Simcenter 3D Solutions Importing narrowband data in dB into Simcenter 3D and converting to Octaves

When the narrowband data is already in dB units, the users should pay attention to whether they are reading in that data into Simcenter 3D properly. Otherwise, when they convert it to other formats like Octaves, they might end up with inaccurate conversion results. The trick is to input the correct dB scaling parameters while importing and converting data to Octaves. This process is described below with an example acoustic pressure result available in dB units in a *.csv file.

• Create a new table filed (Fields -> New Field -> Table), specify the dependent and independent variables and then right click on the dependent variable to change the units from Real to dB Scaling as shown in screenshot below.

• Compare the dB Scaling parameters in the data (or those used while generating the data in dB) with those in Simcenter 3D, make sure to enter the correct parameters as shown in screenshot below and then click the import button at the top to read the narrowband pressure data from the *.csv file. 

• Plot the imported data by right clicking on the field created in the navigator and selecting Plot(XY). Then double click on the Y-axis label to bring up the Y-axis options and make sure to change the Axis Type to dB and have the correct dB Scaling parameters along with the Spectrum Scaling and Weighting as needed - see the screenshot below for reference.

• Right click on the plot to choose Frequency Band Summation and then select the desired Octaves as needed to convert the data accurately from narrowband to Octave bands.