Active Noise Control Using Phase-Compensated, Damped Resonant Filters

An active noise control device called active noise absorber or ANA, which is based upon damped, resonant filters is developed and demonstrated. It is similar to structural positive position feedback (PPF) control, with two exceptions: (1) Acoustic transducers (microphone and speaker) cannot be truly collocated, and (2) the acoustic actuator (loudspeaker) has significant dynamics. The speaker dynamics can affect performance and stability and must be compensated. While acoustic modal control approaches are typically not sought, there are a number of applications where controlling a few room modes is adequate. A model of a duct with speakers at each end is developed and used to demonstrate the control method, including the impact of the speaker dynamics. An all-pass filter is used to provide phase compensation and improve controller performance and permits the control of nonminimum phase plants. A companion experimental study validated the simulation results and demonstrated nearly 8 dB of control in the first duct mode. A multi-modal control example was also demonstrated producing an average of 3 dB of control in the first four duct modes.