Performance Verification of Acoustical Measurement Systems - Technical Guide: Acoustical measurement systems
Acoustical measurement systems
A measurement system must be thought of as not only the measuring instrumentation, but it's interaction with the operator, the device or measurand through method of use, and the environment in which it is used.
Each of these elements have associated sources of variation that affect the measurement result. Changing any element effectively creates a new measurement system.
Elements in an acoustical measurement system
Generic elements of a complete acoustical measurement system are listed below:
- Instrumentation, comprising:
- Sensing elements (microphone, pre-amplifier)
- Acquisition elements (e.g., analogue-digital-converters, input channels)
- Analysis/Recording (e.g., filters, frequency analysis, weighting networks)
- Cabling/accessories
- Operator
- Measurement methodology
- Environment
The performance of the instrumentation may be established through calibration. The other elements involve variables found within the measurement process. Calibration provides a controlled environment in which these other elements are removed from the equation.
Performance verification is important to ensure that, when used with the remaining elements, the system is fit for purpose.