Audibility Meter Calibration via Segmented Electrical and Acoustic Phases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audibility meter calibration methods result in measurement errors when transducers are exchanged, as they are only correctly calibrated with a single audiometer, leading to unacceptable risks in clinical diagnosis, and require specialized centers or on-site technician visits for recalibration.
Innovation Solution
An audibility meter system that allows any acoustically calibrated transducer to be connected and remains correctly calibrated, with a microprocessor-controlled algorithm that reads and adjusts frequency response, recognizes various transducer types, and ensures correct connection, enabling remote electrical and acoustic calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If transducers are calibrated with a single audibility meter in a single electrical and acoustic phase, then the calibration is completed in one process, but the transducers can only be correctly calibrated with that specific audibility meter and form a single calibrated assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is divided into two independent phases: electrical calibration of the audibility meter and acoustic calibration of the transducer. Electrical calibration characterizes the audibility meter's output, while acoustic calibration characterizes the transducer's response. This segmentation allows each component to be calibrated independently and interchangeably, resolving the contradiction between integrated calibration and multi-device compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical characteristics of the audibility meter are determined in advance through electrical calibration and stored as reference data. This preliminary characterization allows the transducer to be acoustically calibrated independently without requiring the actual audibility meter present during acoustic calibration, enabling future interchangeability while maintaining calibration accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If transducers are acoustically calibrated with one audibility meter, then correct measurements are ensured for that assembly, but exchanging transducers with other audibility meters causes measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
By separating electrical and acoustic calibration into distinct phases, the system ensures measurement precision is maintained through independent characterization of each component. The electrical calibration captures the audibility meter's output characteristics, while acoustic calibration captures the transducer's response characteristics, allowing precise measurements regardless of which specific audibility meter is used with which transducer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses electrical calibration data to determine and adjust parameters such as output voltage, frequency response, and sensitivity characteristics. These parameter adjustments compensate for variations between different audibility meters and transducers, ensuring measurement precision is maintained across device exchanges.
3Measurement precision
If calibration is performed at specialized centers or through on-site technician visits, then accurate calibration is achieved, but the process requires significant time and logistical coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The audibility meter performs electrical calibration autonomously using built-in reference standards and stored calibration data. The system automatically adjusts its electrical parameters without requiring external technician intervention, enabling self-calibration that eliminates travel time and scheduling coordination while maintaining accuracy through the segmented calibration approach.
Solution Approach 2:
Reference calibration data and electrical characteristics are determined in advance and stored in the system. This preliminary preparation enables rapid on-site recalibration by simply comparing current measurements against stored references, dramatically reducing calibration time while maintaining the accuracy previously requiring specialized center facilities.
4Device complexity
If the entire audibility meter assembly and transducers are calibrated in a single electrical and acoustic phase, then the calibration process is simplified, but the transducers are only correctly calibrated with one specific audibility meter
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration procedure is segmented into electrical and acoustic phases that can be performed independently. Electrical calibration characterizes the audibility meter's output parameters, while acoustic calibration characterizes the transducer's response. This segmentation maintains procedural simplicity while enabling the transducer to be correctly calibrated with any audibility meter, as each component's characteristics are independently captured and can be matched regardless of specific device pairing.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A calibration system for an audibility meter with an acoustic transducer (21,22,23), an audibility meter (1) comprising a calibration device (4) to generate a voltage reference with a specific value in the audibility meter (1) to update the calibration information thereof. A memory (15) of the transducer (21,22,23) stores identification and calibration information. The audibility meter (1) compensates the response of the acoustic transducer (21,22,23) based on the calibration information read and on the frequency response of the human ear. The meter also compensates the frequency response of the audibility meter itself (1) modifying the electrical signal generated, and updates the calibration information for same based on the voltage reference for the calibration device (4).