Rb. King et Sr. Oldfield, THE IMPACT OF SIGNAL BANDWIDTH ON AUDITORY LOCALIZATION - IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DESIGN OF 3-DIMENSIONAL AUDIO DISPLAYS, Human factors, 39(2), 1997, pp. 287-295
A new type of interface, the three-dimensional (3D) audio display, is
being developed to enhance cockpit displays in military aircraft. In o
rder to synthesize a sound's location in space, head-related transfer
functions are measured for many sound source positions (in space) and
incorporated in digital filters, which are then used to synthesize loc
ation. However, most military aircraft have communication systems that
are band-limited in frequency response, as are most recently designed
auditory displays currently used in military applications. The presen
t study investigated the effects of limiting signal bandwidth on sound
localization. Results show that broadband signals encompassing freque
ncies from 0 to (at least) 13 kHz are required in order for listeners
to accurately localize signals actually presented from a range of spat
ial locations. These results have clear implications for the design an
d implementation of 3D spatial synthesis systems in military aircraft.
Communications systems should be capable of carrying broadband signal
s and acoustic signals used in 3D audio displays should also be broadb
and in nature.