Week-18 :- Applications and implications

Final Project:- 10 band Audio Spectrum Analyser

This final project covers all the Machining operations and emdedded programming which I acquired during the past weeks in Fabacademy.

1) What will it do?
Audio spectrum analyser display the signal strength of the audio input according to its frequency in 10 different bands.
2) Who's done what beforehand?
People have been trying to do spectrum analyser with high end processor for better resolution, however, the main aim was to reduce the overall size. The main heart of this project is the embedded program. The PCB designed for the matrix display with an array of 100 LED's (2x3 rectangular shape) is unique, because of its compact size. I dont think anybody had done such a compact design for 10 band before. I am trying to complete this whole project with a simple digital circuit.
3) What materials and components will be required?
  • 100 LED's, Microcontroller, resistors, capacitors.
  • Copper clad board 25x15cm.
  • Operational Amplifier (stereo).
  • 12mm Plywood (100x100cm).
  • Acrylic sheet (30cmx30cm).
  • PLA material 3 inch cube for Dimension 3D printer.
  • Vinly sheet, 8sq feet.
  • Speakers - 2 Nos.
  • Two core shielded wires- 2m length.
    4) where will they come from?
    Majority of the components are available at fablab.
    5) How much will it cost?
    The total cost of this project will be less than $80.
    6) what parts and systems will be made?
  • Matrix display board.
  • Processor, control unit.
  • Stereo Amplifier.
  • Wooden casing for the unit.
  • Acrylic display front panel.
  • 3D printed handles.
    • 7) what processes will be used?
  • CNC cutting on Shopbot
  • Acrylic sheet laser cutting
  • 3D, 2D designing
  • Embedded programming
  • PCB milling
  • Vinyl cutting
  • 3D printing
    • 8) what tasks need to be completed?
    Soldering of 100 LED, Embedded programming, CNC cutting, Laser cutting, 3D designing, Vinyl cutting, 3D printing.
    9) what questions need to be answered?
    Milling of double sideded PCB with exact holes on both sides was very difficult. Hence, two single sided PCB was realised and joined back to back. This matrix display is very compact and 20 wires are routed across a small area, hence ordinary LED with legs are used to connect terminals across the twp pcb. The program for the 10 band spectrum need to be coded.
    10) What is the schedule?
    The idea is to complete the project by 2 weeks. However, I have done the first level designing and realising the circuit.
    11) How will it be evaluated?
    It can be evaluated based on the way it looks, the processes implemented while making it and finally the functionality of the end product.