Quantification of uncertainty by real time confidence limits in separation of sound immission levels

Within an acoustical model of superposition by convolution the sound intensities related to descriptors L_q% and L_eq are combined additively. The model not only allows to extract by measurement the interesting specific source rating level itself and residual sound data, it also quantifies the uncertainties i.e. the confidence intervals of all final results using the primary uncertainty, monitored within the measurement procedure. For completeness the theoretical basis of the primary uncertainty is outlined. Software has been developed for real time monitoring of the primary uncertainty and its further processing within the separation task. The method yields an enhancement of resolution up to about 10 dB in comparison with standardized methods. An example of a field measurement is demonstrated.