Noise-Resilient Acoustic Low Energy Beacon for Proximity-Based Indoor Positioning Systems

Proximity-Based Indoor Positioning Systems (PIPSs) are a simple to install alternative in large facilities. Besides, these systems have a reduced computational cost on the mobile device of those users who do not continuously demand a high location accuracy. This work presents the design of an Acoustic Low Energy (ALE) beacon based on the emission of inaudible Linear Frequency Modulated (LFM) signals. This coding scheme provides high robustness to in-band noise, thus ensuring a reliable detection of the beacon at a practical range, after pulse compression. A series of experimental tests have been carried out with nine different Android devices to study the system performance. These tests have shown that the ALE beacon can be detected at one meter distance with signal-to-noise ratios as low as −12 dB. The tests have also demonstrated a detection rate above 80% for reception angles up to 50∘ with respect to the beacon’s acoustic axis at the same distance. Finally, a study of the ALE beacon energy consumption has been conducted demonstrating comparable power consumption to commercial Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons. Besides, the ALE beacon search can save up to 9% more battery of the Android devices than the BLE beacon scanning.

TO A QUESTION ABOUT QUASIBAND OF ACOUSTIC AXIS OF THE ANGLE BEAM PROBE

On the basis of modelling an acoustic path of the angle beam probe with a reflector as a side drilled hole influence of two factors resulting to quasiband of acoustic axis of the angle beam probe is shown, first of which is connected to change of amplitude echo signal owing to attenuation of a shear wave in the environment due to absorption and dispersion, and the second factor – with change of amplitude owing to a divergence of wave fronts radiated and received elastic waves. Influence of the first factor is increased with growth of attenuation and depth of reflector, and the second – on increase of distance up to a reflector practically does not depend. Quantitative estimations have revealed a ratio of influence of both factors on size of a angle quasiband of acoustic axis on value of factor of attenuation of shear waves. Reduction of an angle quasidand with increase of radius piezoplate of the angle beam probe is shown at constant operation frequency, that is at narrowing the directivity characteristic of the probe.

Эскпериментальное исследование дифракции упругих волн на модели трещины

Small opening notches are used to simulate cracks in butt welds. The study of the influence of the notch edges orientation on their detectability when using pulse-echo and diffraction methods of ultrasonic testing. It is shown that the processes occurring during the elastic waves scattering on cracks must be modeled by a three-dimensional problem. However, theoretical analytical and numerical studies in this area most often concern two-dimensional problems of elastic waves diffraction, when the target studied edge is located on the acoustic axis of the ultrasound transmitter and / or receiver and is oriented perpendicular to the incident beam. The article presents experimental results illustrating the influence of the target point (edge) orientation in three-dimensional problems on the received signals both when using diffraction schemes of the TOFD type, and in the classical ultrasonic testing by the pulse-echo method according to the "tandem" scheme and with the turn of the transducers according to the "duet ".

Comparing two 38-kHz scientific echosounders

The EK500 has been the state-of-the-art scientific echosounder for surveying marine fish stocks for over a decade; the EK60 is its successor. Ensuring comparability in performance is vital during the transition from the EK500 to the EK60. To quantify the respective performances, each echosounder was calibrated in tandem by the standard-target method using the same 38-kHz, 12° beam width, split-beam transducer, with alternating pinging by means of an external triggering-and-switching system. The principal measurements comprised split-beam-determined angle and target strength, on-axis sensitivity, and directionality in the plane normal to the acoustic axis, as measured with a 60-mm-diameter copper sphere. Ambient noise, including volumetric reverberation, was also measured. Principal comparisons included those of the time-series and histograms of split-beam-determined target strength; respective alongship and athwartship angles as determined by the split-beam system; and as expected, difference in the split-beam-determined and experimental target-strength values in the plane normal to the acoustic axis. The mean absolute difference in off-axis angle values was also compared. While the performance of the two echosounders is generally similar, systematic differences exist. For the particular calibration measurements, the time variability in measurements of on-axis target strength was of the order of 1 dB for the EK500 and 2 dB for the EK60. The target-strength distribution for measurements made with the EK500 was normal, with standard deviation 0.2–0.3 dB, whereas for the EK60, the target-strength distribution was distinctly skewed and the standard deviation varied over 0.3–0.5 dB. Differences were found between the split-beam and physical-angle measurements. They were noticeably larger in the case of the EK60. Differences in performance between the two echosounders suggest refinements to the new system that will help realize its full potential in scientific work.

Hearing and hunting in red bats (Lasiurus borealis, Vespertilionidae): audiogram and ear properties.

We examined aspects of hearing in the red bat (Lasiurus borealis) related to its use of biosonar. Evoked potential audiograms, obtained from volume-conducted auditory brainstem responses, were obtained in two bats, and the sound pressure transformation of the pinna was measured in three specimens. Field-recorded echolocation signals were analysed for comparison. The fundamental sonar search calls sweep from 45 to 30 kHz (peak energy at 35 kHz), approach-phase calls sweep from 65 to 35 kHz (peak 40 kHz) and terminal calls sweep from 70 to 30 kHz (peak 45 kHz). The most sensitive region of the audiogram extended from 10 kHz to 45-55 kHz, with maximum sensitivity as low as 20 dB SPL occurring between 25 and 30 kHz. A relative threshold minimum occurred between 40 and 50 kHz. With increasing frequency, the acoustic axis of the pinna moves upwards and medially. The sound pressure transformation was noteworthy near 40-45 kHz; the acoustic axis was closest to the midline, the -3 dB acceptance angles showed local minima, and the pinna gain and interaural intensity difference were maximal. These results are related to the known echolocation and foraging behavior of this species and match the spectral components of approach- and final-phase calls. We conclude that co-evolution with hearing prey has put a higher selective pressure on optimizing localization and tracking of prey than on improving detection performance.

Sound pressure transformation at the pinna of Mus domesticus.

Sound pressure transformation properties at the pinna of laboratory mice Mus domesticus were studied by measuring the sound pressure level of a continuous tone at a series of frequencies at the tympanic membrane as a function of the position of a sound source under free-field stimulation conditions. The spectral transformation, the interaural spectral difference, the isopressure contours and the interaural pressure difference contours were plotted. Sound pressure transformation functions showed some prominent spectral notches throughout the frequency range tested (10-80 kHz). However, the notch frequency did not appear to be systematically related to sound direction. The study of interaural pressure difference demonstrated that, when delivered from some angles within the ipsilateral frontal hemisphere, the sound pressure at the tympanic membrane of certain frequencies may be lower than that determined at the corresponding contralateral angles. For each sound frequency tested, there was an angle (the acoustic axis) within the ipsilateral frontal hemisphere from which the delivered sound reached a maximal pressure level at the tympanic membrane. However, the acoustic axis often changed to a new angle after removal of the ipsilateral pinna. In addition, sound delivered from the acoustic axis did not always generate a maximal pressure transformation. The isopressure contours determined within 2-5 dB of the maximal pressure were circumscribed, and their contained angular areas were found to decrease with increasing sound frequency. The 2 dB maximal pressure area may appear at more than one angular area for some test frequencies. Removal of the ipsilateral pinna or modification of pinna posture expanded isopressure contours irregularly and split the 2 dB maximal pressure area into several parts. The sound pressure difference determined between the angles of maximal and minimal sound pressure (the maximal directionality) increased with sound frequency regardless of pinna posture. Acoustic gain of the pinna at the acoustic axis reached 6-12 dB, depending upon sound frequency. However, the pinna gain was not always maximal at the acoustic axis for a given frequency.

Biophysical Aspects of Directional Hearing in the Tammar Wallaby, Macropus Eugenii

The biophysical properties of the external ear of the Tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii (Desmarest), have been investigated using probe microphones implanted in the ear canal. An acoustic axis of the pinna exists above 2kHz which is located close to the horizonal plane for natural ear positions, whereas azimuthal location of the acoustic axis is determined by pinna orientation on the head. The maximum on-axis acoustic pressure gain of the external ear reaches 25–30 dB for frequencies near 5 kHz. This results from pressure transformation by the horn-like pinna combined with resonance of the auditory meatus. The directionality of the pinna is similar to the sound diffraction properties of a circular aperture with an average radius based on the circumference of the pinna face. These properties determine the acceptance angle of the main lobe containing the acoustic axis and the spatial location of nulls. Large binaural intensity differences, exceeding 30dB, can be produced by the interaction of peaks and nulls between monaural directivity patterns, depending on the relative position of each pinna.