Project direction (high level)
This is a snapshot of our current technical direction for a helmet communication prototype. Details may change as we evaluate parts, tooling, and constraints.
High‑level architecture
The audio chain is designed around predictable end‑to‑end behavior: stable latency, repeatable configuration, and tuning that can be measured and iterated.
We’re approaching this as an engineering prototype: establish a baseline signal path, instrument it, then improve intelligibility and comfort through controlled changes.
Note: component selection is under evaluation; the block diagram reflects the intended processing stages, not a finalized BOM.
Engineering priorities
The design targets are practical: a system that sounds good, behaves consistently, and can be validated with repeatable measurements.
Conditioning and dynamics that preserve speech cues without harshness.
Keep end‑to‑end delay low and stable to avoid “talk‑over” discomfort.
A workflow that can configure and tune devices deterministically across sessions.
Prototype choices that are realistic for helmet form factor and runtime.
Instrumentation hooks for regression, measurement, and documentation.
Mechanics, EMI, and reliability considerations from early stages.
What we’re evaluating
We’re comparing components and development flows commonly used in audio hardware bring‑up, configuration, and tuning.
- Audio converters (interfaces, clocking, filtering, power).
- DSP‑capable audio paths (EQ, dynamics, protection, control).
- Control plane (I²C/SPI configuration, profiles, reproducibility).
- Measurement setup (bench tests, latency checks, regression logs).
Workflow (planned)
A tight loop between configuration, measurement, and iteration — designed to keep changes traceable and comparable.
- 1. Establish a baseline configuration and measurement harness.
- 2. Iterate DSP/control parameters in small, controlled steps.
- 3. Validate with repeatable tests (latency, noise, level behavior).
- 4. Document profiles and results for regression and handoff.
Email contact@helset.work and we’ll respond with context and the current status.