A self-organizing map with twin units capable of describing a nonlinear input–output relation applied to speech code vector mapping

This paper describes a new type of self-organizing map (SOM) with twin units as opposed to the single unit type conventional SOM proposed by Kohonen. The present self-organizing map with twin units (TW-SOM) can describe a nonlinear input–output relation with high accuracy. It is applied to voice conversion problem from bone conduction voice to air conduction voice (nonlinear code vector mapping), and its superiority over the conventional method using Linde–Buzo–Gray (LBG) algorithm is discussed. The tone quality of the converted voice is examined not only from the quantization distortion viewpoint, but also from the auditory sensation viewpoint through actual listening tests. The enhancement of the tone quality was experimentally confirmed.