Range extrapolation of Head-Related Transfer Function using improved Higher Order Ambisonics

Abstract

3D audio technology based on binaural reproduction requires the Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) datasets to be available for all possible distance. However, due to the tedious work of measurement and large volume of resulting datasets, the HRTF is typically measured only for sources located at a fixed distance. In this paper, the concept of virtual loudspeaker arrays is utilized to achieve range extrapolation of the measured HRTF datasets at a single range. The virtual loudspeaker is driven by Higher Order Ambisonics (HOA). Specially, to restrict the near-field effect of HOA, a compensation method of modified Wiener filter is proposed. The simulation results indicate that the proposed method provides effective range extrapolation of HRTF.