[AUDITORY] Call for Papers | Battlefield Acoustics 2024 | 24-25 September | Saint-Louis, France

[Marian Weger <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

(Apologies for cross-postings, please distribute widely)

9TH WORKSHOP ON BATTLEFIELD ACOUSTICS
24-25 September 2024 - Saint-Louis, France

CALL FOR PAPERS: Title and abstract to be submitted before 19 June 2024

The acoustic environment of the battlefield is of major importance for military operations. Military equipment such as ground vehicles, aircrafts, helicopters, electric generators etc. are often significant sources of CONTINUOUS NOISE, whereas weapons such as artillery guns, mortars or small-caliber weapons used by snipers are important sources of IMPULSE NOISE.
These sources create sounds, loud enough to be detectable at a long distance. ACOUSTIC DETECTION SENSOR SYSTEMS that offer early warning, surveillance with the possibility of tracking targets have been developed over the last years. They can be used in battlefield and peacekeeping operations. Acoustics offer Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) detection with full space coverage (360°), complementary to other detection technologies for multi-sensor platforms.
Personnel exposed to extreme noise levels (e.g., aircrafts crews, artillery staff or dismounted soldiers) need efficient HEARING PROTECTION. The first priority is to limit their exposure to noise to an acceptable level while not impeding their perception of the acoustic environment. Beyond the simple need of protection, the design of earplugs or earmuffs has to offer an improved INTELLIGIBILITY OF SPEECH picked up by condenser microphones, MEMS or unconventional microphones and transmitted by radio-communication devices.
Current combat tactics increasingly expose dismounted soldiers to shock/BLAST WAVES, either from a single high-intensity event (explosion) or from repeated low-intensity events throughout the day (artillery fire, breaching, training phases). These particular types of barotrauma which are often insidious can cause immediate or delayed auditory and extra-auditory effects that need to be better understood.

The following TOPICS will be addressed:
* Battlefield sounds: vehicle, aircraft, helicopter, weapon noise, IED, etc.
* Hearing protection, audio communication and situational awareness:
 - Acoustic Protectors (earplugs, earmuffs, etc.)
 - Auditory Hazards, Damage Risk Criteria, Noise Regulation
 - Noise control and talk-through systems
 - Audio communication (MEMS microphones, bone conduction sensors, etc.)
 - Advanced techniques in signal processing, 3D Audio Display, etc.
* Blast events, related injury mechanisms and protective equipments
 - Single major event
 - Multiple smaller events
* Acoustic detection of threats
 - Acoustic sensors for UAV detection, for counter-sniping and for sensor networks
 - Analysis of the performance of acoustic systems for detection and localisation including the influence of environmental conditions
* National or international actions in these fields (DGA, BAAINBw, EDA, NATO, etc.)

A SPECIAL SESSION will be organised on "*Noise Rating Criteria* and their practical use for weapon noises (AHAAH, Leq, etc.)" with the participation of the experts of the NATO group *HFM-381* ("Military implications of acute noise-induced changes in hearing”) and of the former group *HFM-285*.

The workshop will have two days of plenary presentation in which the participants can share the results of their theoretical and experimental work in talks of about 20 minutes.

The "Direction Générale de l'Armement" (DGA) and the "Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr" (BAAINBw), together with the French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis (ISL), will organise this workshop.

EXHIBITION:
Possibility to expose protective equipment and acoustic systems: audio protection and communication devices, earplugs, earmuffs, protective equipment and vests against blast waves, sensors, microphones, measurement systems, software, etc. The exhibition will be located in the lobby in front of the conference room and will be accessible to the public during the breaks.

HYBRID PARTICIPATION:
The workshop will take place in an hybrid mode: classical sessions in Saint-Louis and possible on-line presentations/participations (web-access). The practical details will be sent later to the registered persons.

DATE: 
24-25 September 2024

LOCATION:
French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis – ISL
5 rue du Général Cassagnou - BP 70034
68301 SAINT-LOUIS Cedex - France

REGISTRATION & SUBMISSION:
Registration/Submission portal: https://www.isl.eu/batac2024
Title & abstract submission: before 19 June 2024
Conference registration: before 9 September 2024
Registration fees: 100 EUR for in-person attendance, including the internet access to proceedings, coffee breaks, lunches at ISL and dinner at a local restaurant on 24 September. 50 EUR for online participants.
Registration fees for exhibitors: 200 EUR
ACCESS can only be granted upon presentation of an identity card or passport.

ACCOMMODATION:
A list of nearby hotels is available on the ISL website (http://www.isl.eu/index.php/en/contact-en/hotels-en). Please book your room directly with the hotel. Some hotels have special rates for ISL visitors.

CONTACT:
Communication Unit ISL
+33 (0)3 89 69 51 33 – E-mail: BatAc@xxxxxx

ORGANISATIONAL COMMITTEE:
Isabelle METZGER - +33 (0)3 89 69 51 94 - E-mail: isabelle.metzger@xxxxxx
Vivienne GASKELL - +33 (0)3 89 69 53 18 - E-mail: communication@xxxxxx
Pierre NAZ - +33 (0)3 89 69 50 98 - E-mail: pierre.naz@xxxxxx

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE:
Véronique ZIMPFER (ISL)
Pierre NAZ (ISL)
Bernd FISCHER (ISL)
Thierry PAUCHARD (DGA, France)
Thomas WESSLING (WTD 91, Germany)
Douglas S. BRUNGART (DoD WRNMMC, US)