Active Noise Control Using High-directional Parametric Loudspeaker (Experimental Study on Radiated Field)

Recent advances in digital signal processors have facilitated the development of active noise control (ANC) technology where the various kinds of researches as well as applications have been studied. In general, the sound waves propagate spherically in three dimensional space. Simply constituting SISO system using ordinary loudspeaker as a control source may cause interfered sound field with both attenuated and amplified nodes exist. By placing number of microphones and control sources can improve the range of quiet zone and many researches have been dedicated to this end, yet still limitations on implementation and cost cannot be neglected. On the other hand, the recent development of high-directional loudspeakers based on new sound production theory known as 'parametric array effect' has allowed sound transmission to a narrow range of acoustic space like 'spotlight'. This peculiar characteristic can be implemented as one measure for improving active noise control scheme controlling acoustic field locally without adversely influencing vicinal space. In the present study, a new approach for active control of sound in free space is developed using high directional parametric loudspeaker as a control source. Experiments are performed for the active control of noise generated by single source located in space, where the noise is attenuated by a control source at error microphone which evaluates sound level. Both normal and the parametric loudspeakers are tested as control sources and results are compared based on measurement of interfered sound field around the evaluation point. It is known that the suggested ANC system can mitigate sound locally but cause less influence on sound field in circumferential space.