Direction of Arrival Estimation Using Frequency Weighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current direction-of-arrival estimation methods for acoustic signals face challenges in accuracy due to echoes, background noise, and overlapping signals, especially when multiple sound sources are close or activated simultaneously, leading to deteriorated estimation results.
Innovation Solution
A direction-of-arrival estimation apparatus that calculates frequency weighting factors based on the difference between unit vectors indicating sound source directions, using a combination of mean DoA unit vector estimation, time weighting, and frequency weighting to improve estimation accuracy by selecting representative DoA unit vectors and configuring weighting factors to reduce the impact of outliers and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional direction-of-arrival estimation methods are used, then the system can estimate sound source directions, but the estimation accuracy deteriorates when multiple sound sources are close or activated simultaneously due to echoes, background noise, and overlapping signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the estimation process into multiple frequency components and applies frequency weighting factors to different components. By dividing the signal processing into frequency bands and selectively weighting them, the system can distinguish between overlapping signals and reduce the impact of noise and echoes on the overall estimation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the weighting parameters (frequency weighting factors) based on the characteristics of different frequency components. By adjusting these parameters according to the reliability of each frequency component, the system optimizes the estimation accuracy while minimizing the impact of harmful factors like background noise and echoes.
2Measurement precision
If frequency weighting factors are calculated for all frequency components, then the estimation accuracy improves, but the calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by calculating frequency weighting factors specifically for frequency components that contribute meaningfully to the estimation. Instead of uniformly processing all frequency components, the system identifies and focuses computational resources on relevant frequency bands, thereby improving accuracy while reducing unnecessary calculation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by selectively applying frequency weighting only to certain frequency components rather than all components. This selective approach provides sufficient estimation accuracy improvement while avoiding the excessive computational burden of processing every frequency component with equal detail.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a direction of arrival estimation device wherein: a calculation circuit calculates a frequency weighting factor for each of a plurality of frequency components of signals recorded in a microphone array, on the basis of the differences among unit vectors indicating the directions of the sound sources of each of the plurality of frequency components; and an estimation circuit estimates the direction of arrival of a signal from the sound source, on the basis of the frequency weighting factors.