Active noise control in aircraft cabins

Abstract

There is significant interest from the aircraft industry to reduce the noise and vibration levels in aircraft cabins. In the last 5 years, active noise and vibration control systems have been introduced and have been shown to have transformed the environment of turboprop aircraft. These systems have provided significant reductions in cabin noise and vibration and further improvements are being sought. Tonal noise control was the most important objective and also the easiest to implement. Further improvements in the reduction of propeller and engine tones can be achieved, but the focus is beginning to shift to the control of broadband noise. This paper will review the performance of current systems and identify the areas where improvement will be required to meet the industrial objective. It will also review the available technology and identify the areas which are most likely to be successful with the practical constraints of an aircraft environment.