Localization of sound sources with dual acoustic vector sensor

Abstract

The aim of the work is to estimate the position of sound sources. The proposed method uses a setup of two acoustic vector sensors (AVS). The intersection of azimuth rays from each AVS should indicate the position of a source. In practice, the result of position estimation using this method is an area rather than a point. This is a result of inaccuracy of the individual sensors, but more importantly, of the influence of a source size. The proposed method was validated in experiments performed in an anechoic room, using a custom-made setup of two sensors built from digital MEMS microphones, for sound source placed at varying distance and angle from the sensors. The paper discusses the observed variations in the measured angle and distance to the source. The obtained results indicate that the proposed method allows for estimation of the source position with satisfactory accuracy. Errors in the position estimation depend on the source size, the distance to the source and the source angle relative to the sensors. Possible application of the proposed method is estimation of the position of moving sound sources, such as road vehicles.