A Pitch Detector Based on a Generalized Correlation Function

This paper proposes a novel pitch determination algorithm (PDA) based on the newly introduced concept of a generalized correlation function called correntropy. Correntropy is a positive definite kernel function which implicitly transforms the original signal into a high-dimensional reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) in a nonlinear way, and calculates very efficiently the generalized correlation in that RKHS. By incorporating the kernel function, correntropy is able to utilize higher order statistics to enhance the resolution of pitch estimation. The proposed PDA computes the summary of correntropy functions from the outputs of an equivalent rectangular bandwidth (ERB) filter bank. We present simulations on pitch determination for a single vowel, double vowels, and a benchmark database test. Simulations show that correntropy exhibits much better resolution than conventional autocorrelation in pitch determination and outperforms other PDAs in the benchmark database test.

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