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Automotive Compliance and Certification

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Vehicle Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) Testing

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NVH Performance Standards for Automotive Design

NVH Performance Standards for Automotive Design

NVH Performance Standards for Automotive Design

Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) performance standards have become a crucial aspect of automotive design in recent years. As vehicles become increasingly complex, NVH has emerged as a key differentiator between manufacturers, with customers demanding quieter, smoother, and more refined driving experiences.

The development of NVH performance standards is a collaborative effort between automakers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies. These standards aim to quantify the level of noise, vibration, and harshness that is acceptable in a vehicle, allowing designers and engineers to prioritize improvements and optimize their products accordingly.

Measuring NVH Performance

NVH performance is typically measured using a variety of metrics, including:

  • Sound pressure levels (SPL) at different frequencies

  • Vibration levels at specific locations within the vehicle

  • Harmonic distortion analysis

  • Power spectral density analysis


    • To ensure consistency and comparability across different vehicles and manufacturers, standardized testing protocols have been established. These protocols typically involve measuring NVH performance under a range of driving conditions, including:

  • Idle

  • Low-speed maneuvering (e.g., parking, reversing)

  • High-speed cruising

  • Cornering

  • Acceleration/deceleration


    • NVH Hotspots: Identifying and Optimizing Key Areas

    One critical aspect of NVH performance is identifying key areas where improvements can be made. This involves analyzing the vehicles design and architecture to pinpoint areas where noise, vibration, or harshness are most likely to occur.

    Some common NVH hotspots include:

  • Engine mounts

  • Transmission mounts

  • Suspension components (e.g., bushings, shock absorbers)

  • Tire characteristics

  • Interior trim and materials


    • To optimize these areas, designers and engineers employ a range of techniques, including:

  • Material selection: Choosing materials with optimal stiffness, damping, or resonance frequencies to minimize noise transmission.

  • Design optimization: Modifying component designs to reduce mass, increase stiffness, or improve resonance frequency matching.

  • Mounting and installation: Optimizing the way components are mounted and installed to minimize vibration transfer.

  • Tuning and calibration: Adjusting parameters like engine tuning, suspension settings, or tire pressures to achieve optimal NVH performance.


    • Some key considerations for optimizing NVH hotspots include:

  • Frequency range: Focus on frequencies most relevant to human perception (e.g., 20-200 Hz).

  • Vibration modes: Identify primary and secondary vibration modes to inform design decisions.

  • Resonance matching: Ensure that component natural frequencies match or are well-matched to the engine or vehicle operating frequency range.


    • Here is a detailed overview of NVH hotspots in bullet points:

  • Engine mounts:

    • Material selection: Choose materials with high stiffness and damping, such as polyurethane or silicone.
    Design optimization: Use computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools to optimize mount design for reduced mass and improved resonance frequency matching.
    Mounting and installation: Ensure proper torque specification and mounting locations to minimize vibration transfer.
  • Transmission mounts:

    • Material selection: Select materials with high stiffness and damping, such as polyurethane or silicone.
    Design optimization: Use CAE tools to optimize mount design for reduced mass and improved resonance frequency matching.
    Mounting and installation: Ensure proper torque specification and mounting locations to minimize vibration transfer.
  • Suspension components (e.g., bushings, shock absorbers):

    • Material selection: Choose materials with optimal stiffness and damping characteristics.
    Design optimization: Use CAE tools to optimize component design for reduced mass and improved resonance frequency matching.
    Mounting and installation: Ensure proper torque specification and mounting locations to minimize vibration transfer.

    NVH Performance Standards

    The development of NVH performance standards is a continuous process, with new metrics and testing protocols emerging as automotive technology advances. Some key NVH performance standards include:

  • Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1472: Standard for Measuring the Total Harmonic Distortion of a Vehicles Interior Sound.

  • SAE J1464: Standard for Measuring the Vibration of a Vehicles Chassis and Body at Idle and Low Speeds.

  • ISO 108:2016: Standard for Acoustics - Measurement of the sound pressure level of any steady-state sound in an enclosed space.


    • These standards provide a framework for manufacturers to prioritize NVH performance improvements, ensuring that vehicles meet or exceed customer expectations.

    QA Section

    What are some common NVH hotspots?

    NVH hotspots can occur anywhere within the vehicle, but some common areas include engine mounts, transmission mounts, suspension components (e.g., bushings, shock absorbers), tire characteristics, and interior trim and materials.

    How do designers optimize NVH hotspots?

    Designers employ a range of techniques to optimize NVH hotspots, including material selection, design optimization, mounting and installation, and tuning and calibration. They also consider factors like frequency range, vibration modes, and resonance matching when making design decisions.

    What are some key considerations for optimizing NVH performance?

    Some key considerations include focusing on frequencies most relevant to human perception (e.g., 20-200 Hz), identifying primary and secondary vibration modes, ensuring that component natural frequencies match or are well-matched to the engine or vehicle operating frequency range, and selecting materials with optimal stiffness and damping characteristics.

    What are some standardized testing protocols for measuring NVH performance?

    Standardized testing protocols include measuring sound pressure levels at different frequencies, vibration levels at specific locations within the vehicle, harmonic distortion analysis, power spectral density analysis, and other metrics.

    How do NVH performance standards ensure consistency across vehicles and manufacturers?

    NVH performance standards provide a framework for manufacturers to prioritize NVH performance improvements, ensuring that vehicles meet or exceed customer expectations. Standardized testing protocols and metrics help ensure consistency across different vehicles and manufacturers.

    What is the role of computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools in optimizing NVH hotspots?

    CAE tools are used to optimize NVH hotspot designs for reduced mass, improved resonance frequency matching, and minimized vibration transfer. They also facilitate design iterations and allow designers to explore multiple solutions quickly and efficiently.

    What is the relationship between NVH performance and customer satisfaction?

    NVH performance has a direct impact on customer satisfaction, as drivers expect quiet, smooth, and refined driving experiences. Vehicles that excel in NVH performance are more likely to receive positive reviews and recommendations from customers.

    Can NVH hotspots be eliminated entirely?

    While it is possible to minimize or eliminate specific NVH hotspots through design optimization, it is unlikely that all sources of noise, vibration, or harshness can be completely eliminated. Manufacturers must continue to prioritize NVH performance improvements as technology advances and new challenges emerge.

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