Embedded joint source-channel coding of speech using symbol puncturing of trellis codes

This paper presents an embedded joint source-channel coding scheme of speech. The source coder is an embedded variable bit rate perceptually based sub-band coder producing bits with different error sensitivities. The channel encoder is a Rate Compatible Punctured Trellis code (RCPT) which permits rate variability and unequal error protection by puncturing symbols. Furthermore, RCPT code design naturally incorporates large constellations, allowing high information rate per symbol. The embedded speech coder and the rate compatible puncturing of symbols provide the embeddibility of the joint coding scheme. The coder is robust to acoustic noise and produces good quality speech for a wide range of channel conditions (AWGN or fading), allowing digital transmission of speech with analog-like graceful degradation.