A fast, efficient and scalable algorithm for perceptual high quality speech coding

In this paper an adaptive variable degree-k zero-tree (AVDZ) algorithm is proposed for re-encoding of perceptually quantized wavelet packet transform coefficients of high quality wideband speech. Its performance is compared with two well-known schemes comprising: 1- Embedded Zero-tree Wavelet (EZW) and 2- The set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT). This comparison is carried out using the speech modified versions of these schemes. It is shown that the proposed AVDZ algorithm outperforms these methods by about 6–10% in coding efficiency and respectively 50% and 35% (on average) in total computation times.