Name of the participant: Thilo Michael
Description of the IT research project: Today’s communication networks are mostly based on Voice-over-IP (VoIP), a method in which coded voice signals are routed in packets over a network. Packet losses and transmission delays are the most prominent disruptions that can affect the conversation. To predict the quality of such a communication network, prepared speech signals are sent over the network and recorded at the receiving end. Based on the audible differences between the original and the sent signal, models are then used to predict the transmission quality. However, this auditory quality that is so estimated completely ignores the interaction between interlocutors in everyday telephone conversations. In particular, the disruption of the interaction in a conversational situation, for example due to transmission delays, is not taken into account.
In this project, a simulation environment is therefore to be developed in which two virtual conversation partners conduct a conversation. The interactive speaker exchange of a typical telephone conversation, as well as the exchange of information, will be modelled. In this way, especially the influence of transmission delays on interactivity and the understanding of information in case of packet loss will be covered by the simulation. Finally, with the help of the simulation environment, standardised conversation scenarios are simulated on terminals in mobile networks. The resulting speech material is finally used to detect occurring disturbances in the transmission and to predict the resulting conversation quality.
Software Campus partners: TU Berlin, Rohde & Schwarz
Implementation period: 01.03.2021 – 31.08.2022