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Active Sound Design (ASD): Notes

The Active Sound Design (ASD) affects the perception of the engine noise in the passenger compartment despite restrictive limit values for exterior noise. Depending on the engine speed and vehicle speed, the engine noise in the passenger compartment is adjusted according to the pedal sensor position. Audio playback of the Active Sound Design (ASD) is performed by the speakers.

For certain vehicles, an electrical engine sound may also be generated (e.g. I12).

The Active Sound Design (ASD) is available in the following audio systems:

The following graphic shows the incorporation of the Active Sound Design (ASD) in the different audio systems.

Fig 1: Active Sound Design Communication Diagram
G09841161Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Item Explanation
1 Headunit
2 Active Sound Design (ASD)
3 Speakers
4 Hi-fi amplifier with bus connection (AMPH) or hi-fi amplifier without bus connection
5 Top HiFi amplifier (AMPT) or High End audio amplifier (AMPT)

Active Sound Design (ASD) in the stereo system (standard equipment). 

In the stereo system, the Active Sound Design (ASD) will be woken up by K-CAN2 (E89: K-CAN). The Active Sound Design (ASD) fuses the audio signals coming from the headunit with the vehicle-specific and engine-specific audio signal. At the same time, the Active Sound Design (ASD) functions as an audio amplifier in this system. The combined and amplified audio signals are transmitted to the relevant speakers by the Active Sound Design (ASD).

Active Sound Design (ASD) in the hi-fi system. 

In the hi-fi system, the Active Sound Design (ASD) is installed between the headunit and the audio amplifier (hi-fi amplifier with bus connection (AMPH) and/or hi-fi amplifier without bus connection).

The Active Sound Design will be woke up by K-CAN2 (E89: K-CAN). The Active Sound Design fuses the audio signals coming from the headunit with the corresponding vehicle-specific and engine-specific audio signal. Then the Active Sound Design (ASD) forwards the modified signals to the audio amplifier. The combined audio signals are transmitted to the relevant speakers by the audio amplifier.

Active Sound Design (ASD) in the Top HiFi system and High End audio system with 16 speakers, for example. 

Active Sound Design (ASD) is installed in the Top HiFi system as well as the High End audio system. The Active Sound Design (ASD) is woken by the K-CAN2 and generates the vehicle-specific and engine-specific audio signals. The Active Sound Design (ASD) continuously forwards the generated signals to the relevant audio amplifier (AMPT). The audio signals from the headunit and the signals from the Active Sound Design (ASD) are combined in the audio amplifier (AMPT) and transmitted to the relevant speakers.

The Active Sound Design (ASD), e.g. for the Top HiFi system in F10, is shown below.

Fig 2: Overview Of Active Sound Design Components
G09841162Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Item Explanation
1 Mid-range speaker, front center
2 Tweeter, front center
3 Tweeter, front door, right
4 Mid-range speaker, front door, right
5 Bass speaker, front right
6 Tweeter, rear door, right
7 Mid-range speaker, rear door, right
8 Mid-range speaker, storage shelf, right
9 Tweeter, storage shelf, right
10 Audio amplifier (AMPT)
11 Active Sound Design (ASD)
12 Tweeter, storage shelf, left
13 Mid-range speaker, storage shelf, left
14 Mid-range speaker, rear door, left
15 Tweeter, rear door, left
16 Bass speaker, front left
17 Mid-range speaker, front door, left
18 Tweeter, front door, left