Individualized binaural technology : measurement, equalization and perceptual evaluation

In this work the importance of individualization in binaural technique is investigated. The results extend the present knowledge on the efficient measurement of individual head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) and highlight the importance of individual equalization filters in binaural re-production, both via loudspeakers and headphones. Moreover, an integrated framework for the calculation of such equalization filters is presented. An innovative measurement setup was developed to allow the fast acquisition of individual HRTFs. The hardware was designed to be compatible with the range extrapolation technique, which makes the description of the HRTF's distance-dependence possible. Major speedup was obtained by optimizing the multiple exponential sweep method. An individual HRTF dataset with approximately 4000 directions can be measured in less than 6 minutes with this new setup. Crosstalk cancellation (CTC) filters are required when playing back binaural signals via loud-speakers. To allow listeners to freely move their heads, switching between multiple loudspeakers is required and the CTC filters must be continuously updated according to the tracked head posi-tion. Filter calculations are carried out in the frequency domain for speed reasons. To impose causality constraints to the regularized frequency domain calculations, a CTC filter calculation framework is proposed, which incorporates a new approach for the multi-channel minimum-phase regularization. This framework also addresses the switching between active loudspeakers through the use of a weighted filter calculation. A sound localization test showed that individualized CTC systems provide performance similar to that of binaural listening while nonindividualized CTC systems provide a significantly lower localization performance. To deliver an authentic auditory impression without additional spectral coloration, binaural re-production via headphones must be adequately equalized. Such equalization filters are obtained by inverting the headphone transfer function, which varies among listeners and individual fitting. To cope with these variations, a robust individual headphone equalization method was proposed. Perceptual tests showed that, in all but one of the tested situations, no audible differences be-tween the original sound source and its binaural auditory display could be perceived

Active noise control of power transformers in field.

É cada vez maior a preocupação com a poluição sonora gerada pelos transformadores de potência de subestações elétricas. Atualmente, o controle desse tipo de ruído é feito utilizando-se métodos passivos, que são caros e dificultam a manutenção dos transformadores. Uma alternativa para os métodos passivos é o controle ativo de ruído (ANC). Apesar de extensas pesquisas realizadas nas últimas três décadas, ainda não existem soluções comercialmente viáveis para o ANC de transformadores. As dificuldades para a aplicação bem sucedida do ANC para transformadores foram investigadas por meio de simulações e de testes com protótipo. Os três maiores obstáculos identificados foram: o posicionamento dos transdutores eletroacústicos; a obtenção de atenuação em uma região longe do transformador, usando um número reduzido de fontes de controle e de sensores de erro, os últimos colocados ainda na região de campo acústico próximo; e a identificação robusta do caminho secundário com baixa razão sinal/ruído. Os dois primeiros problemas foram abordados, analisando-se algumas alternativas de soluções. Algoritmos genéticos (GA) foram utilizados para a otimização da posição dos transdutores do sistema ANC. O desempenho desses algoritmos depende fortemente da modelagem acústica realizada e verificou-se que o método de Usry, escolhido para modelar o campo primário do transformador, não forneceu estimativa adequada. Usando um modelo mais simples de fonte primária, constatou-se a importância da função de mérito para o desempenho do GA. Também foi verificado que a otimização conjunta das posições dos transdutores fornece o mesmo resultado, e em menor tempo, que a otimização das posições das fontes de controle e dos sensores de erro separadamente. Simulações realizadas com uma nova estratégia de sensores virtuais (baseada no janelamento das fontes de controle) mostra que é possível aumentar o nível de atenuação longe do transformador, mesmo com um número pequeno de fontes de controle e sensores de erro. Testes com um protótipo de sistema ANC foram feitos em laboratório e em campo e os resultados desses testes são discutidos detalhadamente.Concern regarding noise pollution caused by power transformers in electrical substations is increasing. Nowadays, this kind of noise is controlled using passive methods, which are expensive and make transformer maintenance more difficult. An alternative to passive methods is active noise control (ANC). However, despite extensive research undertaken in the last three decades, there is still no viable commercial solution for the active control of transformer noise. The difficulties for a successful implementation of an ANC solution in the case of power transformer noise are investigated through simulations and tests with a prototype. The three main obstacles found were: the positioning of the electro-acoustic transducers; the achievement of sufficient attenuation in a region far from the transformer, using a small number of control sources and error sensors (when the latter are positioned on the region of acoustic near-field); and the robust identification of the secondary path in a low signal/noise situation. The two former problems were dealt with, and some alternative solutions were analyzed. Genetic algorithms (GA) were used for the optimization of the transducers\' position. The performance of these algorithms is strongly related to the acoustical model used and it was verified that the Usry method, used for modelling the transformers primary field, did not result in an adequate estimate. Using a simplified model for the primary source, the importance of the cost function in the GA\'s performance was made evident. It was also verified that the joint optimization of transducers\' position provides the same result, and in shorter time, as the independent optimization of control source and error sensor positions. Simulations with a new virtual sensor strategy (based on windowing the control sources) show that it is possible to increase attenuation levels in a region far from the transformer, even with a small number of control sources and error sensors. Laboratory and field tests with an ANC system prototype were undertaken and the results of these tests are thoroughly discussed