Optimizing multi-user indoor sound communications with acoustic reconfigurable metasurfaces

Hongkuan Zhang, Qiyuan Wang, Mathias Fink and Guancong Ma ()
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Hongkuan Zhang: Hong Kong Baptist University
Qiyuan Wang: Hong Kong Baptist University
Mathias Fink: Université PSL, CNRS
Guancong Ma: Hong Kong Baptist University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Sound in indoor spaces forms a complex wavefield due to multiple scattering encountered by the sound. Indoor acoustic communication involving multiple sources and receivers thus inevitably suffers from cross-talks. Here, we demonstrate the isolation of acoustic communication channels in a room by wavefield shaping using acoustic reconfigurable metasurfaces (ARMs) controlled by optimization protocols based on communication theories. The ARMs have 200 electrically switchable units, each selectively offering 0 or π phase shifts in the reflected waves. The sound field is reshaped for maximal Shannon capacity and minimal cross-talk simultaneously. We demonstrate diverse acoustic functionalities over a spectrum much larger than the coherence bandwidth of the room, including multi-channel, multi-spectral channel isolations, and frequency-multiplexed acoustic communication. Our work shows that wavefield shaping in complex media can offer new strategies for future acoustic engineering.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45435-4

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