Posts

Polar Plot (MDT-4000 Turntable) Sequence

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This sequence measures the polar response of a loudspeaker in both the vertical and horizontal dimensions. It is designed to work with the Portland Tool & Die MDT-4000 turntable, and has all the necessary commands to automatically rotate it via RS-232. The sequence uses a log sweep stimulus with the Time Selective Response algorithm so that the measurements can be run in a non-anechoic environment. Note that the time window needs to be adapted to the user’s measurement space.

The sequence plays the stimulus and measures at 10 degree increments from 0 to 180 degrees. This process is repeated with the speaker positioned horizontally. The two results are mirrored to display full 360 degree polar plots for each axis. A directivity index curve is also calculated for each axis and is displayed at the end of the test.

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Receive Loudness Rating with ITU Real Speech Test Sequence

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The purpose of this sequence is to measure the Receive Loudness Rating (RLR) following the ITU-T P.79 standard using a Head and Torso Simulator (HATS). First, real speech from the ITU-T P.501 standard is sent to the Device Under Test (DUT) speaker by an electrical interface. The HATS right ear captures the DUT‟s speaker response. SoundCheck calculates the frequency response and then RLR based on that recording.

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Send Loudness Rating with ITU Real Speech Test Sequence

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The purpose of this sequence is to measure the Send Loudness Rating (SLR) following the ITU-T P.79 standard. This sequence can be used with handsets, headsets, and conference call devices. First, real speech from the ITU-T P.501 standard is played out of a mouth simulator. The Device Under Test (DUT) microphone then captures the signal and transmits this back to SoundCheck. SoundCheck calculates the frequency response function in 1/3 octaves and calculates SLR based on that frequency response.

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Hearing Aid Frequency Response Test Sequence

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This sequence follows the ANSI S3.22-1996 standard method for testing the frequency response of a hearing aid. An equalized stepped sine sweep from 8 kHz – 200 Hz is played at a level of 60 dBSPL through the anechoic box speaker, and the output of the hearing aid is analyzed with the Heterodyne algorithm to produce a frequency response. Next, the HFA (High Frequency Average) is calculated by averaging the response values at three frequencies (1000, 1600, 2500 Hz). The HFA is then subtracted by 20 dB. Two post processing steps are used to find the upper and lower frequency points at which the response curve intersects this calculated value (HFA – 20 dB). These are the high and low frequency cutoff points.

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Hearing Aid OSPL 90 Test Sequence

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This sequence follows the ANSI S3.22-1996 standard method for measuring the OSPL curve, the HFA value, and the Max OSPL value for a hearing aid. An equalized stepped sine sweep from 8 kHz – 200 Hz is played at a level of 90 dBSPL through the anechoic box speaker, and a broadband response curve is analyzed through the hearing aid. Next, the HFA (High Frequency Average) is calculated by averaging the values at three frequencies (1000, 1600, 2500 Hz), and this value is checked with a limit step. The Max OSPL is calculated by finding the maximum point on the broadband response. A limit is also applied to this value.

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Release Time Hearing Aid Test Sequence

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This sequence follows the ANSI S3.22-1996 standard method for testing the release time of AGC (automatic gain control) hearing aids. A 2 kHz sine tone is played at 90 dBSPL for 1 second and then immediately drops to 55 dBSPL for 2 more seconds. A band limited time envelope (1.5-2.5 kHz) is created and then run through a post processing step, which calculates the release time. It does this by calculating the time it takes the device to stabilize within 4 dB of its steady level.

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Loose Particles Sequence

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This sequence demonstrates how to use SoundCheck to detect loose particle defects in loudspeakers. Loose particles typically reveal themselves as randomly spaced impulses, so they may not be detected when performing frequency based measurements such as THD, even though they can be clearly heard as undesirable artifacts. The loose particle algorithm, which is an available function in all analysis algorithms, analyzes a time waveform to detect these impulses. The user sets a customized threshold level for detection.

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Bluetooth Headset Test Sequence

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The purpose of this sequence is to test a Bluetooth headset using a mixture of analog and digital channels. First, a Multitone stimulus is created with SoundCheck, played back over the Bluetooth headset (at 8 kHz) and recorded by a head and torso simulator’s ear (at 44.1 kHz). Then the same Multitone stimulus is played back through the head and torso’s mouth simulator (at 44.1 kHz) and recorded via the Bluetooth headset (at 8 kHz).

Due to inaccuracies of clock frequency, the Bluetooth device playback sampling rate is often slightly different than it is specified. Therefore, in SoundCheck, the Recorded Time Waveforms are frequency shifted to correct for the inaccurate sampling rate. The exact device playback sampling rate is displayed.

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Headphone Test Sequence

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This headphone test sequence measures a stereo headphone. Both left and right earphones are measured simultaneously using a standard 1/12th Octave stepped-sine sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

The analysis is then performed using Listen’s HarmonicTrak™ algorithm that measures harmonic distortion and fundamental frequency response simultaneously. Then the diffuse-field and free-field corrected Fundamentals are calculated. The diffuse-field correction curve compensates for the overall frequency response from the diffuse-field (sound in every direction) to the eardrum and includes the effects of the head, torso, pinna, ear-canal and ear simulator. The free-field correction curve compensates for the overall frequency response from the free-field (sound at 0 degree incidence to the nose of the Head and Torso Simulator – HATS) to the eardrum.

Further post-processing of the signal compares left and right earphone responses to show the difference curve (magnitude and phase are available). The average sensitivity from 100 to 10 kHz for both left and right earphone is calculated and the total harmonic distortion displayed.

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Amplifier THD+N Sequence

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This sequence measures an audio amplifier’s Frequency Response, Gain, THD, THD+Noise, and Self-noise. It accomplishes this by playing a 1/3rd octave sine sweep through the amplifier. A HarmonicTrak™ analysis step calculates the fundamental frequency response curve as well as the distortion plots. The sequence then records and analyzes a spectrum of the amplifier’s self-noise.

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