Project 2025 #STM32#COMSOL#KiCad/PCB#Signal Processing#C++
Capacitive Drum Prototype
A mixed-signal engineering project combining physical simulations, custom PCB design, and embedded signal processing.
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Project Overview
This project explored the intersection of physics and electronics. I designed a touch-sensitive capacitive drum that uses changes in electrostatic fields to trigger high-fidelity audio signals.
Key Features
- Multiphysics Simulation: Used COMSOL to model the electrode sensitivity and optimize the sensor layout.
- Embedded Processing: Implemented on an STM32 microcontroller using DSP algorithms to filter noise and detect hit velocity.
- Custom Hardware: Designed the analog front-end and signal conditioning circuits on a custom PCB.
Technical Challenges
The biggest hurdle was the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). Capacitive sensors are highly sensitive to environmental interference. I solved this by implementing a digital low-pass filter and designing a ground plane on the PCB to shield the sensing traces.
“From COMSOL simulations to a physical board, this project required a full-stack engineering approach to solve real-world hardware noise issues.”