Sound Source Identification of Vehicle Noise Based on a Microphone Array With a Modified Multiple Signal Classification Algorithm

In this paper, a modified multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm tailored for sound source identification (SSI) of vehicle noise is introduced and experimentally validated. A uniform planar microphone array (UPMA) is formulated for mathematical modeling, with its SSI-oriented parameters selected based on the primary frequency spectrum of vehicle noise. Simulations are conducted to compare the SSI accuracy of two conventional spatial spectra estimation (SSE) algorithms: the Capon algorithm and the MUSIC algorithm. The results demonstrate that the MUSIC algorithm, which relies on the eigenvalues of a covariance matrix to estimate signal direction, exhibits superior SSI resolution under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. However, it faces challenges in distinguishing between coherent or closely spaced signals. To address this, a modified MUSIC algorithm is proposed by reconstructing the covariance matrix of received signals and the SSE function. Simulation outcomes indicate that the modified MUSIC significantly outperforms the conventional version, owing to its enhanced SSI resolution. The accuracy of the SSI system, incorporating the UPMA and the modified MUSIC, is verified using a low-frequency volume source. Ultimately, the devised SSI system is successfully deployed to identify noise sources in a vehicle at different operational conditions, further validating the efficacy of the modified MUSIC. The UPMA and the modified MUSIC presented in this study have direct applicability in vehicle noise source identification and may be extended to other sound-related engineering fields for SSI purposes.