gain.

66. The personal audio device of claim 61, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path for a particular frequency range of sound, the processing circuit implements a compensating filter to boost the source audio signal within such frequency range to the source audio signal being communicated to the transducer and the secondary path estimate filter.

67. A method for canceling ambient audio sounds in the proximity of a transducer of a personal audio device, the method comprising:

receiving a reference microphone signal indicative of the ambient audio sounds;

receiving an error microphone signal indicative of the output of the transducer and the ambient audio sounds at the transducer;

generating a source audio signal for playback to a listener;

generating a feedback anti-noise signal component from a playback corrected error, the playback corrected error based on a difference between the error microphone signal and a secondary path estimate, countering the effects of ambient audio sounds at an acoustic output of the transducer, wherein an anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component;

generating the secondary path estimate from the source audio signal by filtering the source audio signal with a secondary path estimate filter modeling an electro-acoustic path of the source audio signal;

generating a feedforward anti-noise signal component, from a result of the measuring with the reference microphone, countering the effects of ambient audio sounds at an acoustic output of the transducer by filtering with a feedforward filter an output of the reference microphone, wherein the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component and the feedforward anti-noise signal component;

disabling the feedforward filter from generating the feedforward anti-noise signal component responsive to a disturbance in the reference microphone signal; and

combining the anti-noise signal with a source audio signal to generate an audio signal provided to the transducer.

68. The method of claim 67, further comprising adapting the response of the secondary path estimate filter to minimize the playback corrected error.

69. The method of claim 67, further comprising generating the feedforward anti-noise signal by adapting a response of an adaptive filter that filters an output of the reference microphone to minimize the ambient audio sounds in the error microphone signal.

70. The method of claim 67, further comprising applying a programmable feedback gain to a path of the feedback anti-noise signal component, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component.

71. The method of claim 67, further comprising monitoring performance of the secondary path estimate filter in modeling the electro-acoustic path.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein monitoring performance of the secondary path estimate filter in modeling the electro-acoustic path comprises comparing the error microphone signal to the playback corrected error.

73. The method of claim 71, further comprising disabling generation of the feedback anti-noise signal from generating the feedback anti-noise signal component responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path.

74. The method of claim 71, further comprising applying a programmable feedback gain to a path of the feedback anti-noise signal component, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component, and wherein disabling generation of the feedback anti-noise signal component comprises setting the programmable feedback gain to zero.

75. The method of claim 71, further comprising:

applying a programmable feedback gain to a path of the feedback anti-noise signal component, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

decreasing the programmable feedback gain responsive to a determination that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path.

76. The method of claim 67, further comprising boosting, within a frequency range, the source audio signal communicated to the at least one of the transducer, the secondary path estimate filter, and the secondary coefficient control block responsive to a determination by a secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path.

77. An integrated circuit for implementing at least a portion of a personal audio device, comprising:

an output for providing a signal to a transducer including both a source audio signal for playback to a listener and an anti-noise signal for countering the effect of ambient audio sounds in an acoustic output of the transducer;

a reference microphone input for receiving a reference microphone signal indicative of the ambient audio sounds;

an error microphone input for receiving an error microphone signal indicative of the output of the transducer and the ambient audio sounds at the transducer; and

a processing circuit that implements;

a feedback filter having a response that generates a feedback anti-noise signal component from a playback corrected error, the playback corrected error based on a difference between the error microphone signal and a secondary path estimate;

a feedforward filter having a response that generates a feedforward anti-noise signal component from the reference microphone signal, wherein the anti-noise signal comprises at least the feedback anti-noise signal component and the feedforward anti-noise signal component, wherein the feedforward filter is configured to be disabled from generating the feedforward anti-noise signal component responsive to a disturbance in the reference microphone signal; and

a secondary path estimate filter configured to model an electro-acoustic path of the source audio signal and have a response that generates a secondary path estimate from the source audio signal.

78. The integrated circuit of claim 77, wherein the secondary path estimate filter is an adaptive filter, and the processing circuit further implements a secondary coefficient control block that shapes the response of the secondary path estimate filter in conformity with the source audio signal and the playback corrected error by adapting the response of the secondary path estimate adaptive filter to minimize the playback corrected error.

79. The integrated circuit of claim 77, wherein the processing circuit further implements a combiner to combine the source audio signal, the feedforward anti-noise signal component, and the feedback anti-noise signal component.

80. The integrated circuit of claim 77, wherein the feedforward filter comprises an adaptive filter, and the processing circuit further implements a feedforward coefficient control block that shapes the response of the feedforward filter in conformity with the error microphone signal and the reference microphone signal by adapting the response of the feedforward filter to minimize the ambient audio sounds in the error microphone signal.

81. The integrated circuit of claim 77, wherein the processing circuit further implements a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component.

82. The integrated circuit of claim 77, wherein the processing circuit further implements a secondary path estimate performance monitor for monitoring performance of the secondary path estimate filter in modeling the electro-acoustic path.

83. The integrated circuit of claim 82, wherein the secondary path estimate performance monitor monitors performance of the secondary path estimate filter by comparing the error microphone signal to the playback corrected error.

84. The integrated circuit of claim 82, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path, the processing circuit disables the feedback filter from generating the feedback anti-noise signal component.

85. The integrated circuit of claim 84, wherein:

the processing circuit further implements a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

the processing circuit disables the feedback filter by setting the programmable feedback gain to zero.

86. The integrated circuit of claim 82, wherein:

the processing circuit further implements a programmable feedback gain, wherein an increasing programmable feedback gain increases the feedback anti-noise signal component and a decreasing programmable feedback gain decreases the feedback anti-noise signal component; and

responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path, the processing circuit decreases the programmable feedback gain.

87. The integrated circuit of claim 82, wherein responsive to a determination by the secondary path estimate performance monitor that the secondary path estimate filter is not sufficiently modeling the electro-acoustic path for a particular frequency range of sound, the processing circuit implements a compensating filter to boost the source audio signal within such frequency range to the source audio signal being communicated to the transducer and the secondary path estimate filter.