Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
39 Auto-Tuner with LCD Display
 John Driscoll
Lee Susara
Nicholas Chan
 Eric Tang design_document1.pdf
proposal1.pdf
**Auto-Tuner with LCD Display**

**Team:** Nicholas Chan, John Driscoll, Lee Susara

**Problem:** In order for guitars to be properly used, each string needs to be tuned to the right frequency to play the right note. This can either be done manually, or with assistance from a tuner. We would like to make this process easier though, so we would like to implement an auto-tuning device that attaches to the pegs of the guitar. While these are exist, most of these devices on the market are over $100, so we would like to make it more affordable.

**Solution:** Our solution to this would be to create an auto-tuning device using a servo motor and a feedback loop. This solves the problem because this would make the tuner much more affordable while still maintaining its main functionality. Our design would be to attach a servo motor to each peg of the guitar and, while the user plucks the string, our device would use a microphone to take in the frequency and turn the peg as need be. The note being played will also be shown on an LCD display.

**Subsystem 1:** One of the subsystems we will be the device that attaches to the head of the guitar. This device will have 6 servo motors (HS-318), one for each peg. Each motor will have a clamp that will attach to the pegs of the guitar. The device will also have an electret microphone amplifier that is picking up sound from the guitar to know what note is being played. A clamp will be used to keep the whole subsytem in place.

**Subsystem 2:** Another subsystem we will need to implement is the control subsystem, which will house our PCB (QFN-16) and logic. We will use a breadboard (103-1100) , wires, and various logic chips to implement the correct logic.

**Subsystem 3:** The last subsystem we will need is the power and user interface. This will include our battery (EN-22), power switch button (1489), and LCD display , as well as any buttons, should we need to tune the guitar to non-standard tuning. We can use the 2x16 LCD display with controller for this.

**Criterion for Success:** For our project to be effective, it must be able to pick up and filter out the frequency being played, properly take in the sound as input to determine how the guitar should be tuned, and ensure the motors are being powered and are functioning as desired. It must also fit on the head of the guitar without being too clunky, and our LCD display must display the correct notes being played. The project as a whole must also be more affordable than the current auto-tuners on the market as of right now.

El Durazno Wind Turbine Project

Alexander Hardiek, Saanil Joshi, Ganpath Karl

El Durazno Wind Turbine Project

Featured Project

Partners: Alexander Hardiek (ahardi6), Saanil Joshi (stjoshi2), and Ganpath Karl (gkarl2)

Project Description: We have decided to innovate a low cost wind turbine to help the villagers of El Durazno in Guatemala access water from mountains, based on the pitch of Prof. Ann Witmer.

Problem: There is currently no water distribution system in place for the villagers to gain access to water. They have to travel my foot over larger distances on mountainous terrain to fetch water. For this reason, it would be better if water could be pumped to a containment tank closer to the village and hopefully distributed with the help of a gravity flow system.

There is an electrical grid system present, however, it is too expensive for the villagers to use. Therefore, we need a cheap renewable energy solution to the problem. Solar energy is not possible as the mountain does not receive enough solar energy to power a motor. Wind energy is a good alternative as the wind speeds and high and since it is a mountain, there is no hindrance to the wind flow.

Solution Overview: We are solving the power generation challenge created by a mismatch between the speed of the wind and the necessary rotational speed required to produce power by the turbine’s generator. We have access to several used car parts, allowing us to salvage or modify different induction motors and gears to make the system work.

We have two approaches we are taking. One method is converting the induction motor to a generator by removing the need of an initial battery input and using the magnetic field created by the magnets. The other method is to rewire the stator so the motor can spin at the necessary rpm.

Subsystems: Our system components are split into two categories: Mechanical and Electrical. All mechanical components came from a used Toyota car such as the wheel hub cap, serpentine belt, car body blade, wheel hub, torsion rod. These components help us covert wind energy into mechanical energy and are already built and ready. Meanwhile, the electrical components are available in the car such as the alternator (induction motor) and are designed by us such as the power electronics (AC/DC converters). We will use capacitors, diodes, relays, resistors and integrated circuits on our printed circuit boards to develop the power electronics. Our electrical components convert the mechanical energy in the turbine into electrical energy available to the residents.

Criterion for success: Our project will be successful when we can successfully convert the available wind energy from our meteorological data into electricity at a low cost from reusable parts available to the residents of El Durazno. In the future, their residents will prototype several versions of our turbine to pump water from the mountains.