Player Guitar
Preliminary Design Review
Lucas Gilbride
Rick Denney
Dan Forrester
Randy Hood
Introduction
Our project is a device that plays
downloaded music in MIDI format
on an acoustic guitar. The design
will use stepper motors attached to
guitar picks to pluck the strings
and will use solenoids to depress
the strings so that different notes
can be strummed.
Objectives
Successfully Encode/Decode MIDI Files
Play test song from memory
Play MIDI file saved to memory
Optimize timing of mechanics (Motors
and Solenoids)
Design working model of top four frets
Guitar Design
Using the top four frets
these are the notes that
can be produced (not
including flats and
sharps), which when
played together can
create most common
chords. We are going to
use solenoids to apply
pressure to these spots on
the neck of the guitar.
Hardware Overview
User
Interface
Microprocessor
FPGA
ROM
Motor and
Solenoid Controllers
RAM
Flash Card
MIDI
Decoder
(Optional)
Pick
Motors
Solenoids
Software Overview
User Interface
Flash Driver
Operating
System
MIDI Decoder
MIDIs to
RAM
User Interface
Our design will incorporate a user
interface so that songs can be
played by the user much like a
typical CD player. We will have
play, stop, pause, and skip track
buttons. There will be a LCD
display that lets the user know
what track is selected.
Microprocessor
M68HC11
Compact Flash Card
Small removable
mass storage device
Connected to
microprocessor with a
8 bit data bus
Microprocessor
interfaces w/ CF card
with registers on CF
card
Solenoids
Solenoids will be used to hold down
strings in order to play notes. A
solenoid will be picked based
on its size and power characteristics.
The end of each solenoid will be
padded in order to prevent damage to
the guitar.
Stepper Motors
Stepper motors will be used to
strum the six strings on the
guitar. The stepper motor
used will be pick based on its
size, price, and power
specifications.
Possible Extensions
Add more frets to design
Elaborate on user interface
Expand on string plucking timing
Division of Labor
Randy
Microprocessor
User Interface
Lucas
FPGA
Mechanics
Rick
MIDI
(Reading and Storage)
Dan
Mechanics
Overall Assembly
Schedule
Milestones
CDR
Research/Test Components
Working mechanics
Understanding of Microprocessor
architecture
Milestone 1
Implemented FPGA logic
Completed MIDI translator code
Working motor and solenoid drivers
Milestones Cont.
Milestone 2
Combine Code and Subsystems
Begin testing, debugging, and optimizing
Expo
Full functional design
Cosmetics added
Possible design extensions
Risks/Contingency Plan
 Difficulty programming MIDI decoder
Solution: Use MIDI decoder chip
 Problems using flash card to transfer MIDIs
Solution: Use serial cable
 Strength of solenoids
Solution: Explore other more expensive
atternatives
 User interface display
Solution: Use computer generated interface
display
Marketability
The Player Guitar is the perfect product for the music lover
who is unable to play the guitar, but loves the relaxing
sound of an acoustic guitar. A great compliment to a
player piano. Trying to start a band and missing a guitar
player? No problem…. buy a Player Guitar.
Any Questions?