Achieving Loudspeaker Design Goals Using Multiphysics Simulation

Modeling and Measurement Webinar

In this webinar, Dolby Laboratories and COMSOL join the Audio Product Education Institute in a discussion on the role of modeling and measurements in the loudspeaker design process. Hear from Lakshmikanth Tipparaju, Dolby, as he shares project experiences of the design of a height channel speaker for immersive audio setups, and how simulation, measurements, and experiments helped to ensure that the design met the design requirements. In a second talk, Jinlan Huang of COMSOL will discuss the use of simulation in audio system design and the various numerical approaches to consider for multiphysics modeling of loudspeakers.
Session 1: Lakshmikanth Tipparaju (Dolby Laboratories)
Modeling and Measurement Techniques for Developing Height Channel Speakers in a Multichannel Audio Playback DeviceModern home audio products are starting to feature integrated, upward-firing height channel speakers to create a fully immersive audio experience for consumers. This presentation will provide an overview of design principles and the narrow radiation requirements for optimum height channel sound reproduction for home entertainment systems. This will be followed by a simulation case study discussing how acoustic modeling techniques can be used to guide the new height channel speaker concept development process to achieve the desired narrow radiation characteristics, while considering certain practical product integration constraints. The importance of validating acoustical models using experimental testing methods will also be briefly discussed in this presentation.

Session 2: Jinlan Huang (COMSOL)
Choosing the Right Numerical Approach for Your Loudspeaker SimulationThere are many reasons for audio product development teams to use simulation in their design process. In addition to shortening design cycles, simulation allows engineers to explore novel ideas and analyze performance before prototyping, as well as optimize new and existing products and study how a device will interact with its future environment. The simulation may require various numerical approaches, depending on the accuracy required, the desired output of the analysis, and the complexity of the system. Using loudspeakers as an example, we will discuss how the study can range from lumped electroacoustics models in the frequency domain to nonlinear transient analyses of total harmonic distortion. Through examples and demonstrations, you will receive insight into the modeling techniques available for loudspeaker simulations and learn the strategies required in order to obtain the full frequency range response of the system, as well as appropriate post-processing tools that provide you with a fully virtual testing environment.