Field Measurement of Head Related Transfer Functions
Abstract
This effort sought to refine and simplify techniques for generating acoustic signals that could be used in three-dimensional auditory displays. Such signals are presented to a listener over headphones and create the illusion of a virtual sound source at a predetermined position in 3-D space. The signals are generated digitally, using algorithms based on the acoustic effects of human outer ear structures on sound waves reaching the ears. To date, the main area of difficulty inhibiting development of practical (3-D) displays is in obtaining estimates of these outer ear effects. The work was divided into three areas: (1) acoustic measurements of free-field-to-eardrum transfer functions) (also called head-related transfer functions, of HRTFs); (2) analysis of HRTFs and (3) psychophysical assessment of human performance in sound localization tasks involving stimuli presented both in real and in simulated (virtual) auditory space. The focus was on evaluating means for making HRTF measurements faster and easier, thus simplifying synthesis of auditory stimuli for 3-D displays. (EDC)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA227850
Entities
People
- Doris J. Kistler
- Frederic Wightman
Organizations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison