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Published on: March 6, 2019
Beam shape, focus index, and localization error for performance evaluation of a multisensor stethoscope beamformer
1Department of Computer Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
This study introduces new methods to evaluate multisensor systems for computer-aided analysis. It details techniques like beamforming and a novel "focus index" for assessing audio data from stethoscope arrays.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Signal Processing
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Multisensor systems are crucial for advanced computer-aided analysis of audio data.
- Evaluating the performance of these systems, especially in biomedical applications like stethoscopes, requires robust methodologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate methods for evaluating multisensor audio recording systems.
- To introduce a novel performance metric, the "focus index," for beamforming techniques.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a circular microphone array in a free-field environment to demonstrate delay-and-sum beamforming.
- Developing evaluation metrics including beam shape, a new "focus index," and localization error.
- Implementing near-field sound source localization by comparing signal delays across microphones.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated various beam shapes and their characteristics.
- Quantified beamformer focus using the proposed "focus index."
- Presented simulation and verification results for sound source localization and system evaluation.
Conclusions:
- The proposed evaluation methods are versatile and applicable to various media and beamforming techniques.
- The "focus index" provides a numerical indicator of beamformer performance.
- The described localization method effectively identifies sound sources in the near-field.
