NVH testing requires measuring sound and vibration that a product produces. Typically, this means measuring at key locations where customers would perceive the noise or vibration of the product. To diagnose a noise and vibration issue, it is not enough just to record a few key operator interface locations. Other detailed measurements would also be acquired to diagnose the root cause. For example, recording the noise of washing machine alone is not enough, measuring vibration on several key internal components (motor, vents, fans, etc) is also needed to understand the problem fully.

Noise is another word for the sound or acoustic properties emitted by a product. Noise measurements are often performed for: Regulation: Products often must be below legislated noise limits to be sold. Damage: Sound waves (like from a rocket on the satellite payload) can be of such a high level they cause damage. Detection: In some military applications, sound can give away a position to an enemy. For example, a submarine must be very quiet so as not to be detected when under water. Characterized by frequency, level and quality. The human ear perceives sounds between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. Measurements performed with microphones.

Excessive vibration is irritating to the users of products. It can also be helpful to understand the vibration of a product to trouble shoot the sound. Vibrating surfaces act like speakers which produce sound. Motion sensed by the body mainly in the 0.5 Hz – 50 Hz frequency range. Vibration levels should be low and not disturbing. High vibration causes parts to fail over time ( Figure 3 ). Vibration levels that are too high can cause health concerns when exposed for too long. Example: Prolonged usage of a jack hammer causes “white finger” syndrome. Vibration levels are often amplified by resonant behavior of a structure. Vibration is used to understand the underlying cause of unwanted sound. Characterized by frequency, level and direction. Measurements performed with accelerometers.

Harshness pertains to the subjective impression of sound and/or vibration. Consumers want products to sound as expected. Sounds should not be annoying in nature. Examples include: Pleasing background hum of a dishwasher Refined interior noise of an automobile Solid door closing sound at a dealership Sporty sound of motorcycle Rough, grating or discordant sensations associated with the combined effect of noise and vibration should be avoided Humans can hear from 20 to 20000 Hz. Audible disturbances mainly occur in the 20 Hz – 5000 Hz frequency range

How can I measure NVH characteristics during a test?

There are three main components to a noise, vibration, and harshness measurement system: Transducers : Sensing devices that when exposed to dynamic excitation react to physical phenomena (such as sound pressure or acceleration vibrations ) and convert to analog voltage. Analog to Digital Hardware : Provides sensor signal conditioning and conversion from analog signals to digital for viewing on computers. The Siemens solution to this is in the signal conditioning and data acquisition system (SCADAS) line of hardware . Visualization and analysis software : For visualizing and further processing of acquired signals. Such as Simcenter Testlab or Simcenter Testlab Neo software. The transducers are placed on or near the object making noise or vibration. The analog signals they collect are digitized in the hardware so they can be viewed and analyzed in the software.

How can I integrate NVH testing with the digital twin?

Efficient product develop requires modelling product performance with the "digital twin". Simcenter Testlab is fully integrated with computer based simulation modelling, supporting both correlation and verification. Some examples of integration features include: Correlation of dynamic mode shapes (via Modal Assurance Criterion) Overlay of simulation and test data in the same engineering units Use of Functional Mockup Interfaces in data analysis

What if I don't see my question here?

If you have a more technical question about NVH testing and data acquisition, then please take a look at the Simcenter Community which contains technical knowledgebase articles as well as visit the Simcenter community for NVH testing .

Test NVH

Pourquoi les tests NVH sont-ils importants ?

Le bruit, les vibrations et les secousses sont autant de caractéristiques que les passagers éprouvent et qui façonnent leur perception de la qualité de votre véhicule. Un volume trop élevé ou une fréquence ennuyante peut entraîner des critiques et avoir un impact sur les ventes futures. Il n'est donc pas étonnant que les constructeurs consacrent autant de temps et de ressources à l'optimisation des NVH de leurs véhicules afin d'améliorer la perception des clients. Mais disposez-vous de l'équipement et des logiciels adéquats pour évaluer efficacement les performances NVH ?

Améliorez la productivité de votre campagne d'essais NVH

Les ingénieurs de test NVH sont confrontés au double défi de réduire les délais de commercialisation et les coûts de développement tout en garantissant la qualité et l'exhaustivité. La disponibilité limitée des prototypes et le temps de test compliquent encore leur travail, exigeant une efficacité accrue dans la validation des produits. Dans cet environnement difficile, ils doivent évaluer de multiples conditions d'essai et applications tout en respectant les normes les plus élevées.

Simcenter fournit des solutions dédiées aux équipes NVH afin d'optimiser les campagnes de tests NVH. Combinez du matériel d'acquisition évolutif avec des logiciels de mesure, de traitement et d'analyse pour rendre les évaluations NVH plus rentables. Les solutions de test NVH intuitives et évolutives de Simcenter permettent des mesures, des analyses, des rapports et un partage des données efficaces. Elles prennent en charge un large éventail d'activités NVH à différentes étapes du cycle de développement, du dépannage aux campagnes de tests de performances multiphysiques à grand nombre de canaux.

Un ingénieur conduisant une voiture tout en effectuant des tests opérationnels NVH.

Dernières innovations en matière de tests NVH opérationnels des véhicules

Apprenez à évaluer rapidement le bruit et les vibrations dans des conditions opérationnelles au sein d'une configuration flexible. Découvrez comment obtenir plus d'informations sur les NVH en moins de temps et être sûr de la qualité.

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What is NVH?

Noise, vibration and harshness are all characteristics passengers experience that shape their perception of quality in your vehicle. Too much of one of these, or the wrong “note” can mean negative reviews and impact future sales.

Noise

Noise refers to unwanted sounds that are perceived by the human ear. These sounds can originate from various sources within a vehicle, such as the engine, tires, road surface, and aerodynamic elements like wind and cooling fans.

Vibration

Vibration refers to the mechanical oscillations within a vehicle. Vibrations originate from sources such as the engine, road, or wind, and they are felt by passengers at the steering wheel, seat, armrests, floor, and pedals.

Harshness

Harshness refers to the subjective quality of the noise and vibration experienced in a vehicle. Unlike noise and vibration, which can be measured objectively, harshness is often evaluated qualitatively through human perception.

Simcenter for NVH testing

Simcenter integrates the entire NVH testing process from end to end.

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Data acquisition

In an environment where prototypes are limited, combining multi-attribute measurements is crucial for cost-saving and meeting tight testing deadlines. Whether you need ruggedized distributed systems for in-field measurements, high channel count test-bench systems or battery-powered pocket-sized devices, our state-of-the-art hardware, combined with user-centric software or web applications, can significantly reduce testing time. Handle a variety of sensor types and multiple data rates, configure channel set-ups in no time to streamlining multiple test setups into a single multi-channel measurement session. Save costs and boost productivity of your test campaigns with our multi-attribute data acquisition solutions combined with intuitive software for efficient data collection.

En savoir plus sur les systèmes d'acquisition de données

Une gamme de systèmes matériels Simcenter SCADAS.

Ingénieur utilisant un équipement de test de vibration avancé Simcenter.

Measure driving points and structural and vibroacoustic frequency response functions

Simcenter includes a comprehensive suite of advanced vibration testing equipment and acoustic monopole sources for noise and vibration testing. It seamlessly integrates with Simcenter testing solutions software, delivering a unique solution combination that exceeds current market standards for productivity, data accuracy and overall customer expectations.

Emotors

Emotors utilise les outils de test NVH de Simcenter pour exceller dans l'ingénierie des moteurs électriques automobiles

Case Study

Création d'une série de moteurs électriques de nouvelle génération de 25 à 250 kW en cinq ans

Société:Emotors

Secteur d'activité:Automobile et Transports

Lieu:Carrières-sous-Poissy, France

Siemens Software:Simcenter Testing Solutions

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Capacités de test NVH

Quantifiez les différentes sources et leurs chemins et déterminez lesquels sont importants et lesquels s'annulent. Effectuez une analyse de chemin de transfert (TPA) pour identifier et évaluer les voies de transfert d'énergie structurelles et aériennes, de la source d'excitation à un emplacement de récepteur donné. L'analyse des chemins de transfert quantifie les différentes sources et leurs chemins et détermine lesquels contribuent le plus aux problèmes de bruit et lesquels s'annulent. À partir des sources et des chemins quantifiés et modélisés, il est relativement simple d'optimiser les performances vibro-acoustiques et NVH (bruit, vibrations et secousses) du système.

En savoir plus sur l'analyse de chemins de transfert
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En savoir plus sur l'analyse de chemins de transfert

Visuel du logiciel Simcenter Testlab effectuant une analyse de chemin de transfert (TPA).

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A visual of car components from the Simcenter software.

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Invariant component characterization

Predicting the in-vehicle noise contribution of components, such as the powertrain, tire, HVAC and steering system during early development is tremendously challenging. To avoid endless design iterations, engineers need modular technologies that leverage measured individual component models into full-vehicle noise predictions.

This is exactly the scope of component-based TPA. The process starts by characterizing the source loads independently from the receiver structure, based on acquired free velocities or blocked forces. Next, using sub-structuring techniques, engineers can study the component-level NVH performance without having to physically create the full vehicle in all its variants. Such early predictions help to avoid issues and allow a more realistic design target setting.

En savoir plus sur a TPA basée sur les composants

Learn how customers are using Simcenter for NVH testing

Horiba Mira

Automotive engineering consultancy uses Simcenter testing to assess the sound quality of electric vehicles.

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Découvrez les produits Simcenter pour les tests NVH

Simcenter

Simcenter SCADAS hardware

Gagnez en productivité grâce au matériel d'acquisition de données pour les campagnes de mesure multiphysiques. Simcenter SCADAS comprend des unités portables, des enregistreurs autonomes et des systèmes dotés d'un grand nombre de canaux.

Simcenter

Simcenter Testlab Neo software

Améliorez la productivité de l'ingénierie des performances multidisciplinaire. Simcenter Testlab Neo est une plateforme de pointe avec des modèles d'analyse et de simulation multidisciplinaires pour tous les flux de processus.

The sound design research lab and the NVH engineers interested in composing sound find it easy to use Simcenter and combine the sound with brand philosophy and vehicle behavior.

Dr. Dong Chul Park, Research Fellow and Head of the Sound Design Lab, Hyundai Motor Group

The majority of noise- and vibration-related issues are now dealt with early in our product development process. The entire procedure is much more integrated.

Zhang Rongrong, Manager, NVH Performance Research Division, BYD Auto Company Limited

Using Simcenter Testlab VPA expanded our applications for NVH prediction by a factor of five. This has drastically increased productivity.

Philippe Mordillat, Noise, Vibration and Harshness Simulation Expert, Renault

Simcenter Testlab Transfer Path Analysis helps us to quantify noise transfer paths in a shorter time and determine whether a potential problem requires a change on our side or a modification to the body or body integration at the OEM.

Tomohiro Sudo, Assistant Project Manager NVH, DENSO

With the right input provided by our rig, virtual software such as provided by the Siemens Simcenter portfolio can now point out problem areas and come up with an improved proposal, instead of running trial and error troubleshooting campaigns.

Christian Landsberg, Global Chief Engineer NVH, ZF TRW

NVH testing

Simcenter

Test NVH

Automotive Testing Expo 2025 (May 20-22)

Pourquoi les tests NVH sont-ils importants ?

Améliorez la productivité de votre campagne d'essais NVH

Dernières innovations en matière de tests NVH opérationnels des véhicules