Application-oriented Development of an Active Noise Profiling Control System

One of the main components for real applications of Active Noise Control is the controller. This is especially true for centralized, cross-coupled multi-channel systems. Such systems are often used for Active Noise Profiling (ANP). In ANP, usually only periodic noise components are processed to change the audible psychoacoustic profile of the target system. Multi-channel ANP controllers have this far been sophisticated and expensive laboratory units, and the development of their algorithm has been a challenging task. To address these challenges, a multi-channel ANP controller with associated user interface has been developed. The whole development cycle of the controller is based on a simulation model. The functionality of the controller can be simulated before actual implementation. The parameters and structure of the developed embedded software for the target hardware controller may thus be easily adjusted. Also, the same user interface is used both with the controller model and the final target hardware. Furthermore, a cost-effective multi-channel analog interface has been developed for the controller, as well as related simulation models for it. For successful future product realizations of the ANC and especially ANP products the effective and flexible controllers are the key components. Both the controller development cycle and the hardware issues must be addressed to achieve this. The proposed approach presents a road map for such development steps.