Development and evaluation of a cost-effective and flexible 4-microphone linear array for beamforming and sound source localization

This paper presents the design and analysis of a four-microphone linear array with variable spacing, aiming to offer a cost-effective solution for beamforming and direction of arrival (DoA) estimation. The project spans from the physical assembly of the array to the implementation of signal processing methods for accurately determining the position of sound sources in different environments. Initially, the choice and configuration of components, including microphones and data acquisition interfaces, are detailed, emphasizing the positional adjustment among elements to achieve optimal performance in various scenarios. Next, the results of experimental tests, which evaluated the system’s robustness in terms of angular resolution, sensitivity to external noise, and ability to focus on specific directions are discussed. Finally, practical applications in sound source localization are demonstrated, highlighting the versatility and cost-effectiveness of the proposed array for academic research, industrial prototyping, and monitoring and security purposes.