Multi-Sound-Module AVAS
Vehicle sounds for hybrid and electric vehicles
The streetscape is changing more and more. An increasing number of hybrid and electric vehicles are participating in road traffic. The soundscape also changes accordingly. Because hybrid and electric vehicles are nearly silent in comparison to conventional combustion engines, new challenges arise for traffic and occupational safety—especially for pedestrians and cyclists. For this reason, AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems) are required by law to ensure a minimum level of driving noise. miunske® offers a solution that meets this requirement. With the Multi-Sound-Module AVAS (MSM-AVAS), customers can generate compliant warning sounds and customizable driving noises. The following blog post takes a detailed look at the product’s features and the options available to customers in terms of sound customization.
Why AVAS – legal requirements for vehicle sounds
Legislators have responded to increase road safety. In the European Union, EU Regulation No. 540/2014 stipulates that all new type approvals for hybrid and electric vehicles must be equipped with an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) from July 2021 onwards.
The AVAS system has to meet certain requirements:
It has to be active between 0 and 20 km/h and when reversing.
The generated sound has to be comparable to that of a combustion engine in order to be intuitively recognizable as vehicle noise to road users.
The sound level has to vary depending on speed – minimum 56 dB(A), maximum 75 dB(A) according to UN ECE R138.
The Multi-Sound-Module AVAS by miunske
The sound makes the difference
With the AVAS multi-sound module, customer can individually configure the acoustics and noise emissions of their vehicle. The sounds can adapt to the dimension, the weight, the rpm or the speed of the vehicle. In addition to safety, the module also offers vehicle manufacturers the potential to establish acoustic branding.
Technology & hardware- product features of the AVAS-Module
The Multi-Sound-Module AVAS has three independently controllable audio outputs that enable differentiated acoustic signal output—for example, for exterior sounds (AVAS driving tone), interior alerts (e.g., driver assistance systems), and safety-related warning tones. One advantage: one of these channels can be dynamically overlaid with warning tones to audibly highlight situation-specific priorities when necessary.
Two digital inputs handle discrete vehicle information.
For seamless communication with the vehicle control system, the module has a CANopen-compliant interface.
Thanks to its design as a multi-voltage vehicle component, the AVAS module can be used universally in commercial vehicles and work machines, right through to special-purpose vehicles. As you would expect from miunske components, the compact design, which can be either screw-mounted or fully potted, offers a high degree of mechanical robustness. This makes the module particularly suitable for use in harsh environments with high vibration level.
Soundgeneration for electric commercial vehicles with the appropriate audio-software
With software specially developed for sound design requirements, vehicle manufacturers, developers, and technicians are able to create individual vehicle sounds independently of hardware that comply with the UN ECE R138 standard.
Whether customers want to get creative with sound design themselves, choose a basic sound from the sound library, or entrust miunske with sound generation, the software makes it possible and is available as freeware in the miunske-toolchain.
All relevanten informationen, technical details as well as answers to questions about the Audio-Synthesizer Software can be found in the AVAS product brochure.
Step by Step – AVAS sound generating explained in detail
Compared to conventional piezo signal generators or simple buzzers, the multi-sound module offers numerous advantages. One key feature is the individual sound design of different signals. This can be designed using the free parameterization interface of the miunske-toolchain and tailored precisely to your needs. Adjustable features:
To make sound design as easy as possible, the tutorial shows customers which settings to consider and where adjustments can or even have to be made. By following the tutorial, users should have no trouble generating sounds with the AVAS module.
miunske® service: sound generation und AVAS parameterization for commercial vehicles
For customers who prefer to choose a service provider for AVAS parameterization, miunske offers the appropriate support. To ensure a smooth process, customers provide a requirements profile including the corresponding CAN bus parameters for the desired sound and engage the miunske development team to create the sound and deliver the parameterized MSM AVAS.
Then all that remains is connect the AVAS module to the actuators in the vehicle and set the volume level via CANopen.
Possible application szenarios for the MSM AVAS in electric vehicles
AVAS for electric delivery vehicles in urban areas
When MSM AVAS is used in electric transporters, pedestrians and cyclists in particular can detect the vehicle earlier. A clearly audible tone can be used to signal both forward and reverse movements of the vehicle in different ways depending on the speed. In addition, the driver of the transporter can receive warning messages for dangerous situations inside the vehicle.
AVAS for electric agricultural vehicles, work machines, and commercial vehicles
Electric drive models for vehicles on farms make particular sense if there are self-sufficient power sources that provide adequate energy. With the growing trend toward self-sufficient energy supply, the proportion of electrically powered farm loaders, forklifts, and other work machines used on farms will also increase significantly in the future. Why does the use of MSM AVAS make sense here in particular?
Visibility in the work environment is poor, especially in the early morning and evening hours. In addition, there are employees and owners who constantly cross the driving routes. Also it is not uncommon that driving areas are confined. The use of MSM AVAS in these vehicles is a real safety factor here. The AVAS module enables electric vehicles, which emit different sound profiles in different driving modes, to support safer workflows. In addition, the perceptibility of the vehicles is increased, especially at low speeds.
AVAS for construction machinery and commercial vehicles
Small vehicles and construction machinery with electric drives and operation are becoming increasingly common, especially in urban areas. The decision is based on both efficiency and noise considerations. Nevertheless, precisely these often heavy vehicles and work machines need to be clearly recognizable to construction workers, pedestrians, and other road users due to their potential danger, as there is no noise from diesel engines. Here, the AVAS module can provide efficient support by making vehicle movements audible in a legally compliant manner and generating warning signals.
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