Sound Sensor Working and Its Applications

Nowadays, a lot of security events are initiated due to some sort of sound which includes gunshots, aggressive behavior, breaking the glass. But cameras with inbuilt sound exposure facilities can add huge value to the security system. Because they give an alert automatically when real and potential incidents occur. Then immediately they activate quick and appropriate actions to reduce the consequences. This article discusses an overview of the sound sensor module.

What is a Sound Sensor?

The sound sensor is one type of module used to notice the sound. Generally, this module is used to detect the intensity of sound. The applications of this module mainly include switch, security, as well as monitoring. The accuracy of this sensor can be changed for the ease of usage.

This sensor employs a microphone to provide input to buffer, peak detector and an amplifier. This sensor notices a sound, & processes an o/p voltage signal to a microcontroller. After that, it executes required processing.

This sensor is capable to determine noise levels within DB’s or decibels at 3 kHz 6 kHz frequencies approximately wherever the human ear is sensitive. In smartphones, there is an android application namely decibel meter used to measure the sound level.

Sound Sensor Pin Configuration

This sensor includes three pins which include the following.

• Pin1 (VCC): 3.3V DC to 5V DC
• Pin2 (GND): This is aground pin
• Pin3 (DO): This is an output pin

Working Principle

The working principle of this sensor is related to human ears. Because human eye includes a diaphragm and the main function of this diaphragm is, it uses the vibrations and changes into signals. Whereas in this sensor, it uses a microphone and the main function of this is, it uses the vibrations and changes into current otherwise voltage.

Generally, it includes a diaphragm which is designed with magnets that are twisted with metal wire. When sound signals hit the diaphragm, then magnets within the sensor vibrates & simultaneously current can be stimulated from the coils.

Features

The features of the sound sensor include the following

• These sensors are very simple to use
• It gives analog o/p signal
• Simply incorporates using logic modules on the input area

Specifications

The specifications of the sound sensor include the following

• The range of operating voltage is 3.⅗ V
• The operating current is 4~5 mA
• The voltage gain 26 dB ((V=6V, f=1kHz)
• The sensitivity of the microphone (1kHz) is 52 to 48 dB
• The impedance of the microphone is 2.2k Ohm
• The frequency of m microphone is16 to 20 kHz
• The signal to noise ratio is 54 dB

Applications

The applications of the sound sensor include the following.

This sensor can be used to build various electronic projects with the help of an Arduino board. For instance, this project uses a grove sensor, which fundamentally gives your Arduino’s ears. In this project, a microphone can be attached to an analog pin of the board. This can be used to notice the noise level within the nearby surroundings.

The grove sensors support platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone Wio, and LinkIt ONE. This sensor plays an essential role while activating the light in your office or house by detecting a precise whistle or clap sound.

Some more applications of this sensor include the following.

• Security system for Office or Home
• Spy Circuit
• Home Automation
• Robotics
• Smart Phones
• Ambient sound recognition
• Audio amplifier
• Sound level recognition (not capable to obtain precise dB value)

This article discusses an overview of the sound sensor. There are different types of microphones which are known as sound sensors like dynamic, condenser, ribbon, and carbon, etc. From the above information finally, we can conclude that these sensors can be used easily, gives analog o/p signal, simply integrates by logic modules. Here is a question for you, what are the advantages of a sound sensor?