Speaker: Lewis MacDonald, Celestion
Wed 30th October 12:00 – 13:00 UK time. This seminar will be held in person in Gilbert 1 and you can join us online via Microsoft Teams.
Abstract:
This research investigates enhancing the performance of acoustic waveguides that are thin in one dimension with an iterative optimisation process which makes them more effective at supporting single parameter (1P) wave propagation across a broad frequency range. The optimisation is guided by two performance metrics that highlight regions of error in the relative pathlength (“stretch”) and change in area (“flare”). The error in these metrics is minimized through a rapid iterative optimisation process which equalises the relative pathlength and adjusts the area expansion by introducing corrugations and deformations. During each iteration, the relationship between the waveguide metric errors and acoustic wave coherence is examined. The optimisation process is then used to create a line array wave-shaper and horn, and FEA simulations of the Helmholtz wave equation are used to analyse the performance of the assembly.
Biography:
I am an enthusiastic acoustician who has been working as a research engineer at Celestion for the last 2 years focusing on waveguide and compression driver design. The research I plan on presenting is a project I started in my MRes at Salford University and is a new technology with considerable application in the loudspeaker industry. Outside of work I enjoy surfing and applying my acoustic knowledge to designing, building, and tuning professional-audio cabinets and systems.