Comsol Case Studies Virtually Tuning an Automotive Audio System

	Virtually Tuning an Automotive Audio System Comsol

Virtually Tuning an Automotive Audio System

Comsol

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization
Applicable Industries	Automotive
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Digital Twin Predictive Quality Analytics Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	HARMAN, a market leader in connected car setups, faces the challenge of designing unique audio configurations for each vehicle model. The process involves accounting for various components and car acoustics, such as speaker placement, orientation, and packaging. Traditional methods of physical testing and in situ listening are time-consuming and costly. The need for a quicker, more efficient development process that can keep up with the rapid pace of vehicle design is paramount. Engineers at HARMAN sought a solution that would allow them to virtually 'tune' their audio systems before creating live prototypes, thereby saving time and resources. Read More
About Customer	HARMAN is a leading company in the automotive audio and infotainment industry, equipping over 80% of the world's luxury cars with premium audio systems. The company specializes in connected car setups, offering a range of electronic entertainment possibilities, from smartphone connectivity to interactive displays and video screens. HARMAN's team of acoustic and simulation specialists work meticulously to ensure that each vehicle model receives a unique audio configuration that accounts for various components and car acoustics. The company is committed to improving the quality and speed of its product development process, enhancing customer satisfaction, and reducing costs. Read More
Solution	To address the challenge, HARMAN's engineers turned to mathematical modeling and numerical simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics® software. This integrated environment allowed them to perform mechanical, acoustic, and electrical simulations, freeing up time and effort previously spent on creating and updating their own tools. In one case, they measured and simulated the sound pressure levels generated by a loudspeaker in a Mercedes-Benz ML car to validate their numerical models. The team established a library of validated models and known solutions, enabling performance predictions for various loudspeaker configurations. They also used LiveLink™ for MATLAB® to create a bidirectional link between MATLAB® and COMSOL®, facilitating the conversion of 3D scan data into surface meshes for studying acoustic pressure waves. This approach allowed HARMAN to optimize speaker acoustics and validate their models through a series of tests, ultimately deducing the best loudspeaker setup for a given car. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization

Applicable Industries

Automotive

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Digital Twin

Predictive Quality Analytics

Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

HARMAN, a market leader in connected car setups, faces the challenge of designing unique audio configurations for each vehicle model. The process involves accounting for various components and car acoustics, such as speaker placement, orientation, and packaging. Traditional methods of physical testing and in situ listening are time-consuming and costly. The need for a quicker, more efficient development process that can keep up with the rapid pace of vehicle design is paramount. Engineers at HARMAN sought a solution that would allow them to virtually 'tune' their audio systems before creating live prototypes, thereby saving time and resources.

About Customer

HARMAN is a leading company in the automotive audio and infotainment industry, equipping over 80% of the world's luxury cars with premium audio systems. The company specializes in connected car setups, offering a range of electronic entertainment possibilities, from smartphone connectivity to interactive displays and video screens. HARMAN's team of acoustic and simulation specialists work meticulously to ensure that each vehicle model receives a unique audio configuration that accounts for various components and car acoustics. The company is committed to improving the quality and speed of its product development process, enhancing customer satisfaction, and reducing costs.

Solution

To address the challenge, HARMAN's engineers turned to mathematical modeling and numerical simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics® software. This integrated environment allowed them to perform mechanical, acoustic, and electrical simulations, freeing up time and effort previously spent on creating and updating their own tools. In one case, they measured and simulated the sound pressure levels generated by a loudspeaker in a Mercedes-Benz ML car to validate their numerical models. The team established a library of validated models and known solutions, enabling performance predictions for various loudspeaker configurations. They also used LiveLink™ for MATLAB® to create a bidirectional link between MATLAB® and COMSOL®, facilitating the conversion of 3D scan data into surface meshes for studying acoustic pressure waves. This approach allowed HARMAN to optimize speaker acoustics and validate their models through a series of tests, ultimately deducing the best loudspeaker setup for a given car.

Impact #1	HARMAN's validated simulations enable the company to start developing sound systems even as vehicles are still being designed, significantly speeding up the product development process.
Impact #2	The use of virtual tuning allows for quicker design modifications in the virtual domain, reducing the need for physical prototypes and in situ listening tests.
Impact #3	The ability to assess audio systems based purely on simulation improves customer responsiveness and lowers the cost of design amendments.

Impact #1

HARMAN's validated simulations enable the company to start developing sound systems even as vehicles are still being designed, significantly speeding up the product development process.

Impact #2

The use of virtual tuning allows for quicker design modifications in the virtual domain, reducing the need for physical prototypes and in situ listening tests.

Impact #3

The ability to assess audio systems based purely on simulation improves customer responsiveness and lowers the cost of design amendments.

Benefit #1	HARMAN equips more than 80% of the world's luxury cars with premium audio systems.
Benefit #2	The use of COMSOL Multiphysics® software and LiveLink™ for MATLAB® has significantly reduced the time spent on physical testing and in situ listening.

Benefit #1

HARMAN equips more than 80% of the world's luxury cars with premium audio systems.

Benefit #2

The use of COMSOL Multiphysics® software and LiveLink™ for MATLAB® has significantly reduced the time spent on physical testing and in situ listening.

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Overview

Virtually Tuning an Automotive Audio System

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit