1. Introduction
The B Series APx585 is a true multichannel audio analyzer, with 8 simultaneous analog outputs and inputs. It is ideal for designing and testing consumer devices such as home theatre receivers or pro devices such as mixing consoles. The B Series APx586 adds a second input module for 16 simultaneous analog input channels.
The B Series APx582 offers the same 8 channels of analog input as the APx585 in combination with 2 channels of analog output. The APx582 includes the AG52 option for perfect square waves.
All three models deliver the ultimate combination of speed and ease-of-use for multichannel audio test, including:
- Measuring one-to-many or many-to-one crosstalk and phase across channels
- Measuring maximum power across all channels over time
- Support for switchers to enable up to 192 maximum channel capacity
Versatility in I/O
All B Series APx58x Series analyzers have up to 216k digital inputs and outputs via AES/EBU, TOSLINK and SPDIF. Additionally, I/O may be expanded with optional Digital Serial, HDMI with ARC, PDM and Bluetooth modules. Finally, the optional Advanced Master Clock (AMC) module handles input and output clock signals to synchronize the APx58x B Series with external equipment (or vice versa), and the AMC also enables jitter generation and analysis (in conjunction with Advanced Digital, Digital Serial or PDM modules).
2. Features
2.1. Simulaneous Multichannel Audio Analysis
A true multichannel analyzer allows not just faster testing, but also a complete picture of the performance of all of a device’s input and output channels simultaneously.
Today, the majority of A/V receivers, disc players, TVs, PCs and automotive audio devices have more than two channels, from as many as eight channels (7.1) in surround sound applications to 16 or more channels in many cars. The conventional solution for testing multiple channels with a two-channel analyzer has been to use switchers.
Such an approach has two major problems. First, even when automated, switching between channels is slow. Second, because only one or two channels are being observed at a time, designers and manufacturers are often blind to interactions between channels. Problems which may go unobserved include output sag in channels during full power output tests as well as phase and crosstalk interactions, particularly the combinatorial complexity of all the output channels interacting with each other.
2.2. Multiple Simulaneous Input Types
APx500 software release version 6.0 brings the multi-input capability to APx, allowing engineers to activate a second input type on any APx modular audio analyzer, or APx515 analyzer, and make measurements simultaneously on analog and digital signals. This new capability, paired with the highest channel count and widest range of digital I/O available, provides APx users critical cross-domain insight and the opportunity to reduce testing time. Watch a Multi-Input Demonstration
2.3. Transfer Function
The introduction of v5.0 software added the ability to measure the transfer function of electronic audio and electroacoustic devices. The transfer function measurement provides the complex frequency response function for a device, including the magnitude and phase (or real and imaginary components), using any broadband signal. This feature, a powerful addition to APx software’s Sequence Mode, allows any APx analyzer to be used as a multichannel dynamic signal analyzer or as a so called dual-channel FFT analyzer. With transfer function and any broadband signal, including speech, music, or noise, APx users can now assess the complex frequency response, coherence, and impulse response of their device or system. AP’s transfer function provides gapless and overlapped analysis of multiple acquisitions. It also includes a ground-breaking signal-based triggering that eliminates the need for a pilot tone in open-loop test applications, making it ideal for test of “smart” audio devices.
2.4. Open-Loop Chirp
With release v4.6, APx500 software supports open-loop measurements using the logarithmically-swept sine, or chirp, test signal. This signal provides multiple, high-resolution results in a brief period of time and now APx users can employ the chirp in test scenarios where the signal may originate, or terminate, as a file on the device under test (DUT) or on a server connected to the DUT. This new capability is especially helpful to those developing smart devices (e.g., smart speakers, smartphones).
2.5. Jitter Analysis
Jitter in digital audio systems may cause audible distortion in the form of jitter sidebands in the output signal. Jitter tolerance testing can reveal jitter induced distortion but is often neglected in the design of circuits and components because it is difficult and time consuming. Audio Precision APx analyzers provide jitter generation and jitter analysis features to simplify jitter testing.
2.6. Code-Free Automation and a Complete API
APx500 Measurement Software is the most advanced audio measurement interface available. Complex procedures that include user prompts, limits, and calls to external applications can be created directly in the GUI, saving time and money while ensuring painless updates over time, as no development is required.
Create custom interfaces and application-to-application automation using the comprehensive APx API. Extensive documentation and examples are provided for Visual Basic.NET, C#, MATLAB, LabVIEW, and Python. Projects and automation can be shared with other APx units anywhere in the world.
2.7. Common Software Platform
From a practical perspective, APx audio analyzers use a common software platform, making tests and results easier to share. All settings for a test are saved in a single project file, making it easy to replicate test setups between R&D and production facilities anywhere in the world. Project files are compatible with both B Series and Legacy APx instruments and each project is self-contained, so there’s never any worry about dependencies or broken links. Users can even embed waveform files and images within a project file.
For sharing measurement results with customers, contract manufacturers or management, APx automatically generates rich graphic reports, with highlighted pass / fail limits and options to export as PDF, HTML, Excel, CSV, RTF or MATLAB files.
2.8. Digital Protocol Analysis
Modern consumer devices such as televisions, Blu-ray players, and receivers typically use a digital interface such as S/PDIF, Toslink, HDMI to transmit audio signals. In addition to the digital audio data, these interfaces also carry auxiliary information about the audio signal, metadata. The APx Metadata monitors decode and display metadata values as they are received from the device under test.
3. Videos
3.1. Introduction to APx Audio Analyzer
4. Download
APx58xB Datasheet
APx500 Audio Analyzer Series Comparision Sheet
5. Contact
Unit 2209, Golden Park Tower, 2 Pham Van Bach Street, Yen Hoa, Cau Giay District, Ha Noi, Vietnam
tel.: +84 (24) 38229808
fax: +84 (24) 38229553
cell: +84 90 336 8648
email: tuonglam@syscovn.com
