Acoustic source localization model using in-skull reverberation and time reversal

Abstract

A processing model of localization based on time reversal of the reverberated sound in a human skull is proposed. The underlying general idea is that bones act as antenna, gathering and conducting information about spatial positioning. Decoding this information is achieved with a time reversal analysis. Tested in a model experiment, the localization works in the azimuthal and sagittal plans, for single or multiple sound sources. Its efficiency is also demonstrated for one sided hearing people. The authors anticipate that this general antennalike concept can be applied to many animals that use sound localization as well as to future design for microphone devices or sonars.