Source characterization for automotive applications using innovative techniques

Abstract

Transfer path analysis (TPA) and source characterization using the in-situ blocked force methodology is becoming increasingly common in the automotive world. While robust techniques exist for this type of characterization in general, there are certain conditions where the analysis is more straight-forward than others. In this work, several techniques are presented to help improve the characterization across different frequency ranges. At the very low frequencies, where structures should behave rigidly, TPA results can be improved by filtering out any non-rigid body motion from a set of measured FRFs. In the mid-frequency range, testing can be simplified using a volume source to capture reciprocal FRFs and then predict sound levels at the driver’s ear. In the mid- and high- frequency ranges, the addition of rotational FRFs can help improve TPA predictions. These techniques are demonstrated using recent test results on various components and vehicles in this paper.