Active noise control - the reduction of noise by generating an acoustic signal that actively interferes with the noise - has become an active area of basic research and engineering applications. The aim of this book is to present all of the basic knowledge one needs for assessing how useful active noise control will be for a given problem and then to provide some guidance for designing, setting up, and tuning an active noise-control system. Written for students who have no prior knowledge of acoustics, signal processing, or noise control but who do have a reasonable grasp of basic physics and mathematics, the book is short and descriptive. It leaves for more advanced texts or research monographs all mathematical details and proofs concerning vibrations, signal processing and the like. The book can thus be used in independent study, in a classroom with laboratories, or in conjunction with a kit for experiment or demonstration. Topics covered include: basic acoustics; human perception and sound; sound intensity and related concepts; fundamentals of passive noise-control strategies; basics of digital systems; basics of adaptive controllers; and active noise control systems.
From the reviews:
Graduate students and professionals who are new to the field of active control are often faced with the fact that they need a working knowledge of several fields, such as microelectronics and digital signal processing, in addition to being well versed in acoustics and noise control. This book certainly fills the need of such readers and assumes no background in any of the fields mentioned above...Furthermore the author has narrated these with considerable wit, making the reading rather pleasurable. Overall, I would recommend this book readily for any serious student embarking on research in the area of active control.
--Measurement Science and Technology
"The author gives an overview of acoustics, noise control, and application areas where active noise control is applicable. ... It is also worth mentioning that this book definitely has a sense of humor ... . The author has done a very good job of providing simple explanations for many of the features ... . This text has the virtue of living up to its title of being a primer. ... the author provides some very good descriptions that should lead to understanding for the uninitiated." (Scott D. Sommerfeldt, Noise Control Engineering Journal, Vol. 53 (5), 2005)
"Acoustic noise is a real problem in many environments ... . the book is designed for engineering students who want to acquire some background in this field without going into mathematical detail, hence the word ‘Primer’ in the title. ... The approach is practical and the level ideal for physics or engineering students, at advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate level ... . It is also the sort of book that lecturers and practitioners in related fields could read with profit. I recommend it strongly." (Neville Fletcher, The Physicist, Vol. 38 (3), 2001)
