Ring Radiator Loudspeaker Beamforming Array with DSP

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional loudspeakers face challenges in achieving constant sound directivity over a range of frequencies and producing narrow dispersion of sound along a desired direction, leading to irregular sound distribution at mid and high frequencies.

Innovation Solution

A beamforming array utilizing ring radiator loudspeakers and digital signal processing (DSP) optimization, where driver units are arranged in an end-fire configuration with corresponding digital filters for individual signal processing, allowing for precise control of sound directivity and attenuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional loudspeakers are used, then device complexity is low, but sound directivity is irregular and dispersion is wide at mid and high frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound directivity controlVSAvoidarray configuration and DSP processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loudspeaker system is divided into multiple independent driver units arranged in an end-fire array, with each unit having its own digital filter for individual signal processing. This segmentation enables precise control of sound directivity by independently adjusting each driver's output, resolving the contradiction between simple operation and directivity control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Digital signal processing is applied to change the temporal and spectral parameters of the audio signal for each driver unit. By adjusting filter coefficients and signal timing, the system achieves constant sound directivity and narrow dispersion over a large frequency bandwidth, transforming conventional loudspeaker behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If driver units are arranged in an end-fire array with individual digital filters, then sound directivity is constant and dispersion is narrow, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstant sound directivityVSAvoiddigital filter processing for each driver

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical or analog signal processing with digital filter processing for each driver unit. This substitution enables more precise and flexible control of sound directivity, achieving constant pattern over frequency while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The end-fire array configuration with individual digital filters serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls sound directivity, manages frequency response, and achieves narrow dispersion. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by delivering multiple performance benefits from a single system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional loudspeakers are used, then manufacturing is simple, but attenuation is insufficient compared to beamforming arrays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound attenuationVSAvoidarray fabrication and configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary signal processing by pre-calculating and applying digital filters to each driver unit before sound generation. This preliminary action shapes the sound field in advance, achieving superior attenuation performance while the end-fire array configuration simplifies the physical manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10244317B2Beamforming array utilizing ring radiator loudspeakers and digital signal processing (DSP) optimization of a beamforming array

Publication Date: 2019.03.26 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

One embodiment provides a sound apparatus comprising a plurality of driver units arranged linearly in an end-fire array, and for each driver unit, a corresponding digital filter for individual digital signal processing of signals received by the driver unit.