ECE 477Digital Systems Senior Design ProjectRev 8/12

Homework 1: Design Project Proposal

Team Code Name: Acoustic StormGroup No. 15

Team Members (#1 is Team Leader):

#1: Jackson McCormickAreas of Expertise: RF and Power Electronics

#2: Andrew Batek Areas of Expertise: DSP and Music Theory

#3: Justin Lindley Areas of Expertise: Software and DSP

#4: Carey Woolet Areas of Expertise: Comm. Protocols and Programming

Project Abstract:

Acoustic Storm interweaves the impressive visual power of electricity and the visceral emotion of music into one package. The final product will be able to accept digital and analog input and output music through an assembly of electroacoustic devices.

Design/Functionality Overview:

The Design for Acoustic Storm includes multiple stages including the input, microcontroller, and output sections.

Functionality will begin with two separate input channels. One of these will be for analog audio signals and the other for digital audio (MIDI) input. Analog input signals will be passed through a 24-bit resolution Analog to Digital Converter (ADC). This level of resolution is needed to preserve the integrity of the input signals. Both signals, nowdigital, will pass to the microcontroller portion of the design.

The Microcontroller will have several responsibilities within the scope of the design. Upon receiving MIDI input, the micro will utilize a lookup table to match the input signal to a correct duration and frequency of the each corresponding MIDI tone. These values will then be used to send a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the output portion of the design. Similarly, the micro will receive digitized analog input from the ADC, process this signal to determine corresponding frequencies, and send a PWM signal to the output portion of the design. The initial design will include only one channel for output. However, it is likely that multiple channels will be added. In this case, the micro will also direct output to create a stereo sound effect where different output channels will carry separate frequencies. Additionally, the micro will port out system status information to an LCD screen and provide the means for a cutoff switch.

As the final section of the design, the output sections willplay the audio. PWM signals from the micro will control the switching system to one (or multiple) High Frequency Solid State Tesla Coil(s) (HFSSTC). These coils will on the order of several Megahertz and generate electrical arcs that ionize the air and heat and cool it to produce sound waves. Sounds can be controlled by changing the PWM signal from the micro which, at this point in the design, is completely dependent on the original inputs.

As a final note to this overview, it’s a possibility that the design will grow to include direct control over sounds emitted from the device through a control panel (or similar implement). This would allow the generation of single or multiple tones without the need for external input. Furthermore, we may add some Dual Resonant Solid State Tesla Coils (DRSSTCs) to the system later on which would allow the system to modulate lower frequency and play it in addition to the very low frequencies played by the optional external sub.

Project-Specific Success Criteria:

  1. An ability to decode MIDI input and output a PWM signal at the corresponding frequencies
  2. An ability to receive analog input, digitize it using an ADC, and outa PWM signal at the corresponding frequencies
  3. An ability to monitor and control system status through an LCD and input system
  4. An ability to generate and control a power output sufficient to drive an electrical arc based acoustic device
  5. An ability to control tones generated by electrical arcs

Block Diagram:

Division of Labor:

Design Component Homework / Professional Component Homework
4-Packaging Design and Specs / 2 / 3-Design Constraint Analysis/Parts List / 1
5-Hardware Narrative and Prelim Schematic / 1 / 10-Patent Liability Analysis / 3
6-PCB Narrative and Prelim Layout / 4 / 11-Reliability and Safety Analysis / 2
9-Software Design Narrative / 3 / 12-Social/Political/Environmental Analysis / 4