A Novel Method for Obtaining Diffuse Field Measurements for Microphone Calibration

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple, cost-effective method for measuring diffuse soundfields in untreated environments to calibrate microphone arrays, reducing reliance on expensive reverberation chambers.

Contribution

The paper presents a new practical approach using random perturbations and a theoretical model to obtain diffuse field measurements without specialized environments.

Findings

Diffuse field measurements can be obtained in untreated environments.

A 30-second test signal from few loudspeakers suffices.

Eigenmike calibration was successfully demonstrated at different locations.

Abstract

We propose a straightforward and cost-effective method to perform diffuse soundfield measurements for calibrating the magnitude response of a microphone array. Typically, such calibration is performed in a diffuse soundfield created in reverberation chambers, an expensive and time-consuming process. A method is proposed for obtaining diffuse field measurements in untreated environments. First, a closed-form expression for the spatial correlation of a wideband signal in a diffuse field is derived. Next, we describe a practical procedure for obtaining the diffuse field response of a microphone array in the presence of a non-diffuse soundfield by the introduction of random perturbations in the microphone location. Experimental spatial correlation data obtained is compared with the theoretical model, confirming that it is possible to obtain diffuse field measurements in untreated environments with relatively few loudspeakers. A 30 second test signal played from 4-8 loudspeakers is shown to be sufficient in obtaining a diffuse field measurement using the proposed method. An Eigenmike is then successfully calibrated at two different geographical locations.