A robust speech detection algorithm in a microphone array teleconferencing system

This paper describes a robust speech detection algorithm that can operate reliably in a microphone array teleconferencing system. High performance in a nonstationary noisy environment is achieved by combining the following techniques: (1) noise suppression by spectral subtraction, (2) silence detection by adaptive noise threshold and (3) non-stationary noise detection based on the availability of pitch signal. This algorithm can prevent the microphone-array-based speaker tracking system from being misguided by noises commonly present in a conference room. Real world experiments show that this algorithm performs very well and has the potential for practical applications.