All items in category Theory Articles
Voice Coil Focus: Acoustical Characteristics of Adhesive Joints and Cone Treatments
by Mike Klasco and Steve Tatarunis

Voice Coil Focus: Acoustical Characteristics of Adhesive Joints and Cone Treatments

There seems to be a lack of consideration and understanding of the acoustical characteristics of the loudspeaker’s many glue joints. In this article for Voice Coil, Mike Klasco and Steve Tatarunis detail how the influence and use of glue joints and diaphragm treatments can be used as a design tool. The report also details some significant new material options and design and measurement tools available. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, July 2017.
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How Signal Processing and Filter Bank Design Impacts Sound Quality in Hearing Aids
by Dana Helmink

How Signal Processing and Filter Bank Design Impacts Sound Quality in Hearing Aids

When digital audio processing is performed in hearing aids, it’s meant to have a demonstrable impact on wearers’ lives. Therefore, doing it well is important. In this article, Dana Helmink, Senior Director, Audiology/Clinical Education at Widex USA, discusses the nuances of signal processing and filter bank design, exploring the most impactful decisions in filter bank types specific to hearing aids, and how ultimately each approach helps dealing with the hearing challenges that people face. This article was originally published in audioXpress, June 2022.
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The Acoustical Challenges of Designing True Wireless Earphones
by Andrew Bellavia

The Acoustical Challenges of Designing True Wireless Earphones

Expanding the perspective on the evolution toward hearables, this article explores the current trends as well as the acoustical challenges and solutions for designing true wireless earphones. The article explains the enabling technologies currently converging as the TWS market continues to grow and use cases multiply, with more consumers using wireless earbuds for a diverse and varied set of applications, from listening to podcasts and audiobooks to Internet meetings and interacting with voice assistants. This article was originally published in audioXpress, April 2022.
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Putting the Smart in Smart Devices - The Future of Hearables Is Voice Controlled
by Probal Lala

Putting the Smart in Smart Devices - The Future of Hearables Is Voice Controlled

To expand our readers' perspective on the topic of true wireless earbuds and hearables, defined as ear-worn electronic devices, this article discusses how hearable technology is at the intersection of wearables and headphones, and was designed for multi-purpose use, including voice transmission, sound amplification, and wireless communications. The CEO of Fluent.ai details how consumers' expectations for using earbuds everywhere, including for work communications in noisy public environments, is pushing technology to face the challenges at the source, on-device. This article was originally published in audioXpress, April 2022.
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Practical T&M: REST for Automated Test and Measurement
by Matt Taylor

Practical T&M: REST for Automated Test and Measurement

Adding a great perspective on the topic of test and measurement, in particular for production lines, this article makes the case for using web interfaces, and embrace web standards for automated testing of audio equipment. The founder of QuantAsylum advocates an open-design philosophy for controlling and querying things via REST, which stands for Representational State Transfer, a widely accepted set of guidelines for creating reliable web APIs and leveraging the know-how of millions of developers.
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Some Thoughts on Plastics for Speaker Enclosures
by Mike Klasco

Some Thoughts on Plastics for Speaker Enclosures

Discussing speaker enclosures, this article examines all the different options for plastic applications and the implications for loudspeaker driver design in general. Enclosure characteristics, construction features, advantage comparisons between wood and wood particle board cabinets, and production techniques are some of the topics explored. This article was published in Voice Coil, March 2022.
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R&D Stories: Getting Started with Automotive Audio Bus (Part 4)
by Brewster LaMacchia

R&D Stories: Getting Started with Automotive Audio Bus (Part 4)

In this article, Brewster LaMacchia concludes his series on Automotive Audio Bus (A2B) applications (not just for automotive). After an introduction to the properties of this locally networked audio transport, a look at A2B system design, and A2B data transport and interface, in Part 4, the author looks at systems and tools that are available to speed prototyping and evaluation. This article was originally published in audioXpress, January 2021.
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R&D Stories: Getting Started with Automotive Audio Bus (Part 3)
by Brewster LaMacchia

R&D Stories: Getting Started with Automotive Audio Bus (Part 3)

audioXpress continues Brewster LaMacchia's article series on Automotive Audio Bus (A2B) technology from Analog Devices. The first two parts of this article examined the overall A2B system operation and how its features can enable new types of digital audio applications. Now, the author takes a deeper look at A2B data transport and how to interface between peripherals and the A2B bus using Analog Device's AD242x series of parts. This article was originally published in audioXpress, December 2020.
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R&D Stories: Getting Started with Automotive Audio Bus (Part 2)
by Brewster LaMacchia

R&D Stories: Getting Started with Automotive Audio Bus (Part 2)

The second article in a four-part series about Analog Devices' A2B or Automotive Audio Bus explores the technical underpinnings of the A2B bus design. Brewster LaMacchia examines how certain optimizations for automotive applications must be accounted for when targeting broader audio applications. He also includes a look at analog phantom power and how A2B provides that feature in a digital system. This article was originally published in audioXpress, November 2020.
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R&D Stories: Getting Started with Automotive Audio Bus (Part 1)
by Brewster LaMacchia

R&D Stories: Getting Started with Automotive Audio Bus (Part 1)

This is the first article in a four-part series about Analog Devices' A2B or Automotive Audio Bus, a digital audio bus technology originally developed for automotive requirements that is finding interesting design possibilities in other audio applications. This first article discusses the main features of A2B, and its use with I2S and PDM interfaces, before exploring the technical underpinnings of the A2B bus design and creating systems with the development tools available. This article was originally published in audioXpress, October 2020.
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