Acoustic characteristics of an electrodynamic planar digital loudspeaker using noise shaping technology

The present study extends our previous work [Furihata et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 114, 174-184 (2003)] by investigating our electrodynamic planar loudspeaker when driven by a 12 bit digital signal with noise shaping. Changing the structure of the loudspeaker can lead to improvement, but in this paper improvements that can be made using signal processing are investigated. Results show that the digital loudspeaker demonstrated good linearity over its 84 dB dynamic range from 40 Hz to 10 kHz. This shows that a 12 bit digital loudspeaker which is equivalent to a 16 bit one is possible.     

使用噪声整形的多比特数字扬声器系统

本文讨论了ＰＣＭ数字式换能器的特点，采用了过采样和噪声整形技术对比特数字扬声器系统进行改进，给出了计算机模拟结果。     

Acoustic loading in planar networks

The acoustic loading in a complex planar network of ducts is determined by a method in which Green function surface elements are used. The network consists of straight ducts, elbows and branched ducts. A transfer matrix technique is developed in which each duct is treated separately and the matrix of the influence coefficients is transformed to tri-diagonal form allowing efficient inversion.     

基于平面声源的三层有源隔声结构物理机制研究

次级源为平面声源的三层有源隔声结构,深入理解有源隔声的物理机理有助于挖掘降噪潜力及实现系统优化设计。首先对三层有源隔声结构建模并求解系统的振动响应。然后,对控制前三层结构中声能量的传输规律进行深入分析。最后,在辐射板声功率最小条件下,通过分析控制前后声能量传输特性的变化阐述了隔声的物理机理。结果表明,声能量在三层结构中传输形成四个等效的传输通道,中间板与两腔的作用类似带通滤波器,不同的传输通道具有相似的带通特性。有源隔声机理在于,通过控制抑制了通带内的能量传输,显著提高了三层结构整体的隔声性能,从而有效阻止了声波的向后传播。      

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.     

Acoustic coupling between the loudspeaker and the resonator in a standing-wave thermoacoustic device

Thermoacoustic refrigerators work with high amplitude sound waves, which are often created using an acoustic source coupled to a resonator. This coupling can be calculated analytically using linear acoustic equations and a linear model of the loudspeaker. This paper makes a comparison between such a coupling and measurements obtained in a large-scale thermoacoustic resonator constructed at the University of Manchester. The resonator was driven from low to large pressure amplitudes, with drive ratios up to 10%. It is shown that a good agreement is obtained for small amplitudes and this progressively worsens as the amplitude is increased. In the absence of wave harmonics and loudspeaker nonlinearities, the increasing discrepancy is attributed to the presence of minor losses.     

Acoustical performance of an electrostrictive polymer film loudspeaker

A new type of loudspeaker that generates sound by means of the electrostrictive response of a thin polymer film is described. Electrostrictive polymer film (EPF) loudspeakers are constructed with inexpensive, lightweight materials and have a very low profile. The films are typically silicone and are coated with compliant electrodes to allow large film deformations. Acoustical frequency response measurements from 5 x 5 cm (planar dimensions) prototype EPF loudspeakers are presented. Measurements of harmonic distortion are also shown, along with results demonstrating reduced harmonic distortion achieved with square-root wave shaping. Applications of EPF loudspeakers include active noise control and general-purpose flat-panel loudspeakers.     

On analytic design of loudspeaker arrays with uniform radiation characteristics

Some notes on analytical derived loudspeaker arrays with uniform radiation characteristics are presented. The array coefficients are derived via analytical means and compared with so-called maximal flat sequences known from telecommunications and information theory. It appears that the newly derived array, i.e., the quadratic phase array, has a higher efficiency than the Bessel array and a flatter response than the Barker array. The method discussed admits generalization to the design of arrays with desired nonuniform radiating characteristics.     

Electrostatic force distribution on an electrodynamic screen

The enormous potential of solar energy harvesting plants to provide clean energy is severely limited by dust accumulation on their optical surfaces. In lieu of the most commonly-practiced manual cleaning method of using high-pressure water jets, electrodynamic screen (EDS) technology offers an attractive solution for removing dust particles from optical surfaces using electrostatic forces. In this paper, the impacts of different EDS design parameters in the electric field distribution on an EDS have been studied. Furthermore, based on electric field expressions, closed-form solutions for multipolar dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces in the EDS application are provided. Detailed evaluation of the EDS performance necessitates investigation of different forces involved in the dust removal process. Different comparisons are made between repelling and attracting forces exerted on dust particles deposited on an EDS surface. These comparisons elucidate EDS performance in the removal of a given size range of dust particles. The significant detrimental impact of relative humidity upon the dust removal process is quantitatively addressed. It is shown how just a 10 percent increase in relative humidity can make the repelling force ineffective in the dust removal process.     

声腔对电动式换能器工作特性的影响

传统的电动式换能器设计理论中,未考虑压力补偿系统等声腔结构对声学性能的影响,声源级理论设计结果与实测结果存在较大差别。研究中将电动式换能器内部的三段气腔视为突变截面声腔结构,给出了声腔的四端网络等效电路,将其作为辐射面的负载添加到电动式换能器的传统等效电路中,获得了电动式换能器改进的等效电路。基于改进的等效电路求解了带有声腔结构的电动式换能器声源级曲线,该曲线与有限元仿真分析结果基本一致,验证了该改进的等效电路在预报电动式换能器声源级方面的正确性。基于该等效电路研究了声腔的结构尺寸、末端声学边界及腔内气体声学参数对声源级起伏特征的影响。结果显示,在声腔末端敷设吸声材料或在声腔内充入特性阻抗较小的气体对于抑制或消除声源级起伏具有明显作用。     

Pulsed evaporator of an electrodynamic disperse suspension of particles

We consider the technique for obtaining electrodynamic disperse suspension of metal (Al, W, Cu) and dielectric (semiconductor) particles (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, CuO, Cu₂O) and its evaporation with the help of a diffusive electric discharge. The time dependences of current and integrated luminescence intensity in a pulsed electric discharge in a tube containing a film of a substance (Cu) of the electrodynamic disperse suspension are measured.     

声腔对电动式换能器工作特性的影响

传统的电动式换能器设计理论中,未考虑压力补偿系统等声腔结构对声学性能的影响,声源级理论设计结果与实测结果存在较大差别。研究中将电动式换能器内部的三段气腔视为突变截面声腔结构,给出了声腔的四端网络等效电路,将其作为辐射面的负载添加到电动式换能器的传统等效电路中,获得了电动式换能器改进的等效电路。基于改进的等效电路求解了带有声腔结构的电动式换能器声源级曲线,该曲线与有限元仿真分析结果基本一致,验证了该改进的等效电路在预报电动式换能器声源级方面的正确性。基于该等效电路研究了声腔的结构尺寸、末端声学边界及腔内气体声学参数对声源级起伏特征的影响。结果显示,在声腔末端敷设吸声材料或在声腔内充入特性阻抗较小的气体对于抑制或消除声源级起伏具有明显作用。     

A craft-project loudspeaker to serve as an educational demonstration

Moving-coil loudspeakers typify the interdisciplinary nature of acoustics: in order to reproduce sound, these devices employ principles of electricity, magnetism, mechanics, and acoustics. The widespread use of loudspeakers has made them a familiar and valuable opportunity to introduce students to acoustics. A low-cost loudspeaker project/demonstration is presented here that is built from scratch using common household items and craft supplies. A variety of educational topics may be illustrated with this device, making it appropriate for a wide range of academic levels.     

Acoustic cluster control of noise radiated from a planar structure

Acoustic cluster control is proposed for the purpose of achieving global sound attenuation of a planar structure. First, acoustic cluster filtering using a point sensor array is presented, which enables the grouping of sound radiated from a target object into a set of clusters, such that each cluster possesses the same common characteristics. This allows the possibility of extracting the cluster of interest without causing observation spillover. Based on the principle of reciprocity, cluster actuation using a point source array is then presented. Driving the source array in accordance with a proposed control law, the excitation of the designated cluster is performed without causing control spillover. Moreover, by combining both acoustic cluster filtering and acoustic cluster actuation, acoustic cluster control may be performed. In implementing acoustic cluster control, the necessary and sufficient condition for the acoustic cluster control is illustrated. It is also shown that the sound radiated from a planar structure may be captured in appropriate acoustic cluster filtering so that acoustic cluster control may be implemented. Experiment was conducted demonstrating the capability as well as the validity of the acoustic cluster filtering, actuation, and control for suppressing the noise radiated from a rectangular panel.     

Acoustic characteristics of children''s voice

Four acoustic measures were taken from voice recordings of 121 children between the ages of 64 and 134 months. Acoustic parameters were measured on a sustained neutral /a/ vowel, produced imitatively at normal pitch and loudness. Samples were analyzed for fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Data are presented to characterize effects of age, sex, height, and weight on these acoustic parameters. Results indicate statistically significant relationships between frequency and sex, with higher frequencies for girls. Also significant is a positive relationship between shimmer and height and a negative relationship between SNR and height.     

Acoustic characteristics of reticent speech

Reticent speakers differ from nonreticent speakers in vocal characteristics, such as fundamental frequency, frequency range, fluency, and intensity, which prompt negative impressions on the part of listeners. Waveform and spectrographic analyses were performed on the vocal cues of 19 reticent and nonreticent subjects (57 speech samples). Statistically significant differences were found in fluency between reticent and nonreticent speech. Reticent male speakers also showed significantly higher F₀, whereas reticent female speakers demonstrated narrower frequency range. Identification and analysis of these characteristics are required for effective remediation.     

海底介质的声学特性研究

海底作为声波在水中传播的下边界,其声学特性对水中声场分布的影响巨大。在近60年的研究中,海底沉积物的声学特性建模研究已取得众多成果,然而这些成果还远远不能满足现代化水声技术发展的要求。文章从基本的海底结构组成出发,在海底地声建模的基础上揭示出声波与海底的作用关系。