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Abstract:

This thesis presents the development of an embedded acquisition device and its use for the real-time sonification of Alternating Current (AC) power system parameter variations. Specifically, a fully custom Printed Circuit Board (PCB) was designed and manufactured. The electronics/ firmware design, development and manufacturing of the embedded system are outlined in detail. The designed system measures the voltage waveform from a North American household AC outlet (120 V/60 Hz) along with the current waveform flowing through any configurable AC devices/appliances with a maximum current rating of 15 A. From the measured current and voltage waveforms further AC mains parameters are extracted which are discussed in detail within the thesis. Using the measured parameters, various sonification methods were developed and are computed by the designed embedded system. The measured parameters are mapped to (Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) signals which are played through MIDI instruments. Multi-channel MIDI is presented with various AC parameters controlling multiple different instruments in parallel including software synthesizers and drum kit samplers. Sonification examples are presented displaying the various introduced sonification methods. Finally, an exploratory evaluation of the full system was made where electrical engineers evaluated several sonification strategies, providing feedback on the initial research and suggestions for future applications.

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IDMIL Participants:

• Patrick Cowden

Additional Information:

PatCowden_MAthesis_Final