The implementation of digital filters using a modified Widrow-Hoff algorithm for the adaptive cancellation of acoustic noise

Abstract

The active reduction of noise is an application of the principle of superposition in which an unwanted noise signal is detected by a microphone and processed by an electronic controller to produce an equal amplitude, 180° out-of-phase cancellation signal. The signal is then appropriately amplified and injected back into the space by a loudspeaker. This paper describes an electronic controller based on a digital implementation of transversal filters using a modification of the Widrow-Hoff Least-Mean-Squared Algorithm. In the case of active noise reduction there is no signal to enhance and all of the detected input must be cancelled. Further, the time required for the physical acoustic wave must be taken into consideration for the system to work.