Minicomputer-based laboratory for speech- intelligibility research

Some problems in speech-intelligibility research are discussed, and the advantages of using a dedicated minicomputer system for this research are pointed out. A minicomputer-based signal-processing laboratory in the Department of Computing and Information Sciences and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, is described. The system consists of a PDP^®-11/45 minicomputer integrated with graphic display, tablet, and speech input/output equipment. It has been configured to provide on-line interactive facility for data preparation, data manipulation, and intelligibility measurement. Two specific approaches to intelligibility enhancement are discussed along with the roles of subject and researcher as components of the measurement system.