PHASED ARRAY SPEAKER AND MICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR COCKPIT COMMUNICATION

The pilot communication system (12) employs a transducer array (14, 16) of individual spaced apart speakers and/or microphones for deployment within the cockpit (10). A signal processing circuit interfaces with the transducer array (14, 16) and also with the aircraft avionics communication system (11), and selectively applies different time delays to the individual speakers and/or microphones to create in the array an acoustic beam (22, 24) having steerable coverage within the acoustic space of the cockpit (10). By adjusting the time delays the signal processing circuit directs and focuses sound from the speakers to the pilot (20) and similarly focuses the microphones on the pilot's mouth. In this way the pilots (20) can communicate with each other and with air traffic control without the need to wear headsets. The system also significantly reduces flight deck warnings from being introduced into the cabin environment.