In the quiescent state, the voltage on the Latch input (pin 5) is at 1.75 V. This reference voltage is provided by LED D1, which draws its current via R2. In this state the latch is transparent, and a positive edge at the input appears will appear as a negative transition on the output after a propagation delay of 8 ns (tPD). This only happens if the peak voltage on the input is more positive than ground potential. C1 passes this change in the output voltage level to the Latch input (pin 5). As soon as the voltage on the Latch input drops below 1.4 V, the internal latch switches to the Hold state. In this state, the output is no longer connected to the comparator, and the output remains low for the duration of the latch hold time, regardless of what happens with the input signal.
As a follow-up to the simple audio power meter described in [1], the author has developed a more sensitive version. In practice, you rarely use more than 1 watt of audio power in a normal living-room environment. The only time most people use more is at a party when they want to show how loud their stereo system is, in which case peaks of more than 10 W are not uncommon. With this circuit, the dual LED starts to light up green at around 0.1 watt into 8 ohms (0.2 watt into 4 ohms). Naturally, this depends on the specific type of LED that is used.
Circuit diagram:
Sensitive Audio Power Meter Circuit Diagram
Here it is essential to use a low current type. The capacitor is first charged via D1 and then discharged via the green LED. This voltage-doubler effect increases the sensitivity of the circuit. Above a level of 1 watt, the transistor limits the current through the green LED and the red LED con ducts enough to produce an orange hue.The red colour predominates above 5 watts. Of course, you can also use two separate ‘normal’ LEDs. However, this arrangement cannot generate an orange hue. For any testing that may be necessary, you should use generator with a DC-coupled output. If there is a capacitor in the output path, it can cause misleading results.
Author : Michiel Ter Burg Streampowers