Phased Array Microphone (2023) (benwang.dev)

Article summary

The article describes the development of a 192-channel phased array microphone with FPGA data acquisition and beamforming/visualization on the GPU. The array consists of 50 arm boards and 5 hub boards, with a total cost of approximately $700. The system allows for applications such as directional audio recording and beamforming, and can be used to track and locate sound sources in 3D space. The project's designs are open source, including host software, FPGA gateware, and mechanical components.

Main themes

• Phased array microphones
• Beamforming and audio processing
• FPGA and GPU computing
• Acoustic sensing and tracking
• Open source hardware and software

What commenters say

• The project's ability to separate sound sources based on location is reminiscent of light field cameras, which can edit focusing parameters after an image has been taken.
• Some commenters believe that the project's technology could be used for interesting applications such as tracking bats or other animals, or even for medical purposes like high-intensity focused ultrasound.
• Others argue that the project's use of long arm PCBs may not be the most efficient or cost-effective approach, and that calibration could be used to account for sensor offsets instead.
• The project's open source nature and relatively low cost make it an attractive option for researchers and hobbyists, but some commenters note that assembly and debugging can be time-consuming and challenging.
• Some commenters are interested in exploring the potential of phased array microphones for directional audio recording and other applications, while others are more skeptical about the technology's limitations and potential drawbacks.
• The discussion also touches on the topic of patent trolling and the importance of actual innovation and product development, with some commenters expressing frustration with companies that prioritize patents over real-world applications.