The Design and Calibration of Low Cost Urban Acoustic Sensing Devices
Regular paper
Center for Urban Science and Progress
Wednesday 3 june, 2015, 14:00 - 14:20
0.8 Rome (118)
Abstract:
The urban sound environment of New York City (NYC) can be, amongst other
things: loud, intrusive, exciting and dynamic. As indicated by the large majority of
noise complaints registered with the NYC 311 information/complaints line, the
urban sound environment has a profound effect on the quality of life of the city’s
inhabitants. To monitor and ultimately understand these sonic environments, a
process of long-term acoustic measurement and analysis is required. The
traditional method of environmental acoustic monitoring utilizes short term
measurement periods using expensive equipment, setup and operated by
experienced and costly personnel. The proposed project takes a different
approach to this application by implementing smart, low-cost, static, acoustic
sensing devices based around consumer hardware. These devices can be
deployed in numerous and varied urban locations for long periods of time, allowing
for the collection of longitudinal urban acoustic data. The varied environmental
conditions of New York City make for a challenge in gathering calibrated sound
pressure level data for prospective stakeholders. The wide variations in
temperature and humidity affect microphone sensitivity and response, which can
increase the likelihood of the generation of erroneous sound pressure level
readings. This paper details the sensors’ design, development and potential future
applications, with a focus on the calibration of the devices’ MEMS microphone in
order to generate reliable decibel levels at the Type/Class 2 level.