An efficient DSP network for the real-time auralization of complex urban scenarios

The most commonly used technique for auralization is a simulation step to determine sound propagation based on Geometrical Acoustics and a subsequent assembly of the simulation results into a filter or (binaural) impulse response. Convolution is used to apply the propagation effects to an anechoic recording per source-receiver pair, which is efficient for a scenario including a few sound sources and many propagation paths. The procedure offers a good balance of speed and accuracy, and has seen much development. However, it reveals an intrinsic difficulty upon scene adaption (filter exchange) for fast-moving sound sources, because in principle it requires a steady-state environment. In particular, this constellation is found in urban scenarios, where many fast-moving sound sources can be expected while essentially only a manageable number of propagation paths contribute to the perceived overall sound field. An efficient DSP network is put to discussion that handles propagation paths individually using a single-input multiple-output variable delay line per sound source and applies spectral influences like diffraction effects using short IIR filters. Binaural cues are maintained by a clustering approach that combines incident waves and offers a constant convolution cost.The most commonly used technique for auralization is a simulation step to determine sound propagation based on Geometrical Acoustics and a subsequent assembly of the simulation results into a filter or (binaural) impulse response. Convolution is used to apply the propagation effects to an anechoic recording per source-receiver pair, which is efficient for a scenario including a few sound sources and many propagation paths. The procedure offers a good balance of speed and accuracy, and has seen much development. However, it reveals an intrinsic difficulty upon scene adaption (filter exchange) for fast-moving sound sources, because in principle it requires a steady-state environment. In particular, this constellation is found in urban scenarios, where many fast-moving sound sources can be expected while essentially only a manageable number of propagation paths contribute to the perceived overall sound field. An efficient DSP network is put to discussion that handles propagation paths individually using a si...