AES 5th International Conference on Automotive Audio

The overall workshop strategy for the event will be introduced by the workshop chairs, to be followed by a panel discussion on what software architecture is.

This is the very basic beginning of any automotive system which is why we are also starting with this topic. The definition of scope varies widely from person to person. As such, we have invited participants that have proficiency with different start to finish boundaries. Audience participation is highly encouraged, without this aspect we are only listening to ourselves. At the end of the session the objective is to broaden everyone’s understanding of the width and breadth of software architectures.

Audio Foundry provides a springboard for collaborative innovation with its collection of like-minded companies that represent the value-chain for delivering the complete audio ecosystem.

With the advent of alternate propulsion systems, new vehicle architectures, modernised vehicle interiors, software defined and enabled user interface / experiences, the need for next generation of audio experiences and audio system ecosystems is greater than ever.

Audio Foundry proposes having an expertly moderated technical panel discussion on evolution of the audio ecosystem – process of defining an audio architecture, steps for choosing various technologies that can deliver audio experience features and integration of architecture and ecosystem. 

Panelists: Eric Artzen, Mark Cooper, Gavin Jones, Shane Bickerton, Callum Hubbard, Hendrik Hermann, Jonatan Ewald

The audio processing requirements for automotive systems continue to grow. This is driven by a combination of concurrent use cases and high channel counts. To support this, modern SOCs and DSPs employ multiple threads and cores to increase computational throughput. This workshop demonstrates an example integration of the AudioWeaver framework on a heterogeneous multicore chip including a hypervisor on a Cortex-A Complex
and several DSP cores.

Recent years have witnessed a rapid evolution in driving sounds for electric vehicles (EVs), with features once considered groundbreaking, such as user customisation and launch control enhancements, quickly becoming commonplace. As innovation continues, new advancements like in-vehicle content stores, interactive drivable music, and synchronised in-seat haptics are already on the horizon. Meanwhile, amidst fierce market competition and pricing pressures on new EVs, it's evident that the ability to swiftly and efficiently bring innovative sonic experiences to market will be crucial in the software-defined vehicles of tomorrow.

In this hands-on workshop, we'll showcase effective workflows for designing, tuning, and integrating stunning driving sounds, AVAS and interactive driving experiences in general. Initially, we'll deconstruct an advanced driving sound to unveil its fundamental sonic elements and illustrate how these components are structured and routed for optimal performance. We'll delve into the control logic behind these components, enriching the experience with dynamic behaviours that are less predictable, while also incorporating appropriate triggers for integrated chimes and UX sounds.

Subsequently, we'll embark on designing a driving sound from scratch, providing insights into the sound creation process and the configuration of all interactive behaviour. Finally, we'll seamlessly integrate our newly crafted sound into an embedded target, highlighting a streamlined approach to mass production.

Developing a successful ESS system can require a combination of artistry (sound design) and traditional engineering (DSP algorithm design) skills. In this tutorial we explore ESS sound design using the Camden Labs ESS software running on an ARM-based embedded hardware platform. We'll go step-by-step through the creation of a variety of engine sounds including traditional internal combustion engines, as well as more futuristic sounds. Various sound synthesis approaches will be examined, including additive and granular synthesis methods, as well as a Fourier series based approach. Post-processing using a variety of filters and effects to enhance ESS performance will be demonstrated, as well as highly flexible automation features for controlling and altering engine sounds based on real-time information from the vehicle.

This session includes two workshops that focus on NVH, Speech and AVAS.

2:00-3:00pm
Synergizing NVH, Sound, and Speech: Innovating Automotive Design
Explore the cutting-edge integration of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) control with advanced speech recognition in automotive design. This panel will delve into how early-stage planning, strategic hardware choices, and innovative validation standards are transforming in-car voice assistance. Discover strategies for creating adaptable, future-proof systems that enhance user experience across diverse driving conditions, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and ensure inclusive, high-performance speech processing. Be part of the conversation that is shaping the future of connected driving experiences.

Hosts: Fabio Carnetti, Dr. Samira Mohamady
Panelists: Jens Feldhaus, Dr. Sylvain Chevalier, Jacob Soendergaard, Yu Du (Dewey), Dr. Xiaojun Qiu

This workshop discusses the product life cycle of a typical, actively controlled car speaker system from design over pre-production and mass production up to the monitoring and control in the final use inside a car. AVAS (acoustic vehicle alerting systems) are used as an example with respect to special safety and quality requirements. Practical demos during the workshop show typical tasks mandatory for the different phases of product life. Active control comprises the opportunities given by software to support measurements and diagnostics as well as advanced protection and distortion reduction techniques.

The design phase as an early phase balances resources (hardware) and control options (software) to create safe, cost-efficient and sustainable products. This process, known as green speaker design, will be explained shortly. A prototype system is the result of the design phase.

The focus in pre-production is to stress and determine the reliability and robustness of the prototype system for collecting valuable information about limitations and get feedback for possible design improvements. Long term tests under critical conditions, accelerated life testing and the assessment of headroom before failure or destruction are investigated.

In mass production the focus is on fast and reliable reproduction of the prototype including verification at the end-of-line. Particularly for AVAS speaker, leakage testing and comprehensive defect detection in minimal time is key.

Safety requires an early detection of failures in the final use after delivery to customer. Controlled car speakers are permanently monitored and allow a detailed analysis of aging symptoms, excessive distortion, providing indications for potentially failures of the system. Actions can be taken to inform the end-user, the manufacturer and the workshop. The two latter may receive diagnostics information about the time-based variance of the product to efficiently repair the problem and to improve the product quality for next generation products.

Crosstalk Cancellation (CTC) systems enable the delivery of binaural audio without the need for headphones, presenting an exciting opportunity for immersive automotive experiences where spatial audio and independent listening zones coexist. CTC systems use distributions of loudspeakers to control the pressure precisely at the listener’s ears, ensuring exact reproduction of binaural or listener-personalized audio. This workshop will cover the core technology behind CTC systems and explore its potential applications to automotive environments, including Audioscenic’s unique AI-based listener tracking approach. The workshop will also include a real-time demonstration of an Audioscenic-powered listener-tracked CTC soundbar.

Theoretical reason and qualitative evidence is given why auditory envelopment (AE) could have a stimulating effect on the human body; possibly even akin to affective touch, identified and studied first by Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg.

Immersive audio formats have a higher capacity than stereo to influence AE in listeners. Factors in the car cabin and its audio reproduction system design, as conveyors of potential AE, are discussed and exemplified.

The in-vehicle audio performance “envelope” is a conceptual space - with dynamic range as its height and spectral range as its width - into which program material must fit so that the loudest sounds are reproduced without distortion, and the quietest are also clearly audible. How can we design vehicles and sound systems to optimise its shape and area? What features must it exhibit to best support a wide range of program sources and types? And, is the performance envelope an efficient way to communicate a vehicle’s system-level audio performance, or is there a better way to achieve this end?

Developed under the auspices of the AES TC-AA, the v1.0 of the white paper is the first step in bringing consensus to measuring essential audio attributes in a car.

This session will feature expert panelists who will share pro tips and challenges when measuring frequency response, max SPL, and impulsive distortion in the car.

This will also be the forum to solicit input from the audience to influence v2.0 of the white paper.

Automotive scenarios are some of the most challenging for audio deployments. Engine and tyre noise, wind, and poor acoustic dynamics of vehicle cabs all contribute to pollute the listening experience - nevermind trying to hold a clear and intelligent phone conversation. Combating these challenges means that advanced audio algorithms need to be developed, increasingly using AI and ML techniques.

These advanced audio algorithms are valuable. Valuable in terms of the revenue they can generate; and valuable in terms of how intellectual property can underpin a company’s worth. Many organizations have been built on the value of their audio algorithms.

The unfortunate truth is that valuable algorithms are targeted by hackers and unscrupulous competitors alike. They are looking to gain from the developers’ hard work. Algorithms are reverse engineered to learn their secrets, or simply lifted wholesale and used in unlicensed deployments.

In this tutorial, PACE Anti-Piracy will share its 35 years experience of protecting software intellectual property, discussing the risks of reverse engineering, and providing practical steps you can take to protect your algorithms. Protecting your algorithms ultimately protects the value of your business.

Presenters: Stefan Irrgang, Joachim Schlechter and Stephan Schönfeld