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Technical Support
Software
ARK White Paper
Introduction | Core Component | Controller Components | Product Components | Applications
Introduction
The Application Resource Kit™
(ARK) is a set of software building blocks that works behind
the scenes to make it easier to develop fitting software. "Behind
the scenes" means that it is not part of the user interface
-- audiologists and dispensers will probably not be aware of it.
ARK is intended to significantly shorten the software development
time required to add new hearing instruments to a fitting module
or standalone fitting software. It simplifies or eliminates the
repetitive tasks of programming different types of controller
chips and measuring hearing aid performance curves. This allows
more time for the fitting software development team to focus on
innovative user interfaces and fitting methodologies.
ARK-based applications can be developed in virtually any language
that supports 32-bit Windows® operating systems
(Windows® 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP or Windows NT®
4.0 and Pocket PC platform (formerly Windows CE)). The set of freely available ARK components and sample
applications with source code, called ARKbase and ARKsdk, is available now on the
ARK web site, http://ark.gennum.com. A detailed
tutorial and reference guide for programmers is also available at the
same location.
Architecture
Figure 1 shows the components that make up the ARK framework
and the applications that could use it.
ARK controller components
allow an application to communicate with a controller using a programming box such as the HiPro or
Microcard. ARK product components contain the product-specific details such as the mapping between product and controller parameters, and the electrical and acoustic
models that represent the product's characteristics. The ARK Core Component defines the interfaces between the application and the controller and product components, and contains functionality that is required by every component.
Figure 1: An overview of the ARK components and applications
The ARK framework uses Microsoft's Component Object Model (COM)
technology, also known as ActiveX®. This allows
ARK to tightly integrate with 32-bit development environments
such as Microsoft Visual Basic®, Borland®
Delphi, and Microsoft Visual Studio®. COM also
simplifies component packaging and distribution. Each component
is a separate "plug-in" DLL that can be upgraded independently,
maintaing backwards compatibility. Controller and product components
can also be installed and removed at any time -- whenever an ARK-based
application or fitting module starts up the ARK Core Component
queries the system to determine which components have been installed.
NOAH®
NOAH® is
a commonly used software framework in the hearing industry. As
shown in Figure 2, HI Manufacturers and independent software vendors
develop three types of modules that plug into the NOAH®
framework: fitting modules, measurement modules, and office management
modules. NOAH® also provides a shell from which
the user launches these modules. As the diagram indicates, ARK
can be used to develop NOAH®-compatible fitting
modules.
Figure 2: Software in the hearing industry
NEXT: The ARK Core Component |
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