The Speech Enhancement Advanced Development Model.
Abstract
This report describes the design, principles of operation, and performance characteristics of an Advanced Development Model of a speech enhancement unit. This unit improves the quality and intelligibility of speech signals by the removal of frequently encountered interference or noise from received or recorded speech signals. A high speed digital array processor and various time and frequency domain algorithms permits the detection and attenuation of narrowband noise (such as tones, hums, whistles, etc.) and impulse noise (such as ignition pulses, static, etc.) with minimum degradation to the speech signals. The enhancement unit provides automatic tracking and attenuation of interferring signals in real time and with a maximum lag of .15 second. The heart of the speech enhancement unit is a powerful computer known as a macro-array processor, or MAP, that performs all of the measurement, analysis, and processing of the input signal. It is supported by a digital magnetic tape unit used to program the MAP and a minicomputer which reads the program into the MAP. Tests on the unit showed attenuation of 30 to 50 db on both narrowband and impulse noise. Operational tests performed by trained Air Force personnel showed the unit to be highly effective in providing improved intelligibility and listenability which significantly reduced listener fatigue. Provision has been made in the design and fabrication of the speech enhancement unit to implement a technique for attenuating wideband random noise. This technique known as INTEL is one of the few known methods of suppressing this commonly encountered noise without severely distorting co-existing speech.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA062844
Entities
People
- Ernest Aschkenasy
- Mark R. Weiss
Organizations
- Queens College