In this paper we study the performance and the error sensitivities of
six CELP [1] based codecs operating between 8 and 4 kbits/s. Codecs us
ing both forward and backward adaption of the linear prediction coeffi
cients and the long term predictor (LTP) are described. Initially we d
escribe four low delay codecs which all use backward adaption of the L
PC coefficients but which differ in their use of LTP. These codecs all
have frame-lengths of 3 ms or less, and their performance at various
bit rates between 8 and 4 kbits/s is examined. Next the error sensitiv
ity of these codecs, and means of improving it, are described. Then an
algebraic CELP (ACELP) [2] codec operating at 6.2 kbits/s with a fram
e-length of 5 ms is described. Our final codec also uses ACELP and ope
rates between 4.7 and 7.1 kbits/s, but it is forward adaptive and so i
t has a much longer frame-length of up to 30 ms. After describing this
codec we compare the performance of our codecs in both error-free con
ditions and in the presence of channel errors. Surprisingly the error
sensitivity of the low delay backward adaptive codec with no LTP is si
milar to that of the forward adaptive, high delay, ACELP codec. (C) 19
97 Academic Press.