This annex describes two procedures for determining whether or not noise emissions contain prominent discrete tones: the tone-to-noise ratio method and the prominence ratio method.Annex D concerns discrete tones, one cause of tonality. Annex G concerns tonality, which can arise not only from discrete tones but also from other phenomena and conjunctions of phenomena. Annex G is based on the hearing model in Annex F, but Annex D is not based on Annex F.Discrete tones occurring at any frequency within the one-third-octave bands having centre frequencies from100 Hz to 10 000 Hz can be evaluated by the procedures in this annex (i.e., discrete tones between 89,1 Hz and 11 220 Hz) inclusive, referred to the discrete tone frequency range of interest, hereafter).All of the requirements of the test environment (see 8.3) apply. However, for the purposes of this annex, corrections neither for background noise, K1, nor for test environment, K2 apply.NOTE 1 Since some ITT equipment emit discrete tones in the 16 kHz octave band, the tone-to-noise ratio or theprominence ratio can be computed for these tones in accordance with the procedures in this annex in an attempt to quantify their relative levels. However, the prominence criteria in either D.9.5 or D.10.6 cannot be applied, since there is no supporting psychoacoustical data on such high-frequency discrete tones.Declaration of product noise emissions in accordance with ECMA-109 offers the option of stating whether there are prominent discrete tones in the noise emissions of a product, as determined by this annex. Other standards, or other test codes relating to products besides ITT equipment, can also refer to this annex for the declaration of prominent discrete tones. For the purposes of such declarations, either the tone-to-noise ratio method or the prominence ratio method may be used, unless otherwise specified in the standard or test code.NOTE 2 The tone-to-noise ratio method can prove to be more accurate for multiple tones in adjacent critical bands, forexample when strong harmonics exist. The prominence ratio method can be more effective for multiple tones within the same critical band and is more readily automated to handle such cases. NOTE 3 The Tone-to-Noise Ratio may underestimate prominence of discrete tones that overlap with elevated or sloped noise spectra. The Prominence Ratio may be applicable to tonalities like discrete tones and noise with narrow or sloped spectra, to the degree that critical bands adjacent to the tonalities of interest are free of such tonalities. The measurement of tonality, which includes tones, is described in Annex G.D.2 Annex statusAlthough this annex is informative, it contains requirements for fulfilment when its procedures are referenced normatively by another standard or test code. These requirements are generally identified through the use of the prescriptive word “shall”.D.3 Psychoacoustical backgroundA discrete tone which occurs together with broad-band noise is partially masked by that part of the noise contained in a relatively narrow frequency band, called the critical band that is centred at the frequency of the discrete tone. Noise at frequencies outside the critical band does not contribute significantly to the masking © Ecma International 2019 105 effect. The width of a critical band is analytically expressed as a function of frequency (see D.8). In general, a discrete tone is just audible in the presence of noise when the sound pressure level of the tone is about 4 dB {2 dB to 6 dB, depending on frequency (Reference [37])} below the sound pressure level of the masking noise contained in the critical band centred around the tone. This is sometimes referred to as the threshold of detectability. For the purposes of this annex, a discrete tone is classified as prominent when using the tone-to- noise ratio method if the sound pressure level of the tone exceeds the sound pressure level of the masking noise in the critical band by 8 dB for tone frequencies of 1 000 Hz and higher, and by a greater amount for tones at lower frequencies. This corresponds, in general, to a discrete tone being prominent when it is more than10 dB to 14 dB above the threshold of detectability. When using the prominence ratio method, a discrete tone is classified as prominent if the difference between the level of the critical band centred on the tone and the average level of the adjacent critical bands is equal to or greater than 9 dB for tone frequencies of 1 000 Hz and higher, and by a greater amount for tones at lower frequencies. Reference [38] provides the basis for these criterion values.