460 likes | 684 Views
by. presents:. Outline System “E.T.” Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable. System components System properties New features Make-up of the basic system Installation Manual control Control via the “ET Commander” Examples of system use
E N D
by presents:
Outline System “E.T.”Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable • System components • System properties • New features • Make-up of the basic system • Installation • Manual control • Control via the “ET Commander” • Examples of system use • Example 1: Polar measurements - 1 axis • Example 2: Polar measurements - 2 axes • Example 3: Polar measurements of Microphones • Example 4: Listening tests • Some references • Technical specifications
Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable Outline “E.T.” system components The system comprises: • ET 2Electronic Controller • ST 2Turntable
Properties of the Outline “E.T.” system Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable An Outline “E.T.” system allows to control the rotation of one or more turntables. It's thus possible to carry out acoustic measurements on loudspeaker systems and obtain dispersion graphs. • Outline “E.T.” is a manual or automatic rotation system for carrying out dispersion measurements. • Outline “E.T.” can be interfaced with all analog measurement systems, in both manual mode and automatic mode, using the sophisticated Outline ET Commander software, which controls all its movements. • Since it emits and receives TTL sync pulses, Outline “E.T.” can be directly interfaced with computerized measurement systems which recognise or generate this TTL pulse (LinearX LMS®, DRA MLSSA®, GoldLine TEF 20®, Audiomatica Clio®, etc.), as well as with others, by means of the ET Commander software in a Windows® (95, 98, NT) multitasking system. • These possibilities make the Outline “E.T.” system unique for use in research labs in which several sound reproduction or measurement systems have to be moved simultaneously.
Properties of the Outline “E.T.” system Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable The 2D polar diagram shown alongside was drawn using an LMS® system: it shows the SPL response values of a speaker enclosure measured at 500, 800,1K, 2K e 4K,10K Hz, while carrying out four complete rotations in 5° steps.
Properties of the Outline “E.T.” system Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable This 3D diagram was drawn using an MLSSA® system: it shows the SPL response curves of a speaker enclosure (freq. between 200 and 20kHz) +/- 180° as a function of the angle of rotation referred to the measurement “Z” axis (0°).
Properties of the Outline “E.T.” system Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable This diagram shows the polar response of a microphone plotted in an anechoic chamber using a calibrated wide-band source and rotating the microphone as indicated in the example alongside.
New features introduced Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable After the success of the first version of the ET1-ST1 turntables, Outline modified the ET 1 control unit, now called “ET 2”, with the following upgrades, in between ST1 was improved mechanically and named ST2: • “ET 2” is completely controllable via Personal Computer by means of the Outline “ET Commander” program. • “ET 2” can control TWO “ST 2” (*) turntables: the first (Master) rotates clockwise, whereas the second (Slave) rotates counterclockwise. • The Outline “ET Commander” program can control up to TWO ET 2 units, driving two ST 2 (*) turntables, which can therefore rotate separately and freely (plus other two “slave” turntables). • With “ET Commander”, the turntable can be rotated in both directions (clockwise or counterclockwise), in either automatic or manual mode. • “ST2” now can rotate also a suspended load up to 100 Kg. with 30 Kg. of twisting moment, thanks to a 20% more powerful motor with stamped steel gear. (*) The second ST 2 unit is optional
Make-up of the basic system Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable The basic system of Outline “E.T.” comprises: • 1 “ET 2” electronic controller • 1.8m. cable (DB9M – DB25M) for connecting the ET 2 to the PC LPT • 1 “ST 2” turntable • 0.5m. cable with one DB9F (for connection to the measurement cards' TTL output). • 1 “ET Commander” software for controlling the system via PC with Microsoft Windows®. The equipment is completed by: • 1 220V power cord for ET 2 • 10 - 10MA hexagon socket screws for fixing the ST 2 to the dedicated hardware or optional “STAND-ST2” stand. • 1 - 8mm hexagon key. • 10m. cable (DB9 – Micro) for connecting the ET 2 and ST 2
Installation –Connecting the ET 2 to the ST 2 Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable Rear of the ET 2 • The DB9/F connector of the 10 m. multipole cable (supplied as standard) must be connected to the “Turntable” DB9/M connector on the rear of the ET 2. • The other end of the cable must be connected to the connector on the ST2 First turntable
Installation –Connecting a SECOND ST2 UNIT Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable With ET 2, two ST 2 units can be controlled: • The DB9/F connector of the 10m. multipole cable (supplied as standard) of the SECOND ST2 unit must be connected to the “Turntable (Reverse Slave)” DB9/M connector on the front panel of the ET 2. • The other end of the cable must be connected to the connector on the ST 2. Front of the ET 2 The second ST2 unit will be in sync with the first, but will rotate in the opposite direction (slave conditions). “ET Commander” can control two ST2 units independently (plus two slaves more), but in this case, two ET 2 units must be used. Second turntable
Installation -Connecting the ET 2 to a P.C.with “ET Commander” Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable The new ET 2 control unit is fully controllable via Personal Computer thanks to Outline's “ET Commander” software: Personal Computer LPT • Connect the DB9/DB25 cable (supplied as standard) to the parallel port of the Personal Computer and the “Computer Parallel Port” DB9F connector on the front panel of the ET 2 unit: • When initiated, “ET Commander” runs a test of the ST2 turntable's status, returning it to the 0° (zero degrees) position.
Installation -Connecting the ET 2 to the Measurement Card Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable The cable supplied with just one DB9 is for permanent connection to the measurement system. For example, with LinearX LMS, it will be soldered directly to the DB15 connector. For DRA MLSSA on the other hand, an (optional) normal DB9-DB9 cable must be used. • To synchronize the movement of the ST 2 unit, using the TTL output of the measurement card used, connect the DB9M connector of the 0.5m. cable supplied as standard to the “Computer” connector on the rear panel of the ET2. The cable's conductors (centre and ground) must be connected to the TTL output signal PIN and the earth of the measurement card respectively. • a second ST 2 turntable is connected, it will also be synchronised with the first by means of the TTL pulse generated by the audio card, but will rotate counterclockwise. Rear of the ET 2 Once the required angular movement is finished, the ET 2 unit generates another TTL pulse (with the required delay setted by the user) to communicate the audio card that it can begin a new measurement.
Manual control –ET 2 controls:“Switch on”, “Reset” and “TTL Output Delay” Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable • This switch switches on the ET 2 and powers the ST 2 • The “RESET” button on the ET 2's front panel returns the ST 2 to a position of zero degrees (0°). • The “TTL OUTPUT TIME ADJ” trimmer on the ET 2's front panel is used to adjust the running time of the measurement cycles by introducing a delay in sending the TTL pulse, which can be set between 3 and 25 seconds. It can be used where the measuring program (for example MLSSA®), provides for the continuation of measurement after a pulse is received from the ET 2 control unit.
Manual control –ET 2 controls:“Deg Step”, LED and “Manual” buttons Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable • The “DEG STEP” selector on ET 2's front panel is used to select the step (in degrees) of the movement which ST 2 will carry out for each pulse received via automatic command from a measurement card. This selector is only used for the automatic control of the turntable by a measurement card (connected to the “COMPUTER” connector on the rear panel). If ET Commander is used, the position of this selector is unimportant. • The two LEDs under the “AUTO” printing indicate the direction of rotation of the ST 2 (COUNTER/CW - CLOCKWISE) in both Manual and Automatic mode. This is useful when ST 2 can't be seen directly from the measurement position. • The two buttons under “MANUAL” are used to manually turn the ST 2 counterclockwise (COUNTER/ CW) or clockwise (CLOCK WISE)
Manual control –Rotation Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable ST 2 turntable rotation can be controlled either manually or automatically. • Manual movement is carried out using the control buttons on the ET 2's panel or the Outline “ET Commander” software's “virtual" buttons. • Automatic movement is carried out with the custom “macro” controls available using Outline “ET Commander” software. • Automatic movement is also carried out with “macro” controls created “ad hoc” or already available in the measurement software controlling TTL pulses on input and/or output, such as LMS, MLSSA, TEF 20 or Clio.
Control with “ET Commander” Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable • The ”ET Commander” control panel gives a complete display of all the functions available on ET 2. • This is the screen seen by a user with just one ET 2 unit connected.
Selection of Manual or Automatic controlwith “ET Commander” Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable This button shows the selection enabled: “Manual”, “Timer”, “External” or “Internal”. Clicking on it, the “Start Control Mode” screen appears to enable the required option to be selected. • Manual: manual mode • Timer: rotation according to the interval of time set between the ST2's movements. • External: the turntable rotates when an external TTL pulse is received on the “Computer Parallel Port” connector on the ET 2's front panel. • Internal: the turntable is rotated by a TTL pulse received on the PC's parallel port.
Manual control with “ET Commander” • A Manual movement is set here: pressing “Start”, the turntable carries out a movement equal to the degrees selected. • Pressing this button returns the turntable to the Zero (0°) position. • This button runs a turntable status test. Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable The ”ET Commander” control panel give a complete display of all the functions available on ET 2. • This part displays ST2's position (in degrees) and the two LEDs indicate the direction of movement.
Automatic control via “ET Commander” Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable • The Macros are set here by keying in the (negative or positive) "step" for rotation in automatic mode. • One of the 10 letters available (from A to J) is selected, the required angle is set with the arrows and confirmed by clicking the “Insert” button. • Pressing “Start” starts the macro sequence run from “A” to the last letter set: the ST 2 turntable carries out a movement equal to the angular step set. • For example, it's possible to set a 10° step on A, 340° on B: in this case, ST 2 moves in a clockwise direction from 0° to 10°, then goes back to the 340° position (-10°). • The command varies according to what has been set with the “Start Mode” button. • The “step” for the complete rotation in Automatic mode is set here: when “Start” is pressed, the turntable rotates through 360° with the selected steps.
Control of 2 ET 2 units via “ET Commander” Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable The Outline “ET Commander” program can control up to TWO ET 2 units, driving two ST2 (*) turntables, which can therefore rotate separately and freely (plus other two “slave” turntables). • This is the screen seen by users with two ET 2 units connected to an ET Commander. • The On/Off buttons for units A and B are used to enable or disable them. • When the button is clicked, the writing on it changes from “On” to “Off” and vice versa.
Examples of use of the Outline “E.T.” system Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable The “E.T.” system has been designed and built to carry out polar response measurements on loudspeaker systems, but can also be efficiently used for all applications requiring a sophisticated computer-controlled turntable system.
Example 1: Polar measurements - 1 axis – 2D Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable This system allows to obtain 2D Polar plots (just one axis per set of measurements) Example of 2D Polar Plot obtained with LinearX LMS4® Other Polar Plots with different appearances but the same results can be obtained with the following measurement systems (among the best known): • DRA MLSSA® • Techron TEF 20® • Audiomatica Clio®
Setup for Polar measurements - 1 axis: example of hardware Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable As well as the Outline “ET 2 – ST 2” set, the following are required: System under measurement ST 2 Microphone • One stand with adjustable height regolabile • One adjustable microphone stand Adjustable stand Adjustable stand
Polar measurements:1 axis – Horizontal plane of the speaker enclosure Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable In this way, the polar response of the speaker enclosure on the horizontal plane is obtained: • Position the speaker enclosure's acoustic emission centre on the axis of rotation of the ST 2 and the measurement microphone perpendicular to the speaker enclosure's acoustic centre. • Carry out a set of SPL response measurements until the required rotation is achieved.
Polar Measurements:1 axis – Vertical plane of the speaker enclosure Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable In this way, the polar response of the speaker enclosure on the vertical plane is obtained: • Carry out the same procedure as for “1 horizontal axis” measurement, with the speaker enclosure turned through 90° on its emission axis.
Example 2: Polar Measurements – 2 axes – 3D Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable This system enables 3D polar plots to be obtained (two axes per set of measurements) in the shortest possible time and taking the smallest number of measurements. • Using two ST 2 turntables (one rotating the speaker enclosure and the other the microphone), it's possible to obtain measurements for drawing up 3D Polar Plots. • With “n” rotations of 360° of the speaker enclosure equal to “n” movements of the microphone from 0° to 90°, a 3D polar plot relative to a hemisphere (2p steradians) can be obtained.
Setup for Polar M. – 2 axes – 3D: Hardware example for speaker enclosure Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable By means of dedicated simple hardware (built “ad hoc”), such as that shown in this example, any type of speaker enclosure can be positioned, maintaining the emission axis perpendicular to the centre of rotation. • The lower circular section, which serves as a rotation support for the arms, is bolted to the bottom of the ST 2 and will in turn be fixed (for example) to the walkway grating of an anechoic chamber, or simply place on an absorbent floor for the measurements in 2p str. • The arms shown here, which can be freely moved, are bolted to the top holes of the ST 2 • The components shown can be built using normal steel tubing, easily found anywhere.
Setup for Polar M. – 2 axes – 3D: Hardware example for microphone. Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable Example of dedicated hardware for the second ST 2 base for rotating a microphone.
Setup for Polar M. – 2 axes – 3D: Example of set-up in an anechoic chamber Second ST 2 Grilled flooring Anechoic cones Begin First ST 2 Microphone Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable Example of a set-up in an anechoic chamber for a system with two ET 2 and two ST 2 turntables: to carry out this type of measurement, the speaker enclosure must be positioned with its horizontal emission axis turned through 90°, i.e. laid on its side. • The component being measured in this case is the top horn of the speaker enclosure, whose emission axis is perpendicular to the axis of rotation and coincides with that of the microphone. Grilled flooring If a measurement in 2p ster. has to be carried out, it's obviously possible to repeat the same “sketch” in a free field with the system laid on the floor. All supports will be covered with soundproofing material to avoid reflections
Polar Measurements – 2 axes – 3D: Step 1 Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable First measurement on the chosen emission axis:speaker enclosure and microphone both positioned at 0° • The microphone remains positioned at 0° while the speaker enclosure carries out a complete rotation (355°) with 5° steps (or multiples thereof).
Polar Measurements – 2 axes – 3D: Step 2 Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable The speaker enclosure carries out a complete rotation for each microphone angulation: here it has already carried out a rotation of 330° with 5° steps, whereas the microphone remains positioned at 0°. • The last measurement at 0° on the Horizontal axis finishes with the speaker enclosure positioned at 355° (if a 5° step is selected). • When the speaker enclosure returns to position 0°, the microphone turns through 5° (clockwise) and the measurement sequence starts again with a second complete rotation.
Measurements Polar – 2 axes – 3D: Step 3 Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable In this example, the speaker enclosure has already carried out two complete rotations (in 5° steps) and is in position 330°, whereas the microphone has moved 5° three times. • The last measurement for preparing a 3D polar plot is taken when the microphone is in the vertical position (90°) and the speaker enclosure has reached position 355°.
Polar measurements – 2 axes – 3D: result Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable The polar plot of the complete sphere can be prepared by using the measurement system software to calculate a “Mirror” of the hemisphere obtained. Every computerized measurement system generally has its own programming language. The routine for carrying out the necessary calculation will be prepared using this language. Mirror It is however possible to create a simple data conversion program, no matter what the measurement system.
Example 3: Polar measurements of microphones Grilled flooring Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable This system can be used to prepare a 2D polar plot of a microphone. • According to the type of microphone being measured, its acoustic centre (the capsule) will be perpendicular to or coincident with the ST2 turntable's rotation axis. Anechoic cones • With additional equipment (to rotate the microphone on the other plane) and suitable interpolation software, a 3D plot can be prepared.
Example 4: Using ET 2 with two ST 2 for listening to music Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable Taking advantage of the possibility of controlling two ST 2 (one of which is counter-rotating), tests can be run to find the best stereo image. • For example, Hi-Fi stores continually carrying out demos of various types of loudspeakers enclosures can experiment directly from the comfort of a demo room chair, and hear (in real time) the change that take place in the stereo image when the loudspeaker enclosures' reciprocal angle is changed.
Example 4 - Enclosures in position 0° Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable • The emission axes of the two enclosures are perpendicular to the plane of the listening point.
Example 4 - Enclosures in position X1 Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable • The emission axis of speaker “L” is rotated by –(X°) in relation to the listening point. • The emission axis of speaker “R” is rotated by +(X°) in relation to the listening point.
Example 4 - Enclosures in position X2 Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable • Loudspeaker enclosure's “L”'s emission axis is now rotated by –(X1°+X°). • Loudspeaker enclosure “R”'s emission axis is now rotated by +(X1°+X°). With ET Commander, the movement of the two turntables can be freely inverted (however, one of them is always a “slave”).
Outline “E.T.” System Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable USA Distributor:Old Colony Sound Laboratories (Audio Amateur Group) Some references: • AKG Acoustics - Austria • AUDIOMATICA – Italy • AURA Systems – USA • BOSE Corporation – USA • CARVER Corporation – USA • CELESTION – England • CHALMERS University of Technology – Sweden • COMMUNITY Professional – USA • CROWN International – USA • DRA Labs – USA • EVI Audio – Germany • GENELEC – Finland • HARMAN Motive – USA • HELSINKY University of Technology- Finland • KEF – England • INFINITY Systems – USA • KLIPSCH Professional • KRELL Industries – USA • LinearX Systems – USA • LUCASFILM THX – USA • MACKIE Designs – USA • MILLER & KREISEL – USA • MUNRO Associates – England • NEXO – France • NOKIA Research Center • PEAVEY Electronics – USA • PIONEER Electronics – USA • RCF - Italy • ROCKFORD Acoustic – USA • SAN JOSE’ State University - USA • SIEMENS Hearing Instruments – USA • STAGE ACCOMPANY - Holland • Synergetic Audio Concepts – USA • TURBOSOUND – England
Technical specifications of the Outline “E.T.” System Begin Outline ET2-ST2: Electronically controlled dispersion measurement turntable • Power requirements: 110/220 VCA 50/60Hz mains socket with fuse and voltage changer. • 12/20 VCC XLR connectors; internal short-circuit and inverted polarity protection circuit • Max rotation speed: 200 msec/degree • Precision: ± 0.25° • Control system: optical position sensor • Input/output connectors: 9-pole sockets (DB9) • Input pulse: TTL (from 5 to 12 VCC) imp. 680 Ohms • Output pulse: TTL with delay variable from 3 to 25sec. • Pulse length 0.5 sec. • Rotation angle: variable from 2.5° to 22.5° in minimum 2.5° steps • Automatic reset button • ST 2 maximum load admitted: stacked 300kg., appended 100 Kg., twisting moment 30 Kg. • ET 2 dimensions: 1 x 19” E.I.A. unit standard Rack x 125mm. depth • ST 2 dimensions: diameter 35 cm. - height 10 cm.
Thanks for the attention