Test and Measurement News

dScope Series III is adopted by Harman/Becker as its standard audio analyzer

Cambridge, UK: Prism Sound's dScope Series III has been adopted by Harman/Becker Automotive Systems as its new standard audio analyzer for all production testing at its factories in Europe, North America and China.

Alexander Kopp and a dScope Series III

As part of Harman International, Harman/Becker Automotive Systems designs and produces complete state-of-the-art infotainment systems and is a world leader in branded automotive audio systems, which combine world-class acoustics with high-value brand names.

The company's decision to adopt the dScope Series III has already resulted in orders for more than 70 units, with more to follow over coming months. The units were supplied by Prism Sound's German distributor SDI GmbH, which is based in Munich. SDI has supported Harman/Becker Automotive Systems with training sessions, technical support and help with the deployment of new applications as they have been developed, and this has allowed the two companies to cultivate more than just a supplier/customer relationship.

Alexander Kopp, Senior Applications Engineer for Harman/Becker, says: "The decision to switch to dScope Series III was taken when we learned that our existing standard audio analyzer was being discontinued. We investigated various alternatives and chose the Prism Sound unit because it showed the best overall performance when compared with its competitors. Its speed, precision and cost-effectiveness were key factors in our choice."

Prism Sound's dScope Series III is a comprehensive and powerful measurement system for analogue and digital audio generation and analysis, including digital audio carrier analysis, acoustic transducer testing and testing of Windows® sound devices. This industrial strength audio test and measurement system comprises a Windows PC (XP® and Vista® compatible) software application coupled with an external high-precision audio I/O processor for equipment-under-test (EUT) connections.

Harman/Becker has deployed its dScope Series III units on its production lines in Europe, North America and China where they are being used to handle a variety of audio test procedures, in particular automatic final test (AFT). This involves verifying the electrical parameters of every device under test to ensure that they reach the highest possible audio standards.

"AFT is an essential part of our process chain and one that is used for virtually all of the products we produce," Kopp adds.

The ability to customize dScope Series III scripting for the production line is also proving useful for Harman/Becker. Kopp is also delighted with the technical back-up he has received from Prism Sound, which enabled him to quickly and easily resolve some minor software teething issues.

"Thanks to the dScope's unique hardware configuration we have been able to adapt our test software in order to achieve a wider range of test readings," he explains. "We can now get readings from three separate types of analyser - the Signal Analyzers, the Continuous-Time Detectors and the FFT Detectors. The fact that these readings are provided simultaneously with dScope has significantly helped to speed up our test procedure and increased test performance."

Simon Woollard, Applications Engineer for Prism Sound, says: "We are delighted to be helping to solve Harman Becker's AFT needs. Prism Sound has a long history of delivering audio test and measurement solutions to Harman International group companies, and we look forward to continuing to work closely together. This partnership with Harman/Becker Automotive Systems strengthens our presence in the automotive sector and will help us to continue to develop solutions that meet the needs of this market."

Woollard adds: "We are seeing ever-increasing demands for more powerful, but more cost-effective, test solutions in the audio industry. In a large-scale production-line environment, test cycle times are as important to our customers as the bottom-line cost of test instrumentation. I am confident that Prism Sound's unique approach to product development will continue to help our customers to test their products in the fastest possible times, whilst providing unrivalled levels of detail into audio performance. Our successful partnership with companies such as Harman International, the largest audio company in the world, is a testament to our commitment to delivering products that encapsulate this 'more-for-less' philosophy."