Combined Linear and Nonlinear Residual Echo Suppression Using a Deficient Distortion Model – A Proof of Concept

Conference: Speech Communication - 12. ITG-Fachtagung Sprachkommunikation
10/05/2016 - 10/07/2016 at Paderborn, Deutschland

Proceedings: Speech Communication

Pages: 5Language: englishTyp: PDF

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Authors:
Schalk-Schupp, Ingo; Faubel, Friedrich; Buck, Markus (Acoustic Speech Enhancement Research, Nuance Communications Deutschland GmbH, 89077 Ulm, Germany)
Wendemuth, Andreas (Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Chair of Cognitive Systems, 39016 Magdeburg, Germany)

Abstract:
Acoustic echo control is still challenged with finding computationally efficient and accurate methods for handling nonlinear echo components introduced by cheap loudspeaker components and high signal levels. We propose a robust echo control scheme that utilizes a common linear acoustic echo canceler as well as a combined linear and nonlinear residual echo suppression unit. Linear and nonlinear residual echo powers are estimated separately making use of the same room impulse response estimate provided by the linear canceler. Frequency-dependent coupling factors between the observed and the respective estimated residual echo power are used to account for deviations due to varying convergence states of the linear filter or the nonlinear model. A weighted sum of the two power estimates is used in a sub-band-domain suppression filter. This contribution compares the potential of the proposed concept to a Hammerstein-type nonlinear acoustic echo canceler under fair simulation conditions.