Computer-aided imaging of sound fields and objects

Conventional acoustic imaging techniques implemented to visualize sound fields and objects have been aided through the current availability and power of newly developed computer architectures. Application of this processing power in the laboratory has transformed the basic visualization of sound fields from a qualitative representation of the process to a quantitative one where we can now directly obtain absolute data from the visualization experiment. Linearization of the acoustic image, signal enhancement, weak signal extraction, and video color display under control of a minicomputer processor helps establish an immediate visual understanding of the fundamental acousto-optic process under study. Further capability in the area of animation and three dimensional imagery can extend the techniques' useful application. The utility of computer-aided processing as applied to schlieren visualization will be discussed: results from both schlieren and other representative imaging applications will be presented.