Sound Sensor Array for Artifact-Free Ultrasonic Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for spatially resolved detection of sound emissions, particularly ultrasonic signals, face limitations due to artifacts such as grating lobes, which occur when sensor spacing exceeds half the wavelength, leading to inaccurate sound intensity maps.
Innovation Solution
The method involves moving an array of sound sensors to different positions and orientations relative to the spatial area, allowing for the construction of a synthetic aperture that reduces artifacts by combining measurements to generate a clear and reliable sound intensity map.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic sensors with larger diameter are used to improve signal strength, then the spatial resolution deteriorates because sensor spacing must increase beyond half the wavelength
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is moved to different positions and orientations between measurements, transforming a static array into a dynamic measurement system. This allows the use of larger sensors while maintaining effective spatial resolution through multiple measurement angles and positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The problem transitions from a two-dimensional sensor spacing issue to a three-dimensional measurement approach by adding temporal and angular dimensions. Multiple measurements from different positions and orientations create a synthetic aperture that resolves the spatial resolution issue.
2Measurement precision
If sensor spacing is reduced to half the wavelength to improve spatial resolution, then the device complexity increases due to the need for precise positioning and larger number of sensors
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a complex static dense array, the system uses a simpler array that moves dynamically between measurements. The movement provides the additional spatial information that would otherwise require a much denser static array.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurements from different positions and orientations before combining them. This preliminary data collection from multiple angles prepares the information needed to resolve spatial ambiguities in the final sound intensity map.
3Ease of operation
If measurements are taken from a single position to simplify the measurement process, then reconstruction artifacts such as grating lobes increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple measurements from different positions and orientations are merged into a single sound intensity map. This combining process integrates information from all measurements, canceling out artifacts like grating lobes that appear in individual measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The beamforming algorithm acts as an intermediary that processes measurements from multiple positions and orientations. It synthesizes the information from all measurements to produce an artifact-reduced sound intensity map.
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 effectively minimizes reconstruction artifacts, enabling precise localization of sound sources by creating a virtual synthetic array that resolves ambiguities and improves the accuracy of sound intensity mapping.
Implementation Method 1
sound signals, in particular ultrasonic signals, emanating from the spatial area are received during a first measurement using an array of multiple sound sensors
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
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Figure 5A~6
AI summary
In a method for spatially resolved detection of sound emissions from a spatial area, sound signals emanating from the spatial area, in particular ultrasound signals, are received in a first measurement with an array (2) of several sound sensors (1), in particular ultrasound sensors, in which the sound sensors are located at initial positions relative to the spatial area. One or more further measurements are carried out with the array in which the sound sensors are arranged at further positions relative to the spatial area, one or more of which do not correspond to the initial positions. The sound signals received in the first and the one or more further measurements are evaluated together to generate a spatially resolved sound intensity map of the spatial area. With this method and the associated setup, a sound intensity map with reduced artifacts can be generated in a simple manner.