scholarly journals Investigation of an MAA Test With Virtual Sound Synthesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruijie Meng ◽  
Jingpeng Xiang ◽  
Jinqiu Sang ◽  
Chengshi Zheng ◽  
Xiaodong Li ◽  
...  

The ability to localize a sound source is very important in our daily life, specifically to analyze auditory scenes in complex acoustic environments. The concept of minimum audible angle (MAA), which is defined as the smallest detectable difference between the incident directions of two sound sources, has been widely used in the research fields of auditory perception to measure localization ability. Measuring MAAs usually involves a reference sound source and either a large number of loudspeakers or a movable sound source in order to reproduce sound sources at a large number of predefined incident directions. However, existing MAA test systems are often cumbersome because they require a large number of loudspeakers or a mechanical rail slide and thus are expensive and inconvenient to use. This study investigates a novel MAA test method using virtual sound source synthesis and avoiding the problems with traditional methods. We compare the perceptual localization acuity of sound sources in two experimental designs: using the virtual presentation and real sound sources. The virtual sound source is reproduced through a pair of loudspeakers weighted by vector-based amplitude panning (VBAP). Results show that the average measured MAA at 0° azimuth is 1.1° and the average measured MAA at 90° azimuth is 3.1° in a virtual acoustic system, meanwhile the average measured MAA at 0° azimuth is about 1.2° and the average measured MAA at 90° azimuth is 3.3° when using the real sound sources. The measurements of the two methods have no significant difference. We conclude that the proposed MAA test system is a suitable alternative to more complicated and expensive setups.

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Suzuki ◽  
◽  
Hiroaki Otsuka ◽  
Wataru Akahori ◽  
Yoshiaki Bando ◽  
...  

[abstFig src='/00290001/07.jpg' width='300' text='Six impulse response measurement signals' ] Two major functions, sound source localization and sound source separation, provided by robot audition open source software HARK exploit the acoustic transfer functions of a microphone array to improve the performance. The acoustic transfer functions are calculated from the measured acoustic impulse response. In the measurement, special signals such as Time Stretched Pulse (TSP) are used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurement signals. Recent studies have identified the importance of selecting a measurement signal according to the applications. In this paper, we investigate how six measurement signals – up-TSP, down-TSP, M-Series, Log-SS, NW-SS, and MN-SS – influence the performance of the MUSIC-based sound source localization provided by HARK. Experiments with simulated sounds, up to three simultaneous sound sources, demonstrate no significant difference among the six measurement signals in the MUSIC-based sound source localization.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Kristina Anton ◽  
Arne Ernst ◽  
Dietmar Basta

BACKGROUND: During walking, postural stability is controlled by visual, vestibular and proprioceptive input. The auditory system uses acoustic input to localize sound sources. For some static balance conditions, the auditory influence on posture was already proven. Little is known about the impact of auditory inputs on balance in dynamic conditions. OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at investigating postural stability of walking tasks in silence and sound on condition to better understand the impact of auditory input on balance in movement. METHODS: Thirty participants performed: walking (eyes open), tandem steps, walking with turning head and walking over barriers. During each task, acoustic condition changed between silence and presented noise through an earth-fixed loudspeaker located at the end of the walking distance. Body sway velocity was recorded close to the body’s center of gravity. RESULTS: A decreased body sway velocity was significant for walking (eyes open), tandem steps and walking over barriers when noise was presented. Those auditory stimuli did not affect sway velocity while walking with turning head. The posture has probably improved due to the localization ability when walking with the head facing forward, while the localization ability was impaired when turning the head. CONCLUSIONS: The localization ability of a fixed sound source through the auditory system has a significant but limited impact on posture while walking.


1992 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 52-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail L. MacLean ◽  
Andrew Stuart ◽  
Robert Stenstrom

Differences in real ear sound pressure levels (SPLs) with three portable stereo system (PSS) earphones (supraaural [Sony Model MDR-44], semiaural [Sony Model MDR-A15L], and insert [Sony Model MDR-E225]) were investigated. Twelve adult men served as subjects. Frequency response, high frequency average (HFA) output, peak output, peak output frequency, and overall RMS output for each PSS earphone were obtained with a probe tube microphone system (Fonix 6500 Hearing Aid Test System). Results indicated a significant difference in mean RMS outputs with nonsignificant differences in mean HFA outputs, peak outputs, and peak output frequencies among PSS earphones. Differences in mean overall RMS outputs were attributed to differences in low-frequency effects that were observed among the frequency responses of the three PSS earphones. It is suggested that one cannot assume equivalent real ear SPLs, with equivalent inputs, among different styles of PSS earphones.


1999 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara S. Muller ◽  
Pierre Bovet

Twelve blindfolded subjects localized two different pure tones, randomly played by eight sound sources in the horizontal plane. Either subjects could get information supplied by their pinnae (external ear) and their head movements or not. We found that pinnae, as well as head movements, had a marked influence on auditory localization performance with this type of sound. Effects of pinnae and head movements seemed to be additive; the absence of one or the other factor provoked the same loss of localization accuracy and even much the same error pattern. Head movement analysis showed that subjects turn their face towards the emitting sound source, except for sources exactly in the front or exactly in the rear, which are identified by turning the head to both sides. The head movement amplitude increased smoothly as the sound source moved from the anterior to the posterior quadrant.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 336
Author(s):  
Ni Pt Rasni Karwati ◽  
Km Ngurah Wiyasa ◽  
I Kt Ardana

This research aims to determine the significance of the difference in science learning results between the group of fifth-grade students in Gugus I Elementary Schools, North Kuta District, in the school year of 2017/2018, that take lessons with the multimedia-assisted probing-prompting learning model and the group of students that take lessons with the conventional learning. The design of this research is a quasi-experimental research with the nonequivalent control group design. The population of this research are all the fifth-grade students of Gugus I Elementary Schools in North Kuta District that still implement the KTSP, which consists of 10 classes with a total of 339 students. The sampling is conducted using the random sampling technique. The sample in this research are the students of class VB in SD (Elementary School) No.7 Dalung, with 36 students as the experiment group and the students of class VB in SD No.4 Dalung with 28 students as the control group. The data collection is conducted using the test method in the form of the multiple choice objective test. The science learning results are analyzed using the t-test. Based on the average the experiment groups =80,89 > the control group =72,85, which means that the multimedia-assisted probing-prompting learning model has an influence on the science learning result. Based on the hypothesis test, tvalues =4,517> ttable =2,000, with dk=62 and a significance level of 5%. Based on the test criteria, H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted. Thus, it can be interpreted there is a significant difference the science learning result between the group of students that were taught using the multimedia-assisted probing-prompting learning model and the students that were taught using the conventional learning. It can be concluded that the the multimedia-assisted probing-prompting learning model has an influence on the science learning result of the fifth-grade students in Gugus I Elementary School, North Kuta District, in the school year of 2017/2018. Keywords : probing prompting, multimedia, science learning result


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 532
Author(s):  
Henglin Pu ◽  
Chao Cai ◽  
Menglan Hu ◽  
Tianping Deng ◽  
Rong Zheng ◽  
...  

Multiple blind sound source localization is the key technology for a myriad of applications such as robotic navigation and indoor localization. However, existing solutions can only locate a few sound sources simultaneously due to the limitation imposed by the number of microphones in an array. To this end, this paper proposes a novel multiple blind sound source localization algorithms using Source seParation and BeamForming (SPBF). Our algorithm overcomes the limitations of existing solutions and can locate more blind sources than the number of microphones in an array. Specifically, we propose a novel microphone layout, enabling salient multiple source separation while still preserving their arrival time information. After then, we perform source localization via beamforming using each demixed source. Such a design allows minimizing mutual interference from different sound sources, thereby enabling finer AoA estimation. To further enhance localization performance, we design a new spectral weighting function that can enhance the signal-to-noise-ratio, allowing a relatively narrow beam and thus finer angle of arrival estimation. Simulation experiments under typical indoor situations demonstrate a maximum of only 4∘ even under up to 14 sources.


2006 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 720-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Jackman ◽  
David J Everest ◽  
Mary Jo Schmerr ◽  
Mohammed Khawaja ◽  
Pat Keep ◽  
...  

Abstract An analytical method is described for detection of endogenous disease-associated prion protein in the buffy coat fraction from the blood of sheep infected with scrapie. The method has been improved and evaluated for its performance in the preclinical diagnosis of ovine transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The test system uses a protocol for sample preparation that includes extraction and concentration and a test method that uses a liquid-phase competitive immunoassay for prion protein. Antibodies directed to a peptide sequence at the C-terminus of the prion protein (PrP) and a fluorescein-labeled peptide conjugate are used in the assay. Free zone capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence for detection is used to separate the antibody-bound fluorescently labeled peptide and free labeled peptide. In this assay, the PrP competes with the fluorescently labeled peptide for limited antibody binding sites, which results in a reduction of the peak representing the immunocomplex of the antibody bound to the fluorescently labeled peptide. When blood samples from scrapie-infected sheep aged 712 months and of the scrapie-susceptible PrP genotypes VRQ/VRQ and VRQ/ARQ were analyzed, the abnormal PrP was found in blood samples. These results correlated with the post-mortem diagnosis of scrapie. The sheep were preclinical and appeared normal at the time of testing but later died with clinical disease approximately 12 months after testing. In older animals, and those with clinical signs, a smaller percentage of animals tested positive. This study has demonstrated that this technology can be used as a sensitive, rapid preclinical test to detect the disease-associated PrP in the blood of scrapie-infected sheep. Improvements in the extraction protocol and capillary electrophoresis conditions will enhance the robustness of this test.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Mitsuru Imaizumi ◽  
Takeshi Ohshima ◽  
Yosuke Yuri ◽  
Kohtaku Suzuki ◽  
Yoshifumi Ito

We investigated the effects of irradiation beam conditions on the performance degradation of silicon and triple-junction solar cells for use in space. The fluence rates of electron and proton beams were varied. Degradation did not depend on the fluence rate of protons for both cells. A higher fluence rate of electrons caused greater degradation of the Si cell, but the dependence was due to the temperature increase during irradiation. Two beam-area expansion methods, defocusing and scanning, were examined for proton irradiation of various energies (50 keV–10 MeV). In comparing the output degradation from irradiation with defocused and scanned proton beams, no significant difference in degradation was found for any proton energy. We plan to reflect these findings into ISO standard of irradiation test method of space solar cells.


Author(s):  
Simone Spagnol ◽  
Michele Geronazzo ◽  
Davide Rocchesso ◽  
Federico Avanzini

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a system for customized binaural audio delivery based on the extraction of relevant features from a 2-D representation of the listener’s pinna. Design/methodology/approach – The most significant pinna contours are extracted by means of multi-flash imaging, and they provide values for the parameters of a structural head-related transfer function (HRTF) model. The HRTF model spatializes a given sound file according to the listener’s head orientation, tracked by sensor-equipped headphones, with respect to the virtual sound source. Findings – A preliminary localization test shows that the model is able to statically render the elevation of a virtual sound source better than non-individual HRTFs. Research limitations/implications – Results encourage a deeper analysis of the psychoacoustic impact that the individualized HRTF model has on perceived elevation of virtual sound sources. Practical implications – The model has low complexity and is suitable for implementation on mobile devices. The resulting hardware/software package will hopefully allow an easy and low-tech fruition of custom spatial audio to any user. Originality/value – The authors show that custom binaural audio can be successfully deployed without the need of cumbersome subjective measurements.


2014 ◽  
Vol 496-500 ◽  
pp. 1176-1179
Author(s):  
Li Tan ◽  
Yu Fang

LTX-77 test system is a large IC test system that is used for various kinds of analog IC, digital IC and analog digital mixed IC. It can be used to test DC parameters, AC parameters and logic functions. In the paper, the IC test platform is LTX-77 test system. IC ADC0804 was tested as the test object. The test method of IC is described in the view of actual test. The test results show that the test system is convenient and accurate, which has important practical value for IC manufacturers and users.


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