Vehicle Audio Signal Processing with Multi-Zone Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current on-board microphone systems in vehicles are limited to collecting voice signals from a single zone, primarily focused on the driver, and struggle with noise reduction, making it difficult to provide voice recognition services to multiple passengers and failing to effectively isolate non-human sounds.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a microphone array with echo cancellation and beamforming capabilities, divided into multiple sound zones, to process audio signals and improve noise reduction and signal amplification, allowing for voice recognition across multiple seating areas in a vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single on-board microphone is installed at a fixed position (overhead light, central console, or A pillar), then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the sound collecting coverage is limited to a single zone and cannot serve multiple passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle interior is divided into multiple sound zones (driver zone, passenger zones, rear zones) with each zone served by dedicated beamforming algorithms. The microphone array segments the acoustic space and processes signals from different zones independently, enabling multi-zone voice recognition simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
A single microphone array serves multiple functions: it collects voice signals from all seating areas, performs echo cancellation, applies beamforming to different sound zones, and enables voice recognition for multiple passengers simultaneously, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate microphone systems
2Measurement precision
If traditional single-zone microphone systems are used, then the device complexity is low, but the noise reduction effect is insufficient and cannot effectively distinguish non-human sounds (door sounds, engine noise, tire noise)
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs echo cancellation by comparing the original audio signal with the reproduced speech signal, continuously adjusting to eliminate acoustic echoes from speakers. This feedback mechanism enables precise distinction between human voice and other sounds in the vehicle environment
Solution Approach 2:
Different beamforming algorithms are applied to different sound zones based on their specific acoustic characteristics. Each zone receives customized signal processing tailored to its location and noise profile, improving sound source identification accuracy for that specific area
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple microphone arrays are installed to cover all seating areas, then the voice recognition service coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
One microphone array is designed to serve all seating areas simultaneously through software-based beamforming and sound zone processing. The system can dynamically switch between different zones and passengers without requiring physical reconfiguration or multiple separate arrays
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from spatial distribution (multiple arrays at different locations) to algorithmic differentiation (beamforming in different sound zones). By processing signals in the acoustic domain rather than requiring physical separation, full vehicle coverage is achieved with a single array
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for processing an audio signal in a vehicle are provided. The method includes: obtaining an audio signal by a microphone array; performing echo cancellation on the obtained audio signal, to obtain a first processed signal; and performing beamforming on the first processed signal according to sound zones in which microphones of the microphone array are located, to obtain a second processed signal, wherein the vehicle includes at least two sound zones, and each microphone of the microphone array is located in at least one sound zone. With the beamforming, the requirements for isolation degree between different sound zones is not high, and the sound source of the audio signal can be accurately determined.