Project Information

If this project is available and you wish to be considered for it, please email the proposer. There is no automatic form for this action and the allocation process is likely to take several days. If you have not heard within a week, please email the Postgraduate Programmes Office on ami@bolton.ac.uk

 
Project Reference: 152 
Title Low-cost portable guitar amplifier with on board effects and recording capability  
Project Status: inprogress  
 
Proposer's Name: Brian Lavery 
Company/University: Elcometer Instruments Ltd 
Phone: 0161 371 6000 
Email: brian.lavery4@btinternet.com 
Proposal Date: 11/07/2007 
Brief description
Many variations of stand-alone amplifiers, USB based recorders and effects pedals exist and the variety is increasing. A niche may exist for a mini (belt-mounted) amplifier incorporating some of the more useful effects and with the ability to record (perhaps onto a standard SD card) and play backing music to play along with. The project would be expected to take three phases (as per the normal MSc project structure) of literature search, project implementation, and writing up. The literature search would concentrate on 5 elements; market research, musical effects and their DSP implementations, specific interface requirements for instruments, comparing methods for implementing the record and playback functions and identifying a suitable DSP IC or microcontroller as the core of the product. Part of the output for this stage would be a functional specification of the intended device. The implementation would involve: System design, PCB design and PCB layout performed by myself. PCB manufacture and assembly by a contractor such as PCB Train to information, and using parts, supplied by myself. Software design and implementation performed by myself. It would be anticipated, due to time issues, that full debugging would not be completed in the necessary time frame and only a first pass of both hardware and software would be developed. Preferably the device would be basically working, but not every function would be Part of the writing up would be a list of requirements to take the product to a production version, including a modifications list, project plan and costings. The initial project plan for this project would have only covered to the completion of the project.  
Project outcomes
ASIC to be fabricated No 
Hardware to be produced Yes  
Software to be produced Yes  
Requirements
Dedicated hardware that will be essential for the project. Schematic capture package PCB layout package Development hardware for chosen microcontroller Access to electronic test equipment/rework equipment for hardware debugging  
Specialist software that will be essential for the project. Suitable compiler for chosen microprocessor Matlab?  
Staff comments
Allocated to Brian Lavery on 12/07/07 RJH 

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