Chapter #10: An Introduction to Sound Impact Sensors

SOUND IMPACT SENSORS

Sound impact sensors are used to add noise control to your project. It responds to various sounds
such as music or a clap of hands. The sound impact sensor has a microphone onboard that
detects changes in a decibel level and can send triggers to various components such as LED’s.

Basic applications ideas for the sound impact sensor would include: Noise activated alarm
systems; Holiday animated Props, and Robotic control. Using a sound impact sensor is an easy
way to add noise control to your electronic project.

ACTIVITY #1: USE A SOUND IMPACT SENSOR TO CONNECT A LED

This activity will serve as an introduction to sound impact boards. At the end of this activity you
will learn how to control a LED’s light with the range of the sound impact sensor.

Introduction of Bi-Color LED’s

A Bi-Color LED can control two different colors of light in a single LED connection. Figure 10-
1 shows the schematic layout for a Bi-Color LED. These LED’s differ from normal one-color
LEDS in which they have 3 pins: One for green, One for Red/Yellow, and one for the cathode.
In this Activity/Lab we will be using Bi-Color LED’s to show what the sound impact sensors can
do.

Test Parts for Activity #1

 (1) Sound Impact Board

 (1) Bi-Color LED
 (1) BS2 Board
 (1) 470 Ohm Resistor
 (5) Jumper Wires

Building the Sound Sensor Circuit

When first building this circuit we need to understand how the sound impact sensor works.
 The signal Pin goes to Pin 0 on the BS2 Board while the second pin goes to Vdd and the third
pin goes to Vss which in turn essentially connects to your LED. Properly seat the Sound sensor
in a good spot so you can connect the wires efficiently and logically.

Here is an example of our wiring to the BS2 Board. As

you can see with the information stated above the orange
wire is going from the signal pin of the sound sensor board
to P0 on the BS2 board. The middle red jumper wire is
going to the VDD on the BS2 board. And the Ground
jumper wire is going to the VSS on the BS2 board. The
other wires are just completing the LED to react with the
BS2 board. The LED is then connected to a 470 Ohm
Reistor and then connected to Pin 14 on the BS2 board,

Programming the Sound Sensor Circuit

ACTIVITY #2: USE AN IMPACT BOARD TO CONNECT AN LED ARRAY
In this activity, you will use your knowledge you gained in activity one to create an LED array
that reacts to the sound impact sensor.

Test Parts for Activity #2

 (1) Sound Impact Board

 (12) Bi-Color LED
 (1) BS2 Board
 (1) 470 Ohm Resistor
 (29) Jumper Wires

Building the Sound Sensor Circuit

For this activity you will use the same concept as activity one. The only difference is you will
need to daisy chain all the LED’s together. You will need to connect the anodes and the
cathodes together for each LED then finish the circuit off by connect it to the BS2 Board.

Programming the Sound Sensor Circuit

ACTIVITY #3: USE 2 IMPACT BOARDS TO CONNECT 2 LED ARRAYS

In this activity, you will use the concept of activity 2, and duplicate it with another Sound impact
board to control 2 LED Arrays.

Test Parts for Activity #3

 (2) Sound Impact Board

 (28) Bi-Color LED
 (1) BS2 Board
 (1) 470 Ohm Resistor
 (Tons) Jumper Wires

Building the Sound Sensor Circuit

For this activity you will use the same concept as activity two. Below is a diagram of the two
different LED Arrays and how they are connected to the BS2 Board.

Programming the Sound Sensor Circuit

ACTIVITY #4: BUILDING THE STAR TREK MUSIC BOX

In this activity, you will use the knowledge gained from the previous activities to create the final
project.
Test Parts for Activity #4

 (3) Sound Impact Board

 (36) Bi-Color LED
 (1) BS2 Board
 (6) 470 Ohm Resistors
 (3) 220 Ohm Resistors
 (Tons) Jumper Wires

Building the Star Trek Music Box

Programming the Star Trek Music Box

SUMMARY
In conclusion, all the activities build your skill level up to complete the final star trek music box.
You could also use this knowledge to implement many different projects or make the coding
more complicated to implement various patterns.

Troubleshooting Tips

o You want to carefully layout your project. It can get very confusing when are trying to
figure out your design on the go.
o Set all the LED’s down before your wiring. It will get VERY frustrating if you are trying
to design different array designs through a ton of jumper wires.
 o If it doesn’t work right away just trace the wires. Most likely a jumper wire came loose,
or the circuit is not complete.

APPENDIX
Hardware Information
 BS2 Board
o http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampModules/tabid/134
/ProductID/294/List/1/Default.aspx?SortField=UnitCost,ProductName
 Bi-Color LED
o http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_3467
3_-1
 Sound Impact Board
o http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/sens/29132-
SoundImpactSesnor-v1.0.pdf