Speaker localization using stereo-based sound source localization

Abstract

Our present paper deals with the problem of audio speaker localization, which consists in determining the position of the active speaker in a meeting-room. This step represents the first task of speaker tracking, which is the global purpose of our research work. In this approach, two-channel-based (stereo) estimation of the speaker position is achieved by comparing the signals received by two cardioids microphones that are placed the one against the other and separated by a fixed distance. Our localization technique is inspired from the human ears, which act as two different sound observation points, enabling humans to estimate the direction of the speaking person with a good precision. The off-line experiments of speaker tracking have been done in a small meeting room without echo cancelation. Results show the good performances of the proposed localization methods.