Flexible Geographically-Distributed Microphone Array Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current differential microphone arrays (DMAs) and their associated beamformers are limited by the requirement for microphones to be arranged according to specific geometric functions, such as lines or circles, which restricts their application in a broader range of products, especially those with aesthetically designed microphone placements at flexible, non-geometrically defined locations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flexible geographically-distributed differential microphone array (FDMA) system, where microphones can be placed at any positions on a planar surface, using a beamformer constructed based on an approximate representation involving Jacobi-Anger expansion to achieve beamforming, allowing for microphones to be located at arbitrary positions while maintaining effective sound source estimation and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microphones are arranged according to specific geometric functions (lines or circles), then beamforming performance is improved, but design flexibility and aesthetic customization are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed geometric arrangement parameters into flexible spatial coordinates. By representing microphone positions using general coordinate systems rather than constrained geometric functions, the system maintains beamforming performance while enabling arbitrary placement configurations for aesthetic and application-specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the microphone array into independently positionable elements with individual coordinate definitions. Each microphone can be positioned separately using its own (x, y, z) coordinates, allowing the array to be segmented and reconfigured without maintaining rigid geometric relationships between all elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If microphones are placed at arbitrary positions, then design freedom and aesthetic customization are improved, but beamforming accuracy and sound source estimation precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation from fixed geometric relationships to flexible coordinate-based positioning with associated weight parameters. The beamforming algorithm adapts to arbitrary positions by using coordinate-based delay calculations and optimization weights rather than geometry-based fixed relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/geometric constraint system with a computational system. Instead of relying on physical geometric arrangements to ensure accuracy, the system uses digital signal processing algorithms that calculate optimal beamforming weights based on the actual arbitrary microphone positions, substituting geometric mechanics with computational adaptation.
3Device complexity
If traditional geometric array configurations are used, then beamforming theory and algorithms are simplified, but application range and product compatibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal beamforming framework that can handle both traditional geometric arrays and arbitrary microphone placements through a unified coordinate-based approach. The same algorithmic structure adapts to different configurations by accepting coordinate inputs, making the system multi-functional and applicable to diverse product types without requiring configuration-specific algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces coordinate-based position parameters as an intermediary between the physical microphone placement and the beamforming algorithm. This intermediary layer allows arbitrary positions to be translated into a format the algorithm can process, bridging the gap between flexible physical arrangements and the computational requirements for accurate beamforming.
Data Source
AI summary
A differential microphone array includes a plurality of microphones situated on a substantially planar platform and a processing device, communicatively coupled to the plurality of microphones, to receive a plurality of electronic signals generated by the plurality of microphones responsive to a sound source and execute a minimum-norm beamformer to calculate an estimate of the sound source based on the plurality of electronic signals, wherein the minimum-norm beamformer is determined subject to a constraint that an approximation of a beampattern associated with the differential microphone array substantially matches a target beampattern.