Audio Engineering
(3-0-0-3)
CMPE Degree: This course is Elective for the CMPE degree.
EE Degree: This course is Selected Elective for the EE degree.
Lab Hours: 0 supervised lab hours and 0 unsupervised lab hours.
Technical Interest Group(s) / Course Type(s): Electronic Design and Applications
Course Coordinator: Robert Allen Jr Robinson
Prerequisites: ECE 3040 [min C]
Corequisites: None.
Catalog Description
Concepts of acoustics and electroacoustic modeling for the analysis and design of microphones, loudspeakers, and crossover networks. Methods of analysis and design of audio power amplifiers.Course Outcomes
- Create and use electromechanical and electroacoustic models to solve for variables in mechanical and acoustic systems.
- Relate model parameters to system behavior.
- Characterize and model moving coil loudspeakers.
- Design infinite baffle, closed box, and vented box loudspeaker systems.
Student Outcomes
In the parentheses for each Student Outcome:"P" for primary indicates the outcome is a major focus of the entire course.
“M” for moderate indicates the outcome is the focus of at least one component of the course, but not majority of course material.
“LN” for “little to none” indicates that the course does not contribute significantly to this outcome.
1. ( P ) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. ( LN ) An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. ( LN ) An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. ( LN ) An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. ( LN ) An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. ( P ) An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. ( P ) An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Strategic Performance Indicators (SPIs)
Not Applicable
Course Objectives
Topical Outline
Basic Principles: Introductory concepts and definitions
Fundamentals of Acoustics: An introduction to the fundamentals of acoustics. Pressure, particle velocity, volume velocity, intensity, diffraction, reflection. Plane wave and spherical solutions to the wave equation.
Electro Acoustical Analogous Circuits: Development of analogous circuits for acoustic sources and elements. Plane wave tubes, acoustic resistance, acoustic mass, and acoustic compliance. Analogous circuits for radiation impedances.
Electro Mechanical Analogous Circuits: Development of analogous circuits for mechanical sources and elements. Mobility and impedance analogs. Transducer analogous circuits.
Microphones: Microphone classifications, analogous circuits, pressure microphones, pressure gradient microphones, combination microphones, SPICE simulations of microphones, promximity effect.
Moving Coil Loudspeaker Drivers: Direct radiator loudspeaker driver construction and modeling. Analogous circuit, pressure response, radiated power, small-signal parameters. SPICE simulations.
Loudspeaker Driver Parameter Measurements: Methods for the measurement of small-signal loudspeaker parameters.
Closed Box Loudspeaker Systems: The analysis and design of closed-box direct-radiator loudspeaker systems. SPICE simulations.
Vented Box Loudspeaker Systems: The analaysis and design of vented-box direct-radiator loudspeaker systems. Applications of network synthesis to vented-box design. SPICE simulations.
Crossover Networks: Analysis and design of passive and active loudspeaker crossover networks. Effects of loudspeaker phase response on crossover network design. SPICE simulations.
Acoustic Horns: Solutions to the Webster horn equation. Exponential, conical, parabolic, and hyperbolic horns. Analogous circuits for horns and horn driving units. Frequency response.
Audio Power Amplifiers: Concepts of feedback amplifier design. Stability, frequency compensation, circuit topologies, gain-bandwidth and slew-rate relationship, power supply decoupling and grounding, protection circuits.