525.747.3VL - Speech Processing

Expanded Course Description

There are multiple aspects to speech processing: speech analysis, speech compression for storage and transmission, noise cancellation and speech enhancement, and the various types of recognition applications.

A review of basic DSP is useful; we shall examine time-based and frequency-based analyses, as well as time-frequency based analyses.  We shall also cover the basics of stochastic signal processing; this will necessitate a review of random processes.

We shall also cover the practical aspects of speech processing.  We shall perform some hands-on work.

The class will select an overall, collaborative project-paper.  The problem addressed shall be selected after a class discussion.

Course Structure

We shall be leveraging MATLAB for much of our experimental work.  It is suggested that download the freeware tool Audacity also.

We shall be performing some in-class labs.

Course Topics

The following topics are planned to be covered:

1. Introduction to the Speech Processing Problem Set
2. Signals & Transforms in General
3. Signal Processing Fundaments & its Friends
4. Introduction to Sound and Acoustics
5. Human Speech Production & Perception Chain
6. Speech analysis: spectral analysis
7. Speech Coding: quantization and source coding [waveform and parametric]
8. Recognition Techniques (including Robust Recognition)
9. Hardware considerations
10. Impact

Course Goals

The course has three distinct goals:

1. Review and enhancement of digital signal processing techniques; while focused on speech signals, the broader application of these techniques will be presented and measured.
2. Provide the student with the collaborative skills to address and solve a TBD problem.
3. Improve the confidence of the students in communicating technical problems, approaches, solutions, assumptions and risks.  

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.  However, I do have two recommended texts: Discrete-Time Speech Signal Processing by T. Quatieri for the speech analysisa nd parametric speech coding [ISBN 0-13-242942-x] and Deep Learning for NLP and Speech Recognition by Kamath, et al. [ISBN 978-3-030-14595-9

I will try to supply the relevant IEEE and other refereed papers for reference to obviate the need for the texts; however, they are quite good.

Required Software

MATLAB (or equivalent) will be used.

Student Coursework Requirements

1. Three short technical summaries of three technical papers provided to the student [20%]
2. Three online quizzes [10%]
3. One mini-project to investigate some aspect of the speech signal [collaborative] [30%]
4. Class selected research project [40%]

Grading Policy

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.