CATS analyzers are designed both optically and mechanically to ensure optimum measurement precision. To take advantage of the high measurement precision, a calibration must be performed at regular intervals to ensure that the analyzer is measuring correctly at all times. AudioDev develops calibration discs with reference values in close cooperation with the different reference laboratories and test centers around the world. Absolute correlation between tests is crucial when comparing results between suppliers in the optical media industry.

Calibration discs
Before we can use any calibration reference, and complete the development of a new calibration disc, we must first be sure of each parameter’s deviation from test to test. What matters is to reveal the deviation when testing the same disc repeatedly. Another important issue is to determine the deviation between different optical drives. For example, if the deviation between analyzers is too high, we must first find out what causes this and correct it, before we choose to calibrate the analyzer.

Experience and cooperation
We have many years of experience and cooperation with relevant partners in developing new calibration tools. AudioDev is the company behind the calibration discs for DVD (the K5 and the K9), DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW. We are currently developing calibration discs for BD.

Why you need calibration discs
First of all, calibration discs are used to increase the measurement accuracy between testers. Calibration discs are also crucial when establishing the limits that are specified for each optical media format and in order to measure as closely as possible to the verification labs.

Correct raw data values
AudioDev puts a lot of effort into making certain that the CATS test systems measure as equally as possible before calibration. The calibration should be regarded as fine-tuning the performance of the optical drive. With the smaller margins on the Blu-ray Disc format, it is even more important that the optical drives measure as identically as possible. What is most important for all types of analyzers is that the raw data values are measured as correctly as possible.

What is important
What matters is the mutual reference when measuring batches of marginal discs, in order to achieve a non-disruptive comparison of the quality of the produced media. The comparison between individual discs is key, as AudioDev provides analyzers for all levels in the optical media industry, from polycarbonate manufacturers to media brand owners all over the world.

Calibration discs are individually measured
Since each calibration disc is measured individually, each disc will have individual, corresponding limits.

Dynamic test range
The single most important criteria is high measurement dynamics for each individual parameter in order to find discs that are out of specification.
The parameters selected for a specific calibration disc are the parameters that we consider necessary to calibrate to achieve optimal drive performance. Some parameters are factory-calibrated and are not necessary to calibrate using a calibration disc, as they are not affected by frequent use of the analyzer.