QNX, a division of Blackberry which supplies software to Chrysler for UConnect, has developed a new system that “reduces engine harmonics below 150 Hz” by using information from the car computer and microphones. It then generates anti-noise signals (equal in magnitude and opposite in phase to the noise) through the car’s existing speakers. While such systems exist in high-end cars today, they generally rely on hardware processing, while this is a (mostly) software solution which taps existing software and signal processors.

qnx noise reduction system

The QNX system was designed to deal with changes in the number of passengers and cargo in the vehicle, seat positions, temperature, and such. It provides automaker with a choice of using a master calibration among many cars, or individually calibrating each car on the assembly line.

The company claims that a three-microphone, three-speaker setup uses under 25K of RAM and can has less than a 22 MHz CPU load while processing an engine order.

While there have been no reports of Chrysler using the technology, it could make its way into high-end Chrysler vehicles such as the 300C and Grand Cherokee, or be used by Alfa Romeo and Maserati, which share Chrysler’s QNX-based UConnect systems.

Thanks, Mike Volkmann.