On the causes of negative source impedance in the measurement of intake and exhaust noise sources

In order to evaluate the acoustic field within a duct system some knowledge is required about the acoustic source, which is characterized by frequency-dependent values of both strength and impedance. However, in using various experimental techniques for various types of source to obtain these values, negative real parts of the source impedance have been measured. Negative source resistance is physically implausible. In some instances, one measurement method gives positive values of source resistance where another gives negative values. This paper reviews the possible causes of the problem, with reference to experimental and theoretical results, in an attempt to clarify the issue. Various possible origins of a negative source resistance have been investigated. It is noted that, for the time being, the violation of the assumption of a time-invariant source and the defect in the inherent algorithm of the load method are the most probable origins of the negative source resistance.