APx58x B Series Audio Analyzers
Channel count meets broad range of digital I/O for simultaneous, multichannel audio test.
APx58x B Series Eight- and Sixteen-Channel Modular Audio AnalyzersThe APx585B Series is a true multichannel audio analyzer, with eight simultaneous analog outputs and inputs. It’s ideal for designing and testing consumer devices such as home theater receivers or pro devices like mixing consoles.
The APx586 adds a second input module for 16 simultaneous analog input channels.
The APx582 offers the same eight channels of analog input as the APx585 in combination with two 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
features
Simultaneous 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.
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.
Common Software Platform
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.
Transfer Function
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.
Open-Loop Chirp
This signal provides multiple, high-resolution results in a brief period of time and allows APx users to 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).
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. APx analyzers provide jitter generation and jitter analysis features to simplify jitter testing. Learn more
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 DUT. Learn more
Multiple Simultaneous Input Types
APx500 software provides multi-input capability to APx, allowing engineers to activate a second input type on any APx modular audio analyzer and make measurements simultaneously on analog and digital signals.
This 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
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 with no development 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.
Versatility in I/O
All APx58x B 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.
The optional Advanced Master Clock (AMC) module handles input and output clock signals to synchronize the APx58x 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).
SPECIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
GENERATOR PERFORMANCE
- Sine Frequency Range
5 Hz to 80.1 kHz - Frequency Accuracy
3 ppm - IMD Test Signals
SMPTE, MOD, DFD - Maximum Amplitude (balanced)
14.4 Vrms (APx585 & APx586)
26.66 Vrms (APx582) - Amplitude Accuracy
±0.05 dB - Flatness (20 Hz–20 kHz)
±0.008 dB - Residual THD+N (20 kHz BW)
–103 dB + 1.4 µV - Analog Output Configurations
Unbalanced & balanced - Digital Output Sampling Rate
27 kS/s to 200 kS/s
27 kS/s to 108 kS/s Optical - Dolby / dts Generator
Yes (encoded file)
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.
ANALYZER PERFORMANCE
- Maximum Rated Input Voltage
160 Vpk - Maximum Bandwidth
1 to 16 channels of analog input 90 kHz - IMD Measurement Capability
SMPTE, MOD, DFD - Amplitude Accuracy (1 kHz)
±0.05 dB - Amplitude Flatness (20 Hz–20 kHz)
±0.008 dB - Residual Input Noise (20 kHz BW)
1.3 µV - Residual THD+N (20 kHz BW)
–103 dB + 1.4 µV - Individual Harmonic Analyzer
d2–d10 - Max FFT Length
1248K points - DC Voltage Measurement
Yes
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 CD-ROM drive (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
