Your reliable partner in NVH testing

NVH testing – Noise, Vibration, Harshness

These terms describe audible (noise) or tangible (vibration) vibrations in vehicles. Harshness is the rough transmission of vibrations, felt as a sudden tremor, in the speed range of the motor from 20 to 100 Hertz. Minimising these vibrations such that the end consumer in the vehicle no longer perceives them as disturbing is a major aim during the development of the drivetrain. NVH testing enables early recognition of NVH phenomena, which can then be avoided early during the development stage of the powertrain. This later makes driving in the production vehicle more comfortable and serves to avoid complaints and a loss of image.

For more than 20 years, ATESTEO has offered reliable NVH testing on test benches. In the largest independent European test centre for drivetrains, our headquarters in Alsdorf, Germany, we test your drivetrains during the development stage for audible and perceptible vibrations. With our own key equipment to test drivetrains and a total of five NVH test benches, an acoustic dynamometer test bench, and our test track, we help you to identify noise vibration harshness (NVH) phenomena at an early stage, aiding you in optimising your transmissions and drive units as early as the development phase.

NVH testing: vibration measurements and vibration reduction at test benches

NVH test benches at ATESTEO for all drive types and transmissions

The aim of NVH testing at ATESTEO is recognising NVH phenomena during the development phase, thus avoiding them later in the volume production vehicle. This enables frontloading of NVH problems during development of the transmission and system. ATESTEO offers four Class 1 NVH test benches conforming to ISO 3745 for the purpose of testing FWD and AWD transmissions. In addition, ATESTEO offers a component test bench for efficiency and functional testing and for commissioning and parameterising the control software for the drive unit. Our NVH test benches enable the NVH testing of all types of transmissions and are designed for the special requirements of electric and hybrid drive systems. An additional e-machine (permanent-magnet synchronous motor) can be employed to enable HiL (hardware in the loop) testing.

Contact NVH Testing

If you would like to learn more about our NVH testing services and capabilities, please call or email us.

Performance spectrum in NVH testing

Conventional NVH tests

  • Engine torque pulsation simulation drive
  • Rattle and howling tests
  • Background noise <35 dB(A)
  • Start-stop simulation
  • Sound pressure and sound power measurements from 150 Hz to 16,000 Hz

HiL testing (Hardware in the Loop)

  • Highly dynamic tests under real operating conditions
  • Substitution of simulation models for real mechanics
  • Real-time rest bus simulation to control the machines
  • Low inertia values

Testing of e-axles and hybrid drive systems

  • Electric motors with high torques are used
  • Speeds of up to 20,000 rpm
  • Low noise emissions
  • Battery simulator for e-motors
  • Power meter for measuring efficiency
  • Components are balanced during operation

Component testing

  • Highly dynamic machines to test components such as dual-mass flywheels, transmissions (gear units), or rear axles
  • Rapid control of the drive units with 6 kHz
  • Tests of e-motors and vehicle inverters
  • Hollow shaft machine for providing drive with a coaxial construction

Test beds and NVH test benches

As the leading specialist for drivetrain testing, ATESTEO is also the market leader in NVH testing. With more than 20 years of experience in in-depth analyses and evaluations, we offer you extensive NVH testing for your newly developed drivetrain components and vehicles. A total of five test benches are available for NVH testing at ATESTEO: four NVH Class 1 test benches in conformity with ISO 3745 for FWD and AWD transmissions and one component test bench for efficiency and functional tests. NVH testing at ATESTEO focuses on electric drive trains, e-motors, and all types of transmissions.

The test beds for NVH testing at ATESTEO:

  • NVH test bench for e-motors (electric motors) and hybrid drive systems
  • NVH test bench for all-wheel drive transmissions and all other types of drives
  • NVH test bench for electric drivetrainse
  • NVH test bench for efficiency and functional tests
  • In planning: NVH test bench for testing electromagnetic compatibility of electric drive systems

Key data of our NVH test benches:

  • acoustic chamber in accordance with ISO 3745 Class 1
  • Background noise < 35 dB(A)
  • Frequency range 150–16,000 Hz
  • G1 balanced shafts and devices decoupled on air springs
  • 60-tonne decoupled test bench foundation
  • A broad range of measurement technology for projects with up to 20 microphones and 30 accelerometers per test bench

The special operating data of our NVH test benches:

  • 700 kW DC power
  • Input speed up to 20,000 RPM and 400 kW
  • Output up to 3x 300 kW

Our services for your NVH testing:

  • Performance of measurement runs with a lead time of only three weeks
  • Implementation of all NVH measurement methods such as sound power measurements
  • NVH testing before and after endurance testing in combination with ATESTEO durability testing test benches
  • Complex NVH analyses and evaluations
  • NVH consulting regarding to development and manufacturing

Contact NVH Testing

If you would like to learn more about our NVH testing services and capabilities, please call or email us.

NVH testing for electric and hybrid drive systems

The development of hybrid and electric vehicles involves new challenges for the development of NVH testing. We have taken these into account and met them when developing our new NVH test benches.

Because of the properties of electric drives, new demands on the drives of NVH test benches arise, such as low vibration response or a low system response up to speeds of 20,000 rpm and low noise emission. We respond to these challenges with comprehensive new developments as follows:

NVH Drive Unit

Mount for drive and test object

Motor sheathing

Array of microphones for measuring sound

For testing electric and hybrid drive systems, it is possible to simulate the correspondingly necessary components of the electric or hybrid vehicle in the NVH test bench. First and foremost, battery simulators are required.

HiL testing on NVH test bench

The new test benches are equipped not only for NVH analysis, but also for HiL testing. By using an additional permanent magnet (PM) motor, hardware in the loop simulations may be conducted directly on the ATESTEO test bench. HiL involves testing individual components by substituting a simulation model for the real mechanics and constructing a realistic test environment for the test object.

NVH testing for the entire vehicle

Besides the detection and identification of NVH phenomena on the component test bench, ATESTEO also offers comprehensive NVH testing on the complete vehicle. On the roller dynamometer test bench for acoustics testing and our own in-house test track with a test surface with acoustic absorption properties in accordance with ISO 10844, ATESTEO measures noises and vibrations on the complete vehicle in a secured environment as passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and heavy-duty vehicles are driven. ATESTEO tests all types of drivetrains, from electric and hybrid drive systems to combustion engines.

NVH measurements on the rolling dynamometer test bench

Testing of individual assemblies such as transmissions or axle drives in the entire vehicle for sounds and vibrations on the ATESTEO roller dynamometer test bench for acoustic testing.

Vibration and noise tests in the vehicle

Vehicle interior noise measurement at the test track and on the roller dynamometer test bench for acoustic testing. Data acquisition and analysis of, for example, structure-borne sound, airborne sound, clutch pedal travel, and engine speeds.

PBN measurements

Conducting measurements of exterior pass-by noise during accelerated pass-by driving on the ATESTEO test track in accordance with DIN ISO 362 and Guideline R 51. Data acquisition and analysis of the sound pressure level and driving speed.

Own test track with acoustic coating according to ISO 10844

At the ATESTEO proving grounds (test track), we can conduct outdoor pass-by noise measurements when the vehicle is driving past under acceleration, in accordance with DIN ISO 362 and according to the new guideline R 51. The vehicle to be tested approaches the measuring site at a constant speed, then accelerates with a wide-open throttle while entering the site until the rear of the vehicle has left the measuring site. During this accelerated pass-by, the sound pressure levels on both sides of the vehicle and the vehicle speed are recorded and analysed. The test track surface is prepared in accordance with DIN 10844 and adapted to the needs of heavy-duty vehicles.

Our expert teams for your NVH testing challenges

We offer you a wide range of services and expertise in the field of NVH testing. Three NVH teams in Alsdorf, Germany support the following fields of activity:

Team NVH test benches

  • NVH testing of powertrain components, conventional drives and competence for electric and hybrid drives
  • NVH benchmarking of transmissions

Team NVH measurements at endurance test benches

  • Structure-borne and airborne noise measurements

Team NVH measurement of the entire vehicle

  • NVH testing on the acoustic roller dynamometer and test track

Download

Find all further information about our NVH measurements on the complete vehicle in our current performance brochure.

Considerable development expertise in NVH testing

Drivetrain simulation

ATESTEO has the know-how and technical facilities to conduct complex simulations; for example, those of the powertrain. This great expertise also flows into the development of new test benches.

Frontloading during the development phase

Employing NVH test benches enables the frontloading of NVH testing during the development process. Through using corresponding analysis software, NVH phenomena such as gear whining become visible.

This might also interest you