title: Acoustic impulse response method as a source of undergraduate research projects and advanced laboratory experiments.
abstract: A straightforward and inexpensive implementation of acoustic impulse response measurement is described utilizing the signal processing technique of coherent averaging. The technique is capable of high signal-to-noise measurements with personal computer data acquisition equipment, an amplifier/speaker, and a high quality microphone. When coupled with simple waveguide test systems fabricated from commercial PVC plumbing pipe, impulse response measurement has proven to be ideal for undergraduate research projects-often of publishable quality-or for advanced laboratory experiments. The technique provides important learning objectives for science or engineering students in areas such as interfacing and computer control of experiments; analog-to-digital conversion and sampling; time and frequency analysis using Fourier transforms; signal processing; and insight into a variety of current research areas such as acoustic bandgap materials, acoustic metamaterials, and fast and slow wave manipulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, USA. wroberts@mtsu.edu
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Parker