Audio beam steering with phased array method using Arduino Due Microcontroller

Abstract

The audio system requires a large amount of power to transmit sound energy to all areas both inside and outside the room. Sound waves can propagate in the air and undergo great absorption in their propagation. Often people or audiences only exist in areas with a certain distance and direction, so much of the sound energy is wasted. The focusing technique can be applied to transmit sound energy to the audience area with a certain direction and distance. Thus, this technique can save energy significantly. Audio steering system with mechanical process, requires high electric driving power and takes a long time. In this research, a sound energy guiding system from four loudspeaker series has been done with phase difference or phased array method. So, there is no mechanical loudspeaker modifiers are needed. The computer is used as a Graphical User Interface to determine the direction and distance of the audience who will receive the sound, by generating the delay configuration pattern of each path using Arduino Due Microcontroller. So this process can work automatically in directing the sound energy. The test results show that the sound intensity generated by the system is greater at the selected or target angle than the others. Beam Steering audio is expected to be used for large meeting rooms or outdoors, where the sound energy is only sent towards the desired power depending on the area and distance of the audience.