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Multichannel Analysis |
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There is often confusion between multichannel data acquisition and multichannel analysis. If I had a pound for every data acquisition system out there, I’d be rolling in it. However, for reliable measurements of sound & vibration, you need to be aware of issues such as filtering, anti-aliasing, simultaneous sampling, linearity, conditioning, the list goes on.
Whether it’s for multichannel measurements of sound pressure for a fast calculation of sound power, or whether you need to take simultaneous measurements of sound and vibration at various points on a vehicle, to track down sources of noise, a well specified multi-channel analyser is essential.
We’re almost spoiled for choice here, with two system platforms available, offering up to 768 channels of synchronous analysis, with a range of application software. |
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Harmonie is a 2, 4 or 8 channel acquisition box, connecting to your PC using PC Card connection. Previously, we were supplying this unit with 01dB software, but now we go straight to the source, Sinus Messtechnik in Leipzig, who makes full use of the on-board DSP processing power. The 2, 4 or 8 channel units feature 7 pin Lemo or BNC connection, for full microphone and accelerometer support, and an additional auxiliary connector allows acquisition of ‘slow’ data such as pressure, temperature, position etc. This connector also handles tacho input |
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for order-related analyses. Harmonie is also available as an internal PCI card for desktop PCs. The Samurai software is the core application, and in its basic form gives you a sound/vibration level meter, 1/3 octave analyser and FFT analyser. Data may also be streamed to disk at the same time, for further processing or export to other packages. The new Hurricane hardware supports up to 32 channels of acquisition, and the software runs on a solid-state rugged PC. Many options are available, optimising the system to your application, and these include sound power, sound intensity, building acoustics to ISO140/717, order analysis, acoustic impedance/absorption and a very nice automotive |
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pass-by application. Remote acquisition applications are also possible using a TCP server. One very useful addition is a webcam, so video can be streamed to disk simultaneously. The Harmonie hardware is also available as the SoundBook, which is built-in to a rugged Panasonic Toughbook, making a very portable but practical field system. So, whether it’s a laboratory multichannel analyser you are after, or a rugged field-portable system, the Sinus packages offer great quality and value for money |
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At the premium end of the range is the mighty ArtemiS from HEAD acoustics, which is among the finest NVH software available. Developed from the ground up as an integrated application within Windows XP/Vista and Office environment, ArtemiS has unrivalled ease-of-use and is the analyser of choice on most major automotive NVH departments.
The new DataRec4 front-end offers a moduler structure, to build your system up to many tens of channels with 32bit recording, and signal conditioning. The HEAD Recorder software makes setup a breeze.
For a lower channel count, the OctoBox+ is a USB front end with up to 8 channels, plus two additional digital channels, which allows combination with a digital binaural head. Again, two channels of tacho are also included.
Portable and battery powered, OctoBox+ is a great introduction to the world of ArtemiS, and it can be mounted in the torso box of the binaural head, along with a playback equaliser to build a self-contained field laboratory for sound quality! |
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Most of our software will also interface to other front-ends, either directly or via file transfer, and many common formats such as UFF, WAV and UDF are supported. So even if you already have a multichannel acquisition system, you can still come to us for analysis software |
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If your budget doesn’t stretch to the premium software, then consider SpectraPlus from Pioneer Hill Software.
SpectraPLUS is a full-featured spectrum analyser, with a host of capabilities, running under Windows Vista, XP and 2000. With real-time displays of FFT and 1/n octave vs time, and noise & vibration calibration, this software is amazing value for money, with base versions starting at only £293!
The software uses your PC sound card as hardware, so the quality will depend on that, but these days, pro-audio sound cards are often better than some manufacturers’ data acquisition hardware!
You can download a fully functioning 30 day demo version here, and if you would like to discuss your application or make a purchase, let us know. You can download a current price list as well as an options sheet. Existing users of Sound Technology software can also upgrade |
