Siemens VDO Automotive's Acoustic Research Indicates Engine Sound Significantly Influences Driving Enjoyment and Comfort Levels

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Siemens VDO Automotive's Acoustic Research Indicates Engine Sound Significantly Influences Driving Enjoyment and Comfort Levels
    VIENNA, Austria, April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens VDO Automotive
is revealing its acoustic research findings during the 23rd International
Vienna Motor Symposium, demonstrating active control of engine sound
significantly influences the driver's enjoyment and comfort levels.
    Made possible by the company's Active Noise Control (ANC) technology,
selective sound design research has identified what engine frequencies
increase driving enjoyment levels.  Automobile manufacturers wishing to
identify both desirable and undesirable engine sounds are increasingly
monitoring the relatively new acoustic field of scientific study.
    "For example, preliminary studies show low and constant sound levels are
not always preferred," said Siemens VDO Automotive Project Manager Dr. Marcus
Lewis.  "Harmonious sequences of tones are particularly popular.  In fact,
motorists make similarly high demands on a good engine sound as they do on a
symphony."
    Since even the best designed engines cannot completely eliminate
resonance, Siemens VDO Automotive has developed the ANC technology allowing
engine sound to be actively influenced at its source by utilizing a
loudspeaker installed in the air intake system to generate opposing
frequencies.
    "The system works off the physical phenomenon of interference," explained
Lewis.  "When two sound waves meet, their amplitudes are superimposed on one
another.  A new tone is generated with a different volume.  In some cases, the
waves cancel one another out completely, creating silence."
    North American ANC field tests conducted by Siemens VDO Automotive also
have indicated that most drivers only prefer silence when engaged in vehicle
operation situations requiring increased concentration, such as at night or
during inclement weather.  However, harmonious tone sequences seem to be
favored during daytime leisure driving, while harmonics emphasizing the
acceleration phases are preferred during in-town driving.
    In addition to a speaker, the patented ANC concept utilizes a microphone
also mounted in the air intake system to continuously monitor and measure
sound levels at driving situation-related setpoints.  An electronic controller
calculates the corresponding tone sequence, which is delivered into the intake
system by the speaker.
    The entire ANC system only requires a few watts to operate, due to its
close proximity to the sound source.
    The ANC approach allows automobile manufacturers to more freely manipulate
and design engine sound to match the character or branding of a vehicle model
or platform.  It also increases the rated output of an engine by eliminating
the need for passive filters and resonators that hinder the flow of natural
air intake.
    Siemens VDO Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive
electronic/electrical systems and components with applications covering
gasoline and diesel powertrain systems, safety and chassis systems, body
electronics and interior and infotainment.  Worldwide sales reflecting partial
fiscal year 2000/2001 totaled $5.0 billion.
    On January 1, 2002, Siemens Automotive Corp. and VDO North America merged
to form Siemens VDO Automotive in the United States.  Additional information
can be found on the company's web site at http://www.usa.siemensvdo.com .
    Siemens AG (NYSE: SI), headquartered in Munich, is a leading global
electronics and engineering company.  It employs more than 450,000 people in
193 countries and reported worldwide sales in excess of $72.7 billion in
fiscal 2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01).
    The United States is Siemens' largest market, with 77,000 employees and
sales of more than $18.9 billion in fiscal 2001.  Siemens is a leading
provider of advanced technology solutions in the information and
communications, medical, power, automation and control, transportation and
lighting sectors, and leverages its global network of innovation and
unparalleled technological heritage to deliver business results for Siemens'
customers around the globe.  For more information about Siemens in the U.S.,
go to http://www.usa.siemens.com
SOURCE Siemens VDO Automotive
http://www.usa.siemensvdo.com
CONTACT:
David Ladd of Siemens VDO Automotive,
+1-248-209-5822, david.ladd@at.siemens.com