Currently at Fraunhofer IDMT, Ilmenau — April 2026

Subarna
Paudel

Acoustics Researcher & Signal Processing Engineer
Erasmus Mundus Scholar Master - WAVES Fraunhofer IDMT

Advancing Sound Source Localization and acoustic signal processing through microphone array research at Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology, Germany.

View My Research → Get In Touch Download CV
SP
About

Background & Expertise

Mechanical researcher turned acoustics engineer. Pursuing an Erasmus Mundus MSc spanning three European universities - University of Coimbra (Portugal), Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain), and Aix-Marseille Université (France) - currently writing master thesis at Fraunhofer IDMT in Ilmenau, Germany.

Background spans renewable energy systems, condition monitoring of industrial machinery, and acoustic signal processing, with peer-reviewed publications in hydropower and vibration analysis.

Education

Sep 2024 – Present
MSc Erasmus Mundus WAVES
University of Coimbra · UPV Valencia · Aix-Marseille Université
Waves, Acoustics, Vibrations, Engineering and Sound
Aug 2017 – Mar 2022
BE Mechanical Engineering
Kathmandu University, Nepal
Thesis: Condition Monitoring of Hydropower System Using Non-Intrusive Methods

Research Interests

Sound Source Localization Microphone Array Processing Acoustic Material Characterization Condition Monitoring Aero-vibro-acoustics Ultrasonic Modeling Room Acoustics Renewable Energy

Skills & Tools

Software
PythonMATLABLabVIEW SolidWorksANSYS Workbench CATT-AcousticFDTD SimulationCAD
Methods
GCC-PHATSRP-PHATTDOA Estimation Vibration AnalysisAcoustic EmissionSpray Pyrolysis
Languages
English — ProfessionalNepali — Native
Research

Research Focus

Ongoing — Master Thesis

Sound Source Localization with Microphone Arrays

Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology (IDMT) · Ilmenau, Germany · April 2026 – Present

Investigating SSL using multi-channel microphone arrays. Methods include GCC-PHAT cross-correlation, SRP-PHAT spatial spectrum search over a full azimuth-elevation grid, and TDOA estimation with confidence scoring. Experiments conducted in both reverberant and anechoic environments using PyRoomAcoustics simulation.

GCC-PHATSRP-PHATTDOA Estimation PyRoomAcousticsReverberant AcousticsAnechoic Conditions
〜
Acoustic Signal Processing
Array processing, cross-correlation, spatial spectrum methods for sound source localization in complex acoustic environments.
◈
Acoustic Material Characterization
Porosity, tortuosity, viscous and thermal characteristic lengths — comparison between transmission and reflection mode measurements.
◎
Condition Monitoring & Fault Detection
Non-intrusive fault detection in rotating and hydraulic machinery via vibration analysis, acoustic emission, and MEMS sensors.
◧
Electroacoustics & Room Acoustics
Loudspeaker enclosure and passive radiator design, large-venue acoustic simulation using CATT-Acoustic, Hi-Fi audio applications.
≈
Ultrasonic Modeling (FDTD)
Finite-difference time-domain modeling of plano-convex acoustic lenses for ultrasonic beam focusing applications.
Publications

Research Output

2025
Journal
Experimental Investigation of Vibrational Signal in a Fault Induced Francis Runner
Sapkota P, Paudel S, Poudel R, Chitrakar S, Neopane HP and Thapa B
Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 11, 1536603 Open Access
2024
Conference
Vibrational Analysis on Cooling Fan with Induced Mechanical Faults
S Paudel et al.
IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 1385:012011 Open Access
2024
Conference
Development of Remote Condition Monitoring System for Panauti Hydropower Station
P Sapkota, S Paudel et al.
IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 1385:012009 Open Access
2024
Presentation
Vibration Analysis on Cooling Fan with Induced Mechanical Faults
S Paudel
Current Research in Hydropower Technologies XII · Dhulikhel, March 2024
2023
Presentation
Investigation of Mechanical Faults in Fan Using Vibration Analysis
S Paudel
3rd University Scholar Conference on Engineering: Innovation & Technology · Oct 2023
Projects

Selected Projects

Ongoing — Thesis

Sound Source Localization Pipeline

Fraunhofer IDMT, Ilmenau, Germany · April 2026 – Present

Full SSL pipeline implementation using different microphone array geometries. GCC-PHAT cross-correlation for TDOA estimation with confidence scoring, and SRP-PHAT spatial spectrum search over azimuth-elevation grids. Simulations in reverberant and anechoic environments via PyRoomAcoustics.

PythonMATLABPyRoomAcousticsNumPy TDOAGCC-PHATSRP-PHATMUSIC
Sep 2025 – Jan 2026

Acoustic Characterization of Industrial Porous Materials

Characterized highly absorptive porous materials: porosity, tortuosity, viscous/thermal characteristic lengths. Compared transmission and reflection measurement modes.

Acoustic MeasurementTransmission ModeReflection Mode
Feb – Mar 2025

Acoustic Design of 2000-Seat Opera House

Designed and verified full room acoustic parameters for a 2000-seat opera house. Validated design through CATT-Acoustic simulation.

CATT-AcousticRoom Acoustics
Apr – May 2025

Hi-Fi Enclosure with Passive Radiator

Designed a loudspeaker enclosure housing a driver with passive radiator for Hi-Fi applications, optimizing alignment and frequency response.

ElectroacousticsSolidWorksMATLAB
May – Jun 2025

Acoustic Lens Modeling for Ultrasound

FDTD-based modeling of a plano-convex acoustic lens for ultrasonic beam focusing in the ultrasonic frequency regime.

FDTDPythonMATLAB
2021 – 2022 · BE Thesis

Condition Monitoring of Hydropower System

Developed a non-intrusive condition monitoring system for hydropower plants. Vibration analysis via MEMS accelerometer for early fault detection.

LabVIEWMEMS AccelerometerVibration Analysis
Experience

Career & Leadership

Research & Work

Apr 2026 – Present
Research
Master Thesis Internship
Fraunhofer IDMT · Ilmenau, Germany
  • Sound Source Localization with microphone arrays
  • Simulations in reverberant and anechoic conditions
Apr 2023 – Aug 2024
Research
Research Assistant
Turbine Testing Lab · Dhulikhel, Nepal
  • Fault detection via vibration analysis & acoustic emission
  • Norwegian Ministry / EnergizeNepal funded project
Apr 2022 – Mar 2023
Research
Research Assistant
Nanomaterials & Solar Technology Lab · Nepal
  • Solar thermal collector development with dye coating
  • GO/RGO thin-film spray pyrolysis on solar thermal collectors
Jan 2022 – Mar 2022
Research
Research Assistant - Intern
Nanomaterials & Solar Technology Lab · Nepal
  • Optimization of Box-type Solar oven for re-charging of handwarmer pack
  • Thermal insulation design and optimization of handwarmer bags.
Sep – Dec 2021
Internship
Research Intern
Nepal Technology Innovation Center · Nepal
  • Proximate analysis of locally manufactured biomass pellets
  • Water boiling test for personal exposure monitoring

Leadership

Feb 2020 – Jul 2021
Leadership
President
AMES — Kathmandu University
  • Departmental student liaison and organizational management
  • Co-curricular and extra-curricular activity coordination
Mar – Dec 2019
Leadership
Vice Coordinator
Aviyantaa Engineering Exhibition · AMES
  • Organized 2-day mechanical engineering project exhibition fair
Aug – Nov 2019
Leadership
Event Organizer
Mechathon — National Hardware Hackathon · AMES
  • Nationwide mechanical engineering hardware hackathon
Contact

Get In Touch

Open to research collaborations, academic inquiries, and new opportunities.

✉pdlsubarna842@gmail.com
☏(+33) 744206588
📍Ilmenau, Germany — Fraunhofer IDMT
LinkedIn ResearchGate Google Scholar