Scattering by a rigid sphere of audio sound generated by a parametric array loudspeaker

Abstract

This work investigates the scattering by a rigid sphere of audio sound generated by a parametric array loudspeaker (pal). A computationally efficient method utilizing a spherical harmonic expansion is developed to calculate the quasilinear solution of audio sound fields based on both Kuznetsov and Westervelt equations. The accuracy of using the Westervelt equation is examined, and the rigid sphere scattering effects are simulated with the proposed method. It is found the results obtained using the Westervelt equation are inaccurate near the sphere at low frequencies. Contrary to conventional loudspeakers, the directivity of the audio sound generated by a pal severely deteriorates behind a sphere, as the ultrasounds maintaining the directivity of the audio sound are almost completely blocked by the sphere. Instead, the ultrasounds are reflected and generate audio sound on the front side of the sphere. It means that a listener in front of the pal will hear the audio sound scattered back after introducing the sphere as if it is reflected by the sphere. The experiment results are also presented to validate the numerical results.