Log amplitude modeling of sinusoids in voiced speech

We present an algorithm for all-pole (envelope) modeling of the amplitudes of sinusoids present in voiced speech segments which works even when the number of sinusoids is very small, as occurs with high-pitched speakers. In contrast to previous methods, this algorithm minimizes a squared error criterion in the log amplitude domain rather than the amplitude domain, and so is better matched to the properties of the human auditory system. A weighted iterative approach is used to get near optimal solutions to this otherwise nonlinear problem. This new frequency domain log amplitude modeling (LAM) algorithm gives impressive results, especially in the case of high pitched female voices where conventional linear prediction methods are inadequate. The algorithm can easily be generalized to develop pole-zero models