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UAA180 Based VU Meter

David Ashton
Sunday, December 29, 2019
0     Posted Friday, January 13, 2012 That's way overkill, it can handle 50 Amps
SHARES
but you wouldn't need more than 1 or 2 Amps.  But if it
works for you, no problem.  If you need something
smaller for space reasons, go for a smaller type as
above. More

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General (39)

Analog Design (150)

RF Design (122)

Power Design (193)

Connectors (8)

Digital Design (120)

Embedded Systems (364)

Test & Measurement (85)

Electromechanical (70)
The circuit was designed based on the operation of Siemens UAA180 as it functions as a LED driver for
Passive Components (9)
light band displays for measuring the level of audio signals.
Sensors (18)
Volume Unit (VU) – an entity equal to a decibel for expressing the magnitude of a complex audio;
it states the level of complex, nonrecurring, and non-periodic signals such as music and speech
UAA180 – a bipolar integrated circuit used for driving 12 light emitting diodes where they form a
light band that corresponds to the input voltage and are controlled similar to a thermometer scale BROWSE BY TOPICS
TL072 – a low noise JFET input operational ampli er with features such as common-mode input
voltage range, high slew rate, operation without latch up, compensated internal frequency, high Ampli ers (117)
input impedance at the JFET input stage, low noise, low total harmonic distortion, protected from
Arduino (131)
output short circuit, low input bias and o set currents, wide common-mode and di erential
voltage ranges, and low power consumption Audio (63)

The measurement of audio levels is showed with a scale where it is displayed by the use of a growing Battery (46)
light band which is suitable for measuring approximate values. The passage of light between the two Circuits (105)
adjacent LEDs can be set between smooth and abrupt state while the brightness of the LEDs can be
Clock (56)
varied. These can be achieved by using an appropriate circuitry.
Controller (55)
Within the region of IC2B is a circuit that provides precise recti cation of the audio input signal. The
Digital (82)
calibration of the circuit is done with an interval or steps of 3 dB between one LED to another. This will
make sure a very good rate of precision while measuring the entry of acoustic signals. The type of LEDs Display (40)
used can be of square shape and when they are arranged side by side with each other, it will look like a Electronics (40)
bar graph without spacing. The color of the LEDs consists of green, yellow, and red, which represents
LCD (51)
the level of the audio signals.
LED (175)

Meter (36)

Microcontrollers (205)

Power (132)

RF (37)

Robotics (60)
The theory behind the design of this circuit does not only apply to VU meters, but also with eld
strength indicators, tachometers, level sensors, and other related instrument and equipments. When Sensor (62)
using for VU meter applications, the audio power levels in broadcast studios and recording are Temperature (41)
measured to determine the right amount of attenuation or ampli cation of signals for optimal
USB (100)
outcome.

Sources: VU Meter 5 with UAA180

 Meter

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4 years ago by  Hagen Grob (edited)

That schematic diagram contained a wrong IC type. If compare TL072 and TL082 you can see: It
must be TL082 IC according the circuit diagram pin numbers. For the diodes 1N4148 also can
use switching diodes with better results.

7 years ago by  Ignacio Garza (edited)

where can I buy this project in kit form..including the pcb and front panel and how much,,I
need 18 vu's..my email is nash77009@hotmail.com Thanks

1 year ago by  goldenprabhu@gmail.com goldenprabhu@gmail.com (edited)

Dear Sir, Can you please suggest any ideas for making this circuit to work with 24 LEDs.

1 year ago by  juan enrile (edited)

using UAA180 gives you the control over the IC on how it will interact with other components
within the circuit..thnks for dis

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