Honda HALO Wind Tunnel - Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics Testing

Honda recently opened one of the most state-of-the-art wind tunnels anywhere, and it includes Siemens Simcenter Wind Tunnel Aero-acoustic testing hardware and software. The main purpose of the new wind tunnel, Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio (HALO), located outside of Columbus, Ohio, US, is to provide all the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics testing on everything from clay models through to production cars. As well as Honda’s US-based Auto Development Center, it supports two major factories in the area with their activities related to wind noise, quality sampling, and customer satisfaction.

Aeroacoustics testing has become even more important in the development of electric vehicles. With no internal combustion engine masking sounds, wind and road noise are now much more noticeable. As vehicles have evolved, it has become more complicated to diagnose the sources of sounds. So, limiting background noise is critical for aeroacoustics testing, and HALO is perhaps the quietest wind tunnel on the planet.

HALO has been designed for maximum efficiency, using integrated systems as a key to successful, efficient testing. To ensure this integration, HALO uses Simcenter testing hardware and software for its aero-acoustic testing. External and internal microphone arrays connect to Simcenter SCADAS hardware to capture data. This connects with Simcenter Testlab software to quickly identify problems in almost real time. Engineers then carry out root cause analysis to understand what’s creating the noise.

With HALO in place, Honda is now perfectly positioned to develop the most comfortable cars of the future. The partnership with Siemens has delivered a world-leading facility that is unrivalled in its scope and breadth. As vehicles continue to evolve and abnormal noises become more noticeable, HALO engineers will be able to locate and eliminate them more efficiently and swiftly than at any other wind tunnel in the world.

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