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Electromagnetic midsagittal articulometer systems for transducing speech articulatory movements
J S Perkell1, M H Cohen, M A Svirsky
1Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|December 1, 1992
Summary
Two electromagnetic midsagittal articulometer (EMMA) systems track speech articulatory movements. Both systems correct for misalignment, with the three-transmitter EMMA system being preferable for practical use.
Area of Science:
- Speech production and acoustics
- Biomedical engineering
- Electromagnetic sensing technologies
Background:
- Accurate measurement of articulatory movements is crucial for understanding speech production.
- Existing methods for tracking vocal tract dynamics have limitations in precision and ease of use.
- Electromagnetic articulography offers a non-invasive approach to capture speech movements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and compare two novel electromagnetic midsagittal articulometer (EMMA) systems for transducing articulatory movements.
- To evaluate the performance, human subject compatibility, and usability of the developed EMMA systems.
- To identify the advantages and limitations of each EMMA system for speech research.
Main Methods:
- Development of two EMMA systems utilizing alternating magnetic fields generated by transmitter coils.
- Attachment of small transducer coils to articulators within the vocal tract for movement detection.
- Implementation of misalignment correction strategies using dual-transmitter/biaxial-transducer or triple-transmitter/single-axis-transducer configurations.
- Comparative analysis of system performance, subject comfort, and operational ease.
Main Results:
- Both EMMA systems successfully transduce articulatory movements in the midsagittal plane.
- Strategies for correcting transducer rotational misalignment were incorporated into both systems.
- The three-transmitter system demonstrated practical advantages over the two-transmitter system.
- Performance, compatibility, and usability were assessed for both systems.
Conclusions:
- Both developed EMMA systems provide valuable midsagittal plane data for articulatory movement analysis.
- The choice between systems depends on specific experimental needs and practical considerations.
- The three-transmitter EMMA system is recommended for practical applications when appropriate experimental controls are employed.