Patterned burst-pulse vocalizations of the northern right whale dolphin, Lissodelphis borealis

Vocalizations from the northern right whale dolphin, Lissodelphis borealis, were recorded during a combined visual and acoustic shipboard survey of cetacean populations off the west coast of the United States. Seven of twenty single-species schools of L. borealis produced click and pulsed vocalizations. No whistles were detected during any of the encounters. Clicks associated with burst-pulse vocalizations were lower in frequency and shorter in duration than clicks associated with echolocation. All burst-pulse sounds were produced in a series containing 6-18 individual burst-pulses. These burst-pulse series were stereotyped and repeated. A total of eight unique burst-pulse series were detected. Variation in the temporal characteristics of like units compared across repeated series was less than variation among all burst-pulses. These stereotyped burst-pulse series may play a similar communicative role as do stereotyped whistles found in other delphinid species.     

Maximization of the directivity ratio with the desired audible gain level for broadband design of near field loudspeaker arrays

This paper mainly addresses design methods for near field loudspeaker arrays. These methods have been studied recently since they can be used to realize a personal audio space without the use of headphones. From a practical view point, they can also be used to form a directional sound beam within a short distance from the sources especially using a linear loudspeaker array. In this regard, we re-analyzed the previous near field beamforming methods in order to obtain a comprehensive near field beamforming formulation. Broadband directivity control is proposed for multi-objective optimization, which maximizes the directivity with the desired gain, where both the directivity and the gain are commonly used array performance measures. This method of control aims to form a directive sound beam within a short distance while widening the frequency range of the beamforming. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that broadband directivity control achieves higher directivity and gain over our whole frequency range of interest compared with previous beamforming methods.     

Near-field characteristics of the parametric loudspeaker using ultrasonic transducers

A parametric speaker is a device for generating and focusing highly directional sound beams. It is essentially a by-product that comes with the nonlinearity of ultrasound. It is noteworthy that this directional beam was controlled and utilized mostly for far-field applications in the past. We empirically study the directivity and attenuation characteristics of the parametric loudspeaker in the near-field where we desire to use it. Physical parameters for experiments are imported from a theoretical model based on the far-field approximation. The findings are that increases in aperture size and modulation frequency cause higher directivity, but have more than twice the beamwidth of the far-field approximation. The attenuation also does not obey the inverse-square law which describes far-field spreading from acoustic sources. The results conclusively explain a series of formation and attenuation of the virtual sound sources and define limitations of use in the near-field.     

3-D Model of sound pressure field in a meridinal section plane of fruit

A theoretical model was suggested for qualitative evaluation of a sound pressure field in fruit tissue, as affected by ultrasonic probe dimensions and fruit properties. The classic directivity pattern of an ideal fluid model, expressed by Bessel function of the first kind, was extended to include energy dissipation of a real material. The directional characteristics of wave propagation, as influenced by transmitter frequency and diameter, and by fruit properties, were discussed. The model indicates how to select the parameters of the ultrasonic transducer (transducer diameter, frequency and excitation power) to control the magnitude and directivity of the ultrasonic waves in the fruit tissue. The suggested theoretical model represented fairly well the experimental sound wave distribution over the half-cut surface of potato and avocado (R² > 0.862 and 0.977, respectively); the same theoretical model could not represent the sound wave distribution over a half-cut melon. Results of the study were applied in a new probe design for ultrasonic testing of whole fruit.     

Estimated transmission beam pattern of clicks recorded from free-ranging white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)

Recordings were made from white-beaked dolphins in Icelandic waters using a four-hydrophone array in a star configuration. The acoustic signals were amplified and sampled to a hard disk at a rate of 800 kHz per channel. The 3 and 10 dB beamwidths were calculated to be 8 degrees and 10 degrees, respectively, indicating a narrower transmission beam for white-beaked dolphins than that reported for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The beamwidth was more similar to that found for belugas (Delphinapterus lucas). The measured beam pattern included large side lobes, perhaps due to the inclusion of off-axis clicks, even after applying several criteria to select only on-axis clicks. The directivity index was calculated to be 18 dB when using all data for angles from 0 degrees-50 degrees. The calculated sound radiation from a circular piston with a radius of 6 cm driven by a white-beaked dolphin click had a beam pattern very similar to the measured beam pattern for the main transmission lobe of the white-beaked dolphin. The directivity index was 29 dB. This is the first attempt to estimate the directionality index of dolphins in the field.     

Underwater sound pressure variation and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) hearing thresholds in a small pool

Studies of underwater hearing are often hampered by the behavior of sound waves in small experimental tanks. At lower frequencies, tank dimensions are often not sufficient for free field conditions, resulting in large spatial variations of sound pressure. These effects may be mitigated somewhat by increasing the frequency bandwidth of the sound stimulus, so effects of multipath interference average out over many frequencies. In this study, acoustic fields and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) hearing thresholds were compared for pure tone and frequency modulated signals. Experiments were conducted in a vinyl-walled, seawater-filled pool approximately 3.7 x 6 x 1.5 m. Acoustic signals were pure tone and linear and sinusoidal frequency modulated tones with bandwidths/modulation depths of 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, and 20%. Thirteen center frequencies were tested between 1 and 100 kHz. Acoustic fields were measured (without the dolphin present) at three water depths over a 60 x 65 cm grid with a 5-cm spacing. Hearing thresholds were measured using a behavioral response paradigm and up/down staircase technique. The use of FM signals significantly improved the sound field without substantially affecting the measured hearing thresholds.     

Incorporating source directionality into outdoor sound propagation calculations

Many outdoor sound sources, such as aircraft or ground vehicles, exhibit directional radiation patterns. However, long-range sound propagation algorithms are usually formulated for omnidirectional point sources. This paper describes two methods for incorporating directional sources into long-range sound propagation algorithms. The first is the equivalent source method (ESM), which determines a compact distribution of omnidirectional point sources reproducing a given directivity pattern in the far field. This method can be used with any propagation algorithm because it explicitly reconstructs a source function as a set of point sources with certain amplitudes and positions. The second is a directional starter method (DSM), which is developed specifically for the parabolic equation (PE) algorithms. This method derives narrow- or wide-angle directional starter fields, corresponding to a given source directivity pattern, without reconstructing the equivalent source distribution. Although the ESM can also be used for the PE, the DSM is simpler and can be more convenient, especially if the sound propagation is calculated only for one or a few azimuthal directions. While these two methods are found to produce generally distinct starter fields, they nonetheless yield identical directivity patterns.     

时频特征的海豚发声端点检测方法研究*

为在复杂的海洋环境噪声场中检测出目标海豚的某类声信号,设计了一种基于海豚声学特征的端点检测方法。根据海洋环境中噪声能量大且分布频率范围广,而海豚声音的时频特征具有持续时间短,、频率高且集中,、发声行为持续时间长的特点,将采集到的海洋声音进行分帧,计算单帧信号短时能量、谱质心和谱质心二阶偏移率,当海豚发出声信号时,谱质心和能量相应发生突变,截取发生突变的信号实现端点检测。通过与门限法等其他常见端点检测方法进行对比,结果表明,此方法在低信噪比的海洋环境下对单一海豚的某一类声信号检测准确度更高,同时具有较强的抗干扰能力。     

A method for estimating the orientation of a directional sound source from source directivity and multi-microphone recordings: principles and application

Taking into account directivity of real sound sources makes it possible to try solving an interesting and biologically relevant problem: estimating the orientation in three-dimensional space of a directional sound source. The source, of known directivity, produces a broadband signal (in the ultrasonic range, in this application) that is recorded by microphones whose position with respect to source is known. An analytical method to process the recorded signals and estimate source orientation is developed in this paper. Experiments testing method performance in estimating source orientation were performed both in a laboratory environment with a Polaroid transducer as source and in a flight room with a Myotis daubentonii bat. In the first case, results showed the estimation method to be accurate and pointed out its limitations. The latter case is significant as an example biological application of the method for extracting behavioral features from bats; results are compared with alternative calculations based on microphone root-mean-square (rms)-pressure values.     

Effects of in-the-ear microphone directionality on sound direction identification

As advanced signal processing algorithms have been proposed to enhance hearing protective device (HPD) performance, it is important to determine how directional microphones might affect the localization ability of users and whether they might cause safety hazards. The effect of in-the-ear microphone directivity was assessed by measuring sound source identification of speech in the horizontal plane. Recordings of speech in quiet and in noise were made with Knowles Electronic Manikin for Acoustic Research wearing bilateral in-the-ear hearing aids with microphones having adjustable directivity (omnidirectional, cardioid, hypercardioid, supercardioid). Signals were generated from 16 locations in a circular array. Sound direction identification performance of eight normal hearing listeners and eight hearing-impaired listeners revealed that directional microphones did not degrade localization performance and actually reduced the front-back and lateral localization errors made when listening through omnidirectional microphones. The summed rms speech level for the signals entering the two ears appear to serve as a cue for making front-back discriminations when using directional microphones in the experimental setting. The results of this study show that the use of matched directional microphones when worn bilaterally do not have a negative effect on the ability to localize speech in the horizontal plane and may thus be useful in HPD design.     

硅油介质中矩形电容式微机械超声换能器发射与接收声场特性研究*

与传统压电式超声换能器相比,基于微机电系统微加工技术制备的电容式微机械超声换能器(CMUT)具有频带宽、灵敏度高、一致性好、易于集成等优势,在医学超声成像中具有广阔的应用前景。该文针对研制的矩形CMUT器件,开展硅油介质中CMUT发射、接收声场特性的理论分析及实验验证研究。首先,针对CMUT阵元结构特征和工作原理,根据指向性函数理论和Bridge乘积原理,建立了矩形CMUT阵元指向性函数分析模型。此基础上,分析微元数目以及谐振频率对CMUT指向性的影响规律。最后,针对7 mm×7 mm二维矩形CMUT在硅油介质中的发射和接收特性进行了实验验证,测试表明发射指向性曲线与仿真理论曲线基本吻合;此外,CMUT接收与发射指向性的测试表明,收发指向性具有一致性,从而验证了声场的互易性。该文的研究对CMUT器件的封装设计以及基于CMUT阵列的乳腺超声CT成像系统的研制具有重要参考价值。     

Receiving beam patterns in the horizontal plane of a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

Receiving beam patterns of a harbor porpoise were measured in the horizontal plane, using narrow-band frequency modulated signals with center frequencies of 16, 64, and 100 kHz. Total signal duration was 1000 ms, including a 200 ms rise time and 300 ms fall time. The harbor porpoise was trained to participate in a psychophysical test and stationed itself horizontally in a specific direction in the center of a 16-m-diameter circle consisting of 16 equally-spaced underwater transducers. The animal's head and the transducers were in the same horizontal plane, 1.5 m below the water surface. The go/no-go response paradigm was used; the animal left the listening station when it heard a sound signal. The method of constants was applied. For each transducer the 50% detection threshold amplitude was determined in 16 trials per amplitude, for each of the three frequencies. The beam patterns were not symmetrical with respect to the midline of the animal's body, but had a deflection of 3-7 degrees to the right. The receiving beam pattern narrowed with increasing frequency. Assuming that the pattern is rotation-symmetrical according to an average of the horizontal beam pattern halves, the receiving directivity indices are 4.3 at 16 kHz, 6.0 at 64 kHz, and 11.7 dB at 100 kHz. The receiving directivity indices of the porpoise were lower than those measured for bottlenose dolphins. This means that harbor porpoises have wider receiving beam patterns than bottlenose dolphins for the same frequencies. Directivity of hearing improves the signal-to-noise ratio and thus is a tool for a better detection of certain signals in a given ambient noise condition.     

The monopulsed nature of sperm whale clicks

Traditionally, sperm whale clicks have been described as multipulsed, long duration, nondirectional signals of moderate intensity and with a spectrum peaking below 10 kHz. Such properties are counterindicative of a sonar function, and quite different from the properties of dolphin sonar clicks. Here, data are presented suggesting that the traditional view of sperm whale clicks is incomplete and derived from off-axis recordings of a highly directional source. A limited number of assumed on-axis clicks were recorded and found to be essentially monopulsed clicks, with durations of 100 micros, with a composite directionality index of 27 dB, with source levels up to 236 dB re: 1 microPa (rms), and with centroid frequencies of 15 kHz. Such clicks meet the requirements for long-range biosonar purposes. Data were obtained with a large-aperture, GPS-synchronized array in July 2000 in the Bleik Canyon off Vester?len, Norway (69 degrees 28' N, 15 degrees 40' E). A total of 14 h of sound recordings was collected from five to ten independent, simultaneously operating recording units. The sound levels measured make sperm whale clicks by far the loudest of sounds recorded from any biological source. On-axis click properties support previous work proposing the nose of sperm whales to operate as a generator of sound.     

弯曲圆盘驱动的双Helmholtz共振腔换能器

使用双面同相振动的弯曲圆盘换能器驱动双Helmholtz共振腔,既放大了弯曲圆盘换能器弯曲共振频率以下频段的声输出,又利用两个Helmholtz共振腔的同相声源辐射模型实现了在Helmholtz共振频率处的"∞"字形垂直指向性,实现了低频指向性声发射。阐述了换能器实现"∞"字形低频指向性发射的机理,研究了腔体长度、金属圆片厚度及弯曲圆盘边缘简支厚度等关键结构参数对Helmholtz共振频率的影响,求解了换能器的发送电压响应、指向性等参数。依据仿真结果制作了实验样机,在消声水池中进行了电声性能测试。测试结果显示,指向性形状及液腔共振频率与仿真结果基本相符。这种由弯曲圆盘驱动的双Helmholtz共振腔水声换能器为实现水声换能器小尺寸、低频指向性发射提供了一种技术手段。      

利用残差网络分析普氏蹄蝠耳朵对恒频声源定向的影响

为研究恒频蝙蝠耳朵与空间定位的关系,利用深度学习算法和仿蝙蝠静态双耳接收器,分析蝙蝠耳朵对恒频声源定向的影响。首先根据普氏蹄蝠耳朵模型设计不同双耳夹角和间距的仿生双耳接收器,并从多个空间方位采集声源发射的不同频率的恒频声呐信号,然后提取双耳同步采集信号的时频图并归一化作为输入特征,最后利用残差网络实现声源定向。实验结果表明,静态双耳接收器对恒频声源的定向误差平均值基本保持在3.5°以下,但高于动态单耳接收器的定向误差;定向精度与声源频率及声源所在空间方位有关,声源位于接收器水平方向±30°范围内时,定向精度相对较高;双耳夹角和间距也会影响定向精度,且前者影响较为显著。     

Long-Term Horizontal Vocal Directivity of Opera Singers: Effects of Singing Projection and Acoustic Environment

Vocal directivity refers to how directional the sound is that comes from a singer's mouth, that is, whether the sound is focused into a narrow stream of sound projecting in front of the singers or whether it is spread out all around the singer. This study investigates the long-term vocal directivity and acoustic power of professional opera singers and how these vary among subjects, among singing projections, and among vastly different acoustic environments. The vocal sound of eight professional opera singers (six females and two males) was measured in anechoic and reverberant rooms and in a recital hall. Subjects sang in four different ways: (1) paying great attention to intonation; (2) singing as in performance, with all the emotional connection intended by the composer; (3) imagining a large auditorium; and (4) imagining a small theatre. The same song was sung by all singers in all conditions. A head and torso simulator (HATS), radiating sound from its mouth, was used for comparison in all situations. Results show that individual singers have quite consistent long-term average directivity, even across conditions. Directivity varies substantially among singers. Singers are more directional than the standard HATS (which is a physical model of a talking person). The singer's formant region of the spectrum exhibits greater directivity than the lower-frequency range, and results indicate that singers control directivity (at least, incidentally) for different singing conditions as they adjust the spectral emphasis of their voices through their formants.     

A miniature class V flextensional cymbal transducer with directional beam patterns: the double-driver

The "double-driver" cymbal, a directional class V flextensional transducer, is described in this paper. Its basic structure is a bilaminar piezoelectric disk with metal caps as mechanical transformers and amplifiers. The directivity was accomplished by exciting the double-driver in a combined flexural and bending mode causing the sound pressure to add in one direction and cancel in the opposite direction. The cardioid beam pattern predicted by finite element modeling agreed well with the experimental measurements. A 3 x 3 double-driver array was constructed to demonstrate that under optimal conditions the array can provide a directional beam pattern with a front-to-back ratio of more than 20 dB.     

指向性辐射器的简正波声场

本文讨论比较一般的指向性辐射器在分层介质中的声场,并将指向性概念应用于简正波计算。结果表明,对无方向性点源的简正波表示式补充以指向性激发函数,就可得到指向性辐射器的简正波声场,而指向性激发函数与辐射器的位置及指向特性有关。文中还分别计算了具有垂直对称性、反对称性、单边指向性以及尖锐指向性的辐射器的简正波声场。对于均匀水层中的垂直线阵,若源的分布函数正比于某一简正波的本征函数,则指向性激发函数的零点正好对应于其他简正波的本征射线的方向。 关键词：     

Reconstruction of the signal produced by a directional sound source from remote multi-microphone recordings

A mathematical method for reconstructing the signal produced by a directional sound source from knowledge of the same signal in the far field, i.e., microphone recordings, is developed. The key idea is to compute inverse filters that compensate for the directional filtering of the signal by the sound source directivity, using a least-square error optimization strategy. Previous work pointed out how the method strongly depends on arrival times of signal in the microphone recordings. Two strategies are used in this paper for calculating the time shifts that are afterward taken as inputs, together with source directivity, for the reconstruction. The method has been tested in a laboratory environment, where ground truth was available, with a Polaroid transducer as source. The reconstructions are similar with both strategies. The performance of the method also depends on source orientation.     

逆向傅里叶衍射定理快速预报水下目标三维声散射指向分布

提出逆向运用傅里叶衍射定理预报水下弱散射目标三维声散射指向分布的快速计算方法。依据目标形状、周围介质的密度和声速构建三维声场图像模型,建立散射远场积分结果与图像频域幅值的关系式,提取频域中半径为水中波数k;的球型表面上的幅值,获得精细化的宽带、全方位散射声压指向特性。数值计算表明:将傅里叶衍射定理逆向运用于解决声学正问题,适用于分层的、不均匀的、非规则及多体弱散射目标散射声场的求解。通过插值提取频域样本获得远场声压的方法,避免了有限元法(3D-FEM)所必须的大规模的网格划分和迭代运算,可以有效地减少计算成本并拓展散射频率响应的带宽。在水池中完成两种具有不同声学参数和形状目标指向性测试实验,得到散射声压指向性幅度函数与理论预报相一致。