Sound Design ARKbase 6.2.1 Release Notes Last Updated: June 9th, 2011 The Application Resource Kit(tm) (ARK) is a set of software building blocks that can help reduce the time it takes to develop hearing instrument fitting software. ARKbase is the ARK "starter kit". It contains the required tools to evaluate ARK, to learn about Sound Design Technologies' newest hardware products, and to test components developed using ARKonline. ARKbase also includes software that aids in the calibration and configuration of hearing instruments that contain PARAGON DIGITAL hybrids at the manufacturing level. This README file describes the ARK components and ARK-based applications that are included in the version of ARKbase with which this file came. Documentation is available online. For an overview of ARK, please read the ARK White Paper at http://ark.sounddes.com. The ARK Tutorial and Developer's Notes are also available at the same URL. Installation Notes: - All versions of ARKware or mARK must be uninstalled before installing ARKbase. Versions of ARKbase prior to 2.4.0 should also be uninstalled. - This software is compatible with 32-bit Windows operating systems. 64-bit systems are not supported at this time. - Users who do not have Visual Basic 6 SP4 or newer, or any applications that were developed with Visual Basic 6 SP4 or newer installed on their computers must install the Visual Basic 6 SP4 runtime from Microsoft at: http://download.microsoft.com/download/vb60pro/Redist/sp4/win98/EN-US/VBRun60sp4.exe More information on this package can be found in the Microsoft Knowledge Base at: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q235/4/20.asp Visual Basic is required by applications such as the Interactive Data Sheet included in ARKbase. The ARK components themselves do not require the Visual Basic runtime. - Users of Windows 95 must download and install the latest version of DCOM95 from Microsoft Corporation before installing ARKbase. - Users of Windows 95 should also ensure that they have mfc42.dll installed in their windows system directory before installing ARKbase. This DLL is required by one of the ActiveX controls (CBOTKNOB.OCX) that is used by the Interactive Data Sheet application. - Users of Windows Vista and Windows 7 are required to run the applications with Administrator privileges or they will not be able to register dlls using the ARK Component Manager. There are 2 ways of accomplishing this: 1. From the Start Menu, right-click on the application and select "Run as Administrator". 2. Go the Control Panel and type UAC in the search field. You'll see the "Turn User Account Control(UAC) on or off". If you disable this feature, all your applications will run in Administator mode. - Users of Windows 2000 or Windows XP who want to use the iLog application for datalogging on the Inspiria Ultimate product are required to install .NET Framework 2.0 from Microsoft Update at: http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us Selecting the Custom button on the website will display a list of packages to install. The .NET Framework 2.0 will be in the list if it is not installed on the system already. - iLog is not supported on Windows 98 or earlier. - If you are attempting to install a version of ARKbase that is older than the version that is currently installed on your computer please follow the instructions below: ** Note that this will remove the ARK shared DLLs, even if other applications are using them! In Windows Explorer: 1. Delete the C:\WINDOWS\ARK directory. Delete C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ARK.dll, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MARK2.dll, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MARKFoundation.dll, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MARKParagon.dll, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MARKDuet.dll, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MARKVenture.dll and C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ARKReg.dll. * Note that on Windows NT, 2000, and XP machines, C:\WINDOWS might be C:\WINNT, and C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM might be C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32. 2. Delete the C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\ {2760D294-534C-495D-9E89-BBE36A01A86F} directory. 3. Run the registry editor (Start->Run, type "regedit", and click OK) In the registry editor: - Delete the key (folder) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Gennum\ARKbase. In the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLLs, delete all of the values beginning with the path C:\WINDOWS\ARK along with C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ARK.dll, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MARK.dll, and C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ARKReg.dll. - Delete the key (folder):HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Uninstall\{2760D294-534C-495D-9E89-BBE36A01A86F} This release of ARKbase includes: Components: - ARK Core Component 6.2.0 - ConfTree Component 2.2.3 - CTXML Component 1.0.9 - Standard HiPro Component 6.0.6 - Standard Microcard Component 4.0.3 - GenUSB Component 6.0.9 - GA3203 Demo Library 2.0.3 - GA3204 Demo Library 2.0.3 - GA3206 Demo Library 2.0.2 - GA3209 Demo Library 2.0.2 - GB3210 Demo Library 2.0.2 - GA3214 Demo Library 1.2.3 - GB3211/GB3215 Demo Library 1.2.3 - GB3212 Demo Library 1.4.9 - Foundation (GA3216) Demo Library 1.6.3 - Venture (GA3217) Demo Library 1.2.6 - Venture (GA3218) Demo Library 1.2.6 - Venture (GA3219) Demo Library 1.2.6 - GA3226 Demo Library 1.4.4 - Consolidator (GA3227) Demo Library 1.0.3 - Inspiria (GA3284) Demo Library 1.4.4 - Inspiria Ultimate (GA3285) Demo Library 1.2.4 - Inspiria Extreme (SA3286) Demo Library 1.0.8 - MARK 2 Core Component 1.0.0 - MARK 2 FONIX Frye 6500 Component 1.0.1 - MARK 2 FONIX Frye 7000 Component 1.0.1 - MARK 2 PARAGON Component 1.0.3 - MARK 2 Foundation Component 1.0.6 - MARK 2 Duet Component 1.2.3 - MARK 2 Venture Component 1.4.0 - MARK 2 Wolverine Component 1.2.0 - Rhythm (SA3229/SB3229) Demo Library 1.0.11 - AYRE (SA3291) Demo Library 1.0.10 - Rhythm Ultimate (SA3231/SB3231) Demo Library 0.0.10 - Rhythm Extreme (SA3230/SA3231) Demo Library 0.0.10 - R3910 Demo Library 1.0.0 Applications: - Controller Toolbox 1.0.6 (*) - Interactive Data Sheet 6.4.3 (*) - Filter Designer Plus 3.4.1 - Modeler 2.0.5 - Cal/Config 4.2.1 (*) - MARK Conversion Tool 1.0.1 - Workstation Manager 1.2.1 - Frye FONIX 6500/7000 Configuration Tool 2.0.1 - Feedback Path Tool 2.2.0 Other Files: - Matlab example files * Source code for these applications and the Params example are now available in a separate package called ARKsdk. ARKsdk is available at http://ark.sounddes.com. Current versions have not been posted yet. If you select a "Typical" installation, all of the above components are installed. If you select a "Compact" installation, the mARK components, Modeler, and Cal/Config are excluded from the installation. Minimum system requirements: - Intel Pentium-based personal computer (or compatible) running Windows 95, 98, ME, XP, NT 4, or 2000. - This software was tested on the following platforms: Windows 2000 (SP3) Windows XP Professional Windows Vista (32 bit) - A programming box, if you want to program devices. The Interactive Data Sheet software can be used without a programming box. If you wish to use Cal/Config, Modeler, or the mARK Components you will also require: - A Frye FONIX 6500 with the RS232 option - A spare COM port for communications with the FONIX 6500. If you wish to use the HiPro, you will need two COM ports in total. It is possible, however, to have only one COM Port available and utilize a USB port with a USB to serial converter. The Belkin F5U103c Serial Adapter has been tested and is known to work with this type of setup. Notes on shared files: The shared files for the controller components and product component libraries included in ARKbase are installed into the ARK directory under the Windows directory (e.g. C:\WINDOWS\ARK). This will prevent conflicts with other applications that install HiPro support files into the Windows System directory. For information on redistributing the files included in ARKbase, please read the document entitled "Redistributing ARK Components" on the ARK web site. Uninstalling ARKbase: To remove ARKbase from your system, double click on Add/Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel, which can be found under Settings in the Start Menu. Find ARKbase in the list of programs, then click "Add/Remove...". ARKbase uses a number of shared files, and you will be prompted before Windows will delete any of these files. If ARKbase is the only ARK-based software on your computer, it is safe to remove these files. Additional Notes: ConfTree and CTXML Components: - The ConfTree component implements a data structure that is used in product component libraries based on digital hybrids. This DLL is used by the GB3210 Demo Library, GA3209 Demo Library, and any DLL created using ARKonline. ConfTree is also used by the Interactive Data Sheet, Cal/Config, and Modeler applications to aid in saving and loading configuration files. - The CTXML component writes out a ConfTree data structure to a file and can read a structure back in from a file. The applications use this when saving and loading configuration files. Standard HiPro Component: - The Standard HiPro Component supports the ER102, GP522, GP523, GC5050, GC5020, GC5052 and GC5055 controllers. - The component uses version 2.25 of the HiPro DLL, which is included in ARKbase. - The component requires version 2.20 of the HiPro firmware, which is available to HiPro members from Madsen Electronics. Sound Design Technologies Demo Libraries: - The included libraries are intended to demonstrate Sound Design Technologies' products and provide prototype components for fitting software development. It is anticipated that a manufacturer will wish to create a custom product component library containing its entire product library with specific transducer models measured in actual hearing aid shells. With all Sound Design's digital products, this can be accomplished using mARK and ARKonline. See http://ark.sounddes.com for more information on these tools. For assistance and direction in creating product component libraries with analog products, please e-mail software@sounddes.com. - The analog models by default assume that the part is connected to a 1.35 volt supply. This value can be adjusted programmatically via the Vbat external parameter in each of the product components. This parameter should be set to the Vbat voltage in millivolts (e.g. 1350). - The models for Sound Design's analog products are sine-wave accurate. The frequency response in the Interactive Data Sheet shows the result of sweeping a sine wave through the twelfth-octave frequencies, and should resemble the Frye FONIX 6500 frequency response in pure tone mode. - The models for the Sound Design Digital Product Demo Libraries use the speech-weighted composite signal from the Frye FONIX 6500 analyzer unless otherwise specified. These models should be accurate for input levels that do not cause AGCo compression limiting. The AGCo compression limiting model currently affects the frequency response curve in a frequency dependent manner and is sine-wave accurate. Interactive Data Sheet: The Interactive Data Sheet displays the gain and output frequency responses and I/O curves for a selected product and configuration within a selected library. The Interactive Data Sheet works with any registered product component libraries, such as the GA3203 library and the GA3206 library. Controller Toolbox: The Controller Toolbox is similar to SDT's ER102, GP522 and GP523 "Engineering Software"; however, it supports the ER102, GP522 and GP523 in a single application that can auto-detect which controller is connected. The Controller Toolbox works with any registered controller component libraries, such as the Standard HiPro Component. Filter Designer Plus: Sound Design Technologies' Filter Designer Plus provides the user with an easy method of converting analog to digital coefficients. Automated transfer of the coefficients to the Interactive Data Sheet is also available in this program. A graph is displayed to show the total effect of the filters. A parametric filter section is available with amplitude, Q and frequency adjustments for six different parametric filter types. Frye FONIX 6500/7000 Configuration: To have the Frye Fonix 6500/7000 capable of communicating with Cal/Config, Modeler, or other software that uses mARK, the system must be made aware of the COM port to which the device is connected. The Frye Registry Tool allows this to be configured. Moreover, the Frye's timeout value is set using this tool. The default for the timeout is 1 second and it is recommended that this value be used unless communication problems arise between the computer and the Frye. Please note that this tool need only be run once unless the COM port to which the Frye is connected is changed. Modeler: The Modeler is an application designed to extract microphone and receiver models from hearing instruments so that ARK custom product components can be constructed using these models through Sound Design's ARKonline web site. The Modeler will extract sensitivity values for both microphones and receivers and will also extract saturation values for receivers. As the extraction is in progress, a real time graph is constructed to display to the user what the model looks like. Once the process is completed, the data can be saved and/or copied to the clipboard and pasted into ARKonline. Please refer to the info note on the Modeler at http://www.sounddesigntechnologies.com/products/pdf/17810DOC.pdf for more information. Cal/Config: Cal/Config is a sample application which demonstrates how to calibrate and configure a hearing instrument. Please refer to the info note on Cal/Config at http://www.sounddesigntechnologies.com/products/pdf/27350DOC.pdf Feedback Path Tool Sample Application: The Feedback Path (FB) Measurement Tool is a tool that uses the Feedback Canceller to measure the FB Path of a hearing aid, in-situ. From this measurement, the amount of gain that can be added to the system without causing feedback can be determined. This is useful in determining the Maximum Stable Gain frequency response. This tool requires a hybrid, such as the SA3286, with the FB Path Measurement Firmware built-in. The source code for this application is available with our standard ARKsdk package. Please refer to the info note on the Feedback Path Tool at: http://www.sounddesigntechnologies.com/pdf/48802_IN_Rev0.pdf Matlab Example Files These files are installed in the matlab\ directory off of the target directory chosen at installation time (by default C:\Program Files\Sound Design Technologies\ARK). Two Matlab scripts are included that demonstrate how to design filters for use with PARAGON DIGITAL's generic biquads. These filters are included in the S02 PALs (look for S02 in the product titles in the GB3210 and GA3209 Demo Libraries). Some knowledge of digital filters is required to use this product feature. *NOTE*: Changes between releases will no longer appear in this file. As of 4.0.0, the release notes will be posted at the following link: http://ark.sounddes.com/releasenotification.php Changes between ARKbase 3.4.9 and ARKbase 3.4.10 (November 30, 2004) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Bug Fixes: - For the Duet demo library, the subgroup ID's for the bandgain parameters were incorrect. This has been changed so that all the bandgain subgroup ID's are now set to 0. - Fixed a problem in Paragon libraries that was occasionally causing communication errors when using the DSP Programmer. - Several cases where floating point errors were occurring in Delphi with Foundation and Duet product libraries have been fixed. Changes between ARKbase 3.4.8 and ARKbase 3.4.9 (August 31, 2004) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Improvements: - Speed of the Duet Reads is now 20% faster. Further improvements will occur when generic biquads are not being used in the product. - Performance with longer cable lengths can be improved when a 10 kOhm pull-down resistor is used. Previously, GenHiPro used a 20k resistor. - Previously, IDS was forcing a full burn of all parameters on any burn occurring immediately after a write. To improve communication speed, the device now reloads its configuration from EEPROM by invoking a switch-to-memory operation instead. - In the Modeler the receiver display has been changed so that the data does not extend past the width of the grid. Bug Fixes: - CalConfig will now run from the VB environment without an error message appearing about the .wrk file missing. - CalConfig will now identify the correct field dll by comparing the library ID and the ManID. - Resolved an issue that was causing inaccurate results for Duet VC Calibration. The calibration was not functioning properly due to an error in the interpretation of the VC trim bits. - Fixed a bug in IDS that was causing GC5057 to be displayed for devices with the Controller IC GC5051. - GenMicrocard will now explicitly load mcard32.dll from Windows\ARK if the default search order wants to load mcard32.dll from the Windows System directory. Changes between ARKbase 3.4.6 and ARKbase 3.4.8 (July 15, 2004) --------------------------------------------------------------- Improvements: - The message box that was appearing in IDS for Foundation programmable mode libraries that indicated the device was locked was giving users the impression that communication was complete. The message box has been moved to the end of the configuration process so users do not accidentally disconnect the device before communication is complete. - Previously, users had to Burn the Settings tab separately even after burn current was selected. The control parameters on the Settings tab are now burned when Burn Current is selected. - Reading from Duet devices in the Interactive Data Sheet is now faster. - If the user has selected to use the first 4 bytes of scratch memory for the serial ID, the serial number read from scratch memory is displayed as a decimal number. - The ScratchArrayToMemory functionality was added for Duet libraries. - Added a Burn All comand to IDS that will burn all four memories as well as the parameters on the Settings tab. - For Microcard, Close is no longer called before Open. Calling Open before a Close causes a Close to happen anyway. - Improved the IO curve validation that occurs in IDS for Foundation programmable mode libraries. Bug Fixes: - Resolved an issue in CalConfig that was causing a device not detected error to occur when using the HiPro to configure a Foundation programmable mode library. - Fixed a timing error that was causing communication problems when performing an Open/WhichChip/Init command when using the Microcard with GB3212 devices. - CalConfig was not always switching to the active memory that was indicated in the .ids file for Foundation products. - Fixed a bug with the DSP programmer that was causing the program to hang until the USB cable was disconnected. - The communication error messages that are displayed for the DSP Programmer have been updated to be more explicit. - It should not be possible to click 'Read All' while on the Settings tab in IDS. This option is now disabled while on this tab. - The Controller IC was shown in IDS as GC5051 instead of GC5057 for Paragon hybrids with GC5057. - Incorrect Serial Number was being calculated in Scratch Editor in IDS. - The GB3212 Demo Library Meta field ranges were incorrect. The range for the meta fields is now -32768 to 32767. Changes between ARKbase 3.4.4 and ARKbase 3.4.6 (April 21, 2004) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Improvements: - The range of the Q parameter value in the Duet Demo Libraries has been increased to have a maximum value of 100. - Added the ability to mute Duet devices in the Interactive Data Sheet. Libraries must be recompiled to take advantage of this new feature. - CalConfig->Setup fields in IDS will now be enabled/disabled depending on what product component library is selected. - When three terminal trimmer verification fails in CalConfig, the user will now be prompted to re-position the wiper and re-try the verification. Previously, CalConfig would immediately exit the routine when the wiper was not in the correct position and the entire calibration would have to be repeated. - Added a boolean property, UseExistingMCard32, to the GenMicrocard interface to allow users to indicate whether or not they want to use the MCard32.dll in the \Windows\ARK directory or the \Windows directory. If the value of this property is "true", the existing Mcard32.dll instance is used, otherwise,the Windows\ARK version is used regardless of whether a different version has already been loaded. - A new menu has been added to CalConfig called "Memories". It gives the operator access to change which memories should be skipped on the fly instead of rerunning the program with different /SkipMemX arguments. The /SkipMemX arguments are still in place. Bug Fixes: - The Frontwave beta slider in Paragon and Duet libraries was not bounded by the maximum delay. An error will now occur if the delay exceeds the device's allowable delay. - A bug was fixed in the Duet libraries that was causing the beta value to be read back incorrectly. - A message indicating that telecoil calibration is complete has been added to CalConfig. This will allow the user to remove the "wand" if necessary and click OK once the box has been closed so that further cal steps can be completed accurately. Changes between ARKbase 3.4.3 and ARKbase 3.4.4 (February 12, 2004) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Improvements: - Audio has been improved for trimmer mode when AGCO is a field adjustable parameter. Trimmers cause less clicking in this case. - Support is available for multiple memories in trimmer mode products. This support has been available since 3.4.0 but is now available in ARKonline. - Similarly, support is now available in ARKonline for selecting wideband gain as a field adjustable parameter. Bug Fixes: - An issue was fixed in GenHipro where the user was not able to switch back and forth between an analog device on one ear port and a digital device on the other ear port. Changes between ARKbase 3.4.2 and ARKbase 3.4.3 (January 7, 2004) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Improvements: - Eight new products have been added to the GB3212 Demo Library. These products have high level gain as the calculated parameter. Duet Bug Fixes: - Tone generator amplitudes have been restricted to be no greater than -1 dBFS to prevention distortion. - Resolved an issue that was a result of incorrect compression parameter calculations at high thresholds. Changes between ARKbase 3.4.1 and ARKbase 3.4.2 (December 5, 2003) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Bug Fixes: - GB3225's were being identified as GB3215's in IDS. This has been corrected. Changes between ARKbase 3.4.0 and ARKbase 3.4.1 ------------------------------------------------ Improvements: - Full Duet support has been added. Bug Fixes: - Old Paragon devices (GC5050) from prior to Feb 2002 could have an incorrect bit in the location used for the new GC5057 HybridID bit. To fix this problem, the HybridID's for the 5057's are now the same as the 5051's but there is a new control bit (IsGC5057) which indicates if the part is a GC5057 or not. The bit is meaningless for GC5050's. It is imperative that users not release ARKbase 3.4.0 files into the field but use 3.4.1 instead. - Appropriate message appears for Duet Demo Library when the user enables mic comp biquads. - Fixed a problem where the lowbat indicator tone amplitude was being set incorrectly for Duet products. - Fixed a problem where I/O curves were not updating for changes in the high level gain for Duet "4 Channel ITE/ITC 119/63, EQ Filters, Tcoilgain Override" product. - Graphs update properly when the user selects a band shift of 0Hz on the Frequency Shaping tab for Duet products. - Fixed an issue where thresholds were changing when 2 mic omni mode was selected with Duet. Values were burned into the part correctly but were displayed incorrectly in IDS when reading back. - Fixed an issue with burning the SerialID in IDS for Foundation products. The value was being stored in the part properly but subsequent burns would fail because the new value was not being saved to compare to the SerialID in the part. - Squelch is now being displayed properly for GA3203 Demo Library. Changes between ARKbase 3.2.1 and ARKbase 3.4.0 (November 11, 2003) -------------------------------------------------------------------- General Improvements: - Added the Duet Demo Library. Foundation Improvements: - Field values are now always burned in after configuring the device. - Added the ability to read back the field parameter values when unlocking programmable products. - Added memory beeps to the Foundation Demo Library. - Optimized resets and re-inits in Cal/Config and IDS. Configuring and unlocking are faster (delays after reset optimized). - Added baud rate as a calibration item if a default value of lower than 2 is required. - Split acoustic bypass cal into Full bypass and Tcoil bypass only. - Improved Filter Designer plus to work with products having fewer than 4 biquads enabled. - Added a 'platforms' list box to Filter Designer Plus. This always the user to select either Paragon or Duet products. General Bug Fixes: - .CLC files that do not contain scratch data can now be converted to .ids files. - CalConfig slow startup issues have been resolved. - Burns were not always updating the active configuration in the registers. - Fixed the way new cal elements are handled by Cal/Config. - Fixed an issue in the Modeler that occurred when changing transducers without saving. - GenMicrocard will allow newer versions of mcard32.dll to work. - Burning P3Switch for Paragon works again in IDS. - Fixed an issue in CalConfig that was causing the SerialID to be burned incorrectly due to a rounding error. - Fixed an error in the scratch editor that was preventing users from burning in modes other than decimal. - DSP Programmer now communicates properly when using docking stations. Foundation Bug Fixes: - Number of trimmer terminals is now being read back properly in IDS Cal Setup. - Checking trimmer connections in Cal/Config was causing a type mismatch error. - Removed the valid checkbox in IDS. - Trimmer calibration was changing the baud rate on the USB for 2 terminal trimmers Changes between ARKbase 3.2.0 and ARKbase 3.2.1 ------------------------------------------------ Improvements: - Added support for new Paragon hybrids (GB3221, GA3224, GB3225) Bug fixes: - Fixed a Foundation issue where having multiple field products in a library caused confusion for which one to open if init was called when the correct product was not selected. Changes between ARKbase 3.0.4 and ARKbase 3.2.0 (July 31, 2003) --------------------------------------------------------------- Improvements: - Added support for programmable Foundation products. - Added ability to read trimmer assignments in IDS and Cal/Config. Trimmer levels can also be read in IDS. - GenHiPro has been updated to improve communications robustness with GB3211, GA3214, and GB3215. - The oscillator trim calibration routine from ARKbase 2.8.2 has been re-integrated with the Cal/Config application. This routine will recalculate the oscillator trim if the timing on the connected device is returned out of a specified range. This calibration routine can be invoked by running CalConfig.exe with the command line parameter /osctrim. Changes between ARKbase 3.0.0 and ARKbase 3.0.4 (June 27, 2003) --------------------------------------------------------------- Improvements: - Configuration checking has been added for the cases when AGC parameters for both channels are combined. This checking ensures that I/O curves are valid for all trimmer combinations. - Error checking on I/O parameters and EQ filters only happens on parameters that are assigned to trimmers instead of all parameters that are trimmer compatible. - The voltage threshold at which the low battery tones are played is now calibrated as part of the Cal/Config process. Bug fixes: - In some situations, the front end mode parameter would change to telecoil mode when a configuration check failed. This has been fixed. Changes between ARKbase 2.8.2 and ARKbase 3.0.0 (May 2003) ---------------------------------------------------------- Improvements: - Added the Foundation Demo Library. - Implemented new controller component architecture. - GenMicrocard.DLL size reduced from 128k to 100k. - GenUSB is now part of ARKbase. - Support for GA3216 hardware has been added to the controller components. - Incorporated ARK Component Manager into IDS. It is now available in the Tools menu. - Initializing a digital device with an incorrect library selected now gives the user the option to switch to the correct library if it exists instead of giving an error. - Trimmer mode support has been added to all applications for the new FOUNDATION product. - New MARK2 calibration tools have been added. - Cal/Config has been simplified. It now requires an .ids file which includes all memory configuration, calibration and scratch data information. All calibration set up parameters (from Engineering Mode) have been moved to IDS. All workstation specific parameters (from Options) have been moved to the Workstation Manager. See info note for more details. - A new tree structure mode has been added to Cal/Config to help find configuration files more quickly. - The units displayed for the sensitivity calibration results are now more intuitive (dBV/dBSPL and dBSPL/dBV). - Added capability to model rear and tcoil inputs in the Modeler Bug fixes: - Modeler can now model devices connected to the right ear port. - GenMicrocard.dll can now be registered without the existence of mcard32.dll. This resolves installation problems with earlier versions. Known issues: - Multiple memories and MS switches in programmable mode are not available for GA3216 programmable products. - There is currently no Mute parameter supported in GA3216 libraries. - The 'redo' buttons and the 'Details' buttons have been temporarily disabled in Cal/Config. - Calibration, Check Calibration and Reset Factory Defaults are not active in IDS. - Bypassing acoustic calibration is not supported for PARAGON yet. - Clicks can be heard when configuring and unlocking the DynamEQ II emulation product in the GA3216 demo library. - In the Cal Setup form in the Interactive Data Sheet, the type of trimmers used (2 terminal or 3 terminal) is not read back correctly from the configuration file if no trimmers are assigned. - With some product configurations and when no trimmers are assigned, devices will remain in audio bypass mode after a reset until the device is written to by clicking the Write button in the Interactive Data Sheet. Changes between ARKbase 2.8.1 and ARKbase 2.8.2 ------------------------------------------------- New features: - There is a new oscillator trim calibration routine in the Cal/Config application. This routine will recalculate the oscillator trim if the timing on the connected device is returned out of a specified range. This calibration routine can be invoked by running CalConfig.exe with the command line parameter /osctrim. Changes between ARKbase 2.8.0 and ARKbase 2.8.1 (November 2002) --------------------------------------------------------------- New features: - The new Filter Designer Plus application is now included. Improvements in mARK: - FRONTWAVE calibration allows for microphones to be measured at frequencies specified by the developer. - FRONTWAVE is now calibrated with a 1st order amplitude correction system rather than the gain correction system. If there is only one frequency point measured for the microphones then the gain correction system is applied. - FRONTWAVE calibration checks that 40 dB of signal to noise is achieved at each frequency point measured. If this is not reached, an exception is thrown. - FRONTWAVE calibration allows for a check of the null depth by configuring the device into bidirectional mode and measuring the reduction in directional mode vs omni mode. The frequency points to check the null depth can be passed in through the expanded interface. - A CheckSN function is added to check the signal to noise ratio of the environment that the HI is in. The signal and noise can be measured on the level detectors or on the measurement device. - A CheckNoise funcion is added to check the noise level of the environment. - The receiver calibration now allows for a correction factor to be applied to the response. - Checking the volume control calibration returns the max VC value. - Microphone/Receiver/Telecoil calibration checks that a minimum level is measured otherwise an exception is thrown indicating that the Microphone/Receiver/Telecoil is not connected properly. Improvements in Cal/Config: - Transducer max/min ranges can be specified in the options. - Results returned to the operator can be logged to file (specified in options). - Errors can be supressed if logging is turned on. - Check of noise level at beginning of calibration process & specifying max noise level in options. - Generating a composite signal on the Frye after a calibration process takes place (signal level can be specified in the options). - Engineering mode debugging tools allow for a device to be uncalibrated, checked for calibration (which also returns the library and product burned into the device), and recalibrated on an individual basis. Improvements in IDS: - Updated IDS to search for the predefined time constant values instead of just the index into the list. - Added the tri-state switch consiguration on the settings tab. IDS Bug Fixes: - When initializing the device from the settings tab it should not attempt to switch to the control memory. - The control memory needs to be reread within InitDevice when the user selects ReadAll after switching to a new product library. Changes between ARKbase 2.6.6 and ARKbase 2.8.0 (June 11, 2002) --------------------------------------------------------------- Bug Fixes: - When using the Microcard, a failed WhichChip no longer disrupts communication with PARAGON on the other ear. - The GP522 and PARAGON can now be accessed on the left and right ports or vice-versa with the Microcard. - Several cases where division by zero errors could occur in product libraries were fixed. - Memory objects can now be accessed using the IDispatch interface. - A bug was fixed that would occasionally cause the "An invalid memory address was requested" error to occur when the scratch area was being read. - GenHiPro can now communicate with ER-102 rev A devices. - The "overflow" error that was occurring in Cal/Config has been fixed. Improvements: - A new memory tab titled "Settings" has been added to the IDS for PARAGON-based products. This tab contains the control parameters which were previously accessible only through the Programmer->Settings... menu. The parameters that appear on this tab are also now saved and loaded in .IDS files. - The Cal/Config application can now configure control parameters based on values stored in an .IDS file. - The control memory is now always written during a Write operation, even if the parameters have not changed since they were last burned. - Added a switch which will put PARAGON into bypass mode during a read operation. This reduces the communication noise that can be heard during telecoil mode. This switch can be set in the IDS under Tools->Options, and in software via IProgrammerOptions::EnableBypassDuringRead. - ARK.dll will no longer work if it is not installed in the Windows System directory. Similarly, GenHiPro.dll and GenMicrocard.dll will not work if they are not installed in the Windows\ARK directory. This change is intended to prevent manufacturers from installing common DLLs to incorrect locations. - A backwards compatibility option was added to allow devices burned in with new libraries to be read using older libraries. This option is exposed under Tools->Options in the Interactive Data Sheet for the PARAGON demo libraries. This option is enabled by default. When this option is enabled, burn and read operations are somewhat slower. Software developers can control this option via the IProductWithUtilities4::MemoryMapCompatibility property. - Communications performance has been significantly improved for burn operations. - The GB3211/GB3215 and GA3214 demo libraries are now included. - GC5051 is now supported. - The Interactive Data Sheet is now compatible with product components based on products that use the GP522 controller chip. Changes between ARKbase 2.6.5 and ARKbase 2.6.6 (March 14, 2002) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Bug Fixes: - Fixed a problem with Cal/Config not being able to find an element in the .clc files of previous versions when running calibration. Changes between ARKbase 2.6.4 and ARKbase 2.6.5 ----------------------------------------------- Improvements: - Added the /nologo command-line option to Cal/Config. This option will remove SDT logos and trademarks from the Cal/Config screens. Changes between ARKbase 2.6.2 and ARKbase 2.6.4 (February 27, 2002) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Improvements: - The FRONTWAVE(TM) microphone compensation filter noise has been reduced. In order to benefit from this improvement, FRONTWAVE(TM) applications now require matched microphones. (Affects Cal/Config and mARK) - Rear-channel only calibration is now possible. (Affects Cal/Config and mARK) The following applies to Cal/Config: - The frequency at which the gain mismatch for FRONTWAVE calibration will be calculated at can be selected. - FRONTWAVE calibration data is now output to a text file located in the application path. - Can now select between front and rear path for calibrating the input sensitivity. Changes between ARKbase 2.6.0 and ARKbase 2.6.2 (December 7, 2001) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Bug fixes: - Fixed problems with using GenMicrocard and programmable analog devices. - In previous versions, programming the GP522 ManID field would fail with GenHiPro. - In the GA3209 demo library, the 4th order and 8th order filter roll-offs were interchanged. Improvements: - It is now possible to specify the programming voltage used when programmable analog devices with GenHiPro. This feature is not recommended for normal use. Changes between ARKbase 2.4.0 and ARKbase 2.6.0 (November 23, 2001) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bug fixes: - Installation problems with Cal/Config were fixed that were causing Cal/Config to not start up properly on certain computers. New features: - The Interactive Data Sheet is now supports ActiveX automation. This makes it possible to create small engineering applications that can launch the IDS and manipulate product component parameters, such as filter coefficients, while reusing the IDS’s graphing capabilities and user interface. Please visit http://www.sounddesigntechnologies.com/hip/software/biquad_sw.htm for filter design tools (with source code) that make use of the ActiveX automation feature. - Microcard support was added. The following applies to Cal/Config: - The frequency can now be selected at which the input and output sensitivities are calibrated. - Added a telecoil gain adjustment to Tools->Options in Engineering Mode to account for differences in magnetic field strength between different stations. - The user can now select which memory to make active after configuration. - Added an option to display calibration results during calibration. This is selectable under Tools->Options in Engineering Mode. Improvements: - To make PARAGON behave similar to SDT’s analog products in the IDS, a write operation is now performed immediately after a read to make the device’s performance match what is shown on the screen. - Improved the performance of transducer modeling and calibration. - In the ARK Component Manager, the full DLL path is now shown as a tool tip when the mouse pointer is moved over the shortened path. The following ARKonline 1.6.0 updates apply to the GA3209 and GB3210 Demo Libraries included in ARKbase: Bug fixes: - In previous versions, when high gain was required for telecoil compensation, the telecoil would occasionally not start up properly when the user switched into telecoil mode. - The FRONTWAVE equalization filter now allows the directional mode response to better match the 1-mic omni response. Improvements: - Optimization work was done to improve the performance of burning to a device using the HiPro or Microcard, and generating frequency responses and I/O curves. - New interfaces and methods were added to help improve CalcPoint performance, particularly on CE: IProductWithUtilities3 (SetGraphFrequencies, SetGraph FrequenciesSafe), IGraph2 (CalcPointByFreqIndex) - Support for building libraries for Pocket PC (a.k.a. Windows CE) platforms was added. Changes between ARKbase 2.3.2 (Beta) and ARKbase 2.4.0 (September 14, 2001) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The affected components are indicated in parentheses. - The IDS previously did not correctly identify PARAGON hybrids other than the GB3210. It also would only warn the user once if they attempted to program in functionality that was not available in the hybrid, e.g. attempting to turn on FRONTWAVE in a GA3209 (IDS). - Volume control calibration has been reconfigured to prevent potential low gain start up problems when the volume control is at its maximum value (MARK, Cal/Config). - Further optimized the HRX configuration. This resulted in the S02 PAL being able to provide 0, -6 or -12 dB of mic attenuation in mic plus telecoil mode. The -18 dB step is no longer available (GB3210 and GA3209 Demo Libraries). - Synchronization code has been added to the Prepare, GetControllerMemoryEx and SetControllerMemoryEx for the benefit of multithreaded fitting applications as these methods potentially modify internal data structures in a product component (all demo libraries). ARKonline updates coinciding with ARKbase 2.4.0: - Synchronization code has been added to the Prepare, GetControllerMemoryEx and SetControllerMemoryEx for the benefit of multithreaded fitting applications as these methods potentially modify internal data structures in a product component. - Added an experimental low cut filter design that has better noise performance at lower corner frequencies. This design uses cascaded 1st order filters instead of a 2nd order Butterworth. This alternate filter design can be selected in the S02 wizards. - Further optimized the HRX configuration. This resulted in the S02 PAL being able to provide 0, -6 or -12 dB of mic attenuation in mic plus telecoil mode. The -18 dB step is no longer available. - When a map includes the parameter that allows the external VC to be turned on and off, it is now possible to specify the initial value. This feature is available on the volume control page. - It is now possible for a map to override the telecoil gain specified by calibration and allow the user to specify a gain value between 0 and 23 dB. This feature is available on the Front End page in the S02 wizards. Changes between ARKbase 2.2.0 and ARKbase 2.3.2 (Beta) (August 24, 2001) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ New features: - Added a "mute" parameter to the PALs and the ARKonline wizards. This feature is available in the GA3209 and GB3210 demo libraries. When this parameter is set to 1, the output of the hybrid is muted. Improvements: - Input overloading is now modeled. This looks similar to the effect that AGCo has and occurs at high input levels. - Two new features were added to Cal/Config under the Tools menu in engineering mode: the ability to check if a part has been calibrated and the ability to uncalibrate a device. Uncalibrating is useful when evaluating the benefits of calibration. There is currently one outstanding issue with checking calibration; Cal/Config always reports that the volume control has not been calibrated. - Either the left or right ear port may now be used in Cal/Config and Modeler. - The MSS switch may now be configured in Cal/Config. The following issues are now resolved/fixed: - The wideband gain value would be read back incorrectly when HRX and telecoil were turned on at the same time. - A HiPro error occurred when a PARAGON aid and a non-PARAGON aid were connected at the same time. - Memory leaks could occur in the core component and product component libraries. - The ARK Component Manager would crash under certain unusual circumstances. - Telecoil calibration did not work properly in some situations. - Gain was not being adjusted after calibration according to the sensitivity of the microphone and receiver vs nominal. NOTE: The wideband gain is used in this calibration and is adjusted "behind the scenes" based on the sensitivities of the transducers. To allow for the gain to be increased if the microphone and transducer sensitivities are below nominal, it is recommended that the wideband gain not be programmed close to the maximum value (12 dB). The amount of gap that should be left depends on the production variability of the transducers. - The noise floor could be heard shifting in level after an impulse when HRX was enabled. - Product components using the S02 PAL would report that certain coefficients programmed into the generic biquads would make the system unstable when they would not. - The AGCo threshold behaviour depended on the receiver model. - When Cal/Config prompts the operator to reposition the hearing aid for telecoil calibration, the FONIX 6500 and the aid are put in telecoil mode so that the operator can monitor the strength of the magnetic field. Changes between ARKware 2.0.0 and ARKbase 2.2.0 ----------------------------------------------- New features: - ARK Component Manager - Telecoil support - The manufacturing and modeling software (formerly mARK 0.5.2) is now included. - Within the manufacturing software, FRONTWAVE and telecoil calibration were added Improvements: - GenHiPro: - The HiPro UserID being used is now "GEN200". This UserID is now checked for before every communication. If the UserID is changed by another program, the HiPro has to be closed and opened again before communication can resume. - When reading or writing configuration data, the device is now put into a quiet mode. During initialization or when writing control data, the audio path is no longer interrupted. - IDS: - Graph lines can now be turned on and off. Input levels can now be changed on the frequency response graph, and frequencies can be changed on the I/O curve and polar plot. Select Graphs->Graph Lines... or try clicking on one of the graphs or coloured squares in the legend. - An input/gain graph was added under the Graphs menu. Changes between ARKware 1.9.16 and ARKware 2.0.0 ------------------------------------------------ - The new Core Component and GenHiPro component are binary compatible with their ARK 1 counterparts. This means that the new versions can be installed over the old versions without having to recompile applications or product component libraries. - The ARK Core Component has been extended to support the ARK 2 API. An optional, faster way of querying the registry for installed DLLs has been implemented that requires a change to the way ARK 1 DLLs are registered. The old way of querying the registry is still present and will continue to work with fitting software in the field. - The GenHiPro component now supports the GC5050 controller chip. - A demo product component library for the two channel single microphone GA3209 hybrid has been added. - The feature set in the GB3210 product component library has been finalized. - The Interactive Data Sheet has been extended to support Paragon- based product components. The user interface has also been improved. The IDS takes advantage of the faster way of querying the registry and hence will not detect ARK 1 product component libraries unless they have been recompiled with a modified registry script. E-mail software@sounddes.com for information on how to do this. - The ARK 2 API has been finalized. - The analog product component libraries have been altered to support the ARK 2 API. They are otherwise functionally identical to the previous versions. - ARKware now installs Start Menu shortcuts under Programs->Sound Design Technologies->Development Tools instead of Program->Gennum->ARK. Changes between ARKware 1.4.0 and ARKware 1.9.16 ------------------------------------------------ - A preview version of the GB3210 demo library is included. - All of the components and applications now support the extended ARK 2 API. The applications are also backwards compatible with ARK 1.x components. Changes between ARKware 1.2.1 and ARKware 1.4.0 ----------------------------------------------- - The Params C++ source code example has been included, along with the header files that you need to develop ARK-based applications in C++. - The final, verified version of the GA3204 demo library is included. - The VC parameter in the GA3203 demo product component library now goes to tap 24, which is the "open" setting. - The Interactive Data Sheet now rejects ARK 2.0 components gracefully with an error message. - A bug was fixed in the Interactive Data Sheet that caused switching controller components not to work. - The Standard HiPro Component is now more robust at programming ER102 and GP523-based hybrids when the hybrid is powered using a battery. It is still recommended that hybrids be powered by the HiPro, however. - ARKware now installs the shared files for controller components and product component libraries into the directory "ARK" under the Windows directory (e.g. C:\WINDOWS\ARK). See "Notes on shared files" above. - The Interactive Data Sheet and Controller Toolbox version numbers will now match the ARKware version number. - The software is now covered under the SDT Product Support Software License. The license text can be found at http://www.sounddesigntechnologies.com/SDTPSSL.html. Changes between ARKware 1.2.0 and ARKware 1.2.1 ----------------------------------------------- - The Visual Basic 6 and COM system files have been removed from the ARKware package. Users who do not already have a compatible version of these system files installed must download the Visual Basic 6 run-time package from Microsoft. This package contains all of the needed system files. Changes between ARKware 1.0.0 and ARKware 1.2.0 ----------------------------------------------- - A release quality version of the GA3203 demo library is included. - An unverified beta version of the GA3204 demo library is included. - The Interactive Data Sheet has been updated to support up to 10 parameters/sliders. - Some additional debug functionality was added that appears under Tools->Data Capture... when the IDS is run with the /Debug option. This feature can be used to copy the data points from the frequency response and I/O graphs to the clipboard. - Frequency response graphs in the Interactive Data Sheet now use twelfth-octave steps. - The I/O graph in the Interactive Data Sheet now shows a wider input range. - The demo product component libraries now include a standard set of transducer combinations that demonstrate the use of SDT's products in a CIC application. - A bug was fixed in the Core Component where an application could crash if it tried to access an out of bounds element in a collection with a numerical index. - The type library for the Core Component now has more useful help strings that show up under VB's Object Browser (and other type library viewing tools). - COMCAT.DLL is no longer redistributed, because the current version that ships with Windows 2000 can cause incompatibility on some Windows NT 4 systems. Microsoft no longer allows it to be redistributed, too. For more information on ARK, please visit the ARK web site at http://ark.sounddes.com. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail us at software@sounddes.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 2008 Sound Design Technologies. Application Resource Kit, ARKbase, ARKsdk, and ARKonline are trademarks of Sound Design Technologies, Ltd.