Second generation analysers improve audio testing
Improved specification and capabilities have been announced for the B Series APx555 audio analyser from Audio Precision.
The APx555 B Series analyser, part of the B Series APx audio analysers offers improved sine generator frequency stability, lower system residual distortion, single-ended, balanced analogue output and an optional ADC test mode, which provides VBias, a common mode DC bias.
The B Series APx555 audio analyser is designed for developers of high-performance audio devices such as compressors, limiters, amplifiers, codecs and digital signal processors. The enhanced analogue generator (EAG) is standard on the B Series APx555 analyser and available as an upgrade for legacy APx555 systems. This feature improves low distortion sine generator and high precision sine analyser performance, claims Audio Precision, including improved sine generator frequency stability with an accuracy of less than 30 parts per million. The system can now also generate low-distortion analogue sine burst signals from 5.Hz to 100kHz and allows users to independently invert the signal polarity of balanced channel outputs. There is also lower system residual distortion, with THD+N improvement above 50kHz (-2dB) and THD improvement above 5.0kHz (varying from -2 to -5dB).
For design engineers validating and testing complex, multi-channel ADCs, the B Series APx555 now offers an ADC test mode option capable of generating balanced analogue audio signals mixed with a calibrated common mode DC offset voltage. This optional feature is useful in testing devices that operate on a single supply voltage and require inputs with a DC bias voltage, such as audio codecs and ADC chips in mobile products. The ADC test mode also includes programmable voltage limits to prevent over-voltage damage to the device being tested. This option is included when a legacy APx555 analyser receives an EAG upgrade.
The B Series introduction incorporates a re-designed embedded processor module that enables playback of longer arbitrary waveforms and improved download speeds. B Series APx analysers require APx500 audio measurement software version 5.0 (or later) but are compatible with APx project files created from version 4.6 (or earlier) software.
The company announces that the introduction of the B Series APx audio analysers means that the two earlier generations of analysers, the Legacy APx Series and the 2700 Series, are now in limited supply.
