Multiple vehicle noise tests get on track

22nd July 2015

Mick Elliott

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Automotive manufacturers can now analyse noise from multiple vehicles on a single track using Brüel & Kjær’s PULSE Vehicle Pass-by Test System. Exterior noise measurements are essential for manufacturers to ensure their vehicles meet the industry standards that validate them for sale within markets such as the European Union.

During pass-by tests, engineers drive vehicles past a line of microphones at precise locations determined by standards, such as the new ISO 362:2015 “Measurement of noise emitted by accelerating road vehicles”.

New additions to the standards are increasing the testing requirements, causing more resources to be devoted to track testing, which is notoriously expensive.

Until now, many automotive manufacturers have only been able to perform noise tests for one vehicle at a time. Given the inevitable downtime between test runs - when test setups need altering, data has to be analysed or vehicles maintained - this has caused a lot of wasted track time.

Brüel & Kjær’s multiple vehicle pass-by system enables several vehicles to run one after the other, making full use of the potential track testing time, using the same stationary trackside setup. A data acquisition module is placed in each of the test vehicles to automatically capture the noise information for that specific vehicle. This is possible due to a precise GPS timestamp in the data, which allows the on-board acquisition module to acquire statistics from the stationary trackside setup, which is perfectly synchronised with the vehicle.

Data synchronisation takes place immediately after the test run, with the calculations automatically carried out through a robust wireless local area network (WLAN) connection. Connection issues caused by caused by trees around the track, reflections from buildings or sheer distance are not an issue, as the WLAN does not need a constant connection to operate.

This flexibility helps testers to meet the increasingly demanding stipulations of ISO Standards, such as the Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP), which require the driver to achieve and maintain strict speed levels under certain driving conditions.

Brüel & Kjær’s in-vehicle measurement controls, which guide drivers through each test, only need one operator, reducing the number of staff required for testing. Engineers can also define their calculations, adapting them to meet other standards and regulations.