Simultaneous acoustic channel measurement via maximal-length-related sequences

A wide variety of acoustic systems has multiple sources and receivers. This paper proposes a technique for making acoustic measurements simultaneously for multiple sources. The proposed technique features a collection of excitation signals of the maximum-length sequence (MLS) and MLS-related classes. Each signal in the set has a pulse-like autocorrelation function, and the cross-correlation functions between arbitrary pairs of signals drawn from the set have peak values that are significantly lower than the peak magnitude of the autocorrelation functions. The proposed method is particularly valuable when characterization of multisource, multireceiver system must be accomplished in a limited time period. Both simulation and experimental results are presented that demonstrate the feasibility and fidelity of the proposed techniques in characterizing acoustic systems.