Finding the direction of a sound source using a vector sound-intensity probe

Abstract

Good spatial resolution of a sound source can be achieved with the four closely spaced pressure transducers in a vector sound-intensity probe. In contrast, a receiving array generally requires an extensive distribution of transducer elements. Experimental results are presented that demonstrate the ability of a vector probe to determine the direction of a sound source in water, both without and with noise interference. Measurements of the sound-intensity vector, or sound-power flux, were performed using the cross-spectral method. Spectral subtraction and averaging over the frequency range of a source were found to be effective tools for determining the direction of a source when there is uncorrelated interference and background noise.