A low-complexity highly accurate sound source localization algorithm based on sound sensor arrays

Abstract

A fast and highly accurate mathematical sound source localization (SSL) algorithm is presented to locate the sound source. Although the concept is based on the time difference of arrival (TDOA) method, the SSL is accomplished, without the need to perform complex calculations and heavy processing. The proposed idea is examined in a simple three- and four-microphone array for detection in two-dimensional (2-D) media. The concept is developed to a five-microphone array to evaluate the applicability of the idea in a 3-D space. As a TDOA method, reading out the time delays is accompanied with the errors in real applications. To further suppress the adverse effects, a seven-microphone array is investigated to cover a whole 3-D space with the least error. Compared with the conventional methods, by decreasing the calculation complexities, the proposed approach alleviates the hardware costs and the processing time, making it a proper choice for many SSL applications.