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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities Multiversity Library

provides an atmosphere that is beneficial for the use of the students in terms of studying,

research, and more. It gives the students to explore different learnings, experience new

ideas, and get lost in wonderful stories while at the same time, providing a sense of place

for gathering. The FAITH Colleges Multiversity Library is a unique and valuable

resource. However, the numerous complaints of every student that it is noisy in the

college library, gained the attention of the group. Not only the voices are loud, but also

the chairs that are being dragged, the noise produced by turning on the computer, the

footsteps of every student walking in the library, or the loud talking outside the library.

Some of the students spend most of their time in the library to study, and to be

able to concentrate well on reading, writing, studying, and researching, a library should

have an ample amount of light, ventilation, and most of all, a noise-free environment.

Libraries should have quietness, so that noise may not affect students who are focusing

on their studies.

The noise levels in the library made other students think that it is not suitable to
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study in the library. Sometimes, it is hard for the students to concentrate on their exams

because of the noisy students. The discussion rooms in the college library did not help in

eliminating the noise produced by students.

The design will be implemented on an Gizduino X ATMega 1281, since it is the

available microcontroller that the group will be using. The group will be using a

microcontroller to know the input or the output that was given by the microphone and

sound sensor.

Objective of the Study

This research aims to design a noise level indicator in the FAITH Multiversity

Library using Gizduino X ATMega 1281 together with the following objectives:

 To design an efficient noise level indicator inside the FAITH Multiversity

Library

 To effectively sense the noise level that is below 50 dB

 To develop the device using Gizduino X ATMega 1281

 To improve learning and research within a low noise level in the library

Scope and Limitation of the Project

The aim of this research is to design a device that notifies that it is noisy inside

the FAITH Multiversity library, however the design is only limited to the following:
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Noise Limits. The noise level in the FAITH Colleges Multiversity Library shall

not exceed 50 dB. Since the device is a prototype, the noise level distance that was

measured by the group limits to half a meter.

Overlapping speech. Current systems have difficulty separating simultaneous

speech from multiple users. For example, if you try to employ recognition technology in

conversations or meetings where people frequently interrupt each other or talk over one

another, you're likely to get extremely poor result.

Voiced vs. unvoiced sound. The limitation to identify voiced and unvoiced

sounds is also a complex problem on the design due to the fact that there are nearly

unlimited variables comprising the noise of voice. There are no algorithms implemented

on the design to distinguish voiced and unvoiced sound due to limited resources available

for utilization.Natural noises. One example of noises that contributes inside the library is

the air conditioner. This may be considered as noise by the microphone and sound sensor.

Memory capacity. The memory capacity of the Xilinx Spartan 3E XCS500E

FPGA board is not sufficient to store complex algorithm with multiple instantiations. The

design’s complexity have been lowered down to meet the requirements for implementing

the design on the starter board.

Processing speed. The maximum processing speed of the FPGA board that will

be used is 50 MHz and considered limit to the speed of processing data and information.

In addition, the speech signal is essentially analog in nature. Hence, the signals must be

converted to digital data in order to be read and processed during data acquisition. The
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FPGA board has built-in modules that may not be adequate for complex mathematical

operations, thus, limiting the word per unit of time that can be recognized. Program flow

algorithms that will compute for the mathematical signals required have been coded via a

sequential and procedural coding style in Verilog, which also considerably affects the

response of the design. Although this may not be seen in real-time, it still not at par with

processing speeds in comparison to current processors.

Design output. The project output are high signal triggers that is enabled when

the word stated has been recognized by the device. Linked to these high signal trigger

car.

Significance of the Study

This research will be beneficial to the following:

To Students. This study may be helpful to the students and the instructors using

the FAITH Colleges Multiversity Library since the noisy atmosphere in the library will

be notified, thus, making more students and instructors to be satisfied while studying or

doing their studies.

To the Institute. This study will be a great help to the institute to have students

gain more focus on their studies.

To the Future Researchers. This research will be a great help for the future

researchers to innovate, and explore this research more. This research may serve as a

guide for their future researches connecting to this.

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Definitions of Terms

For clearer understanding of the terms used in this research study, below are the

meanings of the following:

 Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). Analog to Digital Converters translate

analog electrical signals for data processing purposes.

 Decibels. They are used to measure sound level, but it is also widely used in

electronics, signals and communication. The dB is a logarithmic way of

describing a ratio. The ratio may be power, sound pressure, voltage or intensity or

several other things.

 LED. Light Emitting Diode is an optical semiconductor that emits light when a

voltage is applied.

 Microcontrollers. They are used in automatically controlled products and

devices, such as automobile engine control systems, implantable medical devices,

remote controls, office machines, appliances, power tools, toys and

other embedded systems. By reducing the size and cost compared to a design that

uses a separate microprocessor, memory, and input/output devices,

microcontrollers make it economical to digitally control even more devices and

processes.

 Noise. Any unwanted sound judged to be unpleasant, loud or disruptive to

hearing.
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 Sound Sensor. Provides an easy way to detect sound and is generally used for

detecting sound intensity.

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CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

According to Abioye Ayodeji Opeyemi (2013), a library is an organized

collection of information resources made accessible to a defined community for reference

or borrowing. It provides physical or digital access to material, and may be a physical

building or room, or a virtual space, or both. A library's collection can include books,

periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, films, maps, prints, documents, microform, CDs,

cassettes, videotapes, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, e-books, audiobooks, databases, and other

formats. Libraries range in size from a few shelves of books to several million items.

Most libraries whilst ensuring that the necessary facilities are available to its users, also

seek to provide an atmosphere conducive enough for research, study and assimilation.

However, noise is a major hindrance to achieving such conducive arrangements in

modern libraries as it has become a rampart issue of note over time. Therefore, measures

need to be taken to help eliminate the problem of noise in our libraries so as to promote

ideal conditions in libraries today.

A research “Library Sound Level Meter” by Nathan David (2014), used a sound

level meter which is digital equipment with the ability to effectively sense, measure,

compare and regulate varying sound levels in a library since we are concerned with the

noise in a library and a means to eliminate it via audio announcement that is incorporated

into the sound level meter. If a sound source of power is turned on in a quiet room (a
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library in this case), sound will travel outward from the source and eventually impinge on

a surface boundary of the room. Some will be absorbed by the boundary and the

remainder will be reflected back into the room. If the sound source is turned off, the

sound in the room will continue to reverberate until the level of acoustic intensity decays

to a value equal to the ambient intensity of the room. With this knowledge, modern

libraries are gradually incorporating the use of sound level meters in their daily operation

to monitor varying sound levels. Features of the Sound Level Meter include Pre-amplifier

stage, Microcontroller, Power amplifier stage, Voice Processor stage, and LCD Display.

Noise in the Library

Noise refers to any unwanted sound or unwanted random additions to a signal as

seen in most electronic designs and signal noise is heard as acoustic noise if the signal is

converted into sound (e.g., played through a loudspeaker). High noise levels can block,

distort, change or interfere with the meaning of a message in human, animal and

electronic communication. "Signal-to-noise ratio" is sometimes used to refer to the ratio

of useful to irrelevant information in an exchange.Noise affects the mind and changes

emotions and behavior in many ways. It interferes with our communication and arouses

our sense of fear. It is overly arousing and presents too high a level of stimulation.[2] The

effects of noise on people in the library are as follows:

 Health Effect: Health is not merely an absence of disease and infirmity.Health is

a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Hardly a day passes

without being subjected to some intruding noise whether inside of the library or
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outside of it. Health is prejudiced by interference with peace of mind, privacy,

work or pleasure. Continued research is being performed to relate psychological

and physiological effect of noise on man.

 Performance Effect: It is likely that any new sound or change in an existing

sound may result in at least momentary distraction and this may impair a person’s

ability to perform some tasks. Reading in the libraries is most prone to

disturbances since it has a little margin for error, requires interaction with more

than one source or sensing channel.

Typically, the impairment in the libraries in the presence of noise takes the form

of signals (points) being missed, increased error in response (assimilation) and prolonged

assimilation time. High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects in humans, a

rise in blood pressure, and an increase in stress and vasoconstriction, and an increased

incidence of coronary artery disease.

Sound Level Meter

Sound level is not a measure of loudness, as loudness is a subjective factor and

depends on the characteristics of the ear of the listener. In the early 1970s, as concern

about noise pollution increased, accurate, versatile, portable noise-measuring instruments

were developed. Noise control in a library is of utmost importance, since the basic aim of

a library is to provide a conducive environment for its users to conduct research and

study. This project looks to eliminate the presence of an administrative presence

designated the role of noise control as in the past. Therefore, the essence of having an
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automated sound level system is to reduce the possibility that the personnel-in-charge

might cause some kind of noise whilst trying to alert library users to their increasing

sound level. Consequently, a sound level meter is simply a device with audio-frequency

sensing capabilities that is controlled essentially by a microcontroller in turn measuring,

comparing and regulating audio signals all in a bid to reduce noise level in a library as

well as maintain a stable audio frequency throughout the library environment. The sound

level meter measures sound level in decibels (dB; a logarithmic unit used to measure the

sound intensity) and it can be used for activities such as environmental noise studies,

sound level comparisons, investigating room acoustics, sound isolation modeling and

sound propagation modeling amongst many others.[3] A typical meter consists of a

microphone for picking up the sound and converting it into an electrical signal, followed

by electronic circuitry for operating on this signal so that the desired characteristics can

be measured. Sound meters are usually fitted with a filter whose response to frequency is

almost like that of the human ear. Sound level meters are usually digital these days,

although there are some analog units of older designs still available. With the lower cost

units for simple measurements, many find the analog sound level meter to be easier to

use, you can see by eye the variations in level and average it out yourself. More

instruments that are expensive tend to be “integrating”, which does this job for you.

Digital displays also allow a wider span to be shown whilst still giving the necessary

decibel resolution therefore it is easier (and cheaper) to monitor sound level digitally.
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Signal-to-noise ratio

It is defined as the ratio of the power of a signal (meaningful information) and the

power of background noise (unwanted signal):

where P is average power. Both signal and noise power must be measured at the same or

equivalent points in a system, and within the same system bandwidth.

If the variance of the signal and noise are known, and the signal and noise are both zero-

mean, SNR can be:

If the signal and the noise are measured across the same impedance, the SNR can be

obtained by calculating the square of the amplitude ratio:

where A is root mean square (RMS) amplitude (for example, RMS voltage).
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Decibels

Because many signals have a very wide dynamic range, signals are often

expressed using the logarithmic decibel scale. Based upon the definition of decibel, signal

and noise may be expressed in decibels (dB) as

and

In a similar manner, SNR may be expressed in decibels as

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CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design

In this chapter, the device “Noise Level Indicator” will be translated into a

representation of system using the prescriptive method.

Figure 3.1 Noise Level Indicator Prescriptive Model

The first design process shown in Figure 3.1 is the requirement analysis.

Requirement analysis plays a vital role in the design process since it lets the group know

more about the problem and how to solve the problem. Next process is the design, where

the group represented the system using design techniques such as ASMD Chart, Block

Diagram and Schematic Diagram. The third process is the implementation and coding.

The group translated the design into a programming language using C/C++.
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Methods of Data Collection

Collection of data is important to a study since it can provide evidence and make

use of the data that is gathered in this study. The researchers used data collection

techniques: Primary and Secondary. The primary technique in data collection is by

interviewing the respondents, while the secondary technique used in data collection is by

collecting the information from websites.

Generation of Alternatives

For further understanding of the Noise Level Indicator, a design alternative was

considered. The design alternative that was generated in the device was to use a different

programming language.

Evaluation of Alternatives

The main objective of the alternatives is to know which design has the most

accurate output. The main design was chosen since there were no other microcontrollers

who use different programming languages.

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CHAPTER IV

TECHNICAL STUDY

PROJECT DESIGN

Block Diagram of the Design

The noise-level indicator for multiversity library is composed of on/off switch

that acts as an active high reset, a microphone and sound sensor which is the significant

input of the design and outputs the sound intensity of the noise detected. This intensity

will be shown in two seven segment LED displays. Moreover, when it exceeds at 50,

LED’S will turn on at the same time.

Figure 4.1. Block Diagram for Noise-level Indicator

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Figure 4.2. ASMD Chart for Noise-level Indicator

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Figure 4.3. Schematic Diagram for Noise-level Indicator assembled in Arduino

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CHAPTER V

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

The principal purpose of testing is to detect and correct the software malfunctions.

The group bought the materials needed to build a Noise Level Indicator using Gizduino X

ATMega 1281. After writing the codes, the researchers tested the hardware inside the

FAITH Colleges Multiversity Library.

The group verify and test the results using the Arduino microcontroller code for

the overall hardware components.

The double pole double throw rocker switch is a three terminal switch that is used to turn

on and turn off the research project.

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The microphone sound sensor module is a sound detector that has two possible

inputs, the analog and the digital. The researchers used the analog input since every value

in the step time is needed.

The seven segment display used is a common anode, which means it has inverted

output. The segment shows the read noise level. It is verified to be correct as it shows the

same output as the serial monitor.

The specifications stated that LEDs will turn on if the sound detected is greater than 50

decibel. The Arduino serial monitor shows the level of sound detected. After several
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tests, the hardware components and the Arduino microcontroller verify that the scope and

limitations were meet correctly.

CHAPTER VI

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary

The Arduino microcontroller are able to read, control and project output of the

sensors and different hardware components. The researchers were able to use the

microcontroller to lessen the noise in the Faith Multiversity Library. Through the sound

sensor module, noise level were identify. The Arduino serial monitor and the seven

segment display shows the noise level detected in decibels. Through the help of Arduino

and microphone sound sensor module the design specifications were meet.

Conclusions
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The Noise level indicator in the Faith Multiversity Library will be of great help to

help students study peacefully and quietly. Also after doing the study, the group

concludes that in order for the sound sensor to properly function, a good signal-to-noise

ratio must be develop.

Recommendation

For the development of this study, the following recommendations were met by

the researchers:

 The FAITH’s College of Engineering should encourage Electronics and

Computer Engineering based project like Noise Level Indicator

 Lectures that are related to this study should be more practical and simple to

understand without avoiding its complexity.

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CHAPTER VI

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary

Conclusions

Recommendation
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