Two-dimensional Acoustic Localizer : Proof of concept study for an acoustic surveillance device

Abstract: Public surveillance is evolving with the progress in technology and with it the fear of privacy breach, the feeling of being watched at all times. This thesis aimed to serve as a proof of concept (POC) for a new type of acoustic based surveillance for localizing gunshots in urban environments. The POC was based on a triangulating algorithm in a two-dimensional (2D) environment and implemented with low cost and accessible hardware. The localization algorithm was implemented on a microcontroller based on an array of 3 electret microphones. With structured tests to study the feasibility of the POC the results reflected a product with potential. The performance was sporadically accurate based on the fact that the time difference of arrival (TDOA) was not measured precisely enough. It was also clear that the product needed much more future study before it could be implemented in the real world. Concept wise, the result is all in all deemed as a success since a lot of potential was proven, making this thesis a building block for future acoustic surveillance products.