Time difference of arrival estimation using correlation-based methods: experimental validation via acoustic signal propagation

The Time Difference of Arrival estimation (TDOA) technique for ascertaining the source location of a signal of interest is a powerful tool utilized in several applications ranging from speech and acoustic processing, remote sensing and wireless communications to applications in the wider process engineering field like structural or manufacturing fault detection and leak detection in gas or liquid carrying piping networks. The correlation based TDOA methods in particular have attracted notable interest from quite early till nowadays for deployment in such applications. In this paper we present an overview of the most popular algorithms applied for the computation of the correlation function, that have been proposed over the years and we proceed to an initial evaluation and a proof-of-concept validation via an acoustic (audible) signal TDOA experimentation as a precursor to a later deployment of these methods for leak detection and localization in pipes carrying oil products.