Contribution

Compact Bio-inspired Sound Sensor System for Sound Source Localization Based on Interaural Time Differences

Authors

* Presenting author
Day / Time: 20.03.2025, 11:00-11:40
Room: Hall E, Poster Island H
Typ: Poster
Session: Electroacoustics and Audio Signal Processing (Poster Island H)
Information: The posters will be exhibited in Hall E north from Tuesday to Thursday, sorted by thematic context in the poster island indicated in the session title. The poster session at the specified time offers the opportunity to enter into discussion with the authors.
Abstract: Intro:Neuromorphic sensors integrate signal processing into the sensor stage to enable energy-efficient, realtime, edge applications. Here, we present a neuromorphic acoustic sensor system with integrated sound source localization functionality. Sound source localization is used, e.g., in hearing aids and robotics to detect speaker(s) and enhance sound quality. One cue for horizontal sound localization are interaural time differences (ITD). Here, ITD detection is implemented with a bio-inspired acoustic sensor. This saves computing load compared to often used microphone arrays and therefore provides a compact sound localization system for edge applications.Methods:The setup consists of two silicon beams with roughly the same resonance frequency. Furthermore, electronics and a FPGA board is used for analysis. The sound input is converted into an electrical signal by the piezo-resistive readout bridge of the silicon beams and feed into the ADCs of the FPGA board. The logic in the FPGA determines the time difference between the sound events between both beams, i.e. the ITD, and outputs this on the DAC as voltage signal.Results:The sound source localization system is verified experimentally in an anechoic chamber with pure tone sounds and spoken digits.