Large signal performance of micromachined silicon condenser microphones

A mathematical model for the open-circuit output voltage of a micromachined silicon condenser microphone with a single deeply corrugated diaphragm as a function of the applied acoustic pressure is presented. The model, basically a sine-series function, can easily yield closed-form expressions for the amplitudes of the output components resulting from a multisinusoidal input acoustic pressure. The special case of an equal-amplitude two-tone acoustic pressure input is considered in detail. The results show that the microphone generates only odd-order harmonic and intermodulation products. The results also show that the amplitudes of these components are strongly dependent on the microphone parameters, the corrugation depth and the ratio between the half-length of the diaphragm and its thickness. Moreover, the results show that the acoustic pressure required to produce a pre-specified output open-circuit voltage is strongly dependent on these parameters.     

Constrained adaptation for feedback cancellation in hearing aids.

In feedback cancellation in hearing aids, an adaptive filter is used to model the feedback path. The output of the adaptive filter is subtracted from the microphone signal to cancel the acoustic and mechanical feedback picked up by the microphone, thus allowing more gain in the hearing aid. In general, the feedback-cancellation filter adapts on the hearing-aid input signal, and signal cancellation and coloration artifacts can occur for a narrow-band input. In this paper, two procedures for LMS adaptation with a constraint on the magnitude of the adaptive weight vector are derived. The constraints greatly reduce the probability that the adaptive filter will cancel a narrow-band input. Simulation results are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the constrained adaptation.     

Modelling the pressure field in the vicinity of a microphone membrane using PIV

A new approach for estimating the acoustic pressure in the near field of a microphone based on non-intrusive direct measurement of acoustic particle velocity is proposed.This method enables the estimation of the acoustic pressure inside a domain located in front of the microphone membrane. The acoustic pressure is calculated using the acoustic particle velocity on the frontiers of this domain and a physical model based on the Green function of the system.Results are obtained using the acoustic velocity measured with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) in front of a microphone excited with a plane wave inside a rectangular waveguide. They show that the diffraction of the plane wave by the microphone leads to an increase of the acoustic pressure on the microphone edge in the order of magnitude of 0.1 dB.     

A selective two microphone acoustic intensity method

A multiple input, two output model is proposed which enables the two microphone acoustic intensity method to decompose the intensity vector into contributions from individual sources, even when they are coupled and in close proximity within the measurement surface. By treating characteristic signals from each source as the inputs, and the sound pressure signals from the two closely spaced microphones as the outputs, the model's frequency response functions are developed from a least squares approximation. The cross spectrum between the two microphones can then be expressed as a function of the input signal spectra and the model's frequency response functions. By manipulating the model terms the selective cross spectrum associated with the radiation from each individual source can then be estimated. The selective cross spectrum is then processed via standard methods to obtain the acoustic intensity vector from each source. A series of laboratory experiments is summarized which demonstrates that the technique can accurately decompose the acoustic intensity vector from highly coherent sources (γ₁₂² > 0·9) buried in background noise in a semireverberant environment, to within 1 dB of the directly measured intensities.     

Acoustic temperature measurement in a rocket noise field

A 1 μm diameter platinum wire resistance thermometer has been used to measure temperature fluctuations generated during a static GEM-60 rocket motor test. Exact and small-signal relationships between acoustic pressure and acoustic temperature are derived in order to compare the temperature probe output with that of a 3.18 mm diameter condenser microphone. After preliminary plane wave tests yielded good agreement between the transducers within the temperature probe's ～2 kHz bandwidth, comparison between the temperature probe and microphone data during the motor firing show that the ±～3 K acoustic temperature fluctuations are a significant contributor to the total temperature variations.     

一种基于反馈环的全光纤干涉型传声器

设计了一种基于光纤反馈环的全光纤干涉型传声器，它直接利用声压作用于光纤时产生的光弹效应对光相位进行调制，并通过3×3耦合器构建的反馈环结构形成干涉效应，从而使得输出光信号经光电转换和放大后可以直接驱动扬声器还原出原输入语音信号。我们从理论和实验上对这种全光纤传声器进行了研究，在该传声器的重要参数测量方面均取得了较好的效果。     

Noise in miniature microphones

The internal noise spectrum in miniature electret microphones of the type used in the manufacture of hearing aids is measured. An analogous circuit model of the microphone is empirically fit to the measured data and used to determine the important sources of noise within the microphone. The dominant noise source is found to depend on the frequency. Below 40 Hz and above 9 kHz, the dominant source is electrical noise from the amplifier circuit needed to buffer the electrical signal from the microphone diaphragm. Between approximately 40 Hz and 1 kHz, the dominant source is thermal noise originating in the acoustic flow resistance of the small hole pierced in the diaphragm to equalize barometric pressure. Between approximately 1 kHz and 9 kHz, the noise originates in the acoustic flow resistances of sound entering the microphone and propagating to the diaphragm. To further reduce the microphone internal noise in the audio band requires attacking these sources. A prototype microphone having reduced acoustical noise is measured and discussed.     

Investigation of microphones as near-ground sensors for seismic detection of buried landmines

Commercially available microphones were investigated as near-ground sensors to measure the acoustic pressure and the vertical pressure gradient of evanescent air-acoustic waves associated with audio-frequency seismic waves. Measurements in close proximity to the surface and the use of waveguides were found to improve the microphone signal's quality, the comparison of its seismic sensitivity to its sensitivity to propagating sound (ambient acoustic noise and nonseismic reverberation). Landmine images formed using microphone data collected in a laboratory experimental model clearly locate buried inert landmines but exhibit more clutter than images of the same objects formed with seismic displacement data collected using other techniques.     

Suitability of laser Doppler velocimetry for the calibration of pressure microphones

The details of a new approach for absolute calibration of microphones, based on the direct measurement of acoustic particle velocity using laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV), are presented and discussed. The calibration technique is carried out inside a tube in which plane waves propagate and closed by a rigid termination. The method developed proposes to estimate the acoustic pressure with two velocity measurements and a physical model. Minimum theoretical uncertainties on the estimated pressure and minimum measurable pressure are calculated from the Cramer Rao bounds on the estimated acoustic velocity amplitude and phase. These uncertainties and the minimum measurable pressure help to optimize the experimental set up. Acoustic pressure estimations performed with LDV are compared with acoustic pressures obtained with a reference microphone. Measurements lead to a minimum bias of 0.006 dB and a minimum uncertainty of 0.013 dB on the acoustic pressure estimation for frequencies 1360 Hz and 680 Hz.     

Effects of Microphone Type on Acoustic Measures of Voice

Acoustic measures provide an objective means to describe pathological voices and are a routine component of the clinical voice examination. Because the voice sample is obtained using a microphone, microphone characteristics have the potential to influence the values of parameters obtained from a voice sample. This project examined how the choice of microphone affects key voice parameters and investigated how one might compensate for such microphone effects through filtering or by including additional parameters in the decision process. A database of 53 normal voice samples and 100 pathological voice samples was used in four experiments conducted in an anechoic chamber using four different microphones. One omnidirectional microphone and three cardioid microphones were used in these experiments. The original voice samples were presented to each microphone through a speaker located in an anechoic chamber, and the output of each microphone sampled to computer disk. Each microphone modified the frequency spectrum of the voice signal; this, in turn, affected the values of the voice parameters obtained. These microphone effects reduced the accuracy with which acoustic measures of voice could be used to discriminate pathological from normal voices. Discrimination performance improved when the microphone output was filtered to compensate for microphone frequency response. Performance also improved when spectral moment coefficient parameters were added to the vocal function parameters already in use.     

Coupling between pressure and temperature amplitudes in waves of second sound in liquid helium

A very sensitive microphone suitable for acoustic measurements in liquid helium is described. With the use of it both, the pressure amplitude of second sound and the amplitude of first sound radiated from the second sound transmitter (carbon layer heater) can be detected. By a special extension of the reciprocity theory the first sound pressure response of the microphone and the second sound transmitter response can be measured. The measured pressure signals of first and second sound are compared with the results of the two-fluid theory.     

Hysteretic behavior induced by an electroacoustic feedback loop in a thermo-acousto-electric generator

An active control method of the spatial distribution of the acoustic field is applied in a thermo-acousto-electric generator. An auxiliary acoustic source is used to force the self-sustained thermoacoustic oscillation in order to control the thermoacoustic amplification. The auxiliary source consists of a loudspeaker, located inside the loop-tube close to the main ambient heat exchanger, and supplied with a delayed signal through an electric feedback loop, comprising a phase-shifter and an amplifier, connected to a reference microphone. Experiments are performed on a prototype engine working with air at a static gauge pressure of 5 bars. Experimental results demonstrate how it is possible to tune the acoustic oscillations in order to increase the global performance of the generator, compared to the case without control, as well as the existence of a hysteretic behavior induced by the electroacoustic feedback loop itself, which leads to a discrepancy between the onset heat input and the offset one.     

Dynamic response of an insonified sonar window interacting with a Tonpilz transducer array

This paper derives and evaluates an analytical model of an insonified sonar window in contact with an array of Tonpilz transducers operating in receive mode. The window is fully elastic so that all wave components are present in the analysis. The output of the model is a transfer function of a transducer element output voltage divided by input pressure versus arrival angle and frequency. This model is intended for analysis of sonar systems that are to be built or modified for broadband processing. The model is validated at low frequency with a comparison to a previously derived thin plate model. Once this is done, an example problem is studied so that the effects of higher order wave interaction with acoustic reception can be understood. It was found that these higher order waves cause multiple nulls in the region where the array detects acoustic energy and that their locations in the arrival angle-frequency plane can be determined. The effects of these nulls in the beam patterns of the array are demonstrated.     

Development of a multi-microphone calibrator

This paper presents the theory, design, and validation of a microphone calibrator used to simultaneously calibrate the amplitudes of multiple microphones on a single probe. The probe uses four 6 mm diameter electret microphones to acquire the data needed to compute acoustic energy density. This probe has prompted the need for simultaneous, multi-microphone amplitude calibration. The calibration process simultaneously subject each microphone on the probe to the same known acoustic pressure using four equal-length, small-diameter tubes connected to a single excitation source. A reference microphone connected to a fifth tube is used to calibrate the microphones. Test results show that the calibrator can calibrate each probe microphone within ±0.5 dB up to 2 kHz, and within ±1 dB up to 4.9 Hz with a confidence level of 95%.     

应用于流管实验装置的声源控制方法

流管试验中由于管道响应不同频率下声压起伏很大,影响测量精度,为此在流管实验装置中发展了一种声源反馈控制方法,以管道内的声压信号为反馈信号,通过改变声源系统中信号源输出信号来调节不同频率下管道内的声压大小。本文分析了反馈次数,反馈信号采集卡量程以及反馈采样时间等因素对反馈控制结果的影响。该方法原理简单,易于实现,其控制思想可应用于其他实验装置的声源控制中。     

Design, simulation and structural optimization of a longitudinal acoustic resonator for trace gas detection using laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS)

The design of the acoustic resonator is critical for the optimization of the sensitivity of laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS) in trace gas detection applications. In this paper, an LC circuit model is used for the simulation of a 1D acoustic resonator. This acoustic resonator is designed for CO photoacoustic spectroscopy. The effects of the structural parameters, quality factor and resonant frequency on the performance of the device are theoretically analyzed. The role of the buffer volume as an acoustic filter is investigated and optimized dimensions of the buffer volume, to achieve minimum noise transmission coefficient, are calculated. The effects of the ambient temperature, variety of pressure and gas flow velocity on the resonant frequency of photoacoustic resonator and PA signal are simulated. The temperature dependence of the microphone sensitivity is also introduced.     

An acoustic switch

The benefits derived from the development of acoustic transistors which act as switches or amplifiers have been reported in the literature. Here we propose a model of acoustic switch. We theoretically demonstrate that the device works: the input signal is totally restored at the output when the switch is on whereas the output signal nulls when the switch is off. The switch, on or off, depends on a secondary acoustic field capable to manipulate the main acoustic field. The model relies on the attenuation effect of many oscillating bubbles on the main travelling wave in the liquid, as well as on the capacity of the secondary acoustic wave to move the bubbles. This model evidences the concept of acoustic switch (transistor) with 100% efficiency.     

Assessment of acoustic pressure holograms from membrane velocity measurements

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate experimentally the possibility of acquiring acoustic pressure holograms using a light membrane and a scanning laser vibrometer. The velocity of a light membrane placed in an acoustic field can be measured without contact by means of a laser vibrometer. The ideal membrane must be optically reflective, acoustically transparent (having as little mass as possible), impermeable, and mounted without tension. The measured velocity is equal for continuity reasons to the normal acoustic velocity, but differs from the acoustic velocity without the membrane because the membrane is never completely transparent to acoustic waves. The effect of the mass of the membrane can be taken into account to correct this difference. Then, acoustic pressure holograms can be deduced from velocity holograms using the 2D Discrete Fourier Transform. An experimental validation is carried out; acoustic pressures derived from laser measurements are compared with microphone measurements, with a very satisfying match over a wide frequency range.     

采用Helmholtz共鸣器与悬臂梁压电换能器的声能采集器研究

针对环境中广泛存在的声能,提出了一种采用Helmholtz共鸣器和悬臂梁压电换能器的声能采集器。Helmholtz共鸣器对入射声压进行放大,放大后的声压引起共鸣器弹性薄壁振动,薄壁的振动传递到压电换能器产生电能输出。建立了带弹性壁的立方形共鸣器的等效集中参数理论模型,并与压电换能器的机电特性结合,分析了声能采集器的声-机-电转换原理,研究了声压、声波频率和负载阻抗对输出功率的影响,研究结果为此类声能采集器的优化设计及工程应用提供了一种可行的方法。实验中,声源通过声波导管输出声能,当共鸣器管口处的声压级为94 dB时,系统实测最大输出功率达240μW。该采集器不仅可作为声能自供能采集器,还可在较远距离为低能耗电子装置进行有源声供能。      

A technique for simulating the amplifier-to-eardrum transfer function of an in situ hearing aid

There are numerous articles wherein mathematical models of various parts of an in situ hearing aid have been reported. Such parts include, for example, the microphone, receiver, cylindrical tubes carrying sound to the eardrum and out through the earmold vent, and the external path from the vent back to the microphone. This article extends these earlier works to include the hearing-aid amplifier. In particular, a mathematical technique for characterizing the amplifier in combination with the receiver is reported. Cascade parameters of a two-port model of one particular amplifier/receiver combination are obtained by this method. The cascade-parameter data and the method of obtaining this data are verified by two different experimental procedures. One procedure involves both computing and measuring the input driving-point impedance of the amplifier/receiver combination. In the second procedure, the amplifier-to-eardrum transfer function of a hearing aid incorporating this same amplifier/receiver combination and mounted on an artificial ear is both computed and measured. Experimental and computed values of this transfer function for three different earmold geometries are in reasonably close agreement. The amplifier/receiver model reported herein will be used in future studies of acoustic feedback in hearing aids.