A spatial auditory display for multiple speech communications was developed at NASA/Ames Research Center. Input is spatialized by the use of simplified head-related transfer functions, adapted for FIR filtering on Motorola 56001 digital signal processors. Hardware and firmware design implementations are overviewed for the initial prototype developed for NASA-Kennedy Space Center. An adaptive staircase method was used to determine intelligibility levels of four-letter call signs used by launch personnel at NASA against diotic speech babble. Spatial positions at 30° azimuth increments were evaluated. The results from eight subjects showed a maximum intelligibility improvement of about 6-7 dB when the signal was spatialized to 60 or 90° azimuth positions.

Authors: Begault, Durand R.; Erbe, Tom
Affiliations: Human Interface Branch, Aerospace Human Factors Research Division, NASA-Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA ; School of Music, California Institute for the Arts, Valencia, CA(See document for exact affiliation information.)
JAES Volume 42 Issue 10 pp. 819-826; October 1994
Publication Date: October 1, 1994

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