In-Car Audio Measurements

Screenshot showing in-car audio measurement sequence final display showing frequency response, distortion and Max SPL

Final display of in-car audio measurement sequence showing frequency response, distortion and Max SPL

This in-car audio test sequence measures the transient distortion (also known as buzz, squeak, and rattle, Rub & Buzz, or impulsive distortion), frequency response, and maximum sound pressure level of a vehicle infotainment system to the methods outlined in the Audio Engineering Society Technical Committee on Automotive Audio (TC-AA) in-vehicle measurements draft white paper.  The three measurements are incorporated into one overall test sequence, making it fast and simple to run the entire suite of tests. This sequence facilitates evaluation of the committee’s proposals, and also serves as a basis for any similar in-house measurements. The white paper (linked above) outlines both measurement methods and physical configuration such as microphone and seat positioning in an effort to simplify comparison between vehicles. This test sequence may, of course, be used with your own in-house physical configuration if adherence to the TC-AA guidelines is not essential.

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Automotive Max SPL (Maximum Sound Pressure Level)

Screenshot showing final display of automotive Max SPL sequence

Final display of automotive Max SPL sequence showing individual Max SPL curves, Max SPL average curve and Max SPL value.

This sequence measures Automotive Max SPL, the Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL) of a car infotainment system in the vehicle’s interior. It calculates a single value for Max SPL and displays the Max SPL Spectrum, showing the six individual microphone responses plus the average curve.

The sequence uses a 6 microphone array mounted at either the driver or passenger locations. A 30 second pink noise stimulus having an RMS level of -12 dBFS is played through the infotainment system and captured by SoundCheck’s Multi-channel Real Time Analyzer (RTA). The Multi-channel RTA produces 6 RTA curves which are then power averaged to produce a Max SPL Spectrum. The spectrum is then power summed to produce a single value for Max SPL.

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Triggered Record Using WAV File and 6 Mic Array

This sequence allows you to measure a playback system without analog inputs using a 6 microphone array. Specifically, the sequence is designed to measure an in-car audio system. A stimulus WAV file is created in SoundCheck and transferred to the device under test (DUT) where it is played back and the response captured by SoundCheck using a triggered record function. The 6 recordings are batch analyzed to produce individual fundamental curves and the curves are post-processed to produce a single average curve from which an average sensitivity value is calculated.

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