Test Your Ears: Downloads, Datasheets, Revision History
The software for this project consists of several parts, some of which you may not need.
All downloads are compressed into .ZIP files, so you may need WinZip or an equivalent program to unzip the files.
The files made by me will always be the most recent version. I will not keep older versions available unless there is a clear use for it. In that case you will find information in the version status list.
For files from third parties you should verify the latest version yourself, I cannot take any responsibility for that.
- For reasons of copyright I cannot make the schematic and
board files available. Goto Elektor.
- The
firmware, that is the program for the microprocessor in the
Attenuator Unit. If you buy the programmed processor chip you do not
need
this.
If you want to program the microprocessor yourself you need it, plus, you need the programming environment as described in the "Spyder" project in Elektor, april 2007. You can buy all required stuff from Elektor for around € 12,=. The microprocessor is to be programmed in the "USB Spyder Stick" which is included in the package. Stack some extra DIP4 sockets to allow the DIP16 package to connect with its pins 1-4 and 13-16. These pins are identical to 1-4 and 5-8 of the 8-pin versions of this microprocessor and sufficient for the programming.
- The
PC-program allowing you to perform the hearing tests. It is available
as an executable
with some support files and as source code.
If you intend to change or extend the program or if you just want to know how it works, you need the source code, and also the Microsoft Visual Basic version 6 editor/compiler environment. VB6 is part of Microsoft Visual Studio 6. You have to provide this package yourself, it is not freeware.
If you have the VB6 runtime environment installed you can simply use the .EXE file.
- If you don't have the VB6 runtime environment you can
download and install it from
this Microsoft site.
- The
PC-program in its native form uses English captions and instructions.
These texts can be amended with a language
file. These files are part of the downloadable package. Copy them into
the same directory as where you put the executable.
As of mid August 2009 language files in Dutch (Nederlands) and English are available. By september also a Frech translation may be available by the collaboration of the French editors of Elektor.
It is possible to generate Language Files for other languages. Look here for information about how to use and make language Files.
- The PC
communicates with the attenuator unit by a virtual COM-port, emulated
through the USB. You need to have a virtual com-port driver installed.
For most Windows versions this driver will do the job. Download it and run it. It will install the necessary files. For other Operating Systems consult the FTDI website.
- You
might need to change the USB Vendor / Product code of the attenuator
unit. This code is located in the EEPROM in the attenuator unit. It can
only be an issue if you have more than one FTDI based devices
in
your USB system. Consult the FTDI website about
how to change the
VID/PID code for your attenuator.
- If you have problems with the
communication between your PC and the attenuator unit the diagnostic
program UsbView
may help. It is freeware and it does not need to be
installed. Just run the executable.
- Another way to diagnose some problems is by using the
Windows Device Manager. You can find it by clicking Start, Settings,
Control Panel, System. Then select the tab Hardware, and Device
Manager. In Device Manager select Ports (COM & LPT). You should
see
a "USB Serial Port (COMx)" when the USB-COM drivers are installed and
the Attenuator Unit is connected. Use this Comport number in the
application program to communicate with the Attenuator Unit.
- The A-B-X test
supports only the .WAV file format. If your source material
is in another format you need to convert it.
This Freeware / Open Source program can convert between several usual sound file formats, but there are more (freeware) programs which can do that.
Datasheets.
- The FTDI-chip Does the conversion from USB to Serial communication and v.v.
- The EEPROM Contains the VID-PID info for the USB connection.
- The Microprocessor.
- The PGA2311 The actual audio attenuator chip.
- The MAX660. Provides the negative supply voltage for the PGA2311.
- The BS170 Switching transistor controlling the Led's.
The most recent versions are listed here. Latest update 2010-12-16.
- The Firmware for the Attenuator Unit has version 0.0. This was present in the protototype for Elektor in June 2009 and it has not changed since.
- The file with the Standard Human Hearing Threshold has no version info.
Reason: The PC software now supports the use of a Headphones Calibration file.
Per September 06 2009 an error was repaired in the A-B-X-Test (Reliability value was in error)
Per September 06 2009 an error was repaired in the English Laguage file
Per October 24 2009 the packages also contain a French Language file (Slightly changed w.r.t. the file published by Elektor, because some texts did not fit their destination boxes and were unreadable). I did not make a version update for this.
- The PC-software has version 1.2. Earlier versions have only been published for the Elektor editors.
- The Dutch language file has version 1.1 Earlier versions have only been published for the Elektor editors.
- The English langauge file has version 1.2 Earlier versions have only been published for the Elektor editors.