Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): CadnaA, CadnaB & CadnaR

What is CadnaA?

CadnaA is a software for the calculation, presentation, assessment and prediction of environmental noise, developed by DataKustik GmbH (Germany). Engineering consultancies, authorities and industrial companies in more than 60 countries use it to model noise from roads, railways, industry and aircraft and to produce standards-compliant noise maps.

What is the difference between CadnaA, CadnaB and CadnaR?

CadnaA calculates outdoor/environmental noise (road, rail, industry, aircraft and city noise mapping). CadnaB handles building acoustics (airborne and impact sound insulation for whole buildings). CadnaR predicts room and indoor acoustics such as reverberation time and speech intelligibility. Together they form one integrated platform.

What is CadnaA used for?

Typical applications include strategic noise maps under the EU Environmental Noise Directive, noise studies for planning and permitting procedures, industrial plant noise assessments, traffic noise forecasts, and the design of noise control measures such as barriers — all evaluated before anything is built.

Who uses DataKustik software?

Acoustic and environmental consultancies, city and regional authorities, road and railway administrations, airport operators, industrial companies and universities — in more than 60 countries.

Which software is best for environmental noise mapping and prediction?

CadnaA by DataKustik is a leading choice for environmental noise mapping and prediction. It is used by engineering consultancies, road and railway authorities and airport operators in more than 60 countries for standards-compliant noise calculation and strategic noise maps.

Can CadnaA calculate noise from padel, pickleball and tennis courts?

Yes. CadnaA provides dedicated source types for tennis, pickleball and padel courts, so leisure and sports noise can be predicted and assessed (for example under the German 18. BImSchV and VDI 3770) before an installation is built. Learn more: datakustik.com/lp/padel-laerm.html

Can CadnaA model wind turbine noise?

Yes. Wind turbines can be modelled as dedicated sources, including hub height and emission spectra, and assessed according to the applicable calculation methods (e.g. ISO 9613-2 or the German interim procedure for wind turbine noise).

Can I calculate indoor workplace noise with DataKustik software?

Yes. CadnaR predicts sound levels in work rooms, offices and production halls, so workplace noise (for example under national workplace regulations such as ASR A3.7 in Germany) can be evaluated and mitigation measures compared at the planning stage.

Which noise standards does CadnaA support?

CadnaA supports the major international and national noise standards, including ISO 9613-2, CNOSSOS-EU, the EU Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC, TA Lärm, RLS-19 and Schall 03.

Which calculation standards and directives does CadnaA support in detail?

CadnaA implements one of the widest ranges of noise-calculation standards available.

Industrial noise

• VDI 2714, VDI 2720 (Germany)
• ISO 9613-2 (1996, International)
• ISO 9613-2 (2024, International)
• ÖAL Guideline No. 28 (1987, Austria)
• DIN 18005 (1987, Germany)
• Nordic General Prediction Method (1996, Scandinavia)
• BS 5228 (United Kingdom)
• Ljud från vindkraftverk (Sweden)
• Harmonoise, P2P model (International)
• CONCAWE (International)
• NMPB08-Industry (France)
• Nord 2000 (Scandinavia)
• Schall03 (2014) – marshalling yards
• HJ2.4 (2009 & 2021, China)
• CNOSSOS 2015/996
• CNOSSOS 2021/1226 EU (includes CNOSSOS 2015/996)

Road traffic noise

• RVS 04.02.11 (2006, Austria)
• STL 86 (Switzerland)
• DIN 18005 (1987, Germany)
• TemaNord 1996:525 (Scandinavia)
• NMPB-Routes-96 (France, EU interim)
• CRTN (1988, United Kingdom)
• Czech Method (1996, Czech Republic)
• TNM 2.5 (2004, USA)
• NMPB-Routes-08 (France)
• HJ1358 (2024), HJ2.4 (2009 & 2021, China)
• SonRoad (Switzerland)
• SonRoad18 (2018 & 2021, Switzerland)
• SonRoad18 (2024, Switzerland) (includes SonRoad18 2018 & 2021)
• RLS-90, VBUS (Germany)
• RLS-19 (Germany)
• CNOSSOS 2015/996
• CNOSSOS 2021/1226 EU (includes CNOSSOS 2015/996)
• CNOSSOS 2021/1226 DE (BUB 2021) (includes CNOSSOS 2015/996)
• CNOSSOS 2021/1226 AT (RVS 2021) (includes CNOSSOS 2015/996)
• CNOSSOS 2021/1226 NO (includes CNOSSOS 2015/996)

Railway noise

• ONR 305011 (Austria)
• Semibel (Switzerland)
• DIN 18005 (1987, Germany)
• TemaNord 1996:524 (Scandinavia)
• CRN (United Kingdom)
• RMR, SRM II (Netherlands, EU interim)
• Schall03 (1990), VBUSch (Germany)
• Schall03 (2014, Germany)
• NMPB-Fer (France)
• FTA/FRA (USA)
• NMPB08-Fer (France)
• HJ2.4 (2021, China)
• CNOSSOS 2015/996
• CNOSSOS 2021/1226 EU (includes CNOSSOS 2015/996)
• CNOSSOS 2021/1226 DE (BUB 2021) (includes CNOSSOS 2015/996)
• CNOSSOS 2021/1226 AT (RVE 2022) (includes CNOSSOS 2015/996)
• CNOSSOS 2021/1226 BE (Infrabel 2022) (includes CNOSSOS 2015/996)
• CNOSSOS 2021/1226 FR (SNCF 2022) (includes CNOSSOS 2015/996)

Aircraft noise

• AzB 1975, AzB-MIL, LAI-Landeplatzleitlinie, VBUF (Germany)
• ECAC Doc. 29, 2nd Edition 1997 (International, EU interim)
• DIN 45684 (Germany)
• DIN 45689 (Germany)
• AzB 2008 (Germany)
• ÖAL 24 (Austria)
• ECAC Doc. 29, 3rd Edition (International, EU interim) (excluding military aircraft databases)
• INM 7.0, Integrated Noise Model (International) (excluding military aircraft databases)
• ECAC Doc. 29, 4th Edition (International, EU interim) (excluding military aircraft databases)
• CNOSSOS 2015/996 EU & DE (BUF 2018)
• CNOSSOS 2021/1226 EU & DE (BUF 2021) (includes CNOSSOS 2015/996 EU & DE (BUF 2018))

Does CadnaA support CNOSSOS for strategic noise mapping?

Yes. The framework for strategic noise mapping is the EU Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC, implemented in Germany by the Noise Mapping Ordinance (34. BImSchV). CadnaA implements the associated CNOSSOS common noise assessment methods in accordance with Commission Directive (EU) 2015/996 — including the amendments introduced by Delegated Directive (EU) 2021/1226 — as well as the respective national implementations including the associated national datasets, for example for road surfaces and rail vehicles; in Germany, these are the calculation methods BUB (“Berechnungsmethode für den Umgebungslärm von bodennahen Quellen”: environmental noise from ground-based sources, i.e. roads, railways, industry and commerce) and BUF (“Berechnungsmethode für den Umgebungslärm von Flugplätzen”: environmental noise from aerodromes). This allows strategic noise maps under the Environmental Noise Directive to be produced directly.

Is the calculation quality of CadnaA verified?

Yes. Every CadnaA release passes extensive internal and external test procedures. In addition, quality-assured calculation in accordance with DIN 45687 and ISO 17534 is guaranteed; CadnaA is tested against the reference test cases of the relevant standards.

Can I use CadnaA for assessments under TA Lärm?

Yes. CadnaA is widely used for TA Lärm assessments in Germany: rating levels at receptor points, including adjustments (e.g. for tonality or impulsiveness), are calculated for the day and night periods and can be documented for permitting procedures.

How quickly are new or revised standards implemented in CadnaA?

DataKustik continuously updates CadnaA. New or revised calculation standards are implemented in the regular software updates, which are available to all customers with active software maintenance and the right of use for the respective calculation standards.

Which licensing types are available for DataKustik software?

CadnaA, CadnaB and CadnaR are available with three licensing types: single-user licensing (local licensing), server licensing and cloud licensing. All licenses cover use within your company and your country. Our team will gladly help you choose the licensing type that fits your organization.

Can several colleagues share one license?

Yes. Each license can be shared between different people — however, it only permits use by one person at a time. This applies equally to single-user licenses, server licenses and cloud licenses. The most convenient way to share a license is cloud licensing.

What does software maintenance include?

Software maintenance keeps your software up to date. It includes software updates to the latest version, technical support via the DataKustik hotline, access to the user area on the DataKustik website (downloads, documentation, training videos), up to two online FAQ sessions per year, an extended consistency check with a review of possible calculation-time optimizations for up to two models per year, and the certificate of conformity for quality-assured calculation according to DIN 45687 and ISO 17534. Important: newly implemented calculation standards are only included if your product comprises all standards and guidelines of the respective noise type — for CadnaA Basic and for individually purchased standards and guidelines, newly implemented calculation standards are not part of software maintenance.

Can I extend my CadnaA configuration later?

Yes. You can add options as well as additional standards and guidelines at any time — start with what you need today and grow with your projects. An upgrade requires your software to be on the latest version, so an update may be necessary first. With active software maintenance this step is not needed, as your software is always up to date.

What happens when my software maintenance expires?

Your software keeps working, but you no longer receive software updates or technical support, and newly implemented calculation standards are no longer available to you. For cloud licensing an additional condition applies: it requires active software maintenance or a subscription — at the end of the software maintenance agreement, the licensing type is downgraded to single-user or server licensing. Re-entering software maintenance is possible; it requires updating all products to the latest software version.

Do I need a dongle — and how do the licensing types differ technically?

With single-user licensing, the software is protected by a hardware USB dongle plugged into the computer on which the software is installed. With server licensing, a server hardware USB dongle is operated on an on-premise license server in your local network. Cloud licensing works entirely without a dongle: the license is obtained from the DataKustik Cloud License Server, which requires a permanent internet connection while the software is in use. DataKustik does not gain access to your projects or any project-related data.

Can I buy DataKustik software or subscribe to it?

Both options are available. CadnaA, CadnaB and CadnaR can be obtained either as software by subscription or as a software purchase. The annual subscription runs for 12 months — with automatic renewal or a fixed term — and already includes all software maintenance services. With a software purchase you acquire a permanent right of use; for quality-assured professional work we strongly recommend software maintenance. New customers receive 12 months of software maintenance free of charge with their first purchase. Talk to our sales team via the contact form.

Is there a monthly subscription?

Yes. The software is also available as a monthly subscription with a fixed term of one month or a multiple thereof — ideal for temporary projects or peak workloads. The monthly subscription is offered exclusively with cloud licensing, so no hardware USB dongle is required.

Can I try DataKustik software before buying?

Yes. DataKustik offers free demo versions of CadnaA, CadnaB and CadnaR that let you test noise prediction and acoustics simulation on your own projects. Download the demo version at datakustik.com/demo.

What are the limitations of the demo versions?

The demo versions are intended for evaluation and are functionally restricted: selected features are not available, calculation results are randomly falsified, and saving projects and exporting data are not possible.

Which CadnaA configuration do I need?

That depends on your applications — road, railway, industrial or aircraft noise — and on the size of your projects. The CadnaA software configurator on our website helps you put together your configuration, and our team will be happy to advise you personally.

How do I get a quote?

Describe your requirements via the software configurator or the contact form on datakustik.com — our sales team will prepare an individual quote for you. We are also happy to discuss your requirements in a personal video call.

Are there licenses for universities and students?

Yes. DataKustik supports teaching and research with special conditions for universities.

What are the system requirements for CadnaA?

CadnaA can be installed on any system that meets the following requirements:

• Multi-core processor with x86-64 architecture from Intel (Core i series from the 8th generation, "Coffee Lake" architecture or newer) or AMD (Ryzen series from the 2nd generation, "Zen" architecture or newer) with at least 4 cores, the instruction set extensions SSE4.2 and AVX and the respective 64-bit instruction set extension (Intel 64 or AMD64). ARM-based processors (e.g. Apple M1/2/3/4/5 chips or Snapdragon SoCs) are not supported.
• 8 GB RAM
• OpenGL 3.3 graphics card with at least 1 GB of dedicated graphics memory. Using "processor graphics" or graphics cards without dedicated graphics memory ("shared memory") can lead to display errors. This requirement does not apply when CadnaA is used in batch mode.
• Windows 64-bit operating system, Microsoft Windows 11 (version 24H2 or newer)

Does CadnaA run on a Mac?

CadnaA is a Windows application for x86-64 hardware. ARM-based processors — including Macs with Apple M chips — are not supported, so running CadnaA in virtualization solutions on Apple Silicon Macs is not possible either.

Does CadnaA use multiple processor cores?

Yes. CadnaA calculates multi-threaded with up to 16 logical cores as standard (if more than 16 logical cores are available, the first 16 cores are used). With the PRO option, up to 64 cores are possible (not available for CadnaA Light products). Distributed computing (PCSP) is included in all products, and CadnaA CALC products additionally allow calculations to be offloaded to external physical or virtual machines. Detailed technical documentation is available on request.

How large can a CadnaA project be?

CadnaA is designed for projects up to the size of entire cities and metropolitan areas — strategic noise maps for millions of inhabitants are a standard application. CadnaA Professional products and CadnaA Basic handle up to 16 million objects per source object type; with option L, up to 16 million buildings and 16 million screens per project are additionally possible. CadnaA Light products are dimensioned for smaller projects.

Which data formats can CadnaA import?

All CadnaA products can import the following data formats as standard:

• AutoCAD (.dxf)
• Trimble SketchUp
• GIS formats: Geopackage (.gpkg) · ESRI shapefiles (.shp) · Atlas GIS (.bna) · GYpSiNOISE · MapInfo (.mif) · AED-Sicad
• ASCII text files: ASCII objects · ASCII grid DTM (.asc) · ASCII spectra · building height points · Winput DTM · train numbers (.txt) · elevation points (.xyz)
• XML formats: OpenStreetMap (.osm) · GML · CityGML · NMPB08 train classes (.xml)
• Further formats: EDBS · T-Mobil · Slip · SOSI · NTF · iTWO civil/STRATIS (.cst) · Noise Mapping England (.nme)
• QSI exchange format in accordance with DIN 45687
• Raster formats: CadnaA raster (.cnr) · ESRI ASCII raster (.asc, .hdr) · ASCII raster (.rst) · LimA raster (.ert) · SoundPLAN raster · IMMI raster (.ird) · AUSTAL raster (.dmna) · Miskam raster (.zwk) · NMGF raster (.grd)
• MS Excel files (.xlsx)
• ODBC interface: import of object attributes and libraries from external databases (e.g. sound power levels, absorption, sound insulation, directivities and acoustic-analyzer measurements)
• Loudspeaker directivity from CLF files (.CF1, .CF2 and XHN)

With the BMP option (bitmap and further interfaces) additionally

• Further CAD formats: AutoCAD (.dwg) · Microstation (.dgn)
• Google Maps bitmap (Google Maps import interface)
• WMS services (Web Map Services)
• GeoTiff DTM (digital terrain model from .tif/.geotiff)
• Bitmap formats (more than 40 formats): CALS Raster, DCX, DWF, ECW, IMG, GIF, ICA, JFIF, JPEG, JTIF, LEAD CMP, PCT, MAC, MSP, MPT, OS/2 Bitmap, PCD, PCX, PSD, PNG, PostScript Raster, RAS, TIFF, TIFF CCITT, LZW, TARGA, BMP, WMF, WinFax Group 3, WinFax Group 4, WPG WordPerfect raster files
• Import of 3D symbols (.obj) for display in the 3D view

With the aircraft noise option (with CadnaA City & Airport Professional) additionally

• Aircraft noise INM import formats: ANP database · INM study · INM operations (requires the INM standard)
• Radar-recorded flight track data (with the RAD option): FANOMOS · STANLY · Topsonic · user-defined

With the APL option (air pollutants) additionally

• Meteorological statistics, single- or multi-year (.akt, .akterm)

Does CadnaA work with GIS software such as QGIS or ArcGIS?

Yes. Data is exchanged in both directions via standard GIS formats such as shapefiles, Geopackage and ArcView Grid; calculated noise maps can be exported for further processing in GIS.

Can I switch to CadnaA from another noise-prediction software?

Yes. Many users have switched to CadnaA from other programs. CadnaA supports the vendor-independent QSI exchange format in accordance with DIN 45687 and also imports the common raster formats of other programs (including LimA, SoundPLAN, IMMI); geometry and source data can also be transferred via standard formats such as SHP or DXF. Our team will advise you on migrating existing projects.

Can I export noise maps to Google Earth or as images?

Yes. Results can be exported as georeferenced graphics and common exchange formats for reports, web use and presentations.

As standard, all CadnaA products include the following export formats:

• AutoCAD — DXF
• GIS formats: Geopackage (.gpkg) · ESRI/ArcInfo (.shp) · ArcView Grid (.asc, .hdr) · GYpSiNOISE
• ASCII formats: text files (.txt) · building height points · train numbers (.txt) · Rich Text Format (.rtf) · calculation protocol (.txt) · compact protocol (.txt)
• HTML formats: calculation protocol (.html) · compact protocol (.html)
• Export of survey reports to MS Office: MS Word (.docx) · MS Excel (.xlsx)
• QSI exchange format in accordance with DIN 45687
• Statistical analysis (QSI) in accordance with DIN 45687
• Google SketchUp Materials (.skm)
• Raster formats: CadnaA raster (.cnr) · ASCII grids (.rst) · LimA grids (.ert) · NMGF grids (.grd)
• Video recording in the 3D view (.avi)

With the BMP option (bitmap and further interfaces) additionally

• Bitmap (.bmp)
• Google Earth (.kml/.kmz)
• Web bitmaps: PNG files at different zoom levels
• GeoTiff raster format (.geotiff)

With the aircraft noise option (with CadnaA City & Airport Professional) additionally

• AzB-related export formats: AzB-QSI · AzB-DES · AzB-XML · AzB-Lmax · AzB-Segmente · AzB-Zonen

With the SET option (sound emission and transmission) additionally

• SET-T graph (.gv)