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Current developments in the automotive industry such as downsizing, the use of cylinder deactivation and consistent lightweight construction increasingly enable the application of active control systems for the further reduction of noise and vibration in vehicles. In the past few years, different configurations of actuators and sensors for the realization of an active control system have been investigated and evaluated experimentally. Active engine mounts, inertial mass actuators and structural integrated actuators can be used to reduce either structural vibrations or the interior noise level. As a result, a variety of different topology concepts for the realization of an active control system arises. These can be divided into an active vibration control scenario, the direct influence of the sound field with loudspeakers or the application of structural actuators for the reduction of the interior sound pressure.

The automotive industry is aiming at both reducing the weight of the vehicles while improving a high level of comfort. This causes contradicting requirements for the systems used for noise and vibration control. Thus, active systems are investigated which may enhance the performance of passive noise and vibration control in vehicles without adding excessive weight. In this paper, basic principles for the implementations of those systems with a focus on the control systems are reviewed. Examples from implementations in automotive applications are presented, including control of engine vibrations, structure borne noise transmitted from the road into the passenger compartment and low-frequency chassis vibrations. Based on adaptive filter systems already widely used in active noise control adaptation of the control algorithms to the specific application scenarios are discussed.