Test and Measurement News

The dS-NET I/O Switcher is launched

To further extend the capabilities of the Prism Sound dScope III Audio Analyzer, a new audio switcher is now available.  This device features 16 audio channels that can be routed to or from the dScope's inputs or outputs.  Featuring relay switching, the switcher has an exemplary signal path, can be used in either direction (ie, as input or an output switcher) and can handle digital or analogue, balanced or unbalanced connections.

The switcher is a 1u rack mounting accessory that is controlled directly from the dScope using a serial interface called dS-NET*.  Up to 64 dS-NET devices can be controlled, and, because the switcher is cascadable, the dScope can then access over 1000 channels of audio**.  In addition, each switcher has the ability to measure the DC on each leg of each bus, and to switch to a "balance mode" for checking the output balance of a device.  An external load can also be connected and switched in and out.

Typical applications are in the testing of multi-channel devices such as audio mixers, switching matrices, home-theatre products, automotive multi-channel amplifiers etc, particularly in a production test environment where the ability to switch rapidly, reliably and repeatably between channels is crucial.

For further information, please see the dS-NET I/O Switcher product page and the dS/NET I/O Switcher Specifications page.

* The dS-NET protocol is a proprietary, open protocol used for dScope III peripherals.  It is based on RS232 or RS485 hardware.  All dS-NET devices can be controlled from a standard PC Serial (RS232) port.  Contact Prism Sound for details of the protocol.

**The performance of cascaded switchers is dependent on the interconnections between them, but each switcher that is not in use is hard bypassed, so the use of 64 switchers to select from 1024 channels of audio for measurement or generation is entirely possible.