Signal processing for architectural acousticians

Abstract

Architectural acoustics is characterized by its multidisciplinary nature, the multiple disciplines include physical acoustics, engineering acoustics, noise control, psychoacoustics, and signal processing. In recent decades, signal processing has become an integrated body of fundamental knowledge of architectural acoustics. Furthermore, it has advanced technology in architectural acoustics practice. This talk highlights a number of applications in architectural acoustics in which acoustic signals need to be efficiently manipulated and analyzed. In addition, signal processing tools have drastically advanced measurement techniques in architectural acoustics, advanced spatial and temporal analysis of sound fields in enclosures. Signal processing has entered into a wide range of areas, from room-acoustic energy decay analysis, modal analysis, interaural de-correlation for quantifying auditory spaciousness, array signal processing, three-dimensional rendering techniques for auditory displays, time-frequency analysis of impulse response functions, to optimizations, machine-learning and the concept of Pareto Fronts in architectural acoustics. Architectural Acousticians who are equipped with and understand the basic tools of signal processing are able to contribute to advancing knowledge and perform best practices in the architectural acoustics.