Speaker Equalization Using Chirp Response and IIR Biquad Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tuning large-scale networked audio systems in complex environments, such as conference rooms or workplaces, is challenging due to the need for expert setup and configuration of multiple speakers and microphones, and existing test processes often fail to accurately represent the audio system's performance across all locations.
Innovation Solution
An automated tuning method that identifies and tunes multiple speakers and microphones on a network, using test signals to detect operational components, establish background noise levels, and apply equalization filters to achieve optimal sound pressure levels and speech intelligibility, utilizing IIR biquad filters for frequency response adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expert teams manually setup and test audio equipment, then audio system performance can be optimized, but installation time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The audio system performs self-testing and self-tuning through automated processes. The controller automatically generates test signals, captures responses from microphones and speakers, analyzes the collected data, and adjusts audio parameters without requiring expert manual intervention, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining performance optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual expert assessment and adjustment (mechanical/human process) with automated electronic testing and analysis systems. The controller uses electronic test signals and digital signal processing to automatically determine audio parameters, substituting the need for expert mechanical setup with an automated electronic system
2Ease of operation
If single speaker testing is performed, then test process is simple, but audio system performance across multiple speakers cannot be accurately represented
Solution Approach 1:
The testing process is segmented into multiple independent test signals, each targeting specific speakers or speaker groups. The controller generates separate test signals for different speakers, captures their individual responses, and combines the results to represent the overall audio system performance accurately
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic test signals (such as sine waves at different frequencies) that are sequentially applied to different speakers. This periodic action allows systematic testing of each speaker's frequency response and performance characteristics, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the multi-speaker system
3Measurement precision
If multiple test signals are provided to multiple speakers simultaneously, then comprehensive audio analysis is achieved, but signal detection and analysis complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer in the form of the controller that manages test signal generation, coordination, and analysis. The controller acts as an intermediary between test signal sources and microphones, organizing the complex simultaneous testing process and simplifying the detection and analysis of multiple signals through structured data collection and processing
Data Source
AI summary
An example method of operation may include determining a frequency response to a measured chirp signal detected from one or more speakers, determining an average value of the frequency response based on a high limit value and a low limit value, subtracting a measured response from a target response, and the target response is based on one or more filter frequencies; determining a frequency limited target filter with audible parameters based on the subtraction, and applying an infinite impulse response (IR) biquad filter based on an area defined by the frequency limited target filter to equalize the frequency response of the one or more speakers.