Basic of Sound

BA 7666-11, 1
 Contents

Slide no.

1. Basic Concepts of Sound ………… 3

2. Measuring Sound ………… 35

3. Measuring Sound in Practice ………… 77

4. Basic Frequency Analysis of Sound ………… 91

5. Principles of Acoustic Measurements ………… 123

BA 7666-11, 2
 Basic Concepts of Sound

Contents:
Definitions
dB Conversion
Sound Fields
dB dB

BA 7666-11, 3
Sound

BA 7666-11, 4 860499/1
Sound and Noise

BA 7666-11, 5 860500/1
Terminology of Sound
RMS
Peak Fast
Slow
Impulse
Sound Pressure Percentile level
dB
Logarithmic scales Weighting

Pascal Leq
L10
RMS
L90

1/1 and 1/3 Octave Analysis

Statistical analysis

Constant percentage bandwidth

Noise Dose

BA 7666-11, 6
 3
1.

(frequency)
Piano

2.

(sound pressure)
piano

3. ( )

Piano violin

BA 7666-11, 7
Pressure vs. Power

Pressure p [N/m2 = Pa]

Lp [dB] Analogy

Temperature t [ C]
Power P [W]

Power P [W]
Sound
Source

Electrical
Heater

BA 7666-11, 8
Basic Parameters of Sound

→
The Sound Intensity vector, Ι,
describes the amount and direction
Under free-field conditions: P2 of flow of acoustic energy at a
given position
P2 Ι2

r2
Ι1 P p2
Ι= =
r1 4 πr 2 ρc
P

Power: P [W]

Intensity: Ι [J/s/m2] = W/m2

Pressure: p [Pa = N/m2]

BA 7666-11, 9 861218/2
Propagation of Sound

t=0
Compression

t = 1/4 T

t = 1/2 T

Extension

t = 3/4 T
Minimum compression Maximum compression

t=T
No compression

BA 7666-11, 10
Sound Pressure

Pressure
[Pa]

100 000
Pascal

Time

BA 7666-11, 11 860504/1
Sound Pressure

Pressure
[Pa]

New York
Atmospheric
Pressure
100 000
Pascal
Mexico City
Acoustic
Pressure
Variations

BA 7666-11, 12
Range of Sound Pressure
Pressure, p
[Pa]
100

10

0.1

0.01

0.001

0.000 1

0.000 01

BA 7666-11, 13 860505/2
 Basic Concepts of Sound

Contents:
Definitions
dB Conversion
Sound Fields
dB dB

BA 7666-11, 14
Range of Sound Pressure Levels
Sound Pressure, p Sound Pressure Level, Lp
[Pa]
140 [dB]
100

120
10

100
1

80
0.1

60
0.01

40
0.001

20
0.000 1

0
0.000 01

BA 7666-11, 15 860508/2
dB – decibel

p
Lp = 20 log p dB re 20 µPa
0

(p0 = 20 µPa = 20 10-6 Pa)

Ex. 1: p = 1 Pa Ex. 2: p = 31.7 Pa

1 317.
Lp = 20 log 20 × 10 −6
Lp = 20 log 20 × 10 −6

= 20 log 50 000 = 20 log 1.58 10-6

= 94 dB = 124 dB

BA 7666-11, 16
Perception of dBs

Change in Sound Change in

Level (dB) Perceived Loudness

3 Just perceptible

5 Noticeable difference

10 Twice (or 1/2) as loud

15 Large change

20 Four times (or 1/4) as loud

BA 7666-11, 17
 Conversion to dB using Charts

Lp dB
re 20 µPa
200

150

100 94 dB

50

0 Pressure
0.0001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10 000 [Pa]
p0 = 20 µPa

BA 7666-11, 18
Conversion to dB using Tables
dB to Pressure Ratio
Pressure − db + Pressure Pressure − db + Pressure
Ratio Ratio Ratio Ratio
1.00 0.0 1.000 0.501 6 1.995
0.989 0.1 1.012 0.447 7 2.239
0.977 0.2 1.023 0.398 7 2.512
0.966 0.3 1.035 0.355 9 2.818
0.955 0.4 1.047 0.316 10 3.162
0.944 0.5 1.059 0.251 12 3.981
0.933 0.6 1.072 0.200 14 5.012
0.923 0.7 1.084 1.158 16 6.310
0.912 0.8 1.096 0.126 18 7.943
0.902 0.9 1.109 0.100 20 10.000

0.891 1.0 1.122 0.0316 30 31.62

0.841 1.5 1.189 0.0100 40 100
0.794 2.0 1.259 0.0032 50 316.2
0.708 3.0 1.413 10-3 60 103
0.631 4.0 1.585 10-4 80 104
0.562 5.0 1.778 10-5 100 105

BA 7666-11, 19
Simple Rules for Conversion
Sound Pressure, p Sound Pressure Level, Lp
[Pa] dB re 20 µPa
20

10 114

100 2
40 dB
1 94

20 dB
10 86
0.3 84
4 12 dB
3 0.2 80
2 6 dB 10 dB
0.1 74

BA 7666-11, 20
 Basic Concepts of Sound

Contents:
Definitions
dB Conversion
Sound Fields
dB dB

BA 7666-11, 21
Types of Sound Sources
Point source

Line source
r: Lp
2r: Lp − 3 dB

Plane source
r: Lp
2r: Lp − 6 dB

r: Lp 2r: Lp

BA 7666-11, 22 860510/1
Anechoic and Reverberant Enclosures

BA 7666-11, 23 860511/1
Pressure Field

Loudspeaker

Enclosure

Microphone

BA 7666-11, 24
Sound Fields
Lp Near Far field
field
Free field Reverberant field

6 dB

Distance, r
A1 2 A1

BA 7666-11, 25 860512/2
 (Modulation)

p (f1+f2)/2

2/(f1-f2)

BA 7666-11, 26
 ,
u

BA 7666-11, 27
 Basic Concepts of Sound

Contents:
Definitions
dB Conversion
Sound Fields
dB dB

BA 7666-11, 28
Two Sound Sources

Lp1 = X dB

Lp2 = X dB

Lp1 + Lp2 = X + 3 dB

BA 7666-11, 29
Addition of dB Levels
L+
Lp1 + Lp2 = 10 log(10 L1/10 + 10 L2/10 )
dB
3
Example:

L1 = 55 dB
2 L2 = 51 dB
∆L = 4 dB
1.4 dB L+ = 1.4 dB
1 Lt = 55 + 1.4 = 56.4 dB

0 ∆L
0 5 10 15 dB
4 dB

BA 7666-11, 30 860512/2
Subtraction of Noise Levels

LS+N LN
[dB] [dB]

BA 7666-11, 31
Subtraction of dB Levels
L−
dB Ls+N + LN = 10 log(10 Ls+N/10 - 10 LN/10 )
6
Ex:
5
LS+N = 60 dB
4 LN = 53 dB
3 ∆L = 7 dB
L− = 1 dB
2 LS = 60 − 1 = 59 dB
1

∆L
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 dB
☺ LS ~ LS+N

BA 7666-11, 32
Addition of many dB values
LTotal = 10 log ( 10 0.1 L1 + 10 0.1 L2 + 10 0.1L3 ....... + 10 0.1Ln )
Addition of sound levels : L1 + L2 ..... + LN = ?

For L1 = L2 = L3..... = LN

L Total = L 1 + 10 logN
10 log N
12
10
8
Examples:
6 N = 2: LTotal = L1 + 3 dB
4 N = 10: LTotal = L1 + 10 dB
2
0
0 5 10 15 N
BA 7666-11, 33
Conclusion

Sound pressure level in dB is related to 2 * 10 -5 Pascal.

The range of human hearing is 130 dB.

To add or subtract dB-values use charts or formulas

BA 7666-11, 34
BA 7666-11, 35
 Measuring Sound

Contents:
The Microphone
The Sound Level Meter
Leq
Statistics and Noise Dose

BA 7666-11, 36
Measuring Microphones

BA 7666-11, 37 860550/1
 Diaphragm Housing Electric foil Back plate

Insulator
Metal case

Back plate Static pressure Insulator

equalization hole
Condenser Microphone Electric Microphone

Diaphragm Diaphragm
Magnet

Crystal Coil Housing

bender

Piezoelectric Microphone Dynamic Microphone

BA 7666-11, 38
The Polarised Condenser Microphone
Principle of Operation

Z in
V

Q = CV Q Q Q
⇒ V= = d ⇒ ∆V = ∆d
C=ε
A C εA εA
d

BA 7666-11, 39 860552/1
How much does the diaphragm move ?
∆V ∆d
=
V d

For typical measurement microphone:

– diameter 12.5 mm
– thickness of diaphragm 5 µm
– distance between diaphragm For 94 dB = 1 Pa the diaphragm moves
and backplate 20 µm
– polarisation voltage 200 V ∆V × d 50 mV × 20 µm
∆d = =
– sensitivity 50 mV/Pa V 200 V
= 5 nm
Diameter of Pressure Diaphragm’s
diaphragm (level re 20µPa movement
12.5mm 1Pa (94dB) 5nm (5 x 10–9 m)
12.5mm 0.02Pa (60dB) 1Å (10–10 m)
12500km 0.02Pa (60dB) 0.1m (10–1 m)
(thickness of 0.0002Pa (20dB) 0.001m (10–3 m)
diaphragm 5km)

BA 7666-11, 40
Directional Characteristics

90 90
2 kHz

8 kHz

0 180 0 180

12 kHz

90 90

θ θ

BA 7666-11, 41 860558/1
Types of Microphones

Random incidence
Free field

Pressure

BA 7666-11, 42
Free Field Correction

p0
p0
20 log pm
dB
10

D
pm D 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2 4 λ
f
2k 5k 10k 20k 50k 100k Hz
27k (D=1/2”)

BA 7666-11, 43
Free Field Correction
L
dB

10

0
5
0 30
Frequency
90 60

R
90
120

BA 7666-11, 44
Measuring in Accordance with Standards:
IEC ANSI

70 – 80

BA 7666-11, 45
Use of Free Field Microphones

BA 7666-11, 46
Use of Random Incidence Microphones

BA 7666-11, 47 8605566/1
 Measuring Sound

Contents:
The Microphone
The Sound Level Meter
Leq
Statistics and Noise Dose

BA 7666-11, 48
The Sound Level Meter

Time
RMS
Peak
Lp

Fast
Hold
Hold Slow
Impulse

Time
87.2
BA 7666-11, 49
Sound Level Parameters

p
Pa
T
1
RMS = ∫
T 0
x 2 (t )dt

Time

T
1
T ∫0
Average = x dt
Peak Peak – Peak Average RMS

p
Pa
Peak
Crest factor =
RMS
Time

BA 7666-11, 50
Basic Sound Level Parameters

p
Pa

Time

Peak
Peak RMS Crest factor =
RMS
p
Pa

Time

BA 7666-11, 51
Time Weighting

Time

Lp Impulse (1.5 )
Slow (1 s)
Lp
Fast (125 ms)

Slow (1 s) Time
Fast (125 ms)
Impulse (35 ms)

BA 7666-11, 52
Peak Hold

Time

Lp

Lp

Time

BA 7666-11, 53
Time Weighting

Time

Lp
Impulse
Lp
Fast
Slow

Time

BA 7666-11, 54
Time Weighting

Lp
Fast

Time

Lp
Slow

Time

BA 7666-11, 55
The Digital Display

82.4 79.3 76.8 76.0 80.1 80.1 79.0

Lp

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Time

BA 7666-11, 56
 Measuring Sound

Contents:
The Microphone
The Sound Level Meter
Leq
Statistics and Noise Dose

BA 7666-11, 57
Equivalent Level, Leq

 p( t ) 
2
1 T

T ∫0
Leq = 10 log10   dt
 p0 

Lp

Leq

Time

BA 7666-11, 58
Measuring Leq

Lp
Leq

Time

BA 7666-11, 59
Leq for Transient Noise

Lp

Transient

Leq

Time

BA 7666-11, 60
Sound Exposure Level and its Origin

Lp

SEL 1 SEL 2

Time

BA 7666-11, 61
Sound Exposure Level, SEL

 t 
SEL = L eq + 10 log 
 1s 
L
SEL
dB(A)

Leq

Time
t 1s

BA 7666-11, 62
 Measuring Sound

Contents:
The Microphone
The Sound Level Meter
Leq
Statistics and Noise Dose

BA 7666-11, 63
 Level Sampling
dB(A)
70

60

50

40
Time

Sample

dB(A)
70

60

50

40
Time

BA 7666-11, 64
 Noise Level Distribution
dB(A)
70

60

50

40
Time

Sample

Noise Level Distribution

dB(A) dB(A)
70 70

60 Distribution 60
of levels
50 50

40 40
Time Time

BA 7666-11, 65
 Cumulative Distribution
dB(A)
L10 70
L50 60

L90 50

40
90% 50% 10%
Cumulative Distribution

Noise Level Distribution

dB(A) dB(A)
70 70

60 Distribution 60
of levels
50 50

40 40
Time Time

BA 7666-11, 66
 Percentile Levels
dB(A) dB(A)
L10 L10 70
L50 L50 60

L90 L90 50

40
Time 90% 50% 10%
Cumulative Distribution

Noise Level Distribution

dB(A)
70

60

50

40
Time

BA 7666-11, 67
 Statistical Analysis of Noise Levels
dB(A) dB(A)
70 L10 70

60 L50 60

50 L90 50

40 40
Time 90% 50% 10%
Cumulative Distribution
Sample

Noise Level Distribution

dB(A) dB(A)
70 70

60 Distribution 60
of levels
50 50

40 40
Time Time

BA 7666-11, 68
Percentile Levels, LN

10% time
dB(A)

L10

L90
a b

a + b = 10% time Time

100% Time

BA 7666-11, 69
Noise Dose Measurement in
Practice

BA 7666-11, 70
Definition of Noise Dose

8
hours
90dB in

= 100 % Noise Dose

The actual dB level depends on National Legislations. In
some countries the level is 85 dB

BA 7666-11, 71
Noise Dose Examples

dB(A) dB(A)

90
90 100%
100%

dB(A) 4 hours 8 hours dB(A) 4 hours 8 hours

90 90 200%
50%

4 hours 8 hours 4 hours 8 hours

BA 7666-11, 72
Daily Personal Noise Exposure, LEP,d
dB(A)
100

LAeq,Te 90

80

70 Time
Work period T0 = 8 hours
Te

Morning Lunch Go Home

Example:
Te
L EP,d = L Aeq,Te + 10log10 LAeq,Te = 89.2 dB and Te = 4 hours
T0
4
L EP,d = 89.2 + 10 log10 = 89.2 − 3 = 86.2 dB
8

BA 7666-11, 73
Standards
ISO 9612 Int
er
n
Guidelines for the measurement and assessmentatio
of exposure to noise in a working environment na
l

ISO 1999
Determination of occupational noise exposure
Int
and estimation of noise-induced hearing er
impairment na
tio
na
l

IEEC Directive EEC/86/188 Th

The protection of workers from the risk relatedeto
Eu
the exposure to noise at work Un rop
ion ea
n

OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Act US
ot A an
he d
rs

BA 7666-11, 74
Exchange Rate

L
dB(A) Exchange Rate, q

Leq = (90 + Exchange Rate) dB

Leq = 90 dB

8 hours Time
4 hours

4 8
h. hours

BA 7666-11, 75
ISO vs. OSHA

Leq
dB(A)

100

OSHA (q = 5)
95

90 ISO (q = 3)
3 dB 5 dB
85

1 hour 2 hours 4 hours 8 hours Time

Logarithmic time axis

BA 7666-11, 76
Noise Dose and Peak

Lp
dB

LC, pk No peaks
130
above this
120 level allowed
110

100

90
LEP, d
80

70 Time

BA 7666-11, 77
Conclusion

The sensitivity of a microphone depends on the direction of the

noise - that is why there are free-field and random-incidence
microphones

Sound level meters are integrated measurement equipment

with standardized time weightings and measurement
parameters

The Leq is the energetic average of the noise over a period of

time and is one of the most important noise measurement
parameters

The Noise Dose and Daily Personal Noise Exposure (LEP,d) are
ways of showing how much noise exposure a person has
received in relation to legal limits

BA 7666-11, 78
 Measuring Sound in Practice

BA 7666-11, 79
Microphone Position above the Ground

1.2 - 1.5 m

BA 7666-11, 80
Microphone Position outdoors
To minimize the influence of
In front of facades
reflections

Min. 3.5 m
1–2m

- -

BA 7666-11, 81
Microphone Position indoors

1.
5
m
0.5 m

BA 7666-11, 82
Operator Positioning

0.5m

0.
5m
BA 7666-11, 83
Influence from Sound Level Meter and Operator

1 dB

50 100 200 500 1 kHz 2 kHz 5 kHz 10 kHz 20 kHz

1m

1 dB

50 100 200 500 1 kHz 2 kHz 5 kHz 10 kHz 20 kHz

BA 7666-11, 84
Standards

Standards for Sound Level Meters

IEC 651/804 – International
ANSI S 1.4 – America

Standards for Measurement Procedures

ISO 1996
Description and measurement of environmental noise
ISO 9612
Guidelines for the measurement and assessment of
exposure to noise in a working environment

BA 7666-11, 85
Accuracies for Sound Level Meters

Four levels of accuracy for Sound Level Meters

Type 0: Laboratory Standard
Type 1: Precision (Field and Laboratory)
Type 2: General Purpose (Field)
Type 3: Survey (Field)

: KS C 1502-92
: KS C 1505-92
: KS C 1509-93
: KS C 5516

BA 7666-11, 86
Accuracies of Sound Level Meters
Practical accuracies (Non reference conditions)
calculated from allowed tolerances for
– warm-up – ambient pressure
– directional effects – humidity
– frequency weightings – temperature
– range control – calibrator
– time weighting – operator influence

Practical Accuracies
1.5 dB 2 dB 3 dB 5 dB

Type 0 Type 1 Type 2 Type 3

BA 7666-11, 87
Acoustic Calibration

Pistonphone

Acoustical
Calibrator

BA 7666-11, 88
Calibration according to ISO 1996

Before and after each series of measurements:

– use a Sound Level Calibrator or a Pistonphone
– record the results of calibration

In addition, if measurements are made over a prolonged

period, verify the calibration at least twice daily using:
– either the method described above
– or by using an integral calibration system

BA 7666-11, 89
Hints for Trouble-free use

When connecting the sound level meter to any other

device, switch OFF all equipment
Handle the microphone carefully and try to keep dust
and foreign objects off the diaphragm
Never touch the microphone diaphragm
Never attach the microphone with the sound level meter
power on
Be very gentle when attaching a microphone, extension
cable or input stage
Do not expose the sound level meter and accessories
to excessive damp, cold or heat. Store in a dry place,
preferably in its case

BA 7666-11, 90
Batteries

Always use good quality Alkaline or Rechargeable

batteries
Never mix different types or makes of battery
– and Never mix charged and discharged batteries
Always label the outside of the battery compartment
with an indication of the type of battery fitted. i.e.. DO
NOT CHARGE
Beware the accuracy of battery checks on instruments
Check battery condition regularly. Leaks can be very
costly!
Remove batteries if the meter is to be stored for long
periods

BA 7666-11, 91
Conclusion

Your measurement position should, in general, be far

enough away from reflecting surfaces such as the ground,
walls and the operator

For most practical purposes, a type (class) 1 sound level

meter is the most versatile

You should calibrate your sound level meter before and

after each measurement

BA 7666-11, 92
 Basic Frequency Analysis of Sound

Contents:
Frequency and Wavelength
Frequency Analysis
Perception of Sound

BA 7666-11, 93
 Frequency Range of Different Sound Sources

Frequency
1 10 100 1000 10 000 [Hz]

BA 7666-11, 94
 Audible Range

Frequency
1 10 100 1000 10 000 [Hz]

BA 7666-11, 95
Wavelength
Wavelength, λ [m]

Speed of sound, c = 344 m/s

BA 7666-11, 96
 Wavelength and Frequency

c
λ=
f
λ
λ

Wavelength, λ [m]
20 10 5 2 1 0.2 0.1 0.05

10 20 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10 k

Frequency, f [Hz]

BA 7666-11, 97
Diffraction of Sound
b << λ b >> λ

b b

Example : Example:
b = 0.1 m b=1m
λ = 0.344 m (≈ f = 1 kHz) λ = 0.344 m (≈ f = 1 kHz)

BA 7666-11, 98
Diffusion of Sound
b << λ b >> λ

b b

Example : Example:
b = 0.1 m b = 0.5 m
λ = 0.344 m (≈ f = 1 kHz) λ = 0.344 m (≈ f = 1 kHz)

BA 7666-11, 99
Reflection of Sound

Source

Source Source

Imaginary Source

BA 7666-11, 100
 Basic Frequency Analysis of Sound

Contents:
Frequency and Wavelength
Frequency Analysis
Perception of Sound

BA 7666-11, 101
Waveforms and Frequencies

p Lp

time

Frequency
p Lp

time

Frequency
p Lp

time

Frequency

BA 7666-11, 102
Typical Sound and Noise Signals

p Lp

time

Frequency
p Lp

time

Frequency
p Lp

time

Frequency

BA 7666-11, 103
 Filters

p Lp

Time

Frequency
p Lp

RMS
Time Peak

Fast
Slow Frequency
Impulse

87.2
BA 7666-11, 104
 Bandpass Filters and Bandwidth
B
0

Ideal filter
Bandwidth = f2 – f1
Centre Frequency = f0

f1 f0 f2 Frequency
Area = Area
Ripple
0

- 3 dB
Practical filter and Practical filter and
definition of definition of
3 dB Bandwidth Noise Bandwidth

f1 f0 f2 Frequency f1 f0 f2 Frequency

BA 7666-11, 105
Filter Types and Frequency Scales

L
B = 400 Hz B = 400 Hz B = 400 Hz

Frequency
0 1k 2k 3k 4k 5k 6k 7k 8k 9k 10k [Hz]
Linear Frequency Axis
(primarily used in vibration analysis)

L
B = 1/1 Octave B = 1/1 Octave B = 1/1 Octave

Frequency
1 2 4 8 16 31.5 63 125 250 500 1k 2k 4k 8k 16k [Hz]
Logarithmic Frequency Axis
(primarily used in acoustic analysis)

BA 7666-11, 106
1/1 and 1/3 Octave Filters
L
B = 1/1 Octave
1/1 Octave

f 2 = 2 × f1
Frequency B = 0 .7 × f 0 ≈ 7 0 %
f1 = 708 f2 = 1410 [Hz]
f0 = 1000

L
B = 1/3 Octave 1/3 Octave

f2 = 3
2 × f1 = 1.2 5 × f1
B = 0 .2 3 × f 0 ≈ 2 3 %
Frequency
f1 = 891 f2 = 1120 [Hz]
f0 = 1000

BA 7666-11, 107
3 1/3 Oct. = 1/1 Oct.
L B = 1/1 Octave

Frequency
500 1000 2000 [Hz]

L B = 1/3 Octave

Frequency
800 1000 1250 [Hz]

BA 7666-11, 108
Third-octave and Octave Passband
Band No. Nominal Centre Third-octave Octave
Frequency Hz Passband Hz Passband Hz
1 1.25 1.12 – 1.41
2 1.6 1.41 – 1.78
3 2 1.78 – 2.24 1.41 – 2.82
4 2.5 2.24 – 2.82
5 3.15 2.82 – 3.55
6 4 3.55 – 4.47 2.82 – 5.62

27 500 447 – 562 355 – 708

28 630 562 – 708
29 800 708 – 891
30 1000 891 – 1120 780 – 1410
31 1250 1120 – 1410
32 1600 1410 – 1780

40 10 K 8910 – 11200
41 1.25 K 11.2 – 14.1
42 16 K 14.1 – 17.8 K 11.2 – 22.4 K
43 20 K 17.8 – 22.4 K

BA 7666-11, 109
The Spectrogram

1/1 Octave
L

1/3 Octave

Frequency
[Hz]

BA 7666-11, 110
 Basic Frequency Analysis of Sound

Contents:
Frequency and Wavelength
Frequency Analysis
Perception of Sound

BA 7666-11, 111
 Sound Frequencies

Infra Audio Ultra

0.02 0.2 2 20 200 2000 20.000 200K Hz

Frequency

BA 7666-11, 112
 Auditory Field

140
dB Threshold of Pain
120

100 Limit of Damage Risk

Sound Pressure Level

80 Music

60 Speech

40

20
Threshold
in Quiet
0

20 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k 20 k

Frequency [Hz]

BA 7666-11, 113 960423

 Equal Loudness Contours for Pure Tones

130
120 120
110
Sound 100 100
pressure 90
80 80
level, Lp
70
(dB re 20 µPa)
60 60
50
40 40
30
20 20
10
0
Phon
20 Hz 100 Hz 1 kHz 10 kHz
Frequency

BA 7666-11, 114 970379

Perception of Noise

Change in Sound Change in Perceived

Level (dB) Loudness

3 Just perceptible
5 Noticeable difference
10 Twice (or 1/2) as loud
15 Large change
20 Four times (or 1/4) as loud

BA 7666-11, 115
40 dB Equal Loudness Contours and A-Weight
Lp
(dB)
40 dB Equal 40
Loudness Contour 40
normalized to 0 dB
at 1kHz 20

20 Hz 100 1 kHz 10 kHz

Lp
(dB)
40 dB Equal 0
Loudness Contour
inverted and 40
compared with -20
A-weighting A-weighting
-40

20 Hz 100 1 kHz 10 kHz

BA 7666-11, 116
Frequency Weighting Curves

Lp D
[dB]
Lin.

0
C
D
B+C A
-20
A
B
-40

-60

Frequency
10 20 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10 k 20 k [Hz]

BA 7666-11, 117
Calibration and Weighting!

Lp
[dB] ∆L = 8.6dB

-20

-40
A-weighting

-60

Frequency
10 20 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10 k 20 k [Hz]

BA 7666-11, 118
Use of Frequency Weighting

Weighting

RMS
Peak

Fast
Slow
Impulse

87.2
BA 7666-11, 119
Serial Analysis

1 2 3 n

RMS
Peak

Fast
Slow
Impulse

87.2
BA 7666-11, 120
Parallel Analysis

1 2 3 n

RMS
Peak

Fast
Slow
Impulse

87.2
BA 7666-11, 121
The Sound Level Analyzer

dB 1/3 Octave Analysis

100
1/1, 1/3 oct Weighting
80
RMS
Peak 60

40
Fast
Slow
Impulse 20
125 250 500 1k 2k 4k 8k LA

87.2
BA 7666-11, 122
 The Spectrogram and Overall levels

L 1/1 Octave
[dB]

1/3 Octave

Frequency
LA [dB(A)] [Hz]
LB [dB(B)]
LC [dB(C)]
LD [dB(D)]
LLin. [dB]

BA 7666-11, 123
Conclusion

Headlines of Basic Frequency Analysis of Sound

Basic introduction to audible frequency range and

wavelength of sound
Diffraction, reflection and diffusion of sound
Frequency analysis using FFT and Digital filters
Fundamental concepts for 1/1 and 1/3 octave filters
Human perception of sound and background for A,B,C and
D-weighting
Signal flow and analysis in Sound Level Meters

BA 7666-11, 124
 Sound Filders

BA 7666-11, 125
 Two Sound Sources

BA 7666-11, 126
 Exponential

The measurement is made using exponential averaging in the time domain with
the time constant specified. Exponential averaging is a continuous averaging
process.
A time constant of 1 s is equivalent to "Slow" averaging and a time constant of
125 ms is equivalent to "Fast" averaging.

BA 7666-11, 127
 Exponential

BA 7666-11, 128
 Exponential

BA 7666-11, 129
 Exponential + Impulse

An exponential average measurement is made using impulse averaging. For

compliance with IEC 651, impulse uses a time constant of 35 ms on
increasing signals and 1.5 s on decreasing signals.

BA 7666-11, 130
 Exponential + Impulse

BA 7666-11, 131
 Exponential + Impulse

BA 7666-11, 132
 Exponential + Maximum Hold

An exponential average measurement is made using maximum hold. The

maximum value in the hold interval is retained for up to the hold time and
then reset. The time interval for the hold can be specified in the Setup tab
page

BA 7666-11, 133
 Exponential + Maximum Hold

BA 7666-11, 134
 Exponential + Maximum Hold

BA 7666-11, 135
 Exponential + Minimum Hold

An exponential average measurement is made using minimum hold. The

minimum value in the hold interval is retained for up to the hold time and
then reset. The time interval for the hold can be specified in the Setup tab
page.

BA 7666-11, 136
 Exponential + Minimum Hold

BA 7666-11, 137
 Exponential + Minimum Hold

BA 7666-11, 138
 Linear

A measurement is made using linear averaging in the time domain. Linear

averaging is performed over a specified time period and places equal
emphasis on all samples during the averaging time.

BA 7666-11, 139
 Linear

BA 7666-11, 140
 Linear

BA 7666-11, 141
 Linear + Impulse

A measurement is made using impulse detection followed by linear averaging.

For compliance with IEC 651, use a measurement time constant of 35 ms on
increasing signals and 1.5 s on decreasing signals.
Linear averaging with the impulse setting is useful for measurements on
business machines for testing the impulsiveness of the noise.

BA 7666-11, 142
 Linear + Impulse

BA 7666-11, 143
 Linear + Impulse

BA 7666-11, 144
 Peak

Detects the highest peak value during the detection time.

BA 7666-11, 145
 Peak

BA 7666-11, 146
 Peak

BA 7666-11, 147
 Basic Frequency Analysis of Sound

BA 7666-11, 148
 Basic Frequency Analysis of Sound

BA 7666-11, 149
 Waveforms and Frequencies

BA 7666-11, 150
 1/1 and 1/3 Octave Filters

BA 7666-11, 151
 Frequency Weighting Curves

BA 7666-11, 152
 Frequency Weighting Curves

BA 7666-11, 153
 Frequency Weighting Curves

BA 7666-11, 154
 Frequency Weighting Curves

BA 7666-11, 155