Multiple-Description Speech Coding Using Speech-Polarity Decomposition

Abstract

We present and evaluate a new multiple-description coding extension to the international standard for pulse code modulation speech coding (ITU-T Rec. G.711). This extension is inserted between the G.711 encoder and decoder. It uses speechpolarity decomposition to spread the speech signal across two channels thus increasing robustness to channel losses. When both channels deliver their payloads the extension becomes transparent and bit-exact G.711 speech samples are produced-there is no quality penalty. Due to low inter-channel redundancy, block coding, and entropy coding, the average total speech payload bit-rate is no greater than the 64 kbps rate of conventional G.711-there is no rate penalty. When either channel fails to deliver, the remaining channel still produces intelligible speech with moderately reduced quality thanks to a compressed sinepulse fill-in algorithm. We are not aware of any other viable multiple-description coding extension that simultaneously meets the opposing goals of no quality penalty and no rate penalty.