VOCODER

Abbreviation for voice-coder. A device that usually consists of a speech analyzer, which converts analog speech waveforms into narrowband digital signals, and a speech synthesizer , which converts the digital signals into artificial speech sounds. ( 188 ) Note 1: For COMSEC purposes, a vocoder may be used in conjunction with a key generator and a modulator -demodulator to transmit digitally encrypted speech signals over narrowband voice communications channels. These devices are used to reduce the bandwidth requirements for transmitting digitized speech signals. Note 2: Some analog vocoders move incoming signals from one portion of the spectrum to another portion.