Geometry-based diffraction auralization for real-time applications in environmental noise

Abstract

Geometrical acoustics has become the number one choice in a variety of different virtual acoustics applications, especially if physics-based sound field synthesis at real-time rates is desired. The procedures for interactive auralization on the one hand and calculation of room impulse responses as well as outdoor noise prediction on the other hand are converging if not already merely differ in resolution of parameters, i.e., number of rays or order of image sources. When it comes to diffraction effects at geometrical boundaries, however, the discrepancy between model accuracy and calculation efficiency is still high due to the great computational effort required for geometrical path analysis and propagation simulation. The overall goal of ongoing research in this field aims at closing the gap between the two worlds: making diffraction effects audible in a Virtual Reality application with respect to correct physical sound propagation and true reproduction that is required for serious applications in acoustic consulting business and for research, primarily for outdoor noise situations.