Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Speech enhancement is the process of removing background noise from speech signals. The
equivalent process for images is known as image denoising. While the Fourier transform is
widely used for speech enhancement, image denoising typically uses the wavelet transform.
Research on wavelet-based speech enhancement has only recently emerged, yet it shows
promising results compared to Fourier-based methods. This research is enhanced by the
availability of new wavelet denoising algorithms based on the statistical modelling of
wavelet coefficients, such as the hidden Markov tree.
The aim of this research project is to investigate wavelet-based speech enhancement from
a statistical perspective. Current Fourier-based speech enhancement and its evaluation
process are described, and a framework is created for wavelet-based speech enhancement.
Several wavelet denoising algorithms are investigated, and it is found that the algorithms
based on the statistical properties of speech in the wavelet domain outperform the classical
and more heuristic denoising techniques. The choice of wavelet influences the quality of the
enhanced speech and the effect of this choice is therefore examined. The introduction of a
noise floor parameter also improves the perceptual quality of the wavelet-based enhanced
speech, by masking annoying residual artifacts. The performance of wavelet-based speech
enhancement is similar to that of the more widely used Fourier methods at low noise
levels, with a slight difference in the residual artifact. At high noise levels, however, the
Fourier methods are superior. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Spraaksuiwering is die proses waardeur agtergrondgeraas uit spraakseine verwyder word.
Die ekwivalente proses vir beelde word beeldsuiwering genoem. Terwyl spraaksuiwering in
die algemeen in die Fourier-domein gedoen word, gebruik beeldsuiwering tipies die golfietransform.
Navorsing oor golfie-gebaseerde spraaksuiwering het eers onlangs verskyn, en
dit toon reeds belowende resultate in vergelyking met Fourier-gebaseerde metodes. Hierdie
navorsingsveld word aangehelp deur die beskikbaarheid van nuwe golfie-gebaseerde suiweringstegnieke
wat die golfie-ko¨effisi¨ente statisties modelleer, soos die verskuilde Markovboom.
Die doel van hierdie navorsingsprojek is om golfie-gebaseerde spraaksuiwering vanuit ‘n
statistiese oogpunt te bestudeer. Huidige Fourier-gebaseerde spraaksuiweringsmetodes
asook die evalueringsproses vir sulke algoritmes word bespreek, en ‘n raamwerk word
geskep vir golfie-gebaseerde spraaksuiwering. Verskeie golfie-gebaseerde algoritmes word
ondersoek, en daar word gevind dat die metodes wat die statistiese eienskappe van spraak
in die golfie-gebied gebruik, beter vaar as die klassieke en meer heuristiese metodes. Die
keuse van golfie be¨ınvloed die kwaliteit van die gesuiwerde spraak, en die effek van hierdie
keuse word dus ondersoek. Die gebruik van ‘n ruisvloer parameter verhoog ook
die kwaliteit van die golfie-gesuiwerde spraak, deur steurende residuele artifakte te verberg.
Die golfie-metodes vaar omtrent dieselfde as die klassieke Fourier-metodes by lae
ruisvlakke, met ’n klein verskil in residuele artifakte. By ho¨e ruisvlakke vaar die Fouriermetodes
egter steeds beter.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/16336 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Harmse, Wynand |
| Contributors | Schwardt, L., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electric and Electronic Engineering. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | xxii, 162 leaves : ill. |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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