SoNoScout simplifies recording and analysis of NVH

Created to record and analyse binaural sound for NVH development applications, the SoNoScout system is suitable for conformation of prototype or design performance changes, benchmarking of competitor vehicles and evaluating vehicle behaviour during on-road tests.

Recording is carried out via two high-quality microphones which - for convenience and comfort - are mounted on a pair of folding headphones. Immediately after recording, the stored data is available for replay and analysis. The saved data can be analysed on the PDA itself, transferred to the supplied PC software or exported to other analysis systems, such as Bruel & Kjaer's PULSE data analyser.

The PDA's display has large, simple icons making it easy and safe to control the start and stop of recordings, even while the operator is driving.

Keith Vickers, Technical Specialist for Bruel & Kjaer UK, comments: "SoNoScout has been designed to provide engineers with complete flexibility. It contains analogue and digital sound cards for recording with the supplied microphones or a head and torso simulator. It simultaneously stores audio and positional data through an included Global Positioning System (GPS) device. As well as route mapping, this also allows the user to plot vehicle speed during the recording.

"The audio and vehicle performance data recorded by SoNoScout can also be used for analysis with Bruel & Kjaer's PULSE NVH Vehicle Simulator, as both systems are fully compatible."

The entire SoNoScout NVH system is contained in a rugged transport case and the main components are compact enough to fit inside a jacket pocket.

Bruel & Kjaer UK is also running a free, interactive training course called Ultra Portable Sound Quality, which covers Sound Quality metrics (eg LAeq, Loudness, Roughness, etc), measurement procedure and post-processing - it will act as an introduction for the new SoNoScout system. For more information or to register for this course, visit: www.bksv.co.uk/default.asp?ID=3550.