An Investigation into the Use of Very Cheap Audio Equipment as a Method of Real-time 3D Sound Source Localization

MPhil Thesis Defence


Title: "An Investigation into the Use of Very Cheap Audio Equipment as a Method 
of Real-time 3D Sound Source Localization"

By

Mr. Chenfeng Li


Abstract

Sound source localization has many applications in a wide range of areas. 
Time difference estimation (TDE) has been the main approach used to solve 
this problem. However, current research and commercial products are either 
inaccurate or too expensive. The fact is, the more accurate the device the 
higher the price. Our research is focused on the key problem behind this 
dilemma: the resolution problem. We are trying to get low accuracy devices 
to achieve higher precision than they were made for through estimation 
algorithms. We set our goal to obtain the same results as a more expensive 
commercial product, but at one tenth of the price. Our experiments show 
that we are very close to that goal. Another stream of our research was a 
trial to develop a complete and inexpensive real-time 3D localization 
system based on energy propagation. However, that system did not end up 
satisfying expectations. Therefore, we conclude that the TDE resolution 
problem can be solved through future research, while the energy 
propagation based approach is not a good path for further exploration.


Date:			Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Time:			2:00pm – 4:00pm

Venue:			Room 5508
 			Lifts 25/26

Committee Members:	Dr. David Rossiter (Supervisor)
 			Prof. Andrew Horner (Chairperson)
 			Dr. Jogesh Muppala


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