Automotive NVH Data Logging for Todays Vehicles

Author - Laura


The Ford Model A was the original car produced by Ford, and was first sold to Ernst Pfennig, a Chicago dentist on July 23, 1903. Only 1,750 Model As were made from 1903 through 1904, until it was replaced by the Ford Model C during 1904.

The car came as a two-seater runabout or four-seater tonneau model with an option to add a top. The horizontal-mounted flat-2, situated amidships of the car, produced 8 hp (6 kW). A planetary transmission was fitted with two forward speeds and reverse, a Ford signature later seen on the Ford Model T. The car weighed 1,240 lb (562 kg) and could reach a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h). It had a 72 inch (1.8 m) wheelbase and sold for a base price of US$750. Band brakes were used on the rear wheels.

Although Ford advertised the Model A as the "most reliable machine in the world", it suffered from many problems common to vehicles of the era, including overheating and slipping transmission bands. 


Cars today go through stringent tests in the development stage, before they even reach the market. 
United Electronic Industries (UEI)’s popular UEILogger Cube in conjunction with the DNA-AI-211 ICP/IEPE interface and the DNA-AI-208 or AI-224 strain gage interfaces have been used by a wide variety of customers in the study of vehicle NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) characteristics.

The Cube is an ideal measurement platform for in-vehicle automobile NVH testing, being compact, rugged and running off any power supply between 9 and 36 VDC. This combination makes it easy to fit the cube in the boot, engine bay or underneath a seat. As well as logging the NVH data, the UEILogger can also acquire CAN data, allowing simply correlation between the vehicle dynamics (e.g., speed, RPM) and NVH.

All this is possible without writing any code as the UEILogger is programmed by a simple, intuitive Windows GUI. 

For more information please get in touch with our UEI specialist - Tony Seal - on +44 1672 511166 or by email - tony.seal@sarsen.net

Vehicle NVH Testing - Automotive April from Sarsen Technology!

Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), also known as noise and vibration (NV) is the study and modification of the noise and vibration characteristics of vehicles, particularly cars and trucks.

There are many sources of noise in a vehicle, including the engine, driveline, tyre contact patch and road surface, brakes, and wind. Noise from cooling fans, or the HVAC, alternator, and other engine accessories is also fairly common.

There are three principal means of improving NVH:

1. Reducing the source strength, as in making a noise source quieter with a muffler, or improving the balance of a rotating mechanism 
2. Interrupting the noise or vibration path, with barriers (for noise) or isolators (for vibration) 
3. Absorption of the noise or vibration energy, as for example with foam noise absorbers, or tuned vibration dampers.

Specific methods for improving NVH include the use of tuned mass dampers, sub-frames, balancing, modifying the stiffness or mass of structures, retuning exhausts and intakes, modifying the characteristics of elastomeric isolators, adding sound deadening or absorbing materials, or using active noise control. In some circumstances, substantial changes in vehicle architecture may be the only way to cure some problems cost effectively.

Noise dampening panels inlayed in a car bonnet

The UEI Cube is an ideal measurement platform for in-vehicle automobile NVH testing. The Cube is small, rugged and runs off any power supply between 9 and 36 VDC. This combination makes it easy to “bury” the cube in the car’s trunk, engine compartment or under a seat.

UEI’s popular UEILogger Cube in conjunction with the DNA-AI-211 ICP/IEPE interface and the DNA-AI-208 or AI-224 strain gage interfaces have been used by a wide variety of customers in the study of vehicle NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) characteristics.

In addition to logging the NVH data, the UEILogger can also acquire CAN data, allowing simply correlation between the vehicle dynamics (e.g. speed, RPM) and NVH. All this is possible without righting any code as the UEILogger is programmed by a simple, intuitive Windows GUI.

For more information please contact Sarsen Technology on +44 1672 511166 or email us - info@sarsen.net

Automotive Test and Measurement from Sarsen Technology Ltd

Automotive Testing.

It’s a pretty broad spectrum, covering everything from prototyping through to stress measurement, dynamometer testing and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) data logging.

With the UK Automotive industry enjoying a resurgence over the last year, it’s more important than ever to provide customers with the latest, most reliable technology for all their testing needs.

Here at Sarsen, we represent a number of US based manufacturers with a host of products designed with the Automotive Test and Measurement industry in mind.

United Electronic Industries (UEI) is a leader in the PC/Ethernet data acquisition and control, Data Logger/Recorder and Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) and Modbus TCP markets. Their Cube and RACKtangle chassis can be configured in 5 different ways, to maximise potential usage. They will function as I/O slaves under control of a host PC, may be run as fully standalone data loggers or embedded controllers, or can be run as a hybrid, running applications locally, but taking direction from, or sharing data with a host PC on the network.

Deployment options –

• Ethernet I/O – PowerDNA
• HIL
• ULV control
• VME replacement
• Embedded control – UEIPAC
• Dynamometer control
• Prototype/production test
• Battery testing
• Data logger – UELogger
• NVH
• CAN/ECU logging
• Vehicle Health monitoring
• Simulink I/O – UEISIM
• Model verification
• Rapid prototyping
• HIL testing
• Modbus TCP I/O – UEIModbus
• Controller modernization
• Production test
• PLC Augmentation

VersaLogic Corp has recently released the Falcon EPU - a complete embedded computer in an extremely small/rugged format. The Falcon runs on an Intel Atom E6x0T processor, giving 1.6 GHz performance with low power consumption. 
Roughly the size of a credit card and less than one inch thick, the Falcon is designed to withstand extreme temperature, impact, and vibration. A wide input voltage range of 8 to 17 volts (12V typ.) simplifies system power supply requirements, meaning it is fully compatible with 12V automotive applications. The Falcon is a great choice for all kinds of requirements -  

Rugged HMI and Control 
Robotic Systems

Mobile Fixed Function 

Security / Surveillance 

Predictive Maintenance

 

 

 

If you would like any more info, please give us a call on +44 1672 511166, or email us - info@sarsen.net