The patented technology consists of a method and a coordinated system of elements for active noise abatement, that is, for the reduction of sound pollution in indoor and outdoor areas and environments

1. Active Noise Barriers
INVENTORS: Fabrizio Argenti
Roberto Malagotti
Claudio Lastrucci
Alessio Turchi
Francesco Borchi
Lorenzo Martelli
Alessandro Tatini
Monica Carfagni
STATUS PATENT: Granted
N° PRIORITY: 102015902324296
DATA DI CONCESSIONE: June 6, 2017
EXTENSION: IT

2. In general, ANB techniques involve an array of
microphones and secondary sources positioned
near the diffraction edge of the barrier. The active
noise system increases the attenuation obtainable
with the passive barrier alone.
The invention
The idea was developed in the context of «Active
Noise Barriers» (ANB) techniques, i.e. active
noise control systems installed on passive noise
barriers.
Error
Microphones
Receiving Area
Reference
Microphones
Control
Sources
Barrier
Noise
Source
The invention is aimed at developing a modular
system to be installed along the edge of the
passive noise barrier.
At present, some prototype solutions have been
created in the laboratory.

3. Drawings
and
Images
The system is modular and composable, but
each single module (consisting of 3, 5, 7
secondary sources and as many
microphones) interacts and depends on
what is acquired by the adjacent modules.

4. The product that implements the patent is intended for public and private
construction for the implementation of noise mitigation interventions.
The product is certainly of interest as a road or railway noise mitigation device (to be
used in conjunction with traditional noise barriers) as part of the Noise Reduction
Plans that road and railway infrastructure managers must implement.
Furthermore, it is certainly of interest for the mitigation of the noise produced by
industrial machinery confined by passive barriers (eg transformers and reactors of
electrical stations).
The patent may be of interest to companies producing passive noise barriers or audio
components, but also consulting companies in the field of sound engineering.
The main advantages of the patent consist of the fact that the technology can be
used on existing barriers and structures and that the system architecture is modular.
Industrial applicability

5. Possible
Developments
The patent is available for definitive assignment or exclusive and non-
exclusive license. The licenses are available for the entire residual term of the
patent titles.
The Research Group, coordinated by Prof. Monica Carfagni
(monica.carfagni@unifi.it), is available for new research activities in
collaboration and on behalf of third parties, technical insights, scientific
advice, also aimed at raising the TRL of this technology.
The TRL of the invention is 4

6. Ufficio di Trasferimento Tecnologico dell’Università degli Studi di Firenze
Location: Piazza S. Marco 4 – 50121 Firenze
Website: www.unifi.it
E-mail: brevetti@unifi.it
For more information:
Ufficio Regionale di Trasferimento Tecnologico
Address: Via Luigi Carlo Farini, 8 50121 Firenze (FI)
E-mail: urtt@regione.toscana.it
For more information:
TIP (Team for Product and Process Innovation)
Website: https://tip-unifi.org/
Headquarter: Facoltà di Ingegneria - Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale
Address: Via di Santa Marta, 3 50139 Firenze
E-mail: monica.carfagni@unifi.it