With the development of technology and industry, acoustic technology has become increasingly mature and is now widely used in areas ranging from consumer electronics to aerospace, and from medical facilities to scientific research. In various industrial inspection scenarios, equipment maintenance, and fault diagnosis, acoustic imaging has become a fast and convenient tool. It can transform sound waves that are difficult for the human ear to detect into intuitive images, helping technicians quickly locate problems.

CRYSOUND’s Acoustic Imaging products are designed for partial discharge detection, gas leak detection, mechanical fault detection, and more, and have been widely adopted in over ten industries, such as power distribution, automotive, and composites.

So, how exactly do acoustic imaging systems work? This blog will explain the complete workflow of an acoustic imaging system—from sound wave acquisition to visual imaging—in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

CRYSOUND Acoustic Imaging Camera Products

1. Sound Wave Acquisition: Capturing Invisible Sound Waves

The core function of an acoustic imaging system is to capture sound waves, which are usually generated by vibrations, leaks, or malfunctions during equipment operation. When sound waves propagate through the air, they cause air molecules to vibrate, forming pressure waves. Acoustic imaging systems receive these pressure waves through a built-in microphone array (usually composed of multiple high-sensitivity microphones). Each microphone can independently capture the frequency, intensity, and phase information of the sound wave, like taking a ‘fingerprint’ of the sound.

For example, when a motor malfunctions, the wear of its internal bearings generates high-frequency vibrations. These vibrations propagate through the air and are captured by the microphone array of the acoustic imaging system. By analyzing these acoustic signals, technicians can initially determine the type and location of the fault.

Gas Leak Detection

Mechanical Faults Detection

Partial Discharge Detection

2. Signal Processing: From Raw Data to Useful Information

The acquired acoustic signals are analog signals and need to be converted into digital signals by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). These digital signals then enter the signal processing unit for a series of complex calculations. These calculations include:

Noise Reduction: Using digital filtering techniques, environmental noise and other interference signals are removed, retaining useful acoustic information.

Beamforming: Utilizing the spatial distribution of the microphone array, algorithms calculate the direction and distance of the sound source. This process is similar to using multiple ears to locate the sound source.

Spectrum Analysis: The acoustic signal is decomposed into components of different frequencies, and the intensity of each frequency component is analyzed to determine the nature of the sound source (e.g., mechanical faults, leaks, etc.).

After these processes, the raw acoustic signal is transformed into useful information containing the sound source’s location, intensity, and frequency characteristics.

3. Visual Imaging: Converting Sound into Images

The processed acoustic data needs to be presented to the user in an intuitive way. Acoustic imaging cameras visualize sound through the following steps:

Data Mapping: Mapping the location information of the sound source onto two-dimensional or three-dimensional space to form a sound source distribution map. Typically, an acoustic imaging camera uses color to represent sound wave intensity: red or yellow indicates a strong sound source, and blue or green indicates a weak sound source.

Image Overlay: Overlaying the sound source distribution map with a visible-light image or infrared image to form a composite image. This allows users to see the physical appearance of the equipment and the distribution of sound sources on the same image, thus quickly locating problem areas.

Real-time Display: Acoustic imaging cameras typically provide real-time imaging capabilities, dynamically displaying changes in sound sources. This is extremely useful for monitoring equipment operating status and diagnosing faults.

4. Application Scenarios: A Wide Range of Uses

The working principle of acoustic imaging makes it widely applicable in multiple fields. In the industrial field, acoustic imaging cameras can be used to detect mechanical faults, gas leaks, and electrical problems in equipment. For example, by analyzing the sound waves of a transformer during operation, it is possible to determine whether there is internal discharge or loosening.

5. Technical Advantages: High Efficiency, Precision, and Non-Contact

The working principle of acoustic imaging systems gives them the following technical advantages:

High Efficiency: Acoustic imaging cameras can quickly scan large areas and display the distribution of sound sources in real time, greatly improving detection efficiency.

Precision: Through advanced signal processing algorithms, acoustic imaging cameras can accurately locate the position and intensity of sound sources, with errors typically within a few centimeters.

Non-Contact: Acoustic imaging cameras do not require contact with the device under test, avoiding potential damage or interference from traditional detection methods.

Conclusion

Acoustic imaging systems transform invisible sound into intuitive images by capturing sound waves, processing signals, and visualizing images, providing a powerful tool for fault diagnosis and equipment maintenance. Although their working principle involves complex signal processing algorithms, the core logic is simple and easy to understand: from sound wave acquisition to visual imaging, every step is aimed at converting sound into useful information. With the continuous development of technology, acoustic imaging technology will continue to demonstrate its unique value in more fields.

If you are interested in CRYSOUND’s acoustic imaging solutions or would like to discuss your specific application, please fill out the ‘Get in touch’ form below and our team will be happy to assist you.

For a long time, many engineers have seen sound calibrators as nothing more than little boxes that output 1 kHz at 94 dB: single-function devices, sensitive to the environment, not particularly pleasant to use in the field—yet still an indispensable link in any acoustic measurement chain.

CRYSOUND’s all-new CRY3018 Sound Calibrator is designed to break this “good enough” mentality and upgrade sound level calibration from a passive, basic tool into an intelligent, reliable, and future-ready measurement reference.

A Class 1 Smart Calibrator Built for the Field

CRY3018 is a portable, high-precision sound calibrator fully compliant with IEC 60942:2017 Class 1. It can serve as a unified calibration reference in laboratories, on production lines, and in field measurements.

Its core capabilities can be summed up in four key phrases:

• Dual-frequency calibration: 250 Hz / 1000 Hz
• Dual sound pressure levels (SPL): 94 dB / 114 dB
• Closed-loop SPL feedback with environmental self-compensation
• Intelligent power management with high-brightness OLED status display

If traditional calibrators are still stuck in the era of fixed-level outputs, the CRY3018 is more like an intelligent calibration platform: it senses the environment in real time and compensates automatically. That’s where its truly disruptive value lies.

Dual Frequencies + Dual Levels: One Device, More Scenarios

In real-world work, a single 1 kHz, 94 dB calibration simply doesn’t cover all scenarios. Some standards or devices require calibration at 250 Hz. In noisy environments, a higher SPL is needed to secure enough signal-to-noise ratio.

CRY3018 tackles all of these needs in one go:

250 Hz / 1000 Hz dual-frequency calibration:

Meets different standards and device requirements for calibration frequency, better reflects the actual measurement bandwidth, and makes it easier to verify system frequency response more comprehensively.

94 dB / 114 dB dual SPL levels:

94 dB covers sensitivity calibration of conventional sound level meters and measurement microphones, while 114 dB effectively cuts through background noise in high-noise environments, ensuring the calibration signal stands out clearly.

Typical performance figures include:

• Frequency accuracy: < 0.5 Hz
• SPL accuracy: < 0.2 dB
• THD+N: < 1%

This means engineers no longer need to carry multiple calibrators with different frequencies and levels. One CRY3018 is enough to cover the vast majority of professional acoustic applications.

Closed-Loop SPL Feedback + Environmental Three-Parameter Compensation: From “Rule-of-Thumb” Calibration to Self-Adaptive Calibration

A major pain point of traditional calibrators is their extreme sensitivity to environmental changes. Even small shifts in temperature, humidity, or atmospheric pressure can introduce significant systematic errors—errors that historically have been estimated based on experience, or simply ignored.

CRY3018 takes a fundamentally different architectural approach:

Built-in SPL feedback system:

It continuously monitors the actual sound pressure in the cavity and forms a closed control loop. If the output drifts, the system automatically adjusts to keep the SPL stable.

Integrated high-precision temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors:

These track three key environmental factors in real time. Combined with intelligent algorithms, the calibrator performs environmental self-compensation, effectively suppressing systematic deviations caused by environmental changes.

In simple terms:

Before: The environment changed, so humans had to worry and estimate.

Now: The environment changes; the calibrator senses it and compensates automatically.

This not only improves consistency and repeatability of measurement results, it also marks a genuine step into an environment-aware, data-driven smart calibration era—upending traditional workflows that relied heavily on experience and manual corrections.

Intelligent Power Management: 5-Minute Fast Charge, Up to 1,000 Calibrations

One of the worst nightmares for field engineers is this: “You’re ready to calibrate, and the calibrator is dead.”

CRY3018’s power system is carefully engineered to avoid exactly that:

• USB-C fast charging with pass-through support (charge and use at the same time)
• About 5 minutes of quick charge provides roughly 1 hour of operation
• A full charge can support close to 1,000 calibration cycles

On top of that, it integrates comprehensive safety and status management:

• Overcharge, over-discharge, and short-circuit protection
• Low-battery warning
• Auto power-on when a microphone is inserted, and auto power-off when removed

In busy production lines or time-critical field tasks, CRY3018 can operate with minimal interruption, dramatically reducing the risk of interrupted testing due to power issues.

Industrial Design and UX for Frontline Engineers

CRY3018 is not just about stacking numbers on a spec sheet. Its emphasis on ergonomics and readability reflects a new product philosophy:

Lightweight, high-strength carbon-fiber composite housing:

• Strikes a balance between weight and robustness; impact-resistant and scratch-resistant, comfortable for long periods of handheld use and frequent transport.

High-brightness OLED display + auto-rotate via gyroscope:

• Whether you hold it vertically or horizontally, the screen automatically rotates to match the orientation. Readings remain clear in bright labs and outdoor environments.

Top status LED + simple, intuitive button logic:

• White flashing: adjusting SPL
• Green solid: SPL stable and ready to use
• Red solid: low battery, shutting down soon
• While charging: yellow flashing; full charge: green solid

Paired with intuitive interactions like short press to power on, long press to power off, and dedicated Hz / dB buttons to switch frequency and level, even first-time users can operate CRY3018 confidently without reaching for the manual.

Full-Size Microphone Compatibility: A Unified Solution from Lab to Line

CRY3018 supports 1″ measurement microphones and, through adapters, is compatible with 1/2″, 1/4″, and 1/8″ sizes, enabling:

• Laboratory-grade measurement microphone calibration
• Sound level meter calibration for environmental noise monitoring systems
• Sensitivity consistency checks for sensors on production lines
• Routine verification of acoustic test systems (audio analyzer + microphone arrays)

For teams managing multiple microphone sizes and numerous test points, CRY3018 can act as a unified acoustic reference source, consolidating fragmented calibration workflows, reducing device variety, and simplifying management in a big way.

More Than a Spec Upgrade: Rethinking How We Do Acoustic Calibration

If you only look at the specs, CRY3018 is a leading, feature-rich Class 1 sound calibrator. But if you look at the entire workflow, it represents a new mindset:

• Calibration is no longer a check-the-box formality, but a smart, quantifiable, and traceable process.
• The environment is no longer an uncontrollable factor, but a parameter that can be sensed and compensated in real time.
• The calibrator is no longer a fixed-level box, but a unified reference platform that spans lab, field, and production line.

What CRY3018 brings is not just a new generation of product—it’s a new answer to the question: What should acoustic calibration look like today?

If your team is looking for a sound calibrator that truly fits both current and future measurement needs, the CRY3018 may be a strong starting point to redefine your entire calibration experience.

In acoustic and vibration testing, engineering teams often find themselves jumping between multiple software tools and data acquisition systems from different vendors. Interfaces vary, workflows are fragmented, and new engineers can spend a significant amount of time just learning the tools before they can focus on the engineering problem itself.

OpenTest, developed by CRYSOUND, is a next-generation acoustic and NVH testing platform designed for engineers, researchers, and manufacturers. Built around the principles of an open ecosystem, AI-driven intelligence, and high compatibility, it allows users to complete the entire workflow—from acquisition to reporting—within a single software environment.

OpenTest supports three operating modes: Measure, Analysis, and Sequence, covering both laboratory validation and repetitive production testing. Core capabilities include real-time monitoring and analysis, FFT and octave analysis, sweep analysis, sound power testing, sound level meter functions, and sound quality analysis. The platform also provides standard test reports and dedicated sound power reports that comply with international standards.

On the hardware side, OpenTest connects to a wide range of multi-brand DAQ devices via mainstream audio protocols such as openDAQ, ASIO, and WASAPI, as well as optional proprietary drivers such as NI-DAQmx, enabling unified management of CRYSOUND SonoDAQ, RME, NI, and other devices within a single platform. On the software side, its modular plugin architecture exposes interfaces for Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, C++ and more, making it easy for teams to package in-house algorithms and domain applications as plugins and deploy them within the same environment.

From Acquisition to Report: A Three-Step Quick-Start Workflow

1. Installation and Basic Connectivity – Let the Signals In

• Download the latest installer from the official website www.opentest.com and complete the installation.
• Connect your DAQ device to the PC; for your first trial, you can simply use the built-in PC sound card to run a quick test.
• In the OpenTest setup section, scan for available devices and select the devices and channels you want to use. Once added to the project, your basic connectivity is complete.

2. Run Basic Tests with Real-Time Analysis – See It First, Then Optimize

• In the channel management view, select the input/output channels you want to use and configure key parameters such as sensitivity, sampling rate, and gain.
• The system automatically activates the Monitor panel, where you can view real-time waveforms, FFT spectra, and key metrics such as RMS level and THD at a glance.
• When needed, you can enable the built-in signal generator to output excitation signals and use the recording function for long-duration acquisition, preserving data for later comparison and analysis.

3. Perform In-Depth Analysis and Reporting in the Measure Module – Turning Data into Decisions

• Switch to the Measure module to access advanced applications such as FFT analysis, octave analysis, sweep analysis, sound power testing, sound level meter, and sound quality—providing everything you need for deeper investigation.
• Use the data set functionality to review and overlay historical records, so you can compare different samples, operating conditions, or tuning strategies side by side.
• Waveforms and analysis results can be exported at any time. With the reporting function, you can generate test reports with a single click, closing the loop from test execution to final deliverables.

Who Is OpenTest For?

• New acoustic and vibration test engineers who want to establish a complete workflow quickly using a single toolchain.
• Laboratories and corporate teams that need to manage multi-brand hardware and consolidate everything into one unified software platform.
• Project teams in automotive NVH, consumer electronics, and industrial diagnostics that require high channel counts, automation, and AI-enhanced analysis capabilities.

Wherever you are on your testing infrastructure journey, OpenTest lets you start with a free entry-level edition and adopt an open, intelligent, and scalable ecosystem with a low barrier to entry. Visit www.opentest.com to explore detailed features, supported hardware, and licensing and plan options, and book a demo to see how OpenTest and CRYSOUND can help you build an efficient, open, and future-ready acoustic and vibration testing platform.