Acoustic Testing

An acoustic test, or acoustic testing, has changed over the years. Octave and fractional octave bands have been used for several decades now in the characterization of acoustic energy in various applications. Early acoustic analyzers were essentially comprised of analog filter banks. Band filtered data resulted in fewer numbers, making data easier to pass around before the advent of powerful PC-based systems that we are accustomed to today. Standards developed for acoustic testing and acoustic applications were therefore based on filtered data, and this has largely resulted in the need for continued analysis using true filtered octave and fractional octave analysis. Practically speaking, however, the human response to noise and vibration is very non-linear in nature and most mechanical systems have a behavior that is best characterized by proportional bandwidth analysis. Noise measurements are largely attempting to qualify sound as perceived by the human ear, which does not have a uniform linear response. Frequency weighting of the signal is common. The A-Weighting filter applies a frequency weighting that has been slow to correlate very well with subjective response. Every SignalCalc Dynamic Signal Analyzer is an acoustic analyzer capable of acoustic testing that involves evaluating sound power and applying weighting functions. There are many different forms of airborne acoustic testing including general level recording, sound pressure spectral measurement, realtime octave sound pressure measurements, sound intensity, sound power, and sound quality. Explore these applications in more detail to understand how SignalCalc Dynamic Signal Analyzers can help with acoustic testing and noise and vibration analysis: Realtime Octave and Third Octave Sound Intensity Sound Power Sound Quality Underwater acoustics involves generating signals and making measurements underwater. Making measurements with arrays of towed hydrophones, simple underwater R&D experiments, and generating underwater signals are all capable with Data Physics products. Learn more about Underwater Acoustics. High Intensity Acoustic Power Generation is commonly used for simulated high energy levels seen at blast off, in-flight, and rocket fire conditions. Cutting-edge aerospace facilities and military facilities use these techniques for environmental survivability and qualification tests. Learn more about High Intensity Acoustic Power Generation.

For more information on Acoustic Testing talk to Data Physics (UK) Ltd