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Verifying a vocal tract model with a closed side-branch
M T Jackson1, C Espy-Wilson, S E Boyce
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Massachusetts 02215, USA. ladmttj@ix.netcom.com
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|June 27, 2001
Summary
This study presents a validated vocal tract model using transmission line principles to compute acoustic frequencies. The model accurately predicts vocal tract behavior, including side-branch effects like the sublingual cavity.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Speech Science
- Computational Modeling
Background:
- Accurate vocal tract modeling is crucial for speech synthesis and analysis.
- Existing models may not fully capture the acoustic effects of complex vocal tract geometries, such as side cavities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and validate a transmission line-based vocal tract model.
- To assess the model's ability to calculate pole and zero frequencies for vocal tracts with side branches, specifically the sublingual cavity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a transmission line model to simulate vocal tract acoustics.
- Calculated pole and zero frequencies based on the implemented model.
- Validated the model by comparing computed frequencies with those derived from elementary acoustic formulas for various vocal tract shapes.
Main Results:
- The implemented vocal tract model successfully calculated pole and zero frequencies.
- Model-derived frequencies showed good agreement with those estimated by traditional acoustic formulas.
- The model demonstrated capability in handling vocal tract configurations with closed side branches.
Conclusions:
- The transmission line model provides a viable method for predicting vocal tract acoustic properties.
- The validated model can be used for analyzing speech production, particularly in cases involving sublingual cavities or similar anatomical structures.