Course detail

Measurements for Audio and Acoustics

FEKT-MPC-AMAAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course focuses on measurements of audio equipment, acoustic and electroacoustic measurement according to international recommendations in these fields. Laboratory practices are focused on the realization of projects in LabView, Matlab and VBA programming language for the automated measurement of audio equipment, electroacoustic devices and noise in various industrial measuring systems and bulk processing of measured data. In laboratory exercises, the Brüel & Kjaer, Audio Precision, NTi Audio and Agilent measuring systems are used.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Jiří Schimmel, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Telecommunications (UTKO)

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of control of instruments for measuring voltage and current, digital generators, oscilloscopes and spectral analyzers, knowledge of principles of measurement of current, voltage, frequency, impedance and total harmonic distortion are required. A student who enrolls in the subject must have advanced knowledge of working with the Excel program and master the Matlab environment.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Evaluation of study results follow the BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations and Dean's Regulation complementing the BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations. Up to 45 points can be obtained for elaboration of all individual work and laboratory exercises. To be awarded credit, it is necessary to complete all laboratory exercises, complete all independent tasks and complete all laboratory tasks to a minimum extent. The minimal scope of the elaboration of a particular laboratory exercise and the complementary questions are specified by a regulation issued by the guarantor of the course and updated for every academic year.

Up to 55 points are given for the final examination, and it is necessary to get at least 25 points for its successful completion.

Aims

The aim of the course is to introduce students to modern methods and devices for measurements in acoustics, electroacoustics and audio technology.
- use the correct method for automated measurement of a given quantity,
On completion of the course, students are able to:
- create an automated measurement project for typical applications in acoustics, electroacoustics and audio engineering,
- perform bulk processing of measured data using a spreadsheet editor,
- create and edit macros in the VBA for bulk processing of measured data,
- create functions in high-level programming language for remote control of automated measurement systems.

Study aids

  • presentations from lectures on e-learning
  • instructions for laboratory tasks and exercises on e-learning
  • video recordings of lectures on MS Teams

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

AES17-2015, AES standard method for digital audio engineering - Measurement of digital audio equipment. Audio Engineering Society, Inc., 2015. (EN)
BALLOU, Glen. A sound engineer´s guide to audio test and measurement. Amsterdam: Elsevier, Focal Press, 2009, vi, 179 s. ISBN 978-0-240-81265-6. (EN)
BRIXEN, E., B. Audio Metering - Measurements, Standards and Practice, 2nd edition. Focal Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-240-81467-4 (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MPC-AUD Master's

    specialization AUDM-TECH , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization AUDM-ZVUK , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jiří Schimmel, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Analysis of audio signals: spectral analysis, frequency-band analysis, order analysis, frequency weighting filters, smoothing and averaging of measured data.
  2. Noise measurement: measurement of sound pressure, measurement and evaluation of noise, hygienic noise limits.
  3. Measurement of sound intensity and acoustic power: measurement environment, measurement of sound pressure, sound intensity and acoustic power, noise source identification.
  4. Sound level meter: measurement microphones, accelerometers, sensor amplifier, time-weighted sound pressure level measurement, sound level meter calibration.
  5. Measurement uncertainties: sources of uncertainty in acoustic measurements and their determination, standard deviation of reproducibility and repeatability of measurements.
  6. Sound measurement from the point of view of legislation: metrology in the Czech Republic, etalons, type and periodic tests of sound level meter, calibration.
  7. Analysis of audio systems: closed- and open-loop measurement, narrowband and wideband measurement signals, compensation of measurement chain characteristics.
  8. Measurement of audio devices: analog device parameters and their measurement, IEC 60268-3 recommendations, digital device parameters and their measurements, AES17 recommendation.
  9. Measurement of microphones: parameters of microphones and their measurement, IEC 60268-4 recommendations, measurement using artificial mouth and HATS for telemetry.
  10. Measurement of loudspeakers: measurement environment, standard speaker enclosure and cabinet, loudspeaker parameters and their measurement, IEC 60268-5 and AES2 recommendations.
  11. Measurement of headphones and hearing protectors: acoustic impedance of the ear and its simulation, parameters of headphones and their measurement, recommendation IEC 60268-7.
  12. Measurement of  electroacoustic devices: output-based acoustic measurements, measurements in telephonometric applications, voice assistants, smartphones, tablets
  13. Evaluation of sound quality and speech intelligibility: subjective methods (MOS, MUSHRA, ABC and ABx test), objective methods (articulation index, speech transmission index, psychoacoustic metrics, intrusive methods). 

Laboratory exercise

39 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jiří Schimmel, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • Getting familiar with the laboratory, introduction to VBA
  • Common laboratory exercises:
    • Data processing of sound level meter measurement using VBA
    • Audio device analysis and sequence measurement with the Audio Precision APx analyzer
    • Introduction to LabView
    • Controlling the Audio Precision APx Analyzer with LabView
    • Controlling the Audio Precision APx analyzer using Matlab
  • Individual projects: Acoustic power measurement
    • Measurement of TS parameters of loudspeaker
    • Measuring the characteristics of audio equipment
    • Open-loop measurement of communication devices
    • Measurement of compressor characteristics
  • Alternate term for laboratory exercises