157 research outputs found
MSAT-X: A technical introduction and status report
A technical introduction and status report for the Mobile Satellite Experiment (MSAT-X) program is presented. The concepts of a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) and its unique challenges are introduced. MSAT-X's role and objectives are delineated with focus on its achievements. An outline of MSS design philosophy is followed by a presentation and analysis of the MSAT-X results, which are cast in a broader context of an MSS. The current phase of MSAT-X has focused notably on the ground segment of MSS. The accomplishments in the four critical technology areas of vehicle antennas, modem and mobile terminal design, speech coding, and networking are presented. A concise evolutionary trace is incorporated in each area to elucidate the rationale leading to the current design choices. The findings in the area of propagation channel modeling are also summarized and their impact on system design discussed. To facilitate the assessment of the MSAT-X results, technology and subsystem recommendations are also included and integrated with a quantitative first-generation MSS design
Time and frequency domain algorithms for speech coding
The promise of digital hardware economies (due to recent advances in
VLSI technology), has focussed much attention on more complex and sophisticated
speech coding algorithms which offer improved quality at relatively
low bit rates.
This thesis describes the results (obtained from computer simulations)
of research into various efficient (time and frequency domain) speech
encoders operating at a transmission bit rate of 16 Kbps.
In the time domain, Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (ADPCM)
systems employing both forward and backward adaptive prediction were
examined. A number of algorithms were proposed and evaluated, including
several variants of the Stochastic Approximation Predictor (SAP). A
Backward Block Adaptive (BBA) predictor was also developed and found to
outperform the conventional stochastic methods, even though its complexity
in terms of signal processing requirements is lower. A simplified
Adaptive Predictive Coder (APC) employing a single tap pitch predictor
considered next provided a slight improvement in performance over ADPCM,
but with rather greater complexity.
The ultimate test of any speech coding system is the perceptual performance
of the received speech. Recent research has indicated that this
may be enhanced by suitable control of the noise spectrum according to
the theory of auditory masking. Various noise shaping ADPCM
configurations were examined, and it was demonstrated that a proposed
pre-/post-filtering arrangement which exploits advantageously the
predictor-quantizer interaction, leads to the best subjective
performance in both forward and backward prediction systems.
Adaptive quantization is instrumental to the performance of ADPCM systems.
Both the forward adaptive quantizer (AQF) and the backward oneword
memory adaptation (AQJ) were examined. In addition, a novel method
of decreasing quantization noise in ADPCM-AQJ coders, which involves the
application of correction to the decoded speech samples, provided
reduced output noise across the spectrum, with considerable high frequency
noise suppression.
More powerful (and inevitably more complex) frequency domain speech
coders such as the Adaptive Transform Coder (ATC) and the Sub-band Coder
(SBC) offer good quality speech at 16 Kbps. To reduce complexity and
coding delay, whilst retaining the advantage of sub-band coding, a novel
transform based split-band coder (TSBC) was developed and found to compare
closely in performance with the SBC.
To prevent the heavy side information requirement associated with a
large number of bands in split-band coding schemes from impairing coding
accuracy, without forgoing the efficiency provided by adaptive bit
allocation, a method employing AQJs to code the sub-band signals together
with vector quantization of the bit allocation patterns was also
proposed.
Finally, 'pipeline' methods of bit allocation and step size estimation
(using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on the input signal) were examined.
Such methods, although less accurate, are nevertheless useful in
limiting coding delay associated with SRC schemes employing Quadrature
Mirror Filters (QMF)
Proceedings of the Second International Mobile Satellite Conference (IMSC 1990)
Presented here are the proceedings of the Second International Mobile Satellite Conference (IMSC), held June 17-20, 1990 in Ottawa, Canada. Topics covered include future mobile satellite communications concepts, aeronautical applications, modulation and coding, propagation and experimental systems, mobile terminal equipment, network architecture and control, regulatory and policy considerations, vehicle antennas, and speech compression
Combined Industry, Space and Earth Science Data Compression Workshop
The sixth annual Space and Earth Science Data Compression Workshop and the third annual Data Compression Industry Workshop were held as a single combined workshop. The workshop was held April 4, 1996 in Snowbird, Utah in conjunction with the 1996 IEEE Data Compression Conference, which was held at the same location March 31 - April 3, 1996. The Space and Earth Science Data Compression sessions seek to explore opportunities for data compression to enhance the collection, analysis, and retrieval of space and earth science data. Of particular interest is data compression research that is integrated into, or has the potential to be integrated into, a particular space or earth science data information system. Preference is given to data compression research that takes into account the scien- tist's data requirements, and the constraints imposed by the data collection, transmission, distribution and archival systems
Proceedings of the Mobile Satellite Conference
A satellite-based mobile communications system provides voice and data communications to mobile users over a vast geographic area. The technical and service characteristics of mobile satellite systems (MSSs) are presented and form an in-depth view of the current MSS status at the system and subsystem levels. Major emphasis is placed on developments, current and future, in the following critical MSS technology areas: vehicle antennas, networking, modulation and coding, speech compression, channel characterization, space segment technology and MSS experiments. Also, the mobile satellite communications needs of government agencies are addressed, as is the MSS potential to fulfill them
Perceptual models in speech quality assessment and coding
The ever-increasing demand for good communications/toll
quality speech has created a renewed interest into the
perceptual impact of rate compression. Two general areas are
investigated in this work, namely speech quality assessment
and speech coding.
In the field of speech quality assessment, a model is
developed which simulates the processing stages of the
peripheral auditory system. At the output of the model a
"running" auditory spectrum is obtained. This represents
the auditory (spectral) equivalent of any acoustic sound such
as speech. Auditory spectra from coded speech segments serve
as inputs to a second model. This model simulates the
information centre in the brain which performs the speech
quality assessment. [Continues.
Global Maximum Likelihood Decoding with Hidden Markov Models
This thesis presents a summary of research in areas related to speech communications on degraded channels using very low data rate (VLR) digital voice coders. Background is presented on the nature of voice encoding, problems encountered with real world communications channels and some traditional solutions to these problems. Recent developments which use the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) and Vector Quantization (VQ) to enhance performance are reviewed. A proposal for a new channel decoding technique is then presented. This proposed technique uses the Hidden Markov Model in conjunction with a VLR voice encoder using Vector Quantization. It performs globally maximum likelihood estimates of received vectors over the joint region of received channel signals and possible vector decisions. Finally experimental results which are based on a simulation of the concept are presented.Electrical Engineerin
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