XL2 Data Explorer Software now calculates Rating Level Lr

The Data Explorer Software offers wide ranging analysis and reporting on measurement data from the XL2 Sound Level Meter. The very latest Data Explorer release, version 1.50, further extends the data post-processing capabilities. Tonal and impulsive sounds can now be marked automatically and penalties applied in accordance with the ISO 1996 standard. Data Explorer also calculates the Rating Level Lr for the assessment of compliance with noise limits.

The XL2 Sound Level Meter provides all the necessary broadband levels, third-octave spectra and uninterrupted audio recording for the complete measurement period. The measurement location is normally chosen as the position where the limits prescribed by the standards are most likely to be exceeded. The data is then imported into the Data Explorer Software for calculation of the average noise levels over reference time intervals.

Automatic Identification of Tonal and Impulsive Sounds
Prominent tones or impulses cause increased annoyance. In a noise assessment, it is therefore necessary that these specific characteristics be rated accordingly. In this regard a penalty is added to the measured average sound pressure level LAeq. Data Explorer automatically identifies and marks the time periods containing the tonal and impulsive sounds. Markers label the relevant events and these may then be verified with subjective assessment by playing the recorded audio file through the PC speakers or headphones.

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Directivity of Microphones in Portable Devices

Portable devices such as smartphones, tablets or laptops are often used in hands-free mode for telephone calls. For the manufacturer of the device, it is important to ensure that the microphone is able to pick up the speech from all directions so that the user is well understood. With the new version of the microphone test software RT-MicFX, NTi Audio offers a simple and convenient method to determine this microphone directivity.

Portable devices are used extensively in our daily verbal communication, and more and more communications applications are being launched. Often, such portable devices are utilized in a hands-free mode; the device stays in one place, and the user moves freely in space. This presents a challenge - the intelligibility of the speech should remain clear and consistent, regardless of the talker’s position. Some devices employ more than one microphone to increase the number of positions from which speech can be detected and thereby improve the quality of the spoken message.

From the perspective of the testing engineer, measuring a microphone in such an environment may seem formidable because the signal received by the microphone generally cannot be forwarded in real time to an audio measurement system. With the NTi Audio microphone test system this task is made very easy.

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Directivity of Microphones in Portable Devices

Successful Audio Test Engineer Certification in China

You are welcome to meet NTi Audio at the following events:

Thursday 21 April 2016
Acoustics of Onshore Oil & Gas
Glascow, UK

23 - 27 May 2016
Spring 2016 Meeting ASA
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

26 - 28 May 2016
Acoustics Design 2016
Suzhou, China

8 - 10 June 2016
infoComm16
Las Vegas, USA
booth C10914

The first ever Audio & Video Test Engineer Certification Training organized by a national committee was held in Beijing.

As a leading manufacturer of acoustic and audio test equipment, NTi Audio was approved by the committee to provide professional audio test instruments and technical support.

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