H-matrix acoustics BEM for vocal tract configuration optimization using genetic algorithms

In this work, a genetic algorithm (GA) coupled to an H-matrices boundary element method (BEM) model was used to solve an inverse problem in order to obtain a vocal tract (VT) configuration from purely acoustic information. This methodology uses the acoustic flux through a straight line on the interior of the VT to define the fitness function used in the GA. The BEM model was built using Gmsh and Julia, and all of the code used in this paper is available online. The methodology was able to reproduce a goal VT configuration after 10,000 generations of 150 individuals. The obtained model was very close to the original; the mean error of all of the BEM results was 0.68%. Although the vowel /a/ was chosen to test the optimization methodology, the Gmsh and Julia scripts allow for the optimization of any vowel or consonant.