What is an acoustical map?

An acoustical map combines a so-called beamforming map with an optical image, providing a visual representation that facilitates the identification of potential sound sources in an environment. When combined with an optical image, sound source maps (i.e. beamforming or near-field maps) highlight the areas where the sound is coming from by processing the acoustic information obtained from microphone arrays. The individual images do not offer sufficient information for an accurate sound source localization, as evident in Fig. 1 and 2. In which, Fig. 1 displays only a picture of the sound source (a vacuum cleaner), while Fig. 2 shows in this case the beamforming map at the third-octave band of 16 kHz.

However, if the optical image is combined with the beamforming map, an acoustical map is created. Consequently, Fig. 3 shows the acoustical map (obtained by overlaying of Fig. 1 and 2), in which it becomes possible to easily identify the locations from where the vacuum cleaner is emitting sound.

Fig. 1: Optical image of a vacuum cleaner in a semi-anechoic chamber
Fig. 1: Optical image of a vacuum cleaner in a semi-anechoic chamber
Fig. 2: Frequency domain beamforming result of the vacuum cleaner measurement, for the 16 kHz third-octave band, with a dynamic range of 8.5 dB
Fig. 2: Frequency domain beamforming result of the vacuum cleaner measurement, for the 16 kHz third-octave band, with a dynamic range of 8.5 dB
Fig. 3: Acoustical map that demonstrates the combination of the optical image in Fig. 1 with the beamforming result in Fig. 2.
Fig. 3: Acoustical map that demonstrates the combination of the optical image in Fig. 1 with the beamforming result in Fig. 2.

Visit the website Berlin Beamforming Conference held by GFaI e. V. https://www.bebec.eu.

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