Active Noise Control and Active Sound Design - Enabling Factors for New Powertrain Technologies

New powertrain technologies like cylinder deactivation, downsizing, hybrids and even electrical vehicles present new challenges for vehicle noise control and sound design. One tool within the NVH solution toolbox is Active Noise Control (ANC) and Active Sound Design (ASD). Being in production for half a decade to enhance the new powertrain NVH experience, the technology has proven its applicability in practice. Further production applications of the technology are anticipated for the next years.

The paper presents an overview of the current status and global application of ANC and ASD technologies. It gives a short outlook to new technologies and applications from road noise cancellation to electrical vehicle exterior sound design. It concludes with a discussion of the challenges arising when bringing ANC into real production - many of them connected with the very interdisciplinary approach required to get the technology applied. These challenges are technical as well as organizational (e.g. close co-operation of Powertrain/NVH and Audio department, mixing powertrain and audio options in a vehicle) and commercial.