Sound Gathering System Time Delay Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sound gathering systems using microphone arrays face challenges in accurately determining the time delays for each microphone to synchronize sound samples, leading to inefficiencies in phase alignment and source localization.
Innovation Solution
A sound gathering system comprising a processor chain with microphones, where a controller calculates and transmits time delays to each processor, allowing them to determine the starting position for reading sound samples from a memory, and sums these samples to generate in-phase signals, effectively synchronizing the sound gathering process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sound gathering systems use microphone arrays to gather sound, then sound collection capability is improved, but accuracy in determining time delays for synchronization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated time delay calculator as an intermediary component that receives sound samples from microphones and computes time delays independently. This mediator processes the raw sound data and provides precise time delay measurements to the sound gatherer, resolving the accuracy issue without complicating the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: microphones for sound collection, a time delay calculator for synchronization computation, and a sound gatherer for processed sound output. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, improving time delay determination accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
2Measurement precision
If the system synchronizes sound samples from multiple microphones, then phase alignment accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The time delay calculator performs preliminary computation of time delays continuously in the background, before sound samples need to be synchronized. By pre-calculating and storing time delay values, the system avoids time-consuming real-time calculations during sound gathering, thus improving phase alignment accuracy without significantly increasing processing time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If processors are arranged in a chain with terminal connection to controller, then system scalability is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each processor in the chain is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple tasks: receiving sound samples, calculating time delays, and outputting synchronized sound. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components and simplifies communication protocols, enabling system scalability without proportionally increasing communication complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sound gathering system is disclosed herein and includes a plurality of microphones each configured to sample sound coming from a sound source. A plurality of processors are arranged in a processor chain. Each processor is coupled to at least one of the microphones and is configured to store sound samples received from the at least one microphone to a memory. A controller is terminally connected to the processor chain via a first processor. The controller is configured to calculate at least one time delay for each microphone, wherein the at least one time delay for each microphone is provided to the processor coupled thereto and is used by the processor to determine a memory position from which to begin reading sound samples.