In a bid to reduce cabin noise, Hyundai has announced that it is currently developing the world’s first Road Noise Active Noise Control (RANC) system. An improvement from the company’s current Active Noise Control (ANC) technology, the patented RANC system will be used on an upcoming Genesis model that will be revealed in the future.
Before getting to the working principle of RANC, let’s first understand how ANC operates. The technology uses microphones and controllers to decrease engine and road noise by emitting soundwaves inverted to incoming noise.
This method works in a similar fashion to active noise-cancelling headphones, and reduces the reliance on sound deadening materials and dynamic dampers that not only add weight, but are incapable of blocking the buzzing infrasound completely.
However, ANC has its restrictions in terms of noise measurement and analysis technology, and is more suited to noises that are constant and occurring predictably (like constant engine noise). Hyundai says given that it only takes about 0.009 seconds for road or engine noise to reach the passenger, the current technology was limited.
With the more advanced RANC, the system can analyse various types of noises in real-time and produce inverted soundwaves to counter resonant sounds created between tyres and wheels or rumble sounds coming up from the road.
Using an acceleration sensor, RANC calculates the vibration from the road to the car and the control computer analyses road noise. This process takes just 0.002 second for an inverted soundwave to be produced by the digital signal processor (DPS).
The system’s microphone also constantly monitors and reports the road noise cancelation status to the DSP, allowing it to conduct accurate noise analysis and rapid computation to counter road noise for all seats in the cabin separately. Based on the company’s tests, RANC was able to reduce in-cabin noise by three decibels, which is roughly half the noise level as compared without RANC.
With internal combustion engines being phased out gradually moving forward, Hyundai says vehicle interior noise will primarily come from the powertrain as well as road and wind noise. It adds that utilising RANC can significantly reduce road noise and create a quiet cabin for future electric and fuel cell electric vehicles.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Gamechanger
Fantastic NVH tech, we have many ppl who drive honda but expect Tesla-like quiet.
To naively suppose one of the purpose of the audio system.