Hyundai develops pathbreaking cabin noise control technology

Hyundai Motor has announced the development of the world’s first Road Noise Active Noise Control (RANC) system. This is the first-ever system that dramatically reduces noise within the cabin of a vehicle.

This is the new breakthrough for limitations of the current noise control technology. The RANC builds on the Group’s current Active Noise Control (ANC) technology, which actively reduces noise. It achieves the dramatic ‘nearly silent’ cabin environment in engine-free fuel cell electric and electric models by emitting soundwaves inverted to incoming noise. The ANC is a software-driven technology that analyses the in-cabin sound to decrease engine and road noise. The technology will begin to be applied to an upcoming Genesis model.

This is quite different from the existing passive method of blocking noise through sound insulation. These included dynamic dampers, which not only increased weight but also failed to block the buzzing infrasound completely. In contrast, ANC utilizes much lighter parts like microphones and controllers to control the noise and reduces infrasound more efficiently. The technology is already available in some Hyundai Motor Group vehicles.

The new RANC system can analyze various types of noise in real-time and produce inverted soundwaves and reduce noise by 3dB. That 3dB level is roughly half the noise level as compared without RANC. Its computation and signal transfer speeds are optimized and takes only 0.002 second using the DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The microphone constantly monitors the road noise cancelation status, and sends the information to the DSP. RANC is able to conduct accurate noise analysis and rapid computation to combat road noise for the driver’s seat, the passenger seat and rear seats separately.

Hyundai Motor Group went through six years of research and development for the mass production of RANC. The pre-production phase involved an open innovation between industry and academia, with participation by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, WeAcom, ARE, BurnYoung and more. Additionally, the mass production phase was carried out with global car audio company, Harman.

Gangdeok Lee, a Research Fellow of NVH Research Lab said, “RANC is a remarkable technology which takes existing NVH technology to the next level. We will continue to take the leading position of NVH technology and deliver the highest level of quietness to customers.”

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