New 2-kbit/s speech coder based on normalized pitch waveform

Speech coding at very low bitrate is useful for purposes such as voice communication over computer networks. However, speech coding at around 2.0 kbit/s is difficult for CELP coders while maintaining a high quality. In this paper, a speech coding model called `normalized pitch waveform' and its quantization scheme are presented, aiming for effective compression coding of the `voiced' speech. Listening tests has proven that an efficient and high quality coding has been achieved at bitrate 2.0 kbit/s, less than half of the FS1016. Furthermore, this paper discusses the disadvantage of the normalized pitch waveform and presents an alternative method of using non-normalized pitch waveform. Encoding of a transitional `mixed' state between the `voiced' and the `unvoiced' state is discussed for further improvements.