Sampling Configuration Analysis for the Design of Spherical Microphone Array

Abstract

This paper investigates optimal microphone placement in spherical microphone arrays by analyzing spherical sampling designs. The placement of microphones on a sphere significantly influences the accuracy of sound pressure estimation and field reconstruction. Various sampling strategies, including the Lebedev quadrature and t-designs, are examined for their effectiveness in spherical surface sampling. To assess their uniformity and suitability, these designs are compared by efficiency and using statistical measures such as mean spacing, standard deviation and spherical cap discrepancy. The results provide a quantitative basis for selecting optimal microphone placements in spherical arrays designed for spatial sound field analysis.