Active noise control over adaptive distributed networks

© 2015. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/This paper presents the implementation of Active Noise Control (ANC) systems over a network of distributed acoustic nodes. For this purpose we define a general acoustic node consisting of one or several microphones and one or several loudspeakers together with a unique processor with communication capabilities. ANC systems can use a wide range of adaptive algorithms, but we have considered specifically the Multiple Error Filtered-x Least Mean Square (MEFxLMS), which has been proved to perform very well for ANC systems with multiple microphones and loudspeakers, and centralized processing. We present a new formulation to introduce the distributed version of the MEFxLMS together with an incremental collaborative strategy in the network. We demonstrate that the distributed MEFxLMS exhibits the same performance as the centralized one when there are no communication constraints in the network. Then, we re-formulate the distributed MEFxLMS to include parameters related to its implementation on an acoustic sensor network: latency of the network, computational capacity of the nodes, and trustworthiness of the signals measured at each node. Simulation results in realistic scenarios show the ability of the proposed distributed algorithms to achieve good performance when proper values of these parameters are chosen. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.This work has been supported by European Union ERDF and Spanish Government through TEC2012-38142-C04 Project, and Generalitat Valenciana through PROMETEOII/2014/003 Project.Ferrer Contreras, M.; Diego Antón, MD.; Piñero Sipán, MG.; González Salvador, A. (2015). Active noise control over adaptive distributed networks. Signal Processing. 107:82-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sigpro.2014.07.026S829510

Distributed Active Noise Control System Based on a Block Diffusion FxLMS Algorithm with Bidirectional Communication

Recently, distributed active noise control systems based on diffusion adaptation have attracted significant research interest due to their balance between computational complexity and stability compared to conventional centralized and decentralized adaptation schemes. However, the existing diffusion FxLMS algorithm employs node-specific adaptation and neighborhood-wide combination, and assumes that the control filters of neighbor nodes are similar to each other. This assumption is not true in practical applications, and it leads to inferior performance to the centralized controller approach. In contrast, this paper proposes a Block Diffusion FxLMS algorithm with bidirectional communication, which uses neighborhood-wide adaptation and node-specific combination to update the control filters. Simulation results validate that the proposed algorithm converges to the solution of the centralized controller with reduced computational burden

Adaptive Filtered-x Algorithms for Room Equalization Based on Block-Based Combination Schemes

(c) 2016 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other users, including reprinting/ republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted components of this work in other works.[EN] Room equalization has become essential for sound reproduction systems to provide the listener with the desired acoustical sensation. Recently, adaptive filters have been proposed as an effective tool in the core of these systems. In this context, this paper introduces different novel schemes based on the combination of adaptive filters idea: a versatile and flexible approach that permits obtaining adaptive schemes combining the capabilities of several independent adaptive filters. In this way, we have investigated the advantages of a scheme called combination of block-based adaptive filters which allows a blockwise combination splitting the adaptive filters into nonoverlapping blocks. This idea was previously applied to the plant identification problem, but has to be properly modified to obtain a suitable behavior in the equalization application. Moreover, we propose a scheme with the aim of further improving the equalization performance using the a priori knowledge of the energy distribution of the optimal inverse filter, where the block filters are chosen to fit with the coefficients energy distribution. Furthermore, the biased block-based filter is also introduced as a particular case of the combination scheme, especially suited for low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) or sparse scenarios. Although the combined schemes can be employed with any kind of adaptive filter, we employ the filtered-x improved proportionate normalized least mean square algorithm as basis of the proposed algorithms, allowing to introduce a novel combination scheme based on partitioned block schemes where different blocks of the adaptive filter use different parameter settings. Several experiments are included to evaluate the proposed algorithms in terms of convergence speed and steady-state behavior for different degrees of sparseness and SNRs.The work of L. A. Azpicueta-Ruiz was supported in part by the Comtmidad de Madrid through CASI-CAM-CM under Grant S2013/ICE-2845, in part by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through DAMA under Grant TIN2015-70308-REDT, and Grant TEC2014-52289-R, and in part by the European Union. The work of L. Fuster, M. Ferrer, and M. de Diego was supported in part by EU together with the Spanish Government under Grant TEC2015-67387-C4-1-R (MINECO/FEDER), and in part by the Cieneralitat Valenciana under Grant PROMETEOII/2014/003. The associate editor coordinating the review of this manuscript and approving it for publication was Prof. Simon Dodo.Fuster Criado, L.; Diego Antón, MD.; Azpicueta-Ruiz, LA.; Ferrer Contreras, M. (2016). Adaptive Filtered-x Algorithms for Room Equalization Based on Block-Based Combination Schemes. IEEE/ACM Transactions on Audio, Speech and Language Processing. 24(10):1732-1745. https://doi.org/10.1109/TASLP.2016.2583065S17321745241

Vehicular Noise Pollution: Its Environmental Implications and Strategic Control

Noise pollution has been recognized as one of the major hazard that impacts the quality of life all around the world. Because of the rapid increase in technology, industrialization, urbanization and other communication and transport systems, noise pollution has reached to a disturbing level over the years which needs to be studied and controlled to avoid different health effects like high blood pressure, sleeplessness, nausea, heart attack, depression, dizziness, headache, and induced hearing loss. To address this situation, different countries have different strategies like vehicular noise limits and their regulation, vehicles physical health checkup, different time of operations for noisy traffic like trucks in the evening or night time, and noise pollution fines for noisy vehicles

A sign-preserving filter for signal decomposition

There are optimization problems in which an improvement in performance or a reduction in cost can be attained if the input signal of the system is split into multiple components. Splitting the signal allows customizing the design of the system’s hardware for a narrower range of frequencies, which in turn allows making a better use of its physical properties. There exist applications that have very specific signal-splitting requirements, such as ‘counter-flow avoidance’, that conventional signal processing tools cannot meet. Accordingly, a novel ‘Sign-Preserving’ filter has been developed and is presented in this article. The underlying algorithm of the filter is comprehensively explained with the aim of facilitating its reproduction, and the aspects of its operation are thoroughly discussed. The filter has two key features: (1) it separates a discrete signal a into two components – a mostly low-frequency signal b and a predominantly high-frequency signal c such that the sum of b and c replicates exactly the original signal a and, more importantly, (2) the signs of the two output signals are equal to the sign of a at all times. The article presents two case studies which demonstrate the use of the Sign-Preserving filter for the optimization of real-life applications, in which counter-flow must be avoided: the hybridization of the battery pack of an electric vehicle and the parallelization of a packed bed thermal energy store

Autonomous Vehicle and Smart Traffic

Long-term forecasting of technology has become extremely difficult due to the rapid realization of any suggested idea. Communication and software technologies can compensate for the problems that may arise during the transition period between idea generation and realization. However, this rapid process can cause problems for the automotive industry and transportation systems.Autonomous vehicles are currently a hot topic within the transportation sector. This development is related to the compatibility of vehicles of the near future with the development of the infrastructure on which these vehicles will be based. There are certain problems regarding the solutions that are currently being worked on, such as how autonomous should vehicles be, their control mechanisms, driving safety, energy requirements, and environmental use. The problem is not just about the design of autonomous vehicles. The user transportation systems of these vehicles also need problem-free solutions. The problem should not only be seen as financial because sociological effects are an important part of this feature.In this book, valuable research on the modeling, systems, transportation, technological necessity, and logistics of autonomous vehicles is presented. The content of the book will help researchers to create ideas for their future studies and to open up the discussion of autonomous vehicles

Distributed and Collaborative Processing of Audio Signals: Algorithms, Tools and Applications

Tesis por compendio[ES] Esta tesis se enmarca en el campo de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC), especialmente en el área del procesado digital de la señal. En la actualidad, y debido al auge del Internet de los cosas (IoT), existe un creciente interés por las redes de sensores inalámbricos (WSN), es decir, redes compuestas de diferentes tipos de dispositivos específicamente distribuidos en una determinada zona para realizar diferentes tareas de procesado de señal. Estos dispositivos o nodos suelen estar equipados con transductores electroacústicos así como con potentes y eficientes procesadores con capacidad de comunicación. En el caso particular de las redes de sensores acústicos (ASN), los nodos se dedican a resolver diferentes tareas de procesado de señales acústicas. El desarrollo de potentes sistemas de procesado centralizado han permitido aumentar el número de canales de audio, ampliar el área de control o implementar algoritmos más complejos. En la mayoría de los casos, una topología de ASN distribuida puede ser deseable debido a varios factores tales como el número limitado de canales utilizados por los dispositivos de adquisición y reproducción de audio, la conveniencia de un sistema escalable o las altas exigencias computacionales de los sistemas centralizados. Todos estos aspectos pueden llevar a la utilización de nuevas técnicas de procesado distribuido de señales con el fin de aplicarlas en ASNs. Para ello, una de las principales aportaciones de esta tesis es el desarrollo de algoritmos de filtrado adaptativo para sistemas de audio multicanal en redes distribuidas. Es importante tener en cuenta que, para aplicaciones de control del campo sonoro (SFC), como el control activo de ruido (ANC) o la ecualización activa de ruido (ANE), los nodos acústicos deben estar equipados con actuadores con el fin de controlar y modificar el campo sonoro. Sin embargo, la mayoría de las propuestas de redes distribuidas adaptativas utilizadas para resolver problemas de control del campo sonoro no tienen en cuenta que los nodos pueden interferir o modificar el comportamiento del resto. Por lo tanto, otra contribución destacable de esta tesis se centra en el análisis de cómo el sistema acústico afecta el comportamiento de los nodos dentro de una ASN. En los casos en que el entorno acústico afecta negativamente a la estabilidad del sistema, se han propuesto varias estrategias distribuidas para resolver el problema de interferencia acústica con el objetivo de estabilizar los sistemas de ANC. En el diseño de los algoritmos distribuidos también se han tenido en cuenta aspectos de implementación práctica. Además, con el objetivo de crear perfiles de ecualización diferentes en zonas de escucha independientes en presencia de ruidos multitonales, se han presentado varios algoritmos distribuidos de ANE en banda estrecha y banda ancha sobre una ASN con una comunicación colaborativa y compuesta por nodos acústicos. Se presentan además resultados experimentales para validar el uso de los algoritmos distribuidos propuestos en el trabajo para aplicaciones prácticas. Para ello, se ha diseñado un software de simulación acústica que permite analizar el rendimiento de los algoritmos desarrollados en la tesis. Finalmente, se ha realizado una implementación práctica que permite ejecutar aplicaciones multicanal de SFC. Para ello, se ha desarrollado un prototipo en tiempo real que controla las aplicaciones de ANC y ANE utilizando nodos acústicos colaborativos. El prototipo consiste en dos sistemas de control de audio personalizado (PAC) compuestos por un asiento de coche y un nodo acústico, el cual está equipado con dos altavoces, dos micrófonos y un procesador con capacidad de comunicación entre los dos nodos. De esta manera, es posible crear dos zonas independientes de control de ruido que mejoran el confort acústico del usuario sin necesidad de utilizar auriculares.[CA] Aquesta tesi s'emmarca en el camp de les Tecnologies de la Informació i les Comunicacions (TIC), especialment en l'àrea del processament digital del senyal. En l'actualitat, i a causa de l'auge de la Internet dels coses (IoT), existeix un creixent interés per les xarxes de sensors sense fils (WSN), és a dir, xarxes compostes de diferents tipus de dispositius específicament distribuïts en una determinada zona per a fer diferents tasques de processament de senyal. Aquests dispositius o nodes solen estar equipats amb transductors electroacústics així com amb potents i eficients processadors amb capacitat de comunicació. En el cas particular de les xarxes de sensors acústics (ASN), els nodes es dediquen a resoldre diferents tasques de processament de senyals acústics. El desenvolupament de potents sistemes de processament centralitzat han permés augmentar el nombre de canals d'àudio, ampliar l'àrea de control o implementar algorismes més complexos. En la majoria dels casos, una topologia de ASN distribuïda pot ser desitjable a causa de diversos factors tals com el nombre limitat de canals utilitzats pels dispositius d'adquisició i reproducció d'àudio, la conveniència d'un sistema escalable o les altes exigències computacionals dels sistemes centralitzats. Tots aquests aspectes poden portar a la utilització de noves tècniques de processament distribuït de senyals amb la finalitat d'aplicar-les en ASNs. Per a això, una de les principals aportacions d'aquesta tesi és el desenvolupament d'algorismes de filtrat adaptatiu per a sistemes d'àudio multicanal en xarxes distribuïdes. És important tindre en compte que, per a aplicacions de control del camp sonor (SFC), com el control actiu de soroll (ANC) o l'equalització activa de soroll (ANE), els nodes acústics han d'estar equipats amb actuadors amb la finalitat de controlar i modificar el camp sonor. No obstant això, la majoria de les propostes de xarxes distribuïdes adaptatives utilitzades per a resoldre problemes de control del camp sonor no tenen en compte que els nodes poden modificar el comportament de la resta. Per tant, una altra contribució destacable d'aquesta tesi se centra en l'anàlisi de com el sistema acústic afecta el comportament dels nodes dins d'una ASN. En els casos en què l'entorn acústic afecta negativament a l'estabilitat del sistema, s'han proposat diverses estratègies distribuïdes per a resoldre el problema d'interferència acústica amb l'objectiu d'estabilitzar els sistemes de ANC. En el disseny dels algorismes distribuïts també s'han tingut en compte aspectes d'implementació pràctica. A més, amb l'objectiu de crear perfils d'equalització diferents en zones d'escolta independents en presència de sorolls multitonales, s'han presentat diversos algorismes distribuïts de ANE en banda estreta i banda ampla sobre una ASN amb una comunicació col·laborativa i composta per nodes acústics. Es presenten a més resultats experimentals per a validar l'ús dels algorismes distribuïts proposats en el treball per a aplicacions pràctiques. Per a això, s'ha dissenyat un programari de simulació acústica que permet analitzar el rendiment dels algorismes desenvolupats en la tesi. Finalment, s'ha realitzat una implementació pràctica que permet executar aplicacions multicanal de SFC. Per a això, s'ha desenvolupat un prototip en temps real que controla les aplicacions de ANC i ANE utilitzant nodes acústics col·laboratius. El prototip consisteix en dos sistemes de control d'àudio personalitzat (PAC) compostos per un seient de cotxe i un node acústic, el qual està equipat amb dos altaveus, dos micròfons i un processador amb capacitat de comunicació entre els dos nodes. D'aquesta manera, és possible crear dues zones independents de control de soroll que milloren el confort acústic de l'usuari sense necessitat d'utilitzar auriculars.[EN] This thesis fits into the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), especially in the area of digital signal processing. Nowadays and due to the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), there is a growing interest in wireless sensor networks (WSN), that is, networks composed of different types of devices specifically distributed in some area to perform different signal processsing tasks. These devices, also referred to as nodes, are usually equipped with electroacoustic transducers as well as powerful and efficient processors with communication capability. In the particular case of acoustic sensor networks (ASN), nodes are dedicated to solving different acoustic signal processing tasks. These audio signal processing applications have been undergone a major development in recent years due in part to the advances made in computer hardware and software. The development of powerful centralized processing systems has allowed the number of audio channels to be increased, the control area to be extended or more complex algorithmms to be implemented. In most cases, a distributed ASN topology can be desirable due to several factors such as the limited number of channels used by the sound acquisition and reproduction devices, the convenience of a scalable system or the high computational demands of a centralized fashion. All these aspects may lead to the use of novel distributed signal processing techniques with the aim to be applied over ASNs. To this end, one of the main contributions of this dissertation is the development of adaptive filtering algorithms for multichannel sound systems over distributed networks. Note that, for sound field control (SFC) applications, such as active noise control (ANC) or active noise equalization (ANE), acoustic nodes must be not only equipped with sensors but also with actuators in order to control and modify the sound field. However, most of the adaptive distributed networks approaches used to solve soundfield control problems do not take into account that the nodes may interfere or modify the behaviour of the rest. Therefore, other important contribution of this thesis is focused on analyzing how the acoustic system affects the behavior of the nodes within an ASN. In cases where the acoustic environment adversely affects the system stability, several distributed strategies have been proposed for solving the acoustic interference problem with the aim to stabilize ANC control systems. These strategies are based on both collaborative and non-collaborative approaches. Implementation aspects such as hardware constraints, sensor locations, convergenge rate or computational and communication burden, have been also considered on the design of the distributed algorithms. Moreover and with the aim to create independent-zone equalization profiles in the presence of multi-tonal noises, distributed narrowband and broadband ANE algorithms over an ASN with a collaborative learning and composed of acoustic nodes have been presented. Experimental results are presented to validate the use of the distributed algorithms proposed in the work for practical applications. For this purpose, an acoustic simulation software has been specifically designed to analyze the performance of the developed algorithms. Finally, the performance of the proposed distributed algorithms for multichannel SFC applications has been evaluated by means of a real practical implementation. To this end, a real-time prototype that controls both ANC and ANE applications by using collaborative acoustic nodes has been developed. The prototype consists of two personal audio control (PAC) systems composed of a car seat and an acoustic node, which is equipped with two loudspeakers, two microphones and a processor with communications capability. In this way, it is possible to create two independent noise control zones improving the acoustic comfort of the user without the use of headphones.Antoñanzas Manuel, C. (2019). Distributed and Collaborative Processing of Audio Signals: Algorithms, Tools and Applications [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/130209TESISCompendi