A kepstrum approach to real-time speech enhancement : thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Information Engineering, Institute of Technology and Engineering, Massey University at Albany

Abstract

This research is mainly concerned with a robust method for an improved performance of a real-time speech enhancement and noise cancellation in a real reverberant environment. Therefore, the thesis titled, "A Kepstrum Approach to Real-Time Speech Enhancement" presents an application technique of a kepstrum method to a speech enhancement method. The kepstrum approach is based on a fundamental theory of kepstrum analysis, which gives a mathematical construct to the application of a speech enhancement. kepstrum analysis is applied to the system identification application of unknown acoustic transfer functions between two microphones. This kepstrum method provides a mathematical representation with FFT based processing and is independent of acoustic path model order. The front-end application of the kepstrum method to speech enhancement methods provides an improved performance in speech enhancement and noise cancellation with several favourable effects.