Test and Measurement News

Prism Sound provides board level R&D audio testing solution 

Cambridge, UK – February 2006: Engineers involved in researching and developing the next generation of audio products can now test both analogue and digital components using one simple testing solution.

Based around the Prism Sound dScope III audio analyzer, this targeted audio testing solution incorporates a VSIO interface adaptor that allows the dScope to link directly to a chip via a versatile I2C/SPI control port. This enables engineers to control component-level devices on the EUT during testing.

The dScope III with VSIO is specifically designed to meet R&D demand for extremely accurate audio measurements. It comprises audio measurement hardware and comprehensive, easy to use application software that has been designed to perform all the measurements required in developing, prototyping and verifying the design of the audio stage of devices such as MP3 players, mobile phones, in-car entertainment systems etc.

Ian Crighton, managing director of Prism Sound, says: “The dScope is a formidable tool in its own right, but by incorporating peripherals such as the VSIO interface adaptor it becomes even more versatile. At Prism Sound we have the products and the expertise available to address any requirement and it is our aim is to provide engineers with the support they need to solve their particular audio testing problems.”

Prism Sound’s dScope III with VSIO solution features built-in application routines that provide the ability to test AES17, Dolby Digital 2 channel and 5.1, as well as supporting I2S protocols. The VSIO interface adaptor allows bi-directional translation between the dScope's AES3 output and input, and serial audio multiplex interfaces. Other measurements such as sweeps, frequency filtering and multi-tone tests are also fully supported and easily configured.

Prism Sound’s dScope is suitable for a wide range of digital and analogue audio applications and is used in many market sectors including broadcast, multimedia, CD, DVD, computer audio, transducer, digital telephony and communications. It is comprehensive and accurate for R&D, portable and intuitive for maintenance and field service, and fast, automatic and IT-friendly for the production line.

As well as covering the traditional audio test functions, dScope incorporates the important new features needed to work with the latest audio technologies. These include digital interface test tools such as carrier waveform and eye-pattern display, jitter measurement and AES3/IEC60958 channel status generation and analysis as well as support for higher sampling rates.  dScope has a uniquely simple, state-of-the-art synchronous multi-tone capability, which can measure dozens of parameters simultaneously.  

At this year’s NAB Convention in Las Vegas, Prism Sound will be launching a major update in the dScope’s software functionality, which will incorporate a number of frequently requested features from within the audio test community. These key new features include the Acoustics 1 package, which offers transducer test support, including the following:

• dBSPL units
• Measurement mic sensitivity and freq-response calibration
• Impulse response by MLS and swept-sine method (also useful for electronic/DSP EUTs)
• Dynamic LS impedance measurement by use of an external ballast resistor in series with EUT
• Analogue I/O will run optionally at 48kHz as well as 96 and 192

The new PC Audio 1 package is included for users who need to test complex EUTs that appear as part of the PC’s audio system – for example sound cards, Bluetooth headsets etc. Wavetable-based generation and FFTA-based analysis will be possible via Windows sound devices as well as the dScope hardware.

Prism Sound can be found at NAB on booth numbers N2524 and N1327