Mobile Acoustic Camera with FPGA Preprocessing for Real-Time Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional acoustic camera systems require high computing power for real-time data processing, limiting their application, especially in mobile use due to the lack of computing capabilities in conventional portable devices.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic camera system comprising a microphone unit with an integrated evaluation unit, such as an FPGA or ASIC, connected to a mobile device via a data interface, which processes acoustic data independently, reducing the computational burden on the mobile device and allowing real-time sound source localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If acoustic data is processed using a conventional mobile device, then the system remains portable and cost-effective, but the device lacks sufficient computing power for real-time processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the processing function into two segments: the mobile device handles portability and user interface, while a separate evaluation unit (FPGA or ASIC) handles real-time acoustic signal processing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between computing power and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
An evaluation unit acts as an intermediary between the microphone array and the mobile device. This intermediary performs preliminary processing of acoustic data, reducing the computational burden on the mobile device while enabling real-time processing capabilities that would otherwise require a much more complex system.
2Productivity
If acoustic data is processed in real-time, then sound source localization is immediate and useful, but high computing power is required that conventional mobile devices lack
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation unit performs preliminary processing of acoustic signals before they reach the mobile device. By pre-processing the data in real-time, the system achieves immediate sound source localization without requiring the mobile device itself to have high computing power, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and power requirements.
3Power
If a separate evaluation unit is added to the mobile device, then real-time processing is enabled, but the system becomes more complex and less portable
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation unit is implemented using cost-effective FPGA or ASIC technology rather than a full general-purpose computer. This allows real-time processing capability to be added without significantly increasing system complexity or reducing portability, as the evaluation unit is a specialized, compact component rather than a bulky computing system.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
An acoustic camera system (1) comprises a microphone unit (3) and a mobile device (2), in particular a tablet or smartphone, wherein the mobile device includes a camera (22), a data interface (41), and a display (25). The microphone unit (3) includes a data interface (42) which is connected or connectable to the data interface (41) of the mobile device (2) via a connection (4). The microphone unit (3) includes a microphone array (32) with a plurality of microphones (32a) and an evaluation unit (31) which receives data from the microphones (32a).