APx517B Series Acoustic Analyzer
Acoustic Production Test Redefined
The APx517B Series acoustic audio analyzer is specifically designed, configured and priced to meet production-line needs. It is ideal for the testing of speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets and the wide range of consumer electronics incorporating speakers and microphones. With the APx517B, manufacturers can deploy an integrated acoustic test system that brings the renowned quality, reliability and robustness of AP’s lab-oriented analyzers to their manufacturing lines.
Features
Reliable, Integrated System
Combining audio analyzer, power amplifier, headphone amplifier, and microphone power supply, along with optional digital interfaces, the APx517B can drastically reduce setup and reconfiguration time. And as a system, the APx517B is backed by a three year warranty and is delivered with a Certificate of Traceability, confirming that each unit meets its published specification. For added reliability, the APx517B is built with overload, short circuit, and reverse current protection.
Configurability
The APx517B maintains the APx Series’ tradition of flexibility and configurability. In its base configuration, APx517B is a ready-to-go system for measuring analog speakers, microphones, headphones, or headsets. For digital devices, APx517B has a module slot for the addition of a single APx digital interface module, such as Bluetooth, PDM or HDMI.
On the software side, a standard system provides a core set of measurements and functionality to allow out-of-the-box, fundamental test of acoustic devices. Additional advanced measurement options are available, either individually or in groups.
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 APx500 Flex, B Series or 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.
Specified Impedance Accuracy
Unlike any other system available, the APx517B provides specific impedance accuracy via the dual-channel Kelvin impedance measurement capability of its power amplifier and headphone amplifier.
Drastically Reduce Setup and Reconfiguration Time
As an integrated system combining audio analyzer (signal generation and acquisition), power amplifier, headphone amplifier and microphone power supply, along with any required digital interface such as Bluetooth, the APx517B has the power to drastically reduce setup and reconfiguration time by eliminating multiple individual components (from a variety of vendors) and their associated cabling. Additionally, and unlike those individual components, the APx517B is uniquely delivered with an accredited ISO/IEC 17025 calibration, confirming that each unit meets its published specification.
Designed and built for the production line
Unlike acoustic analysis systems assembled from an assortment of individual components from different vendors, the APx517B is an integrated system designed and built specifically for the production line.
The robust hardware of the APx517B is complemented by the APx500 audio measurement software. For the manufacturing environment, repetitive bench tests and production testing can easily be automated with the built-in measurement sequencer and saved as a project that can be used with any APx analyzer. Production Test mode provides an optional simplified operator interface with multiple run statistics, created and supervised by a manufacturing engineer. Access the API if you prefer: documentation for VB.NET, C#.NET, MATLAB and LabVIEW is included.
Options
HARDWARE OPTIONS
Headphone Amplifier Connector Panel
The headphone amplifier is part of the base configuration of any APx517B, with the user able to select from one of three connector choices at the time of purchase: 1/4″ connector, 3.5 mm connector, or dual-BNC. Additional panels may be purchased and the panels can be easily replaced by the user.
Bluetooth Duo
AP’s next-generation Bluetooth module, the APx Bluetooth Duo™, delivers a wider selection of A2DP codecs, faster pair and connection times, an increased feature set within APx500 measurement software, and improved RF shielding for use in production test environments. APx Duo supports Bluetooth core specification v4.2, HFP v1.7, HSP v1.2, AVRCP v1.4 and A2DP v1.3. Note: APx Bluetooth Duo requires v4.5 APx500 software (or later) and can only be installed on “Type E” APx chassis (manufactured after August 2012).
PDM 16
PDM 16 is an optional input module providing sample-accurate inter-channel phase information for up to 16 channels of pulse density modulated signals. With its acoustically-silent remote pod and extension cable preserving PDM signal integrity for up to 10 meters, PDM 16 readily supports MEMS microphone measurements in anechoic chambers. As an added feature, the module can provide up to 50 mA Vdd power supply to the device, or devices, under test.
PDM
The APx PDM option provides direct connectivity for audio devices that have a pulse density modulation (PDM) output such as a MEMS microphone, or an input such as the decimator on a smartphone chip. In addition to standard audio measurements, APx provides variable DC voltage, variable sample rate, and PSR (power supply rejection) measurements for testing devices’ full operating parameters. Jitter capable.
Digital Serial I/O
Digital serial capability is essential in R&D for evaluating designs at the circuit board level. The Digital Serial I/O (DSIO) option provides a direct multichannel connection to chip-level interfaces such as I2S, TDM, and other popular serial interface formats including left-justified, right-justified, and DSP. Jitter capable.
HDMI + ARC
The APx HDMI option allows engineers to measure HDMI audio quality and audio format compatibility on devices such as surround sound receivers, set-top boxes, smartphones, tablets, TVs, and DVD or Blu-ray Disc™ players. APx can stream both lossless and compressed formats from pre-encoded audio test files, making it easy to troubleshoot component compatibility and issues related to downsampling, downmixing, or transcoding.
Digital I/O
Provides AES3, AES/EBU balanced digital I/O on XLR; unbalanced SPDIF digital I/O on BNC; and TOSLINK optical digital I/O.
SpeakON-to-BNC: This is our off-the-shelf cable designed for easy connection of a GRAS mouth simulator to the APx517 B series acoustic analyzer, or to connect a mouth simulator to an APx1701 when connected to any of our other APx5XX analyzers. The cable comes in two and five meter lengths.
- – CAB-SPK-MS-2M:Two-meter SpeakON-to-BNC cable
- – CAB-SPK-MS-5M: Five-meter SpeakON-to-BNC cable
SOFTWARE OPTIONS
As with APx500 Flex, a trio of Flex Packs is available, each offering different groups of more advanced measurements to the APx517B. Perceptual audio measurements—including ABC-MRT and POLQA—can likewise be used with APx517B. Finally, for the user that needs the base configuration plus just one or two more measurements, à la carte menu of measurements is available.
APX-FLEX-PACK-2
Flex Pack 2 includes the following measurements: crosstalk, crosstalk sweeps, DC level, DC level sweep, DUT delay, frequency response, interchannel phase, level ratio, measurement recorder, noise, noise recorder, Q-peak noise, SNR, SINAD, and stepped level sweep.
APX-FLEX-PACK-3
Flex Pack 3 includes the following measurements: continuous sweep, digital error rate, dynamic range (AES17), IMD, IMD frequency sweep, IMD level sweep, input sample rate, maximum output, maximum output (CEA-2006), multitone analyzer, regulated frequency sweep, and signal analyzer.
APX-FLEX-PACK-4
Flex Pack 4 includes the following measurements: acoustic response, bandpass frequency sweep, bandpass level, bandpass level sweep, cumulative spectral decay, impedance/Thiele-Small, modulated noise, polar plots, and transfer function.
INDIVIDUAL MEASUREMENT OPTIONS
In addition to Flex Packs, measurement options can be purchased individually, allowing users to configure their test system specifically for their application requirements. Measurements can be added to an APx517B when ordering a new analyzer or they can be delivered electronically to an existing APx517B. Please consult the APx517B data sheet for a complete list of measurements.
PERCEPTUAL AUDIO TEST OPTIONS
Perceptual Audio Test: POLQA (SW-POLQA-2)
Perceptual audio measurement returns a subjective assessment of speech quality using the next-generation POLQA algorithm for wide-band speech devices or devices with acoustic coupling. (Successor to PESQ with support for HD Voice, 3G, 4G/LTE and VoIP technologies)
Speech Intelligibility: ABC-MRT Measurement (SW-ABC-MRT)
The APx ABC-MRT plugin is a software option for APx500 audio measurement software that provides speech intelligibility measurement based upon the ABC-MRT speech processing algorithm developed by the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) of the United States National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Speech Intelligibility: Speech Transmission Index (SW-STI)
SW-STI is a plug-in for conducting Speech Transmission Index (STI) measurements using the STIPA method.
Specifications & Requirements
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
192 kHz SR (High-Res Audio Ready)
Quiet, thermostatically controlled fans
Universal 100-240 V power supply
ANALOG OUTPUTS
35 W Mono Power Amplifier
17 Vrms max output
2 to 8 Ω @ 35 W
17 Vrms above 8 Ω
Residual THD+N (20 kHz BW)
< –80 dB +35 μVImpedance Accuracy
≤ 1% for resistive loads, 4 Ω to 16 Ω, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
≤ 2% for resistive loads, 2 Ω to 4 Ω, 20 Hz to 20 kHzOutput current limited
Reverse overload protected
Integrated, dual-channel (Vsense, Vdriver) Kelvin impedance measurement
Stereo (2 ch) Headphone Amplifier
9 Vrms max output
2 to 800 Ω @ 100 mW
Residual THD+N (20 kHz BW)
< –84 dB +15 μVImpedance Accuracy
≤ 1% for resistive loads, < 350 Ω, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
≤ 1% for resistive loads, 350 Ω to 800 Ω, 20 Hz to 6 kHz
≤ 3% for resistive loads, 350 Ω to 800 Ω, 6 kHz to 20 kHzOutput current limited
Reverse overload protected
Integrated, dual-channel (Vsense, Vdriver) Kelvin impedance measurement
SYSTEM requirements
- Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) operating system.
- USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. Two are required for optional switcher or DCX-127 use.
- Intel i5 or better processor running at a clock speed of at least 2.5 GHz. AMD processors with similar specifications are also supported.
- At least 8 GB RAM. 16 GB is highly recommended.
- Internet connection or an USB Type A port (to access APx500 software for installation).
- At least 1.5 GB of free hard disk space. An SSD for the operating system drive is recommended.
- A color monitor and video card with at least SXGA (1280 X 1024) video graphics support. Video resolution of 1900 x 1080 or greater is recommended.
- More detailed information is available on our AP Software and Windows Compatibility chart
ANALOG INPUTS
BNC Unbalanced
40 Vpk max input
CCP / ICP / IEPE mic power, 4 or 10 mA
DC Bias mic power, 0 – 12 V
Residual THD+N (20 kHz BW)
< –98 dB +1.9 μV
Input overload protection
XLR Balanced
40 Vpk max input
48 V phantom power
Residual THD+N (20 kHz BW)
< –98 dB +1.9 μV
Input overload protection
NOTES
- System performance is sensitive to processor speed; faster processors will yield faster results.
- APx500 is data intensive and it is recommended that other data-intensive applications not be run concurrently. This includes Audio Precision AP2700, APWIN or ATS.
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