Akshat Agarwal

Introduction to Audio Spotlighting

By this technology focused beams of sound can be created similar to light beams. It uses non-linear property of air for its working. Specific listeners can be targeted with sound without nearby hearing it.

Specific listeners can be targeted without nearby hearing it.

Conventional Technology
Produces sound by directly moving the air particle.

Audible portion tends to spread in all direction from point of origin The beam angle for audible sound is near 360.

Directivity

Working of audio spotlighting system

The low frequency signal is frequency modulated with ultrasonic frequencies. Due to frequency modulation wavelength of combined signal will be order of millimeters. The sound wave is slightly changes when the FM signal travels through air.

Working cont.

The new sound waves will be corresponding to the original sound signal . The frequency of new sound signal lies in audible range. Since we cannot hear ultrasonic sound, we only hear the new sounds that are produced by non linear action of air. Thus in audio spotlighting there are no actual speakers but the ultrasonic envelope act as a speaker.

Components of audio spotlighting system

Power supply Frequency oscillator Modulator Audio signal processor Microcontroller Ultrasonic amplifier Transducer

Components
Power supply- the audio spotlighting system work off
DC voltage. Ultrasonic amplifier requires 48V dc for its working.

Frequency oscillator- it generates ultrasonic frequency

signal which is required for modulation.

Modulator- a DSB modulator is used which convert the

original signal into ultrasonic signal.

Audio signal processor- distortion control operations are

performed in order to have a good quality signal.

 Microcontroller- it takes care of the functional

management of the system.

Ultrasonic amplifier- amplifies the frequency of

modulated wave so that the output of the emitter will be more powerful and cover more distance.

Transducer- they are used as emitters for producing

sound up to large distances and with better clarity.

Modes of listening
There are two modes of listening:

Direct mode:
 It requires a clear line approach from sound system to listeners.  To restrict audio in a specific area this method is used.

Projected mode:
 The sound beam is made to reflect from a reflecting surface.  A virtual sound source is created at the surface where the sound waves are reflected.

Applications

Advantages
Can focus sound at one place. Dispersion can be controlled. Highly cost effective as the maintenance required is less as compared to conventional system. Same power is required as by regular loudspeakers. The directed sound travels faster as compared to the regular system.

Future of audio spotlighting

Audio spotlighting system holds the promise of replacing the conventional speakers. It allows the user to control the direction of propagation of sound . The audio spotlighting will force people to rethink their relationships with sound. It really put the sound where you want it.