- Amir R. Moghimi, B. Raj, R. Stern. 2014. Post-masking: a hybrid approach to array processing for speech recognition. Abstract: In the context of array processing for speech and audio ap-plications, linear beamforming has long been the approach of choice, for reasons including good performance, robustness and analytical simplicity. Nevertheless, various nonlinear techniques, typically based on the study of auditory scene analysis, have also been of interest. The class of techniques known as time-frequency (T-F) masking , in particular, shows promise; T-F masking is based on accepting or rejecting individual time-frequency cells based on some estimate of local signal quality. While these approaches have been shown to outperform linear beamforming in two-sensor arrays, extensions to larger arrays have been few and unsuccessful. This paper seeks to gain a deeper understanding of the limitations of T-F masking in larger arrays and to develop an approach to overcome them. It is shown that combining beamforming and masking can bring the beneﬁts of masking to larger arrays. As a result, a hybrid beamforming-masking approach, called post-masking, is devel-oped that improves upon the performance of MMSE beamforming (and can be used with any beamforming technique). Post-masking extends the beneﬁts of masking up to arrays of six elements or more, with the potential for even greater improvement in the future.
