Pattern-matching analysis of fine echo delays by the spectrogram correlation and transformation receiver.
Among a few previous attempts to model the outstanding echolocation capability of bats, the work by Saillant et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 94, 2691-2712 (1993)] is, arguably, one of the most frequently referenced studies in which the predictions of spectrogram correlation and transformation (SCAT) model were compared to the results of relevant behavioral experiments. The SCAT model consists of cochlear, spectrogram correlation and spectrogram transformation blocks, where the latter two processes estimate the overall and the fine time delays between the animal's call and the echoes, given the neural representation of the acoustic signals generated by the cochlear block. This paper first provides a rigorous account of the spectrogram transformation (ST) block. By approximating the neural signals in analytic forms, many aspects of the ST block are explained and discussed in relation to the predictive scope of the model. Furthermore, based on these analytical arguments, the ST block is investigated from a different point of view, interpreted as a pattern-matching process which may operate at the high level of the animal's auditory pathway.
Park
Munhum
M
Philips Research Laboratories Eindhoven, Professor Holstlaan 4, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands. mun.park@philips.com
Allen
Robert
R
D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D001307:Auditory Perception; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000502:physiology*; D004455:Echolocation; D008959:Models, Neurological; D046709:Pattern Recognition, Physiological; D013018:Sound Spectrography; D013997:Time Factors; D014828:Vocalization, Animal