Active sound and vibration control: A technology in transition

This paper reviews recent progress in the active control of sound and vibration and discusses the technical challenges and opportunities that must be addressed to enable widespread application of this technology. The emphasis is on the nature of technological change and the great potential for improvement that exists for active sound and vibration control due to the computer-based nature of the technology, A new model for technological development, described by Utterback in his recent book, Mastering the Dynamics of Innovation, is used as a framework to describe the current state of active sound and vibration control technology. (C) 1996 Institute of Noise Control Engineering.