Microphone Array Housing Using Phase Velocity Medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor arrays, particularly acoustic microphone arrays, are limited in size and spatial sensitivity due to their physical properties, making them unsuitable for miniaturization and integration into mobile devices without compromising their frequency range and spatial resolution capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The sensor system employs a second medium with a different phase velocity than the first medium to optimize sensor array properties, allowing for miniaturization and enhanced sensitivity by manipulating wave propagation speeds, enabling smaller arrays to maintain the properties of larger arrays and sensitivity to high-frequency waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the size of microphone array is reduced for miniaturization, then the device can be integrated into mobile devices, but the spatial resolution capabilities and sensitivity are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of wave propagation by introducing a second medium with different phase velocity (lower than the first medium). This parameter change allows the sensor array to maintain its spatial resolution capabilities at a reduced size, as the wavelength of sound waves in the second medium is shorter, enabling the same angular resolution with smaller inter-sensor distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second medium as an intermediary substance between the sensors and the first medium. This intermediary medium with different acoustic properties (lower phase velocity) modifies the wave propagation characteristics, allowing the compact sensor array to achieve the performance of a larger array in the first medium.
2Length of moving object
If the geometrical distances among sensor elements are reduced, then the array size is miniaturized, but the cross-channel delay and spatial sensitivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the propagation speed parameter of the wave medium to compensate for the reduced geometrical distances. By using a second medium with lower phase velocity, the wavelength is reduced proportionally, maintaining the cross-channel delay characteristics necessary for spatial sensitivity and direction-of-arrival estimation despite the smaller sensor spacing.
3Measurement precision
If a larger sensor array is used to maintain spatial resolution, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device becomes too large for mobile applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the propagation medium (phase velocity) to decouple the relationship between array size and measurement precision. In the second medium with lower phase velocity, the wavelength is shorter, allowing a compact array to achieve the same angular resolution that would require a much larger array in the first medium.
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
This approach allows for the reduction of sensor array size while maintaining or enhancing sensitivity and bandwidth, enabling applications in various environments, including mobile devices and diverse wave propagation scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the space inside the main enclosure between the sensor array and the inner surface of the main enclosure is filled with a second medium, in which waves propagate with a second phase velocity, the second phase velocity being different from the first velocity
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor system is located in an environment composed of a first medium, where waves propagate with a first phase velocity, the sensor system including at least one main enclosure and a sensor array with at least two sensors, said sensor array being arranged inside the main enclosure, wherein the space inside the main enclosure between the sensor array and the inner surface of the main enclosure is filled with a second medium, in which waves propagate with a second phase velocity, the second phase velocity being different from the first velocity.