Welcome to Jake Pfitsch's Portfolio

Acoustics ASTM Test Calculator and Report Generator

I created a Python GUI and processing script backend that generates ASTM test reports from ASTC, AIIC and NIC acoustics tests. The script processes sound level data combines them with the test environment aspects to generate a report with the results of the test. This is replacing a manual entry excel spreadsheet and reduces the test data processing, report generation and formatting time from hours to minutes.

For more details about the development process and implementation of this test calculator, you can view my deep dive Overview:

Consulting Manager - Django Project

Developed a web-based consulting project management tool combining Python data processing with Django. This tool is an effort to condense project progress and coordination into a single interface, and to provide semi-automated tools to track historical project progress, phases, milestones and deliverables. A secondary goal is to aggregate data from previous projects to inform future projects in an organized database.

Design Goals:

• Easy user evaluation of current project status and progress, next deliverables, and project completion.
• Ability to leverage database of projects, clients, and engineering detailas to inform future projects.
• Easy user evaluation of current project status and progress, next deliverables, and project completion.
• Design intent is to minimize documentation work from the engineer as possible, utilizing file and email scanning alongside project databsing to track progress.

The project is hosted on GitHub and can be found here: Consulting Manager Repository

Project Timeline Visualizer

Developed a web-based project timeline visualization tool combining Python data processing with Three.js 3D graphics:

Backend features:

• Python data processor for organizing a visual representation of the file system as it progresses though the project timeline
• Single scanner script managed through MiniKube to conduct repeated scans, keeping the file system data updated.
• Automated date/milestone extraction from email content

Frontend visualization:

• Interactive 3D timeline using Three.js
• Highlighting to provide clear file delineation, ring size corresponding to file size, and color corresponding to file type

Key capabilities:

• Tie together project timeline and backend engineering development of project deliverables.
• Unifies project email correspondence with project progress.
• Easy user evaluation of current project status and progress, next deliverables, and project completion.

The project is hosted on GitHub and can be found here: Project Timeline Visualizer Repository

Apple Acoustics: Airpods Max Pressure Relief Vent Production Line Tester

During the hardware development phase of Airpods Max, the primary pressure relief vent for the speaker front-volume was shown to produce a tone when the front volume was compressed during head placement or compressing the cushion while wearing.

I was tasked with finding the root cause of this issue and to create a production line tester to validate the solution. This not only included working with my acoustics org colleagues to understand the issue's root cause, but then coordinating with the hardware design team to demonstrate the solution and ensure minimal impact to the design. As this issue was caught when the design was relatively locked and the initial production lines were in the process of being built and validated, it was very importiant to properly understand the aspects of the issue and how it related to both the design and the assembly process.

The fix primarily consisted of developing a frequency analysis technique of Q-factor measurement of a tone produced when air was forced through the pressure relief vent.

For more details about the development process and implementation of this test station, you can view my detailed presentation:

Matlab Microphone Response Tools

At Apple and GoPro, I developed Matlab tools for processing and analyzing acoustic measurement data. Key features include:

• Processing frequency response data from microphones and speakers
• Analyzing hardware configuration changes (ports, cushions, clamp force)
• Interfacing with prototype devices and firmware for data collection
• Supporting design validation through:
  • Prototype testing
  • 3D printed mock-up evaluation
  • Firmware tuning verification
• Data processing capabilities:
  • Frequency response analysis
  • Level calibration
  • Mechanical phenomena assessment
  • Python integration for firmware data collection