Course detail

Measurements for Audio and Acoustics

FEKT-MPC-AMAAcad. year: 2023/2024

The course focuses on measurements of audio equipment, acoustic and electroacoustic measurement according to international recommendations in these fields. Laboratory practices are focused on the realization of projects in LabView, Matlab and VBA programming language for the automated measurement of audio equipment, electroacoustic devices and noise in various industrial measuring systems and bulk processing of measured data. In laboratory exercises, the Brüel & Kjaer, Audio Precision, NTi Audio and Agilent measuring systems are used.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Jiří Schimmel, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Telecommunications (UTKO)

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of control of instruments for measuring voltage and current, digital generators, oscilloscopes and spectral analyzers, knowledge of principles of measurement of current, voltage, frequency, impedance and total harmonic distortion are required. A student who enrolls in the subject must have advanced knowledge of working with the Excel program and master the Matlab environment. 

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Evaluation of study results follow the BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations and Dean's Regulation complementing the BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations. Up to 45 points can be obtained for elaboration of all individual work and laboratory exercises. Up to 55 points are given for the final examination, and it is necessary to get at least 25 points for its successful completion.

It is obligatory to undergo all laboratory exercises in regular or alternative terms to complete the course. The minimal scope of the elaboration of a particular laboratory exercise are specified by a regulation issued by the guarantor of the course and updated for every academic year. Other forms of checked instruction are specified by a regulation issued by the guarantor of the course and updated for every academic year.

 

Aims

The aim of the course is to introduce students to modern methods and devices for measurements in acoustics, electroacoustics and audio technology.
- use the correct method for automated measurement of a given quantity,
On completion of the course, students are able to:
- create an automated measurement project for typical applications in acoustics, electroacoustics and audio engineering,
- perform bulk processing of measured data using a spreadsheet editor,
- create and edit macros in the VBA for bulk processing of measured data,
- create functions for remote control of automated measurement systems.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

BRIXEN, E., B. Audio Metering - Measurements, Standards and Practice, 2nd edition. Focal Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-240-81467-4 (EN)
AES17-2015, AES standard method for digital audio engineering - Measurement of digital audio equipment. Audio Engineering Society, Inc., 2015. (EN)
BALLOU, Glen. A sound engineer´s guide to audio test and measurement. Amsterdam: Elsevier, Focal Press, 2009, vi, 179 s. ISBN 978-0-240-81265-6. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

eLearning

eLearning: currently opened course

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MPC-AUD Master's

    specialization AUDM-TECH , 2. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization AUDM-ZVUK , 2. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jiří Schimmel, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Analysis of audio signals: spectral analysis, frequency-band analysis, order analysis, frequency weighting filters, smoothing and averaging of measured data.
  2. Analysis of audio systems: closed- and open-loop measurement, narrowband and wideband measurement signals, compensation of measurement chain characteristics.
  3. Measurement of audio devices: analog device parameters and their measurement, IEC 60268-3 recommendations, digital device parameters and their measurements, AES17 recommendation.
  4. Measurement of acoustic quantities: measurement environment, measurement of sound pressure, sound intensity and acoustic power, noise source identification.
  5. Noise measurement: impact of noise on humans, measurement and evaluation of noise, hygienic noise limits, measurement of emission levels of sound pressure.
  6. Sound level meter: measurement microphones, accelerometers, sensor amplifier, time-weighted sound pressure level measurement, sound level meter calibration.
  7. Measurement uncertainties: sources of uncertainty in acoustic measurements and their determination, standard deviation of reproducibility and repeatability of measurements.
  8. Sound measurement from the point of view of legislation: metrology in the Czech Republic, etalons, type and periodic tests of sound level meter, calibration.
  9. Measurement of microphones: parameters of microphones and their measurement, IEC 60268-4 recommendations, measurement using artificial mouth and HATS for telemetry.
  10. Measurement of loudspeakers: measurement environment, standard speaker enclosure and cabinet, loudspeaker parameters and their measurement, IEC 60268-5 and AES2 recommendations.
  11. Measurement of headphones, hearing protectors and communication devices: acoustic impedance of the ear and its simulation, parameters of headphones and their measurement, recommendation IEC 60268-7.
  12. Evaluation of sound quality and speech intelligibility: subjective methods (MOS, MUSHRA, ABC and ABx test), objective methods (articulation index, speech transmission index, psychoacoustic metrics, intrusive methods). 

Laboratory exercise

39 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jiří Schimmel, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • Getting familiar with the laboratory, introduction to VBA
  • Common laboratory exercises:
    • Data processing of sound level meter measurement using VBA
    • Audio device analysis and sequence measurement with the Audio Precision APx analyzer
    • Introduction to LabView
    • Controlling the Audio Precision APx Analyzer with LabView
    • Controlling the Audio Precision APx analyzer using Matlab
  • Individual projects: Acoustic power measurement
    • Measurement of TS parameters of loudspeaker
    • Measuring the characteristics of audio equipment
    • Open-loop measurement of communication devices
    • Measurement of compressor characteristics
  • Alternate term for laboratory exercises

eLearning

eLearning: currently opened course