Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
38 COVID Hearing Aid
 Kartik Kansal
Saul Rodriguez
 Dhruv Mathur design_document1.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
other2.pdf
other1.pdf
presentation1.pdf
proposal1.pdf
**Group**: Online - Saul Rodriguez (srodri28) & Kartik Kansal (kkansal2)

**Problem**

Due to the pandemic’s virus, COVID-19, all citizens have been required by law to wear masks to protect themselves as well as prevent communicable disease. This has been seen to level the curve of infection and has been adopted by many countries. However, one of the issues with a mask guarding someone’s face is that masks naturally muffle the speech of the user. This issue can cause poor communication, as the listener is unable to clearly hear the speaker. Although there are some masks available to resolve this issue such as clear masks that allow the listener to read their lips for further understanding, these masks actually muffle the voice of the speaker more than cloth and relies on every speaker to have one if you can not properly hear them.

**Solution Overview**

To better resolve this issue we can take a look at the listener’s perspective. If the issue stands with the listener, we can devise a way to allow the listener a louder take from what their speaker is saying. This also allows us to have a target audience of those having a difficult time with this issue, rather than assuming everyone or no one can hear you. Designed in the shape of an open necklace, we will place two microphones, two retractable headphones, a battery, and a motherboard to handle our system’s processes. The device will be capable of receiving audio data, eliminating background noise, amplify what is understood as voice, and all while looking stylish.


**Solution Components**

-Microphones

In order to amplify the speaker's voice, we first need to receive it digitally through our microphone. Also to implement noise cancellation we need a minimum of two microphones to compare and distribute audio.

-Headphones

Headphones will allow the separated voice audio to be redirected and transmitted directly to the user. These will be designed to be released and retracted on the user’s will from the front sides of the device.

-Battery

A lithium-ion battery will be the sole power source for the device. A micro-usb input will allow the battery to be charged for on the go use. A simple on/off button will control the power delivery to the rest of the device.

-Motherboard

The motherboard will handle the main processes for the system. This will take the audio received from the microphones, separate the background audio from the speaker’s voice, and transmit/amplify their voice to the headphones.

**Criterion for Success**

Obtain all components to evaluate the cost of the project. Test the power distribution between all components with loose wires before soldering. Begin taking audio samples to find the best placement for the microphones. Analyze the audio received to begin separating the background noise and keep the speaker’s voice. Code the instructions for audio separation to the motherboard. Devise a way to compactly allow the headphones to release and retract. Solder an audio amplifier to the motherboard and connect to the headphones. Test that the system works. Finally, simplify the design so the entire system is compact and stylish.

Prosthetic Control Board

Caleb Albers, Daniel Lee

Prosthetic Control Board

Featured Project

Psyonic is a local start-up that has been working on a prosthetic arm with an impressive set of features as well as being affordable. The current iteration of the main hand board is functional, but has limitations in computational power as well as scalability. In lieu of this, Psyonic wishes to switch to a production-ready chip that is an improvement on the current micro controller by utilizing a more modern architecture. During this change a few new features would be added that would improve safety, allow for easier debugging, and fix some issues present in the current implementation. The board is also slated to communicate with several other boards found in the hand. Additionally we are looking at the possibility of improving the longevity of the product with methods such as conformal coating and potting.

Core Functionality:

Replace microcontroller, change connectors, and code software to send control signals to the motor drivers

Tier 1 functions:

Add additional communication interfaces (I2C), and add temperature sensor.

Tier 2 functions:

Setup framework for communication between other boards, and improve board longevity.

Overview of proposed changes by affected area:

Microcontroller/Architecture Change:

Teensy -> Production-ready chip (most likely ARM based, i.e. STM32 family of processors)

Board:

support new microcontroller, adding additional communication interfaces (I2C), change to more robust connector. (will need to design pcb for both main control as well as finger sensors)

Sensor:

Addition of a temperature sensor to provide temperature feedback to the microcontroller.

Software:

change from Arduino IDE to new toolchain. (ARM has various base libraries such as mbed and can be configured for use with eclipse to act as IDE) Lay out framework to allow communication from other boards found in other parts of the arm.