Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Summer 2001
Project Summary
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Research Experiences for Undergraduates Summer 2001 Project Summary |
Project Title: Development of an Audio Amplifier Suitable for
Construction by Non-Science Majors
Student Name: Lynette Wehmer
Student’s home institution: Hope College
Research Advisor(s): Dr. John Krupczak
Source of Support: NSF-REU
The purpose of this work is the development of an amplifier that can
be built by non-science majors enrolled in the Science and Technology of
Everyday Life class. The amplifier should allow the simple radio
built by the students to play thought a homemade speaker that is also constructed
by these students. The amplifier design requirements include power
from one 9 V battery, utilization of a single-transistor pre-amp, a low
cost so that each student to keep the amplifier, uncomplicated assembly.
Several design options were developed and evaluated. The final design
uses a low cost MPS 6515 transistor for the first amplification stage.
An LM 386 audio amplifier integrated circuit provides the necessary power
amplification. The design as implemented on the printed circuit board
offers the necessary high gain with excellent stability against feedback
and noise. The electrical characteristics and compact size are achieved
while maintaining a configuration of components which facilitates an understanding
of the working principles by the non-science major. An investigation
of solar powered operation was also conducted for this device. It
was established that solar power operation would be feasible using inexpensive
and durable thin-film photovoltaic technology.
Slide show of Lynette Wehmer's work