Power-packing technology responsible for better and faster acoustic design
The latest version of the simulation platform LMS Virtual.Lab Acoustics integrates a powerful time-domain BEM solver developed by IMACS, a spin-off of the Ecole Polytechnique in France. This powerful back-engine lets acoustic engineers perform realistic simulations very efficiently and gain more insight into a wide variety of acoustic issues including for instance engine injection ticks, tire noise and door slams - important brand aspects for the automotive industry.
Customers like PSA Peugeot Citroën have been using the time-domain BEM solver technology for several years to efficiently perform powertrain-related acoustic simulations. Denis Thenail of PSA explained, "From very early on, PSA has recognized and supported the time-domain acoustic BEM technology developed by IMACS. For several years now, we have been using this solver for powertrain radiation, exterior vehicle acoustics and a variety of other applications. This solver is extremely efficient and robust enough to solve large BEM models -- both from a computation and memory point of view. As such, more cases can be addressed in less time, allowing more iterations to optimize vehicle acoustics. Today, we are glad to benefit from this technology in LMS Virtual.Lab, the simulation platform chosen by PSA."
''The latest Rev 9 release of LMS Virtual.Lab Acoustics is in fact our biggest release in twenty years of development, building on LMS SYSNOISE and the previous releases of LMS Virtual.Lab Acoustics. This new robust time-domain BEM is an excellent solver for users dealing with impulsive or wide frequency noise issues. It is designed to handle the most complex models with the highest fidelity and efficiency levels possible. And it perfectly complements our other top-performing solvers like fast multipole BEM (FMBEM) and the FEM PML (Perfectly Matched Layer) technology added to our classic FEM solvers. Many of our OEM customers appreciate the flexibility of being able to work with either highly efficient FEM or BEM solvers - depending on their needs,'' stated Stefaan Goossens, Vice President, Simulation Division, LMS International.
Producing acoustic simulation models with the highest fidelity possible gives engineers a better understanding of the ''why'' behind a noise problem and a much better route to actually solving the issue at hand. Solvers are mission-critical ''number crunchers'' incorporated in the simulation software that work behind the scenes to compute the crucial mathematical calculations and create the best possible model in the least amount of time. Fast solvers that run in hours as opposed to several days add tremendous value to a simulation platform. Powerful and robust solvers like time-domain acoustic BEM are designed to handle multi-frequency issues much more efficiently and with higher fidelity. For engineers who work with simulation software daily, this translates to more iterations within the product development cycle and adds to the product's overall quality.
