Measuring Sound Insulation using Deconvolution Techniques

Abstract

To compare the acoustic performance of a building element with given sound insulation requirements, measurements need to be done. Generally, a broadband noise source is used according to international standards. This method does not always work in practice due to high sound insulation values or high background noise levels. It is very inconvenient from a practical point of view or even impossible to perform an accurate sound insulation measurement for all frequency bands. A solution to this problem can be found in deconvolution techniques using MLS or sweep signals. It is possible to increase the signal to noise ratio with these techniques by averaging measurements and spreading out the spectral sound energy in time. As a result an efficient use of available sound power is possible. In a laboratory the use of MLS or sweep signals as a source signal and deconvolution as a measurement technique to obtain the sound insulation under noisy conditions was investigated.