Feedforward Active Noise Reduction for Effective Audio Communication Systems

Creare proposes an innovative design for audio command, control, and communication systems. The Creare auditory system employs active noise reduction (ANR) that will reduce the harmful effects of high noise levels on personnel while simultaneously enhancing the speech intelligibility of electronic messages. Currently available off-ths-shelf ANR audio systems only provide between 10-20 dB of noise reduction for frequencies between 0.1 and 1 kHz and the feedback algorithm they employ attenuates injected electronic messages as well as unwanted environmental noise. The Creare innovation uses a feedforward controller which provides the ability to inject electronic messages that are unaffected by the ANR algorithm. This approach will result in a greater level of noise reduction and bandwidth than is possible with feedback algorithms, thereby enhancing audio command and communication systems. In Phase I, we will conduct a system engineering analysis of the design, develop the feedforward controller, and fabricate a laboratory system for testing. The key outcome of this effort will be demonstration hardware and preliminary data. In Phase II, we will optimize the design, fabricate prototypes of the optimized design, and perform laboratory and field tests of the prototype units to verify compliance with desired specifications.