Test and Measurement News

dScope Series III is the right audio test choice for Briton EMS

Cambridge, UK: Bedfordshire-based contract electronics manufacturer Briton EMS has invested in a Prism Sound dScope Series III audio analyzer, which is being used for production line testing on a key new product from Link Research.

Established in 1979, Briton EMS (www.britonems.co.uk) offers a broad range of services, from printed circuit assembly through to complete product build.

Earlier this year, the company was awarded the contract to build and test the L1500 SD/HD system - a new wireless camera system from Link Research. Based in Hertfordshire, Link Research specialises in SD and HD Wireless Camera Systems that are at the cutting edge of wireless camera technology. Since their introduction in 2002, these systems have been taken up by major broadcasters throughout the world and are in constant use in the day to day gathering of top news stories and sports events.

Briton EMS's decision to invest in a Prism Sound dScope Series III audio analyzer was heavily influenced by Link Research, which already uses the instrument in its own R&D facility.

Conor Hogan, Test Solutions Engineer at Briton EMS, says: "We were looking to add to our audio test facilities and were in the process of comparing products from various manufacturers. Link Research expressed a preference for the dScope Series III because they were already familiar with the unit. We tested it and were equally impressed because it had an extensive range of audio analysis features and offered these as standard within its software. The unit is now in use on a daily basis and is proving to be very flexible and accurate. In effect, our customer made the decision for us and we are very happy with the choice."

Prism Sound has been supplying successful high quality analogue and digital audio test solutions for over eighteen years. The company's solutions provide state-of-the-art testing capabilities, backed up by consultancy and support services recognised as the best in the industry.

The dScope Series III audio analyzer is a comprehensive and powerful measurement system for analogue and digital audio generation and analysis, including digital audio carrier testing and testing of Windows® sound devices. This industrial-strength audio test and measurement system comprises a Windows PC (XP® and Vista® compatible) software application coupled with an external high-precision audio I/O processor for equipment-under-test (EUT) connections.

Briton EMS is using its dScope Series III to measure audio levels in a sweep from 0 - 20 kHz, with measurements taken at various frequencies along the way. It is also analyzing noise measurement, crosstalk and phase data using a script that was custom designed for its own application by Prism Sound's software engineering team.

"One of the most useful features of the dScope Series III is its ability to present data as text files," Hogan says. "Every one of the new Link Research L1500 SD/HD wireless camera systems is undergoing two stages of audio tests: first, a basic functional check at PCB level, then a full performance check on both stereo channels once the unit is fully assembled. The dScope Series III allows us to easily collate all the test data and, because it is so clearly presented, we can literally print it out and use it as a final test report."

Hogan adds that the Prism Sound dScope Series III audio analyzer has succeeded in allaying his initial worries about using a piece of test equipment that connected to a PC via a USB port. "At first, I was concerned that a USB connection might not be rugged enough for our requirements, but in fact the dScope series III is rock solid and we have had no problems with this at all. The USB connection makes it incredibly easy to use because all you have to do is plug it in," he says.