Experimental Analysis of Cooling Fan Noise by Wavelet-Based Beamforming and Proper Orthogonal Decomposition

We use the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method to decompose acoustic imaging from wavelet-based beamforming results into their corresponding modes, and demonstrate the method to analyze the noise characteristics of small-dimensional components, where research literature is still scarce. In particular, we consider the noise from a central processing unit (CPU) cooling fan, though the developed method could find realistic applications in a wider scheme of electronic industry. In addition to developing the new analysis method, we also endeavor to prepare a realistic experimental setup with a CPU cooling fan in an anechoic room. The results show that the combination of POD and wavelet-based beamforming methods is suitable for CPU cooling fan acoustic imaging, which can enhance the analysis ability of acoustic imaging test. The results offered in this work are helpful in cooling fan design and evaluation, which would open doors to a wide range of industrial applications.