Development of novel signal processing techniques for audio reproduction using loudspeaker arrays
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering & the Environment
Abstract
Array technologies are a "hot" research topic in the field of audio capturing and reproduction. The latest research projects undertaken by the major national and international players in the audio and telecommunication industry (BBC, NHK, France Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, etc.) demonstrate the growing commercial interest in this field. The use of compact transducer arrays for the generation of private listening areas, to be used in conjunction with portable devices is a promising application of this technology.
The ISVR has a strong track-record in the development of DSP technologies for 3D audio reproduction with loudspeaker arrays. This is sometimes referred to as "Transaural audio". Whilst significant advances have been achieved recently in this field and the first Transaural audio systems have started to be commercialised, a number of issues are still unresolved and require more fundamental research to be carried out at an academic level.
Some of these issues are:
- Definition of optimal number of loudspeaker
- Reproduction of elevated virtual sources
- Reproduction of diffuse fields
- Importance of individualised Head Related Transfer Function
- Low frequency system instability and optimal size of the array
- Spatial aliasing at high frequency and determination of optimal loudspeaker spacing
- Reproduction for multiple listeners (2 or more)
- System adaptation to environmental conditions (reverberation and background noise)
The aim of this PhD project is to analyse these different problems and gain a better understanding of their scientific and industrial relevance. It is then expected that the project will focus on one or two of these aspects and develop novel solutions in terms of array design and signal processing strategies. It is expected that these novel solution will leverage ISVR's in-house expertise in array technology and may also be based on novel DSP approaches (e.g. compressive sensing) and on psychoacoustical principles (in which ISVR has also strong in-house expertise). The research work will involve both theoretical investigation and experimental activity, leveraginbg also the experimental devices and methods developed in course of the S3A project.
The improvement of 3D audio reproduction with loudspeaker arrays is a central topic of the S3A EPSRC-supported programme grant, to which this PhD project is associated. The outcomes of this project have significant potential for impact also through the S3A activity, which involves both academic and industrial dissemination of knowledge and technology.
The ISVR has a strong track-record in the development of DSP technologies for 3D audio reproduction with loudspeaker arrays. This is sometimes referred to as "Transaural audio". Whilst significant advances have been achieved recently in this field and the first Transaural audio systems have started to be commercialised, a number of issues are still unresolved and require more fundamental research to be carried out at an academic level.
Some of these issues are:
- Definition of optimal number of loudspeaker
- Reproduction of elevated virtual sources
- Reproduction of diffuse fields
- Importance of individualised Head Related Transfer Function
- Low frequency system instability and optimal size of the array
- Spatial aliasing at high frequency and determination of optimal loudspeaker spacing
- Reproduction for multiple listeners (2 or more)
- System adaptation to environmental conditions (reverberation and background noise)
The aim of this PhD project is to analyse these different problems and gain a better understanding of their scientific and industrial relevance. It is then expected that the project will focus on one or two of these aspects and develop novel solutions in terms of array design and signal processing strategies. It is expected that these novel solution will leverage ISVR's in-house expertise in array technology and may also be based on novel DSP approaches (e.g. compressive sensing) and on psychoacoustical principles (in which ISVR has also strong in-house expertise). The research work will involve both theoretical investigation and experimental activity, leveraginbg also the experimental devices and methods developed in course of the S3A project.
The improvement of 3D audio reproduction with loudspeaker arrays is a central topic of the S3A EPSRC-supported programme grant, to which this PhD project is associated. The outcomes of this project have significant potential for impact also through the S3A activity, which involves both academic and industrial dissemination of knowledge and technology.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Jacob Hollebon (Student) |
Publications
D'Andrea Fonseca W
(2021)
Head tracker using webcam for auralization
in INTER-NOISE and NOISE-CON Congress and Conference Proceedings
Hollebon J
(2020)
Efficient HRTF representation using compact mode HRTFs
Hollebon J
(2020)
Generalised low frequency 3D audio reproduction over loudspeakers
Hollebon J
A multiple listener crosstalk cancellation system using loudspeaker dependent regularization
in Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EP/N509747/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/09/2021 | |||
2106106 | Studentship | EP/N509747/1 | 30/09/2018 | 30/10/2021 | Jacob Hollebon |
Description | Audio Engineering Society Educational Foundation Emil Torick Scholarship |
Amount | $5,000 (USD) |
Organisation | Audio Engineering Society |
Sector | Learned Society |
Country | United States |
Start | 11/2018 |
Description | Audio Engineering Society Educational Foundation Student Award |
Amount | $1,500 (USD) |
Organisation | Audio Engineering Society |
Sector | Learned Society |
Country | United States |
Start | 11/2019 |
Description | Academic and Industrial Outreach Through The University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | High level of involvement in the outreach team at the ISVR, University of Southampton. Responsibilities include senior tour guide, demonstrator, leading teams of undergraduate students and the design and implementation of a number of high impact audio demos for use in all ISVR outreach. This work covers the regular tours of the ISVR facilities and demos to visiting researchers and academics, supporting funding organisations, visiting/supporting industrial connections whenever they visit the University. In this role I often aid or run these tours myself, which demonstrate the ISVR's capabilities and current research, helping encourage new research proposals and partnerships with those visiting. The demostrations created and maintained by myself are an important part of this work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020,2021 |
Description | Public and Student Outreach Through University of Southampton |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | High level of involvement in the outreach team at the ISVR, University of Southampton. Responsibilities include senior tour guide, demonstrator, leading teams of undergraduate students and the design and implementation of a number of high impact audio demos for use in all ISVR outreach. This work covers a range of public outreach events, including the yearly Southampton Science and Engineering Festival (SOTSEF) and open days, which are extremely important for engaging potential new engineering students, and also engaging the public to explain and demonstrate our state of the art research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |
URL | https://www.sotsef.co.uk/ |