Mvoid methodology

Significant reduction of development time

Principle

Mvoid Methodology Significantly Reduces
Time to Market

The guiding principle of our Mvoid methodology (= Multidisciplinary virtually optimized industrial design) is to develop products with acoustical properties in the virtual space by multidisciplinary simulations. On an early and continuous use of multidisciplinary simulations according to the Mvoid methodology our customers’ design and development departments are able to make safe decisions at any time during product development based on digital, audible, realistic models from start of early development til SOP.

Unique: Already in the pre-development phase, the Mvoid methodology reproduces audible results and provides the basis for the landmark decision for further development thanks to the auralization process. A milestone in simulations. 

Reduce Development Time While at the Same Time Optimize Product Quality

The Mvoid methodology significantly reduces long-lasting tests on prototypes. In the past, disturbing acoustic influences had to be adjusted respectively eliminated by acoustic experts manually on physical prototypes while today they are quickly recognized and optimized in the virtual space. By using Mvoid in the pre-development phase complete new ways of integration can be taken into account. 

At an early stage of development, when only a few parameters are known, Mvoid transfers ideas into virtual reality and explores new solutions. For each major stage of the product development process a proper simulation process is defined, which varies in the dimensions detail, linearity and scale in modelling.

Due to the specific components respectively process phases, different simulation software packages are used. The challenge is to couple the different applications with each other and to convey all relevant information as well as to consider all physical disciplines. This is the only way an agile simulation flow, the so-called “swing”, can be achieved throughout the entire product development process.

“It does not matter what you do but how you do it. The simulation model “swings”. The “Swing” provides the optimal combination of different CAE software packages to individually modeled simulation processes.”

The intelligent use of the CAE simulation software during the product development cycle is crucial. It is essential to provide the optimal functionality throughout the complete development time in order to provide safe results and to offer optimization possibilities. The closer we get to SOP, the more of a refinement is performed for realistic results. 

Automotive Audio

Virtual Product Development of Sound Systems in Vehicles

A vehicle delivers one of the most difficult environments to reproduce sound. The structure of a vehicle is complex. In vehicles the installation space is highly limited and constrained. Several individual woofers, midrange speakers and tweeters have to be integrated in an ideal way. In addition, vehicle and road noise may add additional coloration of the reproduced sound.

For the virtual product development of sound systems in vehicles Mvoid couples six technology tier levels. When all six Mvoid tier levels are applied, we can refer to a complete virtual product development space that enables a realistic listening environment of the virtual product. This is unprecedented.

  • Level 1
  • Level 2
  • Level 3
  • Level 4
  • Level 5
  • Level 6

Tier Level 1: Multiphysical Modeling of Loudspeakers

Within the first tier level the point is to create a multiphysical model of the loudspeakers. Electromagnetism, mechanics, acoustics (sometimes thermal transfer and even fluid dynamics) and bi-directional couplings are analyzed. Path dependent dynamic effects and nonlinearities (including instabilities) are dealt with in each domain.

1D-Lumped parameter models, and 2D/3D finite element models are used for multiphysical simulations.

Tier Level 2: Multiphysical Loudspeaker Model attached to Enclosure

In order to achieve an outstanding sound performance not only the quality of the transducers modelled in tier level 1 is important but also the mechanical and acoustical integration of the loudspeakers into the enclosure.

Spurious vibrations of enclosures and structural parts are discovered quickly by Mvoid analyses. By using Mvoid in the pre-development phase completely new ways of integration can be determined as necessary. For example the use of cavities of the vehicle structure as enclosures (resonance volume) for speakers, because loudspeakers require an enclosure as resonance volume in order to reproduce low frequencies.

Tier Level 3: Full System Model including the Listening Space

In tier level three the car cabin is fully integrated into the simulation model. The car cabin has an important impact on the performance and perception of the reproduced sound. Within the multiphysical simulation model the distribution of the sound, the 3D sound field, can be determined right into the farthest corners by physical/mathematic parameters. All major factors that affect the sound in the interior are considered.

The mix of materials in the car cabin is particularly important, like trim components, carpets, glass etc. They have to be integrated in the model. The various materials with totally different behavior and different joining techniques require detailed descriptions of the material properties in the electrical and structural domain. This is provided by the Mvoid library, which provides realistic models and their parameters based on specifically developed measurement methods.

Tier Level 4: Virtual Tuning

The optimized listening experience can only be achieved by adjusting the sound to the individual vehicle type and sound system at hand - the acoustic tuning process. The virtual tuning in tier level four enables computer-based adjustment that integrates the knowledge of psychoacoustics, subjective sound perception and equalization that can be applied to the real sound system in the real vehicle in order to reproduce a perfect sound experience for all passengers.

The virtual measurements simulated in level three are integrated into the full system and each channel as well as the summation of the individual channels is tuned. The results can be analyzed to review whether costly modifications of the hardware are necessary or if cost-effective improvements can be achieved by software (by means of applying a proper tuning).

The essential tasks of the virtual tuning include:

  1. Minimize resonances in the listening space.
    2. Optimize the summation of different speakers adjusting time-alignment and level differences due to distances between loudspeakers.
  2. Focus optimized sound to specific listening areas.

Tier Level 5: Auralization

In the phase of auralization the acoustics experts finally evaluate the audio performance on the multidisciplinary simulation model. Listening tests in terms of spatial reproduction are carried out through headphones as if the listener is in the real space evaluation the width and height of the auditory stage – the music is to be reproduced according to a life performance. The singers are usually found in front of the stage in the middle, next to the bassist, guitarist, saxophonist, the drums are mostly towards the back. If the spatiality is not reproduced like the original event on the stage, the music loses its character.

In tier level five binaural reproduction techniques in conjunction with tier level four virtual tuning, the acoustic experts are able to reproduce spatial performance close to the real situation in the vehicle. Ultimately a reference for a performance specification is defined.

Tier Level 6: Physical Testing – Measurement of Audio Systems

The Mvoid methodology for tier level 6 focuses on measurements of physical audio prototypes and products. Tier level six utilizes a multi-channel acoustic measurement system fully integrated into VRtool. It guarantees a smooth transition from virtual prototypes to physical prototypes. This Mvoid measurement method defines a robust, repeatable process that provides accurate, detailed insight into mechanical and performance characteristics of audio components and systems, including in-situ room acoustic interaction. Critical to understanding manufacturing and assembly execution of design, the Mvoid tier level six measurement process converges the implementation of Virtual Product Development into real audio products through a robust validation process. Further, manufacturing variance may be monitored and if necessary, adapted to minimize production variance from a reference target.

Professional Audio

Virtual Product Development for Exceptional Listening Experiences to Audiences

There are many challenges to consider when developing professional sound systems. Optimizing transducers for balance between performance, weight and cost is a complex conundrum requiring deep expertise. In traditional cut and assemble prototype development processes time and cost is considerable. Particularly in the large system evaluation stages. Yet with Mvoid's Virtual Product Development – Professional Audio every aspect of the system from sub-components through cabinet can be designed and optimized. Multiple Virtual Prototypes can be virtually constructed, assembled as systems, use Virtual Tuning and be validated in real acoustic venues through auralization.

Mvoid methodology enables a realistic listening environment of the virtual venue and allows for optimizing the listening experience in the virtual domain. And – as with many modern venues that are customizable, the seating arrangement throughout the arena can be modified as needed or configuration changed. It’s an ice rink one day, a basketball court the next, then an exhibition hall, conference space, or concert arena. Mvoid virtual tuning allows for optimizing full bandwidth performance virtually eliminating the need to do system tuning in the venue.

  • Level 1
  • Level 2
  • Level 3
  • Level 4
  • Level 5

Tier Level 1: Multiphysical Modeling of Transducers

Within the first tier level the point is to create a multiphysical model of the loudspeakers. Electromagnetism, mechanics, acoustics (sometimes thermal transfer and even fluid dynamics) and bi-directional couplings are analyzed. Path dependent dynamic effects and nonlinearities (including instabilities) are dealt with in each domain.

1D-Lumped parameter models, 2D, 2.5D and 3D finite element models are used for multiphysical simulation and transducer small signal and large signal reports may be generated that correlate to physical samples.

Tier Level 2: Multiphysical Modeling of Transducers and Cabinets

In order to achieve an outstanding sound performance not only the quality of the transducers modeled in tier 1 is important but also the mechanical and acoustical integration of the transducers into the enclosure.

Spurious vibrations of enclosures and structural parts are discovered quickly by Mvoid analyses. By using Mvoid in the pre-development phase completely new ways of integration can be determined as necessary.

Tier Level 3: Multiphysyical Modeling of Transducers, Cabinets and Rooms

In tier level three the room is fully integrated into the simulation model. The room has an important impact on the performance and perception of the reproduced sound. Within the multiphysyical simulation model the distribution of the sound, the 3D sound field, can be determined over full bandwidth in any listening position within the physical space. All major factors that affect the sound are considered.

Tier Level 4: Virtual Tuning of Audio Systems

The optimized listening experience can only be achieved by adjusting the sound to the individual sound system at hand in a specific room – the acoustic tuning process. The virtual tuning in tier level four enables computer-based adjustment that integrates the knowledge of psychoacoustics, subjective sound perception and equalization that can be applied to the real sound system in real room in order to reproduce a perfect sound experience for all visitors.

The virtual measurements simulated in tier level three are integrated into the full system and each channel as well as the summation of the individual channels is tuned. The results can be analyzed to review whether system performance achieves target performance. If necessary additional improvements can be made through hardware or tuning changes or if cost or complexity can be reduced while maintaining acceptable performance.

The essential tasks of the virtual tuning include:

  • Optimize the summation of different speakers adjusting time-alignment and level differences due to distances between loudspeakers.
  • Focus optimized sound to specific listening areas.
  • Minimize resonances in the listening space.

Tier Level 5: Auralization of Audio Systems

In the phase of auralization the acoustics experts finally evaluate the audio performance on the multidisciplinary simulation model. Listening tests in terms of spatial reproduction are carried out through headphones as if the listener is in the real space evaluating the width and height of the auditory stage.