Archive notice: This article was originally published on November 12, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Audio Precision’s new “Digital Serial I/O” interface for its APx-series audio analyzers provides multichannel chip-level connectivity for developers of HDMI receiver and transmitter chips, converters and other microcomponents. Innovative features include eight channels of simultaneous audio data, independent clocks, buffered oscilloscope outputs and integrated support for left-justified, right-justified, I²S and DSP formats.
Audio Precision, a recognized market leader in audio measurement systems, today introduced the “APx Digital Serial I/O” interface option, which adds a serial digital multichannel interface to APx500-series audio analyzers.
A serial digital interface is essential in development for evaluating a circuit design at board level. It enables direct connection to codecs, DSPs, A/D and D/A converters, sample-rate converters, and all kinds of signal-processing and interface chips.
The “Digital Serial” option meets the same high standards of ease of use as APx itself. Setup windows include automatic sample-rate calculators and “Active Timing” diagrams, as well as built-in support for left-justified, right-justified, I²S and DSP formats. TDM or multiple data lines are supported for up to eight channels of audio data. Other innovative features include independent clocks for input and output signals, dedicated buffered monitor outputs for oscilloscopes, and presets for measuring common audio components.
“In today’s multichannel world, we need multichannel connectivity at every level,” said Tom Kite, Vice President of Engineering at AP. “An engineer equipped with an eight-channel APx585 with Digital Serial I/O is prepared for any measurement task, from the circuit board to the loudspeaker output.”
Digital Serial and HDMI
The Digital Serial option already has many applications on its own, but in combination with the APx HDMI option it provides truly unique audio measurement solutions. Interconnecting these two options offers a fast and simple solution for developers of HDMI chips who need board-level debugging capabilities. At the same time, it is the world’s only measurement system that can connect directly to HDMI receiver and transmitter components, and the only analyzer capable of streaming high-bit-rate audio signals such as DTS-HD through a serial multichannel interface.