ARDUINO SOUND SENSOR AS AN

INDICATOR OF NOISE IN A

CLASSROOM

A Practical Research Proposal

Presented to the Senior High School Department

Bicol Regional Science High School

In Partial Fulfillment of

The Requirements for the Senior High School II

STEM Track

Berzuela, Jose Domingo C.

Oliquino, Glennjoy D.

Querubin, Vicente III L.

October, 2017
 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM

Introduction

Noise pollution is undesired sound that is disruptive or dangerous and can cause

harm to life, nature, and property. It is often said that noise differs from others forms of

pollution in that, unlike atmospheric pollutants for example, once abated; noise leaves

no residual accumulation in the environment or the human body. In 1978 the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Noise Abatement and Control

estimated that around twenty million Americans were exposed daily to noise resulting in

permanent hearing loss (EPA 1978). In 1990 about thirty million people in the United

States were exposed daily to occupational noise levels above 85 decibels, compared

with just over 9 million people in 1981. Exposure for more than 8 hours a day to sound

in excess of 85 decibels in potentially hazardous. In Germany and other developed

countries, as many as four to five million people, that is, 12 to 15 percent of all

employed people, are exposed to noise levels of 85 decibels or more (World Health

Organization 2001). Between 1987 and 1997, community noise levels in the United

States were estimated to have increased by 11 percent and were predicted to continue

increasing at that rate or more (Staples 1997). According to Caryll S. Ferrer student of

Mapua Institute of Technology the study of noise is important, because by

understanding the processes that cause it we can try to reduce it.

Noise levels are usually measured in decibel unit. A decibel is one tenth of a bel

(B). Devised by engineers of the Bell Telephone Laboratory to quantify the reduction in
audio level over a 1-mile (1.6 km) length of standard telephone cable, the bel was

originally called the transmission unit or TU, but was renamed in 1923 or 1924 in honor

of the laboratory’s founder and telecommunications pioneer Alexander Graham Bell.

The decibel (dB) is a logarithmic unit of measurement that expresses the magnitude of

a physical quantity relative to a specified or implied reference level. Its logarithmic

nature allows very large or very small ratios to be represented by a convenient number,

in a similar manner to scientific notation. Decibels are useful for a wide variety of

measurements in acoustics, physics, electronics, and other disciplines.

Classroom is a learning space, a room in which both children and adults learn

about things. Classroom are found in educational institutions of all kinds, from preschool

to universities, and may also be found in other places where education or training is

provided, such as corporations and religious and humanitarian organization. The

classroom attempts to provide space where learning can take place uninterrupted by

outside distractions.

A quiet atmosphere is essential in the classroom; it should have a peaceful and

noiseless setting avoid distraction and focus on the interaction among learners and the

teacher. With this implication, the researchers decided to design a system that can help

detect noise in the classroom with an alert message provider to let the students become

aware whenever they are making loud noises. The device will monitor the classroom

without further action of the teacher. The design aims to create a device that will detect

excessive noise inside the classroom as well as inform the students that they can

disturb others classes. The following points were considered in order to implement the

design project: To be able to lessen the teacher’s task in maintaining a quiet ambience;
to interface noise detector circuit with a microcontroller-based message display; and to

design an effective and efficient device for the use of school room.

Statement of the Problem

The general objective of the study is to minimize and regulate the noise in the

classroom produce by the students. It specifically aims to answer the following

questions:

1. At which part of the room would be the best location to put the device?

2. Would be the device will pick up all the noise in the room?

The Significance of the Design.

The design provides the teacher with a means of immediately

controlling the noise level inside the classroom with any arrangement of the people.

It further provides a means of instructing students to accept responsibility for

maintaining a level of noise in to the room conducive to studying. For the designers

being also student is and having the right to use the

room, it is important for them to implement the design to help the teacher

in managing and making the classroom a better learning place. All the students using

will benefit from the design especially when they are annoyed of the

noise and distractions created by unconcerned people.

Scope and Delimitation

The noise level that the detector should detect can be varied

through a potentiometer. LCD display is used to see the saved messages or user input

message. The keypad can be used to input lowercase and uppercase letters and

numbers as well or a combination of different format of characters. The LED matrix is

used for message display. Select button and delete button are provided. A chime sound

will occur once a noise is detected and the selected message will appear. It

automatically returns to a monitoring mode with a default message upon completion of

its response mode. The device is a stand-alone; it does not need a computer or other

devices to change message and do other things. It will use the principle of noise

detector.

The detection of noise may be delayed considering the distance and the volume

of noise from the microphone. The message length can reach up to 35 characters only.

The standby mode has a default message that cannot be changed

by the user. There are only limited numbers of messages to choose from the

design project. The different messages to choose from are installed in the

microcontroller which is limited to four different rules and regulations of a library. User

input message should be placed before the noise detector detects a noise. The scrolling

messages experience delay because it also considers the blank spaces as a character.

Definition of Terms

These are the technical terms which are mentioned in the design

documentation and design as follows:

1. Alarm – a device that signals the occurrence of some undesirable event (Electronics

for the Electrician).

2. Analog – implies a continuous signal in contrast with digital, which breaks everything

into numbers (Instruments and Measurements for Electronics).

3. Breadboard – a thin plastic board used to held electronic components

that are wired together (Electronic Devices).

4. Decibel – literally means one tenth of a bel. A unit named after Alexander Graham

Bell. It is not an absolute unit but rather it is indicated the relation between two powers

(Communications Engineering, Black Book).

5. Detector – a device that recovers information of interest contained in a modulated

wave (Electronic Sensors for the Evil Genius).

6. Device – an invention serving a particular purpose, especially a machine used to

perform one or more relatively simple tasks (Instruments and Measurement for

Electronics).

7. Electret Microphone – a type of condenser microphone which eliminates the need

for a power by using permanently-charged material (Electronic Sensors for the Evil

Genius).

8. Frequency – the number of complete cycles per second in alternating current

direction. The standard unit of frequency is the hertz (Hz) (Electronic Devices).

9. LED - light-emitting diode; a semiconductor diode that emits light when conducting

current and is used in electronic equipment, esp. for displaying readings on digital

watches, calculators, etc. (Electronic Devices).

10. Microcontroller - a single chip that contains the processor, nonvolatile memory for
the program, volatile memory for input and output, a clock and an I/O control unit

(Electronics for Electrician).

11. Noise – an unwanted energy, usually of random character, present in transmission

system, due to a variety of causes (Communications Engineering, Black Book).

12. Noise Level – are measured with noise level meters, generally with a weighting that

mirrors human sensitivity to different frequencies (Communications Engineering, Black

Book).

13. Operational Amplifier – special type of amplifier exhibiting very high gain, very

high input impedance, very low output impedance, and good rejection of common diode

signals (Electronic Devices).

14. Potentiometer – an electronic component that is used to vary the amount of current

flows through a circuit. (Electronic Devices).

15. Prototype - building an actual circuit to a theoretical design to verify that it works,

and to provide a physical platform for debugging it if it does not (Fundamentals of

Electronics, vol.3).

16.Sensor - a device that measures or detects a real-world condition, such as motion,

heat or light and converts the condition into an analog or digital representation

(Electronics Sensors for the Evil Genius).

17. Signal – to – noise ratio - the amount of signal, divided by the amount of noise that

is also present (Electronic Devices).

18. Sound – created when objects vibrate, resulting in a minute variation in surrounding

atmospheric pressure (Communications Engineering, Black Book).

19. Sound Level Meter - measures sound pressure level and are commonly used in
noise pollution studies for the quantification of almost any noise (Communications

Engineering Black Book).

Significance of the study

This will be beneficial to the following:

Teachers and Students. This study will help to lessen noise pollution in class

that will improve the students’ listening skills and to learn more effectively. This study

will help to relax in studying of the students.

Department of Education (DepEd). This might help in the quality of education

offered especially in rural areas.

 Chapter 2

Related Studies

In the study of Chao-Ming Ying and Babu Joseph (1999) entitled “Sensor Fault

Detection Using Noise Analysis”. In the study, the feasibility of sensor fault detection

using noise analysis is evaluated. The noise powers at various frequency bands present

in the sensor output are calculated using power spectrum density estimation and

compared with historically established noise pattern to identify any abnormalities. The

method is applicable to systems for which the noise is stationary under normal

operating conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) is used to reduce the space

of secondary variables derived from the power spectrum. T2 statistics is used to detect

deviations from the norm. We take advantage of the low-pass filtering characteristics

exhibited by most process plants and closed-loop control systems, which allows the

noise power at higher frequency bands to be used in the fault detection. The algorithm

does not require a process model because it focuses on characterization of each

individual sensor and the measurement it generates. Experimental studies with two

kinds of garden variety sensors (off the shelf temperature and pressure sensors) are

used to validate the feasibility of the proposed approach.

In the study of Jousselme C , Vialet R, Jouve E, Lagier P, Martin C, Michel F.

Entitled “Efficacy and mode of action of a noise-sensor light alarm to decrease noise in

the pediatric intensive care unit: a prospective, randomized study”. The study shows

that the noise decrease in the central area was of limited importance but was translated
in a nearby room. The sound-activated light device did not directly decrease noise when

turned on, but repetition of the visual signal throughout the day raised staff awareness

of noise levels over time.

In the study of Juan Carlos Fortes-Garrido entitled “The characterization of noise

levels in a neonatal intensive care unit and the implications for noise management”. The

result was The maximum noise levels measured for critical (C-in), C(out) and

intermediate (I) were: 88.8 dBA, 97.2 dBA and 92.4 dBA, respectively, while for the

equivalent noise levels for the total measuring period (15 d) were 57.0 dBA, 63.7 dBA,

and 59.7 dBA, respectively. The Fourier frequency analysis has demonstrated several

typical periods related to both work activities and family visit, which were: 7 days, 24 h,

12 h, and 3 h. and their conclusion is the statistical analysis revealed a clear correlation

between the noise level, the kind of care room, and the time of the day. The results

show that the values recommended by international bodies and agencies (AAP, WHO)

are surpassed by a large margin, thus making it crucial that certain norms are followed

in order to reduce the noise level in the NICU, by means of physical alterations to the

layout, and raising awareness of health care personnel and visitors in order to

encourage noise prevention in the daily care work and conversation. And finally, has

been demonstrated that by applying the t-Student test the mean noise values in both

wards are significantly different, which leads us to state that the noise level for the

critical wards are higher than in the intermediate care ward.

According to the study of Caryll S. Ferrer, Harvey L. Lim, Aubrey Rae P. Ronquillo

entitled “Library Noise Detector and Short Information Provider”. The conclusion of the

researches, the design project was able to detect excessive noise and provide a short
message to remind the library users not to make excessive noise. This feature of

the design is an aid to avoid having too much noise created by the people inside

the library. The library staff takes care of borrowed and returned books as well as

maintaining order in the library. The device will inform the library users through

the detector’s alarm and alert messages displayed on a LED matrix panel after

detection of excessive noise; thus lessening the library staff’s task of maintaining

a quiet ambience. Based on the research conducted, a noise detector was designed

that can vary the noise level, and through microcontrollers, a message display device

was used to add functions to the whole design system. The Library Noise Detector

with Message Provider was put into operation by interfacing a noise detector’s

circuit into a microcontroller based 8x8 LED Matrix. Most of the time, students go to the

library just to hangout, chat with friends or use for their benefit of the facilities without

realizing the disturbances they create. This design project will be very much effective in

maintaining order in school libraries because it will make the students become aware of

the proper manner inside the library.

According to the study of Jacqueline Munn entitled “Virtual sensors for active

noise control”. In the study, the need to attenuate noise transmitted into enclosed

spaces such as aircraft cabins, automobiles and mining cabins has provided the

impetus for many active noise control studies. Studies into active interior noise control

began with a pressure squared cost function utilizing multiple error sensors and control

sources in an attempt to produce global control of the interior sound field. This work

found problems with observability of the primary disturbances and a large number of

error sensors and control sources were required to produce global control. Since this
early work in the 1980's, many new acoustic based cost functions have been developed

to improve on the performance of the pressure squared cost function. This thesis will

focus on one novel acoustic cost function, virtual error sensing. Virtual error sensing is a

relatively new technique which produces localized zones of attenuation at a location

remote to the physical sensors. The practical advantage of this method is the people

within these enclosed spaces are able to observe a reduction in sound pressure level

without their movement being restricted by error sensors located close to their ears. The

aim of this thesis is to further investigate the performance of forward-difference virtual

error sensors in order to understand the factors that affect the accuracy of the pressure

prediction at the virtual location and use this information to develop more accurate and

efficient forward- difference virtual sensors. These virtual sensors use linear arrays of

microphones containing two or more microphone elements and a linear or quadratic

approximation is used to predict the sound at the virtual location. The prediction method

determines the weights applied to each microphone signal to predict the sound pressure

level at the virtual location. This study investigates susceptibility of the sensors to

corruption as a result of phase and sensitivity mismatch between the microphones, as

well as in the location of the elements in the error sensing array. A thorough error

analysis of the forward-difference virtual microphones was performed in a one-

dimensional sound field and in a plane wave sound field. The accuracy of the quadratic

virtual microphone was found to be strongly affected by the presence of short

wavelength extraneous noise. From this study, two novel virtual error sensing

techniques were developed, namely; higher-order virtual sensors and adaptive virtual

sensors. The higher-order virtual error sensors still employ the linear and quadratic
prediction method but extra microphone elements are added to the array. The aim of

these higher-order virtual microphones is to produce a more accurate prediction of the

pressure at the virtual location by spatially filtering out any short wavelength extraneous

noise that may corrupt the prediction. These virtual sensors were tested in a real time

control scenario in both a one-dimensional reactive sound field and in a free field. This

work found that the higher-order virtual microphones can improve the prediction

accuracy of the original virtual sensors but are still prone to problems of phase,

sensitivity and position errors. Finally, the adaptive LMS virtual sensors were

investigated in a SIMULINK simulation and tested experimentally using real-time control

in a one-dimensional sound field. It was hoped that an adaptive LMS algorithm could

overcome previous difficulties arising from inherent and transducer errors by adapting

the weights of the signals from the sensing elements which form the array. The

algorithm adapts the sensing microphone signals to produce the same signal as the

microphone at the virtual location. Once this has been achieved, the sensing

microphone weights are fixed and the microphone at the virtual location is removed,

thus creating a virtual microphone. The SIMULINK simulation allowed the performance

of the fixed weight and virtual microphones to be investigated in the presence of only

phase errors, sensitivity errors and position errors and in the presence of all three

combined. This work showed that the adaptive virtual sensors had the ability to

compensate for the errors. The number of modes used in the simulations was varied to

observe the performance of all virtual sensors in the presence of higher-order modes.

The prediction accuracy of the fixed weight virtual sensors was found to be greatly

affected by the presence of higher-order modes. The use of the adaptive virtual
microphones to produce localized zones of quiet was examined experimentally using

real-time control. The study found the real-time control performance is superior to that of

the fixed weight higher-order virtual microphones and the original forward-difference

virtual microphones.

According to the study of Sasaki Yasuhiro, Takahashi Masatake, AimotoTakashi,

Genshin Akira entitled “Development of Ultrahigh-Sensitivity Vibration Sensor

Technology for Minute Vibration Detection, Its Applications”. In the study, The NEC

Group has developed a piezoelectric vibration sensor that features sensitivity at about

20 times that of previous models. A vibration sensor is a device that corresponds to the

auditory and tactile organs of the human body. The real world is flooded with vibration

information generated by humans, goods and environments. Our recently developed

vibration sensor can collect minute waveform data that has been hitherto undetectable

and has therefore not been utilized. The device extracts the frequency components that

present anomalies and analyzes their significance by means of cloud computing, so as

to implement a safe and secure society by connecting accurate identification of

situations and circumstances for the prevention of adverse events. This paper

introduces features of the newly developed vibration sensor and discusses efforts being

made for the development of its applications.

According to the study of Yuya Negishi, Nobuo Kawaguchi entitled “Instant

Learning Sound Sensor: Flexible Environmental Sound Recognition System”. In the

study, we propose a smart sound sensor component for building context-aware systems

that can instantly learn and detect events from various sound information with a time

series signal. Using the proposal instant learning sensor, a developer of a context-
aware system and ubiquitous service can easily utilize a real world sound, like an event

trigger to control appliances or for a detailed presence service, without a signal

processing programming. Context aware systems are beginning to play an important

role to support human activities in the real world. As the way to obtain the context

information into the system, a lot of input devices such as accelerometer, pressure,

temperature sensor are used, and small network devices with these sensors are

developed such as Mote. There are also some researches and systems using signal

processing with a time series data from sensors to obtain context information. However,

in signal processing, the design of the recognition algorithm of a complex pattern is not

easy, because an analysis of a feature quantity requires a lot of time. It is hard for

anyone to utilizing real world sounds for building a context-aware system using a life

sound recognition. In this paper, we propose an instant learning sound sensor, which

can learn sound pattern instantly on the site that a user wants to detect as an event.

Gaps bridged by the Study

There are differences noted from our studies compared to other study. The

present study will help the teachers to lessen the noise pollution inside the classroom. It

will benefit to the students help them to focus on their studies and learn so much from

their teachers. the staff of the schools will benefit because they will have less noise

pollution on their environment.

Conceptual Framework

In order to build the design, Ideas and principles related to the design were studied and

discussed. Figure 1.1 shows the conceptualized design of the system. This conceptual
framework illustrates how the system of the design works starting from its inputs then

how it will be processed until it produces an output.

Figure 1.1 Conceptual Frameworks

The inputs are the noise and the user settings which are independent

variables that come from the user and the surroundings. The noise is the main input for

the design that needs to be detected. The noise level that the detector should identify

can be varied through a potentiometer. After the noise is detected, the two

microcontrollers will act as the communication medium for the detector and the output

devices.

Theoretical Framework

The sensation of sound is a result of vibrations in the air caused by pressure

fluctuations, which can be measured with a sound level meter. Vibrations are more

commonly associated with mechanical systems, but air also has mass and stiffness,

and as sound travels in the air it is locally compressed and expanded. The simplest type

of vibration is a pure tone, which is a one-dimensional sinusoidal vibration with only one

frequency component. These sinusoidal vibrations are called simple harmonic

vibrations. Measuring sound is done with a sound level meter and can be presented by

both sound pressure, measured in Pascal (Pa), and sound intensity, measured in

Watt/m2.

The amplitude of a periodic variable is defined as the maximum difference of the

variable's extreme values over one single period, usually the distance between the top

and the bottom of the curve. Large amplitude signifies high sound levels (noise) and low

amplitude signifies low sound levels (quiet). The sound wavelength is not altered when

changing the amplitude, it only increases or decreases the loudness of the sound.

The measurement unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz), and describes the number of cycles

the period is repeated per second (1 Hz = 1 cycle per second). In sound theory the most

used frequencies are 20Hz to 20 000 Hz (20kHz), which is the range where the human

ear can respond. However, the field of acoustics also includes ultrasonic frequencies

above 20kHz, and infrasonic frequencies below 20Hz.

The sound wavelength depends on the phase velocity and frequency, and

frequency is further defined by the period. The period is measured in seconds and

defined as the time it takes to repeat one cycle. In other words, the wavelength

characterizes the distance it takes to repeat one cycle.

Typical low frequency sound has long wavelengths and contains high levels of

energy, while high frequency sound has short wavelengths and contains low levels of

energy. Typical low frequency sound is represented by the bass levels and high

frequency sound is usually the high pitched details.

 The human ear can respond to frequencies from 20Hz to 20kHz, but has a peak

of sensitivity around 3-4kHz. This is due to the resonance of the ear cavity that amplifies

certain frequencies. Many years of evolution has taught the ear to be more sensitive

around the frequency spectre of speech, because that is the main source of

communication between humans. Therefore the ear is not equally sensitive at all

frequencies.

The measuring unit for sound is Decibel (dB), and is a logarithmic unit used to

express power or intensity. The human ear can hear from 0dB to 120dB, the last being

the threshold of pain. A level of 120dB or higher can be dangerous for the ear, and in

worst cases contribute to permanent reduced hearing.

Because of the ear's response to different frequencies, several “sound filters"

have been introduced in the field of acoustics. The most common one is the A-weighted

filter, which is directly based upon the loudness perceived by the human ear. This

means that the sound is filtered by damping the low frequency sound because the ear is

less sensitive at low audio frequencies. Additionally there exists B-, C-, D- and Z-

weighted filter as well. The ones which are mostly used are C-weighted and Z-weighted

filters. C-weighting includes more of the low frequency sound than A-weighting, while Z-

weighting is a linear flat filter.

Another type of sound is noise, which normally is undesired. The definition of

noise is highly subjective, due to people reacting differently to what noise is. One may

characterize noise from being casually disturbing to health damaging. Being exposed to

high noise levels on a daily basis can reduce your hearing if no precautions are taken. If

the ear has been critically damaged, there is little chance it will heal to its original state,
once the ear has been injured there is no going back. Even though the definition of

noise is very individual, acoustic engineers have a more objective way of characterizing

it by using sound level meters.

 CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the research methods and procedures employed by the

researchers. Chapter three (3) includes the Research Design, Sources of Data,

Respondents of the Study, Research Instrument and Validation, Data Gathering and

Statistical Treatment of Data.

DESIGN METHODOLOGY

The Arduino Sound Sensor was developed for implementation in school

Classroom to be used as an alternative or additional help in controlling noise and

prevent disturbances in a Classroom. The design is a microcontroller - based prototype

that can stand-alone without connecting to computer devices. The design methodology

was applied research that is often used to solve practical problems that relate to this

kind of study. This form of research is necessary to improve this field of technology. The

group research is based on different designs of previous studies in relation to the design

project. Additional information and concepts needed were gathered from books,

journals, articles, and internet for further understanding of the design concepts. With this

information, the group was able to portray the process of the system. This approach

helps the design to obtain a balance to the objectives and expectations from the actual

results of the produced design prototype.

Design Procedure

The noise detector application was used as a reference for the design.

The circuit was customized so that the level of sensitivity can be varied. The

logic of the process in making the design was carefully analyzed. The step by

step processes in making the design are as follows:

The problem was determined and the factors that should be considered in the

design were identified. The objectives of the design were set and ideas on how the

prototype should be designed were gathered. Adaptation to the environment where the

design will be implemented was also considered for the quality of the design itself.

Researches on related literature for the design and how to conceptualize the other

related designs were done. Deciding on the approach and the possible applications that

can be coordinated altogether for the design were one of the tasks was to find the

suitable microcontrollers that can be used and tested using analog input from a serial

data. These researches helped how the design should be implemented. The circuit

diagram of the noise detector was developed with the application of operational

amplifier and a potentiometer for the variation of the noise level and the analog output

needed by the microcontroller. The designed circuit was tested in the breadboard and

during testing - the lighting of the LED indicator dictates the characteristic of the noise

detection. Each pin of this microcontroller was manipulated how it will function and be

connected to other devices. It also stored the program of the process and how the alarm

can be manipulated according to its assigned function in the design. Program listing

was the next process after designing the circuit diagrams. The program applied the

assembly language. A serial input of data was used to test the program to the design
itself. Testing and experiments have been made to test if the program works according

to its environment on a near and far range of noise.

Sources of Data

The study will utilize main sources of data. The source of data for this study will

be acquired from the sound sensor. This source will help in the analysis and completion

of the study.

Data Gathering

Prior to conducting the study, the researchers will secure permission and

approval of their research adviser. The researchers will then start with the actual data

gathering by testing the device in different decibels, the device should respond on each

decibel according to the code we made. After the initial preparations, the researchers

will conduct the research proper. They will start with an introductory explanation about

the study to the qualified results will support that the device works properly according to

the codes. After data gathering, the researchers will organize, interpret and analyze the

information and will finally draw conclusions based from the data collected.
 CHAPTER 4

TESTING, PRESENTATION, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Since the design of the noise detector was based on an existing room noise

detector as discussed in Chapter 2 of the Review of Related Literature and Related

Studies, the circuit was redesigned by having a potentiometer instead of fixed values of

resistances and several switches for setting the noise level to be detected. In testing the

operation of the detection process, it is essential to know if the program responds with

the electronic devices. Hence, checking was made by data validity and setting of the

noise level of the noise detector.

Testing of the Operation of Noise Detector

In conducting the test, the circuit of the noise detector and the source of sound

are needed. The noise detector circuit was formed and temporarily tested in a bread

board with a LED indicator for the noise detection. After the circuit was formed, it was

placed in a slightly noisy environment. In conducting the test, the circuit of the noise

detector and the source of sound are needed. The noise detector circuit was formed

and temporarily tested in a bread board with a LED indicator for the noise detection.

After the circuit was formed, it was placed in a slightly noisy environment. In this testing

the exact noise level was exactly measured.

Range of Sound Level Color of the LED Condition

50 to 79 Yellow Very Good

80 to 109 White Very Good

110 and above Green Very Good

 The result of this test showed the behavior of the noise detector as it detected

noise or different sources of sounds from its environment. The color of the LED can be

determined when the LED lighted on as the noise detector detected noise. The

condition results indicated that the tests simply show that the noise detector is in good

condition and that it can determine the validity of an input noise.

Testing of Noise Detection with Different Source of Sound

To perform the test, the noise detector circuit and any sound source were

needed. After learning how the noise level was set and varied from the results of its

detection, another testing was done in a 7.4’ x 6.3’ x 8.1’ room to show and test how

the noise detector detects different sources of noise that are usually found in a

classroom. In the test conducted, specific sound sources commonly heard in a

classroom were used. The Sound Sensor was set to a specific range of sound level to

detect noise based on the LED indicator.

At 1 Meter
Sound Color of LED Intensity Sound Level
Whistle  WHITE MEDIUM  94.8 
Clapping  YELLOW  LOW  79
Conversation YELLOW  LOW 65.8 
Musical Instrument  YELLOW  LOW 74.6 
Stomping  WHITE MEDIUM  102.6 
Scream GREEN   HIGH  110.4

Table shows the different results in testing the sound sensor with different

sources of sound in a fix distance. Based on the results, the noise detector can easily
detect constant noise and high pitch sounds. The detection varies with the kind of sound

produced and its distance to the noise detector. The sensitivity of the sensor depends

on the noise level set on the noise detector. The color of light of the LED indicates how

much noise is detected. When the color of light of the LED is green it means that the

noise has reached the sound level set on the noise detector.

Testing of Noise Detection with Varying Distances

The following materials were used to conduct the test: sound level meter and the

noise detector circuit.

The noise detector was set to approximately 50 db noise level and in a testing
room that measured 31’ x 23.5’ x 18.95’. Since the device was placed on each table
inside the classroom, the distance of the source of sound is 0.25m, 0.5m, 1m and 2m
measured by tape measure. This testing aimed to prove that the sound sensor can
detect different sound sources even if the source was almost two meters away from the
sound sensor.

Source Distance Sound Level (Average) Intensity

Normal Conversation
Trial 1 0.25m 68 LOW
Trial 2 0.5m 66.2 LOW
Trial 3 1m 65.8 LOW
Trial 4 2m 62.6 LOW
Clapping
Trial 1 .25m 87.8 MEDIUM
Trial 2 0.5m 84 MEDIUM
Trial 3 1m 79 LOW
Trial 4 2m 75.6 LOW
Scream
Trial 1 .25m 115.4 HIGH
Trial 2 .5m 113.8 HIGH
Trial 3 1m 110.4 HIGH
Trial 4 2m 108.6 MEDIUM
Figure 4.2 Sounds with different distance
 Based on the results on figure 4.2. The measured values have differences due to

the consistency of the sound sources that the sound level detects. The noise level of the

sound varies with its distance to the sound sensor. When the source is near the sound

sensor, the decibel value is higher and as it gets farther, the decibel value decreases.

For this reason, the detection of the sound sensor also depends on the distance of the

sound source.
 CHAPTER 5

Conclusion

The research project was able to detect excessive noise and provide a message

that shows the intensity of the noise created. This feature of the design is an aid to

avoid having too much noise created by the students in the classroom.

Based on the research conducted, a noise detector was designed that can

vary the noise level; a message display device was used to add functions to the whole

design system.

Most of the time, students chat with their friends or use for their benefit of the

facilities without realizing the disturbances they create. This design project will be very

much effective in maintaining order in a classroom because it will make the students

become aware of the proper manner inside the classroom.

Recommendation

A further enhancement on the design of the Arduino Sound Sensor with Message

Provider is recommended in terms of its capacity for detection of other kinds of noise

sources and its message provider. Making the design not just portable but also wireless

would be a great improvement of the design itself.

A Wireless FM Transmitter and Receiver can be used in order to transmit the

input signals from the microphone to the system design. This device is also used to

create a wireless connection from the noise detector to the message display device.
This is implemented to provide convenience and allows the teachers to control the

device at a distance of 10 meters maximum. For practicality means it is much better to

have one set of the Arduino Sound Sensor in each classroom provided that it can detect

noise in a larger area and alert messages are displayed in larger panel of LED Matrix.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Detection of Signals in Noise.2 Edition (March 1993); Robert McDonough, Noise

nd

Level

Fay, Thomas H., ed., Noise and Health (1991); Morrison, Ralph, Noise and Other

Integrated and Hybrid Circuits (1993); Stanley, W., Operational Amplifiers with

Linear Integrated Circuits, 3d ed., (1993)

Grolier Universal Encyclopedia. Noise. Vol.7 p.491

Mano, Morris,. Digital Design, 3 edition

rd

Birgitta Berglund, Thomas Lindvall and Dietrich H. Schwein, editors . Guidelines

for Community Noise. World Health Organization, 1999.

Owen, George E., Keaton, P.W., Fundamentals of Electronics, Vol.3

Fortes-Garrido et al. Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering 2014

Munn, Jacqueline M., Virtual Sensors for Active Noise Control, 2003,

RA Dobie, S Van Hemel, National Research Council , 2004 

 APPENDIX A
Material Listings and Price Lists

List of Materials
 MATERIALS QUANTITY PRICE TOTAL

Arduino Uno 1 pc Borrowed N/A

Male-Female Connector 1 pc Borrowed N/A

LED 3 pcs Borrowed N/A

LCD Display 1 pc Borrowed N/A

Breadboard 1 pc Borrowed N/A

Sound Sensor 2 pcs P 300.00 P 300.00

TOTAL P 300.00
 APPENDIX B
Program Listing

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
LiquidCrystal lcd(7,8,10,11,12,13);

int num_Measure = 128 ; // Set the number of measurements

int pinSignal = A1; // pin connected to pin O module sound sensor

int redLed = 5;

long Sound_signal; // Store the value read Sound Sensor

long sum = 0 ; // Store the total value of n measurements

long level = 0 ; // Store the average value

int soundlow = 80;

int soundmedium = 110;

int soundSensor = 2;

int LED = 3;

void setup ()

pinMode (pinSignal, INPUT); // Set the signal pin as input

Serial.begin (9600);

lcd.begin(16,2);
 pinMode (4, OUTPUT);

pinMode (3, OUTPUT);

pinMode (2, OUTPUT);

void loop ()

// Performs 128 signal readings

for ( nti = 0 ; i <num_Measure; i ++)

Sound_signal = analogRead (pinSignal);

sum =sum + Sound_signal;

level = sum / num_Measure; // Calculate the average value

Serial.print(“Sound Level: “);

lcd.print(“Sound Level= “);

Serial.println (level-133);
lcd.print(level-133);

if(level-133<soundlow)

lcd.setCursor(0,2);

lcd.print(“Intensity= Low”);

digitalWrite(redLed,LOW);

digitalWrite(4, 0);

digitalWrite(3, 0);

digitalWrite(2, 1);

if(level-133>soundlow && level-133<soundmedium)

lcd.setCursor(0,2);

lcd.print(“Intensity=Medium”);

digitalWrite(redLed,LOW);

digitalWrite(4, 0);
 digitalWrite(3, 1);

digitalWrite(2, 1);

if(level-133>soundmedium)

lcd.setCursor(0,2);

lcd.print(“Intensity= High”);

digitalWrite(redLed,HIGH);

digitalWrite(4, 1);

digitalWrite(3, 1);

digitalWrite(2, 1);

sum = 0 ; // Reset the sum of the measurement values

delay(200);

lcd.clear();

}
APPENDIX C
Documentation
Assembling a simple sound circuit with LED to
test if the sensor is working properly. Uploading the code to the device

Sensor is working properly (LED glows when

Assembling the final device with LED and LCD
sound is detected).
display.
The device is working properly with sound level
Experiment: Stomping.
and Intensity.
Experiment: Shouting Experiment: Clapping

APPENDIX D
Connection Diagram
APPENDIX E
Gantt Chart