Modelling, parametric analysis, and optimization of an experimental set-up for acoustic antenna calibration

The growing interest in the use of acoustic antennas in different fields justifies the increasing attention on calibration problems related to them. This paper focuses on the calibration problems of acoustic antennas proposing a dedicated strategy with the aim of assessing an optimized experimental setup guaranteeing the maximum accuracy. The effect of the location of sound sources and reference microphone was investigated first following a parametric approach: a dedicated numerical model, based on spherical wave equation solution, was used to theoretically predict signal produced by each microphone. After achieving precious information on the influence on the accuracy of the mentioned experimental setup parameters, a dedicated optimization process was adopted to identify layout configuration guaranteeing time delay satisfaction for the largest number of array microphones, compatibly with room available space constraint.