Standardization efforts in Germany on the quality of software products for the prediction of environmental sound emission

Abstract

Based on ISO/IEC 12119 for quality requirements and testing of software packages, a special standard has been drafted for software products designed for noise mapping and related tasks of environmental noise control. The most important aspects are related to the definition and testing of software precision and to an interface suitable for data exchange between various programs. In a first step, the potential consistency of the software calculation procedures with standarized procedures is checked by test cases. Since switches can be set in most programs to accelerate calculation procedures for complex and extended situations, a second step is required to control the precision obtainable by the user for his special application. This is done on a statistical basis. Most of the effort is generally spent with the collection, adjustment, and input of geometrical data. In order to simplify repeated runs for modified situations and to allow for maximum flexibility of users, a common interface has been defined for all acoustically relevant data determined for a first run. This helps avoid errors and allows for data exchange suitable for comparison of different programs and situations.