Recent Advances in Powertrain Sound Quality Hardware Tuning Devices and Perspectives on Future Advances

Over the past decade there have been significant advances made in the technology used to engineer Powertrain Sound Quality into automobiles. These have included exhaust system technologies incorporating active and semi-active valves, intake system technologies involving passive and direct feedback devices, and technologies aimed at tuning the structure-borne content of vehicle interior sound. All of these technologies have been deployed to complement the traditional control of NVH issues through the enhancement of Powertrain Sound Quality. The aim of this paper is to provide an historical review of the recent industry-wide advances made in these technologies and to provide the author's perspective on what issues have been addressed and what opportunities have been delivered. The paper will offer the author's perspective on how these existing Sound Quality hardware tuning technologies have evolved, how they will continue to evolve, what new technologies are showing potential, and how they will have an increasingly significant contribution to make in the medium and long term future of Vehicle NVH and Sound Quality development.