Using sound and light panels in on-the-ground research for up-in-the-air experiences

The National Research Council's Cabin Comfort and Environment Research Centre to recreate realistic in-flight sound and light conditions and enhance air travelers' experience

On all levels, the National Research Council of Canada's (NRC) Cabin Comfort and Environment Research Centre is revolutionary. Located beside Ottawa's Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW), the Centre will recreate the air travel experience to help industry develop and evaluate new cabin interior concepts. From passengers' interaction with the airport environment to their in-cabin experience, the Centre's flexible aircraft cabin simulation lab, one of several at the facility, will allow industry partners to conduct a wide range of research and testing projects.

This ground-breaking facility will make use of innovative technology such as a Sound and Light Simulator Panel that will accurately reproduce the sound and light levels passengers experience during flight. The simulator panels will be used to evaluate window shade, lighting, and acoustic technologies, and can also be manipulated to function as speakers for passenger announcements and as noise cancellation devices. In addition to replicating sound fields, creating the distinct and variable lighting environment of a typical cabin during flight is crucial for any cabin simulator. This technology mimics the sun/daylight and glare experienced by passengers in flight, replicating these conditions by adjusting the angle and intensity of LED lights in the panels.

"The Cabin Comfort and Environment Research Centre will be a robust platform tailored to the aerospace aviation industry for testing and demonstrating innovations to improve the passenger travel experience and crew efficiency," said Jerzy Komorowski, General Manager of Aerospace at NRC. "As one of many new technologies that will soon be advanced through this state-of-the-art facility, the Sound and Light Simulator Panel is already improving in-flight experience."

The project supports the work of NRC's Working and Travelling on Aircraft program, which identifies cost-effective approaches to improve the air traveler experience, improve cabin air quality, and reduce the energy consumption of environmental control systems in military and commercial aircraft.

For more information about the National Research Council of Canada, its aerospace programs, capabilities, and facilities, visit our Aerospace research and development expertise website.