Acoustic Sensor Assembly With Resonator-Based 360° Directivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional acoustic sensor systems face limitations in compact design and signal processing complexity due to restrictions on sensor spacing and frequency-dependent phase compensation, which affect their ability to accurately distinguish sound directions without complex operations.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic sensor assembly comprising a non-directional sensor and multiple directional sensors with different resonance frequencies, where a processor calculates acoustic signals by combining output signals to achieve directivity, allowing for simple operation and compact design without complex signal processing, and enabling the distinction of sound directions with relative ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple directional acoustic sensors are used to achieve directional sound detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the acoustic sensing function into multiple specialized directional sensors, each responsible for detecting sound in specific directions. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific directional task while collectively providing comprehensive 360-degree coverage, resolving the contradiction by making the complex system manageable through functional division
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple directional acoustic sensors with different resonance frequencies are combined with a non-directional acoustic sensor to form an integrated system. The processor merges the output signals from all sensors through selective combination and calculation, achieving accurate directional sound detection while managing system complexity through unified signal processing
2Measurement precision
If sensor spacing is increased to improve directional discrimination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each directional acoustic sensor is designed with specific local properties including distinct resonance frequencies and directional patterns. This local quality differentiation allows sensors to be closely spaced while maintaining their ability to distinguish sound directions, as each sensor's unique frequency response and directional characteristics enable identification without requiring large spatial separation
3Measurement precision
If frequency-dependent phase compensation is applied to improve sound direction detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary signal processing by selectively combining output signals from multiple sensors before calculating the acoustic signal. This preliminary action of signal combination and selection simplifies subsequent processing steps and reduces the computational complexity required for frequency-dependent phase compensation, while still achieving accurate sound direction detection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient ambient sound detection with directional awareness in all directions, providing uniform sensitivity across frequencies and allowing for flexible directivity patterns, thus overcoming the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of directional acoustic sensors surrounding the non-directional acoustic sensor and including a plurality of resonators having different resonance frequencies from each other
Data Source
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AI summary
An acoustic sensor assembly includes a non-directional acoustic sensor having a first directional pattern, a plurality of directional acoustic sensors surrounding the non-directional acoustic sensor and including a plurality of resonators having different resonance frequencies from each other, each of the plurality of directional acoustic sensors having a second directional pattern, and a processor configured to obtain output signals from the non-directional acoustic sensor and the plurality of directional acoustic sensors. The processor is further configured to calculate an acoustic signal having directivity by selecting any one or any combination of the obtained output signals or selectively combining the obtained output signals, and obtain sound around the acoustic sensor assembly, using the calculated acoustic signal.