Efficient FDTD-PE model for sound propagation in situations with complex obstacles and wind profiles

Abstract

An efficient hybrid model is presented for sound propagation in situations with several reflecting obstacles near the source. A Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) model is used in the complex source region, while a Parabolic Equation (PE) model is used for propagation to a distant receiver. The models are coupled by transformation of FDTD results at the boundary of the source region from the time domain to the frequency domain. The FDTD-PE model takes into account multiple reflections of sound waves in the source region, and interaction of sound waves with complex wind fields near the obstacles. It is shown that the FDTD-PE model is accurate, and requires considerably smaller computer times and memory than FDTD does.