Silentium Road-Noise Cancellation: AKM’s Latest Innovation
Silentium’s Quiet Bubble automotive active road-noise cancellation (ARNC) software is set to be integrated into an audio voice processor from Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) for global distribution. The first sample shipments are expected in the fourth quarter of this year.
As more cars become electric, the notion of the vehicle as a “third living space” is emerging. However, maintaining a quiet interior in electric vehicles (EVs) remains a significant challenge for manufacturers. ARNC technology addresses this by reducing road noise in milliseconds, providing a comfortable experience for passengers.
Naoyuki Kurita, AKM’s Chief Marketing Officer, explained that the shift to electric vehicles has introduced new challenges for manufacturers, including safety issues, higher costs, and ensuring passenger comfort. “One of the biggest complaints I hear from our EV customers is about how loud the road sounds compared to their internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. This will become an even greater issue as more autonomous vehicles hit the road,” he said.
This collaboration leverages AKM’s expertise in low-latency hardware and Silentium’s noise-canceling software. The goal is to optimize the control signal path from reference sensors to the loudspeakers, enabling fast transmission of vehicle signals and low-latency algorithm processing. This optimization occurs by enhancing specific parts of AKM’s analog-to-digital converter (ADC), allowing quick transmission of vehicle signals to the company’s DSP unit, where Silentium’s Quiet Bubble software operates.
Further reductions in latency can be achieved by using near-field loudspeakers placed close to the passenger’s head, such as in the headrest. Because the hardware, software, and acoustic elements all operate on low-latency paths, the technology delivers in-vehicle noise cancellation comparable to premium noise-canceling headphones.
Anthony Manias, Head of Automotive at Silentium, noted that the rapid adoption of plug-in hybrid and full battery electric vehicles has significantly impacted vehicle interiors, making noises like tire sounds more noticeable. “Reducing unwanted noises in the cabin now enables a more focused, relaxed, and safer driving experience. AKM’s sophisticated IC products, combined with Silentium’s advanced broadband active acoustics technology, make a quieter car interior available and affordable for every car user,” he said.
