Micro-Actuator Speaker System 2 (MASS-2)

Research Support Instruments, Inc. (RSI), with the help of Westone, Inc., proposes to develop the Micro-Actuator Speaker System 2 (MASS-2): an active noise reduction (ANR) based hearing protection system for carrier deck environments. The core of MASS-2 will be a high-intensity version of the existing MASS microspeaker/microphone array developed at RSI for AFRL. RSI will develop a microfabricated device that can address the needs of higher sound levels (~150 dB) present on the flight deck. As part of the MASS-2 technology, an ANR algorithm will be developed to allow certain desirable noises and filter the others; RSI has patented a blind deconvolution technique called self-deconvolving data restoration algorithm, or SeDDaRA (US Patent 6,8595,64) that can be applied here. The Phase I MASS-2 program will involve design, fabrication, and test of a new configuration of the RSI microspeakers for higher sound output/sensitivity, developing an algorithm for active noise reduction/fitration, and characterization of the devices to predict their performance in an aircraft carrier application.