2025/07/12 by Bilkent Samsurya, Samsurya, Bilkent
Engineering · #Audio and Speech Processing (eess.AS) #Engineering Applied Research #FOS: Computer and information sciences #FOS: Electrical engineering #H.5.5 #Human-Computer Interaction (cs.HC) #Multimedia (cs.MM) #Simulation and Modeling Applications #Sound (cs.SD) #Vehicle Noise and Vibration Control #electronic engineering #information engineering
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2507.09376
openalex publication_date 2025/07/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Accurate sound propagation simulation is essential for delivering immersive experiences in virtual applications, yet industry methods for acoustic modeling often do not account for the full breadth of acoustic wave phenomena. This paper proposes a novel two-dimensional (2D) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) framework that simulates sound propagation as a wave-based model in Unreal Engine, with an emphasis on capturing lower frequency wave phenomena, embedding occlusion, diffraction, reflection and interference in generated impulse responses. The process begins by discretizing the scene geometry into a 2D grid via a top-down projection from which obstacle masks and boundary conditions are derived. A Python-based FDTD solver injects a sine sweep at a source position, and virtual quadraphonic microphone arrays record pressure field responses at pre-defined listener positions. De-convolution of the pressure responses yields multi-channel impulse responses that retain spatial directionality which are then integrated into Unreal Engine's audio pipeline for dynamic playback. Benchmark tests confirm agreement with analytical expectations, and the paper outlines hybrid extensions aimed at commercial viability.