Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
15 Theremixer - Theremin DJ Controller
 Akhil Reddy
Karthikeya Achar
Shiv Kapur
 Zhen Qin design_document1.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
presentation1.pdf
proposal1.pdf
Motivation: This project is motivated by our curiosity in unique musical instruments such as the theremin and our desire to use them in a novel way. We thought it would be a fun challenge to use a functioning analog theremin’s output not as a standalone instrument, but as a controller to manipulate sounds and graphics that a theremin cannot produce on its own.

Solution Overview:
We will create a theremin DJ mixer that provides users with a unique way to express their musical creativity. By operating the analog theremin controller the same way you would play a normal theremin, users can modify and mix preloaded songs. Our solution also incorporates a connected display which provides a visualization of current audio levels and the oscillating wave created by the theremin.

Solution Details:
We plan to construct an analog theremin and use the audio output to control graphics and music. Our theremin will be built on a custom PCB that will include space for necessary hardware components, such as a Teensy 3.2 microprocessor. We will also take into consideration the placement of parts detailed in Bob Moog's Etherwave diagram (which is made completely with through-hole components) to minimize stray capacitances and unwanted interference between parts. We will use the Teensy 3.2 to transmit the audio output from the theremin to a Raspberry Pi, which will analyze the output and display the visualization on a VGA/HDMI monitor. The monitor will show current audio levels and the user created oscillating waveforms.

Criteria For Success:
Our project consists of three interdependent parts. In hardware, we will be successful if we can build a functional theremin that creates an audio output. Our HW/SW interface will be considered successful if we are able to transmit the audio output correctly to our software interface. The software interface should be considered successful if we are able to properly mix songs and create a visualization from the output of the theremin.

Original Post: https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=30980

Filtered Back – Projection Optical Demonstration

Tori Fujinami, Xingchen Hong, Jacob Ramsey

Filtered Back – Projection Optical Demonstration

Featured Project

Project Description

Computed Tomography, often referred to as CT or CAT scans, is a modern technology used for medical imaging. While many people know of this technology, not many people understand how it works. The concepts behind CT scans are theoretical and often hard to visualize. Professor Carney has indicated that a small-scale device for demonstrational purposes will help students gain a more concrete understanding of the technical components behind this device. Using light rather than x-rays, we will design and build a simplified CT device for use as an educational tool.

Design Methodology

We will build a device with three components: a light source, a screen, and a stand to hold the object. After placing an object on the stand and starting the scan, the device will record three projections by rotating either the camera and screen or object. Using the three projections in tandem with an algorithm developed with a graduate student, our device will create a 3D reconstruction of the object.

Hardware

• Motors to rotate camera and screen or object

• Grid of photo sensors built into screen

• Light source

• Power source for each of these components

• Control system for timing between movement, light on, and sensor readings