Ultrasonic Air Propagation Study

Job ID: 40273242

Budget: $10 – $50 USD

I’m deep into a research project on how ultrasonic waves behave as they travel long distances through air, particularly in the context of parametric-array loudspeakers. My immediate need is a rigorous analysis—numerical or analytical—of the governing physics so I can pin down the key factors that limit or enhance range.

You would help me do three things:

1. Derive or validate a propagation model that accurately predicts attenuation, beam widening, and nonlinear effects above 40 kHz. Whether you prefer classic Westervelt equations, k-Wave FDTD, or COMSOL multiphysics is up to you as long as the assumptions and boundary conditions are clearly stated.
2. Compare the model against at least one real-world data set (published or your own lab measurements) so I can see how closely theory tracks practice.
3. Document the findings in a concise technical memo that I can build on for later optimisation work—equations, simulation settings, plots, and a paragraph on next-step recommendations.

Acceptance criteria
• Model equations and parameters are reproducible.
• Simulations run without errors on a standard desktop PC.
• The memo explains any discrepancies between model and data to within ±2 dB.

If you have direct experience with parametric speakers or long-range ultrasonic sensing, that will make integration much faster, but strong acoustics fundamentals matter most. Looking forward to seeing how you’d tackle the problem.