Bandwidth
The Octave Analyzer performs either whole-octave-band or third-octave-band analysis with
center frequencies recommended by ANSI standards.
Frequency Weighting
SignalScope provides a means of weighting the spectral content of input
signals according to standard A and C frequency weighting curves.
These A and C weighting curves are intended to mimic human perception
of loudness at two different loudness levels. The desired frequency
weighting can be selected from the segmented control.
Sound/Signal Level Options
Level Type
This option selects the kind of level to be calculated.
For sound levels, a time-exponential-weighted level (Lp), an
equivalent level (Leq), or a percentile-exceeded level (Lx, *this is a Pro-level option) can measured for each frequency.
For other signals, time-exponential-weighted (Exp) and true root-mean-square (RMS)
levels are available.
Time Weighting (Lp)
The Octave Analyzer offers three time
weightings for Lp (sound) and Exp level types: Fast, Slow, and Impulse.
The fast time weighting computes
the exponential-time-weighted average level with a time constant of 125 ms. The slow time weighting uses a time constant of 1000 ms, or 1 second. The impulse time weighting uses a rise time constant of 35 ms and a decay time constant of 1500 ms.
Averaging Time (Leq)
The Octave Analyzer offers three averaging times
for the Leq and RMS level types: 1/8s, 1s, and ∞.
With 1/8s or 1s, Leq or RMS is (repeatedly) calculated over a 1/8 or 1-second time interval, respectively. With ∞, Leq/RMS is calculated over the entire duration of the measurement.
Auto Stop Options
Auto Stop
Octave measurements can be configured to automatically stop after a predetermined amount of time. The
elapsed time after which the current measurement will stop can be set in increments of 0.1 seconds up to
two weeks in duration.
Auto Start Triggering
Enable
Octave measurements can be configured to automatically start after the source channel signal exceeds a
specific threshold. Use the Enable switch to turn this feature on or off. When this option is enabled,
the Octave Analyzer tool will not acquire any data for analysis until a trigger event has occured.
So, it may look like the tool is not running, even when it is (because it's waiting for a trigger event
to occur).
Source
Any available input or output channel may be selected as the source for the trigger. All active analyzers
will be simultaneously triggered from the source channel, regardless of which input and/or output channels
have been selected for analysis.
Threshold
A trigger event occurs when the source channel signal exceeds some user-defined
threshold value, at which point analysis will begin (including for data that precedes the trigger event,
as specified by the pre-trigger delay). Specify the threshold value in the text box.
Pre-trigger Delay
The pre-trigger delay specifies how much of the raw time signal is to be preserved and included
prior to the trigger event.
You may specify a value between 0 and 100 ms.
Data Logging
Log Levels
SignalScope can log whole or 1/3-octave Lp and Leq levels for a set amount of time. If
Auto Stop is disabled, data logging will continue after the specified duration has been reached and
only the most recent data (as much as indicated by the duration) will be kept. When data logging is enabled,
logged levels are then displayed in a 2D color surface plot below the spectrum graph.
Log Interval
Octave data can be logged as often as every 0.1 seconds for up to 1 hour, every second for up to 10 hours, or every 10
seconds for up to two weeks. Larger intervals can also be specified in each case.
Reset Leq at Intervals
This option allows the Leq to be reset each time it is logged. With this option, it is possible to log a short Leq of 0.1
seconds for up to an hour.
Auto Save Log
SignalScope includes the option to automatically save logged sound levels to a data file after the specified duration
has been reached. If Auto Stop is disabled, SignalScope will continue to save the current logged data to a new data file
each time the duration is reached. This means that sound levels can be logged at the desired interval for an arbitrarily
long period of time.
Log File Format
When logged sound levels are automatically saved, it will be to a file of the specified format.
Base File Name
When logged sound levels are automatically saved, the filename will begin with the specified base file name and end with a
time stamp that includes both date and time. The format of the filename's time stamp will be yyyyMMddHHmmss,
where y, M, d, H, m, and s refer to year, month, day, hour, minute, and second, respectively.
Maximum Auto Saves
The number of times SignalScope will automatically save logged data, in a single measurement session, is limited to the
value specified here.
Reset All After Auto Save
When this option is switched on, each analyzer's stored data (running average levels, etc) will be completely reset each time
logged data is auto-saved to a file.
Notifications
Notification Events
Several events are defined which can trigger a local notification. This offers a way to be alerted when an event, such as a sound level exceeding a user-defined threshold, occurs.
Data Export Includes
Current Location
When this option is enabled, the latitude, longitude, and altitude at the time of the
measurement will be included in exported data files. Horizontal and vertical accuracy (in
meters) will also be included.