This week, I focused on researching and selecting components for our active snore-cancellation system. I compared different options for the microphones, audio codec, speakers, processor, power system, and other supporting components while considering their latency, power consumption, physical size, and compatibility with the rest of the system. I also spent time considering the physical and mechanical design of the wearable, including how the microphones, speakers, battery, heating elements, and electronics can be positioned while keeping the mask comfortable for sleeping and especially for side-sleeping.
I also contributed to refining the overall system architecture as we learned more about the constraints of implementing ANC. In particular, our research reinforced that the placement of the reference microphone, error microphone, and speaker is closely tied to the effectiveness and latency of the cancellation loop. Our current design therefore treats the physical geometry and electrical design as interconnected problems rather than designing the enclosure only after the electronics are complete.
My work is currently on schedule, although we need to finalize and order several components soon so that hardware availability does not delay integration. Over the next week, I plan to finalize the remaining component selections, help place our initial orders, and continue refining the physical arrangement of the wearable around the selected components.