The feasibility of sound zone control using an array of parametric array loudspeakers

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of parametric array loudspeakers (PALs) for sound zone control, demonstrating through simulations that PAL arrays outperform traditional loudspeakers in high-frequency and low SNR conditions for spatial audio applications.

Contribution

It introduces an optimization algorithm for sound zone control with PAL arrays and compares its effectiveness to electro-dynamic loudspeakers, highlighting PALs' advantages in specific scenarios.

Findings

PAL arrays outperform EDL arrays at higher frequencies.

PAL arrays are more robust at lower SNR levels.

Performance is comparable under other conditions.

Abstract

Parametric array loudspeakers (PALs) are known for producing highly directional audio beams, a feat more challenging to achieve with conventional electro-dynamic loudspeakers (EDLs). Due to their intrinsic physical mechanisms, PALs hold promising potential for spatial audio applications such as virtual reality (VR). However, the feasibility of using an array of PALs for sound zone control (SZC) has remained unexplored, mainly due to the complexity of the nonlinear demodulation process inherent in PALs. Leveraging recent advancements in PAL modeling, this work proposes an optimization algorithm to achieve the acoustic contrast control (ACC) between two target areas using a PAL array. The performance and robustness of the proposed ACC-based SZC using PAL arrays are investigated through simulations, and the results are compared with those obtained using EDL arrays. The results show that the PAL array outperforms the EDL array in SZC performance and robustness at higher frequencies and lower signal-to-noise ratio, while being comparable under other conditions. This work paves the way for high-contrast acoustic control using PAL arrays.