3D microphone array simulation software launched

22nd June 2018

Alex Lynn

0 0

It has been announced that the A3S, 3D microphone array simulation software, is now available to the industry form Ploughshare innovations. Based on technology originally developed for the UK Home Office, A3S aims to give developers the ability to reduce audio array simulation times, improve the fidelity of results, and increase performance using fewer components.

This technology has the potential to decrease simulation times during product development from eight hours to 30 seconds (a reduction of 99.9%), A3S calculates in near real time the physical configuration of the audio array in order to achieve optimum performance.

For the first time manufacturers will be able to fully exploit the potential of audio arrays, and deliver microphone/speaker-based products which, require fewer audio components, reduce device size, minimise development costs, are smarter and are less power hungry.

Gerry Scott, Commercialisation Manager at Ploughshare Innovations, said: “A common development approach is to deploy multiple microphones and speakers in a product to achieve an acceptable level of performance. However, without full optimisation, they will still under-perform.

“The developers of A3S have proven that simulations can be conducted 1,000 times faster than current approaches, allowing developers to create high performing products with more confidence. Reducing the number of components also means that high end audio products can be created with a smaller form factor and at less overall cost, giving manufacturers potentially significant cost savings. A high end audio experience will become more widely available to us all.”

Examples of how A3S could be used to improve audio product performance include:

Voice recognition
Speech and voice recognition systems use microphone arrays to pick up a range of sounds to differentiate voice commands from background noise.

Smartphone
Novel applications become possible with the addition of just a few additional microphones. These improve voice call quality at close range and open up the possibility of new applications, such as voice conferencing. Similarly, the audio in video recordings could be directed at specific people within a crowded environment.

Automotive
Microphone arrays optimised by A3S will enable focused detection of voices to improve the clarity for in-car voice command and telephony systems.

Immersive audio
For gaming and home cinema, speaker arrays could be designed to transmit diverse audio streams to listeners in different seats.