---
myst:
  html_meta:
    'description': 'Using Asr.process() to benchmark ASR throughput and accuracy against a fixed audio dataset.'
    'keywords': 'asr, benchmarking, batch, process, transcript, pcm, speech recognition'
---

# Benchmarking

{py:meth}`~abr_sdk.asr.Asr.process` is a blocking call that takes a complete audio clip and returns
the final transcript. It is suited for benchmarking throughput and accuracy against a fixed audio
dataset.

For real-time or streaming use, see {doc}`/asr/overview`.

## `Asr.process()`

```python
Asr.process(data: bytes) -> AsrTranscript
```

Pushes all of `data` through the ASR pipeline, waits for the neural network to finish, and returns
the transcript. The call blocks until the entire input has been processed; it does not return
partial results.

{py:meth}`~abr_sdk.asr.Asr.process` can be called multiple times on the same
{py:class}`~abr_sdk.asr.Asr` instance. Call {py:meth}`~abr_sdk.core.Application.reset` between
clips: without it, audio state from one clip carries over into the next and can reduce accuracy.

### Parameters

| Parameter | Type    | Description                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| --------- | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `data`    | `bytes` | PCM audio encoded as a little-endian 16-bit byte array. The sample rate must match the value configured on the `Asr` instance at construction time. See {doc}`/asr/input-format` for format requirements. |

### Return value

Returns an {py:class}`~abr_sdk.asr.AsrTranscript`. Call `.text` to get the final string.

## Example

```python title="benchmark.py"
from abr_sdk.asr import Asr

LIBRARY_PATH = "/path/to/niagara-38m-live.en/libniagara_38m_live.so"

with open("clip1.pcm", "rb") as f:
    clip1 = f.read()

with open("clip2.pcm", "rb") as f:
    clip2 = f.read()

with Asr(library_path=LIBRARY_PATH) as asr:
    transcript1 = asr.process(clip1)
    print(transcript1.text)

    asr.reset()

    transcript2 = asr.process(clip2)
    print(transcript2.text)
```

Each `.pcm` file must contain raw PCM audio in the format the `Asr` instance expects. See
{doc}`/asr/input-format` for details on sample rate, bit depth, and channel layout.

## Errors

| Exception                       | When raised                                                                                                                    |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `RuntimeError`                  | Called on a closed `Asr` instance, for example after the `with` block has exited or after `asr.close()` was called explicitly. |
| `abr_sdk.core.ApplicationError` | The underlying C library returned a failure status. Check the log output for details.                                          |