Hi Chris, Yea, modularity is surely a good way_ I think the most problematic component is the FPGA-eventually memories for that as a host "CPU", the rest can be relative similar, basically good documented interfacing for some other PCBs...
Karesz 2010/12/16 Chris Albertson <albertson.ch...@gmail.com> > Here is an example of doing something like this as a open source > design by a group of HAMs > http://www.tapr.org/kits_janus.html > This is a software defined radio but is close to the complexity we are > talking about here. It has a d/a converter and fpga and lots of > surface mount parts. TAPR is able to have these made and sell them > for $180. > > While this is a proof by example that such a project can be done I'd > not go this route. Better I think to design a modular system where > the modules have easy and well defined interfaces and where each can > have whatever quality specs are desired. There is a danger with > these group project that you run into a requirements "race" to the top > and end up with a hard to manufacture and maintain part. I think the > HPSDR project did this > > On Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 11:20 AM, Bob Camp <li...@rtty.us> wrote: > > Hi > > > > Yes indeed, been there done that. Not very hard at all. > > > > All you need is the six layer pc board (can be bought), the FPGA (Digikey > > has them), a few of these and a couple of those. Spend less than $100 and > > you are in business if the PC board volume is high enough. > > > > In this case the next step in the business is to solder the 256 ball 1 mm > > spacing BGA package down on the pc board. Not so easy without the right > > tools... > > > > Bob > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: time-nuts-boun...@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-boun...@febo.com] On > > Behalf Of Don Latham > > Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 3:48 PM > > To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement > > Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Frequency counter recommendation > > > > OK, time-nuts, here's the gauntlet. can't "we" generate a design for a > > PC-based FPGA or chip setup that would be generally useful as a counter? > > We've seen thorough discussions about trigger jitter, which IMHO is the > > fundamental problem. And isn't the PIC2 Time base from 10 MHz standard, > > all else should be straightforward. > > I'm not a designer, just a messer-arounder, or I'd give it a shot. Robot > > Basic is a nice PC software maybe. > > Don > > > > J. L. Trantham, M. D. > >> I suspect that this question will lead to a discussion of Dual Mixers > but > >> as > >> far as the counter question goes, I would recommend you consider an HP > >> 5370B. > >> > >> Joe > >> > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: time-nuts-boun...@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-boun...@febo.com]on > >> Behalf Of Dave M > >> Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 1:55 PM > >> To: TimeNuts > >> Subject: [time-nuts] Frequency counter recommendation > >> > >> I'm a retired electronics tech and computer programmer. I have a pretty > >> decently equipped shop for almost all of my projects and experiments. > >> However, my time and frequency equipment is a bit long in the tooth. I > >> have > >> a couple old HP 5328A counters (commercial version; not the military > >> version), one with a 10544, the other with a 10811 oscillator. > >> I have an HP Z3801A that has been operating well for several years, and > >> recently acquired a TBolt to keep the counters in tune. I also have a > >> good > >> distribution amp and couple of old Montronics (Fluke) frequency > >> comparators. > >> What I'm looking for now, is a recommendation for a good low-cost > (<$400) > >> counter that will get me on the way to performing some of the "down in > the > >> grass" noise, jitter and deviation tests that the more learned members > of > >> the group discuss. I know that new equipment is far out of my budget, > but > >> I'm also aware that some of the older, now obsolete (also cheaper) > >> equipment > >> is quite capable of doing what I want to do. I prefer HP equipment since > >> manuals are much easier to find than most other brands. > >> I'd also like recommendation for a good low-cost GPIB controller that > >> allows > >> me to write software to control some of my instruments. I have > experience > >> writing software in BASIC on a Fluke 1722A controller. I've seen these > >> controllers on the Bay and other online vendors, but I've not located > the > >> BASIC discs for them. Any advice? > >> I realize that a counter is not the only piece that I need, but it's > first > >> on my list. Other, more applicable equipment is on my want list, but > will > >> have to wait for a bit. > >> > >> Thanks for advice, > >> David > >> dgminala at mediacombb dot net > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > >> To unsubscribe, go to > >> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > >> and follow the instructions there. > >> ----- > >> No virus found in this message. > >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > >> Version: 10.0.1170 / Virus Database: 426/3317 - Release Date: 12/15/10 > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > >> To unsubscribe, go to > >> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > >> and follow the instructions there. > >> > > > > > > -- > > "Neither the voice of authority nor the weight of reason and argument are > > as significant as experiment, for thence comes quiet to the mind." > > R. Bacon > > "If you don't know what it is, don't poke it." > > Ghost in the Shell > > > > > > Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL > > Six Mile Systems LLP > > 17850 Six Mile Road > > POB 134 > > Huson, MT, 59846 > > VOX 406-626-4304 > > www.lightningforensics.com > > www.sixmilesystems.com > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > > To unsubscribe, go to > > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > > and follow the instructions there. > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > > To unsubscribe, go to > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > > and follow the instructions there. > > > > > > -- > ===== > Chris Albertson > Redondo Beach, California > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.