Optimization of a software tool for wavefield synthesis

Abstract

Out of all the 3D sound reproduction systems, Wavefield Synthesis (WFS) presents a series of advantages, especially with regard to the realism and acoustic sense of inmersion that provides. Moreover, and additional advantage is that the useful listening area is very wide, outperforming the rest of the systems available nowadays. The WFS theory was proposed between the end of the 80¿s and the beginning of 90¿s, but until the XXI century there were no available prototypes of these systems. This work is the continuation of a previous work developed last year in the same program: Software tool for Spatial Audio reproduction systems. It has been successfully developed an audio signal processing software simulator with GUI for WaveField Synthesis (WFS) recreation. This software uses MATLAB language and the Playrec audio toolbox. The WFS system has been implemented over a circular array of 96 loudspeakers constructed in a listening room that belongs to the iTEAM Institute at the UPV. There are still several aspects not covered in the previous work that mean significant challenges and are the aim of the new project proposal. Thus, this work should provide solutions to technical limitations that present these systems, as well as another set of implementations problems and realtime operations. That is, this work should contribute to the development of a completely functional WFS including a flexible and easy-to-use graphical interface.