Constant Beamwidth Transducer Arrays With Dynamic Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loudspeaker systems struggle to provide consistent sound beamwidth across a wide frequency range and are limited to single-beam operation, lacking flexibility in beam steering and adjustment for immersive audio experiences.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for controlling multi-beam constant beamwidth transducer (CBT) arrays using a controller to dynamically adjust sound beams based on environmental and listener positioning, incorporating time delay, amplitude shading, and frequency shading to achieve consistent beamwidth and multi-beam steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional loudspeaker system uses a single beam configuration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and versatility for immersive audio experiences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the audio output into multiple independent sound beams, each directed toward different spatial locations. The transducer array is segmented into multiple elements that can be independently controlled to form and steer multiple beams simultaneously, enabling immersive audio experiences with enhanced adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic beam steering by continuously adjusting the phase and amplitude of each transducer element based on real-time spatial information. The beam directions and widths are dynamically controllable, allowing the audio system to adapt to moving listeners and changing environmental conditions.
2Speed
If the beamwidth is made narrow to improve sound directionality, then the sound directionality is improved, but the coverage area and listening comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single narrow beam, the system segments the audio energy into multiple beams with different widths and directions. Some beams provide focused directional sound while others provide broader coverage, collectively delivering both directionality and extended coverage area for listener comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sound field are assigned different beam characteristics. Critical listening positions receive narrow, directional beams for precise sound placement, while peripheral areas receive broader beams for extended coverage, creating local optimization of both directionality and coverage.
3Area of stationary object
If the beamwidth is made wide to improve sound coverage, then the sound coverage area is improved, but the sound directionality and focus deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the coverage area into multiple directional zones, each served by a dedicated beam. This allows the overall coverage area to be wide while maintaining narrow beamwidths within each segment, preserving sound directionality and focus across the entire listening space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimension trade-off between beamwidth and coverage to a multi-dimensional solution by using multiple beams in different spatial dimensions. This allows simultaneous achievement of wide overall coverage and narrow individual beam directionality through spatial multiplexing.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a constant beamwidth transducer array is used to maintain consistent beamwidth across frequency, then the beamwidth consistency is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves constant beamwidth across frequency by dynamically adjusting the excitation parameters (phase and amplitude) of each transducer element based on frequency content. This electronic parameter control replaces complex physical structural modifications, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining beamwidth consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than relying on fixed geometric configurations that are difficult to manufacture, the system uses dynamic electronic control to maintain constant beamwidth. The transducer array elements are driven with frequency-dependent phase and amplitude adjustments that compensate for frequency-induced beamwidth variations.
5Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic beam steering is implemented to track listener position, then the adaptability to listener location is improved, but the processing time and computational load worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of beam steering parameters based on predicted listener positions or typical listening scenarios. By pre-computing beam configurations for anticipated conditions, the system reduces real-time processing requirements and minimizes beam adjustment time when listeners move.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms using sensors to detect actual listener positions and continuously adjusts beam steering accordingly. This closed-loop control enables real-time adaptation to listener movement while optimizing processing efficiency through incremental adjustments based on position changes.
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment, a system for controlling a multi-beam constant beamwidth transducer (CBT) array is provided. The system includes a loudspeaker assembly and at least one controller. The loudspeaker assembly includes a CBT array of transducers configured to transmit a first sound beam at a first tilt angle into a listening environment. The at least one controller is programmed to receive an input indicative of at least one of dimensions of the listening environment, a location of the loudspeaker assembly, and a location of a user in the listening environment. The at least one controller is further programmed to dynamically control the CBT array of transducers to transmit the first sound beam at a second tilt angle that is different than the first tilt angle into the listening environment based on the input.