Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) Practice Exam

What is the primary issue if the far end of a teleconferencing system hears an echo?

1. Insufficient bandwidth in the network

2. Improper microphone placement

3. Lack of proper echo cancelling at the near end

4. External noise interference

The correct answer is: Lack of proper echo cancelling at the near end

The primary issue when the far end of a teleconferencing system hears an echo is often due to a lack of proper echo cancelling at the near end. In teleconferencing systems, echo is typically a result of the audio signals from the far end being picked up by the microphones at the near end and then transmitted back to the far end. If the system does not have effective echo cancellation technology in place, these signals can create a feedback loop that results in echo. Echo cancellation works by detecting the incoming audio and subtracting it from the outgoing audio signal, thus preventing the far end from hearing its own voice echoed back. When this technology is inadequate or improperly configured, it leads to frustrating echo effects that can significantly disrupt the clarity of the conversation. Insufficient bandwidth in the network, improper microphone placement, and external noise interference can all impact audio quality, but they are less directly responsible for the phenomenon of echo itself. They may introduce other forms of distortion or clarity issues, but echo specifically necessitates effective cancellation techniques to manage any delayed feedback that causes the far end to hear repeated audio.