The present invention pertains to a closed loop control system for active noise reduction, particularly for a mobile telephone, and a method for active noise reduction.
In mobile telephony, ambient noise at the ear of a user or listener frequently interferes with the acoustic reception at the ear such that the listening comprehension is diminished. This is the reason why there is an increased demand for so-called active noise reduction systems that are also referred to as ANC systems [or] “Active Noise Cancellation Systems.” One common aspect of these systems is that they respectively suppress interfering ambient noise in the region of the loudspeaker or at the ear of a listener in a predetermined frequency band. An active noise cancellation system of this type is known, for example, from document GB 2449083 A.
Similar to
Alternatively, feedback control systems could conceivably also be used instead of a feedforward control.
In both cases, the inverse phase position in connection with a controlled amplitude of the loudspeaker signal leads to a destructive interference with the original noise signal and consequently a suppression thereof. In this case, it is essential that the loudspeaker housing in both cases tightly adjoin the ear as indicated such that a known or easily reproducible and therefore stable acoustic ratio is adjusted.
One essential factor for this are [sic] the transfer functions of the loudspeaker used, the microphones and the external parameters because these can be imitated by means of filters that form part of the control system. The cases shown frequently concern a headset system that can be assumed to be relatively stable and invariable. In this way, a feedforward control or feedback control can be tuned to a known and well predefined acoustic ratio such that an adequate suppression is generally also achieved.
However, the situation becomes more problematic in cases in which no stable acoustic ratios exist. In mobile communications, this is the case, for example, when a user of a mobile telephone holds the mobile telephone against the ear more or less steadily. Consequently, no fixed and predefined coupling between the loudspeaker system and the ear of the user exists. In fact, the acoustic ratios and, in particular, the tightness of the seal between the loudspeaker and the ear are highly variable. Since this tightness moreover represents an essential aspect in the tuning of a control system for active noise reduction, the variable acoustic ratios regularly lead to a distinct deterioration. One option for counteracting these variable acoustic ratios is the design of adaptive control systems, for example, with an adapter filter. However, the realization of these systems is very elaborate in analog technology and correspondingly expensive in digital technology.
Consequently, there still is a need for a closed loop control system for active noise reduction, particularly for mobile telephones or other loudspeaker systems, which also makes it possible to achieve an adequate noise reduction under variable and changing acoustic ratios with low power and manufacturing costs.
This need is fulfilled with the closed loop control system and the method for active noise reduction.
According to the invention, it is proposed to implement a feedforward control and a feedback control, both of which are tuned to different acoustic ratios, in a closed loop control system. The two controls are coupled to one another in such a way that at least one control compensates the other control during a corresponding change of the acoustic ratios.
It is advantageous to respectively tune the two controls to one extreme of the potential acoustic ratios. For example, it is advantageous to tune the feedback control to a predefined fixed acoustic ratio that essentially corresponds to a tight seal between the loudspeaker and an ear of a user. The feedback control therefore is tuned in such a way that it provides an adequate noise reduction over the frequency range if a tight seal and a predefined fixed air volume exist. The feedforward control, in contrast, is tuned to a different acoustic ratio that corresponds, for example, to a completely untight seal between the loudspeaker and the ear of the user. The tuning of the two controls to these two extremes therefore makes it possible to achieve a compensation of one control by means of the other control when the acoustic ratios change from one extreme to the other extreme.
In this way, an adequate noise reduction can be realized over a broad range of potential acoustic ratios. The inventive control system therefore is particularly suitable for mobile communications, in which the acoustic ratios depend, in particular, on user mannerism.
In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a control system comprises a loudspeaker and an adding device, to which the loudspeaker is connected. The adding device features a first and a second input. The control system further comprises a feedforward control with a first microphone for receiving noise interference, as well as a control network that is connected thereto and features at least one filter for forming a first controlled variable. On its output side, the first control network is coupled to the adding device in order to supply the first controlled variable. The control system further features a feedback control with a second microphone for receiving a sound being output by the loudspeaker. A second control network implemented in the feedback control features at least one filter for forming a second controlled variable and is coupled to the second microphone on its input side. On its output side, the second control network is also connected to the adding device.
According to the invention, it is proposed to tune the feedback control to a noise reduction based on a first acoustic ratio, particularly a predetermined fixed acoustic ratio. The feedforward control, in contrast, is tuned to a noise reduction based on a second acoustic ratio that is not fixed, particularly an open ratio.
The adding device for adding the two controlled variables makes it possible to at least partially compensate the first controlled variable when the current acoustic ratios change in the direction of the first acoustic ratio.
In one embodiment, the first acoustic ratio advantageously corresponds to an essentially tight seal between the loudspeaker and an ear of a user. Alternatively, the first acoustic ratio comprises an essentially fixed air volume such that the tunability is simplified. The second acoustic ratio, in contrast, corresponds to an untight seal between the loudspeaker and an ear of a user. The air column that therefore exists between the loudspeaker and the ear of the user is, in contrast to the first fixed acoustic ratio, variable at the second open acoustic ratio, but at least significantly larger than the air volume at the first fixed acoustic ratio.
Alternatively, the first fixed acoustic ratio also corresponds to a first distance between the loudspeaker and the eardrum of the user while the second open acoustic ratio corresponds to a second distance and a second direction between the loudspeaker and the ear of the user. The second distance is in particular greater than the first distance.
For example, it is proposed that the first acoustic ratio correspond to a first extreme value of potential acoustic ratios and the second acoustic ratio correspond to a second extreme value of the potential acoustic ratios.
The tuning of the feedforward control and the feedback control preferably cannot be changed at least during the operation of the control system.
For example, the first and the second control network are based on an entirely analog control.
In one embodiment, the first and/or the second control network has control characteristics that are tuned to the respective acoustic ratio, particularly a tuned variable gain amplification.
In an enhancement of the invention, the control system comprises a loudspeaker housing for accommodating the loudspeaker, which essentially encloses a first air volume. An auxiliary housing with essentially a second air volume is arranged in a preferred direction for the sound radiation of the loudspeaker housing. In one embodiment, the fixed acoustic ratio is defined by the first and the second air volume.
The second microphone that forms part of the feedback control may also be installed in the auxiliary housing. The second control network therefore can be tuned to a noise reduction that is based on the first and the second air volume. Accordingly, the first control network is tuned to a noise reduction that is based on a significantly larger air volume than the first and the second air volume. In a method for active noise reduction, a feedback control, as well as a feedforward control, is provided for the noise reduction. The feedback control is in this case tuned to a first acoustic ratio and the feedforward control is tuned to a second acoustic ratio. In order to realize the active noise reduction, a controlled variable of the feedforward control is compensated by a controlled variable of the feedback control when the current acoustic ratios change in the direction of the first acoustic ratio.
For example, the second and the first acoustic ratio may be defined by corresponding distances between the loudspeaker or a reference point and the ear of a user. If this distance changes, for example, such that it becomes shorter, a variable gain amplification of the feedforward control is therefore compensated by the variable gain amplification of the feedback control.
Other aspects and embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims. Several exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail below with reference to the drawings.
In these drawings:
In addition to the loudspeaker arranged in the loudspeaker housing 700, the control system also comprises a microphone 200 in the vicinity of the loudspeaker. The microphone 200 forms part of a feedback control consisting of the control network 400 and the adding device 600. In this case, the control network 400 is connected to an input of the adding device 600. A second input of the adding device 600 is connected to a second control network 500. The second control network 500 forms part of the feedforward control and is connected to the microphone 100 on its input side.
The microphone 100 of the feedforward control is fixed on the underside of the loudspeaker housing 700 while the microphone 200 of the feedback control is arranged in the vicinity of the loudspeaker 300. The microphone 200 therefore captures the signal being output by the loudspeaker and delivers it to the feedback control and the control network 400.
The feedforward control and the feedback control with the two control networks 500 and 400 are respectively described separately below with reference to
Similarly, the feedback control also operates with the microphone 200 and the control network 400. The microphone 200 receives the loudspeaker signal of the loudspeaker 300, as well as the noise signal arriving through the loudspeaker housing, and delivers these signals to the control network 400. The control network 400 is structured similar to the control network 500 and comprises means for inverting the phase, as well as for a variable gain amplification. Accordingly, the loudspeaker once again outputs an inverted signal that destructively superimposes with the interference signal arriving through the loudspeaker housing 700.
The feedback control corresponds to a so-called open loop, in which the amplitude and the phase of the loudspeaker signal being output are measured. The inverse of the filter transfer function calculated therefrom corresponds to the ideal filter of the control network. Due to the time delay between the loudspeaker signal being output and the microphone, a complete phase inversion frequently does not take place such that a variable gain amplification needs to be dampened toward high frequencies in order to ensure the stability of the system.
According to the invention, it is proposed to jointly deliver the control signal of the feedforward control and the control signal of the feedback control to an adding device 600 that forms a sum signal thereof. This sum signal is delivered to the loudspeaker 300.
In this way, the feedback control also detects the first control signal of the feedforward control as a disturbance variable and can compensate this disturbance variable under certain circumstances. Consequently, the adding device 600 not only carries out a compensation of noise interference that is coupled into the microphone 200 via the housing 700 by means of the feedback control, but also a compensation of the controlled variable of the feedforward control being output by the loudspeaker 300 and therefore of the control network 500.
For this purpose, the feedback control and the feedforward control are tuned to different acoustic ratios. In other words, the feedback control operates optimally at a predefined acoustic ratio, at which the feedforward control essentially no longer functions or at least functions much weaker. Primarily the feedback control is decisive for the noise reduction at this acoustic ratio. The feedforward control accordingly is optimally tuned to a second acoustic ratio and causes an adequate noise reduction at this acoustic ratio. At this second acoustic ratio, however, the feedback control no longer functions sufficiently such that only the first controlled variable of the feedforward control is decisive for the noise reduction at the second acoustic ratio.
The optimal tuning of the individual control networks, as well as of the feedforward control and the feedback control, to the two different acoustic ratios is illustrated in
An acoustic ratio essentially refers to the influence of external parameters on the noise reduction. In a predetermined fixed loudspeaker housing, the acoustic ratio and, in particular, the quality of a noise reduction are primarily dependent on the tightness or the stability of an air volume between the loudspeaker and the ear drum of a user.
This fact is characterized by the so-called seal between the loudspeaker housing and the ear of a user. Stable acoustic ratios exist if a “tight seal” is produced, wherein the loudspeaker housing is arranged, for example, around the ear or against the ear of a user such that no air exchange takes place between an external volume and the air volume in the housing and the ear of a user. A “tight seal” is produced, for example, by headsets, the earpieces of which have a predefined shape and tightly adapt to the shape around the ear of a user.
Two different paths 1 and 2 essentially are decisive for noise interference as indicated in
The microphone 100 of the feedback control now receives the interference signal being output by the loudspeaker that also comprises the first controlled variable together with the interference signal arriving via the path 1 and delivers this interference signal to the second control network of the feedback control. In this case, the tuning of the feedback control is realized in such a way that it is optimal when a tight seal is produced. When such a tight seal is produced, the feedback control and the variable gain amplification in the control network 400 therefore completely compensate a variable gain amplification of the feedforward control. Furthermore, an inversion of the received interference signal arriving via the path 1 is carried out, i.e., the loudspeaker 300 reproduces an overall signal obtained by reducing the amplitude of the phase-inverted interference signal arriving via the path 1 by means of destructive interference.
The very tight seal according to
The other extreme case is illustrated in
The feedforward control is tuned for this case of a completely untight seal between the loudspeaker housing and the ear of a user. This feedforward control captures the noise interference arriving via the path 2 with its microphone 100 and delivers it to the control network 500. The control network 500 generates the first controlled variable thereof and this first controlled variable is delivered to the adding device 600 together with a second controlled variable of the feedback control that, however, is very small. The filter function of the feedforward control is tuned for this case such that the feedforward control operates optimally for the noise reduction if the loudspeaker housing is not tightly sealed. The feedback control only has a very slight effect due to the sound losses caused by the untight seal.
The seals illustrated in
However, the standard case lies between the two extremes and is referred to as a normal seal as illustrated in
Both control networks and controls are active if this normal seal is produced. The seal relative to the ear is not completely tight in the embodiment according to
The output of the feedforward control 10 is connected to an adding device 600, the output side of which is coupled to the loudspeaker 300. A second microphone 200 is arranged in the vicinity of the loudspeaker 300 and therefore captures passively dampened noise, as well as the signals being output by the loudspeaker 300. The microphone 200 is connected to the second control network 400 that forms part of the feedback control. The second control network also comprises several elements that are schematically illustrated. These include filter elements with a certain frequency response that serve for an inversion of the phase position. The control network 400 likewise features a variable gain amplification 401 that is dependent on the tightness of the seal of the loudspeaker relative to an ear of a user. The output signal of the feedback control is delivered to a second input of the adding device 600. During the operation of the feedback control, this feedback control now also detects the output signal of the feedforward control as a disturbance variable. Accordingly, it should compensate this disturbance variable signal, in particular, when the feedforward control causes an overcompensation due to a mismatch. This is the case, for example, if the feedforward control is tuned to an untight seal and the feedback control is tuned to a tight seal. In this case, an overcompensation of the feedforward control occurs due to the predetermined variable gain amplification and is compensated by the feedback control.
The efficiency of an active noise reduction is illustrated as an overall result in the diagram according to
The invention therefore is particularly suitable for mobile communications, in which essentially variable acoustic ratios exist. For this purpose, it is possible to additionally couple a useful signal into the feedback control as illustrated in
In order to suitably tune the feedback control to a predetermined acoustic ratio, it would be conceivable in one exemplary embodiment to merely carry out the tuning with respect to the loudspeaker housing or the corresponding mobile communication device.
In order to tune the feedback control, it is now possible, for example, to cover the central opening 230 such that a defined and fixed air volume results from the loudspeaker housing 301 and the auxiliary housing 210. The feedback control can now be tuned to this fixed air volume that simultaneously represents a very stable acoustic ratio by choosing the filters within the control network, as well as the amplification factors of the amplifiers, such that the maximum cancellation in the desired frequency range results. The feedforward control is tuned accordingly by removing the cover from the central opening 230.
If the central opening is held in the vicinity of or pressed against the ear of a user during the operation of the mobile telephone, the resulting acoustic ratio lies between the two extremes depending on the position. In this way, an adequate noise reduction is also ensured over a broad range.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2011 013 343 | Mar 2011 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2012/051152 | 1/25/2012 | WO | 00 | 10/31/2013 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2012/119808 | 9/13/2012 | WO | A |
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