Real time calculation of the head related transfer function based on the boundary element method

Abstract

In order to develop the 3D auditory display using a head phone which allow head movement, real time calculation of the head related transfer function (HRTF) is necessary. In the conventional studies, the calculations are performed approximately based on the mathematical model by regarding the head as the sphere shape. Although the boundary element method is also possible to calculate the transfer function by solving the wave equation from the accurate boundary condition of the head including the shape of the face and the ears measured by the 3D scanner, it is thought to be impossible to calculate it in real time because the amount of the calculation is too big. In this study, we discuss a new calculation method of the HRTF based on the reciprocity principle which enables significant speed-up of the calculation.The demonstrations are available at the website: http://acoust.archi.kyoto-u.ac.jp/HRTF/