Audio and vibration measurements now on PXI

For the first time on the PXI platform, engineers can make precision audio and vibration measurements with the National Instruments NI 4472.

With 24-bit analogue-to-digital converters (ADC), the NI 4472 is one of the most accurate products available for audio and vibration applications, delivering 120 dB of dynamic range over a bandwidth of 45 kHz.

With simultaneous sampling and PXI star trigger bus features, the NI 4472 is ideal for creating high-channel count audio and vibration systems.

The NI 4472 features eight simultaneously sampled analogue input channels.

The PXI star trigger bus, defined by the PXI specification, ensures synchronisation between modules with less than 1 ns of skew, translating into 0.1 degrees of phase mismatch at 1 kHz between any two channels across NI 4472 modules in the same chassis.

Low phase mismatch is critical when obtaining phase information from cross-channel measurements in many applications. "With a high-channel count, large dynamic range, and built-in programmable ICP conditioning for accelerometers and microphones, the NI 4472 is ideal for audio and vibration applications," said Trent Butcher, NI Product Manager. "And because it is based on the modular PXI platform, engineers can use the NI 4472 to tightly integrate audio and vibration measurements with a variety of PXI measurement devices for a complete test solution." The NI 4472 can be combined with powerful software tools such as NI LabVIEW, Measurement Studio, and the LabVIEW Sound and Vibration Toolset to perform a variety of tests, including fractional-octave analysis, spectral analysis, and sound level measurements.

Engineers can use these tools to create complete test systems for applications such as noise and vibration testing in the automotive industry, machine condition monitoring, and audio testing.

For real-time performance and control, engineers can combine the NI 4472 with a real-time embedded PXI controller running LabVIEW Real-Time.