Abstract: For determining a subjective property such as loudness of a binaural sound signal left and right sound pressures in the left and right ears of a human being, resulting from the binaural sound signal, are determined. The left and right ear and right sound pressures are frequency analyzed to obtain left and right frequency spectra. In each frequency band, the diotic (common) sound pressure in the left and right ears is determined, which would result from a plane wave frontal incidence on the human being, and that would produce the same perceived loudness as the frequency bandwidth limited left and right sound pressures. In each frequency band the inverse frontal headrelated transfer functions are used to determine the free-field sound pressure that would produce the same perceived loudness as the diotic sound pressure. The loudness is determined as the loudness of the totality of frequency bandwidth limited free field sound pressures, preferably using the international standard ISO 532.

Abstract: A three-dimensional array (10) of microphones (M) is used to determine the three-dimensional sound field above a surface element (?S) of a sound emitting surface (S), and the air-particle velocity (un) at the surface element (?S) is determined using Near-Field Acoustical Holography (NAH). A volume velocity sound source (11) is used to emit a volume velocity (Qv) in a listening position, and the array (10) of microphones (M) is used to determine the resulting three-dimensional sound field above the surface element (?S), and using NAH the resulting sound pressure at the surface element (?S) is determined. The acoustic transfer function (H) between the surface element (?S) and the listening position is assumed to be reciprocal and is determined as the ratio of the resulting sound pressure at the surface element (?S) to the volume velocity (Qv). The sound pressure in the listening position resulting from the surface element (?S) is determined as ?p=H.(un. ?S).

Abstract: A two-dimensional array of a plurality of transducers comprising a first plurality of like sub-arrays (11, 11a, 11b) of transducers (10) in a circularly symmetric arrangement around a common centre (C), where the transducers in each sub-array of the first plurality have individual distances from the common centre that form a progressive series of distances with a first lower limit and a first upper limit. Each sub-array in the first plurality of sub-arrays comprises at least three transducers arranged on a first straight line (12), and the first straight line is offset laterally a first distance (d) from the common centre. The number of sub-arrays is odd, and the sub-arrays may be separate units that can be selectively assembled to form the two-dimensional array and selectively disassembled.

Abstract: A two-dimensional array of a plurality of transducers comprising a first plurality of like sub-arrays (11, 11a, 11b) of transducers (10) in a circularly symmetric arrangement around a common centre (C), where the transducers in each sub-array of the first plurality have individual distances from the common centre that form a progressive series of distances with a first lower limit and a first upper limit. Each sub-array in the first plurality of sub-arrays comprises at least three transducers arranged on a first straight line (12), and the first straight line is offset laterally a first distance (d) from the common centre. The number of sub-arrays is odd, and the sub-arrays may be separate units that can be selectively assembled to form the two-dimensional array and selectively disassembled.

Abstract: A capacitive transducer, in particular a condenser microphone, with a ring-shaped member and a diaphragm secured to the ring-shaped member. A disc-shaped member is secured in the opening of the ring-shaped member and in parallel relationship to the diaphragm. The disc-shaped member has an electrically conductive portion spaced from the ring-shaped member and facing the diaphragm in a predetermined distance therefrom, whereby the diaphragm and the electrically conductive portion on the disc-shaped member form an electrical capacitor. The second side of the disc-shaped member and the contact member are directly accessible. Also, the ring-shaped member has, outside the outer periphery of the diaphragm, a free surface extending transversally to the axis of the ring-shaped member for mounting in a microphone housing with the diaphragm flush with the front end of the microphone or slightly recessed relative to the front end.

Abstract: A micromachined capacitive electrical component such as a condenser microphone with a support structure and a rigid plate with an electrically conductive plate electrode secured to the support structure at discrete locations. A diaphragm of a substantially non-conductive material is secured to the support structure along its periphery at a predetermined distance from the substantially rigid plate, whereby the substantially rigid plate and the diaphragm define an air gap. The diaphragm is movable in response to sound pressure and carries an electrically conductive diaphragm electrode. The support structure and the diaphragm electrode are electrically interconnected so as to have substantially the same electrical potential. A layer of a substantially non-conductive material is disposed between the substantially rigid plate and the support structure at least at the discrete locations.

Abstract: A micromachined component such as a transducer having a support structure with a rigid plate secured to the surface of the support structure by means of support arms directly interconnecting the rigid plate and the support structure at discrete locations. A diaphragm of a substantially non-conductive material is secured to the support structure along its periphery at a predetermined distance from the rigid plate. The rigid plate has a surface facing the air gap carrying an electrically conductive surface portion on that surface, and the diaphragm has a surface facing the air gap carrying an electrically conductive surface portion on that surface. For each support arm, at least one of the electrically conductive surface portions is separated from the support arm at a distance along the surface carrying the respective electrically conductive surface portion. This construction ensures a high leakage resistance and a low parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: A micromachined capacitive electrical component such as a condenser microphone with a support structure and a rigid plate with an electrically conductive plate electrode secured to the support structure at discrete locations. A diaphragm of a substantially non-conductive material is secured to the support structure along its periphery at a predetermined distance from the substantially rigid plate, whereby the substantially rigid plate and the diaphragm define an air gap. The diaphragm is movable in response to sound pressure and carries an electrically conductive diaphragm electrode. The support structure and the diaphragm electrode are electrically interconnected so as to have substantially the same electrical potential. A layer of a substantially non-conductive material is disposed between the substantially rigid plate and the support structure at least at the discrete locations.

Abstract: A micromachined component such as a transducer having a support structure with a rigid plate secured to the surface of the support structure by means of support arms directly interconnecting the rigid plate and the support structure at discrete locations. A diaphragm of a substantially non-conductive material is secured to the support structure along its periphery at a predetermined distance from the rigid plate. The rigid plate has a surface facing the air gap carrying an electrically conductive surface portion on that surface, and the diaphragm has a surface facing the air gap carrying an electrically conductive surface portion on that surface. For each support arm, at least one of the electrically conductive surface portions is separated from the support arm at a distance along the surface carrying the respective electrically conductive surface portion. This construction ensures a high leakage resistance and a low parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: A system, and method of operating the system, for measuring a continuous signal, having at least two transducers for measuring the continuous signal and for each outputting a signal relating to the measured signal. The transducers receive controlling signals and operate in accordance therewith, the controlling signals being transmitted to the transducers along the same transmitting path consisting of no more than two electrical conductors or no more than one optical conductor or consisting of transmitters and receivers for wireless communication. Alternatively or optionally, the signal generator may receive power over two electrical conductors over which the signals are transmitted from the signal generator. The present system is especially useful in audio or in setups performing determination and analysis of vibration, acceleration, velocity or sound.