A Parallel Approach to HRTF Approximation and Interpolation Based on a Parametric Filter Model

Spatial audio-rendering techniques using head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) are currently used in many different contexts such as immersive teleconferencing systems, gaming, or 3-D audio reproduction. Since all these applications usually involve real-time constraints, efficient processing structures for HRTF modeling and interpolation are necessary for providing real-time binaural audio solutions. This letter presents a parametric parallel model that allows us to perform HRTF filtering and interpolation efficiently from an input HRTF dataset. The resulting model, which is an adaptation from a recently proposed modeling technique, not only reduces the size of HRTF datasets significantly, but also allows for simplified interpolation and real-time computation over parallel processors. In order to discuss the suitability of this new model, an implementation over a graphic processing unit is presented.