Audio router - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 09:55:17 pm
content: Can somebody suggest me equipment brands to route audio signals ?- The instrument has to be capable of routing from the signal generator to different DUT inputs (From the signal gen to 5 outputs)- The instrument has to be capable of routing from the DUT outputs to a measurement instrument (From 3 outputs to the measurement instrument)- The instrument needs to have remote connection(USB, RS-232 or GPIB)Thanks.David.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 09:59:21 pm
content: I have used products from Extron before for such things.Warning: Wallet emptying devices.http://www.extron.co.nz/http://www.extron.com/

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 10:08:56 pm
content: iif it's one DUT to many inputs, and the signal allows...What about a distribution amplifier 1:5 which will be cheaper, and a lot less likely to introduce artefacts.No switching needed, and .... whatever.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 11:02:32 pm
content: The measurement multiplexers from HP/Agilent or Keithely aren't suitable?

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 11:09:23 pm
content: Quote from: DavidDLC on May 20, 2015, 09:55:17 pmHang on, do you want to route/switch thecontrolsignals as well?That's a different question.Bi-directional? - Packet/message aware - signaling voltages - number of paths - ...A lot more work if that's what you were really asking.Yes - you can make your own, or it will probably be alotcheaper in time and money if you do the research and choose your tools correctly.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 11:14:04 pm
content: RS-232 relay modules are cheap.

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 11:19:28 pm
content: Quote from: Marco on May 20, 2015, 11:14:04 pmYep - we did that back in the 80's and then moved on to CMOS (4016/4066) switches in a matrix (with level converters either side) to route RS232 / 422 and other control busses in a 16x16 box. Worked really well!Choose anyrelaysvery carefully, as you don't want to spend a lifetime 6-months down the road - chasing noise or signal losses.

author: PeterFW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 11:21:09 pm
content: Quote from: DavidDLC on May 20, 2015, 09:55:17 pmHow much are you willing to spend and good have the specs to be?Balanced or unbalanced outputs/inputs?

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2015, 04:24:07 am
content: Quote from: PeterFW on May 20, 2015, 11:21:09 pmWe are willing to spend on the hundreds, maybe a thousand, and the signals are unbalanced.David.

author: PeterFW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2015, 05:09:48 am
content: Quote from: DavidDLC on May 21, 2015, 04:24:07 amUhh... ok, all the ones i have worked with and would recommend, are a tad more expensiveAll the usual audio stuff is either 4x4, 4x2 or 8x8, since you need 5 outputs you would have to go for 8x8.If it has to be low cost you could look for "AV Switches", you get those with RS232 and a bunch of IO.But i can not reommend one of those from personal experience, installed a few at a customers but they had no RS232.My recommendation would be to search for a 8x8 VGA Audio switch, those are fairly cheap and tend to have a serial interface:http://www.kvmswitchtech.com/8x8-vga-matrix-switch-8-inputs-and-8-outputs-with-audio-infra-red-remote-and-rs232-control-p46942.htmhttp://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1103712-REG/a_neuvideo_ani_88vga_8x8_vga_matrix_routing.htmlThose give you additonal lines besides the audio you can "abuse" for other purposes with some considerations.

author: andtfoot
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2015, 05:10:18 am
content: Quote from: Mr.B on May 20, 2015, 09:59:21 pmAlong a similar path, but slightly more budget conscious, there is the Kramer Electronics stuff.http://www.krameraustralia.com.au/products/model.asp?pid=315&sf=48&pname=VS-88A

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2015, 05:11:12 am
content: if it's just audio, then expand your search to include studio matrix switches. Most of these are remote controlled and of good quality.KramerVS-88A: 8x8, balanced audio, any input to any output simultaneouslyKramerVS-606xl: 6x6 , R+L single ended audio + comp. video, any input to any output simultaneouslyBoth are controlled via front panel or RS-232. The protocol ispublished@andtfoot : I created my post as you posted yourswe're thinking alike

author: PeterFW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2015, 05:18:25 am
content: Quote from: andtfoot on May 21, 2015, 05:10:18 amKramer is scraping the upper budget constraint at 1K, indeed, i thought they were about 1.5K.Oh... i found a Kramer VS-88A at 700 Euro locally.I sencond the vote for a kramer unit.

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2015, 06:21:46 am
content: Hold on there. We don't have enough information in evidence here to know whether any of the Extron or Kramer devices is even appropriate for the project. We don't know what kind of DUT we are measuring, we don't know what parameters are being measured. It seems quite possible that using an ordinary audio switching gadget will end up "testing" the Extron or the Kramer, or both the switching apparatus AND the DUT in series.This is why automated test equipment (ATE) typically uses hard metal-to-metal contacts to remove the switching apparatus from the equation as an unknown.It is also not clear why switching is required for the SOURCE signal? Why wouldn't you simply connect ALL the DUTs in parallel to the test signal source? Again, we don't know enough about the test equipment or the DUTs to know if this is appropriate or even possible.

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2015, 06:27:06 am
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on May 21, 2015, 06:21:46 amIndeed. I tried to ask these questions - indirectly in Replies #2 and 4...No answer, so I guess cost is the driver here, not accuracy or repeatability!