Vehcile Signature Management
Overview
Our vehicle acoustic signature management process starts with transfer function modeling. We build simulation models of the vehicle, accounting for structural geometry, armor recipes, insulation, mounting/isolation details, noise source locations, and vibration source locations. Transfer function models describe the relationship between the inputs and outputs of a system, with the outputs in this case being vibration and noise.
Our transfer function modeling feeds into our proprietary vehicle noise prediction and budgeting software developed by GLSV. Loads are defined and applied as inputs, and our software predicts the resulting noise spectra versus the vehicle requirement. We use this software to develop noise/vibration budgets for concept vehicles, assess vehicle noise performance, and to assess the impact and effectiveness of different acoustic treatments.
The simulation and predictive models are complemented field testing, in which noise data is collected using noise “overkill” treatments or transfer path analysis methods to isolate and quantify dominant noise sources. This allows us to rank the sources of noise in a vehicle, and quantify the effects of each noise source on the overall vehicle acoustic signature.
Noise treatments are designed to address specific noise problems identified by the simulations and field tests. These treatments are modeled and assessed using our analytical model, to gauge their effectiveness in reducing the acoustic signature of the vehicle.
