Bearings-only aerial shooter localization using a microphone array mounted on a drone

Abstract

Estimating the direction of arrival (DoA) of an audio signal from an aerial platform gives way to estimating the localization of the source. This paper addresses the problem of airborne shooter localization using an array of microphones mounted on a drone. In such a scenario, noise from the propellers poses a great challenge in estimating the DoA of gunshot signals. This, combined with the fact that drones, in general, have small payload and fly without a precise control over their coordinates, have discouraged their use for shooter localization. Based on real gunshot signals recorded at a shooting site, we explore the advantages and limitations of using a drone for the task of audio surveillance and gunshot detection and localization.