An investigation into the noise generation of CPAP devices: Experimental and numerical study

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices are popularly used for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) treatment. However, the noise level emission from these devices has been identified as a potential factor for patient’s discomfort and rejection. There is a need to obtain information on the noise characteristics and source locations in order to tackle the most serious noise source within these devices. A typical CPAP device was used for the investigation and its sound characteristics and sound power levels were determined. The noise generated from a centrifugal fan was also independently investigated to address its contribution to the overall noise of the device. Frequency analysis suggested that the noise generated from both the CPAP device and the fan is broadband in nature with discrete peaks containing rotational and non-rotational components. The broadband components were then studied in detail using numerical simulation approach. Computational aeroacoustics (CAA) method with hybrid approach was used to a three-dimensional (3-D) CPAP fluid model to predict the aerodynamic and aeroacoustics behaviours of the device. This showed a complicated flow structure involving flow separation, rotation, and vortices in several locations which resulted in high level of flow turbulence inside the device. The turbulent components were used to estimate the broadband noise level at source using the broadband noise source (BNS) models. It shows the most critical location is at the fan region and at the fan inlet.     

Improving performance of FxRLS algorithm for active noise control of impulsive noise

Active noise control (ANC) systems employing adaptive filters suffer from stability issues in the presence of impulsive noise. New impulsive noise control algorithms based on filtered-x recursive least square (FxRLS) algorithm are presented. The FxRLS algorithm gives better convergence than the filtered-x least mean square (FxLMS) algorithm and its variants but lacks robustness in the presence of high impulsive noise. In order to improve the robustness of FxRLS algorithm for ANC of impulsive noise, two modifications are suggested. First proposed modification clips the reference and error signals while, the second modification incorporates energy of the error signal in the gain of FxRLS (MGFxRLS) algorithm. The results demonstrate improved stability and robustness of proposed modifications in the FxRLS algorithm. However, another limitation associated with the FxRLS algorithm is its computationally complex nature. In order to reduce the computational load, a hybrid algorithm based on proposed MGFxRLS and normalized step size FxLMS (NSS-FXLMS) is also developed in this paper. The proposed hybrid algorithm combines the stability of NSS-FxLMS algorithm with the fast convergence speed of the proposed MGFxRLS algorithm. The results of the proposed hybrid algorithm prove that its convergence speed is faster than that of NSS-FxLMS algorithm with computational complexity lesser than that of FxRLS algorithm.     

A simplified adaptive feedback active noise control system

In the adaptive feedback active noise control system based on the internal model control (IMC) structure, the reference signal is regenerated by synthesizing the error signal and the secondary signal filtered with the estimation of the secondary path, hence more computation load and extra programming are required. Motivated by the engineering truth that the primary noise cannot be completely cancelled in most practical active noise control applications and the error signal still contains some portions of the primary noise, a simplified adaptive feedback active noise control system is proposed in this paper, which adopts the error signal directly as the reference signal in an adaptive feedforward control system and utilizes the leaky filtered-x LMS algorithm to update the controller. The convergence properties of the proposed system are investigated and its advantages are discussed by comparing with other feedback control systems as well as the weakness. Finally, simulations and experiments are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system.     

Active control of double-glazed windowsPart I: Feedforward control

This paper describes an experimental investigation of an actively controlled double-glazed window. It is the first part of two companion papers, and it shows the results with a feedforward controller. In the second part about results obtained with adaptive feedback control will be reported. A laboratory version of the window was equipped with loudspeakers and microphones inside the cavity. Various positions of loudspeakers and microphones were tested with band-limited white noise excitation. Different combinations of distributed loudspeakers were realized driving them in parallel by single channels of the controller. Similarly the signals of microphones were summed to realize simple modal filters. Plane mode control as well as control of higher cavity modes were performed with a feedforward controller and the reference signal taken directly from the primary signal. Additionally tests with different traffic noise examples were performed showing the ability of the actively controlled window to enhance protection against traffic noise.     

基于脉冲声分离的刚性球散射声控制

提出了一种基于脉冲声的三维空间中刚性球散射声分离方法,并利用前馈、固定系数控制方式对分离出的散射声进行有源控制,抑制散射声强度,实现了刚性球散射体在观测点处“声学不可见”。该方法利用脉冲信号作为初级噪声,通过有无刚性球时传声器采集脉冲信号的差值确定散射声大小,实现散射声与声源直达声的分离。对分离出的散射声进行多通道有源控制以验证该文所提分离方法及控制系统的有效性。实验结果表明,700~1000 Hz范围内,有源控制开启后,双通道散射声的平均降噪量大于5 dB,多通道散射声的平均降噪量大于8 dB,且误差传声器处采集的残余声场与无刚性球时采集的初级声场信号波形基本一致,实现了刚性球散射体在误差传声器处“声学不可见”。此外,参考传声器布放位置的选取问题也在该文做了详细讨论。     

水下流激孔腔噪声前馈有源控制实验研究

水流流经腔体时引起的自激振荡会形成流激噪声,该文通过仿真和实验研究了水下流激孔腔噪声的主动声场控制。应用有源前馈控制方法,对比了参考信号的选取以及控制器中增加的泄露因子对控制结果的影响,并在水循环管路中对流激孔腔噪声前馈控制效果进行了实验验证。研究结果表明,前馈有源噪声控制方法可有效抑制水下流激孔腔噪声,在误差点和辅助观测点都取得了良好的降噪效果,最大降噪量大于8 dB,并且使用腔内信号作为参考的控制效果优于上游信号作为参考。     

GA-based optimization of a MIMO ANC system considering coupling of secondary sources in a telephone kiosk

In this paper a multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) active noise control system with the aim of global reduction of broadband noise in a telephone kiosk is addressed. The model selected for this optimization problem is the acoustic environment of an enclosure taking into account the effect of coupling of secondary sources used for control purpose. This optimization involves finding the best locations for loudspeakers and microphones inside the enclosure as well as optimizing the control signals considering secondary source coupling.Previous results show that in order to be able to reduce acoustic noise globally inside the enclosure, the frequency range of 50-300 Hz must be selected for control purpose. The mean of acoustic potential energy of the enclosure, when excited in this frequency range, is adopted as a performance measure. This performance index is penalized with the power of the signal required to excite secondary loudspeakers, in order to avoid placements that may need high voltage power amplifier for a desired performance. To find the solution of this problem, i.e. the global minimum of the performance index, several genetic algorithms are proposed and compared. In order to attain the best achievable performance in reaching the global minimum, the parameters of these genetic algorithms are tuned, and used for optimization purpose. Numerical simulations of the acoustical potential energy as well as the sound pressure at different heights of the kiosk, when active noise control (ANC) system operates, confirm the optimality of the locations proposed by the genetic algorithm.     

Simulations and experiments for hybrid noise control systems

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of sound elimination in a cylindrical duct by combining a reactive muffler and active noise control (ANC) system. Besides the exploration via experiment of the combined noise control system, a Grey prediction based on Grey theory is also applied to ANC for this hybrid system.In the experiment for this system, a combined adaptive algorithm is adopted. The results of sound elimination are compared between cases with ANC systems installed before the muffler and after the muffler. The results indicate that the sequence of arrangement of muffler can influence the results of active noise control. According to the results of experiment and simulation, the effect of noise reduction in ANC system is influenced extremely by reference signal received. The transmission loss and insertion loss in this system are also discussed in details. Besides, the experimental results indicate that the hybrid system has the advantages over a traditional muffler when the muffler is not designed for the frequency of the noise. Furthermore, the mathematic simulation for acoustic field in a cylindrical duct with a muffler is performed in order to verify the experiment results. Finally, Grey theory is applied to estimate the expected signals in order to perform a computer simulation of Grey prediction to explore effects of the ANC system. The results indicate that application of Grey theory gives a good control for the hybrid system.     

Design and experimental tests of active control barriers for low-frequency stationary noise reduction in urban outdoor environment

Active noise control (ANC) techniques are based on the emission of an antiphase signal in order to cancel the noise produced by a primary source. ANC has been successfully applied especially for reducing noise in confined environments, such as headphones and ducts. In this study, we present an application of ANC concepts to the design of an anti-noise barrier for an outdoor environment and its experimental testing. Even though passive techniques are effective in noise reduction at middle-high frequencies, they become less efficient at low frequencies (below 300 Hz) due to the limited dimensions of commonly deployable barriers. In this paper, we analyze the properties of a low-cost active noise system able to efficiently operate on stationary, almost pure-tone, low-frequency noise, such as that produced by electrical transformers and reactors in power and transformation plants. A prototype has been implemented and on-the-field experimental tests have been carried out. The results (confirmed also by numerical simulations) demonstrate a remarkable efficiency in the far field, with a reduction up to 15 dB with respect to the absence of the ANC system.     

Implementation of active noise control in a multi-modal spray dryer exhaust stack

Tonal noise emitted from large-diameter spray dryer exhaust stacks used in the dairy industry can give rise to complaints from nearby communities. In many cases, the tone at the fan blade passing frequency is characterized by a frequency above the first mode cut on frequency of the exhaust stack and both its amplitude and the frequency are time varying. The variation in amplitude is a result of turbulence and temperature variations in the duct which cause angular variations in the nodal plane of modes with diametrical nodes. This in turn results in large fluctuations in sound pressure with time at any specified location in the duct, thus presenting a significant challenge for an ANC system with fixed control source and error sensor locations. In many food processing industries, the use of sound absorptive materials in silencers is not acceptable and, particularly when the fan speed is variable, it is difficult to achieve an acceptable passive solution at a reasonable cost. Here, the design and implementation of an active noise control system for tonal noise propagating above the cut-on frequency of the first higher order mode in large size cylindrical industrial exhaust stack is discussed, where the frequency and amplitude vary significantly and relatively rapidly with time. Physical system design principles and control algorithm optimization for a practical active noise control system are presented. Finally, real time control results which were achieved by a prototype installation on a large-diameter, in-service exhaust stack are given. Significant noise reductions were achieved in the community.     

汽车车内噪声主动控制系统仿真

摘要：降低汽车空腔的振动,是抑制汽车车内噪声的有效途径之一。以激振器、作动器和控制器等为主要部件,搭建了简化的汽车车内噪声主动控制系统,该系统通过将汽车空腔模型简化为板件,以减弱板件振动为目标,实现了汽车车内噪声主动控制。采用简谐正弦及余弦信号作为激振器发出的激励,用于模拟板件的初始振动,控制器通过采用模糊控制算法直接控制压电陶瓷作动器的振动,压电陶瓷作动器的振动用于抑制板件的振动,完成了汽车车内噪声主动控制系统仿真。仿真结果表明,研究采用的汽车车内噪声主动控制系统,使汽车空腔振动降低23%,为解决由汽车发动机和动力总成的振动所引发的汽车车内噪声问题提供了一个有效途径。     

RETRACTED: A Hybrid Nonlinear Active Noise Control Method Using Chebyshev Nonlinear Filter

Investigations into active noise control (ANC) technique have been conducted with the aim of effective control of the low-frequency noise. In practice, however, the performance of currently available ANC systems degrades due to the effects of nonlinearity in the primary and secondary paths, primary noise and louder speaker. This paper proposes a hybrid control structure of nonlinear ANC system to control the non-stationary noise produced by the rotating machinery on the nonlinear primary path. A fast version of ensemble empirical mode decomposition is used to decompose the non-stationary primary noise into intrinsic mode functions, which are expanded using the second-order Chebyshev nonlinear filter and then individually controlled. The convergence of the nonlinear ANC system is also discussed. Simulation results demonstrate that proposed method outperforms the FSLMS and VFXLMS algorithms with respect to noise reduction and convergence rate.     

Improving robustness of filtered-x least mean p-power algorithm for active attenuation of standard symmetric-α-stable impulsive noise

The paper concerns active control of impulsive noise having peaky distribution with heavy tail. Such impulsive noise can be modeled using non-Gaussian stable process for which second order moments do not exist. The most famous filtered-x least mean square (FxLMS) algorithm for active noise control (ANC) systems is based on the minimization of variance (second order moment) of error signal, and hence, becomes unstable for the impulsive noise. In order to improve the robustness of adaptive algorithms for processes having distributions with heavy tails (i.e. signals with outliers), either (1) a robust optimization criterion may be used to derive the adaptive algorithm or (2) the large amplitude samples may be ignored or replaced by an appropriate threshold value. Among the existing algorithms for ANC of impulsive noise, one is based on the minimizing least mean p-power (LMP) of the error signal, resulting in FxLMP algorithm (approach 1). The other is based on modifying; on the basis of statistical properties; the reference signal in the update equation of the FxLMS algorithm (approach 2). In this paper we propose two solutions to improve the robustness of the FxLMP algorithm. In first proposed algorithm, the reference and the error signals are thresholded before being used in the update equation of FxLMP algorithm. As another solution to improve the performance of FxLMP algorithm, a modified normalized step size is proposed. The computer simulations are carried out, which demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.     

A comparison of noise models in a hybrid reference spectrum and principal components analysis algorithm for Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy exploits the Raman scattering effect to analyze chemical compounds with the use of laser light. Raman spectra are most commonly analyzed using the ordinary least squares (LS) method. However, LS is known to be sensitive to variability in the spectra of the analyte and background materials. In a previous paper, we addressed this problem by proposing a novel algorithm that models expected variations in the analyte as well as background signals. The method was called the hybrid LS and principal component analysis (HLP) algorithm and used an unweighted Gaussian distribution to model the noise in the measured spectra. In this paper, we show that the noise in fact follows a Poisson distribution and improve the noise model of our hybrid algorithm accordingly. We also approximate the Poisson noise model by a weighted Gaussian noise model, which enables the use of a more efficient solver algorithm. To reflect the generalization of the noise model, we from hereon call the method the hybrid reference spectrum and principal components analysis (HRP) algorithm. We compare the performance of LS and HRP with the unweighted Gaussian (HRP‐G), Poisson (HRP‐P), and weighted Gaussian (HRP‐WG) noise models. Our experiments use both simulated data and experimental data acquired from a serial dilution of Raman‐enhanced gold‐silica nanoparticles placed on an excised pig colon. When the only signal variability was zero‐mean random noise (as examined using simulated data), HRP‐P consistently outperformed HRP‐G and HRP‐WG, with the latter coming in as a close second. Note that in this scenario, LS and HRP‐G were equivalent. In the presence of random noise as well as variations in the mean component spectra, the three HRP algorithms significantly outperformed LS, but performed similarly among themselves. This indicates that, in the presence of significant variations in the mean component spectra, modeling such variations is more important than optimizing the noise model. It also suggests that for real data, HRP‐WG provides a desirable trade‐off between noise model accuracy and computational speed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation study on active noise control for a 4-T MRI scanner

The purpose of this work is to study computationally the possibility of the application of a hybrid active noise control technique for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acoustic noise reduction. A hybrid control system combined with both feedforward and feedback loops embedded is proposed for potential application on active MRI noise reduction. A set of computational simulation studies were performed. Sets of MRI acoustic noise emissions measured at the patient's left ear location were recorded and used in the simulation study. By comparing three different control systems, namely, the feedback, the feedforward and the hybrid control, our results revealed that the hybrid control system is the most effective. The hybrid control system achieved approximately a 20-dB reduction at the principal frequency component. We concluded that the proposed hybrid active control scheme could have a potential application for MRI scanner noise reduction.     

Relative intensity noise of mode-locked fiber grating external cavity semiconductor lasers

The noise of hybrid soliton pulse source (HSPS) with linearly chirped Gaussian apodized fiber Bragg grating is analyzed by couple-mode equations including spontaneous emission noise when the HSPS is mode-locked. Relative intensity noise is calculated using numerical solutions of these equations. It is shown that transform limited pulses are generated over a wide tuning range around the fundamental mode-locking frequency with low spontaneous noise. However, a high noise level affects the operation of device, and therefore transform-limited pulses are not obtainable over a wide tuning range. It is also shown that noise is extremely sensitive to the RF and DC currents, linewidth enhancement factor, gain saturation parameter and spontaneous coupling factor.     

Optimization considerations in the design of active night viewing systems

The problems associated with the optimization of the design of active night viewing systems based on the infra-red image converter tube are discussed with special reference to its key components; namely the optics, the imaging device and the infra-red source. The role of spectral matching between the response of the imaging device and the distribution of the infra-red source is highlighted, and these factors pertaining to some practical sources in combination with the imaging device are computed. A procedure for the design of an infra-red source to achieve a specified field irradiance is presented, and the use of these concepts in the optimization of the design of practical systems is illustrated.     

基于时分复用技术的三轴光纤陀螺光路噪声及抑制技术研究

光纤陀螺小型化是光纤陀螺发展的一个重要方向,提出了一种基于时分复用技术的三轴光纤陀螺光路结构,通过复用一个光源和一个探测器大大减少了器件数量,有效地降低了成本,减小了体积。针对三轴光纤陀螺单信道多信号传感理论进行分析,给出了一种有效的信号提取方案,最后对光路串扰噪声进行了研究,提出一种噪声抑制技术并进行了实验验证。测试结果表明,噪声抑制技术效果良好,陀螺精度满足工程应用要求。     

Intensity noise of mode-locked fiber grating external cavity semiconductor lasers

The noise of hybrid soliton pulse source (HSPS) with linearly chirped Gaussian apodized fiber Bragg grating is analyzed by couple-mode equations including spontaneous emission noise when HSPS is mode-locked. Relative intensity noise (RIN) is calculated using numerical solutions of these equations. It is shown that transform-limited pulses are generated over a wide tuning range around the fundamental mode-locking frequency with low spontaneous noise. However, high noise level affects the operation of device, and therefore transform-limited pulses are not obtainable over a wide tuning range. Linewidth enhancement factor and spontaneous coupling factor are the most effective noise parameters and noise increases with increasing value of these parameters.     

Adaptive fuzzy neural network control on the acoustic field in a duct

Base on the principle of the superposition of waves, active noise control is achieved by adaptively tuning a secondary source which produces an anti-noise of equal amplitude and opposite phase with primary source. This paper presents the study on the acoustic attenuation in a duct by using the combination of fuzzy neural network with error back propagation algorithm to control secondary source. The most important advantage of fuzzy inference system is that the structured knowledge is represented in the form of fuzzy IF-THEN rules. But it lacks the ability to accommodate the change of external environments. Combining neural network with fuzzy system can help in this tuning process by adapting fuzzy sets and creating fuzzy rules. The performance of attenuation and control error can be measured by the microphone placed in the downstream of duct. The results of this study, show that the acoustic attenuation by 40 dB for pure-tone noise and nearly 30 dB for dual-tones noise are obtained.