AN OVERVIEW OF ACTIVE NOISE CONTROL

Active noise control is commonly described as the cancellation of unwanted noise by the introduction of "anti noise". As early as 1933 Leug patented this concept and since the 1950's it has received a great deal of investigation. However it is only recently, as a result of significant advances in digital signal processing techniques, that Leug's concept has become an achievable and practical reality. Active noise control has shown promise as a means of effectively minimising low frequency noise, with many examples of success in industrial and commercial applications. Subsequently, it has been heralded by some as the "cure-all" for every conceivable noise problem. However, while many institutions worldwide work towards broadening its horizons, the practicalities are still limited by the complexity of acoustic fields, cost, and difficulties experienced in the application of the technology. This paper traces the history of active noise control, presents an overview of the general principles and technology, and reviews examples of both practical and impractical applications.