Acoustics and sonar

Thema:
Ocean resilience and transparency
Sonar distinguishes fish species

Sound is omnipresent in our society. Often it is a nuisance and by-product of human activities, but it is also used as a tool to further our vision, for instance underwater. The acoustics and sonar group strives to support governments and industry in the Netherlands and abroad to better understand, use and control sound.

Our team of 22 PhDs, 16 MScs and 12 engineers carries out applied scientific research on topics related to acoustics and sonar. The Acoustics group provides R&D and consultancy services for industry and the public sector on noise control at the source, in the propagation path and on exposure at the receiver.

Capabilities include model development (numerical and theoretical), experimental testing and monitoring, system and software development, product innovation, and impact and policy studies. Through involvement in European research, standardization work and links with universities and partners, a broad range of acoustic expertise is available.

Our expertise

The Acoustics group offers expertise and innovative solutions covering environmental noise, occupational noise, product quality, detection and diagnostics technology. We develop integral solutions by taking the whole chain from source to receiver into account, in a multidisciplinary approach.

  • Traffic noise
  • Underwater warfare and security
  • Underwater noise and environment
  • Noise control engineering
  • Impulsive noise

Noise control

The propagation of sound through air and physical structures is a complex phenomenon. Within the Noise Control expertise group, there is extensive knowledge on this subject. Through its activities, Noise Control makes a unique contribution to the livability, health, and safety of civilians and military personnel in the Netherlands. We cover two application areas: reducing noise nuisance and acoustic detection and monitoring in outdoor environments.

The acoustic environment is important for people's well-being. Excessive and prolonged exposure to noise, or sudden loud bangs, can cause significant nuisance. Noise can damage the auditory organ, and low-frequency noise causes vibrations that can be perceived as annoying.

The Noise Control expertise group conducts acoustic measurements and provides advice to companies and governments (civil and military) in this area. There is extensive experience in, among other things, transport noise (rail traffic, road traffic), industrial noise (ground-based noise or barracks areas), noise in buildings, and shooting noise (weapons and ammunition).

For example, TNO contributes to the permitting process around military barracks and training areas. TNO is also consulted to reduce the noise levels of industry and railways, or to mitigate their annoying effects. Knowledge is regularly shared with adjacent expertise groups, such as those of underwater acoustics and sonar.

The physical properties of sound can be used to acoustically detect and monitor moving and flying objects. The Noise Control expertise group also focuses on acoustic detection and monitoring. One application area is, for example, visualising noise nuisance in city centres and along roads, using acoustic sensors such as an 'acoustic speed camera'.

Such systems can help enforcers reduce noise nuisance. Another application area is the national security domain. For example, research is being conducted into reducing the acoustic detection distance of our own units. Or, how acoustic detection can be exploited to detect and monitor suspicious units such as drones.

For its research and analysis capacity, Noise Control has:

  • High-quality microphones and other hardware for sound measurements
  • Unique calculation, analysis, and engineering software developed by TNO
  • A team of multidisciplinary researchers, with both civil and military domain knowledge

Our Noise Control team consists of specialists from various disciplines who use their expertise to solve your acoustic challenge. The team's expertise has been nationally and internationally recognised for many years, contributing to TNO often having the latest insights. This allows Noise Control to provide the best possible support to its customers and partners.