How can sound distance be calculated without triangulation?

In summary, there are a few ways to estimate the distance of sound sources, such as using triangulation or dispersion. However, the most accurate method would be to measure the sound pressure level at the source and at the receiving location, and calculate the distance using the speed of sound in the medium. This method is commonly used in distance measuring devices.
  • #1
anup08
1
0
I have two different sound sources (suppose two different person's voice playing in different volume).
How to find which sound coming from further distance. What is the exact equation to calculate distance.
 
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  • #2
I'm not sure that there is one. What have you got to work with? What degree of precision do you want?

If you've got three microphones you could use something like interferometry to figure out the bearing of the source from each pair of microphones and then do triangulation to get the distance. Precision drops off badly with range with this method.

If you know something about the frequency spectrum of the sources you might be able to use dispersion to estimate the distance. Under some circumstances, waves of different frequencies travel at different speeds, so the spectrum will evolve with distance. I doubt you could place anything more precisely than a couple of hundred meters with this, even if it is possible.
 
  • #3
anup08 said:
I have two different sound sources (suppose two different person's voice playing in different volume).
How to find which sound coming from further distance. What is the exact equation to calculate distance.

anup08, Welcome to Physics Forums!

The received (detected) sound pressure level (SPL) in dB without the given distance to the sound source is really useless for finding the range. Other than a complicated triangulation system, as proposed by Ibix above, there is one way you could measure the distance to those sources: If you knew the exact SPL at the source, and then measure the SPL at the receiving location, the distance to the source could be calculated by comparing the two levels.
For the technical details, see:
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-distance.htm

Distance measuring devices typically transmit a short burst of sound toward a target, which reflects the sound back to the sensor. The system then measures the time for the echo to return to the sensor and computes the distance to the target using the speed of sound in the medium.
A typical sound velocity in air is:
T25 is 298.15 K (= 25 °C = 77 °F), giving a value of 346.1 m•s−1 (= 1135.6 ft/s = 1246 km•h−1 = 774.3 mph = 672.8 knots).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_sound
 

FAQ: How can sound distance be calculated without triangulation?

What is sound distance calculation?

Sound distance calculation is a process used to determine the distance between a sound source and the receiver. It takes into account the speed of sound, the time it takes for the sound to travel, and the intensity of the sound.

Why is sound distance calculation important?

Sound distance calculation is important for various reasons such as measuring sound levels in a particular area, determining the range of a sound system, or locating the source of a sound.

What factors affect sound distance calculation?

There are several factors that can affect sound distance calculation, including temperature, humidity, wind, and obstacles in the sound path. These factors can impact the speed of sound and the intensity of the sound, making it important to account for them in the calculation.

How accurate is sound distance calculation?

The accuracy of sound distance calculation depends on the precision of the measurements used and the complexity of the sound environment. It is important to consider all factors and use precise measurements to ensure the most accurate results.

What are some applications of sound distance calculation?

Sound distance calculation has various applications, including noise pollution monitoring, locating the source of a sound in industrial settings, and optimizing the placement of speakers in a sound system for the best coverage.

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