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Generating partially correlated noise--a comparison of methods.
William M Hartmann1, Yun Jin Cho
1Department of Physics and Astronomy Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA. hartmann@pa.msu.edu
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|July 27, 2011
Summary
This study compares three methods for generating partially correlated noise. The symmetric-generator method shows significantly less statistical variability when elemental generator powers are equal, crucial for accurate psychoacoustical experiments.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Signal Processing
- Psychoacoustics
Background:
- Generating partially correlated noise is essential for binaural psychoacoustical experiments.
- Standard methods include the two-generator, three-generator, and symmetric-generator techniques.
- These methods aim for a target cross-correlation but exhibit statistical variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the statistical variability of three noise generation methods.
- To evaluate variability as a function of degrees of freedom.
- To quantify stimulus uncertainty in binaural auditory experiments.
Main Methods:
- Numerical experiments were conducted to assess noise generation variability.
- Comparison of the two-generator, three-generator, and symmetric-generator methods.
- Analysis focused on conditions with equal and unequal elemental generator powers.
Main Results:
- When elemental generator powers are unequal, all three methods show similar variability.
- When elemental generator powers are equal, the symmetric-generator method exhibits substantially lower variability.
- Variability was quantified across various psychoacoustical domains.
Conclusions:
- The symmetric-generator method offers superior precision for partially correlated noise generation under equal power conditions.
- Reduced variability enhances the accuracy of measurements in binaural psychoacoustical research.
- Findings are relevant for experiments on auditory coherence, source width, envelopment, localization, and masking level differences.
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