A Virtual Car: Prediction of Sound and Vibration in an Interactive Simulation Environment

Feeling and hearing the results of engineering decisions immediately via a “virtual car” - simultaneous engineering - can significantly shorten vehicle development time. Sound quality and discrete vibration at the driver's position may be predicted and “driven” before the first prototype is built. Although sound cannot yet be predicted in an unknown chassis, the sound and vibration behavior resulting from a new engine, never previously installed in a given vehicle, may be predicted, heard binaurally and felt in an interactive “drivable” simulation based on transfer path analysis. Such a simulation, which includes the binaural sound field and discrete vibration of steering wheel and seat, can also include wind and tire noise to determine if certain engine contributions in sound and vibration may be masked. The method involves use of two technologies in conjunction: binaural transfer path analysis (with vibration transfer path analysis) and a real-time interactive multichannel acoustic and vibration simulation system. From the transfer path data the simulation environment permits interactive control from throttle position, etc. of relevant vehicle behavior including load, gear ratios, and vehicle mass, providing a running acoustic and vibration simulation. The user can change chassis impedances and transfer path properties and immediately “drive” the resulting behavior.