NI AudioMASTER is a set of versatile audio test solutions based on NI TestStand for analog and digital audio validation and production test. NI AudioMASTER for Analog Audio combines an NI 4461 dynamic signal acquisition (DSA) device, featuring 24-bit resolution, a 204.8 kS/s sample rate, two inputs, and two outputs, or an NI 4462 DSA device, featuring 24-bit resolution, a 204.8 kS/s sample rate, and four inputs, with NI AudioMASTER software for the acquisition, analysis, and generation (NI 4461 only) of analog audio. You can use NI AudioMASTER for Digital Audio for the acquisition and analysis of S/PDIF audio with coaxial, optical, or XLR connections. These combinations deliver a comprehensive automated test solution with the performance otherwise found in only high-end audio analyzers.
Using NI AudioMASTER for Digital Audio, which includes an NI 7813R R Series reconfigurable I/O device, CB-2180 (two-input) or CB-2181 (one-output, one-input) digital audio accessory, and NI AudioMASTER software, you can generate, acquire, and analyze S/PDIF signals encoded in linear PCM or AC-3 formats. For linear PCM, NI AudioMASTER supports two-channel formats with eight, 16, 20, or 24 bits per sample and sampling frequencies from 22 to 192 kHz. For AC-3, NI AudioMASTER supports up to 5.1 channel configurations for which there are five channels representing right front, center, left front, right rear, and left rear plus one low-frequency effect (LFE) channel.
The CB-2180 provides two input channels, each with a software-selectable BNC for coaxial or TOSLINK for optical connection. You can connect up to four CB-2180 digital audio accessories to a single NI 7813R device to provide a total of eight S/PDIF inputs. The CB-2181 provides one input channel and one output channel, each with a software-selectable BNC for coaxial, TOSLINK for optical, or XLR for AES3 connection. You can connect up to four CB-2181 to provide four S/PDIF outputs and four S/PDIF inputs. With multiple input and output channels available per NI 7813R module, AudioMASTER greatly simplifies the test fixture required for multidevice testing.
Consumer demand for next-generation multimedia devices such as set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, HDTVs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices is challenging engineers to get these devices to market faster. National Instruments provides a wide range of measurement and automation tools built on flexible, industry-proven platforms that can help engineers meet this challenge from multimedia device design to production. Register for each event to learn how engineers are testing the latest audio standards
Multimedia Device Test Web Event Series March 23-25, 2010
Top Five Measurements for Audio Test Applications
Audio measurements can analyze a wide variety of abnormalities in a signal. The basis of audio analysis is choosing appropriate levels and performing frequency analysis on data acquired from a device. Step through the basics of audio signals and learn how to set up a system to take measurements such as total harmonic distortion (THD) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
View the Webcast Tuesday, March 23, 1:00-2:00 p.m. CDT:
Cleaning Audio Signals: Filtering and Signal Processing
Engineers face two major challenges in audio test: audio signals are inherently noisy and the measurements are always performed in the frequency domain. Weighting filters and windowing functions are two of several techniques you can use to achieve a proper understanding of your audio signals. Learn different filtering techniques to obtain more reliable results while testing your audio device.
View the Webcast Wednesday, March 24, 1:00-2:00 p.m. CDT:
Sound quality analysis is based on the field of psychoacoustics. Sound quality algorithms define how humans perceive the sound they are analyzing. Learn how to determine if your sound is too sharp, loud, or rough.
View the Webcast Thursday, March 25, 1:00-2:00 p.m. CDT:
