Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements (Part 6) - Measurement Examples

Stuart Yaniger continues to examine ways to create a low-cost system for lab-grade audio electronics measurements. In this article, a few measurement examples are used to illustrate the power and the versatility of sound-card-based measurements. To illustrate the usefulness of measurements in the design process, Yaniger also explores the effects of load on power supply noise for a common IC regulator circuit. This article was originally published in audioXpress, November 2015.

In this article series, Stuart Yaniger examines ways to create a low-cost system for lab-grade audio electronics measurements. The pieces of a powerful modern measurement system comprise a sound card, software, and a signal conditioning interface and, of course, the right computer. That’s where Yaniger delves in this third part, also sharing some of his first findings on available software. This article was originally published in audioXpress, August 2015.

Usually we think of noise as a signal to be eliminated, or at least reduced, in any audio system. However, noise can be a very useful test signal because it is inherently broadband, which is faster and perhaps more accurate than spot or swept frequency testing. Article originally published by Voice Coil, December 2010