This is only a preview of the January 2022 issue of Practical Electronics. You can view 0 of the 72 pages in the full issue. Articles in this series:
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The MiniHEART
Miniat re Heartbeat Sim lator
Give a favourite soft toy a beating heart! With both soft sound and a real
beat, it could relax a baby, puppy or kitten for sleeping, or even help you
sleep better yourself. All are possible with the MiniHeart!
M
any newborns – human babies as well as
pets – are unsettled when left alone to sleep. They
miss their mum, and it’s lonely and frightening
for them. Just being able to cuddle up to the sound of a
heartbeat can help with their anxiety.
The MiniHeart is a small gizmo that produces a low-level
soothing heartbeat sound, mimicking that of a real heart.
The beat rate can be adjusted so that it more accurately
matches the rate of the heart it is to emulate, while a timer
will shut off the heartbeat after a set time.
The unit is switched on and off with a toggle switch
with the actuating lever only protruding slightly
outside the box. This is to prevent any injury to a
baby. It is fully enclosed into a plastic case that clips together, and we have added extra screw supports to make
sure it stays shut. That way, the two internal AAA cells will
not be easily accessed to cause a choking hazard.
We recommend enclosing the device into a cloth bag that
is sewn or zippered shut. That provides an extra margin of
choke hazard safety which is necessary when used with a
baby. We should point out that the simulated heartbeat is
not a loud sound – it is not meant to be.
By
J ohn
Clarke
24
It is more like the subtle sound of a real beating heart;
it needs to be placed close to the ear, and is felt more than
heard. Think of it as a tiny heart, but in a rounded rectangular prism shape.
A loud heartbeat sound would require a large loudspeaker, properly baffled to produce bass, along with an
amplifier with a reasonable amount of power. Neither of
these are a feature of our MiniHeart simulator (but could
be added externally).
Heart sounds
When listening to a heartbeat, you will hear two distinct,
separate sounds, often called a ‘lub’ and a ‘dub’. These two
sounds are produced by the closing of heart valves required
to pump blood efficiently.
You’ve almost certainly seen the classic heartbeat
waveform shown on an electrocardiogram (ECG). These
are the electrical signals sent to the heart muscles, and
when monitored with electrodes on the skin, are useful
for diagnosing heart problems. Electrode readings do not
represent the sounds and vibrations made by the heart;
heartbeat sounds are heard using a stethoscope.
The MiniHeart block diagram is shown in Fig.1. Microcontroller IC1 produces a heartbeat waveform in the
form of a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal. The
pulse rate is 31.25kHz, and the pulse width is varied to
produce a smoothed lower-frequency waveform after
passing through a low-pass filter. This removes the
high-frequency signals so that only the heartbeat
waveform remains.
Fig.2 shows how a PWM signal is used to produce a lower-frequency, smooth waveform. The
red waveform is the PWM output from the microcontroller, IC1, while the green waveform is
its average value after filtering out the PWM
pulse frequency. For convenience, we show
a sinewave, although any wave shape could
be generated.
If the PWM signal has a 50% duty cycle,
ie, an equal period of being high and
low, then the filtered voltage will sit
mid-way between the high and low
voltage levels.
To produce a higher voltage, the
PWM signal duty cycle is altered so that
the period while high is longer than the
period when low (ie, duty cycle > 50%).
Conversely, for a lower voltage, the
PWM period is kept low for longer than it is
high (duty cycle <50%).
The green wave shows the signal that appears after the
low-pass filter has removed all of the higher frequencies.
Note that this PWM signal is a representation only – in
Practical Electronics | January | 2022
FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS
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Fig.1: this block diagram shows that the MiniHeart is quite simple, using
just a microcontroller and a Class-D amplifier chip to produce the sound.
A basic RC low-pass filter turns the PWM output of the micro into an
analogue signal for the amp, while ferrite beads and capacitors reduce
EMI from the Class-D drive to the speaker
reality, the frequency of the PWM signal is very much
higher (around 700 times higher!) than the sinewave
shown and cannot be reproduced to scale on the diagram.
Overleaf, we show the various scope waveforms for the
MiniHeart. Scope1-Scope3 show the general operation.
Scope1 shows a few periods of the PWM signal at around
31kHz (25µs timebase). Scope2 and Scope3 (10ms timebase)
are the ‘lub’ and ‘dub’ signals produced after filtering the
PWM signal.
Scope4 shows a single heartbeat with both the ‘lub’ and
‘dub’ waveforms, while Scope5 shows two heartbeats, with
the pause between each heartbeat visible.
The period between each heartbeat, the frequency of the
‘lub’ and ‘dub’ waveforms and the period between the ‘lub’
and ‘dub’ waveforms have a small amount of randomness
added. This is to prevent the heartbeat from sounding too
artificial. It simulates the variation in heartbeat rate and
timing of a real heart.
These waveforms are fed to a tiny Class-D (ie, switching)
amplifier that’s usually used in mobile phones and it is designed to be highly efficient. It drives the small loudspeaker
in bridge mode, to maximise the power output from the
limited 3V DC supply. The loudspeaker is weighted, ie,
the speaker cone has a weight attached to it. This is so that
low-frequency vibrations will be heard and felt.
Circuit details
The full circuit is shown in Fig.3. At its heart (!) is a
PIC12F617 microcontroller, IC1. Its master clear (MCLR)
input, pin 4, is tied to the 3V supply rail via a 10kΩ resistor
to provide a power-up reset function.
IC1 applies 3V across adjustment trimpot VR1 via its GP5
digital output; this is only brought high when the trimpot
position is monitored via IC1’s AN3 analogue input (pin
3). After the GP5 output is brought high, to 3V, the voltage
at AN3 is converted to a digital value via IC1’s internal
analogue-to-digital converter (ADC). Once the value is read,
the GP5 output goes low again (0V) to conserve power.
Jumper link JP1 can be placed in one of two positions;
position 1 where GP1 is pulled to 0V, or position 2 where
GP1 is pulled to the 3V supply. When in position 1, trimpot
VR1 adjusts the heartbeat rate. When in position 2, VR1
adjusts the timeout period. The heartbeat rate can be set
from 42 to 114 beats per minute (BPM). The timeout can
be set between two minutes and four hours.
The heartbeat rate can be adjusted while the heartbeat is
being generated, but the timeout is only checked at powerup. So after charging timeout value via VR1, power must be
switched off and on again for the new timeout to take effect.
The heartbeat generation switches off after the set timeout
period. This conserves power in case it is left switched on.
Note that if JP1 is removed then the pin 6 GP1 input
is not held high or low. The voltage can float at a voltage
Practical Electronics | January | 2022
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Compact size
Adjustable volume
Adjustable timeout and heart rate
Flashing LED synchronised with the heartbeat
On/off power switch
Power: two AAA cells (nominally 3V), operating
down to below 2.5V
Current draw: 10mA average during operation,
500nA standby (typical)
Timeout: adjustable from two minutes to four hours
Heartbeat rate: 42 to 114 BPM
Rate randomness: about 15% variation
Sound frequency: 45Hz-51Hz (with a 2Hz
randomness)
Waveform generation method: PWM <at> 31.25kHz
Waveform sampling rate: approximately 1kHz
anywhere between 0V and 3V. This can lead to high current
consumption in IC1, reducing cell life, as digital inputs are
supposed to be in one state or the other.
So IC1 checks for this condition by changing GP1 to an
output and setting it to a high level for 1ms. The 1kΩ resistor charges the 100nF capacitor to 3V. Then GP1 is changed
to an input, and the level is checked. If the input voltage
remains high, then there is either a jumper in position 2
pulling the input high, or there is no jumper, and the input
is held high via the charged 100nF capacitor.
This test is repeated with a low output. If the level
changed, then JP1 is inserted. To prevent the floating input
condition, GP1 is changed to a low (0V) output and left like
that, minimising power consumption.
Heartbeat generation
IC1 uses its internal 8MHz oscillator to generate the
31.25kHz PWM signal at output pin 5. This is fed to a twostage RC low-pass filter. The first stage comprises a 10kΩ
resistor and 100nF capacitor to give a −3dB roll-off at 159Hz.
The second stage has the same roll-off frequency but uses
a 100kΩ resistor with a 10nF capacitor. These components
give an impedance which is 10 times that of the first stage
filter, minimising the loading on the first stage due to the
second stage. The filtered signal is fed to volume control
trimpot VR2 and then to the non-inverting input, pin 3, of
amplifier IC2 via a 1µF capacitor and 27kΩ resistor.
IC2 is a TPA2005D1 Class-D (ie, switching) amplifier in
a tiny SMD package, measuring only 3 × 5mm. It is specifically designed for use in mobile phones where its high
efficiency is crucial. The block diagram of the TPA2005D1
is shown in Fig.4.
RED WAVEFORM = PWM (PULSE WIDTH MODULATION) SIGNAL
GREEN WAVEFORM = SYNTHESISED SINEWAVE (AFTER LOW-PASS FILTERING)
Fig.2: this shows how a high-frequency pulse-widthmodulated ‘square wave’ can be fed through a low-pass filter
to produce a smoothly varying, lower-frequency arbitrary
waveform (shown in green). The instantaneous voltage of
the green waveform equals the average voltage of the red
waveform. In reality, the pulse frequency would be much
higher in comparison to the reconstructed waveform.
25
SC MINIHEART
MiniHeart
Heartbeat
Simulator
HEARTBEAT
SIMULATOR
Fig.3: the full MiniHeart Simulator circuit is not much more complicated than the block diagram.
Here you can see the detail of the second-order low-pass filter, the AC-coupling capacitors to the
inputs of IC2 and the series resistors which set its gain. LED1 responds to the average voltage
delivered to the speaker, so it starts to light once sound is being produced.
(FB1 and FB2) plus 1nF shunting capacitors to reduce
electromagnetic interference (EMI).
It has differential inputs to an internal amplifier that drives
the PWM section at a switching frequency of 250kHz, set
by the internal oscillator. The PWM section then feeds an
H-bridge circuit for driving an external loudspeaker.
The data sheet for the TPA2005 highlights two interesting
points. The first is its high CMRR (common-mode rejection ratio) which supposedly eliminates the need for input
coupling capacitors. But this high CMRR only applies if
the amplifier is used in balanced mode, with both inputs
at the same DC level.
In our circuit, we are using it in unbalanced mode, with
the inverting input grounded (via the 1µF capacitor), so
we need to use two input capacitors. The 27kΩ resistor for
the non-inverting input, in conjunction with the internal
150kΩ feedback resistor, sets amplifier gain at about 5.5
times. Since the amplifier is a bridge type, the overall gain
is double that, ie, 11 times.
The second interesting point is that the TPA2005 can run
without an output filter that would usually be required to
remove the 250kHz switching signal. That is, provided the
output leads are kept short. Even so, we use ferrite beads
Power supply
Power is from two series AAA cells to provide a nominal
3V supply, switched on or off by power switch S1. A 100µF
capacitor bypasses the switched supply with a 1µF ceramic
capacitor close to IC2’s supply rails, and a 100nF capacitor
at IC1’s supply rails.
Diode D1 is included to protect against component damage if the cells are inserted with reversed polarity. In that
case, the diode will conduct and limit the negative voltage
to the circuit. The disadvantage is that this will quickly
drain the cells, but presumably, you would notice that the
device is not working and fix it straight away.
The alternative protection method, with a diode in
series with the supply, drops too much voltage for this
application. Even a Schottky type, with its lower forward
voltage, would not be suitable and we can’t justify the
cost of a MOSFET in this role (which would have a lower
voltage drop again).
Scope1: this shows just over seven periods of the ~32kHz
PWM signal that is produced at pin 5 of IC1. The signal
swing is 3V peak-to-peak, and the timebase is 25µs.
Scope2: this ‘lub’ signal reproduces a a real heartbeat sound,
produced by filtering the PWM waveform, measured at the
wiper of VR2. Note the longer timebase used here (10ms/div).
26
Practical Electronics | January | 2022
Indication
LED1 lights simultaneously with the lub/
dub sounds and is driven via the VOoutput of IC2. With no signal, this output
sits at an average of 1.5V. This is derived
by an RC low-pass filter (2.2kΩ/100nF)
from the 250kHz square wave signal at
pin 8 of IC2. It swings between 0V and
3V with a 50% duty cycle when idle.
The LED lights when this voltage rises
above the usual LED forward voltage of
around 1.8V, and that happens when the
duty cycle of the pin 8 output increases
above 60%.
VDD
INTERNAL
OSCILLATOR
+
IN –
VO+
–
DIFFERENTIAL
INPUT
PWM
SHUTDOWN
H-BRIDGE
VO–
+
–
TO
BATTERY
IN +
BIAS
CIRCUITRY
GND
Saving power
Since the device is powered from AAA
TPA2005D1
cells, we need to minimise power usage to conserve cell life. Typically, the
Fig.4: the internal block diagram of the TPA2005 Class-D audio amplifier IC.
circuit draws an average of 10mA when
Its differential inputs go to a balanced analogue amplifier and then onto a
producing the heartbeat. However, once
PWM modulator which drives a MOSFET H-bridge, and that in turn drives the
the timeout period has ended, the current
speaker. This provides high efficiency and plenty of power from a low supply
needs to drop to a very low level until
voltage. As shown, it can drive a speaker in Class-D mode without a filter.
the unit is switched off.
This is achieved in several ways. First, as already men- liquid flux, if you don’t have paste), position IC2 carefully
tioned, there is no voltage across VR1 most of the time. over its pads, then tack-solder pin 4 to its pad.
Also, after the timeout period expires, microcontroller
Check that the IC is still aligned with the PCB pads on
IC1 is placed in sleep mode and only draws about 150nA. both sides; remelt the solder if required. If all is OK, solder
Amplifier IC2 is also switched off by IC1 taking the GP0 the remaining corner pins and then pins 2, 3, 6 and 7. Use
output low, which connects to its SDWN (shutdown) input. solder wick to remove any solder that bridges between
IC2 then draws around 500nA. We measured a 500nA cur- the IC pins.
rent for the whole heartbeat circuit when in shutdown on
IC2 also has a ground pad that needs to be soldered to the
our prototype (half a microamp!). The cells should last for PCB. This can be done by feeding solder from the underside
their shelf life with such a small current drain.
of the PCB, through the hole positioned under the IC. Use
minimal solder to prevent the solder from spreading out
Construction
and shorting to the IC leads.
The MiniHeart Simulator is built on a double-sided, platedThe flux you added earlier will help this solder flow onto
through PCB coded 01109201 which measures 70 × 73mm the pad on the underside of the IC.
and available from the PE PCB Service. It is housed in an
Now install the resistors and surface-mount capacitors.
80 × 80 × 20mm vented plastic enclosure.
These components are located on both sides of the PCB. The
Fig.5 shows the PCB component overlays. Begin by capacitors are usually unmarked except on their packaging.
fitting the SMD Class-D amplifier chip, IC2. It requires a
The resistors will probably be marked with a small code,
very fine soldering iron tip and, ideally, a lit gooseneck as shown in the parts list. The first few digits indicate the
or desktop magnifier (a good LED headband magnifier resistance value, followed by the number of extra zeroes in
also works well).
the last position. So for example, a 1kΩ resistor will have
Identify its pin 1 dot under magnification, then orient the code 102 or 1001. That is a 10 followed by two zeros,
it as shown in Fig.5, with pin 1 towards the speaker hole. or 100 followed by one zero. For 10kΩ, the code will be
Add some flux paste to the middle of the central pad (or 103 or 1002, and so on.
Scope3: this is the ‘dub’ signal measured identically to the
‘lub’ signal shown in Scope2. Again, it is a reproduction of
a real heartbeat sound.
Practical Electronics | January | 2022
Scope4: a single heartbeat sound with both the ‘lub’ and
‘dub’ waveform. You can see their slightly different shapes
and amplitudes, and the delay between them.
27
Scope5: two heartbeats as shown in Scope4. With this
slower timebase, you can also see the delay between beats.
Next, fit diode D1, taking care to orient it correctly. Then
mount ferrite beads FB1 and FB2 by first feeding tinned
copper wire through the centre hole, then inserting and
soldering these to the PCB pads. Keep the wire taught when
soldering to prevent the beads from being loose.
We used a socket for IC1 in case we ever want to remove
it for reprogramming. Take care to orient the socket correctly (notch toward the PCB edge).
Trimpots VR1 and VR2 can be mounted now. Take care
to place the 10kΩ trimpot in the VR1 position and the
100kΩ trimpot in the VR2 position. Then fit three-way
header JP1 with the shorter ends of the pins through
the PCB holes.
Power switch (S1) is installed in the position shown. The
switch we used differs slightly from the one in the parts list
in that the actuator is longer on the recommended switch.
The positioning of the switch has therefore been moved
further from the edge of the PCB. That way, the switch
actuator will protrude from the case by the same amount
as shown on our prototype.
LED1 mounts with the anode (longer lead) in the hole
marked ‘A’. Solder it so that the top of the lens is 11mm
above the top edge of the PCB
For the AAA cell holders, bend the wire terminals so
that they stick out the sides of the holder, then bend them
up to feed the leads through the holes on the PCB from the
underside, and solder them on the top. The cell holders need
to be oriented correctly, as shown on the overlay diagram.
The base of the cell holders should be positioned so that
they sit on the enclosure base when the PCB is seated on
the four mounting posts. That means that the bottom of the
cell holders will be lower than the bottom edge of the PCB.
Next, fit the 100µF capacitor. Insert its leads with the
longer lead through the hole marked ‘+’, then lie it over,
so the capacitor body is between the LED and AAA cell
holder. It must be no higher than 11mm above the top edge
of the PCB. That will allow the lid to fit.
The two PC stakes for the loudspeaker connections can
now be installed with the shorter end inserted into the
PCB from the top side.
At this stage, don’t plug in the PIC microprocessor (IC1).
You need to program the firmware (0110920A.hex) which
can be loaded from the January 2022 page of the PE website.
Housing
Press the side clips into the case lid to release it from the
baseplate. Locating flanges insert into one edge of the lid
also secure it in place.
The PCB is designed to be mounted onto the integral
standoffs on the base of the case. There is only one correct
orientation, and that is with the two notches along the top
edge of the PCB fitting into the case lid locating flanges on
the base plate. The PCB is secured with small self-tapping
screws into the standoffs.
We attach two 9mm-long M3 tapped spacers to the PCB
to allow the lid to be screwed down. This is in addition to
the side clips on the cover that hold it in place. Two screws
then go into the standoffs from the outside of the lid. Attach
these spacers by feeding short machine screws through the
underside of the PCB into the two corner holes, then tighten
the tapped spacers onto the screw shafts.
Parts List – MiniHeart Heartbeat Simulator
1 double-sided, plated-through PCB coded 01109201,
70 x 73mm, available from the PE PCB Service
1 Hammond 1151V4 vented enclosure, 80 x 80 x 20mm [Jaycar
HB6118]
2 AAA PCB-mount cell holders
2 AAA alkaline cells
1 40mm diameter Mylar cone loudspeaker [Jaycar AS3004]
1 PCB-mount SPDT toggle switch (S1) [Altronics S1421]
1 8-pin DIL IC socket
2 ferrite beads, 4mm diameter and 5mm long (FB1,FB2)
[Altronics L5250A, Jaycar LF1250]
1 3-way header, 2.54mm pitch with jumper shunt (JP1)
2 9mm-long M3 tapped spacers
2 M3 x 6mm panhead machine screws
4 No.4 self-tapping screws
2 M3 x 6mm nylon machine screws (countersunk head preferred)
1 M8 marine-grade 316 stainless non-magnetic steel nut
(6.35mm tall)
1 40mm length of 0.7mm diameter tinned copper wire
(for FB1 and FB2)
1 100mm length of light-gauge hookup wire
(or 2-way ribbon cable or figure-8)
1 small tube of neutral-cure silicone sealant
(eg, roof and gutter silicone)
28
Semiconductors
1 PIC12F617-I/P microcontroller programmed with
0110920A.hex (IC1)
1 TPA2005D1DGNRQ1 1.4W mono filter-free Class-D
amplifier (IC2)
1 1N5404 3A diode (D1)
1 3mm high-brightness red LED (LED1)
Capacitors
1 100µF 16V PC electrolytic
3 1µF 6.3V SMD M3216/1206 X7R# ceramic
4 100nF 50V SMD M3216/1206 X7R ceramic
1 10nF 50V SMD M3216/1206 X7R ceramic
2 1nF 50V SMD M3216/1206 X7R ceramic
Resistors (all 1% SMD M3216/1206)
1 100kΩ (code 1003 or 104)
2 27kΩ (code 2702 or 273)
2 10kΩ (code 1002 or 103)
1 2.2kΩ (code 2201 or 222)
1 1kΩ (code 1001 or 102)
1 10kΩ mini horizontal trimpot (VR1)
1 100kΩ mini horizontal trimpot (VR2)
# a Y5V type was found to work in our prototype
but X5R or X7R is a better choice
Practical Electronics | January | 2022
Fig.5: these (and the
matching photos below),
show where components
are mounted on both
sides of the PCB. It’s
generally best to fit
all the SMDs to the
top side (and possibly
also the bottom side)
before moving on
to the through-hole
components due to
their small size and
low height. Note how
the speaker is oriented
so that its terminals fit
through the provided
board cut-out, and also
how the cell holder
wires are bent to fit the
PCB pads, fed in through
the underside and
soldered on top.
IC1 is a normal 8-pin
DIP . . . but IC2 (a
TPA2005D1DGNRQ1)
is tiny (it’s shown
below about life size).
A word of warning:
don’t sneeze or turn
a fan on if you ever
want to see it again!
The template (Fig.6) shows the position of the two holes
required for the securing screws. It also shows the locations
for the LED hole and the two trimpot adjustment access
holes. The holes for the trimpots are optional; you can omit
them if you’re happy to open the case if you need to make
any adjustments.
The lid panel artwork (Fig.7) is also available for download from he January 2022 page of the PE website
Testing
Place a shorting link in JP1’s position 1 and connect two
wires, about 80mm long, to the two PC stakes under the
PCB in readiness to solder to the miniature 8Ω speaker. We
used two wires stripped from rainbow cable; mini figure-8
would also work well as well as separate hookup wires.
The loudspeaker mounts on top of the PCB with the
speaker terminals in the cut-out area. The wires connect
to the speaker terminals from the underside of the PCB.
For the moment, the speaker will be loose.
Insert the two AAA cells and switch on the power. Check
there is about 3V between pins 1 and 8 of IC1’s socket.
Disconnect power and insert the programmed PIC in its socket,
making sure it is oriented correctly (the notch toward the edge of
the PCB). Reapply power and the speaker should start to move
in response to the ‘lub dub’ sound. If not, make sure that VR2
is adjusted at least partly clockwise. Adjust further clockwise
for more sound.
Practical Electronics | January | 2022
Note that the sound will have an approximate 1kHz background tone. That’s because, even though this tone is filtered
out in the circuitry, the speaker is much more efficient at
producing 1kHz compared to the approximately 47Hz ‘lub
dub’ sounds. Also note that you won’t really hear the ‘lub
dub’ sound, but you will feel it if you place a finger at the
centre of the loudspeaker cone.
The loudspeaker cone needs to be weighted to make the
heartbeat audible and to prevent the reproduction of higher
frequency tones. To do this, we use an M8 stainless steel
(non-magnetic) nut as a weight on the speaker cone. A nonmagnetic nut must be used; otherwise, the speaker cone
would be pressed against the magnet of the speaker by the nut.
We get away with this because the speaker cone is made
from Mylar and so it is quite strong. This means that the
central speaker coil is still centred within the magnet gap
even with extra mass.
To attach the nut, apply a smear of neutral-cure silicone
sealant (roof and gutter silicone is ideal) to one side of the nut
and affix centrally on the speaker cone. Additional silicone
is required to fill the inside of the nut, making sure it is filled
down to the cone. Keep the silicone flush with the top face
of the nut. Also apply a thin layer around the speaker cone.
It’s also a good idea to secure the ferrite beads (FB1 and
FB2) using some of the silicone to hold them to the PCB.
Only a small amount is necessary. This will prevent them
from rattling and adding obscure sounds to the heartbeat.
29
i
n
i
M
e
h
T
HEART
Fig.7: the ‘front
panel’ artwork,
which has a
hole provided
for the LED.
You can
download a
PDF of this
artwork from
the January
2022 page of the
PE website.
SILICON CHIP
Fig.6: this drilling diagram shows the locations of the 3mm
LED hole, two 3mm lid attachment holes (along the bottom)
and optional holes to access the adjustment trimpots
without having to remove the lid.
Likewise, the loudspeaker is secured to the PCB with
some silicone around the central magnet, where it fits into
the PCB hole.
Note that the speaker needs to be positioned correctly, with
the wire entry points positioned over the PCB cut-out and with
the back of the speaker magnet resting on the base of the case.
The PCB should be temporarily positioned on the integral
standoffs in the case while the silicone cures. This way, the
speaker will be at the correct height above the PCB.
Your best bet since MAPLIN
Chock-a-Block with Stock
www.siliconchip.com.au
Using it
Adjust the timeout period so that the heartbeat sound lasts
for the length of time you require. This is done with JP1 in
position 2. To do this, move JP1 into position 2 with the
power off and set the required time. Full clockwise adjustment of VR1 gives a 4-hour timeout. The mid position is
two hours and mid-way between fully anticlockwise and
mid-way is about one hour.
Set the timeout and then switch on the power. The timeout
period will be recorded. Any further adjustment of VR1 with
the power on will be ignored. It is only the setting of VR1
at power-up when JP1 is in position 2 that is recorded. The
setting is stored in non-volatile Flash memory and remembered for use next time.
When jumper 1 is in position 1, the heartbeat rate can
be adjusted. This can be changed with power on, from 42
to 114 beats per minute. The setting is also stored in Flash
memory, and the last setting will be used should the unit
be powered up with JP1 in position 2.
The volume is set using VR2. However, the drive to the
loudspeaker will become distorted if VR2 is rotated too far
clockwise, so a position less than halfway clockwise should
be used.
Reproduced by arrangement with
SILICON CHIP magazine 2021.
www.siliconchip.com.au
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4 0 - 4 2 C r i ck lewood B r oa dwa y
L on don N W 2 3 E T
This view shows how the PCB is secured to the case lid but
more importantly, shows the ‘damper’ glued to the mica
speaker diaphragm (in this case, a stainless steel nut).
Don’t be tempted to use a mild steel nut: they’re magnetic
and will not work in this role.
Practical Electronics | January | 2022
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