Annoyance of noise stimuli in relation to the spatial factors extracted from the interaural cross-correlation function

While considering auditory-brain model for subjective responses, effects of spatial factors extracted from the interaural cross-correlation function (IACF) on annoyance of noise stimuli are examined. The previously developed indices to measure sound pressure levels (SPL) and frequency characteristics cannot fully explain the psychological effects of noise. In the first experiment, subjects judged their annoyance by changing fluctuations in the magnitude of interaural cross-correlation function (IACC) and the SPL. In the second, they judged their annoyance by changing fluctuations in the interaural time delay (τ_IACC) and the SPL. Results show that: (1) annoyance increased by increasing the fluctuations of IACC as well as the SPL, (2) annoyance increased by increasing the fluctuations of τ_IACC as well as the SPL.     

Subjective diffuseness of music signals convolved with binaural impulse responses

The spatial impression of sound in a hall can be quantified using sound field factors such as the interaural cross-correlation coefficient (IACC) calculated from binaural impulse response (BIR), henceforth denoted by IACC_IR. The subjective diffuseness for the listener is a spatial attribute which depends on factors associated both with the source signal and with the actual sound field, and is quantified using the IACC of the signal received by the listener, henceforth denoted by IACC_SR. Therefore, the subjective diffuseness in a given hall may change with the music. The aims of this study are to estimate the IACC_SR from the IACC_IR and the factors, which is obtained from autocorrelation function (ACF) of music signal, and to evaluate the subjective diffuseness by these factors. First, the relationship between the IACC_IR and IACC_SR was investigated. Second, subjective diffuseness was measured by a psycho-acoustical experiment. As a result, the IACC_SR could be estimated from the IACC_IR of the BIR and the effective duration (τ_e) from the ACF of music signal. It was found that the effects of BIRs on subjective diffuseness could be evaluated by IACC_IR for almost all subjects, while the effects of music signals could be evaluated by the τ_e and the width of the peak at τ=0 (W_?(0)) of the ACF.     

DISSIMILARITY JUDGMENTS IN RELATION TO TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL FACTORS FOR THE SOUND FIELD IN AN EXISTING HALL

In relation to the temporal and spatial factors of sound fields, dissimilarity judgments for different source locations on a stage were performed. This study is based on the model of the auditory-brain system, which consists of the autocorrelation and crosscorrelation mechanisms for sound signals arriving at two ears and the specialization of human cerebral hemispheres. There are three temporal factors (τ₁,φ₁ and τ_e) extracted from the autocorrelation function and four spatial factors (LL,IACC,τ_IACC and W_IACC) from the interaural crosscorrelation function of binaural signals. In addition to these temporal and spatial factors, the orthogonal factors of the subjective preference for sound field (Δt₁ and T_sub) were taken into account. The psychological distance between sound fields of different source locations on the stage were calculated by using these temporal, spatial and orthogonal factors of sound fields. Using these distances and their linear combination, dissimilarity can be calculated. Results of multivariable analysis show that the calculated scale values of dissimilarity agree well with the measured scale values.     

SUBJECTIVE PREFERENCE FOR SOUND SOURCES LOCATED ON THE STAGE AND IN THE ORCHESTRA PIT OF AN OPERA HOUSE

The present study investigates whether the subjective preference theory can be applied to the sound field in an opera house. Paired-comparison tests were conducted to obtain scale values of subjective preference. As the source locations of the music on the stage and in the orchestra pit were moved, listeners were asked to give their acoustical preference. The acoustical factors at each listening position were obtained from the interaural cross-correlation function and binaural impulse responses measured at each listening position. The relationship between the scale values of subjective preference and orthogonal acoustical factors (LL, IACC, τ_IACC, Δt₁ for the pit source, Δt₁ for the stage, T_sub for the pit source, and T_sub for the stage source) was determined by using factor analysis, which shows that the preference theory is applicable. Total scores obtained from factor analysis and measured scale values are in good agreement.     

Characteristics of train noise in above-ground and underground stations with side and island platforms

Railway stations can be principally classified by their locations, i.e., above-ground or underground stations, and by their platform styles, i.e., side or island platforms. However, the effect of the architectural elements on the train noise in stations is not well understood. The aim of the present study is to determine the different acoustical characteristics of the train noise for each station style. The train noise was evaluated by (1) the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (L_Aeq), (2) the amplitude of the maximum peak of the interaural cross-correlation function (IACC), (3) the delay time (τ₁) and amplitude (?₁) of the first maximum peak of the autocorrelation function. The IACC, τ₁ and ?₁ are related to the subjective diffuseness, pitch and pitch strength, respectively. Regarding the locations, the L_Aeq in the underground stations was 6.4 dB higher than that in the above-ground stations, and the pitch in the underground stations was higher and stronger. Regarding the platform styles, the L_Aeq on the side platforms was 3.3 dB higher than on the island platforms of the above-ground stations. For the underground stations, the L_Aeq on the island platforms was 3.3 dB higher than that on the side platforms when a train entered the station. The IACC on the island platforms of the above-ground stations was higher than that in the other stations.     

Change of acoustic characteristics caused by platform screen doors in train stations

Railway companies are encouraged to install platform screen doors (PSDs) for safety reason in Japan. The PSDs might affect train noises in stations, but the effects are not well understood. The aim of the present study is to clarify the effects of PSDs on acoustic characteristics. PSDs can be principally classified by two types, i.e., mobile full-height (MFH) and mobile half-height (MHH). Train noises were recorded in ground and underground train stations with MFH, MHH and without PSDs. The noises were evaluated by noise level, the maximum peak of the interaural cross-correlation function (IACC), and the width of the first decay (W_Φ(0)) of the autocorrelation function. Noise level emitted by trains was reduced by PSDs in both aboveground and underground stations. IACC was decreased by PSDs in both ground and underground stations, suggesting that PSDs made train noises more diffused. W_Φ(0) was decreased by PSDs in both ground and underground stations, which means that the train noises in station with PSDs have higher spectral centroid, suggesting that the PSDs blocked the lower frequency components of train noises.     

Computer software for identification of noise source and automatic noise measurement

A new computational system for the environmental noise measurement and analysis has been developed. The system consists of binaural microphones, a laptop PC, and analysing software. A target noise is recorded automatically depending on the specified background noise level, and the acoustical parameters are calculated simultaneously. These functions allow for precise field measurements. The system is equipped with a template-matching algorithm for the identification of noise source. This function was implemented to avoid the effect of an interrupting sound such as voice and wind blowing during a measurement. Noise analyses in this system are based on the model of human auditory system. In addition to the time-series data of sound level, the important acoustical parameters of noise source are extracted from the running autocorrelation function (ACF) and the inter-aural cross-correlation function (IACF). It has been found that those parameters are strongly related to the auditory primary sensations and spatial sensations. Evaluation of the environmental noise based on these functions is another feature of this system. This paper describes the effectiveness of the ACF and the IACF analysis for analysing acoustical properties of noise and for evaluating the subjective response to noise.     

Magnetoencephalographic responses correspond to individual annoyance of bandpass noise

The relation between human brain responses to an individual's annoyance of bandpass noise was investigated using magnetoencephalography (MEG) measurements and analysis by autocorrelation function (ACF) and cross-correlation function (CCF). Pure tone and bandpass noises with a centre frequency of 1000 Hz were used as source signals. The sound pressure level was constant at 74 dBA and the duration of the stimulus was 2.0 s. The scale values of annoyance for each subject were obtained by paired-comparison tests. In MEG measurements, the combination of a reference stimulus (pure tone) and test stimuli (bandpass noise) was alternately presented 30 times at a constant 2 s interstimulus interval. The results show that the effective duration of the ACF, τ_e, of MEG in the 8-13 Hz range, which represent repetitive features within the signal itself, became shorter during the presentation of an annoying stimulus. Also, the maximum value of the CCF, |φ(τ)|_max, became smaller. The shorter τ_e and smaller |φ(τ)|_max indicate that a wider area of the brain is unstable for longer with annoying auditory stimuli.     

CORRELATION FACTORS DESCRIBING PRIMARY AND SPATIAL SENSATIONS OF SOUND FIELDS

The theory of subjective preference of the sound field in a concert hall is established based on the model of human auditory-brain system. The model consists of the autocorrelation function (ACF) mechanism and the interaural crosscorrelation function (IACF) mechanism for signals arriving at two ear entrances, and the specialization of human cerebral hemispheres. This theory can be developed to describe primary sensations such as pitch or missing fundamental, loudness, timbre and, in addition, duration sensation which is introduced here as a fourth. These four primary sensations may be formulated by the temporal factors extracted from the ACF associated with the left hemisphere and, spatial sensations such as localization in the horizontal plane, apparent source width and subjective diffuseness are described by the spatial factors extracted from the IACF associated with the right hemisphere. Any important subjective responses of sound fields may be described by both temporal and spatial factors.     

A neural-computation method of predicting the early interaural cross-correlation coefficient (IACCE3) for auditoria

A method of predicting the early interaural cross-correlation coefficient (IACC_E3) in unoccupied concert halls has been investigated using neural network analysis. Constructional and acoustical data for 36 unoccupied concert halls, in various countries, were utilized for the neural network analyses. A neural network for calculating IACC_E3 has been embedded in a standard spreadsheet application so that designers and researchers, without access to specialized neural network software can use the results of the present work. Investigations using the neural network model have shown that IACC_E3 predictions are within the subjective difference limen, which is 0.075±0.008. Five concert halls were used to assess the neural network analysis method and the errors between measured and predicted (1−IACC_E3) ranged from −0.05 to 0.02. These results indicate that there is a good basis for using trained neural networks to predict IACC_E3.     

利用自相关函数和双耳自相关函数分析对交通噪声特征参量的提取~

对实地双通道测量获得的道路交通噪声和铁路噪声信号样本进行了自相关函数和双耳自相关函数(Interaural CrossCorrelation Function)的分析。进而通过对噪声样本时间因子和空间因子的相关性分析、主成分分析和主观评价实验,得到了3个铁路噪声源特征参量物理因子和4个道路交通噪声源特征参量物理因子。发现与传统的声压级测量相比,表征声音信号时间特性和空间特性的这7个物理量可以更全面、准确地表征交通噪声的特性。在对道路噪声进行测量或分析时,掌握与声源视觉宽度和音调感相对应的物理因子以及双耳时延和初始能量,就可获悉与人的主观评价相一致的道路交通噪声特征信息;对铁路噪声而言,掌握与声源视觉宽度相对应的物理因子以及双耳时延和声音的重复性特征,就可以得到与入主观评价相一致的铁路噪声特征信息。综合道路噪声特征参量和铁路噪声特征参量可以发现,双耳时延和与声源视觉宽度相对应的物理因子是与人的主观反应最为一致的主成分指标,说明噪声中决定人的评价的最主要的因素是代表空间特征的信号因子。      

Effects of time delay and non-Gaussian noise on the dynamics of a perceptual bistability

In this paper, we investigate the effects of time delay and non-Gaussian noise on the dynamics properties of the attractor network model of perceptual bistability. Using delay Fokker–Planck equation and projection operator method, the stationary probability distribution P_st(x), the associated relaxation time T_c, and the normalized correlation function C(s) for perceptual bistability are obtained, respectively. Research results show that: (i) the time delay τ and the correlation time τ₀ from non-Gaussian noise can induce the change of the peaks in the P_st(x), i.e., the transition of the system appears; (ii) there exhibits an optimal value of the τ₀ or τ by which the T_c or C(s) is maximum, this maximum shows the τ₀ or τ first reduces the stability of the attractor network model of perceptual bistability in the steady state, and then enhances it; and (iii) the noise intensity P or departure q from the Gaussian noise only enhances the stability of the attractor network model of perceptual bistability in the steady state.     

DURATION SENSATION WHEN LISTENING TO BANDPASS NOISES

The duration sensation of bandpass noise was examined while changing the factors (τ₁, φ₁and τ_e) extracted from the autocorrelation function. The white noise and bandpass noises with six center frequencies (125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz) with different bandwidths were used as stimuli. A paired-comparison test comparing the white-noise duration with bandpass-noise duration was conducted under the conditions of constant sound pressure level (SPL; 80 dB(A)) and rise and fall times (1 ms). Results indicate that the duration of bandpass noise is judged to be longer than that of the white noise. The duration sensation of the bandpass stimuli with longer τ₁is significantly longer than that of the stimuli with shorterτ₁ (p<0·01).     

The critical phenomenon and the re-entrance phenomenon in the anti-tumor model induced by the time delay

The effects of time delay τ on an anti-tumor model driven by a multiplicative noise and a periodic signal are investigated. The results obtained from the small delay approximation and numerical simulations indicate: (i) For the absence of the periodic signal in the system, the two-peak structure of the stationary probability distribution transforms into the single-peak structure with the increasing τ, and τ exists a critical value τc. For τ<τc, the stationary mean value 〈x〉_st of the cell population decreases as the noise intensity D increases, however, for τ>τc, the 〈x〉_st increases as the D increases; (ii) For the presence of the periodic signal in the system, the structure of the signal-to-noise ratio with changes of the D exhibits the transitions of one peak → two peaks → one peak as τ increases.     

Effects of time delay on transient behavior of a time-delayed metastable system subjected to cross-correlated noises

The effects of time delay on the transient properties of a time-delayed metastable system subjected to cross-correlated noises are studied by means of a stochastic simulation method. It is found that: (i) Both additive noise and multiplicative noise can produce the noise enhanced stability (NES) effect; (ii) The time delay induces critical behavior on the NES, i.e., there is a critical value of the delay time τ_c1≈2.2, above which the time delay increases the stability of the system enhanced by the additive noise, and below which the NES effect induced by the additive noise disappears; (iii) There exists another critical value of the delay time τ_c2≈3.0, above which the time delay increases the stability of the system enhanced by the multiplicative noise and below which the time delay decreases it.     

Semiconductor laser amplitude and phase noises effects in coherent optical frequency domain reflectometry C-OFDR

We study the effects of the semiconductor laser noise on the generated beat signal, in Coherent Optical Domain Reflectometry device. By using a general laser noise analytical model, based on Volterra non-linear treatment of laser rate equations, we find a novel general expression of the beat photocurrent. We show that the coherence and the incoherence cases are observed for a different delay time intervals than the ones known in literature. We show that the coherence domain corresponds to a delay time lower than the half of the laser coherence time τ₀<1/2τ_c, and the incoherence domain corresponds for τ₀>2τ_c. An original shape of the beat signal autocorrelation function affected by the laser noises is obtained.     

Effects of time-delay in stationary properties of a logistic growth model with correlated noises

A time-delayed tumor cell growth model with correlated noises is investigated. In the condition of small delay time, the stationary probability distribution is derived and the stationary mean value (〈x〉_st) and normalized varianceλ₂ of the tumor cell population and state transition rate (κ) between two steady states are numerically calculated. The results indicate that: (i) The delay time (τ) enhances the coherence resonance in 〈x〉_st as a function of the multiplicative noise intensity (D) and increases 〈x〉_st as a function of the additive noise intensity (α), i.e., τ enhances fluctuation of the system, however, the strength (λ) of correlations between multiplicative and additive noise plays a contrary role to τ on these; (ii) τ enhances the coherence resonance in κ as a function of D and increases κ as a function of α, i.e., τ speeds up the rate of state transition, however, λ also plays a contrary role to τ on these.     

Stochastic resonance in an asymmetric bistable system with coloured noises and periodic rectangular signal

In this paper, we consider the phenomenon of stochastic resonance (SR) in an asymmetric bistable system with coloured noises and periodic rectangular signal. Expression of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) has been obtained under the adiabatic limit. We investigate the effect of any system parameter (such as p, q, r, τ₁, τ₂) on the SNR. The plot of SNR-τ₁ shows SR for some values of the additive noise self-correlation time τ₂, but not for the whole range of τ₂. The system bias r suppresses the SNR. When the intensity of additive noise q is increased, the SR phenomenon disappears in the plot of SNR-p, but the plot of SNR-q presents SR for almost all values of the multiplicative noise intensity p.     

Stochastic resonance in a bistable system with time-delayed feedback and non-Gaussian noise

The phenomenon of stochastic resonance in a bistable system with time-delayed feedback driven by non-Gaussian noise is investigated. Combining the small time delay approximation, the path-integral approach and the unified colored noise approximation, a general approximate Fokker–Planck equation of a stochastic system is obtained. The effects of the parameter q indicating the departure from the Gaussian noise, the delay time τ  , and the correlation time τ₀${\tau }_0$ of the non-Gaussian noise on the quasi-steady-state probability distribution function (SPD) and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are discussed. It is found that the number of peaks in SPD and the reentrant transition between one peak and two peaks and then to one peak again in the curve of SNR depends on the parameter q, the delay time τ  , and the noise correlation time τ₀${\tau }_0$.     

A STUDY OF THE BLENDING OF VOCAL MUSIC WITH THE SOUND FIELD BY DIFFERENT SINGING STYLES

The initial time delay Δt₁ between the direct sound and the first reflection and the subsequent reverberation time T_sub are usually fixed within a given space. Thus, concert halls do not have ideal conditions for all forms of music. It has been shown that the most preferred conditions for both listeners and performers are determined by the minimum value of the effective duration of the running autocorrelation function (ACF) of sound signals, (τ_e)_min. To determine the suitability of vocal music for a given sound field, (τ_e)_min of vocal music was analyzed, after recording five solo singers (tenor) in an anechoic room. The results showed that (τ_e)_min of the ACF of a voice source, which is closely related to the two temporal factors of the sound field, varies with singing style. A significant finding is that the values of (τ_e)_min of sound signals forfalsetto and medium falsetto are significantly longer than that for operatic singing.