❱❱ Acoustic specialist Harman is helping to create the optimum environment within modern electric vehicles through noise cancellation,
sound enhancement and personalised audio zones
experience while the latter has a distracting, negative influence. When developing its products, Harman seeks to reduce noise and enhance desirable sound. The current drive towards improving vehicle handling and fuel efficiency through, for example, stiffer suspension and wide, low-profile tyres has the disadvantage of providing multiple paths for unwanted noise to be transmitted through the structure of the vehicle, ultimately creating a droning noise inside the cabin that is both distracting and tiring. Applying conventional, passive NVH methods to reduce this intrusive noise significantly adds to vehicle weight, with a further negative effect on fuel economy and CO2 emission levels.
RANC works by using reference signals received from acceleration sensors placed strategically along the suspension and chassis to predict noise transferred into the cabin and to generate an anti-noise wave in real time. Time and signal transfer speeds are optimised to allow for analysis of the intruding noise and the generation of the anti-noise within milliseconds, thereby preventing the noise from reaching the occupants’ ears. Error microphones constantly monitor the system performance in each seat location to ensure a more pleasant ride for all vehicle occupants.
❱❱ Customised head rests with built in speakers can be integrated with a car manufacturer’s own seat design, inset centre; the road noise cancellation (RNC) system reduces intrusive and unwanted road noise within the vehicle contributing to an improved noise, vibration & harshness (NVH) profile, inset above
INTERIOR SOUND ZONES With a history associated most closely with audio entertainment systems, Harman continues to cater for the needs of car occupants and has applied acoustics technology to the role of customising the audio requirements of individual passengers within the vehicle, most recently through sound zoning and legacy audio system enhancement. These two products have been launched as Ready Together and Software Enabled Branded Audio. Ready Together uses advanced acoustic technology to streamline and enhance in-vehicle communication and entertainment. Software Enabled Branded Audio is an on-demand software platform that upgrades the sound quality and feature set of existing unbranded car audio systems with the touch of a button. Both products can be fully integrated into existing equipment from car manufacturers. Ready Together delivers better ways for the entire family to be safely connected
while enjoying shared or personalised entertainment in the vehicle. It manages and optimises features like voice prompts, alerts and music/media to work together as an integrated whole, for seamless information and communication. Ready Together also uses advanced sound zone technology so that each occupant can enjoy their own media – while also allowing shared experiences and conversation. Advanced noise management, microphone and voice processing capability enables clear, frustration-free conversations for all vehicle occupants. Dedicated profiles and presets for the driver and each passenger deliver independent entertainment, customised for all types of trips, with no interruptions. As part of this, Harman has also introduced a Personal Audio Headrest as part of the Ready Together system. The Personal Audio Headrest’s unique design is more efficient and streamlined, delivering improved levels of audio performance in an ergonomic and comfortable way. Its modular design allows OEMs seamless in- cabin integration with their preferred seating system. With the ability to adjust their immersion level from 2-channel stereo to full surround sound, passengers can customise an individual car audio experience to suit their personal preferences and needs. Software Enabled Branded Audio offers consumers a user-friendly and affordable way to elevate and customise their unbranded in-cabin audio systems to deliver the sound and character of Harman’s Infinity brand, on demand and with no additional hardware required. For the first time, an existing unbranded base car audio system can be instantly upgraded to a high-quality branded audio experience. Software Enabled Branded Audio features personalised audio features and brand-new, customisable sound experiences for any style of listening. It can be introduced at any point in the vehicle’s life and features seat specific tuning optimised for location and number of occupants.
According to Chris Ludwig of Harman
International, the company remains focused on delivering new in-vehicle systems that directly solve the challenges faced by vehicle manufacturers, drivers and passengers alike. “With these latest products, Harman can now provide the whole family with their own personal content and space, while allowing them to remain safely connected and engaged with others while in the car,” he concludes. T&TH
December 2022 /// Testing & Test Houses /// 31
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