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Robust speech coding using microphone arrays
Abstract
To achieve robustness and efficiency for voice communication in noise, the noise suppression and bandwidth compression processes are combined to form a joint process using input from an array of microphones. An adaptive beamforming technique with a set of robust linear constraints and a single quadratic inequality constraint is used to preserve desired signal and to cancel directional plus ambient noise in a small room environment. This robustly constrained array processor is found to be effective in limiting signal cancelation over a wide range of input SNRs (-10 dB to +10 dB). The resulting intelligibility gains (8-10 dB) provide significant improvement to subsequent CELP coding. In addition, the desired speech activity is detected by estimating Target-to-Jammer Ratios (TJR) using subband correlations between different microphone inputs or using signals within the Generalized Sidelobe Canceler directly. These two novel techniques of speech activity detection for coding are studied thoroughly in this dissertation. Each is subsequently incorporated with the adaptive array and a 4.8 kbps CELP coder to form a Variable Bit Kate (VBR) coder with noise canceling and Spatial Voice Activity Detection (SVAD) capabilities. This joint noise suppression and bandwidth compression system demonstrates large improvements in desired speech quality after coding, accurate desired speech activity detection in various types of interference, and a reduction in the information bits required to code the speech.
Subject Area
Electrical engineering|Electromagnetism
Recommended Citation
Li, Zhao, "Robust speech coding using microphone arrays" (1998). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9826091.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9826091