Adaptive signal processing algorithms for creating spatial zones of quiet

Available adaptive active noise control (ANC) algorithms can only minimize the noise level at a point that an error microphone is placed. Consequently, a zone of quiet around this microphone is produced as a byproduct. However, they cannot technically control or, even, monitor the noise level within the zone of quiet unless they use several sensors. They cannot also control the shape and the extension of the quiet zone by using only the error microphone. This paper develops a signal processing framework for the derivation of adaptive ANC algorithms that can directly create a controllable zone of quiet in monochromatic noise fields using a single error microphone. It is shown that by adding a filter to the standard ANC structure, a controllable zone of quiet is created. The transfer function of this filter is obtained using an accurate mathematical analysis. It is also shown that the extension of the zone of quiet can be controlled by tuning this filter. The implementation of the proposed system requires no additional hardware, rather than those required for traditional ANC systems. The validity of the results are discussed by using numerical analysis. Also, the performance of the proposed system is practically verified.