Peak Hold

Peak-hold averaging captures the highest measured value during the averaging period.

In peak-hold averaging, the largest measured sound pressure level value of all previous values is computed and returned until a new value exceeds the current maximum. The new value becomes the new maximum value and is the value returned until a new value exceeds it. Peak hold actually is not a true form of averaging because successive measurements are not mathematically averaged. However, as with other averaging processes, peak-hold averaging combines the results of several measurements into one final measurement. As with exponential averaging, the averaging process continues indefinitely. The formula for peak averaging is defined by the following equation.

y[k] = max(y[k‑1], x[k])

where

x[k] is the new measurement.

y[k] is the new average.

y[k – 1] is the previous average.