scholarly journals Low frequency sound field reconstruction in a non-rectangular room using a small number of microphones

Acta Acustica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thach Pham Vu ◽  
Hervé Lissek
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Room Acoustics ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Reverberation Chamber ◽  
Sound Fields ◽  
Accurate Knowledge ◽  
Sound Field Reconstruction ◽  
Rectangular Room

An accurate knowledge of the sound field distribution inside a room is required to identify and optimally locate corrective measures for room acoustics. However, the spatial recovery of the sound field would result in an impractically high number of microphones in the room. Fortunately, at low frequencies, the possibility to rely on a sparse description of sound fields can help reduce the total number of measurement points without affecting the accuracy of the reconstruction. In this paper, the use of Greedy algorithm and Global curve-fitting techniques are proposed, in order to first recover the modal parameters of the room, and then to reconstruct the entire enclosed sound field at low frequencies, using a reasonably low set of measurements. First, numerical investigations are conducted on a non-rectangular room configuration, with different acoustic properties, in order to analyze various aspects of the reconstruction frameworks such as accuracy and robustness. The model is then validated with an experimental study in an actual reverberation chamber. The study yields promising results in which the enclosed sound field can be faithfully reconstructed using a practically feasible number of microphones, even in complex-shaped and damped rooms.

Sound absorptive light comprising nanofibrous resonant membrane applicable in room acoustics

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klara Kalinova
Keyword(s):  
Broad Band ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Acoustic Power ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Room Acoustics ◽  
Sound Waves ◽  
Final Thickness ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Perforated Sheet ◽  
Lower Frequencies

Room acoustic solutions are based on measurements of the acoustic power of the room and acoustic elements with different functions (absorption tiles, absorption ceilings, absorption bodies, diffusers, barriers). This work is focused only on absorption elements with an emphasis on addressing lower-middle frequencies. The design of the material is based on broad band noise. Damping of lower frequencies is restricted to a certain extent by the final thickness of the acoustic material. Nanofibrous resonant membranes will be used in the design to achieve higher sound absorption at lower frequencies in comparison with commercially available materials. The principle of the acoustic system is to use combination of a perforated sheet covered by a nanofibrous resonant membrane, which is brought into forced vibration upon impact of sound waves of low frequency. Practical application:To absorb sounds of high frequencies, porous materials are used. To absorb sounds of low frequencies, resonant membranes are employed. However, these structures absorb only sounds of certain frequency. Nanofibrous layers have unique acoustic properties due to the large specific surface area of the nanofibres, where viscous losses may occur, and also the ability to resonate at its own frequency. The advantage of this technology is the space between the acoustic element with a thickness of 1–2 mm and the wall/ceiling, which can be used for the installation of lighting/audio speakers, etc. The acoustic light prototype has been made.

Quantifying Non-Linearity in Early Decay Curves of Measured and Computer-Modeled Room Impulse Responses of a Highly Non-Diffuse Room Exhibiting Flutter Echo

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather L. Lai ◽  
Brian Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Computer Modeling ◽  
Impulse Response ◽  
Decay Curve ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Energy Decay ◽  
Room Acoustics ◽  
Reverberation Time ◽  
Sound Fields ◽  
Regression Curves

Abstract This paper investigates the use of two room acoustics metrics designed to evaluate the degree to which the linearity assumptions of the energy density curves are valid. The study focuses on measured and computer-modeled energy density curves derived from the room impulse response of a space exhibiting a highly non-diffuse sound field due to flutter echo. In conjunction with acoustical remediation, room impulse response measurements were taken before and after the installation of the acoustical panels. A very dramatic decrease in the reverberation time was experienced due to the addition of the acoustical panels. The two non-linearity metrics used in this study are the non-linearity parameter and the curvature. These metrics are calculated from the energy decay curves computed per octave band, based on the definitions presented in ISO 3382-2. The non-linearity parameter quantifies the deviation of the EDC from a straight line fit used to generated T20 and T30 reverberation times. Where the reverberation times are calculated based on a linear regression of the data relating to either −5 to −25 dB for T20 or −5 to −35 dB for T30 reverberation time calculations. This deviation is quantified using the correlation coefficient between the energy decay curve and the linear regression for the specified data. In order to graphically demonstrate these non-linearity metrics, the energy decay curves are plotted along with the linear regression curves for the T20 and T30 reverberation time for both the measured data and two different room acoustics computer-modeling techniques, geometric acoustics modeling and finite-difference wave-based modeling. The intent of plotting these curves together is to demonstrate the relationship between these metrics and the energy decay curve, and to evaluate their use for quantifying degree of non-linearity in non-diffuse sound fields. Observations of these graphical representations are used to evaluate the accuracy of reverberation time estimations in non-diffuse environments, and to evaluate the use of these non-linearity parameters for comparison of different computer-modeling techniques or room configurations. Using these techniques, the non-linearity parameter based on both T20 and T30 linear regression curves and the curvature parameter were calculated over 250–4000 Hz octave bands for the measured and computer-modeled room impulse response curves at two different locations and two different room configurations. Observations of these calculated results are used to evaluate the consistency of these metrics, and the application of these metrics to quantifying the degree of non-linearity of the energy decay curve derived from a non-diffuse sound field. These calculated values are also used to evaluate the differences in the degree of diffusivity between the measured and computer-modeled room impulse response. Acoustical computer modeling is often based on geometrical acoustics using ray-tracing and image-source algorithms, however, in non-diffuse sound fields, wave based methods are often able to better model the characteristic sound wave patterns that are developed. It is of interest to study whether these improvements in the wave based computer-modeling are also reflected in the non-linearity parameter calculations. The results showed that these metrics provide an effective criteria for identifying non-linearity in the energy decay curve, however for highly non-diffuse sound fields, the resulting values were found to be very sensitive to fluctuations in the energy decay curves and therefore, contain inconsistencies due to these differences.

High-frequency neurons in the inferior colliculus that are sensitive to interaural delays of amplitude-modulated tones: evidence for dual binaural influences

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Batra ◽  
S. Kuwada ◽  
T. R. Stanford
Keyword(s):  
Inferior Colliculus ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Contralateral Stimulation ◽  
Binaural Stimulation ◽  
Pure Tones ◽  
Ipsilateral Stimulation ◽  
Inferior Colliculi

1. Localization of sounds has traditionally been considered to be performed by a duplex mechanism utilizing interaural temporal differences (ITDs) at low frequencies and interaural intensity differences at higher frequencies. More recently, it has been found that listeners can detect ITDs at high frequencies if the amplitude of the sound varies and an ITD is present in the envelope. Here we report the responses of neurons in the inferior colliculi of unanesthetized rabbits to ITDs of the envelopes of sinusoidally amplitude-modulated (SAM) tones. 2. Neurons were studied extracellularly with glass-coated Pt-Ir or Pt-W microelectrodes. Their sensitivity to ITDs in the envelopes of high-frequency sounds (> or = 2 kHz) was assessed using SAM tones that were presented binaurally. The tones at the two ears had the same carrier frequency but modulation frequencies that differed by 1 Hz. This caused a cyclic variation in the ITD produced by the envelope. In this "binaural SAM" stimulus, the carriers caused no ITD because they were in phase. In addition to the binaural SAM stimulus, pure tones were used to investigate responses to ipsilateral and contralateral stimulation and the nature of the interaction during binaural stimulation. 3. Neurons tended to display one of two kinds of sensitivity to ITDs. Some neurons discharged maximally at the same ITD at all modulation frequencies > 250 Hz (peak-type neurons), whereas others were maximally suppressed at the same ITD (trough-type neurons). 4. At these higher modulation frequencies (> 250 Hz), the characteristic delays that neurons exhibited tended to lie within the range that a rabbit might normally encounter (+/- 300 microseconds). The peak-type neurons favored ipsilateral delays, which correspond to sounds in the contralateral sound field. The trough-type neurons showed no such preference. 5. The preference of peak-type neurons for a particular delay was sharper than that of trough-type neurons and was comparable to that observed in neurons of the inferior colliculus that are sensitive to delays of low-frequency pure tones. 6. At lower modulation frequencies (< 150 Hz) characteristic delays often lay beyond +/- 300 microseconds. 7. Increasing the ipsilateral intensity tended to shift the preferred delay ipsilaterally at lower (< 250 Hz), but not at higher, modulation frequencies. 8. When tested with pure tones, a substantial number of peak-type neurons were found to be excited by contralateral stimulation but inhibited by ipsilateral stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Active Acoustic Systems for the Control of Room Acoustics

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 237-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Poletti
Keyword(s):  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Room Acoustics ◽  
Live Performance ◽  
Acoustic Parameters ◽  
Active Systems ◽  
Acoustic Design ◽  
Boundary Properties ◽  
Passive Acoustic

The acoustic design of auditoria involves the specification of the room geometry and boundary properties, and any additional acoustic elements such as reflectors or diffusers, to usefully direct sound to produce a desired subjective experience, quantified by measurable acoustic parameters. This design must take into account the reflection of sound within the stage area, the early reflections from the stage to the audience and the reverberant response of the room. The sound produced by the audience can also be an important consideration. Active acoustic systems provide an alternative approach to controlling subjective experience. They use microphones, electronic processors and loudspeakers to create reflections and reverberation in addition to those produced by the naturally-occurring sound field. The acoustic properties can be changed instantly, and the enhanced acoustic properties of the auditorium can typically be varied over a wider range than can be produced by variable passive techniques. The design of active acoustics follows that of passive approaches, but rather than the physical arrangement of the room surfaces, it commences with an existing passive space with some minimum acoustic condition, and requires the arrangement of microphones to detect relevant sound and the choice of processors and loudspeaker positions to direct it usefully back into the room to produce a desired set of acoustic parameters. While active systems have historically been developed with the goal of enhancing either the stage or audience sound, they must generally provide the same control of sound as passive acoustic design. This paper discusses the principles of active acoustic systems and how they are used to achieve the required range of control. A survey of current commercial systems is given and some implications for the future of live performance are explored.

Adaptive Multigrid for Helmholtz Problems

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 341-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Bartsch ◽  
Christian Wulf
Keyword(s):  
Eigenvalue Problems ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Mesh Size ◽  
Adaptive Mesh ◽  
Error Norm ◽  
Discrete Eigenvalue ◽  
Solution Quality ◽  
Spatial Direction ◽  
Sound Fields

Solving Helmholtz problems for low frequency sound fields by a truncated modal basis approach is very efficient. The most time-consuming process is the calculation of the undamped modes. Using traditional FE solvers, the user has to provide a mesh which has at least six nodes per wavelength in each spatial direction to achieve acceptable results. Because the mesh size increases with the 3rd power of the highest frequency of interest, this uniform dense mesh approach is a very expensive way of creating a modal space. However, the number of modes and the accuracy of the modal basis directly influences the solution quality. It is well known that the representation of sound fields by modal basis functions φi is optimal with respect to the L2 error norm. This means that having a modal basis Φ := {φi, i = 1⋯n}, the distance between true and approximated sound field takes its minimum in the mean square. So, it is necessary to have a FE basis which also minimizes the discretization error when computing the modal basis. One can reach this goal by applying adaptive mesh refinements. Additionally, this yields the opportunity of using fast multigrid methods to solve discrete eigenvalue problems. In context of this presentation we will discuss the results of our adaptive multigrid algorithms.

Directional sound field decay analysis in performance spaces

2021 ◽  
pp. 1351010X2098462
Author(s):  
Marco Berzborn ◽  
Michael Vorländer
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Evolution ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Room Acoustics ◽  
Complex Geometries ◽  
Sound Fields ◽  
Temporal Features ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Field Decay ◽  
Late Part

The analysis of the spatio-temporal features of sound fields is of great interest in the field of room acoustics, as they inevitably contribute to a listeners impression of the room. The perceived spaciousness is linked to lateral sound incidence during the early and late part of the impulse response which largely depends on the geometry of the room. In complex geometries, particularly in rooms with reverberation reservoirs or coupled spaces, the reverberation process might show distinct spatio-temporal characteristics. In the present study, we apply the analysis of directional energy decay curves based on the decomposition of the sound field into a plane wave basis, previously proposed for reverberation room characterization, to general purpose performance spaces. A simulation study of a concert hall and two churches is presented uncovering anisotropic sound field decays in two cases and highlighting implications for the resulting temporal evolution of the sound field diffuseness.

3D printed multifunctional, load-bearing, low-frequency sound absorbers

2021 ◽  
Vol 263 (1) ◽  
pp. 5605-5610
Author(s):  
William Johnston ◽  
Pulitha Godakawela Kankanamalage ◽  
Bhisham Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Normal Incidence ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Load Bearing ◽  
Fibrous Network ◽  
Size Limitation ◽  
Porous Architecture ◽  
3D Printed

Cellular porous materials are an attractive choice for lightweight structural design. However, though their open porous architecture is ideally suited for multifunctional applications, their use is typically limited by the pore sizes achievable by traditional as well as advanced fabrication processes. Here, we present an alternative route towards overcoming this pore size limitation by leveraging our recent success in printing fibrous structures. This is achieved by superimposing a fibrous network on a load-bearing, open-celled porous architecture. The multifunctional structure is 3D printed using a novel technique that enables us to simultaneously print a load-bearing scaffold and the necessary fibrous network. The acoustic properties of the printed structures are tested using a normal-incidence impedance tube method. Our results show that such structures can provide very high absorption at low frequencies while retaining the mechanical performance of the underlying architected structure.

On the Acoustics of Auditoria

1994 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Kuttruff
Keyword(s):  
Sound Propagation ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Great Benefit ◽  
Room Acoustics ◽  
Short Introduction ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Sound Fields ◽  
Field Simulation ◽  
Basic Facts

The paper presents a short introduction into auditorium acoustics and reports on a few new developments in this field, which are believed to be of great benefit both for the acoustical design of auditoria and for research in practical room acoustics. The first part describes in a rather elementary way the basic facts of sound propagation in enclosures, including the effects of reflections and the role of reverberation. Furthermore, some of the numerous objective parameters are discussed which have been introduced in order to characterize particular aspects of sound fields. In the second part, recently developed methods of sound field simulation are described by which such parameters can be predicted. Methods of “auralization” are briefly discussed by which aural impressions from non-existing halls can be created on the basis of digital sound field simulation.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Dependence of the Apparent Sound Reduction Index on Excitation Noise Parameters

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (23) ◽  
pp. 8557
Author(s):  
Ervin Lumnitzer ◽  
Miriam Andrejiova ◽  
Anna Yehorova
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Diffusion Field ◽  
Frequency Interval ◽  
Technical Standards ◽  
Noise Type ◽  
Measurement Results ◽  
Partition Structure ◽  
Sound Reduction

In acoustic practice, established methods of measuring the acoustic properties of partition structures are used. Recommended procedures and means can be found in technical standards, but practice suggests that measurement results may also depend on measurement conditions. These procedures leave the choice of noise type, frequency interval examined, and excitation interval on the measurer. The aim of this research is to determine which parameter has a significant effect on the results, and to quantify the extent of this effect. We examined the type of noise, the frequency band of the sound passing through the partition structure and the excitation interval of the diffusion field in the rooms (hereinafter referred to as “excitation interval”). During the research, we conducted a number of repeated, statistically significant measurements, which we first evaluated by classical methods used in acoustic practice. We subjected the obtained results to a thorough mathematical analysis. Evaluation of the results shows that some measurement conditions significantly affect the resulting values, especially in the low-frequency spectrum. One of the most important elements which has an effect on the results is the type of excitation noise, which, when assessed in the source room, excites the diffuse sound field, and its transmission through the considered partition structure is measured. The significance of the investigated frequency interval was also demonstrated.

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