Top Of Production BTE Intake And Testing

[biomurph]

Final Assembly And Testing of BTE Units

This Issue will cover the process of testing the top of production BTE units.
On 10/14/2022, I received all of the parts for 10 complete units (5 pairs).
These units require final assembly, as we have had trouble with the mic inputs on previously delivered fully assembled units.

• The cables came assembled with the USB on one end and a strain relief with the BTE Rigid PCB soldered on the other end. The assembly did not have the RIC connector (CS-44) placed. This was done in-house. All RIC connectors soldered and positioned well.

First Test: RIC

The example sketch OutputTone_wEarpieces.ino was used to send a tone to the RIC. A passing test meant that the tone was audible when the RIC was held to the ear (not inserted in the ear canal).

• 10 of 10 PASS

Second Test: Microphones

The test sketch Production_Mic_Test__EarpieceManualMixing_wSD was used to patch the BTE mic inputs to the headphone jack. The sketch toggles between Front and Back microphones, so that each is isolated for the test. A passing test meant that the ambient sound from each microphone was audible on the headphones.

• 10 of 10 PASS

• ONE OF THE DELIVERED FLEX BOARDS FAILED. IT MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE IN THE TEST. I REPLACED IT WITH ONE IN THE LAB THAT WORKS. AFTER THE BUILD, THE FAILING MIC FLEX WAS REFLOWED AND TESTED AND SHOWN TO WORK.

The parts all fit together very well. Tolerance is consistent between the 10 units. The white MIC Carrier piece fits the Rigid PCB very snugly. The microphone cans 'snap' into the carrier in a very satisfying way.

Third Test: Dry Fit Microphone Test

The same test sketch was used from the Second Test. The rest of the BTE was assembled and dry-fit.

• 10 of 10 PASS