Source-path-contribution (SPC) analysis, or transfer-path-analysis, is a test based method to characterize noise and vibration contributions of a complex system. The methodology allows for the user to gain insight into the structural forces and acoustic source strengths that are exciting a system, along with the effects of the structural and acoustic paths between each source and a receiver position. This information can be utilized to understand which sources and/or paths are dominating the noise and vibration performance of a system, allowing for focused target cascading and streamlined troubleshooting efforts. The SPC process is widely used for automotive applications, but is also applicable for a wide range of product types. For each unique application the basic SPC principles remain constant, however best practices can vary for both measurement and analysis depending on the type of system being evaluated. In this paper the application of the SPC process is described across a range of different applications including automotive, agricultural, small engine, and smaller component-level applications.
