Contribution
A Virtual Real/Virtual Test for Verifying Augmented Acoustic Reality Rendering System
* Presenting author
Abstract:
Real/virtual tests assess the emergence of auditory illusions by asking listeners to determine whether a sound originates from a real loudspeaker or headphones. Such tests require setting up an augmented reality audio rendering system involving multiple components, such as head-tracking, a direct sound renderer, a headphone equalizer, and a reverberation renderer. Each component demands precise measurements and calibration of the equipment, often susceptible to error and mistakes. These inaccuracies, combined with the system's complexity, make it challenging to systematically verify and debug the rendering system, creating difficulties rebuilding it across different environments.To address these issues, we introduce a "virtual" real/virtual test that uses a dummy head to record and playback real and virtual signals presented in the test. Analyzing these recordings allows for easier detection of flaws in the rendering system and provides consistent playback for direct signal comparison, minimizing human listener variability and bias. Ideally, virtualized tests can reduce debugging time needed to ensure an error-free system, and create a way to document and share results, enhancing reproducibility and facilitating cross-lab testing. To assess the extent to which these goals are achievable, we compare the results of a real/virtual test and its virtualized counterpart.