This circuit uses just one IC and a very few number of external components. It displays the audio level in terms of 10 LEDs. The input voltage can vary from 12V to 20V, but suggested voltage is 12V. The LM3915 is a monolithic integrated circuit that senses analog voltage levels and drives ten LEDs providing a logarithmic 3 dB/step analog display. LED current drive is regulated and programmable, eliminating the need for current limiting resistors. The IC contains an adjustable voltage reference and an accurate ten-step voltage divider. The high-impedance input buffer accepts signals down to ground and up to within 1.5V of the positive supply. Further, it needs no protection against inputs of ±35V. The input buffer drives 10 individual comparators referenced to the precision divider. Accuracy is typically better than 1 dB.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Audio Level Meter (vumeter) Circuit
FM Transmitter Circuit
This circuit is a simple two transistor (2N2222) FM transmitter. No license is required for this transmitter according to FCC regulations regarding wireless microphones. If powered by a 9 volt battery and used with an antenna no longer than 12 inches, the transmitter will be within the FCC limits. The microphone is amplified by Q1. Q2, C5, and L1 form an oscillator that operates in the 80 to 130 MHz range. The oscillator is voltage controlled, so it is modulated by the audio signal that is applied to the base of Q2. R6 limits the input to the RF section, and it's value can be adjusted as necessary to limit the volume of the input. L1 and C6 can be made with wire and a pencil. The inductor (L1) is made by winding two pieces of 24 gauge insulated wire, laid side by side, around a pencil six times. Remove the coil you have formed and unscrew the two coils apart from each other. One of these coils (the better looking of the two) will be used in the tank circuit, and the other can be used in the next one you build. The antenna (24 gauge wire) should be soldered to the coil you made, about 2 turns up from the bottom, on the transistor side, and should be 8-12 inches long. To make C6, take a 4 inch piece of 24 gauge insulated wire, bend it over double and, beginning 1/2" from the open end, twist the wire as if you were forming a rope. When you have about 1" of twisted wire, stop and cut the looped end off, leaving about 1/2" of twisted wire (this forms the capacitor) and 1/2" of untwisted wire for leads.
Telephone In Use Indicator Circuit
With this circuit mounted in or near every phone in the house, it will allow users to know if the phone is being used and not to pick up the phone. When a phone is taken off hook, the voltage across the tip and ring terminals drops to 10 volts or less. This will cause the FET (2N4360) to turn on and also turn on the transistor (2N2222). When the transistor turns on it will allow current to flow through the LED and make it light. A blinking LED could be used to make the effect better.
Telephone In Use Indicator Circuit
With this circuit mounted in or near every phone in the house, it will allow users to know if the phone is being used and not to pick up the phone. When a phone is taken off hook, the voltage across the tip and ring terminals drops to 10 volts or less. This will cause the FET (2N4360) to turn on and also turn on the transistor (2N2222). When the transistor turns on it will allow current to flow through the LED and make it light. A blinking LED could be used to make the effect better.
Telephone Record Control Circuit
This circuit will allow you to connect any tape recorder that has a mic and remote input to a phone line and automatically record both sides of a conversation when ever the phone is in use. You will need to take a couple of voltage readings before connecting the circuit. First determine the polarity of your phone line and connect it to the circuit as shown and then determine the polarity of the remote input and connect it to the circuit.
Circuit operation is as follows. When the phone is on hook the voltage across the phone line is about 48volts dc. When the phone is off hook the voltage will drop to below 10volts dc. When the line voltage is at 48volts the FET is off which causes Q2 and Q3 to be off. When the phone is picked up the FET turns on along with Q2 and Q3 which turns your recorder on. The tape recorder must be in the record mode at all times. As you can see the power source for the circuit is the phone line.
