Panasonic develops integrated noise control for Nissan Elgrand

Panasonic Automotive Systems has developed an integrated Active Noise Control (ANC) system designed for series hybrid vehicles that simultaneously suppresses both engine noise and road noise. This technology will make its first production application in the new Nissan Elgrand.

Unlike traditional ANC systems that primarily target engine noise based on RPM, this integrated approach uses multiple acceleration sensors placed near the engine and tires to measure vibrations directly. A high-performance controller analyzes this vibration data alongside acoustic information from interior microphones to generate anti-phase sounds through the vehicle's speakers, canceling out noise in real time.

The system is particularly relevant for electrified vehicles where the reduction in engine noise makes road noise more prominent. In the Nissan Elgrand, which utilizes the e-POWER system, the technology is included as standard on the X and G grades. Some configurations may also feature zone control, allowing passengers to prioritize noise reduction in specific areas, such as the rear seats.