HEAD acoustics | Sound Quality by Innovation

1986
Milestones in 1986

It all started with...
Klaus Genuit founds HEAD acoustics GmbH at the Aachen Technology Center (TZA) of the Aachen Association for Innovation and Technology Transfer (AGIT)

Development of a method for deriving structure-borne sound components from artificial head signals and reproducing them via low-frequency loudspeakers (in cooperation with Daimler AG and the communications engineering institute of RWTH Aachen)

Examinations of speech intelligibility of talk-listen devices in environments with interfering noise regarding the influence of different noise components on speech intelligibility
1987
Milestones in 1987
The HPS I playback system allows an authentic reproduction of artificial head recordings.

A patent is filed for a direction-independent and sound-field-independent interface for equalizing artificial head signals (ID interface).

A patent is filed for a method for using talk-listen devices to improve speech intelligibility in environments with interfering noise.
1988
Milestones in 1988
BAS, the first binaural analysis system for aurally accurate sound analysis, is brought to market; BAS was developed for the operating systems DOS and UNIX.

The HMS II artificial head with a simplified, mathematically describable geometry and a representative directional response pattern replaces the HMS I.

Development of an analysis system for the telecommunications industry is started.
1989
Milestones in 1989
Relocation to the Herzogenrath Technology Park (TPH)

Sonic Perceptions, Inc. becomes a sales and service company for the North American market

The globally patented HMS II measurement system receives an award for good design from Industrieform (if).

Various customer projects, e.g. dealing with cockpit noise, assessment of low-noise pavements, pass-by measurements of vehicles, encapsulation of Diesel engines, exterior noise of motorcycles, noise annoyance from sandblasters, acoustic monitoring of a steel mill etc.

Expansion of the telecommunications division to the area of outdoor systems, particularly cellular telephony.
1990
Milestones in 1990
Development of the HMS II.3 artificial head (P.58) for the telecommunications industry

Participation in important standardization organizations regarding questions of speech technology, voice transmission and voice communications

A patent is filed for a method for aurally accurate spectral analysis, which accounts for the time and frequency resolution of human hearing.
1991
Milestones in 1991
A patent is filed for an iterative method for high-resolution spectral analysis and extrapolation of signals.

A new method for determining acoustic harshness is presented.
1992
Milestones in 1992
Foundation of HEAD consult GmbH

CAS, the analysis system for the telecommunications industry, is brought to market.

Participation in the AQUSTA research project, which pursues various approaches for the realization of an aurally accurate binaural simulation of vehicle interior noise for the prediction of sound quality (Binaural Transfer Path Analysis).
1993
Milestones in 1993
The HMS II.3 becomes the first artificial head to be standardized and significantly shapes the basis of the ITU-T recommendation P.58 for artificial heads used for measurements of telecommunications systems.

Participation in the SCATIS research project, which examines acoustic and tactile feedback in virtual environments (1993-1996)
1994
Milestones in 1994
The MAS analysis system is the first multi-channel system for the diagnosis of vehicle interior noise. MAS allows the connection of artificial head signals with signals from triaxial acceleration sensors. In real time, an 8-channel DSP board analyzes several channels, from which order analyses can be extracted.

The first ISDN measurement station (with the MFE IV frontend) for the examination of telecommunications systems is installed.

Participation in the VETIR research project, which deals with applications of virtual reality technology in rehabilitation (1994-1997)
1995
Milestones in 1995
Development of the first mobile Sound Quality Laboratory for on-site multi-channel measurement and analysis

Participation in the MORIS research project aimed at the development of a motorcycle driving simulator (1995-1998)
1996
Milestones in 1996
Relocation to a dedicated building at Ebertstrasse 30a in Herzogenrath

Development of the “SoundCar” for playback of vehicle interior noise in a realistic vehicle environment

Presentation of the “Relative Approach” analysis, which follows the principles of human sound processing regarding adaptivity and detection of spectral and temporal patterns

The simplified type 3.4 pinna model of the HMS II.3 is included in the ITU-T recommendation P.57.

The ITU-T recommendation P.501 contains new test signals developed by HEAD acoustics.

A patent is filed for a new method for the analysis of sound events.

HEAD Telecom develops the first DECT measurement station.

Development of the binaural head microphone BHM III, which allows binaural recordings without an artificial head

Presentation of the new positioning device for telephone handsets, HHP I

Participation in the research projects OBELICS and AUDIS; OBELICS (1996-1999) deals with the development of methods and tools for the objective description of vehicle noise, AUDIS (1996-1999) deals with the development of new communication aids for cockpits based on virtual environments.
1997
Milestones in 1997
Klaus Genuit starts to lecture on psychoacoustics at RWTH Aachen.

With the new HMS III artificial head and the HPS IV playback system, a new product family and technology is introduced.

The new sound simulation system H3S allows interactive playback of vehicle interior noise and vibrations in the SoundCar and other stationary simulators.

Transfer path analysis and synthesis (BTPA/BTPS) are presented as a product; they allow, for the first time, an auralization of individual transfer paths in the time domain.

A patent is filed for a method for the simulation of vehicle interior noise.
1998
Milestones in 1998
The Windows-based multi-channel analysis software ArtemiS replaces BAS; in the following years, ArtemiS becomes the most successful software solution in the NVH area.

The pressure-dependent positioning of telephone handsets for the simplified pinna model of the HMS II.3 is standardized in the ITU-T recommendation P.64.

Participation in the D.O.S.E research project for the development of a noise exposimeter (dosimeter) for persons (1998-2000)

Publication of the first HEAD acoustics Speech Quality Standard HQS

A patent is filed for a new method for the identification and elimination of interfering noise.
1999
Milestones in 1999
HEAD acoustics GmbH is subdivided into the areas HEAD NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) and HEAD Telecom.

HEAD consult GmbH is merged with HEAD acoustics GmbH as a new department of the NVH division.

Acquisition of Sonic Perceptions, Inc .; Change of name to HEAD acoustics, Inc.

Presentation of the NoiseBook, a particularly user-friendly mobile software and hardware solution used especially by beginners

Development of the first VoIP test system based on CAS
2000
Milestones in 2000
Development of a mobile sound simulation system, which can be mounted in a stock vehicle for simulating vehicle interior noise in accordance with the actual driving situation (mobile H3S)

The new modular frontend system SQlab II is presented.

The first ETSI VoIP Speech Quality Test Event is held with the collaboration of HEAD acoustics.

The ITU-T recommendations P.502 and P.340 (testing methods for telephonometry and hands-free equipment) are released; they contain new testing methods developed by HEAD acoustics.

Participation in the research projects NABUCCO and SVEN; NABUCCO (2000-2003) deals with the development of enhanced and cost-efficient methods for noise reduction of home appliances using transfer path analysis, SVEN (2000-2003) deals with the simulation of vehicle exterior noise by means of near-field measurements at the relevant vehicle components.
2001
Milestones in 2001
HEAD acoustics France, SARL, is founded.

The HEAD TrainingCenter starts operations.

The ACQUA measurement system replaces CAS; ACQUA is a powerful and very user-friendly analysis system for the examination of speech and audio quality in all areas of communication.

The newly developed HMS III is the first artificial head system with USB interface and fully digital signal processing.

VDA specification for hands-free communications equipment in vehicles
2002
Milestones in 2002
HEAD acoustics Japan, K.K., is founded.

Development of the SQuare jury testing system

Development of the modular multi-channel frontend system SQlab III

The newly developed BEQ II combines the features of a high-end 2-channel ICP frontend and a programmable equalizer.
2003
Milestones in 2003
Dedication of an extension building with a 4-wheel dynamometer for off-road vehicles in a semi-anechoic room

The small, handy and powerful 4-channel frontend SQuadriga revolutionizes mobile data acquisition, e.g. with its possibility to store time domain signals directly on the device.
2004
Milestones in 2004
Klaus Genuit is appointed fellow of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA).

A new, context-sensitive, combined sound assessment method is developed, allowing an efficient and reliable definition of target sounds.

The programmable, digital equalizer PEQ V is brought to market.
2005
Milestones in 2005
With SENSE, a method for the measurement, simulation and binaural auralization of vehicle pass-by sounds is developed.

Development of the “Quality Pie” (P.505)

Participation in the EU project “QCity” (as of 2005), which promotes the development of an integrated technology infrastructure allowing efficient examinations of road and rail noise and the development of solutions for its reduction

The first NVH User Group meeting is held in Germany.

The sound simulation systems are supplemented by sound design tools allowing individual sound sources and transfer paths to be modified.
2006
Milestones in 2006
The innovative HEAD Recorder software is introduced.

The mobile USB frontend OctoBox+ is presented.

Development of the background noise simulator HAE-BGN/car

For the recording, detection and evaluation of brake noise while driving, the Brake Observer is developed and combined with a “Brake Objective Noise Index” (BONI).
2007
Milestones in 2007
The PROGNO[I]SE software allows the synthesis and prediction of noise based on measured excitation signals and transfer functions.

HEAD Telecom presents the MFE VIII front-end.

Presentation of the HSU III. 2, the first artificial head with ICP^® microphones
2008
Milestones in 2008
Klaus Genuit becomes honorary professor at RWTH Aachen.

A new complex of buildings is built, containing modern test stands, sound measurement rooms and many new offices.

Foundation of the “HEAD Genuit Trust“ as a public utility institution based in Herzogenrath

HEAD VISOR, an innovation in the area of microphone array technology, is brought to market.

With the HMS IV, HEAD acoustics presents a new generation of artificial heads; the HMS IV is the first artificial head that supports stand-alone operation with a CompactFlash card.

Development of a new positioning device for telephone handsets, HHP III

Presentation of MFE IX and MFE X

“Observing Member” of GCF

Development of 3QUEST

Presentation of the HSU III.3, the low-noise variant of the artificial head with only 6 dB(A) of inherent noise
2009
Milestones in 2009
HEAD acoustics is co-initiator of the first “Aachen Acoustics Colloquium“ (AAC).

CAT-iq^TM 2.0, the first certified acoustic broadband testing system, is developed.

The HEAD Data Portal for the documentation and management of NVH data is presented.

HEAD acoustics becomes a member of the MDM community.
2010
Milestones in 2010
Development of broadband systems for the telecommunications industry

Introduction of the new modular frontend system HEADlab
2011
Milestones in 2011
The ArtemiS SUITE is the new software solution for all areas of sound and vibration analysis, replacing the classic ArtemiS.

SQuadriga II, the new, handy mobile recording and playback frontend, supplements the successful SQuadriga.

HEAD acoustics becomes an ASAM member.
2012
Milestones in 2012
Development of EQUEST (Echo Quality Evaluation of Speech in Telecommunications)

Development of tests for "Automated Double Talk", an automated analysis of double talk behavior of telecommunications equipment

Presentation of Telecom front end MFE VIII.1 for VoIP applications and establishment of the new VoLTE (4G) mobile telephony standards

Expansion of Telecom measuring stations by procurement of a third measurement chamber

BHS II – The calibratable binaural headset

OTPA as a new tool pack for PROGNO[I]SE
2013
Milestones in 2013
labDX supports Flexray

Presentation of Telecom front end labBGN for background noise simulation

Development of the handset positioner HHP III.1 VariMount

Establishment of measurement standards „Skype-Lync Unified“ for Microsoft specifications Skype & MS-Lync
2014
Milestones in 2014
For the first time exhibitors at the Mobile World Congress Barcelona (largest and most important trade fair in the world in mobile communications) with own stand. Presenting the HHP IV MotoMount, a motorized prototype handset positioner for artificial head measurement system HMS II.3

Introduction of the 3PASS technology for background noise simulation, which - aside from level and frequency response - now also includes realistic directional patterns

Development of HEAD acoustics Quality Standard HQS-ICC for test of in-car communication in vehicles

ADAC (General German Automobile Club) uses HEAD acoustics hardware and software in its test of voice control systems

New impact measurement tool

Real time filtering

Always up to date with the HEAD Updater
2015
Milestones in 2015
SoundSeat, multimodal playback system for vehicle interior noise

labCOMPACT, noiseless HEADlab compact modules for 12 or 24 analog/ICP^® sensors

VISOR Probe, near-field probe for detecting low-frequency noise components

SQobold - Pioneering 4-channel measuring system for sound, vibration and psychoacoustic analysis

Establishment of HEAD acoustics UK Ltd

Introduction of new department SPA (Sound Perception and Assessment)

VMA II.1 – Beamforming even simpler

Launch of HHP IV - MotoMount - Motorized handset positioner

First delivery of an eCall measurement system to a Russian test laboratory for testing according to the Russian GOST standard

Expansion of Telecom measuring stations by procurement of a fourth measurement chamber

Expansion of office space by moving into newly built section
2016
Milestones in 2016
HEAD acoustics Korea Co., Ltd is founded

ArtemiS SUITE goes 64 Bit

Sound Engineering Tool

ArtemiS SUITE Compact Analysis (ASM 10) – the modern alternative to NoiseBook

Video Tutorials – HEAD acoustics goes social media

HEAD acoustics | 1986 - 2016 | In Retrospect

Milestones in 1986

Milestones in 1987

Milestones in 1988

Milestones in 1989

Milestones in 1990

Milestones in 1991

Milestones in 1992

Milestones in 1993

Milestones in 1994

Milestones in 1995

Milestones in 1996

Milestones in 1997

Milestones in 1998

Milestones in 1999

Milestones in 2000

Milestones in 2001

Milestones in 2002

Milestones in 2003

Milestones in 2004

Milestones in 2005

Milestones in 2006

Milestones in 2007

Milestones in 2008

Milestones in 2009

Milestones in 2010

Milestones in 2011

Milestones in 2012

Milestones in 2013

Milestones in 2014

Milestones in 2015

Milestones in 2016