Linear and planar microphone arrays have been widely adopted in various applications due to their ease of integration into devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and smart speakers. However, these one-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) array configurations are inherently limited in their ability to achieve full three-dimensional (3-D) beam steering—a capability often required in real-world scenarios. While 3-D microphone arrays can overcome this limitation, their complex topology poses significant challenges for integration into compact consumer devices. In this work, we present recent advancements in the development of linear and planar superarrays: a novel approach that combines both omnidirectional and directional microphone elements to enhance spatial coverage and steerability. For linear superarrays, we demonstrate how to design two-dimensional steerable beamformers and compare their performance with that of conventional linear arrays of equivalent geometry. Building on these results, we extend the superarray concept to planar configurations by introducing a new frequency-invariant beamforming technique for concentric circular arrays. In this setup, directional microphones are strategically utilized to reconstruct missing spatial harmonic components, thereby enabling full 3-D beam steering capabilities. While the benefits of superarrays are promising, we also address the practical challenges and limitations involved in deploying these systems in real-world products and applications.
Chen et al. (Wed,) studied this question.