A formant frequency estimator for noisy speech based on correlation and cepstrum

Authors

  • Shaikh Anowarul Fattah Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada
  • Wei-Ping Zhu Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada
  • M. Omair Ahmad Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada

Keywords:

Correlation methods, Curve fitting, Natural frequencies, Speech, Speech analysis, Transfer functions, Accurate, Adverse effects, AR systems, Cepstral domains, Cepstrum, Correlation domains, Formant estimations, Formant frequencies, Least squares optimization techniques, Natural speeches, Noisy conditions, Noisy environments, Noisy observations, Noisy speeches, Observation noises

Abstract

A formant estimation scheme combining the advantageous features of correlation and cepstral domains, which is capable of handling the adverse effect of observation noise was investigated. A residue-based least squares optimization technique based on a model-fitting approach was introduced in order to obtain formant frequencies from noisy observations. Simulations were carried out to estimate formant frequencies from synthetic and natural speech signals under noisy conditions. The human vocal-tract system was represented by a P-th order AR system with a transfer function. A formant frequency estimation scheme based on a new ramp cepstrum model was developed which is capable of efficiently handling the noisy environment. The once-repeated ACF was employed which can significantly reduce the effect of noise in the correlation domain. It was observed that the proposed method provides an accurate formant frequency estimate even at a low level of SNR.

Additional Files

Published

2008-09-01

How to Cite

1.
Fattah SA, Zhu W-P, Ahmad MO. A formant frequency estimator for noisy speech based on correlation and cepstrum. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2008 Sep. 1 [cited 2025 Feb. 15];36(3):160-1. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/2087

Issue

Vol. 36 No. 3 (2008)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

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