A hybrid microphone array post-filter in a diffuse noise field

In this paper, a hybrid post-filter for microphone arrays with the assumption of a diffuse noise field is proposed to suppress correlated as well as uncorrelated noise. In the proposed post-filter, a modified Zelinski post-filter, which is estimated using the signals on the microphone pairs on which noises are uncorrelated by considering the correlation characteristics of noise impinging on different microphone pairs, is applied to the high frequencies to suppress spatially uncorrelated noise; a single-channel Wiener post-filter is applied to the low frequencies for cancellation of spatially correlated noise. In theory, the proposed post-filter is a Wiener post-filter. In practice, experiments using multi-channel recordings were conducted, and experimental results demonstrate the usefulness and superiority of the proposed post-filter compared to other post-filters using speech quality measures and speech recognition rate.     

一种有源头靠系统中虚拟传声器技术的改进方法

对人头移动导致有源头靠降噪效果下降的问题进行了理论分析,得到了残余噪声的预测表达式,提出了一种通过设计次级通道模型改进虚拟传声器技术性能的方法。分析表明,人耳位置处降噪量取决于虚拟传声器方法中采用的次级通道模型与人头移动到不同位置处的真实次级通道之间的匹配程度。通过设计合理的次级通道模型,可有效扩大人耳获得有效降噪量的人头允许移动范围。仿真分析和实验结果验证了该方法的有效性。     

虚拟传声器在有源抗噪声护听器的应用

考察了虚拟传声器应用于有源抗噪声护听器的稳定性和降噪性能。理论上分析了虚拟传声器算法的稳定性,并通过引入反馈控制器和设计次级通道模型使得算法在不同护听器佩戴方式下都保持稳定,获得高噪声衰减和高稳定性。实验结果证实了虚拟传声器的应用可以在耳道口获得更高的窄带噪声衰减,而且所采取的措施可以保证护听器在不同佩戴状态下都能稳定。      

A microphone multiplexer for the measurement of the space average of sound levels

Many of the acoustic measurements performed in rooms require that the space average sound pressure level be measured. In the system described in this paper, a fast scanning microphone multiplexer and a true RMS level detector are used for obtaining a direct reading of the SPL space average. The optimum scan rate (channels/sec) is dependent upon the number of microphones (between two and seven), the frequency, and the filter applied.     

A nonlinear active noise control algorithm for virtual microphones controlling chaotic noise

In active noise control (ANC) systems, virtual microphones provide a means of projecting the zone of quiet away from the physical microphone to a remote location. To date, linear ANC algorithms, such as the filtered-x least mean square (FXLMS) algorithm, have been used with virtual sensing techniques. In this paper, a nonlinear ANC algorithm is developed for a virtual microphone by integrating the remote microphone technique with the filtered-s least mean square (FSLMS) algorithm. The proposed algorithm is evaluated experimentally in the cancellation of chaotic noise in a one-dimensional duct. The secondary paths evaluated experimentally exhibit non-minimum phase response and hence poor performance is obtained with the conventional FXLMS algorithm compared to the proposed FSLMS based algorithm. This is because the latter is capable of predicting the chaotic signal found in many physical processes responsible for noise. In addition, the proposed algorithm is shown to outperform the FXLMS based remote microphone technique under the causality constraint (when the propagation delay of the secondary path is greater than the primary path). A number of experimental results are presented in this paper to compare the performance of the FSLMS algorithm based virtual ANC algorithm with the FXLMS based virtual ANC algorithm.     

A Rigorous Path Integral for Supersymmetic Quantum Mechanics and the Heat Kernel

In a rigorous construction of the path integral for supersymmetric quantum mechanics on a Riemann manifold, based on Bär and Pfäffle’s use of piecewise geodesic paths, the kernel of the time evolution operator is the heat kernel for the Laplacian on forms. The path integral is approximated by the integral of a form on the space of piecewise geodesic paths which is the pullback by a natural section of Mathai and Quillen’s Thom form of a bundle over this space. In the case of closed paths, the bundle is the tangent space to the space of geodesic paths, and the integral of this form passes in the limit to the supertrace of the heat kernel.     

单层传声器阵列信号空间重采样的声波分离方法

为了重构非自由声场中目标声源的声场响应,提出单层传声器阵列信号空间重采样的声波分离方法.以球面波函数为基函数,建立由系列球面波函数叠加表达的声场数学模型.基于近场声全息原理,利用单层传声器阵列面上空间重采样形成的两组声压测量信号,求解基函数系数,并重构出传声器阵列两侧声源各自的声场响应,实现声波分离.使用脉动球和振动球共同作用的非自由声场,检验了数学模型以及传声器信号信噪比、传声器阵列形状和面积、声源中心位置、频率等关键参数对声波分离精度的影响,并在全消声室内进行了实验验证.最后,对单层传声器阵列重采样的声波分离方法的实施给出了建议.     

基于空间光调制器的光束大角度扫描技术研究

为实现一束激光在90°锥形范围内的扫描，利用液晶空间光调制器在光束偏转控制时精度高、无机械惯性等优点，研究并建立了基于液晶空间光调制器的光束偏转和角放大光路系统。提出了空间光调制器的可编程相位调制算法和角放大光路结构，推导了空间光调制器光束偏转角度与相位灰度驱动图的关系，设计了角度放大倍率高于22倍的角放大光路系统。在此基础上，建立了光束扫描控制实验系统，对该装置角度出射范围进行了测量，将实际的角放大倍率与设计值进行对比。实验结果表明:研制系统的出射视场角可达91.22°，并可通过畸变校正实现出射视场角范围内的规则形状扫描。该研究在光束敏捷控制、无线激光通信、目标搜索与追踪等领域具有重要的研究价值和应用前景。     

Periodic reference subtraction method for efficient background fixed pattern noise removal in Fourier domain optical coherence tomography

We have demonstrated an efficient scheme of automatically removing fixed pattern noise in Fourier domain optical coherence tomography by using a periodic reference spectrum subtraction method. By periodically acquiring the reference spectra using a separate light absorber placed to the right of the scan lens, we were able to adaptively compensate the background fixed pattern due to the spectral intensity variation of the source. The adaptive removal of fixed pattern noise was effectively performed by controlling the reference spectrum acquisition rate (R). A seawater pearl was used for a test sample under an intentional abrupt source power change to validate the proposed method. Based on this method, it is possible to perform immediate cold start scanning because it is not necessary for a stabilization period of the light source, as well as a manual process of reference spectrum acquisition for obtaining clear image under unstable environment.     

Determination of the sound energy level of a gunshot and its applications in room acoustics

In some cases an impulsive noise source such as a gunshot can be a preferred alternative when investigating building acoustics, including sound insulation measurements, when compared to conventional steady state noise sources. A gun equipped with blank cartridges is an impulsive noise source that is lightweight and small enough to be easily transported. The differences in the noise characteristics between individual cartridges for the same gun are usually small, so the impulsive source can be replicated to a high degree. This paper is focused on the practical application of the sound exposure levels produced by a gunshot with a known sound energy level in the rooms under investigation. In this way, the equipment and methods required by the conventional method are simplified significantly. Furthermore, reverberation times need not be measured, since the equivalent absorption area can be directly obtained from the measured sound exposure levels. Using Green’s theorem, the roles of the sound source and measuring microphone were exchanged, which simplified the determination of sound insulation as it was easier to change the position of the gun than the microphone. The results obtained using the impulsive noise source were in good agreement with those obtained using the conventional method. Above 100 Hz, their difference in any frequency band of interest was less than 1 dB.     

Micromachined optical microphone structures with low thermal-mechanical noise levels

Micromachined microphones with diffraction-based optical displacement detection have been introduced previously [Hall et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 118, 3000-3009 (2005)]. The approach has the advantage of providing high displacement detection resolution of the microphone diaphragm independent of device size and capacitance-creating an unconstrained design space for the mechanical structure itself. Micromachined microphone structures with 1.5-mm-diam polysilicon diaphragms and monolithically integrated diffraction grating electrodes are presented in this work with backplate architectures that deviate substantially from traditional perforated plate designs. These structures have been designed for broadband frequency response and low thermal mechanical noise levels. Rigorous experimental characterization indicates a diaphragm displacement detection resolution of 20 fm radicalHz and a thermal mechanical induced diaphragm displacement noise density of 60 fm radicalHz, corresponding to an A-weighted sound pressure level detection limit of 24 dB(A) for these structures. Measured thermal mechanical displacement noise spectra are in excellent agreement with simulations based on system parameters derived from dynamic frequency response characterization measurements, which show a diaphragm resonance limited bandwidth of approximately 20 kHz. These designs are substantial improvements over initial prototypes presented previously. The high performance-to-size ratio achievable with this technology is expected to have an impact on a variety of instrumentation and hearing applications.     

吸顶式传声器阵列阵元坐标标定方法

提出了一种吸顶式传声器阵列阵元坐标的标定方法。针对在混响声场中,时延估计算法性能严重下降从而导致在标定传声器阵元坐标时产生较大误差的问题,提出了利用脉冲声源作为标定声源,并且截取脉冲源直达声的方法来抑制混响声场的影响,提高传声器阵元坐标标定的精度。建立了阵元坐标标定的误差分析模型,并以白噪声和脉冲声源作为标定声源进行数据仿真和对比分析。仿真结果表明,使用脉冲声源作为标定声源能有效地抑制混响声场的影响,获得传声器阵列阵元的准确坐标。同时,在封闭的房间内建立起孔径为3.5 m、64阵元的螺旋状吸顶传声器阵列进行了实验研究,实验结果验证了本文提出方法的有效性。      

Indoor noise reduction index with open window

Indoor noise is mainly caused by road and railway traffic, especially in summer time due to open windows. The presence of absorbent ceilings can help to reduce reverberating noise and the global mean acoustic level. The aim of this work is to define an index to evaluate the indoor noise reduction index (NRI) with open window; it is a function of the acoustic absorption coefficient of the room ceiling. It is evaluated by measurements in two reverberating rooms, which simulate the real conditions. In the emission room a noise source reproduces the road and railway noise. In the receiving room a microphone measures the noise level and its spectrum; the ceiling is treated with different absorption materials. A comparison between the values in absence and in presence of different materials and an evaluation of NRI are carried out. Experimental results are generalised and a theoretical expression of NRI is given.     

Orbit optimization for ASTROD-GW and its time delay interferometry with two arms using CGC ephemeris

Astrodynamical space test of relativity using optical devices optimized for gravitation wave detection (ASTROD- GW) is an optimization of ASTROD to focus on the goal of detection of gravitation waves. The detection sensitivity is shifted 52 times toward larger wavelength compared with that of laser interferometer space antenna (LISA). The mission orbits of the three spacecrafts forming a nearly equilateral triangular array are chosen to be near the Sun-Earth Lagrange points L3, L4, and L5. The three spacecrafts range interferometrically with one another with an arm length of about 260 million kilometers. In order to attain the required sensitivity for ASTROD-GW, laser frequency noise must be suppressed to below the secondary noises such as the optical path noise, acceleration noise, etc. For suppressing laser frequency noise, we need to use time delay interferometry (TDI) to match the two different optical paths (times of travel). Since planets and other solar-system bodies perturb the orbits of ASTROD-GW spacecraft and affect the TDI, we simulate the time delay numerically using CGC 2.7 (here, CGC stands for center for gravitation and cosmology) ephemeris framework. To conform to the ASTROD-GW planning, we work out a set of 20-year optimized mission orbits of ASTROD-GW spacecraft starting at June 21, 2028, and calculate the differences in optical path in the first and second generation TDIs separately for one-detector case. In our optimized mission orbits of 20 years, changes of arm lengths are less than 0.0003 AU; the relative Doppler velocities are all less than 3m/s. All the second generation TDI for one-detector case satisfies the ASTROD-GW requirement.     

Extracting the invariant model from the feedback paths of digital hearing aids

Feedback whistling is a severe problem with hearing aids. A typical acoustical feedback path represents a wave propagation path from the receiver to the microphone and includes many complicated effects among which some are invariant or nearly invariant for all users and in all acoustical environments given a specific type of hearing aids. Based on this observation, a feedback path model that consists of an invariant model and a variant model is proposed. A common-acoustical-pole and zero model-based approach and an iterative least-square search-based approach are used to extract the invariant model from a set of impulse responses of the feedback paths. A hybrid approach combining the two methods is also proposed. The general properties of the three methods are studied using artificial datasets, and the methods are cross-validated using the measured feedback paths. The results show that the proposed hybrid method gives the best overall performance, and the extracted invariant model is effective in modeling the feedback path.     

Field measurement of airborne sound insulation between rooms with non-diffuse sound fields at low frequencies

Procedures for the field measurement of airborne sound insulation between rooms with diffuse fields are described in International Standard ISO 140-4. However, many dwellings contain rooms with volumes less than 50 m³, where low frequency measurements are less reliable; hence there is a need for a measurement procedure to improve the reliability of field measurements in rooms with non-diffuse fields. Procedures are proposed for sound pressure level and reverberation time measurements for the 50, 63 and 80 Hz third octave bands. The sound pressure level measurement combines corner microphone positions with positions in the central region of each room. This provides a good estimate of the room average sound pressure level with significantly improved repeatability.     

Localization of distinct reflections in rooms using spherical microphone array eigenbeam processing

This paper presents an experimental and comparative study of several spherical microphone array eigenbeam (EB) processing techniques for localization of early reflections in room acoustic environments, which is a relevant research topic in both audio signal processing and room acoustics. This paper focuses on steered beamformer-based and subspace-based localization techniques implemented in the spherical EB domain, including the plane-wave decomposition, eigenbeam delay and sum, eigenbeam minimum variance distortionless response, eigenbeam multiple signal classification (EB-MUSIC), and eigenbeam estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques (EB-ESPRIT) methods. The directions of arrival of the original sound source and the associated reflection signals in acoustic environments are estimated from acoustic maps of the rooms, which are obtained using a spherical microphone array. The EB-domain-based frequency smoothing and white noise gain control techniques are derived and employed to improve the performance and robustness of reflection localization. The applicability of the presented methods in practice is confirmed by experiments carried out in real rooms.     

Source characterization of a subsonic jet by using near-field acoustical holography

In the present study, patch near-field acoustical holography was used in conjunction with a multireference, cross-spectral sound pressure measurement to visualize the sound field emitted by a subsonic jet and to predict its farfield radiation pattern. A strategy for microphone array design is described that accounts for the low spatial coherence of aeroacoustic sources and for microphone self-noise resulting from entrained flow near the jet. In the experiments, a 0.8-cm-diameter burner was used to produce a subsonic, turbulent jet with a Mach number of 0.26. Six fixed, linear arrays holding eight reference microphones apiece were disposed circumferentially around the jet, and a circular array holding sixteen, equally spaced field microphones was traversed along the jet axis to measure the sound field on a 30-cm-diameter cylindrical surface enclosing the jet. The results revealed that the jet could be modeled as a combination of eleven uncorrelated dipole-, quadrupole-, and octupole-like sources, and the contribution of each source type to the total radiated sound power could be identified. Both the total sound field reconstructed in a three-dimensional space and the farfield radiation directivity obtained by using the latter model were successfully validated by comparisons to directly measured results.