ENGR 103 - Spring 2014
Freshman Engineering Design Lab
“LED Lighting and Sound”
Project Design Proposal
Date Submitted: April 11, 2014
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Group Members {Donna Zhang, dz94@drexel.edu}
{Craig Helbig, crh82@drexel.edu}
{Joseph Appeah, jaa89@drexel.edu}
Technical Advisor {Dr. Eugenia Victoria Ellis, eve22@drexel.edu}
Abstract:
This design module mainly concentrates on a specific use of lighting, mainly the use of light to respond to sound. In this design, the goal was to construct a system of devices that would be able to receive raw data such as audio and convert this information so as to mimic a cause and effect relationship between sound and light. The main technical challenge concerns the slow response rates that may occur in accordance with how quickly audio will be recorded. This challenge is expected to be solved by the utilization of an additional device, the Spectrum Shield. By the end of the ten weeks, a system of devices should be capable of processing audio and transferring that information over to a MATLAB code that will be able to pair up audio frequency to a subsequent color of light.
1. Introduction
Artificial lighting is so ubiquitous that it encompasses many aspects of life without our realizing it. Because of its immense importance and society’s total dependence on artificial lighting, it seemed appropriate to seek different ways to make light more versatile where it could be utilized in a way that allows light to respond to an external stimulus, for instance, sound. Sound as a stimulus was specifically chosen due to its interconnectedness with human emotions as pleasant sounds can form pleasant feelings within the individual while vice versa with unpleasant sounds. In this project, light will be used to respond to sound as a means to influence individuals positively.
In this module, sound in the form of music will be heavily incorporated into LED lighting fixtures in which a stimulus-response relationship will be simulated. In general, to each frequency, a certain color will be assigned where when the frequency is heard, the specific color will light up for the duration of that sound. However, due to the complexity of music, potentially various LED lights will be used at the same time to create a colorful mosaic of small LED light bulbs. This design will be heavily dependent on an Arduino micro-controller that uses sensors to detect and collect physical information. With the physical information it receives, it performs the function that it is assigned, in this case respond to sound with light. This project will utilize the MATLAB software in order to code an appropriate program that will be used to compute the raw data that the Arduino device receives from a MIDI keyboard into a certain color in the spectrum of visible light that it is assigned to emit.
Several difficulties are presented with this project, including delay between the music and artificial lighting, limited processing power of the Arduino, and complications involving transmitting data between the multiple hardware devices. The Philips LED lights that may be utilized can instantaneously change color, but some time will likely be devoted to limiting the delay associated with processing the audio signal and transmitting its raw data. The spectrum shield is expected to solve most of these problems. By designating this hardware to process the audio signal independently from the Arduino, the Arduino will be freed up to drive the lights at a higher rate.
2. Deliverables
In week ten, concluding the engineering design, a system composed of a MIDI keyboard, arduino microcontroller, spectrum shield, and LED bulbs will be constructed as an example of the completion and competency of this design. This system will be capable of taking in audio signal directly from the MIDI keyboard, processing it, and using the processed data to drive color changes in the LED bulbs. The final deliverable will be capable of receiving audio input and processing the audio signal with a hardware device. The processed signal will then be relayed to the Arduino unit which will use a Matlab script to dynamically drive the lights in synchronization with the keyboard’s audio signal. In addition to this, the team intends to display the finished project in the Please Touch museum, which is affiliated with the EPICS program at Drexel University, to connect the prototype to the sixteen foot long piano, to change color whilst people walk by.
3. Technical Activities
In order to successfully build the device, the team needs to acquire knowledge on programming arduinos with matlab. The team would also need to learn how to use the spectrum shield device and finally learn more about sound and light frequencies, to know how best to analyze the sound, for instance setting thresholds for the filter, in order to effectively match sound and color frequencies to facilitate changes in the color of the LED bulbs.
3.1 Research
Extensive research will be conducted by the team on theories relating music to color. This research will determine how an arduino can be programmed to drive the lights. The goal of this is to make the psychological effects of music and lighting coincide. The team intends to research on the psychology of music and light in order to find chord progressions and colors that induce happy feelings in people. This knowledge would be incorporated in the device to give it various health and entertainment benefits.
3.2 Programming
The arduino will be programmed using MATLAB software. The program will transform the data received from the spectrum shield into usable inputs that can drive the lights. In addition, the program will have a setting which will transform the same data into individual notes. Depending on how extensive this part of the program is, it may be necessary to run a computer operating matlab intermediately between the spectrum shield and arduino devices. The product of this stage will be a programmed Arduino microcontroller which can use the data from the Spectrum Shield to drive the lights.
3.3 Electrical Design
The electrical design will be constructed in conjunction with the programming, because this will be pivotal for feedback as the program is written. During this step a breadboard circuit will be used to connect all components of the project. A portion of this time will also be devoted to determining if any additional hardware components will be required to accomplish the goal. The culmination of this stage will be a fully working circuit system that will transport the sound signal through the Spectrum Shield where it will be converted to raw data, and sent to the arduino.
3.4 Testing
It is expected that significant troubleshooting will be required in order for the system to function smoothly and without delay. During this stage different setups will be tested with all components of the projected connected to determine how to drive the LED lights most efficiently. In addition, this stage will include working on an alternate mode for this system designed for use with a single instrument. In this mode a matlab program would determine the exact pitch, or note, of the audio signal and assign a different color for each note. This would be an interesting application of the color changing bulbs in that a novice musician could have visual reinforcement of the music he or she is playing.
4. Project Timeline
Week
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Task
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1
|
2
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3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
Research
|
x
|
x
|
x
| |||||||
Programming
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
| ||||||
Electrical design
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x
|
x
|
x
|
x
| ||||||
Testing
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
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Final report preparation
|
x
|
x
|
x
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Table 1: Design project timeline
5. Facilities and Resources
During the course of this design, a few resources will be utilized in order to optimize efficiency. Furthermore, in order to acquire the best possible outcome, it is important to refer to as many resources as possible. To ensure the success of this design, two specific resources will be religiously used: facility access to the Drexel lighting lab (DLux) and coding examples that can be used in conjunction with the MATLAB program.
5.1 Drexel Lighting Lab Access
This project requires several electrical components that can be gathered from the DLux lab facility. The DLux lab will be the sole resource that this design will utilize. The DLux lab is comprehensive in their experience and knowledge of lighting and energy efficiency. With that being said, this lab is an indispensable resource to this project. The lab can provide many of the supplies necessary for this design as well as valuable guidance for constructing a light fixture suitable to the needs of this design, if one is necessary.
5.2 MATLAB Programming (MathWorks)
Additionally, coding will play an important role in how the devices used will respond and function. In this design, the MATLAB software will be the main translator and intermediate between the Arduino and Spectrum Shield. Because of this, example code for the function of these devices will be useful in providing a guideline as to how the code should be written.
6 Expertise
The group members working on this project will construct a circuitry system between the arduino, spectrum shield, and LED light. This will require a group that understand basic circuitry, microcontrollers, and breadbox circuits. This project also demands a group which can program the Arduino to control the lights in an intelligent way dependant on the music signal. This requires group members who have basic understanding of light and sound waves. In addition substantial research will need to be conducted in order to find a way to relate music and light in a meaningful way. In addition, group members must be capable of programming with MATLAB software. The completion of this project will reinforce programming techniques learned in previous courses and increase the knowledge of microcontrollers for all group members.
7 Budget
Category
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Projected Cost
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LED lights
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$10.00
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Arduino Microcontroller
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$25.00
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Sound Processors and Converters
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$25.00
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Large Breadboard
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$15.00
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Set of Resistors
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$10.00
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MIDI USB Interface
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$30.00
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MIDI Controller
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$200.00
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TOTAL
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$315.00
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Table 2: Budget
7.1 LED Lighting
Artificial lighting in the form of LED lights will be considered during the progression of this project. A set of LED lights connected to the breadboard would be geared towards the idea of creating a colorful mosaic in which each individual light bulb would be used to match up with a certain frequency of sound detected with the music.
7.2 Microcontroller
In order to drive the color changing light bulbs, a microcontroller will be required. An arduino controller is an obvious choice due to its cooperative functionality with MATLAB software which the team is familiar with. The arduino unit should be powerful enough to drive the lights in real time with minimal delay, as long as that remains the sole task of the device.
7.3 Sound Processors and Converters
A microphone is necessary to take in the audio signal which would be processed by the Spectrum Shield. The audio signal would then be converted into frequencies and placed into seven bandwidths for the arduino to use in changing the color of the LED bulbs. The spectrum shield will take in audio signal through a microphone jack. The amplitude of the bandwidths would then be outputted and can be sent to the arduino as raw data. A microphone device may have to be purchased.
7.4 MIDI Keyboard
The MIDI keyboard will be used as the audio input for the resulting system. The MIDI keyboard works very well in conjunction with the MATLAB program so that manipulating the raw data taken from the keyboard will be simplified. Furthermore, the keyboard will very clearly demonstrate the uses of the resulting system created as each note will be processed and show its corresponding color by way of small LED lights. Along with the MIDI keyboard, a MIDI interface is necessary to connect the MIDI controller to a laptop or any other preferred device.
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