Sound Power System

Acoustic engineers now can take advantage of a computer-based system from National Instruments for measuring noise emissions.

The LabVIEW-based NI Sound Power System is preconfigured to work with multiplexers, microphones, and other professional acoustic equipment.

Engineers test thousands of products, such as computers, printers and other business equipment, to determine if they emit noise within specific acceptable limits. For highly accurate results, products are tested in acoustic chambers surrounded by microphones.

The audible signals from this microphone array travel through multiplexers to computers for analysis and presentation.

National Instruments offers two options with the system. The Sound Power Developer Software includes the LabVIEW-based source code, so users can customise the system. With LabVIEW, users acquire, analyse, and present data quickly and easily. They develop LabVIEW programs (VIs) with easy to use, intuitive icons and flow charts.

A basic version of the system, the Sound Power User Software, contains LabVIEW executables for acoustic measurements. Both versions of the NI Sound Power System include software drivers for multiplexers and microphones from major manufacturers of acoustic equipment. Interfacing with a multiplexer may require purchase of a National Instruments PCI-GPIB board.