Acoustic source detection and localization based on wavefield decomposition using circular microphone arrays

This paper is concerned with the problem of detecting and localizing multiple wideband acoustic sources by applying the notion of wavefield decomposition using circular microphone arrays optionally mounted into cylindrical baffles. The decomposed wavefield representation is used to serve as a basis for so-called modal array signal processing algorithms, which have the significant advantage over classical array signal processing algorithms that they inherently support multiple wideband acoustic sources. A rigorous derivation of modal array signal processing algorithms for source detection and localization, as well as performance evaluations, by means of measurements using an actual real-time capable implementation are presented. (c) 2006 Acoustical Society of America.