Microphone array for 2D sound localization and capture

This work describes two circular microphone arrays and a square microphone array which can be used for sound localization and sound capture. Sound capture by microphone array is achieved by sum and delay beam former (SDBF). A dedicated PCI 128-channel simultaneous input analog-to-digital (AD) board is developed for a 128 ch microphone array with a maximum sampling rate of 22. 7 /spl mu/s/sample. Simulation of sound pressure distribution of 24 and 128 ch circular microphone array and 128 ch square microphone array are shown. Then a 24 ch circular microphone array and a 128 ch square microphone array have been developed. The 24 ch circular microphone array can capture sound from an arbitrary direction. The 128 ch square microphone array can capture sound from a specific point. Both systems are evaluated by using frequency components of the sound. The circular type system can be used on a mobile robot including humanoid robot and square type can be extended towards room coverage type application.