Have you ever noticed how a luxury car door ""thuds"" smoothly while a cheaper one ""clangs,"" or why some electric motors hum pleasantly while others are irritating? These experiences are the result of precise Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) engineering. NVH performance defines how a product sounds, feels, and conveys quality across industries like automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics. In this course, you’ll gain a hands-on understanding of NVH testing, data acquisition, and signal processing using accessible, free tools. You’ll learn how engineers capture vibration and sound data, analyze signals, and apply techniques to improve product comfort and acoustic performance. Designed for aspiring NVH engineers and mechanical professionals, this course blends theory with real-world applications.

Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH) Testing

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What you'll learn
Apply principles of acoustics and vibration to evaluate noise, vibration, and harshness in vehicles.
Capture and analyze NVH signals using data acquisition tools and open-source software for diagnostics.
Develop data-driven NVH improvement strategies by applying analysis methods to real-world systems.
Details to know

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December 2025
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There are 3 modules in this course
In this module, you’ll learn the basics of Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH). You’ll explore what causes NVH in machines and vehicles and why it matters for comfort and product quality. You’ll also understand how NVH is measured and how human perception affects the way we judge sound and vibration.
What's included
4 videos2 readings1 peer review
This module focuses on how to collect and process NVH data. You’ll learn how sensors and data systems capture vibration and sound signals, and how to clean and analyze them using basic signal processing methods like FFT and filtering. We’ll also use a free tool, REW (Room EQ Wizard), to visualize and understand NVH signals.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 peer review
In this final module, you’ll learn how to assess and improve product sound and feel. You’ll explore how engineers rate sound quality and find vibration issues, then use methods like damping and isolation to fix them. You’ll also see how before-and-after testing confirms the success of NVH improvements.
What's included
5 videos1 reading1 assignment2 peer reviews
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