AWA AWA5688 Advanced Class 2 Sound Level Meter
| Brand | AWA |
|---|---|
| Origin | China (Shandong) |
| Model | AWA5688 |
| Frequency Range | 20 Hz – 12.5 kHz |
| Measurement Range | 28–133 dB(A), 33–133 dB(C), 40–133 dB(Z) |
| Self-Noise | <23 dB(A), <28 dB(C), <33 dB(Z) |
| Accuracy Class | IEC 61672-1:2013 Class 2 |
| Compliance | GB/T 3785.1-2010, GB/T 3241-2010, JJG 188-2017, JJG 778-2005, JJG 449-2014 |
| A/D Sampling Rate | 48 kHz |
| Display | 2.6" color LCD (240×320 px) |
| Memory | 32 MB flash + optional 32 GB SD card |
| Operating Temperature | 0–40 °C |
| Power | 4 × AA alkaline batteries (≥30 h continuous operation) |
| Weight | 0.35 kg |
| Dimensions | 260 × 80 × 30 mm |
Overview
The AWA AWA5688 Advanced Class 2 Sound Level Meter is a digitally implemented, multi-functional acoustic measurement instrument engineered for high-fidelity environmental and occupational noise assessment in accordance with international metrological standards. Based on real-time digital signal processing (DSP), it simultaneously executes parallel frequency weighting (A, C, Z), time weighting (Fast, Slow, Impulse), and statistical computation—eliminating analog circuit limitations and ensuring traceable, reproducible measurements across its full dynamic range of 105 dB without manual range switching. Designed to meet IEC 61672-1:2013 Class 2 and IEC 61260-1:2014 Class 2 requirements, the AWA5688 supports regulatory compliance in environmental monitoring, industrial hygiene, product noise certification, and building acoustics applications. Its architecture integrates calibrated electro-acoustic transduction (with optional AWA6223F multi-point calibrator per HJ 707-2014), embedded clock synchronization (including GPS time-stamping), and robust data integrity protocols suitable for field-deployed GLP-aligned workflows.
Key Features
- Full-digital parallel signal processing enabling simultaneous real-time computation of LAeq, LCpeak, LZmax, LAF, LAS, LAI, percentile levels (L1–L99), standard deviation (SD), and 24-hour metrics (Ld, Ln, Ldn)
- 105 dB linear dynamic range (28–133 dB re 20 µPa) with no range switching required—maintaining resolution and accuracy across low-level ambient and high-intensity industrial noise
- 2.6-inch color TFT display (240 × 320 px) with sunlight-readable brightness control, dynamic waveform/strip-chart visualization, and intuitive Chinese-English bilingual menu navigation
- Integrated 48 kHz A/D conversion with anti-aliasing filtering, supporting FFT spectral analysis (up to 1024-point), 1/1-octave and 1/3-octave band analysis (per IEC 61260-1), and personal sound exposure dosimetry
- Dual power architecture: auto-switching between 4 × AA alkaline batteries (≥30 h runtime, compliant with 24-h continuous monitoring requirements) and external DC supply (4.3–6.5 V)
- Multiple trigger modes—including manual key press, threshold exceedance, scheduled start/stop, and periodic interval activation—for unattended long-term deployments
- On-device graphical analysis: cumulative distribution plots, 24-hour level trends, octave band spectra, and real-time FFT magnitude displays
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The AWA5688 is validated for use with standardized 1/2-inch condenser microphone systems (e.g., AWA14421 series) and compatible preamplifiers, permitting field calibration using AWA6223F multi-frequency acoustic calibrators per HJ 707-2014 and ISO 9612:2009. It satisfies mandatory metrological verification under JJG 188-2017 (Sound Level Meters), JJG 778-2005 (Statistical Sound Analyzers), and JJG 449-2014 (Octave Band Filters). All measurement algorithms are traceably aligned to IEC 61672-1:2013 Class 2 performance criteria—including frequency response tolerance, linearity error (<0.2 dB), and temperature drift (<0.1 dB/°C over 0–40 °C). The device operates within atmospheric pressure (65–108 kPa), humidity (25–90 % RH), and temperature (0–40 °C) ranges typical of outdoor environmental monitoring and indoor industrial settings. Optional GPS and Bluetooth modules enable geotagged reporting and wireless data handoff—supporting audit-ready documentation for ISO 14001, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95, and EU Directive 2003/10/EC compliance reporting.
Software & Data Management
Data acquisition and post-processing are supported via USB 1.1/2.0 interface (device mode) and RS-232 serial communication. Internal 32 MB Flash RAM stores up to 3,300 fully annotated measurement records—including statistical distributions, time-history waveforms, and spectral snapshots—with optional 32 GB microSD expansion for extended logging. Firmware-upgradable architecture ensures long-term compatibility with evolving regulatory software modules: S5688-00101 (statistical analysis), S5688-00202 (1/1-octave band analysis), S5688-00303 (1/3-octave band analysis), S5688-00404 (real-time FFT), S5688-00013 (dosimetry), and S5688-00509 (digital recorder). AH40 thermal dot-matrix printer integration provides on-site hardcopy output compliant with chain-of-custody documentation requirements. All timestamped datasets include embedded instrument ID, calibration history (up to 256 entries), and operator-defined site tags—enabling traceability in GLP/GMP-aligned QA/QC environments. Export formats include CSV and proprietary binary files compatible with AWA’s desktop analysis suite.
Applications
The AWA5688 serves as a primary measurement platform across regulated and research-driven acoustic domains. In environmental monitoring, it performs community noise mapping, traffic noise surveys, and construction site compliance checks per ISO 1996-1/2 and national emission standards. For occupational health and safety, it quantifies time-weighted average (TWA) exposures, peak C-weighted levels, and impulse noise events in accordance with ISO 9612 and ANSI S1.25. Industrial users deploy it for machine noise certification (ISO 3744, ISO 7779), HVAC system validation, and factory floor noise zoning. Educational and research institutions utilize its FFT and octave-band capabilities for architectural acoustics (reverberation time estimation), psychoacoustic modeling, and vibration-to-noise correlation studies. Its modular hardware options—including GPS, GSM/SMS telemetry, solar charging, and outdoor weatherproof enclosures (AWA2581)—extend operational viability into remote or infrastructure-constrained field deployments.
FAQ
What international standards does the AWA5688 comply with?
It conforms to IEC 61672-1:2013 Class 2 (sound level meters), IEC 61260-1:2014 Class 2 (octave filters), GB/T 3785.1-2010, GB/T 3241-2010, and relevant Chinese metrological verification regulations (JJG 188-2017, JJG 778-2005, JJG 449-2014).
Can the AWA5688 perform real-time spectral analysis?
Yes—it supports simultaneous 1/1-octave, 1/3-octave, and FFT analysis (up to 1024 points) with on-device visualization of frequency-domain data.
Is GPS positioning integrated or optional?
GPS is an optional internal module; when installed, it provides georeferenced timestamps and velocity metadata synchronized with each acoustic measurement.
How is data integrity ensured during long-term unattended operation?
Measurements are stored with embedded calibration logs, operator IDs, and UTC timestamps; optional SD card storage and external GSM telemetry support redundant archiving and remote validation.
Does the instrument support FDA 21 CFR Part 11 or similar electronic record compliance?
While not certified for Part 11 out-of-the-box, its audit-trail-capable firmware, user-accessible calibration history, and tamper-evident timestamping provide foundational elements for laboratory-specific validation under GxP frameworks.
