title: Design and Evaluation of a Scalable and Reconfigurable Multi-Platform System for Acoustic Imaging.
abstract: This paper proposes a scalable and multi-platform framework for signal acquisition and processing, which allows for the generation of acoustic images using planar arrays of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) microphones with low development and deployment costs. Acoustic characterization of MEMS sensors was performed, and the beam pattern of a module, based on an 8 × 8 planar array and of several clusters of modules, was obtained. A flexible framework, formed by an FPGA, an embedded processor, a computer desktop, and a graphic processing unit, was defined. The processing times of the algorithms used to obtain the acoustic images, including signal processing and wideband beamforming via FFT, were evaluated in each subsystem of the framework. Based on this analysis, three frameworks are proposed, defined by the specific subsystems used and the algorithms shared. Finally, a set of acoustic images obtained from sound reflected from a person are presented as a case study in the field of biometric identification. These results reveal the feasibility of the proposed system.
authors.affiliation: Signal Theory and Communications Department, University of Valladolid, Valladolid 47011, Spain. alberto.izquierdo@tel.uva.es.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Izquierdo
authors.affiliation: Signal Theory and Communications Department, University of Valladolid, Valladolid 47011, Spain. juavil@tel.uva.es.
authors.forename: Juan José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Villacorta
authors.affiliation: Mechanical Engineering Area, Industrial Engineering School, University of Valladolid, Valladolid 47011, Spain. lvalpue@eii.uva.es.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Del Val Puente
authors.affiliation: Civil Engineering Department, Superior Technical College, University of Burgos, Burgos 09001, Spain. luis.a.suarez.vivar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Suárez
keywords: MEMS array; acoustic imaging; multi-platform framework; scalable system