Wind Noise Reduction Using the Multiple Aperture Sensor System

Wind noise in outdoor measuemetn micropnones can mask an acoustic signal. Windscreens provide some wind noise reduction; however, those typically used for outdoor applications provide noise reductions of approximately 10-15 dB. Planning Systems Incorporated (PSI) proposes to design and test a Multiple Aperture Sensor System (MASS) consisting of a microphone, a processor, and data acquisitio and signal processing software. The system will be designed to adaptively remove wind noise via spatial filtering. Improvement ni the signal-to-noise ratio in a windscreened microphone will be realized by spatially filtering the wind noise. Calculations show that wind noise reduction for a seven sensor-element microphone with .125m sensor-element spacing should increase by an additional 20-55 dB. For Phase I, PSI will perform a feasibility study which includes theoretical design, experimental testing, and system evaluation for a low-frequency (10-50 Hz) system. The microphone will also be tested at higher frequencies to determine its commercial viability as a microphone for use in jet noise measurements, outdoor concerts, speeches, and other applications.