Vector sensor array based higher order acoustic sensors

Higher order acoustic sensors rely on the spatial gradients of the acoustic pressure field for achieving high directivity. Two practical methods for realizing higher order acoustic sensors using acoustic vector sensor arrays are presented. The first method relies on short linear arrays of closely spaced 2-D vector sensors. The second method is based on the particle velocity measurements obtained along a small circular aperture. Both methods are shown to result in very compact arrays with a steerable and frequency independent response. The directivity of the proposed methods is obtained under realistic ambient noise assumptions.