Everyday Practical Electronics - 2000 - 04

Volume 2 Issue 4
April 2000
Copyright © 1999 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, Febuary 1999 - www.epemag.com - XXX
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
Copyright  1999, Wimborne Publishing Ltd
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Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, April 2000 - www.epemag.com - 242
PROJECTS AND CIRCUITS
FLASH SLAVE - by Robert Penfold
Make a striking image with this latest Starter Project 246
GARAGE LINK - by Terry de Vaux-Balbirnie
An open and shut case for a 418MHz Transmitter/Receiver link 251
MICRO-PICSCOPE - by John Becker 263
Plenty of scope for this ingenious piece of portable test gear
INGENUITY UNLIMITED - hosted by Alan Winstanley 272

PC Controlled DC Motor; Omnidirectional Pendulum: Brushless Fan
Speed Control
HIGH PERFORMANCE REGENERATIVE RECEIVER - Part 2 276

by Raymond Haigh Construction of our “art-deco” receiver.
SERIES AND FEATURES

NEW TECHNOLOGY UPDATE - by Ian Poole 281
Electronic Ink - Is this the real dawn of the paper-less office?
NET WORK - THE INTERNET PAGE surfed by Alan Winstanley 283
TECHNOLOGY TIMELINES - Part 3 - Communications and Related 285

Technologies 1900 to 1999 - by Clive Maxfield and Alvin Brown
The fascinating story of how technology developed in the last millennium
INTERFACE - by Ian Poole 295

Bidirectional Printer Ports
TEACH-IN 2000 - Part 6. Logic gates, Binary and Hex Logic

by John Becker Essential info for the electronics novice
299
CIRCUIT SURGERY - by Alan Winstanley 315

Opamps - Getting Loaded; Biased Approach; Socket to Me; Surface-Mount Selection
TELCAN HOME VIDEO - by Barrie Blake-Coleman 319

A British first in home video recording
REGULARS AND SERVICES

EDITORIAL 244
NEWS - Barry Fox highlights technology’s leading edge. Plus everyday 326
news from the world of electronics.
READOUT - John Becker addresses general points arising. 333

SHOPTALK - with David Barrington The essential guide to component 331
buying for EPE Online projects.
Copyright © 2000
1999 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online,
EPE Online,
February
April1999
2000--www.epemag.com
www.epemag.com--XXX
243
ODD REQUESTS
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We hope this makes everything clearer (as clear as mud some might say), if not please let us know.
VERSATILE MICROPHONE/AUDIO PREAMPLIFIER
One of the latest chips on the block, the Analog Device SSM2166P, is a low noise, low
distortion, dynamic range compressor with a number of interesting features. In this design it
provides a very versatile preamplifier with automatic gain control, signal limiting, variable
compression and noise reduction circuitry. The design is suitable for a wide range of appli-
cations from PA and surveillance systems to amateur radio and audio. Additional circuitry is
given for readers who require a signal strength meter.
SIXTEEN-CHANNEL TWO-WIRE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

The uses for this PIC-based project are limited only by the ingenuity of the constructor.
Everything from extra inputs for simple security projects to communications, signaling and
control of complex systems over long distances can be handled, and the modules described
may be tailored to give only the degree of sophistication required for minimum cost.
The units can be configured to provide either eight or sixteen channels, and where eight
are used the system may be upgraded later by simply plugging in extra PICs, It will operate
in both directions or just one, and with one-way operation the transmitter may be powered
from the receiver through the signaling circuit, making it easy to monitor up to sixteen re-
mote inputs through just a two-cor
e connecting lead. There is an optional interface for use with low-amplitude audio circuits
which can be omitted where direct cable connection is possible. These options should allow
this to find many uses in signaling, security and remote control projects.
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Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and
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FLASH SLAVE by ROBERT PENFOLD
Create the right image with this low-cost natural light and the camera can
photographic aid. handle this type of lighting.
A more practical solution is
Cameras have undoubtedly adapter. Most digital cameras to use a second flashgun, well
increased in sophistication over seem to be styled on 35 separated from the main
the last ten years or so, with millimeter and APS compact flashgun, to provide some fill-in
features such as auto-focus and cameras, and have a built-in lighting. Ideally the second gun
built-in flashguns now being flashgun and no flash socket. should be a type that has
commonplace. On the other variable output power so that
hand, a few “standard” features SECONDS OUT the fill-in light can be balanced
seem to have become rarities properly with the main light.
that are featured on little more For most users this lack of However, even the cheapest of
than a few up-market cameras. an external flash connector is flashguns is good enough to
probably of little consequence, provide a bit of fill-in lighting.
The humble flash socket but it is a major drawback for
certainly falls into this category. anyone wishing to go beyond If a camera lacks a flash
At one time even the cheapest of simple “point and shoot” flash socket but does have a built-in
compact cameras had this photography. The problem with flashgun, it is actually possible
feature, but it seems to have a single flashgun is that it tends to use a second gun. In fact
disappeared in favor of an to produce a single shadow that several additional guns can be
integral flashgun. It is actually is very strong and over-obvious. used, but with more flashguns it
quite a rarity on modern SLR A balance of flash light and obviously becomes more
cameras, although most sport a natural light generally gives difficult to get the required
“hot shoe” that can be connected better results, but is only lighting effect and the correct
to a standard flash lead via an possible if there is sufficient exposure. In order to fire the
secondary guns it is merely
necessary to have each one
S1 triggered via a slave unit. A
TR2 flash slave is just a high-speed
R1 ON/OFF
10k BC327 light activated switch that
e triggers a secondary flashgun
b
B1
c 9V
(PP3)
C2
R2
330p
100W
R3 C3 FLASHGUN
47W 330p
+ +
C1 SK1
47m TR1 c
BPX25 b
c
TR3 e
b ZTX857
R4 (2N3440)
e 4k7
Finished unit showing the
“light window” and extension
Fig.1. Complete circuit diagram for the Flash Slave. lead socket.
Constructional Project
when it detects the flash of light slightly risky because there are
inevitably long trailing cables
COMPONENTS
from the main gun.
that are easily tripped over. Resistors
Provided the camera has a R1 10k
Apart from the personal safety
built-in flash unit, flash slaves R2 100 ohms
aspect, with such a set up it is R3 47 ohms
enable any number of extra
very easy to do a lot of R4 4k7
flashguns to be used without the
expensive damage to the All 0.25W 5% carbon film
need for any form of external
equipment. Capacitors
flash connections on the
camera. Even if you use a C1 47u radial electrolytic, 25V
C2, C3 330p ceramic plate (2 off)
camera that has a standard CIRCUIT OPERATION
flash socket, it can still be Semiconductors
advantageous to use flash slave The full circuit diagram for TR1 BPX25 silicon npn
the Flash Slave appears in phototransistor (see text)
units. TR2 BC327 pnp medium power
Fig.1. For many years flash
Multi-flash photography transistor
slave units used a triac or a TR3 ZTX857 (or 2N3440) npn
using connecting cables is thyristor as the switching device high-voltage transistor
Miscellaneous
SK1 flash pocket (see text)
B1 9V (PP3 size) battery
S1 s.p.s.t. miniature toggle switch
Small plastic case, approximately

100mm x 60mm x 23mm; 0.1-inch
stripboard, 16holes by 13 strips;
battery connector; multistrand
connecting wire, solder pins;
solder, etc.
See also the

SHOP TALK Page!
Approx. Cost
Guidance Only $22
(Excluding Batts)
flows once the flash has been

triggered causes this odd
The two halves of the completed Flash Slave case behavior. Unlike a transistor, a
showing positioning of the circuit board and mounting triac or thyristor remains switched
of the On/Off switch. on until the current flow falls to a
at the output. A device of either drop through a triac or thyristor low level.
type was a good choice in the can prevent them from With older flashguns there is
days when flashguns had high triggering these flashguns a high current flow during
voltage trigger circuits that reliably. triggering, followed by a
operated at around 150V to Another common problem is negligible current flow thereafter,
180V. that of the flash being triggered causing the device to switch off.
An inexpensive thyristor or correctly the first time, but not With low voltage trigger circuits
triac could handle the high firing on subsequent attempts. the current flow is high enough to
voltages, and the switching The unit can be made to work hold the triac or thyristor switched
action provided by one of these again by switching it off, waiting on. This usually stops the gun
devices was all that was needed a few seconds, and then turning from operating, rather than
in this application. it back on. However, the flash causing it to fire each time an
Unfortunately, most modern only triggers once and then adequate charge is reached.
flashguns operate with much refuses to co-operate again!
lower trigger voltages of around The significant current that TRANSISTOR
12V to 24V, and the voltage
Of course, the transistor must
be a high voltage type if the slave RESPONSE TIME
unit is to be used to trigger a
flashgun that has a high voltage It is important that the slave
trigger circuit. The switching unit has a very short response
transistor in this circuit is TR3, time. If there is fast subject
and the specified component has movement, a gap of even a few
a collector-to-emitter voltage milliseconds between the two
rating of 300V, which is flashes could produce a
comfortably higher than the noticeable double-image effect.
maximum voltage it is likely to Another problem is that of the
receive. It also has a high peak shutter closing before the
SWITCHING second flash has a chance to
collector (c) current rating of 5A,
Modern flash slave units which is substantially higher than fire.
use an ordinary transistor as the its likely operating current in this This is not a problem if the
switching element. When driven application. camera gives a degree of
with a suitably strong base (b) manual control, since the user
current a transistor will reliably Other transistors having a
similarly high voltage and current can set a shutter speed that is
trigger virtually any flashgun, long enough to embrace the
ancient or modern. Once the ratings should work equally well
in this design, such as the second flash. It is a potential
pulse of light from the main gun problem if the camera
has ceased, the base current to 2N3440 (which has a TO39
encapsulation and not an E-Line automatically sets the minimum
the transistor ends and the acceptable shutter speed for
device switches off. This type). Lower voltage types should
only be used if the unit will be flash operation when the built-in
ensures that the flashgun can flash unit is used. With the leaf
recycle properly, even if it is a used exclusively to control guns
having low voltage trigger shutters used in most compact
type that has a low voltage cameras the highest shutter
trigger circuit. circuits.
speed for flash can be less than
1 5 10 15
TO BATTERY B1
two-milliseconds (1/500th
A
second).
B
C ON/OFF In order to ensure that the
D
S1 slave reacts quickly enough it is
E TR2
F e important to use a fast
R1
G b photocell, and in practice this
H c + means using either a
I
R C
2 2
RED ( +)
R C C1 phototransistor or a photodiode.
J TR1 3 3 TR3
R
K
c
c
4 Cadmium sulphide photo-
L b b BLACK ( )
e
e
resistors and photo-Darlington
M
devices are not fast enough.
A phototransistor (TR1) is
+ SK1
used in this design, but a
photodiode can be used if
1 5 10 15
M FLASHGUN preferred. Under dark conditions
L a phototransistor operates much
K like any other transistor, and
J
I
with no base current applied
H only minute leakage currents
G flow in the collector-emitter
F
E
circuit.
D When a phototransistor is
C
B
subject to light the leakage
A currents become much larger.
The higher the light level the
Fig.2. Flash Slave component layout and interwiring. greater the leakage current that
flows. Under standby conditions CONSTRUCTION photographs. Fit solder pins to
the leakage current through the board at the points where
phototransistor TR1 is The Flash Slave circuit is connections will be made to the
inadequate to bias the pnp built up on a small piece of in-line socket SK1, switch S1,
transistor TR2 into conduction, stripboard having 16 holes by and the battery.
but TR2 is switched on during 13 copper strips. The topside
component layout, together with CASING UP
the brief pulse of current from
the primary flashgun. It in turn the underside details, is shown Virtually any small plastic
supplies a strong base current in Fig.2. Only two breaks in the box should be adequate to
to transistor TR3, which copper strips are needed. accommodate this small
conducts heavily and triggers Unless you have a suitable project. The prototype is housed
the secondary flashgun. Note off-cut, commence construction in a case that measures about
that the flashgun must be by cutting a standard piece of 100mm x 60mm x 23mm, and
connected to TR3 with the stripboard down to size using a this is slightly larger than the
polarity shown in Fig.1 in order hacksaw and then drilling the bare minimum.
to obtain reliable triggering. two 3××3mm dia. mounting holes. The circuit board is
Resistors R2 and R3 These will accept either 6BA or mounted on the rear panel of
respectively limit the collector metric M3 mounting bolts. the case, well towards one end
currents of TR1 and TR2 to safe so that there is sufficient space
Plastic stand-offs are not a
levels, and capacitors C2 and for the battery at the other end.
good choice for use with
C3 slightly improve the On/Off switch S1 is mounted at
stripboard because most types
response time of the circuit. A any convenient position on the
do not provide a secure
BPX25 is specified for TR1, but front panel.
mounting when used with this
on trying several silicon npn type of board. The two breaks in A “window” for photocell
phototransistor in the circuit the strips can be made using TR1 is needed in the front
they all provided satisfactory the special tool, or a twist drill panel, and there are two ways
results. bit of about 5mm in diameter of tackling this. The method
For the fastest response will do the job well. used on the prototype is to drill
time a photo-diode should be a hole of about 5mm diameter
Although there are few
used in place of TR1. Connect in the front panel, directly in
components to deal with, there
the anode (a) and cathode (k) front of TR1. With the leads of
is not much space for them on
terminals in place of TR1’s TR1 left quite long this brings it
the circuit board. Everything
emitter (e) and collector (c) into the hole when the two
should still fit into place without
respectively. halves of the case are fitted
too much difficulty provided
together.
The sensitivity of a miniature components are used.
photodiode is much less than In particular, C2 and C3 must The alternative, and slightly
that of a phototransistor, but be ceramic plate capacitors or easier method, is to crop the
omitting resistor R1 will largely some other miniature ceramic leads of TR1 quite short, and to
compensate for this. Any type. It is unlikely that other make a much larger “window” in
general-purpose photodiode types such as polystyrene the front panel. Some clear
should be suitable, but infrared capacitors will fit successfully plastic should be glued over the
types do not seem to work well into this layout. rear of the “window” to keep
in this application. dust out of the case.
Transistor TR3, used in the
The current consumption of prototype, has an unusual
the circuit under standby encapsulation know as an E- FLASH CONNECTOR
conditions is only the leakage Line case. At first glance it looks
symmetrical, but if you look at it The miniature coaxial
current through phototransistor
closely it becomes apparent that connectors used for flashguns
TR1, which is normally less than
one side is flat and the other seem to be impossible to obtain
50mA. A PP3 size battery is
has slightly rounded corners. these days, but flash extension
therefore adequate to power the
The type number is on the side leads can be obtained from
unit, and should provide more
that has the rounded corners, photographic shops at
than 1000 hours of operation.
and this side faces towards reasonable prices. Cut the
capacitor C3, see Fig.2 and socket from the extension lead,
large building or out of doors

there will be less reflected light
and it will then be necessary to
aim it at the master flash unit in
order to obtain reliable
triggering.
The easy way of handling
this is to fix the slave on one
side of the secondary flashgun
or on a separate lighting stand
using something like Bostik Blu-
Tack. The Blu-Tack provides a
sort of universal joint that
makes it easy to aim the
Test shot result showing “light burst” produced by flashgun in practically any
pointing the “master” directly at the “slave”. desired direction.
Bear in mind that the light
together with about 150mm to from the secondary flashgun will
250mm of cable. Incidentally, IN USE increase the exposure slightly.
the in-line version of the socket Provided the light from the
fitted to flash extension leads is When initially testing the
unit it is best to try it at almost secondary gun is relatively
actually the one that looks like a weak it will not alter the
plug. point blank range. If all is well
try it at longer ranges, but exposure sufficiently to give any
Drill a hole of about 4mm switch off immediately and major problems, even when
diameter in the case for the recheck the wiring if it fails to using transparency film. The
lead, thread it through the hole, trigger the flashgun properly. exposure latitude of print films
prepare the end of the cable, Avoid aiming photocell TR1 is such that even an extra stop
and then connect the two wires towards strong light sources as or so of exposure from the
to the circuit board. The unit will this could result in the unit being secondary flashgun should still
not work properly unless the held in the triggered state. This achieve good results.
flash lead is connected with the will prevent it from working and If you wish to check that the
polarity indicated in Fig.2. will greatly reduce the life of the unit is responding quickly
Ideally a voltmeter should battery. enough, the only sure test is to
be used to check the polarity of The maximum range take some test shots. If you take
the potential on this lead, but depends on the power of the a photograph of the slave
trial and error can be used if primary flashgun and the flashgun and it comes out
necessary. It is very unlikely precise characteristics of the properly, the slave is not acting
that connecting the flash lead photocell used for TR1, but it quickly enough and a longer
with the wrong polarity will should be several meters or shutter speed must be used. If
damage anything. Most flash more. Raising the value of you get what looks like a
leads have black and white resistor R1 will increase the photograph of an explosion
insulation on the leads, and the sensitivity of the unit, but this (below), the slave flashgun is
black lead is usually the also increases the possibility of being triggered fast enough.
negative (–) lead. a strong ambient light level
To complete the unit, holding the unit in the triggered
connect the black (–) battery state.
clip lead and the lead from When used indoors it is not
switch S1 to the circuit board. normally necessary to aim the
The red (+) lead from the photocell at the primary
battery clip goes to the switch, flashgun, because light
see Fig.2. After a final check reflected from the walls, ceiling,
through the unit is now ready for etc. is usually sufficient to
testing. trigger the unit. When used in a
GARAGE LINK by TERRY de VAUX_BALBIRNIE
Have you left the garage door open all night again? You is essential to check that there
need this versatile, license exempt, coded radio link. are suitable positions for the two
units. The garage Transmitter
Have you ever gone to get the prototype operated reliably does not need to be particularly
the car out of the garage and at a distance of over 20 meters close to the door as long as a
found that you left the door open (66ft). However, the range will piece of twin wire can be
all night? With luck, the car is still be much less when used in connected to it from a “remote”
there and everything inside the buildings. The presence of trigger switch there. It is better,
garage untouched. You breath a metallic objects and even in fact, if it is kept away from
sigh of relief and vow to be more ordinary building materials will the door if this is made of metal.
careful in future. reduce the signal. Both units should be sited
The prototype units were set clear of large metallic objects.
up under “fair” conditions. The There should be a mains socket
OPEN DOOR garage was built with single near the house-based Receiver
But what if the car had been brick walls and the house with because it is operated using a
stolen? How would you square double walls made of brick and plug-in power supply unit.
that with the insurance company breeze block. The easily- The garage section is
when you declared that the car is obtainable range was battery-operated, using a pack
left overnight “in a secure approximately 8 to 10 meters of four “AA” size cells inside the
garage”? What about the (26ft to 33ft). Obviously working case. This avoids the need for a
expensive power tools, bicycles, to as short a range as mains supply in the garage with
and gardening equipment you practicable will give the most possible safety implications.
keep there? reliable results. The batteries should last for one
These would be easily year approximately.
removed by any opportunist ON SITE Of course, applications for
prowler. You could hardly show this circuit are not confined to
the “forcible entry” needed to With the likely operating
distance in mind and before monitoring garage doors and
make a claim on your household many readers will have their
policy when all he had to do was beginning construction work, it
walk in and take what he wanted!
WIRELESS LINK
This Garage Link circuit helps
to prevent the garage door (or
either door in the case of a
double garage having twin doors)
being left open all night. It works
by establishing a radio link
between the garage transmitter
and some point inside the house.
The indoor receiver then provides
an audible warning in the form of
a short bleep every 45 seconds.
The likely operating range is
difficult to predict. In the open air, Self-contained Transmitter.
AERIAL AERIAL
own ideas about how to use it.

RADIO WAVES
Because the Transmitter is self- a L.E.D.
contained, it could be used to SWITCH
TRANSMITTER RECEIVER
k
monitor other doors, gates,
windows, etc. In some
situations, it would be necessary
Fig.1. Block schematic of a simple radio link.
to use a waterproof enclosure be laid between a switch at the ON
but this is left up to the door and a unit inside the
constructor. house. Unfortunately, this is not
usually the case.
OFF
LIGHT WORK Even where it would be 1 0 1 1 0 1
Since people often wish to theoretically possible to run

such a wire, it is unlikely that
Fig.2. Transmitter code.
leave the garage door open
during the day, operation is held there would be a neat and
and TV broadcasting, some for
off until the light falls to a simple way of doing it. It would
military, some for radio amateurs,
certain preset level. Another also involve drilling holes
some for the public services and
point is that the door might have through walls or window frames.
so on.
been left open in the evening on This is why it was decided to
use a different approach and Some small bands of
purpose – perhaps because a
base this system on a radio link. frequencies are left on a license-
member of the family is
exempt basis and may be used
expected home soon.
by anyone. However, strict
This is one reason why the FOLLOW THE BAND regulations exist for their use. In
warning is given intermittently. The use of the radio particular, the power radiated
It may then be ignored if frequency (RF) spectrum is must be extremely small so that
required. The other reason is carefully controlled with specific no appreciable signal may be
that it saves battery power. bands being allocated for detected more than a short
Designing a circuit which various purposes. In the UK, the distance from the transmitter.
would sound a warning if the body that oversees this is the One such frequency is
garage door was left open Department of Trade and 418MHz and this is used for
would be easy if there was a Industry (DTI). Some frequency certain local pagers, car security
clear path for a length of wire to bands are reserved for radio devices, “wireless” house alarms
k a
D2
18 1N4001
VR1 *Rt R6 S1
1
n.c. = NORMALLY CLOSED n.c.
VDD
4M7 10k 2M7 15 S7
S2 OSC1
2
4 8
DOOR
RST +V S3 OPERATED
3 R9
LOOP
1M5 AERIAL
7 ADDRESS
R1
470k
R3
3M3
*SEE TEXT DIS. S4
4 INPUTS (ANTENNA)
16
IC2 TEST LINK
S5
OSC2
R7 7555 NORMALLY 5
10k CONNECTS
IC3
2 HT12E B1
TRIG. D TO C S6 R10 6V
6
7 (SEE TEXT) 680W (4 x AA)
DATA 17
2 8 R8
6 OUTPUT
THRES. 47k LK1
IC1 6
3 14 + +
7611 OUT TE
*R2 3 + GND D C ADDRESS C3
INPUTS 47m
L.D.R.
4 E IC4
*R5 1
D1 VSS AM-TX1-418
66M 1N4148
9 7 8 10 11 12 13
a k
+
R4 C1 C2 VC1
3M3 22m 220p 2p TO 5p
Fig.3. Circuit diagram for the Transmitter section of the Garage Link. Note that the normally closed
contacts of microswitch S7 are used and that closing the garage door opens them. The “TE”
designation at IC3 pin 14 means Transmit Enable (the bar over it means this signal’s
active state is
and so on. However, due to so- data. With AM it is the signal while keeping a constant
called TETRA services strength (amplitude of the waves) amplitude.
operating at around this emitted by the transmitter which COMMERCIAL
frequency and more so in the is varied with the frequency
future, the DTI have licensed remaining constant. In the MODULES
433MHz for the same purpose. simplest case, this is performed To allow the use of home-
This frequency is already in by switching it on and off. With made transmitters would lead
widespread use in mainland FM it is the frequency of the the way to potentially botched
Europe. Note that these are waves which is shifted slightly equipment causing interference
actually narrow bands (that is,
ranges) of frequencies but for COMPONENTS
the sake of simplicity they are
stated as spot values – 418MHz TRANSMITTER RECEIVER
and 433MHz. Resistors Resistors
R1 470k R1 100k
R2 sub-miniature light dependent R2 10k
NO GUARANTEES resistor (LDR) -- dark resistance
approximately 5 megohm (see text)
Both 0.25W 5% carbon film
Capacitors
Although 433MHz R3, R4 3M3 (2 off)
R5 66M (2 x 33M connected in C1, C2 470n miniature metallized
equipment is probably less polyester -- 2.5mm pin spacing
series -- see text)
likely to suffer from interference R6 2M7 (2 off)
problems especially in the R7 10k C3, C4 220n miniature metallized
coming years, there is always R8 47k polyester -- 2.5mm pin spacing
(2 off)
some risk of this occurring R9 1M5 (or 1M and 470k in series --
see text) C5 100u radial electrolytic, 25V
whichever frequency is used.
R10 680 ohms Semiconductors
Correct operation therefore Rt 10k (test -- see text)
cannot be guaranteed under all D1 1N4001 1A 50V rectifier diode
All 0.25W 5% carbon film, except R2 TR1 ZTX300 npn general-purpose
circumstances. transistor
Potentiometer IC1 AM-HRR3-418 receiver module
The prototype unit operates VR1 4M7 miniature preset, horizontal
at 418MHz because the IC2 HT12F decoder
Capacitors IC3 78L05 5V 100mA voltage
necessary modules were readily regulator
C1 22u radial electrolytic, 10V
available at the time. However, C2 220p polystyrene
there is no reason why similar Miscellaneous
C3 47u radial electrolytic, 10V
S1 to S6 DIP switches
433MHz modules could not be VC1 miniature preset trimmer
(one strip of six)
used. 2pF to 5pF
WD1 piezo buzzer -- DC operation
Another choice is whether Semiconductors 3V to 24V at 10mA
D1 1N4148 signal diode FS1 250mA miniature PCB
to use AM (amplitude mounting fuse (see text)
D2 1N4001 1A 50V rectifier diode
modulation) or FM (frequency IC1 ICL7611 micropower opamp
modulation). Frequency IC2 ICM7555IPA CMOS timer Printed circuit board available from
modulation is more immune IC3 HT12E encoder the EPE Online Store (code 7000262
from interference, would IC4 AM-TX1-418 transmitter -- receiver) at www.epemag.com;
module (see text) plastic case size 102mm x 76mm x
provide a greater range and, for 38mm; 9V 300mA (unregulated)
critical applications, would Miscellaneous mains adapter plus socket to suit;
probably be better. However, S1 to S6 DIP switches (one strip of six) 18-pin DIL IC socket; SIL socket for
here the less sophisticated AM S7 lever-arm microswitch receiver module, see text; connecting
system was used and it B1 6V battery pack (4 x AA) wire, solder, etc.
performed perfectly well. PCB available from the EPE Online
For those who are Store (code 7000261 -- transmitter) at
interested, modulation is the www.epemag.com; plastic case size
118mm x 98mm x 45mm; 8-pin DIL
See also the
way in which radio waves carry IC socket (2 off); 18-pin DIL IC socket; SHOP TALK Page!
battery connector (PP3 type); bracket
for microswitch -- see text; connecting
wire, solder, etc.
Approx. Cost Transmitter Receiver

Guidance Only (Excl. batts) $27 (Excl. mains adapter) $37
with vital services. The actual
transmitter (but not the circuit
controlling it) must therefore be
commercially-built to the
prescribed specification. It is
then said to be “DTI MPT1340
approved, W.T. license
exempt”.
Appropriate commercial
modular transmitters are
available quite cheaply. The
simplest variety has only two
wires, which are used for the
code. Only if this code is code could swamp the receiver
power supply and aerial
matched at the receiver end will so that it would not “see” the
(antenna), and this is the type
an output be given. The weaker signal from the
used in this project.
receiver may well pick up transmitter. During that time, no
The receiver section is signals which carry no code at output would be given.
based on a matching receiver all or carry the wrong code
module. No traditional “radio”
CIRCUIT DETAILS –
(from similar equipment) but, in
skills are therefore needed either case, it will have no TRANSMITTER
during construction and setting- effect. The complete circuit
up. diagram of the Transmitter
section of the Garage Link is
CODED LINK shown in Fig.3. While the
BASIC LINK To illustrate this, suppose garage door is open, it allows
A simple radio link between the code consists of the six-bit the normally-closed (NC)
two positions using a transmitter word: 1 0 1 1 0 1. In this case a contacts of microswitch S7 to
and receiver tuned to the same “1” would be given by switching close and establish a supply to
frequency is shown in Fig.1. the transmitter on for a certain the circuit from the 6V battery
Switching on (“keying”) the time and a “0” by switching it off pack, B1. When the door is
transmitter would send out radio for the same time. The signal closed, the switch contacts open
waves from its aerial. The given by the transmitter is and no current flows. This
signal would be picked up by an shown graphically in Fig.2. The method has the advantage that
aerial at the receiver and, after receiver would then be pre-set for much of the time, the battery
suitable processing, the LED to “see” this code and no other. is not being drained.
(light-emitting diode) connected
In the Garage Link, the Diode D2 prevents damage
to its output would operate. By
code has twelve bits (although to the circuit if the supply were
switching the transmitter on and
only six of them may be to be connected in the wrong
off, the LED would flash in
changed by the user). It is, sense. If it was, the diode would
sympathy.
therefore, very unlikely that any not conduct and nothing would
However, this type of signal, apart from the intended happen. For the moment, ignore
system would be vulnerable to one, would carry the correct IC1 and IC2. IC3 is an encoder,
false triggering. Every time the code. If someone within range
receiver picked up a signal from happened to be operating
any other source of radio waves similar equipment and using the
operating at or about the same same code then all that would AM-TX1-418
frequency, the LED would come MARK DENOTES
be necessary would be to POSITIVE SIDE
on. change it.
To avoid this, the Unfortunately, any strong +
transmitter is keyed according signal at about the working 0.35 IN.
to a certain pre-arranged digital frequency and not carrying the
Fig.5. Transmitter module
(IC4) pin polarity
identification.
VR1 AERIAL
(ANTENNA)
S1 R10
R6 Rt S2 R9
R1
R3 S3 + D2
IC3 C2
IC2 S4
6V
IC1 A S5 IC4 + (VIA S7)
S6
R2
B R8 + R7 C VC1 C3
C1 LK1 E 0V
R5 D1 D
R4
Fig.4. Printed cir-

cuit board compo-
nent layout and
(approximately) full
size underside cop-
per foil master for
the transmitter.
which keys the transmitter a “0” is set and by switching it When the low state of pin 14 is
according to the pre-arranged off, a “1”. This gives a simple removed, pin 17 finishes its
code. IC4 is the transmitter means of changing the code at current cycle then stops.
module. any time if required. The rate at which data is
The twelve address inputs It seemed unnecessary to transferred is determined by the
of IC3 are at pins 1 to 8 and allow user selection of all the frequency of an on-chip
pins 10 to 13. These may be set addresses, so here only IC3 pin oscillator. This, in turn, is set by
to logical 1 or 0 to provide the 1 to pin 6 may be set using the the value of resistor R9
chosen code. Four of the DIP switches. The other connected between pin 15 and
addresses could also be used to addresses (pins 7, 8 and 10 to pin 16 (Osc1 and Osc2). The
carry separate data but this is 13) are tied to 0V together with specified value sets a frequency
not done here. pin 9 which is the 0V input, of 2kHz approximately.
To establish the code some making them always logic “0”. The data from IC3 pin 17 is
of the address pins are When the TE (transmit used to power the transmitter
connected to the 0V line to enable) pin 14 is made low module direct. When it is high,
provide logical 0 status. Any pin (imagine this is so for the the transmitter (IC4) receives
left unconnected automatically moment), the data present on current and sends out a signal.
assumes logic 1. the address pins is given When low, it is off. A short loop
serially at the data output, pin aerial (antenna) is used to
17. This is in the form of four- radiate the waves and trimmer
CODESETTING word groups and continues as capacitor VC1 is used to tune it
Setting up the code is long as pin 14 (TE) is kept low. for maximum signal strength.
carried out using a set of DIP If it is low for less than the
(dual in-line package) switches time taken for one word, it will
(S1 to S6) on the PCB (printed PULSETIME
still transmit a four-word group.
circuit board). With a switch on, It is not necessary for the
Transmitter to be providing data
continuously – in fact, this
would run down the batteries
without good reason. IC3 pin 14
(transmit enable) only needs to
be pulsed low for sufficient time
to provide the bleeps at the
Receiver.
To provide these pulses,
IC3 pin 14 is connected via
resistor R8 and test link LK1, to
the output (pin 3) of the astable
based on timer IC2. A
continuous string of pulses is
then produced.
The frequency and mark/
2mm
space ratio (that is, how long SEEING THE LIGHT 38.1mm
each pulse is high compared

with low) is determined by the The light-sensing aspect of AM-HRR3-418 13.7mm
values of resistors R6 and R7 in the circuit is based on

conjunction with capacitor C1. operational amplifier (opamp)
With the values specified, one IC1. This inhibits the action of 1 2 3 7 10 15
1.27mm
cycle is produced every 42 the encoder when the light level P.C.B. HOLES ON 0.1 INCH PITCH
seconds with each “low” taking is high enough. The opamp is of

PIN NO. FUNCTION
0××2s but this is subject to a fairly a type which requires very little 1 R.F. VCC
wide tolerance. quiescent current (10uA 2 R.F. GND

3 ANTENNA
approx.). It therefore has
Test resistor Rt is negligible effect on the life of
4,5,6
7
NOT CONNECTED
R.F. GND
connected in parallel with the batteries. 8,9 NOT CONNECTED
resistor R6 to begin with. This 10 A.F. VCC
sets a much shorter time period The non-inverting input (pin 11

12
A.F. GND
A.F. VCC
(about half a second) so the 3) of IC1 receives a voltage 13 * TEST POINT

buzzer bleeps rapidly. This will equal to one-half that of the 14
15
DATA OUTPUT
A.F. VCC
be useful for testing and setting- supply (nominally 3V) due to the *NOT USED
up purposes. At the end of potential divider action of
Fig.7. Receiver module pin
setting up one of Rt end leads is resistors R3 and R4. The
inverting input (pin 2) is layout and function details.
cut to disconnect it from the
circuit. connected to a further potential
+ 5V OUT IC3 IN k a
AERIAL 18
78L05
TB1/1 + 9V
(ANTENNA) S1 D1 FS1
1 VDD COM. 1N4001 250mA
15 WD1
S2 OSC1
1 2 3V TO 24V
10mA
R.F. VCC
3
S3
3 R1 +
DATA IN 100k
ADDRESS
S4
IC1 C2
4 INPUTS
16
AM-HRR3-418 OSC2
47n
10 S5
5 IC2 TR1
HT12F
12 R2 ZTX300
S6 c
A.F. VCC 6 10k
15 DATA
OUTPUT 17 b
C4
DATA 14 14 (VT) 220n
OUT DATA IN ADDRESS e
INPUTS +
C3 C5
C1 A.F.0V R.F.0V VSS 220n 100m
47n
11 2 7 9 7 8 10 11 12 13
TB1/2 0V
Fig.6. Full circuit diagram for the Receiver section of the Garage Link. The designation “VT” at
IC2 pin 17 means Valid Transmission.
WD1
c
AERIAL
(ANTENNA)
IC3 k D1a FS1 262
C2 COM IN
R2
1
TR1 b OUT
+
C5
e
1 + 9V
C3 TB1
S1 C4 2 OV
S2 R1 IC1
S3
S4 IC2 7
S5
S6
10
C1
15
Fig.8. Printed circuit board component layout and (approximately) full size copper foil track mas-
ter for the Receiver.
divider. Its top arm consists of switch off and pin 6 will go low. Important Note: The
fixed resistor R1 connected in This state is blocked by diode design of the aerial is specified
series with preset potentiometer D1 so it has no effect on the by UK regulations. There are
VR1. The lower arm is light- encoder (IC3) which is now two configurations possible but,
dependent resistor (LDR) R2. controlled by the astable (IC2) of these, a tuned loop is used
When the LDR is brightly alone. here. The enclosed area must
illuminated, its resistance will be The exact light level at not exceed 700 square mm and
lower than the R1/VR1 which the transition occurs is it must be integral within the unit
combination and the voltage at determined by the adjustment of – it cannot be placed externally
pin 2 will be less than 3V – that preset VR1. Resistor R5, which and driven through a feeder.
is, less than that at pin 3. With is connected between IC1 non- Radio amateurs please note:
the opamp non-inverting input inverting input and the output, this transmitter is not type
voltage exceeding the inverting introduces a small amount of approved for use with a quarter
one, the output at pin 6 will be positive feedback and ensures a wave or helical antenna .
high. sharp switching action at the All components for the
This state is transferred critical light level. Transmitter (apart from the
through diode D1 to IC3 pin 14. While actually transmitting battery pack) are mounted on a
Whatever the state of IC2 data the circuit requires some single-sided printed circuit
output, IC3 “transmit enable” pin 2mA, but between pulses the board (PCB). The topside
will be made high so operation prototype used less than 95uA. component layout and
is inhibited. Due to the short pulse length, (approximately) full size
the average current is very underside copper foil track
small. Remembering that when master are shown in Fig. 4. This
FAILING LIGHT the garage door is closed there board is available from the EPE
As the light level falls, the is no current drain at all, the Online Store (code 7000261) at
resistance of the LDR increases overall current needed by the www.epemag.com
and at some point will exceed Transmitter is even less. Begin construction by
that of the R1/VR1 combination. drilling the two fixing holes and
The voltage at the inverting soldering the IC sockets, DIP
input will then exceed 3V – that CONSTRUCTION –
switches S1 to S6, and the two
is, greater than that at the non- TRANSMITTER link wires in position. One of
inverting one. The opamp will these is soldered between
position on the PCB. closely at it while rotating the
top screw). This gives the
minimum capacitance of 2pF,
TRANSMITTER which worked well in the
MODULE prototype.
Before unpacking the
transmitter module, remove any RECEIVER
The lever-arm microswitch
mounted on a small metal
bracket.
points A and B. The other is the
test link (LK1 – C-D-E). The
wire should be soldered as
shown between C and D for
normal operation.
Next, the resistors,
capacitors and diodes (taking
care with the polarity of
capacitors C1, C3 and the
diodes) can be mounted and
soldered in position. If a 1××5MW
resistor is not available for R9,
connect one 1MW and one Garage door closed – mi- Garage door open – mi-
470kW in series. croswitch arm compressed, croswitch arm released,
In the prototype, resistor R5 power off! power on!
(66MW) consisted of two 33MW static charge that might exist on The complete circuit
units connected in series to the body by touching something diagram of the Receiver section
make up the value. You could which is “earthed” such as a of the Garage Link is shown in
use a single resistor having a metal water tap. This is because Fig.6. The receiver module IC1
value of between 56MW and it is a static-sensitive device requires a 4××5V to 5××5V supply.
100MW if this is available. and such charge could damage
The total current
Cut the LDR (R2) leads to a it.
requirement of the circuit is
length of about 15mm and Cut its leads to a length of 5mA approximately, which
solder it in place. Bend the 15mm and solder it in place on could not be maintained by a
leads through right angles so the PCB, using minimum heat battery over a long period of
that the “window” points to the from the soldering iron. Take operation. This is why a mains
side (see photograph). Solder care over the polarity – the power adapter (sometimes
the positive (red) and negative positive end is identified by a referred to as a battery
(black) wires of the PP3-type black mark on the body. eliminator) is called for.
battery connector to the “+6V” Taking the same anti-static The power adapter supplies
(via switch S7) and “0V” points precautions, unpack IC2 and a nominal 9V to the input of
respectively on the PCB. IC3. Insert them in their sockets voltage regulator IC3, via fuse
taking care over the orientation. FS1 and diode D1. The output
LOOP AERIAL By leaving IC1 position empty of IC3 provides the 5V needed
for the moment, the light- by the receiver module, and this
The prototype aerial was sensing aspect of the circuit will is also used by the rest of the
made using a piece of light-duty be disabled and this will simplify circuit. Fuse FS1 prevents
single-core insulated wire cut to testing. possible damage in the event of
a length of 80mm. The end a short-circuit.
1mm or so was stripped and the Adjust trimmer capacitor
wire bent into a loop. It was then VC1 so that the plates are not Diode D1 prevents damage
soldered into the “aerial” meshed or only slightly so (look if the supply were to be
connected the wrong way round. module output, pin 14. was the PCB-mounting type;
This is a possibility where plug- Resistor R1 connected this is convenient because it will
in power supply adapters are between pin 15 and pin 16 probably never blow.
used, because the output (Osc1 and Osc2) sets the Follow with diode D1,
polarity is sometimes uncertain. decoder oscillator frequency. transistor TR1, regulator IC3
If the supply was reversed, D1 This needs to be approximately and buzzer WD1, again, taking
would not conduct and nothing fifty times higher than that used care over their orientation. Note
would happen. in the transmitter section and that the flat face of the regulator
The receiver module is in the specified resistor sets it at is downwards and that of the
the form of a single-in-line 100kHz approximately. transistor to the right. Some
package – that is, it has only When correct data arrives regulators have a different pin
one row of pins. Not all the pins at IC2 pin 14, pin 17 (Valid arrangement so check this point
are present and gaps are left Transmission) goes high. if necessary.
where they would have been. Current then flows, via the PRELIMINARY
The numbering takes into resistor R2, into the base (b) of
account those which are present transistor TR1 and the buzzer
SET-UP
as well as those which are not WD1 in the collector (c) circuit Attach a PP3-type battery
so, although there are 15 operates. Since data is received connector to terminal block
numbered “pins”, only 10 of in short bursts as determined by TB1, taking care over the
them actually exist. The pin the Transmitter output, the polarity. A 9V battery will be
layout and designations are buzzer will sound with regular used for testing but it will be
shown in Fig.7. bleeps. replaced with the plug-in, mains
There are separate pins for adapter, power supply at the
the positive supply feed to the end.
RF (radio frequency) and the CONSTRUCTION – Solder a piece of light-duty
AF (audio frequency) sections. RECEIVER stranded wire 18cm long to the
These are pin 1 and pins 10, 12 “aerial” point. This corresponds
All components for the
and 15 respectively. There are to one-quarter of a wavelength
Receiver (apart from the supply
also separate ground (0V) approximately. Note that, unlike
input socket) are also mounted
connections for these (pins 2 the Transmitter aerial, this could
on a single-sided printed circuit
and 7 for RF and pin 11 for AF). be placed outside the case. You
board (PCB). The topside
The same power supply is component layout and full size could even use a short
used for both sections, but they underside copper foil track telescopic aerial, if you wish.
are decoupled separately using master are shown in Fig.8. This Observing the anti-static
capacitors C1 and C2. The board is available from the EPE precautions again, insert IC2
aerial is connected to IC1 pin 3 Online Store (code 7000262) at and the receiver module, IC1,
(Data In). The amplified data www.epemag.com into their sockets. IC1 will only
appears at output pin 14. fit one way – that is, with the
Begin construction by
drilling the two fixing holes then components side facing IC2.
Take great care when inserting
DECODING solder the terminal block TB1,
it. If too much force is used, the
link wire, IC sockets, and DIP
The decoder IC2 is, in many pins will bend and possibly
switches S1 to S6 in position.
respects, similar to the encoder damage it. Note also that the
Use pieces of single in-line
(IC3) in the Transmitter unit. pins are fairly long and will not
(SIL) socket for receiver module
The receiving code is set up in push fully “home”.
IC1 – do not solder this IC
the same way using a set of DIP
directly onto the board. You
switches S1 to S6. The non-
could make these by cutting up PRELIMINARY
settable address pins 7, 8 and
a dual-in-line socket.
10 to 13 are fixed with a logic TESTS
state of 0, by tying them to the Solder all resistors and
0Vline. Pin 9 is connected along capacitors in position taking Decide on a code for the
with these because it is the 0V care over the orientation of two units. It does not matter
input. Data is applied to pin 14 electrolytic capacitor C5. Add what it is, but the DIP switches
(Data In) from the receiver fuse FS1. In the prototype this (S1 to S6) in each unit must be
set in exactly the same way.
Connect a PP3 battery to works, check the earlier stages. orientation of the Transmitter
the Receiver and pull out the If nothing happens, it is more loop is important. Set this and
aerial into a straight line. Place likely that the fault lies in the the Receiver aerial for best
the two units approximately 2m Receiver. Assuming the two effect.
(6ft approx.) apart. Insert the units are operating over a short Do not use metal boxes to
cells into the Transmitter battery range, try increasing it. Move house the units – only plastic
holder and connect it up. Note them to the point where the ones. Metal boxes would screen
that the maximum voltage to be buzzer operates intermittently or the circuits and prevent radio
used with the Transmitter is 6V in a “chirping” way due to waves passing in or out!
– more than that will damage it. periods which lack proper data.
With luck, the buzzer will Adjust VC1 using a plastic
begin sounding with rapid trimming tool (a metal FINAL ASSEMBLY –
bleeps! Remember, resistor Rt screwdriver blade will affect TRANSMITTER
is in the circuit and the time operation) to tune the
Transmitter aerial for the best Place the Transmitter PCB
period has been reduced for
signal. Increase the range to 10 and battery holder on the
testing.
meters and make further bottom of the box in their
If it fails to work, change the adjustments as necessary. correct positions. When
alignment of the transmitter Experiment with the orientation deciding on the orientation of
aerial. Try moving the units of the aerials. the PCB take account of the
closer together to see if that direction from which the LDR
improves matters. Experiment LIGHT WORK will receive light. Ideally, it
with the adjustment of capacitor To check the light-sensing should end up pointing towards
VC1. If it still doesn’t work, stage (IC1), first disconnect the the garage door so that when
check that the code switches in Transmitter battery. Observing this is open, it will receive
each unit are definitely set in the anti-static precautions, “outside” light. Alternatively, try
the same way. A faulty soldered insert IC1 taking care over the to direct it towards a window.
joint at a DIP switch in either orientation. Adjust preset VR1 Mark through the fixing
unit could set the wrong code fully anti-clockwise (this means holes, remove everything again
and prevent the system from it does not have to be very dark and drill them through. Holding
working. to operate and simplifies the PCB in place, a small
testing). distance above the base of the
AT FAULT Re-connect the battery and box, mark the LDR position.
test the system. With sufficient Measure the position of preset
If there is still a fault, it is light reaching the LDR (R2) VR1 and mark the lid directly
more likely to be in the sensitive surface, the buzzer above it. Remove the PCB and
Transmitter, because this has should stop sounding. When the drill these holes.
two distinct sections. These are LDR is covered, it should begin
the encoder and transmitter on The one for the LDR should
again. If this does not work, try be about the same diameter as
one hand and the light sensor covering the LDR more
(but this part has been its window. The hole for VR1
carefully – perhaps sufficient should be large enough to allow
temporarily disabled) and light is still reaching it. Cover
astable on the other. If there is it to be adjusted from the
the LDR with black opaque PVC outside using a small
a persistent fault, you could try tape so that the transmitter
isolating it to one of these screwdriver or trimming tool.
works continuously again. Drill a hole near the right-hand
sections.
side of the PCB for the wires
First, remove the ICs leading through from the garage
observing the anti-static ON TRIAL
door switch.
precautions mentioned earlier. With the aid of an assistant,
Now, change the connection of hold the two units in various trial Before attaching the PCB,
the “test link” LK1 on the PCB positions to find the best ones. drill two holes in the back of the
so that C connects to E. This As with any very low-power box clear of all internal
takes IC3 pin 14 to 0V and radio equipment, there will be components. These will be used
allows the Transmitter to send good and bad spots. Check with for attaching the unit to the wall
data continuously. If it now the car in the garage. The later. Secure the PCB using
TERMINAL DOOR-OPERATED
TRANSMITTER BLOCK JUNCTION MICROSWITCH Make sure the switch lever still
P.C.B. TB2 BOX has some movement left when
+ 6V the door is closed so that it is
0V
+ not placed under any undue
LIGHT-DUTY
strain.
6V TWIN WIRE
BATTERY
PACK CONNECTING UP
Identify the switch contacts
Fig.9. Interwiring between the Transmitter and remote door-
that “break” (open) when the
operated microswitch. door is closed (that is, the
plastic washers on the bolt these wires. If you are using a normally-closed contacts).
shanks. The LDR leads should power supply unit with an There is usually a diagram of
be bent so that the window lies adjustable output, you may find this on the side of the
a few millimeters behind the that the “6V” setting actually microswitch. Using spade
hole drilled for it. Secure the provides over 9V when used receptacle connectors, attach a
battery holder using adhesive under the low-load conditions of short piece of light-duty twin
fixing pads or a small bracket. this circuit. stranded wire to the appropriate
tags. This should be sufficient to
Attach the Transmitter and
reach a small junction box (the
– RECEIVER Receiver units in their final
burglar alarm type is ideal)
positions.
Disconnect the battery and attached near the doorframe.
remove the connector from the Referring to Fig.9, complete
terminal block TB1. Place the SWITCHED ON the external wiring. Any light-
Receiver PCB on the bottom of Decide on the switching duty twin stranded wire will be
its box and mark through the arrangement for switch (S7) at suitable. You will need to place
fixing holes. Take it out and drill the garage door. In the a 2-way piece of screw terminal
these through. Measure the prototype, a lever-arm block TB2 inside the transmitter
position of the buzzer and drill a microswitch was used. This was case.
hole in the lid larger than that in attached to a small aluminum Cut the red battery
the buzzer itself for the sound to bracket (see photograph) which connector wire and connect its
pass through. was, in turn, secured to the free ends to the terminal block.
Check the type of connector doorframe. The microswitch had Connect the switch wires to the
fitted to the mains adapter a large paddle-style lever, which block, via the junction box, as
power supply unit. Drill a hole in allowed for some tolerance in shown. If two switches are used
the side for a socket of the fitting, although any type could for two doors, connect them in
same type and attach it. Drill probably be used. parallel.
two holes in the back of the box The switch should be Connect the power supply
(clear of the PCB) to attach it to operated by some part of the unit to the Receiver and test the
the wall later. Secure the PCB door mechanism, which moves whole system. If it fails to work,
using plastic washers on the relatively slowly when the door reverse the polarity of the power
bolt shanks. is operated. This will avoid supply wires.
Solder two pieces of heavy jarring as the door The Receiver aerial wire
connecting wire to the power closes. could be either routed around
socket. Take care that the Hold the switch assembly in the inside of the case (make
correct tags are used. Check position and check that the sure the end is insulated so that
the polarity of the power supply lever will be pressed to the point it cannot make metallic contact
unit output and connect the where the switch clicks as the with any internal components.
wires to terminal block TB1 door reaches its closed position. Alternatively, it can be allowed
observing the correct polarity. Check carefully that this does to hang outside through a small
If you are unsure about this, not interfere with normal hole.
do not worry. If the receiver operation of the door.
does not work at the end it will Attach the switch and make
be simply a matter of reversing LIGHTING-UP TIME
any adjustments as necessary.
It is now time to remove the was working in the garage at conforms to DTI Specification
tape from the LDR in the night with the door open, the MPT1340. This must state the
Transmitter so that the light- buzzer would not sound. wording “MPT1340 W.T.
sensing part operates. Wait until If you want it to operate License Exempt”. The size must
it is dark enough and, with the under these circumstances, not be less than 10mm x 15mm
lid in place and the garage door shield the LDR so that the and the figure height must not
open, adjust preset VR1 so that garage light does not reach it. be less than 2mm.
the system just responds at this Bending its leads so that it lies
point. further behind the hole and
You will find that the light directing the unit more carefully
level at which the unit starts to at the source of “outside” light
operate (going dark) is not quite will also help.
the same as that at which it Remove the Transmitter lid
stops operating (going light). and cut through one of the leads
This is due to the effect of of test resistor, Rt. Move the cut
feedback resistor R5 in the ends apart to prevent them from
Transmitter. If the effect is too touching. The buzzer should
pronounced, increase its value now give a short bleep every 45
or remove it. seconds approximately.
You may find that the LDR ON APPROVAL
“sees” the garage light when
this is switched on. Of course, Before putting the system
this would hold the buzzer off. into permanent service, it is
This would probably be an important to display a mark on
advantage because if someone the transmitter stating that it
MICRO PICSCOPE by JOHN BECKER
Visual signal monitoring with frills! www.epemag.com, Ed.)

He had already designed
and published a similar purpose
It is astonishing what audio, but frequencies well to unit based on multiplexed LED
opportunities are continuing to be either side of this range can be (light emitting diode) displays. In
revealed for the recently traced. that unit (PE June ’92), an
introduced PIC16F87x series of Several ranges of control LM3914 bargraph IC was used
microcontrollers. This Micro- are offered by switch selection, in conjunction with shift registers
PICscope is a prime example of a covering the sampling rate, and and digital multiplexers to
design idea whose synchronization on/off for the portray a waveform across four
implementation was greatly ‘scope display. The signal input 5 x 7 bit matrixed LEDs. It was
simplified by using one of these is switchable to provide different very effective, although
devices. maximum peak voltage somewhat power hungry.
The Micro-PICscope is a monitoring ranges. Selection of At the time though,
handy little item of test gear and AC or DC input is provided. microcontrollers were an
of benefit to anyone’s workshop. The entire design requires unknown to the author and a
Using an alphanumeric liquid only two ICs, a PIC micro and method by which an LCD screen
crystal display (LCD), it is an opamp, plus a 2-line by 16- could be similarly used eluded
basically a signal tracer, but one character LCD. An optional third him. Whereas LED matrices
with the great advantage that it IC provides power regulation if require only logic control,
shows a representation of the required. alphanumeric displays require a
signal waveform that is being A typical example of the variety of data commands to be
traced. This is shown across eight LCD screen display is shown provided under program control.
of the LCD character cells and is below. For some simple operations
a real-time trace of the monitored LCD commands can be
waveform. generated using codes pre-
Not only that, the display also DESIGN HISTORY programmed into an EPROM
shows the frequency of the signal Some 12 or more years (electrically programmable read
being monitored, and its peak-to-ago, when the author first only memory). This technique
peak voltage. The frequency became familiar with “intelligent” had already been successfully
range covered is basically for alphanumeric LCDs, it became used by the author in a real-time
apparent that by Morse Code Decoder (EE Jan
using the internal ’87), but did not lend itself to
programmable circuit board signal tracing and
character generator, monitoring.
their screens might The introduction of the
be capable of versatile PIC16x84
displaying a simple microcontroller re-sparked
representation of a interest in the idea, and it could
signal being have been done using that PIC
monitored. (There is with a separate analogue-to-
a GREAT article on digital converter (ADC). Then
these displays in the along comes the PIC16F87x
Example of the screen display obtainable EPE Online Library family – with built-in ADC. Bingo,
on the LCD module. at the idea was now as good as
constructed to full workshop
working order as a single chip
design – apart from writing the
command program, of course!
CIRCUIT DETAILS
In fact, as you will see from
the complete circuit diagram for
the Micro-PICscope in Fig.1, the
practical implementation of the
idea has been expanded a bit to
use more than just a
microcontroller (IC2). A buffering
and gain setting opamp (IC1a) Completed Micro-PICscope showing
has been included as well. So general layout of display and controls.
too has a 5V regulator (IC3), gain can be selected by switch 1/10.
allowing the unit to be powered S1 to be x1 (unity – via R2) or
from 9V or 12V supplies. If you Switch S2 provides selection
x10 (via R1). Other gain-setting of AC or DC signal coupling,
have an existing well-stabilized values could be chosen instead.
5V supply, IC3 may be omitted. switching capacitor C1 in and out
For example, a 10kW resistor of circuit. The output from IC1 to
The signal being monitored could be used for R3 instead of the microcontroller is DC coupled.
is brought into opamp IC1a. As a 100kW. This would provide You will spot that the opamp is
set by resistors R1 to R3, the switchable gains of unity and
IN IC3 OUT +5V
78L05
C7
COM 100n
6 2
*SEE TEXT N.C.
*+IC1b 7
N.C. 7 +VE
D0
5
*R1
10k
AC/DC N.C. 8
D1
S2
X10 TB1 9
D2
SK1
S1 *R2
100k
C1
10µ *R3
100k
20 +VE 10
D3
2 +VE 21 D4 11
RA0/AN0 INT/RB0 D4
X1 3 22 D5 12 X2
RA1/AN1 D5 LCD
2
8
*IC1 MAX492 4
RB1
23 D6 13 MODULE
RA2/AN2/VREF – RB2 D6
3
*+IC1a 1
5
PGM/RB3D
24 D7 14
D7
RA3/AN3/VREF+
6 25 RS 4
4 R4 RB4 RS
10k RA4/TOCKI
7 26 E 6
RB5 E
RA5/AN4/SS
27 5
PGCLK/RB6 R/W
28 0V GND CX
PGDA/RB7
C3 IC2 1 3
10p
9
PIC16F876-20P * 11
T1OSO/TICK1/RC0
OSC1/CLKIN CX
12
X1 T1OSI/CCP2/RC1
5MHz 13
CCP1/RC2 S3
C4 14 ADC RATE
10p SCK/SCL/RC3
S6 ON/OFF 10 15
R5 SDI/SDA/RC4 SYNC
OSC2/CLKOUT S4
10k 16
SDO/RC5
D1 R6
1N4148 1k 17
1 TX/CK/RC6
a k S5 FREQ
MCLR 18
RX/DT/RC7
B1 GND GND
C6 C5 C2
9V 22µ 22µ 8 19
100n
R7 VR1
10k 10k
CONTRAST
*PROGRAMMER
TB2
VPP DATA
0V CLK
Fig.1. Complete circuit diagram for the Micro-PICscope. The voltage regulator IC3
is optional – see text.
used in inversion configuration. when the input to RA0 is at the all his future PIC designs to use
Software ensures that the signal positive supply line level of 5V. A this same pin configuration for
is seen the “right way up”! result of zero occurs when the LCD and programming
A MAX492 dual opamp is RA0 input is at 0V. connections.)
used for IC1, with the second Output to the LCD (X2) is via
half ignored. This device is part PORTB, using lines RB0 to RB5 CONSTRUCTION
of the author’s stock “library” to control the display in
and has proved itself for its conventional 4-bit mode. Details of the PCB
nearly rail-to-rail output swing. Connections to the LCD are via component and track layouts
The circuit has also been used the terminal pin block TB1. The are shown in Fig.2. This board is
with a TL082 device, which order of the pins, both physically available from the EPE Online
provides good frequency range, on the printed circuit board (PCB) Store (code 7000259) at
although does not offer full rail- and in terms of program control, www.epemag.com
to-rail output (typically more like is identical to that used by the Regular readers will know
4V swing for a 5V split supply as author in many of his recently this author’s preferred
used here – split by resistors R4 published designs. Display constructional order: wire links,
and R5). contrast of the LCD screen is set resistors, diodes, small
by preset VR1. capacitors, IC sockets and then
on upwards in order of
MICROCONTROLLER component size.
Microcontroller IC2 is a EXTERNAL CONTROL
Dual-in-line sockets should
PIC16F876 device, operated at External control of the PIC’s be used for IC1 and IC2. Note
a clock rate of 5MHz, as set by monitoring and timing functions is that microcontroller IC2 is the
crystal X1. Because of this clock actioned via PORTC, through pins narrow version (0××3in width
rate, the 20MHz version of the RC0 to RC2. The functions
between pin rows, as opposed
PIC should be used. The controlled are the ADC sampling
to 0××6in).
“standard” version has a rate (via S3), waveform
maximum guaranteed clock rate synchronization on/off (S4), and Details of the switch and
limit of 4MHz. However, you frequency counter display on/off signal input connections are also
may find it interesting to note (S5). These will be discussed shown in Fig.2. Socket SK1 may
that the author has successfully later. be a different type to that shown
used the 4MHz version at rates Pins RB6 and RB7, whilst not if preferred.
well in excess of 5MHz. actively used by the design itself, The LCD module might
The PIC16F87x family has can be used to program the PIC have one of two possible pin
been discussed at length in via a suitable programmer, such connection arrangements. They
previous issues of EPE and the as PIC Toolkit Mk2 (May-June are shown in Fig.3.
’876 will not be described in ‘99). The MCLR pin (master reset) As always, do a thorough
detail here. Suffice to say that it is normally powered at 4××3V (5V – check of the component
has three input/output (I/O) 0××7V) via diode D1 and buffering positioning, orientation and
ports, one of which, PORTA, resistor R6. This allows solder joint integrity before
can be used for analog-to-digital programming voltage control applying power. Do not insert
conversion via five of its pins without disturbing the normal 5V IC1, IC2 or the LCD until the
(RA0 to RA3, plus RA5). In this supply rail from voltage regulator output from regulator IC3 has
design, only RA0 (pin 2) is used, IC3. been validated, exactly 5V
its input being taken directly (within a few millivolts) for a
Terminal pin block TB2
from the output of opamp IC1a supply between 7V and 12V.
provides access to MCLR, RB6,
at pin 1.
RB7 and the 0V common line. An output voltage from IC3
Internally, the PIC is The pin order on the PCB is the other than 5V will usually
programmed by the software so also same as that used by the indicate a fault in construction –
that the voltage reference for the author in previous designs. This too high and IC3 is wrongly
ADC is taken as 0V to 5V (the will be welcomed by those who inserted, too low and there may
power line voltage range). have established a plug-in link be a short circuit somewhere on
Consequently, an A-D between Toolkit Mk2 and such the board.
conversion value of 255 results designs! (The author intends for
FIRST RUN
When happy about the
power supply, test the circuit
MCLR
with IC1, IC2 and the LCD DATA RB7
VR1
plugged in (correctly!). Set CLK RB6
0V
switch S4 (Sync) off and S5 TB1
(Frequency) on. When power is CX
+ VE
S2
applied, the PIC first goes into 0V
+
an LCD initialization routine, in AC/DC C1 R3
0V
R
which it sets the LCD for 2-line 6
R R
E
4-bit mode. 1 2
RS
k
X10 D7
Following this, text D1
D6
S1 a
messages similar to those in the R4 D5
R5 D4
photographs should appear. The
+
C3
X1
signal trace display in the top left C2 C4 X1
R
LCD character cells should SK1 C6
+ C 7
5 IN
show as a straight line about 0V IC3 OUT
BATTERY
half way up the screen. Adjust S1 C7
COM
preset VR1 to set the screen +9V

POWER
contrast (you may see nothing at ON/OFF S6
all until you have adjusted it).
Having read the sections all
about the control program, you
can then feed in an audio signal,
play with the switches, and see S3
the results on screen. The input
signal amplitude should be S5 S4
FREQ SYNC
selected so that the majority of
the LCD vertical pixel range is
used.
ENCLOSURE
A small plastic box was
used to house the prototype.
The PCB has been designed so
that the LCD can be mounted
above it using stand-off pillars,
although the prototype did not
use this option.
The rectangular viewing slot
was cut by first drilling small
perimeter holes and using a file
to smooth the edges to shape
and size. Holes must also be
drilled to suit the switches and
input socket. The prototype
used a 3××5mm jack socket for
the power input, but other
techniques, such as a battery
connector, can be used.
Fig.2. Printed circuit board component layout, wiring to the

A-TO-D off-board components and (approximately) full-size copper
CONVERSION foil master for the Micro-PICscope.
not quite instantaneous and the Normally, the LCD module
program repeatedly polls the GO places pre-programmed (as part
bit until it goes low, signifying an of the module’s control chip
end to the conversion process. manufacturing process)
There are several subroutines alphanumeric data into these
which are used in the program cells according to command
to perform this task, one of them codes from an external source,
being: a PIC in this case.
WAITS1: BTFSC However, the module has
ADCON0,GO the facility to allow eight
characters to be “designed” by
GOTO WAITS1 the user and called as well as
MOVF ADRESH,W the standard alphanumeric set.
These characters are stored at
When the GO bit is clear,
module address locations 0 to 7.
Fig.3. Pinout arrangement of the command MOVF
ADRESH,W retrieves the high At first sight, when
the two basic LCD formats. examining the LCD data sheet,
byte of the 2-byte conversion
Basic A-to-D conversion result. Because the display is it might appear that address
using a PIC was discussed in only eight pixels high, the low locations 8 to 15 can also be
the Mini PIC16F87x Tutorial of byte is not needed (see the Mini used to hold custom characters
Oct ’99. A simplified version of Tutorial, or the PIC16F87x data as well. Regrettably for an
the routine described there is book, for details of the application such as this
used here: conversion result format PICscope, addresses 8 to 15
options). only hold repeats of the data at
In the START routine while addresses 0 to 7. Thus only
in PAGE1, register ADCON1 is The value held in ADRESH eight addresses can be used for
set with the binary value of (and now also in W) is that alternative character data,
%00000101, which tells the PIC which represents the voltage hence the PICscope only having
that the 2-byte ADC register is to level of the signal being eight cells for waveform display.
be justified left, with RA0 as an sampled. It cannot yet, however,
analog input referenced to +VE be put out to the LCD screen, Eight cells each having five
and 0V. there’s a great deal of work to pixels horizontally allows 40
be done first! For the moment, waveform samples to have their
Then, back in PAGE0, by values plotted at eight vertical
loading register ADCON0 with a this value is simply stored in one
of a set of temporary memory pixel levels.
binary value of %010000001,
ADC conversion is activated at locations. The conversion and The reason that 128
an oscillator rate of one-eighth storage is performed 128 times samples are taken even though
of the clock rate (Fosc/8). before further action is needed. only 40 will be displayed from
each block is to allow for
(Readers who write their frequency and amplitude values
own PIC software should note DISPLAY PRINCIPLE to be more readily established.
that in order for PAGE
Before that “further action”
commands to be used with the
is described, it is first necessary
Toolkit programmer and the to understand the concept CHARACTER
PIC16F87x family, bit RP1 of the
PIC’s STATUS register must be
behind the way in which a GENERATOR
waveform can be displayed on
set to 0 – as it is in the START The way in which data for a
the LCD by making use of its
routine of the Micro-PICscope character cell is evaluated is
character generator.
source code.) illustrated in Fig.4b. Each of the
You already know that the seven rows making up the cell
A single ADC sample is LCD used here has two display display are treated individually.
taken when the command BSF lines each having 16 character The five pixels of each row are
ADCON,GO is issued, where cells. Each of these 32 cells numbered from 4 to 0, allowing
the quaint GO term (Microchip’s consists of a matrix of LCD a 5-bit binary number to be
description!) refers to bit 2. pixels, arranged as five across compiled. Logic 1 in a bit
Sampling and conversion are by eight down (see Fig.4a).
position turns on the equivalent
pixel, while logic 0 turns it off. COMPONENTS
Having established which Resistors Miscellaneous
bits are to be active, the 5-bit R1, R4, R5, R7 10k (4 off) S1, S2, S4, S5 miniature s.p.d.t.
binary number for each row R2, R3 100k (2 off) toggle switches (4 off)
R6 1k S3 miniature push-to-make switch
(expanded to 8-bit with zero in All 0.25W 5% carbon film S6 miniature s.p.s.t. (or s.p.d.t.)
bits 7 to 5) is sent to the toggle switch
required character generator Potentiometer SK1 BNC socket (see text)
address, of between 0 and 7. VR1 10k miniature round preset X1 5MHz crystal
The same procedure can be X2 2 line x 16 characters per line
Capacitors
used for the other seven alphanumeric crystal display
C1 radial electrolytic, 16V
possible addresses, each of C2, C6 22u radial electrolytic,
Printed circuit board available from
them storing different data, as 25V (2 off)
the EPE Online Store (code 7000259)
appropriate. C3, C4 10p ceramic, 5mm pin
www.epemag.com; powere supply
spacing (2 off)
connector (see text); plastic case,
When character data is C5, C7 100n ceramic, 5mm pin
150mm x 80mm x 50mm; 8-pin DIL
being generated in this way, the spacing (2 off)
socket; 28-pin DIL socket; 1mm
LCD is first told that the data Semiconductors terminal
about to arrive is destined for D1 1N4148 signal diode pins (or strips) for TB1 and TB2; PCB
the character generator rather IC1 MAX492 dual opamp and LCD supports (8 off); connecting
IC2 PIC16F876-20P microcontroller wire; cable ties; solder, etc.
than for the screen display. In
(20MHz version, 0.3-inch width)
the program the initial command preprogrammed See also the
is given by: IC3 78L05 +5V 100mA voltage SHOP TALK Page!
regulator (see text)
MOVLW %01000000
Approx. Cost
CALL LCDLIN
BSF RSLINE,4
Guidance Only $31
which sets the character “designed” data is to be stored, LCD. The LCDLIN call is to one
generator to address 0 from the address incrementing each of several standard routines,
which address onwards the time a data byte is written to the which the author wrote some
years ago to send various
commands and data to an LCD
module.
For all eight character cells
to be fully programmed, 8 x 8 =
64 bytes of data are written to
the character generator.
Once the character
generator has been
programmed, the data held at
each of the eight address blocks
can be called to the screen by
simply accessing that address in
the same way that “normal”
alphanumeric data is accessed.
For example, to display
letter “A” on screen you might
use either MOVLW ’A’, CALL
LCDOUT, or MOVLW 65, CALL
LCDOUT, the value of 65 being
the ASCII value for capital letter
‘A’. In both cases the character
held at character generator
Completed unit showing the LCD module mounted on the lid of address decimal 65 would be
the case and wiring to the PCB. displayed on screen, which,
FIg.3(a). LCD character cell matrix with all

pixels on, (b) example of waveform represen-
fortunately for us all is indeed tation across two character cells.
the letter “A”.
Similarly, to show the a continuous line as possible. PIC (or buy a ready-
character newly programmed For instance, suppose the programmed PIC – see later).
into address 3, the commands waveform is alternating rapidly Although there is a great
would be MOVLW 3, CALL between high and low levels at a deal of processing being carried
LCDOUT. rate faster than the sampling out, each batch of sampled data
can keep pace with. Without is displayed in rapid succession
The data held at character
corrective action, you might only and really does give a “real-
generator addresses 0 to 7 can
see pixels on the upper and time” display of what is
be changed as often as
lower lines, those between happening in a monitored circuit.
required. In this design it is
remaining blank.
typically changed about twice
per second (faster with S4 and The corrective action fills in FREQUENCY AND
S5 off). All data at these those blank pixels so that they
addresses is lost when power is AMPLITUDE
switched off. Each batch of data is also
analyzed for waveform
frequency and peak-to-peak
WAVEFORM amplitude values.
CHARACTERS Amplitude is easily
When a full block of determined by simply looking for
samples has been converted the maximum and minimum
and stored, the data is then conversion values and then
analyzed for amplitude and relating them to the maximum
Close-up of typical screen dis- possible sample level of 255.
compiled into 64 bytes for
sending to the character play. There are three rates, The latter, as said earlier,
generator. Row 8 is the top row the maximum counting fre- represents the positive line level,
and (naturally) represents the quency is about 17kHz. which has been assumed to be
highest voltage range that can exactly 5V. If you need greater
be displayed. The display is, of appear as though they naturally accuracy for signal level
course, compressed to one- follow on from each other. This voltages use your multimeter to
eighth of the conversion value was an extremely difficult read them! The PICscope is
received. process to write the program for! only intended for providing an
Even experienced programmers approximate value (but it’s still
The analysis procedure is
might have difficulty analyzing pretty accurate).
far more complex than can be
described here. It is not just a the way in which the source Note that the PIC does not
matter of ascertaining which row code has been written – be monitor which gain setting has
a value should be allocated to. warned! been selected. It simply reports
The result also has to be However, you don’t need to the voltage it finds on its RA0
“doctored” so that the active understand the program in order pin. You must mentally adjust
pixels are seen to be as close to to use it. Just load it into your the value shown if the gain is
other than unity.
Frequency is assessed by
counting the number of times
the voltage level crosses a
preset threshold value. The
result is then divided by two to
obtain the equivalent number of
cycles per batch, the rate of data
acquisition being pre-
determined by the sampling
rate, which in turn is relative to
the master clock rate.
Much effort went into writing
the software so that relative
timings were maintained
consistently, irrespective of
conditional branch timings in the
sampling routines.
There are three rates at
Completed circuit board mounted on self-adhesive
which the ADC can be set to plastic stand-off pillars.
sample waveforms, selectable readily calculated (friend and Most and Least Significant
by pressing switch S3. The rates EPE author Andy Flind has Bytes, respectively.)
cycle as a repeating group of researched heavily into this – we
three, numbered from 0 to 2. During prototype testing, the
hope he’ll one day share it with unit was fed with a frequency of
The number of the selected rate us all!).
is shown at the top right of the 4000Hz and the “fraction” values
screen. It is not a representation The solution here was to repeatedly adjusted by trial and
of the frequency range covered. count the swings above and error until the LCD also showed
below the threshold level and a value of 4000Hz.
The rates are set according then divide the answer by a
to the value by which the master Having established the
conversion factor, with a values for the three ranges, the
clock oscillator is divided via the separate factor for each of the
ADCON0 prescaler. This value input frequency was raised to
three sampling rates. see how far accuracy was
is set by bits 6 and 7 in the
ADCON0 register. Rate 0 sets Using a subtractive maintained, the results were:
Fosc/2, rate 1 sets Fosc/8, rate technique, the conversion
involves fractions, which are Rate Generator Display
2 sets Fosc/32. The routine
which reads S3 and sets the bits fixed in the software as two-byte 0 17007Hz 16984Hz
commences at label TESTIT, binary numbers. 1 17007Hz 16998Hz
following on into GETRATE, For example, for Rate 0, the 2 5827Hz 5812Hz
near the end of the source code MSB is set at decimal 85 and
listing. the LSB at 70, which has an Beyond those frequencies,
equivalent decimal value of the unit began to display
21830 (256 x 85 + 70). From harmonic frequency values
FREQUENCY this value is repeatedly because the generator rate
exceeded the rate at which the
CALCULATION subtracted the count value
waveform could be sampled.
determined when counting the
Relating the ADCON0 swing changes, each successful The values programmed
sample rate to the actual subtraction incrementing a into the unit depend, of course,
frequency of the signal has to counter. Thus the cycle count is on the exact frequency at which
take into account the time taken divided into the conversion the crystal controlled oscillator
for all the commands in the factor, the secondary counter functions. However, crystal
sampling routine to be providing the answer. The result controlled oscillators, while not
performed. As experienced is remarkably accurate. (MSB being perfectly tuned to a given
programmers will acknowledge, and LSB, incidentally, mean frequency, do stick closely to it.
such matters are not always
Consequently, other units a repetitive waveform. of LCD graphics displays comes
should achieve results that are Inevitably, the process increases down greatly!
not too different from the the wait period before each new What is in the pipeline,
author’s. display is shown. There is a however, is the Virtual PICscope
Those who which to time-out counter, which prevents in which one of the PIC16F87x
experiment are referred to the the system from “locking-up” family is used to sample two
sub-routines at GETFREQ0, should the waveform not cross waveforms simultaneously and
GETFREQ1 and GETFREQ2, the sync thresholds. output the data to a PC
where the preset values can be It is best to start off computer for display on its
changed. The program will sampling any new signal with screen.
naturally need to be re- sync off, only turning it on once Finally, if you have any
assembled and reprogrammed adequate signal levels are being ideas for PIC-based workshop
into the PIC. received. The source routines, designs (or any other type of
Analysis of the peak-to-peak which control sync start at label design, of any sort), please let
and frequency values can be WAITS1. The full batch us know.
switched off using S5. This sampling routine commences at
speeds up the rate at which the WAITAD0.
screen is fed with a fresh
waveform display. IN THE PIPELINE
That, in a nutshell, is really
SYNCHRONISATION all there is to tell about this
Switch S4 turns the astonishingly simple signal
waveform synchronization monitor (simple in hardware
facility on and off. When terms – but certainly not
synchronization is on, before regarding software writing!).
each sampling batch is started Designing it has fulfilled one of
the software waits until the the author’s ambitions. Software
waveform voltage has twice is in TASM.
passed through a preset trigger Another yet to be fulfilled is
level. Only then does it start to design a more advanced LCD
sampling the rest of that batch. based scope, which will give far
This facility allows the greater resolution to the
waveform display to start about waveform shapes displayed.
half-way up the screen, Such a design, though will have
providing a degree of stability to to wait until the exorbitant cost
Interested in programming PIC microcontrollers?
This interactive presentation uses the specially

developed Virtual PIC simulator to show exactly
what is happening as you run, or step through,
a program. In this way, the CD brings the EPE
PIC Tutorial series to life and provides the
easiest and best-ever introduction to this
subject.
Nearly 40 tutorials cover almost every aspect

of PIC programming in an easy-to-follow
sequence.
HARDWARE: Whilst the CD-ROM can be used on its own, the

physical demonstration provided by the PICtutor development Kit,
plus the ability to program and test your own PIC16x84s, really
reinforces the lessons learned. The hardware will also be an in- Deluxe PICtutor Hardware
valuable development and programming tool for future work once
you have mastered PIC software writing.
Two levels of PICtutor hardware are available -- Standard and Deluxe. The Standard
unit comes with a battery holder, a reduced number of switches, and no displays. This
version will allow you to complete 25 of the 39 tutorials -- it can be upgraded to Deluxe
at a later date, by adding components, if required.
The Deluxe development kit also has a battery holder (so it can be used around the world), all
switches for both PIC ports, plus LCD and 4-digit 7-segment LED displays. It allows you to
program and control all functions and both ports of the PIC, and to follow all 39 tutorials
on the CD-ROM.
All hardware is supplied fully built and tested and includes a PIC16F84 electrically erasable
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Visit the EPE Online store now to BUY!

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: PC with 486/33MHz or higher, VGA+256 colors or better, CD-ROM
drive, 8MB RAM, 8MB free space on hard disk. Windows 3.1/95/98/NT, mouse.

ROLL-UP, ROLL-UP! Win a Pico PC-Based Oscilloscope
Ingenuity is our regular round-up of readers' own • 50MSPS Dual Channel Storage
circuits. We pay between $16 and $80 for all material Oscilloscope
published, depending on length and technical merit. • 25MHz Spectrum Analyzer
We're looking for novel applications and circuit tips, not
simply mechanical or electrical ideas. Ideas must be the • Multimeter
reader's own work and must not have been submitted • Frequency Meter
for publication elsewhere. The circuits shown have • Signal Generator
NOT been proven by us. Ingenuity Unlimited is open to
ALL abilities, but items for consideration in this column If you have a novel circuit idea which
should preferably be typed or word-processed, with a would be of use to other readers, then a Pico
brief circuit description (between 100 and 500 words Technology PC based oscilloscope could be
maximum) and full circuit diagram showing all relevant yours.
component values. Please draw all circuit schematics Every six months, Pico Technology will be
as clearly as possible. awarding an ADC200-50 digital storage oscil-
loscope for the best IU submission. In addi-
Send your circuit ideas to: Alan Winstanley,
tion, two single channel ADC-40s will be pre-
Ingenuity Unlimited, Wimborne Publishing Ltd., Allen
sented to the runners up.
House, East Borough, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 1PF.
They could earn you some real cash and a prize!
PC Controlled DC Motor – Key-

board Control MOTOR SUPPLY
+24V D.C.
A PC can be used to control the
speed and the direction of a DC motor TR1
BDX53C
TR2
BDX53C
c c
using the circuit of Fig. 1 along with the b D1
k
D2
k
b
1N4001 1N4001
brief BASIC listing provided. The circuit e
a a
e
is used to interface a DC motor to the 24V MOTOR

(D.C. PM)
parallel port (LPT1) of an IBM- +30V D.C.
M1
compatible PC. It consists of comple-
TR4 TR3
mentary transistors connected in an H- PL1
R2
1k BDX54C
e e
BDX54C
k k
bridge network. Four diodes are used to R1
TR5
2SC1483
b D3
1N4001
D4
1N4001
b
c a a
provide a free-wheeling action. D0
PIN 2
10k
b
c c
D1 +30V D.C.
Two general-purpose small-signal e
TR1 TO TR4
transistors TR5 and TR6 (type R4
NEED HEATSINKING
1k
2SC1483, or perhaps a BC548 or equiv-
TR6
alent – ARW) are used to interface the R3
10k
2SC1483
c
PIN 3 b
power driver stage to the parallel port of PIN 25
e 0V
the PC. The data bits D0 and D1 (pin 2
and pin 3) of the parallel port are used
to drive the bridge circuit, whilst pin 25 Fig.1. Circuit diagram for the PC Controlled DC Motor
is referenced to the ground of the bridge Speed Control.
power supply. A simple QuickBasic pro-
gram to run the DC motor at any speed
and in any direction is given in Listing 1. is a current flow through the motor in one direction.
The address of the parallel port is 378H.
When a high on data bit D0 and a low on data bit D1
When a low on data bit D0 and a high
is sent, this switches transistor TR2 and transistor TR4
on data bit D1 is sent, this switches
on instead. A current flows through the motor in the op-
transistors TR1 and TR3 on. The result
posite direction hence changing its direction of rotation.
Ingenuity Unlimited
Listing 1: Motor Speed ter. (Consider a small voice coil
Speed Control Controller BASIC Program magnet from an old speaker.
ARW.)
The speed of the motor is
controlled using pulse width ON KEY(1) GOSUB Speed A network of miniature
modulation through software. If KEY(1) ON glass reed switches, S1 to S15,
TR1 is on for example (D0 = ON KEY(2) GOSUB Direction surrounds the electromagnet
low) then current flow through KEY(2) ON d = 1: h = 500: M = and detects the incoming pen-
the motor is controlled by 0 dulum. The trigger network is
switching on alternately the built by soldering the reed
transistor TR2 and TR3. The INPUT “Speed 0-500 = ”; s switches to a thin wire perimeter
duration of two FOR TO NEXT 20 FOR i% = 0 TO h - s: NEXT (thick wire might cause the
loops in the program determines i% magnet to jump to the wire) at
the speed of motor. If the dura- OUT &H378, d 2cm intervals to form the outer
tion of one FOR TO NEXT loop FOR j% = 0 TO M + s: NEXT circle, see Fig.2c.
is increased, then the duration j% A thin wire ring is then sol-
of the second FOR TO NEXT OUT &H378, 0 dered around its center to pro-
loop is decreased accordingly to GOTO 20 duce a circle of reed switches of
maintain constant overall loop about 11cm in diameter. The
timing. This results in fixed- Speed: trigger network should be laid
frequency output pulses at data INPUT “Speed 0.500 =’’; s flush with the top of the electro-
bit D0 or data bit D1. The pulse RETURN magnet’s core, and wires taken
width of the output is controlled from its inner and outer rings to
by the loops’ timing hence con- Direction: the rest of the circuit.
trolling the speed of motor. In
my case the QuickBasic pro-
ally in motion, swinging rapidly Circuit Detail
gram running on a Pentium
through its center, or occasion-
166MHz PC produced a fre- Referring to the circuit dia-
ally spiraling around it or bounc-
quency of about 7kHz at the gram of Fig2a, as the pendulum
ing away from it. It will form an
output, with the speed and di- falls towards the trigger net-
interesting novelty display.
rection of the motor controlled work’s outer perimeter, monos-
by the function keys F1 and F2. A neodymium (super- table timer IC1 pulses and trig-
The H-bridge T0220 power tran- strength) permanent magnet is gers 1C2a, which in turn dis-
sistor types shown are rated for suspended from a point by an ables the 555 monostable at pin
3A and alternative types could inelastic line, which prevents 4 until the pendulum has
readily be used. the magnet from jumping to the crossed the entire trigger net-
core of an electromagnet L1. work.
M T Iqbal The electromagnet is fixed be-
Rawalpindi, Pakistan At the same time, IC1 trig-
low the pendulum at its center
gers 1C2b, via diode D3, which
of gravity, see Fig.2b.
Omnidirectional Pendu- powers the electromagnet using
The pendulum’s length of transistor TR2. In order to kick-
lum – In The Swing swing is about 25cm and the start the pendulum should it
A pendulum swinging in a point of suspension is 25cm to stall in a circular pattern of mo-
single plane is highly pre- 50cm above the electromagnet tion (particularly if a longer pen-
dictable, and can easily be en- (28cm is recommended). The dulum is used), components
hanced electronically. An omni- magnet should pass with about TR1 to C5 are included, causing
directional pendulum, however, 5mm clearance above the elec- the magnetic field to collapse at
falls towards its center of gravity tromagnet’s core. intervals indicated by LED D6.
at different velocities and from The electromagnet was sal- (It may be found that these
many different angles, thus pos- vaged from a 12V 200 ohm components can be omitted.)
ing a greater electronic chal- miniature mains relay, and is To set up, centralize all
lenge. polarized to repel the pendulum three presets VR1 to VR3 then
My Omnidirectional Pendu- when overhead. The magnet power up (there will be a short
lum described here is continu- used was a small slug about delay before the pendulum kick-
8mm long and 4mm in diame- starts). Adjust preset VR1 so
Ingenuity Unlimited
Fig.2. (a) Circuit diagram for an Omnidirectional Pendulum, (b) pendulum and magnet position-
ing and (c) reed switch arrangement surrounding the magnet.
that green LED D1 pulses once Effect devices to sense the po-
only as the pendulum falls to-
Brushless Fan Speed sition of the magnets. Although
wards the center of gravity – not Control – Fine Tuning the motor speed can be reduced
as it shoots away. It may not be generally real- to some extent by lowering the
Some experimentation is ized that the speed of brushless supply voltage, a point is
needed using preset VR2 to fans commonly found in comput- quickly reached where the volt-
synchronize the electromagnet’s ers can be controlled down to just age becomes too low for the
repulsion with the pendulum’s two or three revolutions per sec- electronics to operate, so it sim-
swing, as indicated by LED D4 ond if necessary. This could allow ply stops.
(note that too vigorous a swing their use in other applications Much lower speeds can be
may render the kick-start use- such as displays, lighting effects, achieved with a pulse-width
less). or even driving the “Nipkow Disk” modulated (PWM) supply where
described in Ingenuity Unlimited the power is applied as brief
A 12V mains adapter is rec-
December 1999. pulses of the full supply voltage,
ommended as a power supply,
since batteries would soon be The motors within these fans with a constant frequency but a
exhausted. generally consist of an outer re- variable width. The circuit of
volving armature containing per- Fig. 3 has been used success-
Rev. Thomas Scarborough manent magnets surrounding a fully to achieve this.
Cape Town, South Africa static inner coil assembly. The
coils are switched sequentially to How It Works
produce the rotation by an inter-
nal electronic circuit, using Hall The circuit works as follows.
Opamp IC1a acts as an integra-
Ingenuity Unlimited
12V
tor and IC1b as a comparator R3
180k
with hysteresis set by resistors 12V
C1 BRUSHLESS
R4 and R5. Together these two 100n
k
FAN
R1
circuit elements form an oscilla- 10k
R5 D1
M
1N4001
tor with a triangle wave output. 22k a
8
Note that the triangle wave from 2
R4
R6
10k
10k
the output of IC1a is applied to IC1a 1 5
+
TLO62
the inverting input (pin 2) of 3 + IC1b 7
6 TL062
7
TR1
IC2, whilst the non-inverting in- 4
2 R9
2k2
BD135
c
put of IC2 is connected to a TRIANGLE VR1
IC2 6 b
control voltage set by VR1, the WAVE R7

100K
3 +
3130
15k e
LIN BD135
speed control which provides a 4
CONTROL SPEED b
range spanning zero to full VOLTAGE
c
power. The value of VR1 is R2
10k
R8 TOP VIEW e
OUTPUT 10k (MOUNTING
shunted by resistor R7 to coun- CIRCUIT WAVEFORMS TO TR1 FACE UNDER)
teract the wide tolerance typical 0V
of these controls. IC2 acts as a

comparator and drives output Fig.3. Circuit diagram for the Brushless Fan Speed Controller.
transistor TR1 (a general-
purpose npn medium power eration of rail-to-rail CMOS types. could be minimized by adjusting
transistor), which in turn powers (Also see our Opamp Selector the frequency through the val-
the brushless motor. Diode D1 Chart in Circuit Surgery, March ues of R3 and C1. The values
counters any back-EMF that 2000 – ARW.) shown produce a frequency of
may be present. Motors used with this circuit about 33Hz for good perfor-
should be 12V types. When mance and minimal noise. Ex-
The opamp used for IC2, periment if necessary by attach-
e.g. the 3130 should have an tested, a 75mm fan from a
scrapped 386 computer and a ing extra mass to the motor’s
output capable of reaching neg- armature to increase inertia,
ative rail so that the transistor is 47mm Pentium CPU fan both
worked without any problems. otherwise the rotation may be
turned completely off when it is slightly jerky. A drop of dry lube
low. No external compensating The motors were surprisingly tol-
erant of high pulse rates, frequen- oil on the bearing may also
capacitor is necessary for the help.
opamp in this switching applica- cies up to 100Hz being accepted
tion. Some other opamps which with no performance loss. The Andy Flind
could be used in this position larger fan produced some audio Taunton, Somerset, UK
include the 3140, half an LM358 noise at higher frequencies, the
or perhaps one of the new gen- smaller unit much less, and this
HIGH PERFORMANCE REGENERATIVE
RECEIVER by RAYMOND HAIGH
Provides continuous coverage from 130kHz to 30Mhz. track masters of the three PCBs
are illustrated in Fig.4, Fig.5,
and Fig.6.
Last month we explored the three small printed circuit boards Starting with the main
merits, and problems, of (PCBs). This enables Receiver board, mount the
regenerative receivers and gave constructors to select what they smallest components first,
an in-depth circuit description. We want from the design and to use working up to the largest, but
also included the component tuning components that may be solder the semiconductors on to
listing and offered the option of- to hand. Many will already have the board last. It is a wise
“electronic tuning.” suitable audio amplifiers, and precaution to clip a small heat
not everyone will wish to adopt shunt (such as a crocodile clip)
We conclude this month with electronic tuning.
the assembly, plug-in tuning coil to the leads of the field effect
details, and setting-up procedure. The three printed circuit transistors (FETs) when they
boards are available as a set are being soldered.
from the EPE Online Store Use solder pins, inserted
CONSTRUCTION (codes 7000254, 7000255 and through the board at the dual-
7000256) at gate MOSFET lead-outs, to
The receiver, power amplifier,
www.epemag.com. The enable it to be located on the
and the alternative electronic
tuning system are assembled on topside component layout and component side. Solder pins
(approximately) full-size copper
RF Attenuator VR1 Headphone socket AF Gain VR8
Layout and
wiring of the
three PCBs,
headphone
Audio power
socket, and
amplifier
under-chassis
PCB.
controls.
Wave trap Electronic tuning PCB.

TUNING CAPACITOR TO +9V TO +12V
TO g1 OF TR3
BANDSPREAD
VR5
C20
D1 C22
R15
VR6
C21
TO RECEIVER VR7
GROUND (0V)
BANDSET
Fig.4. Printed circuit board layout for the electronic tuning Tuning board mounted
system (approximately full size). on the side of the
chassis.
VR2 TO RECEIVER BATTERY +VE
VIA S1A
+ R9
R R R8 R
+ TO BATTERY VE
C11 1 4 11
R
REGEN. VR3 12
C9 C17
+ C
TO AERIAL SK1 C5 18
(VIA WAVE TRAP IF USED) TR2 + C14 c
d C15
VIEWED
+ b R +
g C6 13 C19
FROM C2 + e
REAR C s R5
3 TR4
C10 TO VR8
VR1 g2
C12
+ (VOLUME)
TR1 TR3 +
C16
R R
g1 C13 14
2
e b c d
R.F. s R10
ATTEN. C
4 R7 FINE
TUNE
R TUNE
3 MOVING
VANES
c
8 VC2
VR4
VC1
SK3A FIXED
TO "HOT" END OF L2 VANES
SK3D
TO COIL TAP
SK3B
TO GROUNDED END OF COIL
SK3C
TO "HOT" END OF L2 VIA C7 (IF USED)
Fig.5. Main
PCB layout and
wiring and
(below) approxi-
mately full-size
copper foil mas-
ter for this
board.
Chassis topside layout show-

ing D-type socket for the
tuning coils.
TO AMPLIFIER
TO C19 ON BATTERY B2 +VE
RECEIVER VIA S1B
P.C.B.
C24
+ TO BATTERY B2 VE
C23 TO 8W
SPEAKER
IC1
SK4
VR8
VOLUME
Fig.6. The audio power amplifier PCB

The audio amplifier PCB mounted on the side
(approximately full size).
Table 2: Tuning Ranges
TOKO Coils and a 10pF-365pF Variable Capacitor

(see Fig.7 for details of coil base wiring)
Min Max
TOKO Base C7 R6 C8
freq. freq.
Coil Wiring pF ohms pF
MHz MHz
CAN1A350EK C -- 12k -- 0.130 0.322
RWO6A7752EK C -- 6k8 -- 0.257 0.765
RWR331208NO A -- 22k 1000 0.510 1.600
154FN8A6438EK C 470 8k2 -- 1.246 3.034
With care a neat construction KANK3426R A 470 12k 1000 2.143 5.100
for L2 can be achieved. KANK3337R A 470 3k3 1000 4.900 11.970
MKXNAK3428R A 220 8k2 1000 11.200 23.500
should also be inserted, just to KXNK3767EK B 47 12k 10 22.000 30.500
the right of VR4, so that Notes:
capacitor C8 can be temporarily
(1) Adjustable cores permit wide variation in tuning range.
soldered across preset VR4
during the setting up process. (2) The 470PF capacitor, C7, reduces the variable capacitor
swing to 10pF-205pF: with the 220pF capacitor, the swing is
Solder pins inserted at the
10pF-137pF; and , with a 47pF capacitor as C7, 8pF-40pF.
PCB interwiring points will ease
the task of off-board wiring. Use (3) The RW06A7752EK coil is useful for covering the I.f. end of
of an 8-pin DIL socket will the Medium Wave band.
facilitate the substitution and
checking of IC1. BAND CHANGING (when used), to 9-pin D-type
computer plugs to make up plug-
The same construction Tuning coils (L2) could be in modules and to mount a
approach should be adopted for connected into circuit by means of matching socket on the Receiver
the two smaller boards. miniature crocodile clips and short frame (see photographs). How
(50mm maximum) wire links. this can be achieved is shown in
However, a much better Fig.7. Also illustrated are the
arrangement is to wire them, different methods of connecting
together with C7, R6, and C8 the coil windings.
MOSFETs, but they will certainly

be a useful guide.
Tabulated values of swing-
reducing capacitors (C7) relate
to a 365pF variable capacitor. If
a different component is used,
they will need modifying. Indeed,
Various versions of L2 for full frequency coverage. if its maximum value is as low
as 200pF, swing reducers will
full swing of the tuning capacitor only be required on the two
RECEIVER highest shortwave ranges.
on all coil ranges.
ASSEMBLY First, check the PCBs for Coil cores should be set to
Layout is not critical, but any bridged tracks or poor give continuous coverage.
connections between the tuning joints. Check the orientation of Varying the inductance causes
components and the receiver the semiconductors and slight changes in the optimum
PCB must be short and direct polarized capacitors. value of resistor R6, and this
and signal input and output part of the procedure should be
Set VR3 to minimum and
leads should be kept well carried out before the resistors
VR4 to maximum resistance.
separated. are selected.
Connect the Medium Wave coil
For the satisfactory into circuit, wire in capacitor C8,
reception of weak, amateur, connect an aerial, and switch OPERATION
SSB transmissions (where on.
correct tuning is extremely Best results will be obtained
Turn up the RF attenuator by attenuating the RF input as
critical), the PCBs and tuning
(VR1) and AF gain (VR8), then much as possible and adjusting
capacitors must be very rigidly
advance regeneration control AF gain to ensure audibility.
mounted and screened in a
VR2. Transmissions should be
metal box or case. The The regeneration control
picked up, loud and clear,
prototype is assembled in and VR2 should be set just short of
around the dial.
on a small aluminum box with a the oscillation point when
piece of double-sided PCB With the tuning capacitor receiving broadcast
forming a screened front panel. VC1 fully meshed, set preset transmissions. When amateur
VR4 to the highest possible SSB signals are being tuned in,
The photographs show how
resistance consistent with the Q- it must be advanced until the Q-
this is done. The arrangement
multiplier just oscillating when multiplier stage is just
has proved quite satisfactory,
Regen. control VR2 is turned to oscillating. (The internally
but a heavier, diecast metal box
maximum. Measure the generated oscillation replaces
would be preferable, if one is to
resistance of VR4 and the carrier removed at the
hand.
permanently wire a fixed resistor transmitter so that the detector
Some form of reduction of the same value, R6, in series can render the signal intelligible
drive to the Bandset capacitor with the tapping on the coil. in the usual way.)
VC1 will make tuning easier,
Preset potentiometer VR3 If the set is reluctant to
and dial calibrations can be
determines the voltage across regenerate, strong signals tend
marked on a piece of card stuck
the regeneration control. Set it to to spread across the dial, or
to the front panel.
the highest possible resistance difficulty is encountered when
consistent with effective trying to clarify SSB signals,
SETTING UP regeneration being obtained on reducing the input from the
all ranges. aerial will invariably cure the
This is very much a switch-
on-and-go receiver, and the The optimum values of problem. In cases where local
setting up process only involves resistor R6, measured on the Medium Wave or, less likely,
optimizing the feedback levels prototype receiver, are listed in Long Wave transmitters swamp
so that the Regen. control VR2 Table 2. They may not hold the receiver, a wave trap
is smooth and effective over the good for all dual-gate (L1/C1) will have to be fitted.
CALIBRATION oscillator) to make the If a reasonable aerial is

oscillations audible as a tone, used, say 15 meters or 20
A crystal marker or signal the presence of the signal meters of wire located as high
generator can be used for should be discernible. as possible and clear of earthed
calibration purposes. objects, the RF input control will
Refer to Table 2 for
Alternatively, an “all-band” radio have to be turned well down
guidance on the frequency
with an accurate dial (preferably when listening to all but the
coverage to be expected with
digital) should prove suitable. weakest stations. An earth (a
individual coils. It is easy to be
Take a short aerial wire confused by harmonics metal rod in the ground)
from the calibrating receiver and whatever method of calibration connection can improve
place it close to the Q-multiplier is adopted. reception, especially at low
whilst it is oscillating. This will frequencies.
enable the radio to pick up the PERFORMANCE
The receiver has a clear,
radiated energy. When correctly set up and pleasant tone, and audio output
The two receivers can now operated, the radio is sensitive, is more than adequate.
be tuned in step whilst the dial is selective, and capable of
marked out. Even if the receiving broadcast and
calibrating receiver does not amateur transmissions from all
have a BFO (beat frequency over the world.
IAN POOLE REPORTS THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRONIC INK MAY
INDEED HELP TO ACHIEVE THAT ELUSIVE DREAM – THE PAPER-LESS OFFICE!
The paperless office is NEW IDEA technologies. The first is the

something that has been long electronic ink itself, and the
In an attempt to overcome second is the carbon based
talked about but has never
this problem, a new idea know organic transistors that are
happened. Rather than reducing
as electronic ink is being being developed by Lucent
the amount of paper that is
developed. A new company Technology’s Bell Laboratories.
produced, computers and
named ImmediaTM is
computer technology appear to
developing a thin light weight
have had exactly the opposite ELECTRONIC INK
display. Its format is such that it
effect, causing paper to be used
can almost be considered as The ink consists of millions
in vastly greater quantities than
before the computer revolution. INK APPEARS DARK of minute spheres. These are
TRANSPARENT WHEN VIEWED FROM HERE
TOP ELECTRODE the key to the new technology,
Using computers it is far
containing a dark dye and very
easier to produce enormous
MICRO small particles of titanium oxide
quantities of paper. Multiple CAPSULE BLUE DYE
suspended in a light oil. The
copies of a document can easily
titanium oxide pigments are
be printed out. Also looking at a
white in color and carry a
document on screen is never WHITE PARTICLES
WITH NEGATIVE negative charge. Accordingly,
there same as reading a hard CHARGE
under the influence of an electric
copy. Proof checking and even + field the oxide particles will
looking at the document or
INK APPEARS WHITE either move to the back or front
picture to see whether it is right
+ of the sphere. With the oxide
can all be done more easily
WHITE PARTICLES particles at the back of the
when a hard copy is to hand. WITH NEGATIVE
CHARGE sphere, the dye is seen, and the
There have been many area appears dark, but when the
attempts to introduce the oxide particles are at the front of
MICRO
paperless office. New facilities CAPSULE BLUE DYE the sphere, the area appears
like email have been introduced white. In view of the size of the
and have helped in many ways, microcapsules, the definition of
but initiatives like these often Fig.1. Operation of electronic the display is governed by the
just seem to increase the ink. control of the electric charge.
amount of traffic traveling to and
One of the advantages of
fro without reducing the actual paper on which messages can
paper is that it offers a very high
amount of paper produced. be displayed and changed
degree of contrast providing a
Many companies would like electronically.
true black on white image,
to reduce the amount of paper This gives an enormous rather than the gray on gray
that is produced. Apart from scope for new methods of provided by a liquid crystal
important factors like green displaying information. Not only display. A further advantage is
issues, paper documents and can it be used for emulating that the electronic ink gives a
drawings are costly and take paper, but it can also be used in very wide angle of view. This is
space to store. If they could be many other ways for displays on one of the main disadvantages
stored electronically and the a variety of surfaces, as the of liquid crystal displays.
impetus to print things onto a technology does not have the
Running from supplies
hard copy could be reduced limitations of cathode ray or
between 10 and 100 volts, the
then the paperless office might liquid crystal technology where
displays consume very little
have a chance. rigid constructions are needed.
power, as they operate by the
The idea involves the use of attraction of charges and do not
two new and developing require current to flow. This will
New technology Updates
be of particular interest to be situated almost anywhere. Research is also
developers of battery-powered This is achieved by suspending progressing in the area of the
equipment. It is also found that the microcapsules in traditional electronic ink itself. One area
once the control is removed the ink as the transport mechanism. they are investigating is various
pattern remains in place, It would then be possible to combinations of dye and white
providing a non-volatile display – control the capsules. pigment. These too are crucial
a facet that could be widely used The goal is to be able to to the operation of the system.
to advantage. print the transistors onto a Obviously the first aim is to
flexible plastic film containing move towards a small-scale
the microcapsules. The demonstration of the system. It
FLEXIBLE transistors will then be able to is hoped to build a display with
TRANSISTORS activate small areas (pixels) about 100 pixels within the next
The charge required to within the display area to create year. This will demonstrate the
control the ink capsules can be whatever shapes are required. performance of the whole
applied through transistors. Development of both areas system, and give information to
However to enable the display to of the technology required for enable the development to
be made sufficiently thin, the the display is still under way. move on to the next stage.
new organic transistor Nevertheless a prototype display Moving on from this, the first
technology being developed by using traditional semiconductor major goal will be to produce
Lucent will be used. These technology has been put signs or paper that can be
devices have the further together and has shown remotely updated. At this stage
advantage that they are also encouraging results. it may also be possible to
flexible, enabling the display to produce low cost flexible
be printed onto a variety of displays for the many portable
surfaces and not be contained DEVELOPMENTS products that will be available.
by a rigid mechanical Although the basic idea has Ultimately the goal is to produce
environment like that of a been proven, there is still much an electronic book, with pages
cathode ray tube, or a liquid development to be undertaken that can be viewed in the same
crystal display. before displays in the final form way that a traditional paper book
It is also anticipated that it are seen. Those developing the can be viewed. Whether this
will be possible to print the drive system using the new becomes reality, or whether
displays onto other surfaces transistors are exploring the technology takes the
using traditional printing requirements for them. development down a different
technology. This would be a Decisions have to be made road remains to be seen.
tremendous step forward, about the characteristics of the However, it is certainly an
enabling electronic displays to devices including whether they interesting development, and
should be p-type or n-type. one that may have a significant
effect on the format of electronic
products and the man machine
interface in the years to come. It
may even help resolve the
problem of the paperless office.
SURFING THE INTERNET
By Alan Winstanley
domains (SLDs) include .co.uk Nominet, noting that the ISP
I’m all .sch.uk up for commercial organizations, or acts as your agent only when
One of the first things to if the names are registered at completing the formalities on
ponder when creating an Inter- Companies House, .plc.uk for your behalf, using their credit
net presence is what domain public limited companies and account with Nominet.
name to adopt, and it is here .ltd.uk for limited liability compa- You can also opt to buy your
that many organizations may nies, together with .sch.uk for name directly from Nominet at a
immediately face a difficulty: UK schools. cost of 80 UK pounds + VAT for
someone may already have It is important to note that the first two years. The system
beaten them to it, so they may domains are issued on a first- is quite transparent as regards
be forced into using something come, first-served basis, and the registration costs, though,
less relevant (or memorable) names are sometimes bought and Nominet members pay a
instead. as a defensive measure to pre- heavily discounted price – only 5
The fact is that the demand vent them falling into the hands UK pounds plus VAT for two
for domain names has rocketed of other parties. A whole differ- years, although membership it-
since the late 1990’s. In effect, if ent set of rules relates to the self costs 500 UK pounds plus
you can think of a name, a word popular dot com domains, and VAT to start with.
or a place then there is a good you should refer to Network So-
chance that the domain name lutions at
has already been spoken for. www.networksolutions.com if I’ll name that domain
However the practice of necessary. in one
“cybersquatting” on a domain Although it is easier than
name is increasingly frowned The market in web domains
ever before to apply for a do- is now global, and on-line auc-
upon, and there have been sev- main name, things can get
eral celebrated cases of failed tions such as those at Ama-
rather complicated because
attempts to profit from a name, zon.co.uk list names offered for
there are several parties to the
by trying to sell it to its rightful sale for as much as $1,000,000.
Nominet agreement. Firstly,
but less forward-thinking owner Some domain name and web
there’s you – the Registrant. The
(e.g. marksandspencer.co.uk). design companies are doing a
domain name is registered in
roaring trade in marketing do-
The laws of attempted your name (literally), so you gain
main names simply by cashing
passing-off and trademark in- the right to its exclusive use pro-
in on the ignorance of users in
fringement may also be invoked. vided that Nominet’s fees and
order to make a profit. One re-
In short, you cannot apply for terms are met. An Administra-
cent case involves an acquain-
your “own” domain name soon tive Contact will be assigned,
tance working in the electronics
enough, if only to prevent com- together with Billing and Techni-
industry who was approached by
petitors from beating you to it, so cal Contacts; often these are the
a dubious Internet company
if you are contemplating creating same. Using the Nominet
from the south of England. The
an Internet presence now or in WHOIS look-up
representative phoned to say
the future, then you should in- (www.nominet.org.uk/ that somebody had recently tried
vestigate this aspect with some whois.html), you can find out if to register my friend’s company
urgency. .uk domain names are already name as a domain and in order
The issuing of the .uk top- taken. Also see to prevent this happening again,
level domain (TLD) name is con- www.netnames.co.uk to he should register his name im-
trolled by Nominet search for .uk and .com names. mediately. The Internet com-
(www.nominet.org.uk), and the The simplest way of acquir- pany “could do this for him for a
cost of a dot-UK name has ing a domain name is to ask an fee” (surprise) and faxed
fallen dramatically to reflect the ISP to arrange it for you. Hope- through the application forms
increased uptake. Second-level fully they will be members of twice. I can imagine many inex-
Net Work
perienced people falling for it. Terms and Conditions... are up- original plan to sell a number of
Happily my friend suspected held, the domain can continue to village domains to finance the
something fishy was going on. be used by the customer free of rest of their portal-building pro-
Clearly they were simply going charge.” ject, saying that their site would
through a directory of business However, if your account ultimately be financed by paid-
names, picking out likely-looking lapses (after 90 days or more of for advertising. They will also
sales leads and checking if a disuse), or if your Freenetname charge customers for the privi-
domain is already registered be- dialup account is terminated, lege of a domain-related email
fore phoning to drum up some then the domain name “remains address. Their proposal to de-
trade. Beware of any such the property of Freenetname” velop an entire portal at
agreements, especially if they says the FAQ. At least you can www.ANY-Town.co.uk contain-
handicap your ability to move choose to buy it outright from ing a localized web content for
the name elsewhere. Most rep- Freenetname for payment of a 15,000 villages in Great Britain,
utable ISPs will co-operate with nominal fee, or transfer it to an- seems an overly ambitious un-
each other if you decide to other firm. The whole situation dertaking.
move, especially if they are regarding the rights to use a do- Webhound also aspires to
ISPA members. main name can become very build a genealogy portal site,
confusing, and it’s worth looking and to facilitate this they claim
around the Nominet site and unashamedly to have registered
FREENETNAMES also downloading their terms a large number of surnames as
In the event my colleague and conditions. dot-com domains. Their web site
responded by getting his domain An associate is currently declares that in their view
name for free instead! The Inter- testing Freenetname and the “surname domain names should
net Service Provider Freenet- dial-up bandwidth appears to be be shared by all people of that
name average and fairly uninspiring name and not the lucky individ-
(www.freenetname.co.uk) (as a 5MB download proved). ual who registered it first.” Of
adopts an altogether different However it beats paying a cold- course, this disingenuous ploy
approach. They will offer you calling salesman trying to cash overlooks the fact that Web-
your choice of domain name for in on your entitlement to a do- hound Ltd. was a “lucky” com-
free, along with 20MB of free main name. pany which used exactly the
web space and email as well. same rules of first-come, first-
You must dial in via a local rate Even English village names served to grab all those sur-
Freenetname dial-up account, (15,000 of them) have been names for itself in the first place.
which is how the offer is fi- hoovered up and registered by Perhaps the whole lot will be
nanced. A CD ROM is provided the parochial portal builder Web- sold off one day in another Inter-
with pre-configured software. hound Ltd. (www.any- net merger or takeover, village
web.co.uk). Judging by the de- names and all. Winstanley dot
This deal almost seems too fensive and indignant tone of com is already spoken for, by
good to be true, yet there ap- their on-line FAQs (see the way.
pear to be no catches. Rather www.any-web.co.uk/Portal/
confusingly, Freenetname says You can contact me by
Towns/
in its FAQ that the domain is email to
Towns_FAQ.asp),Webhound’s
registered “in the name of the alan@epemag.demon.co.uk.
shopping spree has had some
person entered when the origi- My web site is at http://home-
stick and upset many prospec-
nal Freenetname dialup account tive domain name users. The pages.tcp.co.uk/~alanwin
was created” and later says that firm was forced to withdraw its
“as long as the Freenetname
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This CD-ROM, together with the PICtutor development board (as described when
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Electronic Circuits & Components

This CD provides an introduction to the principles and application of the most com-
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Digital Electronics (Mike Tooley)

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and for hobbyists who want to get to grips with project design..

Part 3 – Communications and Related
Technologies 1900-1999
by Clive “Max” Maxfield and Alvin Brown
Boldly going behind the beyond, behind which no one including cable (copper and
has boldly gone behind, beyond, before! fiber-optic) and radio
transmissions.
concepts were developed in Similarly, there are enabling
The purpose of this series is
isolation (the telephone and the technologies such as satellites
to review how we came to be
radio, for example) and then and computers, along with off-
where we are day (technology-
brought together sometime later. shoot technologies such as
wise), and where we look like
microwaves (leading to radar
ending up tomorrow. Similarly, communications
and microwave ovens), radio
In Part 1 we cast our gaze media tend to come into favor,
astronomy, and … the list goes
into the depths of time to consider fall by the wayside, and then
on. Thus, rather than attempting
the state-of-the-art in electronics, reappear with “go faster stripes”.
to artificially force everything into
communications, and computing For example, copper telephone
a linear progression, we are
leading up to 11:59pm on the 31st cables were displaced by radio
going to consider some of these
December 1899. waves and satellites, but now
core developments areas in
fiber-optic cables are proving to
In Part 2 we discussed whatever order we think makes
offer more efficient and cost-
fundamental electronics between sense!
effective solutions in certain
1900 and 1999. Now, in Part 3 we cases.
consider some of the key
discoveries in communications However, if we take a high- EARLY RADIO
and related technologies that level view of communications As the world entered the
occurred during the 20th Century. over the last 100 years, four 20th Century, communication by
core technologies stand out as means of radio waves was still
being particularly significant: the only just beginning to emerge.
MIND BOGGLING! telephone, radio, television, and Even though the telephone had
the Internet. There are also the been around for nearly 25 years,
When we originally set out to
key underlying delivery media, there was little thought given to
write this installment, we had
thought it would be possible to
describe a linear progression of Crystal radio
developments, starting with the made by George
Morse Telegraph in 1837 and Leadbetter,
leading steadily onwards and Worcestershire,
upwards to the present day (we 1910. This set is
were young and foolish then).
documented as
For example, surely television having received
was simply the next step after Titanic’s distress
radio? Well not quite, because the
first televisions were mechanical
call on 15 April
in nature, and used cable as a 1912. Courtesy Na-
tional Vintage Com-
transmission medium.
munications Fair
In fact, the communications (also see this
arena is a complete mish-mash of month’s News
developments. Many core
pages).
Special Feature
using radio waves to Diodes were soon used in possible to amplify radio signals
communicate verbal messages, radio receivers to convert captured by the antenna before
because the best that could be alternating current (AC) to direct passing them to the detector
achieved was to transmit and current (DC), and also to detect stage, which made it possible to
receive individual pulses. radio frequency signals. use and detect much weaker
This meant that the first real Unfortunately, Fleming didn’t signals over much larger
use of radio as a fully appreciate the possibilities distances than had previously
communications mechanism inherent in his device, and it was been possible.
was in the form of the Radio left to the American inventor Lee The triode was really rather
Telegraph, which was used to de Forest to take things to the cunning, but of equal significance
transmit messages in Morse next stage. In 1907, de Forest was de Forest’s 1912 discovery
Code. that he could cause his device to
During the early 1900s, oscillate. This allowed him to
Marconi’s Radio Telegraphs replace existing spark
were developed to the extent transmitters with vacuum tube-
that they were installed on based oscillators that could
some ocean going vessels. generate purer, more stable radio
However, these systems were waves.
mainly used to send
commercial messages RADIO SET
dubbed “Marconi Grams”, and
using them for such things as One question that is often
distress calls was not asked is “Why is a radio
particularly high on anyone’s commonly called a radio set or a
priorities. wireless set?” In fact, early radio
systems intended for home use
In fact, it was not until
essentially consisted of three
1912 that governments
stages: the receiver (to detect and
started to mandate the
pre-amplify the signal), the
installation of wireless
demodulator (to extract the audio
equipment on ships following
portion of the signal), and the
the sinking of the Titanic,
main amplifier (to drive the
whose radio operator sent out
loudspeaker).
distress signals after the
vessel collided with an All of these stages were
iceberg. packaged in their own cabinets,
A Strowger automatic telephone of which had to be connected
about 1905. Courtesy of Science Museum/ together. Hence the user had to
DIODES AND Science and Society Picture Library.
purchase all three units, which
TRIODES formed a set, and this term
conceived the idea of placing an persisted long after all of the
Meanwhile, as far back as open-meshed grid between the components started to be
1883, William Hammer (an cathode (the heated filament) integrated into a single unit.
engineer working for the and the positively biased anode
American inventor Thomas Alva In addition to requiring a
(called the plate). mains supply to provide their high
Edison) observed that he could
detect electrons flowing from the By applying a small voltage internal voltages, vacuum tube-
lighted filament to a metal plate to the grid in his Audion tube based radios tended to be
mounted inside an incandescent (which became known as a somewhat large, so the thought of
light bulb. This Edison Effect triode because it had three a pocket radio didn’t strike many
was subsequently used to terminals), de Forest could people as being practical.
create a vacuum tube rectifier cause a much larger voltage However, the invention of the
by the English electrical change to be generated at the transistor in 1947 opened the
engineer, John Ambrose plate. floodgates for a whole raft of new
Fleming in 1904 (this device was applications.
This was extremely
called a diode because it had significant for the fledgling radio In 1954, the Regency TR-1,
two terminals). industry, because it became the first pocket transistor radio,
Special Feature
was introduced in the USA. The AUTOMATIC TIMELINES
Japanese transistor radio (TR- 1901: Marconi sends a radio
52) was produced, but not put SWITCHING signal across the Atlantic.
on sale. It was the TR-55, which As fate would have it, 1902: US Navy installs radio
was the first commercial Strowger was an unlikely telephones aboard ships.
Japanese “tranny”, introduced in character to have had such an 1902: Transpacific cable links
1955 by Sony. (SONY used to impact on the development of Canada and Australia.
be called Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo telephone exchanges around 1904: Telephone answering
Ltd in those now far-off days, but the world. As an undertaker in machine is invented.
this didn’t exactly roll off the Kansas City, USA, Strowger 1905: Dial telephone is in-
tongue so you can see why they was an “early adopter” of vented.
decided to change it). telephone technology, because 1906: Dunwoody and Pickard
he thought it would facilitate build a crystal-and-cats-whisker
potential customers (or at least radio.
THE TELEPHONE their relatives) contacting him. 1906: America. First radio pro-
Considering the fact that However, telephone gram of voice and music is
Alexander Graham Bell filed his exchanges in those days were broadcast.
patent for the first telephone in manual, which meant that the 1907: Lee de Forest begins reg-
1876, the actual development of person placing the call first ular radio music broadcasts.
this device has, in many ways, contacted an operator, who then 1909: Radio distress signal
been remarkably slow compared physically made the connection saves 1900 lives after ships col-
to other consumer-orientated between the caller and the lide.
technologies. In the early days intended recipient. 1909: Marconi shares Nobel
this was due to several reasons, prize in physics for outstanding
not the least that there was no As fate would have it, the contribution made to telegra-
existing infrastructure (why have operator who handled phy.
a phone if none of your friends Strowger’s calls was the wife of 1910: America. First installation
have one and there is no one to a competing undertaker. Thus, of teleprinters on postal lines
call?). when potential clients tried to between New York City and
contact Strowger, she would Boston.
By some strange quirk of instead connect them to her
fate, when an infrastructure 1912: Titanic sends out radio
husband’s business (the little distress signal when it collides
eventually came along, it was so rascal).
costly and huge that the with iceberg.
technology had to migrate Not surprisingly Strowger 1912: Feedback and hetero-
forward slowly. The fact that found this state of affairs to be dyne systems usher in modern
new systems had to work somewhat frustrating, so he set radio reception.
alongside old ones served to about designing an automatic 1914: Better triode valve im-
curtail revolutionary changes system that would remove the proves radio reception.
and to dictate an evolutionary operator (in the form of his 1914: Radio message is sent
adoption of new technology. competitor’s wife) from the from the ground to an airplane.
picture. 1914: First trans-continental
For example, it took British telephone call.
Telecom more than ten years to In fact, Strowger did not
really invent the concept of 1915: First transatlantic radio
transition from telephone conversation.
electromechanical technology to automatic switching – Connolly
and McTigthe had discussed the 1916: Radios get tuners.
its digital equivalent. 1917: Frank Conrad builds a
Furthermore, these idea as early as 1879 – but with
the help of his nephew (Walter radio station (becomes KDKA –
electromechanical switching call sign still in use to this day).
exchanges, many of which S. Strowger) he was the first to
come up with a practical 1917: Condensor microphone
persisted well into the 1990s, aids broadcast recording.
were themselves based on implementation based on banks
of electromechanical relay 1918: First radio link between
techniques that had been UK and Australia.
invented in America by Almon B. selectors in 1888.
1919: People can dial their own
Strowger 100 years earlier. In 1901, Joseph Harris telephone numbers.
licensed Strowger’s selectors to 1919: Shortwave radio is in-
vented.
Special Feature
the Automatic Electric Co (AE). due to the infrastructure and 1921: Quartz crystal keeps radio
The first dial telephone was bureaucracy. from wandering.
invented in 1905, and the Following a number of 1922: First commercials broad-
combination of dial telephones attempts, the first mobile phone cast ($100 for 10 minute advert).
and Strowger selectors paved service started operating in 1922: Lewis Alan Hazeltine in-
the way for automatic telephone North America in 1978. Across vents the neutrodyne which
exchanges, such as the first the Atlantic, the first cellular eliminates squeaks and howls of
public automatic telephone service was introduced in earlier radio receivers.
exchange in the UK, which Europe in 1981 in the form of 1923: First ship-to-ship commu-
opened in Epsom, Surrey in the Nordic mobile telephone nications (people on one ship
1912. system. can talk to people on another).
Of course, Strowger 1925: First commercial picture/
In fact, it is interesting to facsimile radio service across
exchanges were initially only note that although America was
used to process local calls – USA.
the first to deploy a cellular 1926: First commercial picture/
operator assistance was still service, the multiple competing
required for long distance and facsimile radio service across
standards in the USA have Atlantic.
international calls. In fact, it caused that market to become
wasn’t until 1971 that it became 1926: John Logie Baird demon-
segmented and fragmented. strates an electromechanical TV
possible to direct-dial between
the US and Europe! By comparison, Europe and system.
Japan are now years ahead of 1927: Philo Farnsworth assem-
the USA, because they were bles complete electronic TV sys-
TESTING, 1, 2, 3 quick to adopt a common tem.
standard. For example, as of 1927: First public demonstration
With the advent of the triode
1998 there were 100 million cell of long-distance television trans-
valve in 1907 and the discovery
phone subscribers in Europe, mission (basically a Nipkow
of vacuum tube-based
with 5 million new subscribers disk).
oscillators in 1912, it became
joining each month. 1929: Experiments begin on
apparent that speech could be
electronic colour television.
transmitted by radio. The first
1929: First ship-to-shore com-
significant demonstration of this MECHANICAL TV munications (passengers can
concept occurred in 1915, when
call relatives at home – at a
speech signals were
price).
successfully transmitted across
1929: The first car radio is in-
the Atlantic between Arlington,
stalled.
Virginia, and Paris, France.
1929: In Germany, magnetic
One year later, a ground-to- sound recording on plastic tape.
air radiotelephone message was 1929: British mechanical TVs
transmitted from an airfield at roll off production lines
Brooklands, England, to an 1933: Edwin Howard Armstrong
aircraft flying overhead. conceives a new system for ra-
The first commercial dio communication – wideband
radiotelephone service came frequency modulation (FM).
into being in St Louis, Missouri, 1934: Half the homes in the
USA in 1946, but once again USA have radios.
progress was somewhat slow 1935: Audio tape recordings go
on sale.
QUOTABLE QUOTES 1935: All-electronic VHF televi-
sion comes out of the lab.
“The radio craze will die out 1935: England. First demonstra-
in time’’, Thomas Edison, 1922 tion of radar, at Daventry.
Ferguson Model 993T 14-
“While theoretically and 1936: Munich Olympics tele-
inch console television, origi-
technically television may be vised.
feasible, commercially and final invoice dated 29/5/54 for 1936: First electronic speech
nancially I consider it an impos- 75 pounds and 12 shillings. synthesis (vodar).
Courtesy Dreweatt-Neate.
sibility’’, Lee de Forest, 1926 1937: Pulse-code modulation
Special Feature
Television, which comes side of the Atlantic, the Radio points the way towards digital
from the Greek tele, meaning Corporation of America (RCA) transmission.
distant and the Latin visio, experimented with a system 1938: John Logie Baird demon-
meaning seeing or sight, has consisting of a mechanical disk strates live TV in colour.
arguably become one of the camera combined with a 1938: Television broadcasts can
wonders of the 20th Century. cathode ray tube display. Using be taped and edited.
Prior to the advent of this system, RCA transmitted a 1938: Radio drama War of the
electronic scanning, all workable picture of a model of Felix the Worlds causes widespread
television systems depended on Cat endlessly rotating on the panic.
some form or variation of the turntable of a record player in 1939: Regular TV broadcasts
mechanical sequential scanning the early 1930s. begin.
method exemplified by the 1939: Bell labs begin testing
Nipkow disk (as discussed in high-frequency radar.
PHILO 1940: Bell labs conceive the
Part 1).
Modern television systems
FARNSWORTH idea of cell phone (technology
won’t exist to bring it to market
are based on the cathode ray Strange as it may seem, for another 30 years).
tube (CRT). The idea of using a relatively few reference sources 1941: First touch-tone phone
cathode ray tube to display seem to be aware of the real systems (too expensive for gen-
television images was proposed genius behind television as we eral use).
as early as 1905, but progress know it today – an American 1941: First microwave transmis-
was hard fought for, and it farm boy named Philo T. sions.
wasn’t until the latter half of the Farnsworth from Rigby, Idaho. 1945: Sci-fi author Arthur C.
1920s that the first rudimentary In 1922, at the age of 14, with Clark envisions geo-
television systems based on virtually no knowledge of synchronous communications
cathode ray tubes became electronics, Philo conceived the satellites.
operational in the laboratory. idea for a fully electronic 1946: Automobile radiotele-
television system. Flushed with phones connect to the telephone
There are two primary
enthusiasm, he sketched his network.
requirements for a functional
idea on a blackboard for his high 1948: America. Airplane re-
television system: a technique
school science teacher. broadcasts TV signal to nine
for capturing an image and a
way to display it. Following Over the years, Philo solved States.
Nipkow’s experiments, other the problems that had thwarted 1949: America. Start of network
inventors tried to move things other contenders. He invented a TV.
forward with limited success. device called an Image 1950: Vidicon camera tubes im-
The history books mention Dissector, which was the prove TV pictures.
several names in this regard, forerunner to modern television 1952: Sony demonstrates first
such as John Logie Baird, a cameras, and he also designed Japanese miniature transistor
Scotsman who used a derivation the circuitry to implement radio (produces it commercially
of Nipkow’s disks for capturing horizontal and vertical flyback in 1955).
and displaying pictures during blanking signals on his cathode 1953: America. First TV dinner
the latter half of the 1920s and ray tube, which solved the is marketed by the C.A. Swan-
the early 1930s. problems of ghosting images. son company.
The British Broadcasting By the early 1930s, Philo 1954: Launch of giant balloon
Corporation (BBC) allowed Baird could transmit moving pictures called Echo 1 – used to bounce
to transmit his pictures on their with resolutions of several telephone calls coast to coast.
unused radio channels in the hundred lines, and all 1954: Number of radio sets in
evening. By 1934, even though subsequent televisions are world out-numbers newspapers
he could only transmit simple directly descended from his sold each day.
pictures with a aximum original designs. 1956: First transatlantic tele-
resolution of around 50 lines, phone cable goes into operation.
As video historian Paul 1957: Russia launches Sputnik
Baird had sold thousands of his Schatzkin told the authors: 1, the world’s first artificial satel-
Televisor receivers around “Many engineers and scientists
Europe in the form of do-it- lite.
contributed to the emergence of
yourself kits. the television medium, but a
Meanwhile, on the other careful examination of the
Special Feature
1960: NASA and Bell Labs
record shows that no one
launch the first commercial com-
really had a clue until
munication
Philo Farnsworth set up
shop in San Francisco at 1962: America. Unimation intro-
the age of 20 and said: duces the first industrial
We’ll do it this way!”. robot.
1962: First commercial touch-
tone phone systems.
COLOUR
1962: First commercial commu-
TELEVISION nications satellite
Perhaps the earliest (Telstar) launched and
proposal for color operational.
television is to be found in 1963: Philips introduces first
a German patent from as audio cassette.
far back as 1904.
However, it was not until 1964: Birth of Practical Elec-
1928 that Baird gave the tronics magazine.
first practical 1967: Dolby eliminates audio
demonstration of a color Reconstruction of Sputnik 1, the hiss.
television using world’s first artificial satellite,
mechanical scanning 1967: America. Fairchild intro-
launched 4 October 1957. duce an integrated circuit
based on a Nipkow disk Courtesy Science Museum/Science and
having thee spirals of 30 Society Picture Library.
called the Micromosaic
apertures, one spiral for (the forerunner of the
each primary color in sequence. Unfortunately the US settled on modern ASIC).
television pictures composed of 1968: America. First Static
As we’ve already discussed, 525 lines being refreshed at 30
however, electronic techniques RAM IC reaches the
frames per second, while market.
came to dominate the market, Europe decided to use 625 lines
and creating color variations of at 25 frames per second. Other 1969: First radio signals trans-
these systems was significantly countries subsequently adopted mitted by man on the
more problematic. One big one or the other of these moon.
problem was the number of standards (and don’t get us 1970: America. Fairchild intro-
black and white television sets talking about NTSC versus PAL, duce the first 256-bit
that had already been deployed, or the fact that the French static RAM called the
because it was decided that any decided to go their own way with 4100.
proposed color system had to SECAM).
be backwards compatible (that 1970: America. Intel announces
is, the color signal had to be the first 1024-bit dynamic
capable of driving both color and UNDERSEA CABLES RAM, called the 1103.
black and white sets). 1970: Researchers at Corning
As we discussed in Part 1,
Public broadcasting of color the first undersea telegraph Glass develop first com-
television began in 1954 in the cable was laid in 1845 between mercial/feasible optical
United States. Widespread England and France. The fiber.
adoption of color receivers in the Atlantic was spanned in 1858 1971: Birth of Everyday Elec-
United States followed in 1964, between Ireland and tronics magazine.
and in Great Britain and West Newfoundland, but the cable’s
Germany in 1967. 1971: First direct telephone di-
insulation failed and it had to be
aling between USA and
abandoned. Following these
Europe.
early attempts, the first
TELEVISION successful transatlantic 1971: America. Intel creates
STANDARDS telegraph cable was laid in the first microprocessor,
1866, and in the same year the 4004
Standards are great,
another cable, partially laid in 1975: England. First liquid crys-
everybody should have one, as
the old saying goes. 1865, was also completed. tal displays (LCDs) are
Special Feature
1980: Faxes can be sent over
regular phone lines.
1980: Cordless and cell phones
are developed.
1989: Pacific fiber-optic link/
cable opens (supports
40,000 simultaneous
conversations).
1992: PE and EE combine to
become EPE.
1993: MOSAIC web browser
becomes available.
Echo 1, the first experimental Telstar 1, first commercial
communications satellite, communications satellite. It
during inflation tests. Courtesy was a multi-faceted sphere
Science Museum/Science and So- one meter in diameter. Cour-
These early attempts were ciety Picture Library. tesy of BT Archives.
plagued by deterioration of the
signal over these huge scientific developments.
distances and also by a lack of
understanding of the
SATELLITES
environment 2,000 fathoms In 1952, the International SPACE RACE
beneath the sea (could there be Council of Scientific Unions stated The Russian’s ability to
a film title here?). that July 1957 to December 1958 launch a satellite 50 times the
Of course, the problems would be the International mass of the American’s
were significantly more daunting Geophysical Year (IGY), because proposed 3·5 pound (1·6kg)
in the case of audio signals. In solar activity would be at a high payload sent shivers of fear
fact, these issues were not point during this period. Two throughout the Western world. It
resolved until the invention of years later, in October 1954, the was obvious to all that
vacuum tube-based repeaters council adopted a resolution intercontinental ballistic missiles
that could operate continuously calling for artificial satellites to be were now more than a
and flawlessly with no attention launched during the IGY to map possibility. Thus, in addition to
for at least 20 years at these the Earth’s surface. causing the Americans to form
depths. These made possible In 1955, in a fit of NASA (which gave us Velcro
the first transatlantic telephone exuberance, the American fasteners and Teflon for our
cable, from Scotland to government announced plans to frying pans), Sputnik 1 initiated
Newfoundland in 1956. launch an Earth-orbiting satellite the so-called “Space Race”.
Following the success of for the IGY, and set to work on This culminated with
this first cable, similar systems the project. But much to their America putting a man on the
were deployed between dismay, the (former) Soviet Union moon, but also led to deep
California and Hawaii and successfully launched Sputnik 1, space probes throughout the
between Hawaii and Japan in the world’s first artificial satellite solar system, and drove
1964. More recent undersea on October 4, 1957. electronic developments like
cables employ transistorized Sputnik 1 was small (about miniaturization in the form of
repeaters and provide even the size of a basketball weighing integrated circuits, more efficient
more voice circuits, and some in at 183 pounds, 83kg) and its solar cells, and others too
are even capable of transmitting sole function was to repeatedly numerous to mention.
television pictures. beep a simple Morse Code-type
Today’s cables, such as the message (to annoy the
Americans). However, the BALLOONS
Pacific cable laid in 1998, use
technology based on fiber-optics significance of this event cannot Whilst working at Bell
and can handle 40,000 be understated as it paved the Laboratories in 1960, John
simultaneous conversations! way to a wide range of political, Robinson Pierce developed the
military, technological, and first experimental
Special Feature
communications satellite by
bouncing radio signals of a 150-
foot (45m) aluminum-coated high-
altitude balloon called Echo 1.
These experiments were
closely followed by the Telstar
series of communications
satellites, which initiated a new
age in electronic communications.
Unlike the passive reflection
employed by Echo 1, Telstar
received signals transmitted from
a ground station, amplified them,
and re-transmitted them to
another ground station.
Following Telstar’s launch on
10 July 1962, the first television
pictures were transmitted across
the Atlantic Ocean from a giant
antenna near Andover, Maine, to
a receiver located at Goonhilly in
England. These television pictures
were quickly followed by
transmissions of telephone,
telegraph, facsimile (FAX), and
computer data. Goonhilly Earth Station. Courtesy of BT Archives.
waves in 1887, he discovered that MAGNETRONS
CRYSTAL BALLS they could be transmitted through
some materials, but that they Sad to relate, early RADAR
As far back as 1945, Arthur
would be reflected by others. sets were not as efficacious as
C. Clarke (who was to gain fame
Almost 50 years later, scientists one might have hoped for. What
as a Science Fiction writer)
began to discover how to use was required was a new
proposed that microwave signals
radio waves to detect and locate generation of high and low
could be beamed to an unmanned
objects. power signal generators. One
orbiting satellite and bounced
solution that was to find favor
back to a different part of the In 1935, a report entitled The
was the magnetron, which was
world. But his key suggestion was Detection of Aircraft by Radio
that three satellites parked in a developed by British physicists
Methods was presented to the at the University of Birmingham
geo-synchronous orbit 36,000 British Air Ministry by Sir Robert
kilometers above the Equator in 1939.
Watson-Watt and his assistant
could be used to provide world- Arnold Wilkins. This was soon A magnetron is a diode
wide coverage. Clark’s vision was followed by a trial, in which the vacuum tube-like device that is
eventually realized by Telstar’s BBC’s short wave radio capable of generating extremely
successors. Today, thousands of transmitter at Daventry, England high frequencies and also short
satellites race around the Earth, to was used to detect a British bursts of very high power.
the extent that it’s becoming Heyford Bomber. The need to manufacture
increasingly difficult to select an tens of thousands of magnetron
The success of this trial led to
orbit for a new satellite so as to tubes to satisfy the war effort
a chain of Radio Detecting and
maintain a safe separation from drove the British government to
Ranging (RADAR) stations along
existing devices. seek help from American
the South and East coasts of
England. These were to provide industry. One company that was
consulted was Raytheon, which
RADAR vital advance information that was
already had been experimenting
to help the Royal Air Force win the
When Heinrich Hertz first Battle of Britain. with their own microwave tubes.
began experimenting with radio
After listening to the British
Special Feature
Scientists a US Department of Defense
already knew that program called ARPANET
magnetrons (Advanced Research Projects
generated heat Agency Network), which was
whilst radiating established in 1969 to provide a
microwaves, but secure and survivable
Spencer was the communications network for
first to discover organizations engaged in
that one could defense-related research.
cook food using By the 1980s, ARPANET had
microwave radio evolved into a fledgling version of
signals. today’s Internet that was
Based on predominantly used by academics
Spencer’s as a way to publish textual data
discovery, and as a text-based search
Raytheon engine.
Original cavity magnetron, 1940. Developed demonstrated the
by John Randall and Harry Boot of Birming- first commercial One of the original uses of the
ham University. Courtesy of Science Museum/Sci- microwave oven in Internet was electronic mail
ence and Society Picture Library. (commonly called email), bulletin
1947. These boards and newsgroups, and
beasts were remote computer access. The
scientists describe their method presented in refrigerator-sized subsequent development of the
of producing the magnetron cabinets and cost $2000 to World Wide Web (WWW), which
tubes, one of Raytheon’s $3000 (which was an expensive enables simple and intuitive
engineers, Percy L. Spencer way to cook one’s popcorn). navigation of Internet sites
boldly stated that their technique THE INTERNET through a graphical interface
was “awkward and impractical”. called a Web Browser (such as
Percy took the tube home over The latest development in
the communications arena is the Netscape or Internet Explorer)
the weekend and came up with was popularized by the release of
radical changes that would both Internet, which combines the
widespread availability of the MOSAIC web browser in
simplify the manufacturing 1993.
process and improve the computers with every other
functioning of the radar. communications technology In December 1999, the
known to man. number of daily emails passed
Britain awarded the little- daily conventional mail letters for
known Raytheon a contract to The Internet had its origin in
the first time.
supply the magnetrons, and by
the end of the war Raytheon
was producing 80 percent of all
magnetrons in the world.
Spencer, a man with only a
basic school education, became
Raytheon’s chief engineer.
MICROWAVE OVENS
The discovery of microwave
cooking in 1945 is also
attributed to Raytheon’s Percy
Spencer. A candy bar in
Spencer’s pocket began to melt
as he stood in front of a
magnetron tube that had been
switched on. Spencer next Interior of a Sony TR-63 transistor radio. 114,536 of
placed popcorn kernels in front them were manufactured between March 1957 and
of the tube – and they popped.
November 1958. Courtesy Radio Bygones.
Special Feature
The Internet now uses radio, beginning of the year 2000 is new and wonderful ideas and
satellites, the telephone comparable to that of the techniques that are racing
network, cable TV, amateur telephone as the world entered towards us like a runaway train
radio, and numerous other the 1900s. However, the speed at the beginning of this new
delivery media. In addition to of the Internet’s development is millennium!
raw computer data, the Internet exponential compared to that of
is itself used to deliver static the telephone, and the social
images, telephone impact of the Internet will be
conversations, music and more profound than most people
television pictures. Cutting can conceive.
across national boundaries, the
uncensored Internet is seen by
many as being one of the most NEXT MONTH
momentous achievements of In Part 4 we shall turn our
the 20th Century. attention to computing in the
The most amazing thing is 20th Century, and in Part 5 we
that the Internet today is still in shall polish up our crystal ball
its infancy. In many respects, and peer into the future in a
the state of the Internet at the desperate attempt to predict the
ROBERT PENFOLD support simple bidirectional op-
Bidirectional Printer Ports eration.
The only sure way to deter-
In general, background in- mine whether or not a port can
As regular readers will be read data on its eight data lines
aware, there have recently been formation is not provided. Some
of this information is the type of is to run a simple test. Writing a
changes to the way PC add-ons value of 32 to the handshake
are tackled in this series of arti- thing that anyone having a rea-
sonable amount of experience output register sets a port to in-
cles. Good old GW-BASIC and put operation, and data can then
Q BASIC have been replaced by with computer add-ons should
know. The rest is subject matter be read from the data lines at
visual programming languages the base address of the port.
such as Visual BASIC 6.0 and that has been covered in recent
Delphi 1 or 2. Interface articles.
Most projects now require a In short articles of this type RIGHT ADDRESS
bidirectional printer port, there is not enough space avail-
This brings us to another
whereas those featured in the able to keep repeating things
source of problems, which is de-
past needed only a standard over and over again. If an article
termining the right address
printer port. I think most would does not tell you everything you
range for the printer port. There
agree that these changes have need to know it may be neces-
are three address ranges used
resulted in projects that are su- sary to delve back a few issues
for printer ports, as shown here:
perior to their predecessors, for the answers.
even though in most cases the Data H/S Input H/S Output
hardware and software are actu- Register Register Register
BIDIRECTIONAL
ally simpler. &H3BC &H3BD &H3BE
One or two readers seem to &H378 &H379 &H37A
However, these changes
have run into trouble because &H278 &H279 &H27A
seem to have caused an in-
they have tried to use projects
crease in the number of letters Most PCs have one printer
requiring a bidirectional port with
and emails relating to Interface port as standard, and this is
old PCs that have standard
articles. A number of projects usually at a base address of
printer ports. In general, Pen-
that utilize a bidirectional printer &H378, but some seem to use
tium PCs have bidirectional
port and (or) software written in &H3BC. Where there is more
ports while 80486 and earlier
a visual language will feature in than one printer port, the operat-
PCs do not. However, some
future Interface articles, so it is ing system designates the port
early Pentium PCs lack this fa-
perhaps worthwhile clarifying cility and a few 80486 based at the highest address port one,
some points raised by readers PCs do have this bidirectional the one at the next highest ad-
before getting embroiled in capability. dress port two, and if there are
these designs. three ports, the one at the low-
Some PCs that have bidi- est address will be port three. If
rectional printer ports default to there are ports at addresses
ONGOING the standard mode of operation, &H378 and &H278 for example,
I think it is worth making the and must be set to the bidirec- these will respectively be used
point that the Interface articles tional mode using the BIOS as ports one and two by the op-
are largely self-contained, but Setup program. The documen- erating system.
they are also part of an ongoing tation supplied with the PC
should give details of the BIOS If you do not know the ad-
series. It is a series that is not dresses of the ports in your PC
really aimed at beginners. When Setup program and changing
the mode of the printer port. It is the easiest way to find out is to
a design is featured in an Inter- use the Windows 95/98 System
face article, most of the informa- SPP mode that is required, but
EPP mode also seems to be Information program. Operating
tion provided is specific to that the Windows Start button and
project. suitable. ECP is an advanced
mode that does not seem to then selecting Programs, Acces-
InterFACE
sories, System Tools, and Sys- printer port card (see Fig.2) and function that can be used to
tem Information will launch this any modern card of this type read from and write to ports.
program. should support simple bidirec- However, this facility is only sup-
Double click on Resources tional operation. A card of this ported by version One of the
and then on I/O to bring up a list type should cost about 10 to 20 program, and is absent from all
of the input/output address as- UK pounds from any large com- the subsequent versions. The
signments. This will provide a puter store, which is not bad for software for most user add-ons
list of the type shown in Fig.1, a port that provides a total of 17 is fairly basic, and Delphi 1.0 is
which should include the serial input and output lines. more than adequate for this type
and parallel ports. Since most PCs have a of thing.
printer connected to parallel port Although it is no longer
one, adding a second port available as a separate entity, it
SIMPLE TEST specifically for use with your a- is supplied with later versions of
A very simple test routine is dd-ons is a good idea anyway. Delphi (both the commercial ver-
all that is needed to check Assuming the existing port is at sions and the “free” versions oc-
whether the port supports bidi- a base address of &H3BC or casionally given away with com-
rectional operation. This GW &H378, the new port should be puter magazines). The original
BASIC program will do the job. configured for a base address of Delphi language produces pro-
The addresses are correct for &H278, to use IRQ5, and for grams that will run under Win-
what will normally be printer port EPP or SPP operation. dows 3.1, but later releases are
two, but they are easily changed strictly for use with the 32-bit
if necessary. versions of Windows. Version
DELPHI 1.0 of Delphi is therefore in-
10 CLS Using visual languages with cluded with later versions to pro-
20 OUT &H27A,32 your own add-on devices is not vide 16-bit compatibility. Delphi
30 LOCATE 10,20 as straightforward as using a 1.0 programs will run properly
40 PRINT INP(&H278) traditional BASIC such as GW under Windows 95 and 98 inci-
BASIC. Direct accessing of dentally.
50 GOTO 10
ports is permitted under Win- Delphi 1.0 has definite ad-
Line 20 sets the port to the dows 95 and 98, but there is lit- vantages over the alternatives,
input mode, and a loop then re- tle support for doing this with and will probably be used to pro-
peatedly reads the data lines Windows programming lan- duce the programs featured in
and prints the results at the guages. future Interface articles. One ad-
same point on the screen. Feed- Borland’s Delphi (a sort of vantage is that it produces
ing various logic patterns to the visual Pascal) does have a Port stand-alone programs that do
data inputs of the port (pins 2 to
9) should produce the appropri-
ate readings on the screen.
It is best to drive the port via
current limiting resistors of about
220 ohms in value. If the port is
still working as an output type
these resistors will limit the cur-
rent flow to a level that will pre-
vent anything from being dam-
aged.
ON THE CARDS
If the readings from the port
do not change, it is clearly not a
bidirectional type. The easiest Fig. 1. The Windows System Information program can provide
solution is to fit the PC with a a list of address ranges for the hardware.
InterFACE
not have to be installed, and at line, and using the assembler in of these adds INP and OUT
around 200k to 250k they are later versions was covered functions to Visual BASIC, and
not particularly big either. briefly in the August ‘99 issue. these functions are used in ex-
As explained previously, actly the same way as their GW
Delphi 1.0 programs will run un- BASIC counterparts.
GOING VISUAL
der Windows 3.1, 95, and 98. One or two readers have
Because of the built-in Port Visual BASIC is now the queried whether or not this file
function it is not necessary to most popular programming lan- will be included when a program
resort to any software add-ons, guage, and it is probably the is compiled. Visual BASIC does
keeping things simple and most simple to use. In recent not compile programs into stan-
straightforward. years I have received a steady dalone files, but instead pro-
flow of enquiries about using this duces a group of files complete
language with PC projects. with an install/uninstall program.
GETTING IN-LINE Unfortunately, as far as I A DLL file such as inpout32.dll
Although Delphi 2.0 and be- can ascertain there are no INP will be included with the program
yond do not have a Port function or OUT functions in Visual BA- group, and the installed program
they are equipped with a simple SIC 6.0 or any of the earlier ver- will function properly. Unfortu-
but effective in-line assembler. sions. Neither is there a built-in nately, the smallest of Visual
Reading from and writing to assembler or any other integral BASIC programs seems to com-
ports can therefore be accom- function that provides access to pile into almost two megabytes
plished using a few lines of as- the ports. of files!
sembler. It is possible to access the
Due to the lack of a Port ports using this language, but WORKING MODEL
function it is not possible to only with the aid of a software
compile any Delphi 1.0 listings add-on. Anyone interested in There is a “working model”
provided in Interface articles us- using Visual BASIC with user version of Visual BASIC 6, but
ing Delphi 2.0 or later. However, add-ons should certainly pay a this does not seem to be avail-
it should be possible to rewrite visit to the web site at http:// able as a download from the Mi-
them to use assembler routines www.lvr.com where there is a crosoft web site. Again, it would
instead of the Port function, and lot of information, software add-
the programs should then com- ons, and links to other useful
pile successfully under the 32-bit sites.
versions of Delphi. If nothing more than basic
As far as I am aware, the port access is needed, and this
“free” versions of Delphi are not is certainly all that is needed for
available for download at any most projects, the freeware DLL
web site. The size of these pro- called inpout32.dll would seem
grams is such that it would take to be the best option. Use in-
a very long time to download pout16.dll for 16-bit versions of
them anyway. Visual BASIC. Using either
Versions up to Delphi 3.0
Professional have appeared
from time to time as freebies on
magazine cover discs. These
are the same as the full com-
mercial equivalents, but they are
for personal use only. In other
words, if you start to distribute
your programs commercially you
must buy “the real thing”.
Programming user add-ons
using Delphi 1.0 was covered in
the June ‘99 issue of EPE On- Fig. 2. A bidirectional printer port card.
InterFACE
probably take too long to down- model version of the program, it site mentioned earlier), but this
load anyway. probably represents the cheap- is doing things the hard way.
The working model is al- est way of trying Visual BASIC Windows 95 and 98 are a better
most the complete program, but 6. Using Visual BASIC with user choice for a PC that will be used
it cannot compile programs. add-ons was covered in the Au- with PC based projects.
They can be run from within Vi- gust ‘99 issue of EPE Online in- LIBERTY BASIC
sual BASIC though, rather like cidentally.
It is perhaps worth mention-
running programs under GW
ing a little known BASIC pro-
BASIC or Q BASIC. When run in WINDOWS NT4 gramming language called Lib-
this way the programs seem to
Windows 3.1, 95, and 98 all erty BASIC. This shareware pro-
run at full speed and without any
permit direct accessing of the gram is a traditional BASIC that
restrictions.
ports, but Windows NT4 does will produce Windows programs,
The usual way of obtaining and it includes INP and OUT
not. It is designed to be more
the Visual BASIC working model functions.
secure than other versions of
is to buy a book that includes it
Windows, and it only permits Being shareware, this pro-
on the accompanying “free” CD-
port accesses via the operating gram can be tried out for the
ROM. Although I hate to admit it,
system. This ensures that two cost of downloading it from one
I found “The Complete Idiot’s
programs cannot simultaneously of the source web sites. There
Guide To Visual BASIC 6” by attempt to access the same are several of these including
Clayton Walnum (ISBN 0-7897- piece of hardware. http://www.liberty-basic.com
1812-X) an excellent introduc-
tion to Visual BASIC program- There are add-ons that can
ming. provide programming languages
with a port access facility in Win-
At around 15 uk pounds,
dows NT4 (see the lvr.com web
complete with the working
PART 6 – Logic Gates, Binary,
and Hex Logic by John Becker
So we now have five parts of Teach-In 2000 We have covered the basic “passive”
under our belts and we know that you are components and provided you with a means by
greatly enjoying and learning from this 10-part which to create waveforms and display them
series. We are pleased to have been told on on a PC-compatible computer screen. This
many occasions that you appreciate the way in enables us to now explore somewhat more
which we are leading you by the hand, on the sophisticated components of an “active”
assumption that you knew little or nothing nature. Our experimental subjects this month
about electronics before you started reading are not only gates but binary counters to
the series. Your complementary comments are complement the Tutorial, and a decimal
very welcome. counter – for fun as well as instruction!
In previous parts of Teach-In, other input is high. Another is to its functional title) and one out-
the term AND has been used indicate whether or not all inputs put. The logic levels applied to
from time-to-time. Indeed, in Part are high, allowing, for example, the two inputs can be regarded
4 we gave a brief description of a process to start if several pre- as the bits to which we referred
what it does. The term occurs in ceding processes have been a few paragraphs earlier when
both computing and electronics. completed. stating what AND means in an
In both instances, the implemen- Let’s use your breadboard electronic or computing context.
tation of AND is physically carried and the oscillator you were us- It is worth noting that there
out by an electronic device or cir- ing last month, plus an elec- are other AND gates which have
cuit somewhere in the system. tronic AND gate, to demonstrate more than two inputs. We shall
We explained that if two logic the AND principle, and in doing not discuss them, but just com-
bits are ANDed together then the so to show its use as a signal ment that similar principles apply
result will be logic 1 only if both switch. to all types. There are also other
source bits are also at logic 1. If The symbol for a 2-input quad 2-input AND gates with
either or both bits are at logic 0, AND gate is given at the top of different type numbers (indeed
the result will also be logic 0. Fig.6.1a (the table below it will all the devices we use in this Tu-
be discussed presently). torial are available with different
type numbers to those quoted,
AND NOW THE From your bag of compo- but not necessarily with the
nents, select a 74HC08 inte- same pinouts).
GATES grated circuit (IC). This IC is an-
The first subject to be cov- other digital electronic device
ered this month is the expansion (as are the 74HC04 and PRELIMINARIES
of the AND concept, and to de- 74HC14 inverters you have al-
Before you remove the
scribe not only integrated devices ready been using). It is a quad
74HC08 from its packaging,
that use AND, but those that use 2-input AND gate, and as such
briefly touch something that is
the other five main logic functions, has four separate AND gate cir-
earthed to discharge any static
NAND, OR, NOR, XOR and cuits within it. Its pinouts are
electricity from your body. (See
XNOR. shown in Fig.6.2.
also Panel 6.1.)
One of the uses for an AND Whereas the inverters each
Plug the IC (call it IC3) into
gate is as a signal (data) switch, had one input and one output,
your breadboard and connect it
only allowing the signal on one the AND gate we are about to
up as shown in Fig.6.3. Ensure
input to pass to the output if the use has two inputs (as stated in
TEACH-IN 2000
AND GATE OR GATE XOR GATE
A) C) E) QUAD 2-INPUT AND
A A A
Y Y Y 74HC08
B B B
1 14
B A Y B A Y B A Y A1 +VE
2 13
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
B1 B4
0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1
3 12
1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Y1 A4
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
4 11
A2 Y4
NAND GATE NOR GATE XNOR GATE 5 10
B) D) F)
A A A B2 B3
Y Y Y
B B B 6 9
Y2 A3
7 8
B A Y B A Y B A Y
GND Y3
0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1
0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0
1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 Fig.6.2. Pinouts for a 74HC08
1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 2-input AND gate.
Fig.6.1. Symbols and truth tables for the six 2-input logic
gate functions.
+6V
22
21
20
23
24
26
30
25
27
28
29
31
32
R11
10k IC3a
74HC08
INPUT "A" (A) 14
1
3 (Y)
FROM 1C1a 2
PIN 2 (B)
R
7 R12 11 IC3
470W
ALTERNATIVE LINK
(SEE TEXT) a
D4 R12
k k D4
0V a
Fig.6.4. Circuit diagram for LINK (B)

22
20
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
(SEE TEXT)
the AND gate experiment.
The circuits for the other
gates are similar.
Photo 6.1. Breadboard showing
the 74HC00 and 74HC02 con-
that it is placed in the correct figured for the demos. Note that SIGNAL IN (A)
FROM IC1a PIN 2 SIGNAL OUT (Y)
way round (as we discussed in they are not in the final recom-
Part 2). Fig.6.3. Breadboard layout
mended board positions. for the AND, NAND, OR and
We are using just one AND
gate from within IC3, and shall tions are automatically made to XOR 2-input gate
refer to it as IC3a. Pin 1 (call it the battery when it is connected experiments.
Input A) of IC3a connects back to the board as in previous ex- tor should be 100uF.
to the output of oscillator IC1a periments.
pin 2 (see Part 4). Pin 2 (Input Incidentally, the A and B
A LED (D4) is connected to names given to the gate inputs
B) of IC3a is linked to the posi- the output of IC3a (pin 3) via the
tive power line via resistor R11. do not have to be in that order,
usual ballast resistor (R12). or even with those names. They
The power line connections The circuit diagram for this could even be called Input John
for IC3 are positive to pin 14 and set up is shown in Fig.6.4. and Input Gill if you wanted to.
0V to pin 7. With the breadboard Nor is it necessary to use the
links as shown, these connec- Capacitor C1 of the oscilla-
same suffix letters as those
TEACH-IN 2000
used here, the gate having pins AND gate has been set to logic lustrations and tables).
1, 2 and 3 could be named IC3d 1 via the 10kW resistor R11. Truth tables can be com-
in another circuit (or even The data (bit) for Input B (pin 2) piled for any number of inputs
IC54c). It is entirely up to the is alternating between logic 1 and outputs of any digital logic
circuit designer to give ICs what- and logic 0, as provided by the device. Some can become very
ever circuit part numbers he or oscillator. As we said before, the long indeed! For example, AND
she prefers. conditions in which an AND gate gates (and other members of
will produce an output of logic 1 the logic family) can have three,
is when both ANDed bits are at four, eight or even more inputs.
FIRST TEST logic 1. The number of permutations of
Connect power to the board In the circuit you are run- 2-state (digital) logic on those
and adjust preset VR1 (Fig.4.1 ning, one bit (A) is already at inputs is two to the power of the
in Part 4) until the oscillator’s logic 1 (via R11), and the other input quantity, e.g.:
LED (D1) flashes on and off at a bit (B) is switching between the
fairly even and slow rate. You INPUTS PERMUTATIONS
two logic states. When bit B is at
should see that LED D4 also logic 1, the AND condition has 1 21 = 2
flashes on and off in time with been met and the output goes 2 22 = 4
D1. high, to turn on LED D4. With bit 3 23 = 8
Now make a temporary link B low, the condition is not met 4 24 = 16
between IC3a pin 2 (Input B) and so the output is low, and D4 5 25 = 32
and the 0V power line (see is off. 6 26 = 64
Fig.6.3 – Link B). Leave R11 in When you take bit A low by 7 27 = 128
place – it prevents the input connecting Input A to 0V, the 8 28 = 256
from “floating”, a condition in AND condition can never be
which the gate would be unsure met, irrespective of what hap- NAND GATE LOGIC
of what logic state is on that in- pens on Input B. Thus LED D4 We stated earlier that as
put should you remove and remains off. well as AND gates, other types
swap a link wire between it and of gate exist to meet other logi-
either of the power lines. cal conditions. The repertoire
You will now find that LED TRUTH OF THE comprises AND, NAND, OR,
D1 continues to flash, but LED MATTER NOR, XOR, XNOR, NOT
D4 is turned off. Remove the (another term for inverter). Hav-
As you will have deduced,
link and D4 should flash again. ing met AND and NOT (the
there is a permutation of four
This is what’s happening: 74HC04 and 74HC14 inverters
logic states that can occur on
In the first instance, the data you’ve been using in the oscilla-
the two inputs of the AND gate.
(bit) at Input A (pin 1) of the tors), we shall now discuss the
There is only one combination of
others in turn, starting with the
those input states in which the
NAND gate.
QUAD 2-INPUT NAND output can go high. This permu-
74HC00 tation of states and their resul- The term NAND simply
1 14
tant outputs can be tabulated, as means NOT-AND. A NAND gate
A1 +VE in Fig.6.1a, below the gate’s is thus an AND gate whose out-
2 13 logic symbol. Tables such as put is inverted. Its logic symbol
B1 B4
this are called Truth Tables. and truth table are shown in
3 12
Fig.6.1b.
Y1 A4
The truth table in Fig.6.1a
A2
4 11
Y4
(and in those we give later and The symbol is almost identi-
5 10
in the computer program) is cal to that for the AND gate, ex-
B2 B3 headed with the inputs in order cept that the output has a small
6 9 of B and A, which allows the circle on it. This symbol is fre-
Y2 A3
table to be arranged so that the quently encountered on outputs
7 8
GND Y3 logic on these inputs is shown in (and inputs) to signify that the
binary value order (discussed logic is inverted.
Fig.6.5. Pinouts for the later in this Tutorial). The output You can, in fact, achieve a
is headed with a Y (a common NAND situation by taking the
74HC00 quad 2-input
letter encountered with many, output of an AND gate through
NAND gate. but not all, output-indicating il-
TEACH-IN 2000
QUAD 2-INPUT OR
an inverter (try it sometime). 74HC32
Whilst NOR gates are avail-
There are, though, logic devices able with several inputs, it is one
1 14
manufactured to specifically per- A1 +VE
of the quad 2-input types we use
form the NAND function. One 2 13
now, the 74HC02. Its pinouts
such is the 74HC00. B1 B4 are shown in Fig.6.7. Note that
The 74HC00 is a quad 2- Y1
3 12
A4
its pinouts are different per gate
input NAND gate, and its pinouts 4 11
section to the previous gates.
A2 Y4
are shown in Fig.6.5. Note that The reason for this differ-
5 10
the order of the pins per gate is B2 B3 ence is unknown – it seems il-
identical to that for the 74HC08 6 9 logical. It has to be said, though,
Y2 A3
AND gate. that there are occasional incon-
7 8
With the breadboard power GND Y3 sistencies between what one
off, remove the 74HC08 and in might expect of a digital IC com-
its place put a 74HC00. Again Fig.6.6. Pinouts for the pared to what the situation actu-
touch something that is earthed 74HC32. ally is.
immediately prior to handling it QUAD 2-INPUT NOR One reason given to the au-
(as we advise you in Panel 6.1). 74HC02 thor many years ago is that digi-
With power on again, do the tal logic devices were originally
1 14
same tests as you did with the Y1 +VE designed for the United States
74HC08, connecting Input A (pin 2 13 Military and that this had an af-
1) variously between +VE (via
A1 Y4
fect upon how devices were
3 12
R11) and 0V. Note the way in B1 B4
manufactured.
which LED D4 flashes co 4 11 Insert a 74HC02 into the
Y2 A4
mpared with LED D1. breadboard in place of the previ-
5 10
You should find that D4 will A2 Y3 ous OR gate, but connect it,
only be turned off when inputs A 6 9 plus the resistor and LED, ac-
B2 B3
and B are both at logic 1, the cording to Fig.6.8. Do your tests
7 8
opposite of the situation with the GND A3
in the same way as before.
AND gate. Indeed, your findings
should correspond to the data XOR GATE LOGIC
shown in the NAND gate truth
Fig.6.7. Pinouts for the
table in Fig.6.1b. 74HC02. Note that the pin The term XOR stands for
order is different to the other Exclusive-OR and such gates
gates discussed. are only likely to be encountered
OR GATE LOGIC as 2-input types. The logic sym-
input OR gate is the 74HC32. bol and truth table are given in
With a 2-input OR gate, the Put one into your breadboard in
output is high if either Input A Fig.6.1e.
place of the 74HC00. The
OR Input B is high. If neither is pinouts are identical to the previ- The important thing to note
high, the output will be low. As ous two gates. about an XOR gate is that the
with the AND and NAND gates, output only goes high if the two
OR gates are available with Do the same tests as you inputs do not have equal logic
more than two inputs. In these did before, and compare your values on them. If the inputs do
cases if any of the inputs are results with the truth table. have equal logic, then the output
high, so too will be the output. will be low.
OR gates allow, for exam- NOR GATE LOGIC This condition is highly use-
ple, a process to start or con- For a given input combina- ful in many situations, such as
tinue if any preceding processes tion, a NOR (NOT-OR) gate pro- when you need to compare
have been completed or are still duces an inverted output com- whether or not signals from two
in progress. pared to that for an OR gate. sources have equal logic values.
The logic symbol and truth The symbol and truth table for a The principle in computing al-
table for a 2-input OR gate are 2-input NOR gate are shown in lows easy assessment for the
shown in Fig.6.1c. Fig.6.1d. Again note the inver- equality between byte values (8-
sion circle on the output. bits being compared simultane-
An example of a quad 2- ously, with a single output bit
TEACH-IN 2000
being set to represent the an-
swer).
XNOR GATE LOGIC
XOR gates also allow, for With an XNOR gate
22 (Exclusive-NOT-OR), the output
21
20
23
24
26
30
25
27
28
29
31
32
instance, signal logic levels to
be dealt with “as are” or in- logic is the inversion of that
verted, just by changing the which applies to an XOR gate.
logic level on one input. One ap- The logic symbol and truth table
plication for this is in the control are shown in Fig.6.1f. Again the
R
11
74HC02
of some simple types of liquid circle on the output indicates the
crystal display (LCD) – as we inversion.
R12
k D4
shall see later in the Teach-In Whilst XNOR gates are
a series. manufactured, they are not
LINK (B) The quad 2-input XOR gate readily available through hobby-
22
20
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
(SEE TEXT)
we want you to examine now is ist retailers and are not amongst
the 74HC86. Its pinouts are the list of components we sug-
shown in Fig.6.9 – they are in gested that you bought for this
the same order as the first three Teach-In series.
SIGNAL IN (A) gates you examined. Use the However, we can actively
SIGNAL OUT (Y) FROM IC1a PIN 2
breadboard layout shown in demonstrate an XNOR gate via
Fig.6.8. Breadboard layout Fig.6.3, and run the usual tests. another of our interactive com-
for the NOR gate puter programs. The same pro-
PANEL 6.1 – HANDLING INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

Although modern integrated circuits (ICs) are very reliable, they have to be handled with respect. They
must be inserted into circuit boards the correct way round, stated maximum voltages should not be ex-
ceeded, and current limits should be adhered to (although many devices have current limiting circuits built
into them). One point which must always be observed, is that ICs should not be exposed to the dangers
created by static electricity discharges, especially ICs which have the term CMOS (complementary metal
oxide silicon) in their datasheet/catalog description.
Although we have not mentioned it before, all the ICs with the 74HC prefix that you have, and will be
handling for this Teach-In, are CMOS devices. The 74HC type was chosen for its particularly hardy nature,
including the ability to operate at up to 7V and to provide a reasonable amount of current to drive the LEDs.
(Note that there are many other digital logic devices with a 74 prefix, but with a different set of letters follow-
ing it, and with different characteristics.) Whilst CMOS devices have diodes protecting certain external con-
nections, particularly the inputs, the diodes can only drain away excessive applied voltages up to finite lim-
its. The discharges from static electricity can be many thousands of volts, levels that are way beyond what
the protecting diodes can handle.
It is easy to avoid static electricity from discharging into an IC when handled by always touching a
grounded item (one which is connected to electrical “earth”) before touching it. This discharges static from
your body or the tool you might be handling. The metal rear panel of a plugged-in mains-powered computer
is a good place to touch; even its printer port cable has bare metal earthed connectors at each end.
In professional electronics, those handling ICs do so in conditions where sophisticated earthing tech-
niques are used to prevent static electricity build-up. There is no need for the average constructor to go to
such lengths and the “touching ground” method normally proves satisfactory. Also, any mains powered item
of test or construction gear (e.g. soldering iron) should be firmly earthed.
Whenever possible, use sockets for ICs on any printed circuit board or stripboard (e.g. Veroboard) as-
sembly where soldering is required. This enables the ICs to be easily replaced if necessary. It also prevents
them from becoming overheated during soldering, even though they can be quite robust in this situation.
Do not feel unduly alarmed by the warnings about static electricity and its effect on ICs. Providing you
observe the basic precautions, you can enjoy using ICs without endangering them, and most are actually
far more resilient than many texts suggest.
TEACH-IN 2000
QUAD 2-INPUT XOR
74HC86
PANEL 6.2 – SAMPLING RATIOS
1 14
A1 +VE You will recall that when discussing frequency counting in Part 4,
2 13 we commented on the problems created by sampling at too slow a
B1 B4
rate.
3 12
Y1 A4 There is a simple ratio of minimum sampling rate to original fre-
4 11 quency rate that allows the essence of the waveform (whether it’s
A2 Y4
above or below a midway reference level) to still be discerned. The
5 10
B2 B3 ratio is 2:1, i.e. sampling should be at a frequency no less than twice
6 9 that of the waveform being sampled.
Y2 A3
7 8
It was a certain Mr. Nyquist (dates and history unknown) who for-
GND Y3 mally expressed this ratio, apparently defining the minimum sampling
rate that allows accurate reconstruction of a signal in pulse-coded
Fig. 6.9. Pinouts for the communications systems.
74HC86. So far as audio signal sampling is concerned, where the shape of
the waveform needs to be closely preserved, rather than its high or
gram allows you to examine on- low status, a sampling frequency that is much higher than the fre-
screen the other logic gates quency of the audio signal is required. This is very much apparent in
we’ve been discussing. From the ADC Demo, which we discussed last month.
the main menu, run the 2-Input
Logic Gates program. There does, though, seem to be a general consensus that for the
upper audio frequencies (at the top end of human hearing) a mini-
mum ratio of 3:1 is acceptable. It is worth noting that when reconsti-
LOGIC GATES tuting a digitally sampled audio signal back to analog, the harmonics
PROGRAM created by the original sampling frequency need to be filtered out us-
ing additional electronic circuits.
With the 2-Input Logic
Gates program running, the
screen displays the logic sym- SELF-TEST All the control key options
bols and truth tables for the six are stated on screen. When you
When you are confident press <P> the waveform for Sig-
2-input gates just discussed.
enough, have a go at another of nal B alternates between a nar-
You can interact with any of our Self-Test options. Press <S> row pulse and a square wave.
the symbols, using the left and and correctly answer the ques-
right keyboard arrows to select Whilst experimenting with
tions asked! (We hope you will be
which one. The selected table is different frequency rates, con-
mildly amused by the result of cor-
indicated by a light-blue back- sider the implications of what
rectly answering each of them –
ground in the table heading. the result would be if you were
and doubly so for getting all right!)
using one waveform to sample
Up and down keyboard ar- the other. In the screen demo,
rows highlight different rows in
the selected table. Notations on
LOGIC WAVEFORMS it’s the AND result that is your
best guide to sampling results.
the logic symbol reflect the logic DEMO
shown for the selected row. It is You will see, for example,
The next demonstration we’ve that when the edges of Signal A
stated in binary (0 or 1) and red prepared illustrates two wave-
“flags’’ also show whether the and Signal B cross, the ANDed
forms before and after they pass result can be a pulse much
logic is high or low (just a bit of through three logic gates, AND,
fun the author enjoyed putting shorter than Signal B’s pulse. In
OR and XOR. Run program Digi- any practical sampling circuit it
in!).
tal Sampling and Logic Demo. is likely that some sort of addi-
We suggest you explore the tional circuit would be required
The cycle width for the input
symbols and try to memorize the to detect whether or not a sam-
square waves displayed (Signals
logic tables (or at least the logic pled result occurs for less than a
A and B) is changeable, and the
behind the creation of the tables, specified minimum duration.
waveforms traverse the screen to
as discussed earlier).
show how their relationships If the result is too short, it
change with time.
TEACH-IN 2000
Photo 6.3. Interactive digital sampling

Photo 6.2. The interactive logic gates
demo screen, which highlights the rela-
screen, in which all permutations of 2-input
tionship between two logic signals.
logic are demonstrated.
could be that it has been caused each of the A/B bit pairs as sep- BINARY TABLE
by “noise” in other parts of a arate items, combining them as
complex circuit (think of how the required by the logic function Before we get into the busi-
electrical noise from some vehi- stated. For information only, the ness of illustrating binary con-
cles can interfere with your TV decimal values for the full 8-bit version, have a look at the pro-
or radio reception). binary values are given in green. gram Binary, Hex, Decimal
(Binary/decimal conversion is Table 0-255. It’s what it says it
There’s a snippet of further
examined a bit later in this Tuto- is, decimal values from 0 to 255,
info on sampling in Panel 6.2.
rial.) with their 8-bit binary and hex-
You will find Panel 6.3 interest-
adecimal equivalents.
ing as well (relatively speaking!). We believe the rest of the
screen’s functions are obvious, There are three screen
including the Self-Test option. pages, rotating on a cycle at
8-BIT LOGIC Except – there’s a small clarifi- each press of the space bar (or
Earlier in this Tutorial we cation: when in the Self-Test any key except <M>, which
discussed digital logic from the mode and you want to use <M> brings back the menu display).
point of view of 2-input (2-bit) or <S> to return to the menu or This table will prove invalu-
gates. It is now worth consider- terminate Self-Test, you must able on many a future occasion!
ing 8-bit logic, not in terms of press <ENTER> to activate the Keep it on screen while you read
actual electronic logic gate de- letter once keyed in. Otherwise, this next section.
vices, but from the point of view with the Control keys stated, just
There is also a text file of
of computers and computing press and see what happens!
the data that you can print out
programs. From the main menu from your usual word processor
select 8-Bit Binary Logic.
The screen now displays six
boxes comprising data for eight
combined 2-bit versions (two
bytes) of the logic functions pre-
viously discussed. The formula
for each function is shown as
(for example) Y = A OR B where
the three letters are the same as
those used in the 2-input gate
logic demo.
Below the formulae are the
eight 2-bit values for A and B,
together with their Y answer.
Eight steps are needed for you Photo 6.5. Interactive screen illustrating the principle of 8-
to produce the answer, taking
bit logic functions.
TEACH-IN 2000
16 is as shown that if a bit in a binary number is
in Table 6.1. a 1, it represents the same deci-
In many in- mal power of 2 as its bit number.
stances it is con- If there is a 0 in a bit position,
ventional to the value represented by that bit
Photo 6.4. Part of the decimal-binary-hex place leading is also 0. For example, take the
conversion screen displays, covering decimal zeros before the binary number 11010110, we
0 to 255. binary value, so can analyze it as illustrated in
that its length is, Table 6.4.
software. It’s in directory C:\ for example, eight digits long (or Try this with other binary
TY2KPROG (where the rest of 8 bits to use the commonplace numbers you think up, and
your Teach-In 2000 programs term, where “bit” stands for bi- cross-check your result with the
are held) and is named nary digit). conversion table.
TY2KBDHX.TXT.
Referring back to the con-
version table still on your HEXADECIMAL
BINARY CONVER- screen, you will see the 8-bit
structure applied to the first 256 NUMBERS
SION binary values. Yes, we deliber- We have commented that
So, you’ve had a glance at ately said “256” rather than the symbols for decimal num-
the binary conversion program “255” – remember that 0 is a bers run from 0 to 9 and that bi-
pages, and you’ve been ex- value as well! nary just uses 0 and 1. The hex-
posed to binary numbers in vari- So what about binary num- adecimal (hex) system uses 16
ous ways since we discussed bers beyond decimal 255? You symbols, 0 to 9 plus A to F. The
the installation and operation of just extend the principle: keep
your computer interface board in on increasing the length of the
Part 4. Table 6.1: Decimal and
binary number, but, perhaps Binary Symbols
In case you’ve not yet showing as two (or more) 8-bit
DECIMAL BINARY
figured-out the logic behind bi- lengths, separated by a space,
nary numbers, let’s explain it e.g. 256 could be shown as: 0 0
here and now! 1 1
00000001 00000000 2 10
We’ve told you several
times that digital logic can be in or just 100000000 3 11
one of two states, variously ex- 4 100
pressed as high or low, logic 1 What you have probably 5 101
or logic 0, 1 or 0, on or off, H or spotted is that there are several 6 110
L, set or cleared. Using 1 or 0 is situations in a binary number 7 111
the most convenient method of when just one bit is a 1, the oth- 8 1000
expressing binary numbers, in ers being 0. Run through the bi- 9 1001
the same way that decimal val- nary table on your screen – con- 10 1010
ues are expressed using the nu- firm that the single bit numbers 11 1011
meric symbols 0 to 9. and their decimal conversions 12 1100
As you well know, in deci- are as shown in Table 6.2. Each 13 1101
mal we count from 0 to 9 and of the decimal values is, of
14 1110
then cycle over to 0 again, but course, twice that of the previ-
15 1111
placing symbol 1 in front of 0 to ous one, and it is also a power
of 2, as shown in the third col- 16 10000
produce 10 (ten), and so on. etc. etc.
umn. From Table 2 we can get
In binary, we count from 0 to the values shown in Table 6.3.
1 and cycle back to 0, again following thus applies:
placing a 1 in front of 0 to pro- You will recall that the bit
numbers in binary are numbered Decimal 16 then becomes
duce 10, but this time the sym- hex 10, decimal 17 = hex 11,
bol “10” represents decimal 2. from left to right as 7 to 0, which
is the same order and number decimal 31 = hex 1F, decimal 32
Next we get “11” (decimal 3) fol- = hex 20, etc., always incre-
lowed by “100” (decimal 4), and of the above power values.
menting through groups of 16
so on. The sequence from 0 to What we can say, then, is before roll-over to the next prefix
TEACH-IN 2000
Table 6.2 (decimal). In some instances a BIT VALUE
BINARY DECIMAL POWER
numerical suffix is given to indi-
cate the value system used, e.g. 0 1
00000001 1 20 10010 (decimal), 1002 (binary), 3 8
00000010 2 21 10016 (hex). 4 16
00000100 3 22 8 256
Obviously, when there is
00001000 4 23 10 1024
any doubt about which system a
00010000 16 24 value is expressed in, clarifica- 11 2048
00100000 32 25 tion should always be given, ei- down the value of 2 to the power
01000000 64 26 ther in words, or as a prefix or of that bit number:
10000000 128 27 suffix, unless the context in Now add up the second col-
which it appears umn: 3353 in this example.
Table 6.3 makes its value
obvious. If, for ex-
POWER 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 ample, you saw HEX TO DECIMAL
DECIMAL 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 the value 100 writ-
Converting a hex value to
decimal is nearly as easy. Take
Table 6.4 $FD58 for example: from right to
left, write down in a column the
BIT NO. 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
place number for individual hex
DECIMAL 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 numbers within the full number.
BINARY 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 In column 2 write down the
VALUE 128 +64 +0 +16 +0 +4 +2 +0 = 214 value of 16 to the power of each
position. In column 3 write the
symbol change, whereas in dec- ten on its own, you might not be individual hex values them-
imal you increment in groups of sure if it meant decimal 100, bi- selves, and beside them the
ten before roll-over. nary 100 (decimal 4), or hex 100 decimal equivalent for each of
This is illustrated in the con- (decimal 256) – which gives ob- those values. Now multiply the
version table on screen, where vious scope for confusion! values in column 2 and column
the blue values prefixed by “$” For the remainder of this 4, and write down the answer in
are the hexadecimal representa- text we shall use “$’’ to indicate column 5. Then add up
tions of the decimal and binary a hex value. column 5:
numbers to their left. The total for this example is
For incrementing from deci- 64856.
BINARY TO
mal 255 to 256, the roll-over be-
comes $FF to $100. DECIMAL PLACE(x) 16x HEX DEC RESULT
Hex values are indicated as For converting 0 1 8 8 8
such in a variety of ways. On binary or hex num- 1 16 5 5 80
screen now the symbol “$” indi- bers to decimal you 2 256 D 13 3328
cates hex, the prefix “&H” is also need a pen and pa- 3 4096 F 15 61440
used (as required by the Quick- per, and/or a calcula-
BASIC software in which the tor (or the program we discuss
program you are now viewing in a moment!). Neither conver- DECIMAL TO HEX
was originally written). The letter sion is difficult. It gets a bit more compli-
“H” (or “h”) is also often used as Take a binary number of cated for decimal to hex conver-
a prefix or suffix. 00001101 00011001, for exam- sion. First, have the following
Value systems can also be ple (16 bits split into two groups table to hand:
stated by prefixes or suffixes of of eight as discussed a moment Let’s take decimal 39,923
“b” or “B” (binary), and “d” or “D” ago). From right to left, write as the example.
down in a column
the bit numbers for By inspection, establish
DECIMAL
which is the highest decimal
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 each bit that has a
1 in it. Beside each value in the table that will divide
HEXADECIMAL
bit number write into your starting value. In this
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F case it is 4,096 and (noting that
TEACH-IN 2000
POWER VALUE
0
16 1
1
16 16
2
16 256
3
16 4,096
4
16 65,536
5
16 1,048,576
6
16 16,777,216
7
16 268,435,456
only integer values – whole Photo 6.6. Interactive decimal-binary-hex conversion

numbers – are used in the divi- screen, catering for up to 32-bit numbers.
sion answers) the sequence be-
binary: In reverse order, from 3 to
comes:
First write down as a table 0, write down your nibbles:
39923 / 4096 = 9 (= $9) the powers of 2 that make up a 1010 0111 0101 1101
4096 x 9 = 36864 4-bit binary value (nibble):
39923 - 36864 = 3059 which is the binary conver-
POWER 23 22 21 20 sion for $A75D (or 10100111
3059 / 256 = 11 (= $B) DECIMAL 8 4 2 1 01011101 as a 2-byte value
256 x 11 = 2816 rather than four nibbles).
3059 - 2816 = 243 Take as our example
$A75D. The right-hand value is
243 / 16 = 15 (= $F) $D. Hopefully, you will recall, or VALUE CONVER-
16 x 15 = 240 can work it out, that D is decimal
13, which is made up from the SION PROGRAM
243 - 240 = 3 (= $3)
following power-of-two values: A program that allows con-
Collecting the integer an- version between decimal, binary
swers plus the final remainder 8 + 4 + 1 = 13 and hex is available from the
gives us: 9, 11, 15, 3. Convert- So your table now becomes: main menu: run Binary, Hex,
ing the decimal integer answers Decimal Converter.
to hex gives: $9BF3. POWER 23 22 21 20 The program caters
DECIMAL 8 4 2 1 for binary numbers up to
HEX TO BINARY $D = 13 = 8 4 0 1 32 bits long – decimal
We before go any further we BINARY 1 1 0 1 (nibble 0) and hex maximums of
4,294,967,295 and
must explain the term nibble Therefore $D = 13 decimal $FFFFFFFF.
that’s about to be used. A nibble = binary 1101.
(or nybble) is a quaint computing The central box is split into
term and refers to a group of In a similar fashion, work seven horizontal sections (see
four bits, whereas a group of right to left taking each hex Photo 6.6). Sections 3 to 7
eight bits is generally known as value in turn. In this instance to (Binary to Decimal) can be se-
a byte. produce: lected using the up/down arrow
keys. In each section any
Conventionally, a byte is $5 = 5 = 0 4 0 1 individual character
split equally into two nibbles, left BINARY 0 1 0 1 (nibble 1) within the full value can
and right, comprising bits 7 to 4, be accessed using the
and 3 to 0. You would not, for $7 = 7 = 0 4 2 1 left and right arrows.
example, take the group com- BINARY 0 1 1 1 (nibble 2)
prising bit 5 to 2 as being a nib- The selected charac-
ble. ter can be changed and
$A = 10 = 8 0 2 0 the result of that change
Having clarified that, here’s BINARY 1 0 1 0 (nibble 3) is calculated in relation to
how to convert a hex value to the other four control-
TEACH-IN 2000
lable sections and the results PANEL 6.3 – RELATIVELY SPEAKING
displayed. Try it! The full range
of control keys available is An important concept to appreciate in electronics is that nothing
stated in the left-hand box. happens instantaneously; everything takes a certain length of time to
change from one state to another, whether it is a switch changing
We believe the display and
from on to off, or a voltage changing from one level to another, or just
its options are obvious, but we
a fuse blowing.
will just clarify one small matter:
the “^’’ symbol will be seen in It may seem that the switch is either open or closed, contacts ei-
the Bit Value line, this indicates ther apart or touching, and at a molecular level this is true, but the
that the following number is a physical nature of a switch means that because of the broad area of
power (index), e.g. 2^4 means its conducting contacts, there is a period during switching off, for ex-
2.
4 ample, when the area of each contact which is actually touching the
other is changing progressively from full-area contact to point contact,
and only at the very final moment is the ultimate point contact broken.
DIRECT ENTRY During this period, the resistance between the contacts increases
The Binary, Hex and Deci- to the current flowing between them, and even at the moment when
mal Converter program allows the physical point contact is broken, an electrical arc might be formed
you to directly enter your own between the two open points, allowing current to still flow across them
values for conversion. When the until they are even further apart. So much for the instantaneous na-
highlight is active on one of the ture of an on-off switch!
five Binary to Decimal options, In digital electronic circuits, it is customary to think of the logic
press <ENTER>. At the bottom gates involved as responding to an instantaneous change from, say,
of the screen, value entry then logic 0 to logic 1 (from a low voltage to a high one). No such immedi-
becomes available. Enter the ate change takes place, it takes time for the change to occur and
value, press <ENTER> again there is a constant gradient through which the actual voltage level has
and the value is converted to the to pass; it does not just suddenly jump from 0V to 5V, for example.
other modes.
The time taken to make the transition may be short, possibly only
There are a few intercepts fractions of a millionth of a second, but it still exists, and the concept
to prevent you “crashing” the of synchronicity – two things occurring at the same moment – is only
program with most practical joke a convenience when working out the logic of a digital circuit.
entries! (But nothing to stop ma-
licious intent if you are really set In reality, the synchronization of various actions taking place in
on it! If you do get the screen order to create a further change is related to a “window” in time, dur-
messed up, return to the menu ing which all the required changes can occur at their own separate
and re-select the program.) rates. The window could be a mere picosecond; it could be half of
eternity; how it matters depends on what the circuit is required to do,
and as long as all those changes happen while the window is “open”,
SELF-TEST the circuit will behave as though they had all occurred at the same
moment. But, if any of them occur outside the window, the result may
Press <S> to test your un-
be unpredictable and undesirable.
derstanding of bin-hex-dec con-
version! With a bit of practice, swers for yourself, the ability to
and reference to our earlier dis- NEXT MONTH
do such conversions is invalu-
cussions, you should find that able. In part 7 we examine
it’s actually easier than you opamps, which are integrated
might think. circuits for use with analog sig-
Note that when asked to MORE EXPERI- nals and voltages. Amongst
convert a value to binary, you MENTS other things, opamps allow
enter the answer in groups of waveforms to be amplified,
You’ve learned that you can mixed, and generally processed
nibbles separated by a space.
count on us to offer you some in a variety of ways. We shall
This makes it easier to examine
interesting hands-on ideas each illustrate their principles and
your answer if it’s wrong.
month – you can count on us some of the ways in which they
If you really cannot work out again in this month’s Experi- can be used, to allow you, for
an answer, press <A> plus mental section, so clock onto it! example, to listen to the wave-
<ENTER> for it to be revealed. forms we discussed in Part 5.
But it’s worth trying to get an-
TEACH-IN 2000
TEACH-IN 2000 – EXPERIMENTAL 6

BINARY AND DECIMAL COUNTERS
In the latter part of this device (which is increasingly the
month’s Tutorial, we discussed case with integrated circuits that
binary numbers and the way in become more and more com-
which they relate to decimal and plex).
hexadecimal values. We are R R R
22
23
24
26
30
33
35
25
27
28
29
34
0 1 2 What we have to content
now in a position to introduce an ourselves with is a boxed outline
integrated circuit that allows you with some pin numbers and their
to physically see the binary D a D a a D descriptions. In the circuit dia-
counting process in action. We k 0 k 1 2 k
gram, note first the pins to which
refer, of course, to a binary 74HC4024 the power lines are connected.
counter plus some LEDs! As with the logic gates dis-
There are numerous types cussed in the Tutorial these are
of counter manufactured, with D a D a a D a D pin 7 for 0V (GND) and pin 14
k 6 k 5 4 k 3 k
such descriptive names as bi- for +VE (this is not always true
nary ripple counter, synchronous R R R R for other digital devices). The
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
33
6 5 4 3
binary counter, asynchronous recommended operating volt-
binary counter, binary-coded- ages are between 2V and 6V,
decimal counter, Gray counter, although this device will with-
decade counter, Johnson stand up to 7V for short periods
CLOCK IN
counter, up/down counter, and FROM IC1a PIN 2 (but never above 7V).
so on. Far too many to discuss The Clock input is the next
in detail – and there are even Fig.6.10. Breadboard layout
for the binary ripple counter important pin. This is the pin into
variants on these! which the data pulses that the
We shall just concentrate on
experiment. counter has to count are input.
two types, a 7-bit binary ripple The “>” symbol in the pinout dia-
counter, and an 11-output quencies. gram also indicates that this is
decade counter. the Clock input pin. It is fre-
SYMBOLICS quently omitted in many circuit
diagrams.
BINARY COUNTER The circuit diagram for this
Note also the small circle at
The 7-bit binary ripple setup is shown in Fig.6.11, and
this input pin. It indicates that
counter we shall use is the the pinouts for the 74HC4024
inside the device the pulse logic
74HC4024. Find one from your are in Fig.6.12. Unlike with logic
level to which the device re-
components bag and connect it gates, there is no “official” sym-
sponds is “inverted”. You met a
into your breadboard, together bol to illustrate the nature of this
with the required LEDs and re- +6V
14
sistors, as shown in Fig.6.10. As +VE
12
usual, touch a grounded 1
Q0
CLOCK 11
(earthed) item to discharge INPUT
CLOCK Q1
9
Q2
static electricity from your body 74HC4024
Q3
6
before handling the device (and 2 Q4

5
RESET 4
ensure that it’s the right way Q5
3
Q6
round!). a a a a a a a
GND D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0
If you only have five 470W 7 k k k k k k k
resistors available, you could R6 R5 R4 R3 R2 R1 R0
470W 470W 470W 470W 470W 470W 470W
use any value between 100W
and 1kW for the other two.
0V
Connect up power and
watch the LEDs while adjusting
Fig.6.11. Circuit diagram for the binary ripple counter
the oscillator for different fre- experiment.
TEACH-IN 2000
SYMBOL PINOUTS
(SEE TEXT) N.C. = NO CONNECTION
14 74HC4024
+VE
12
Q0 1 CLOCK +VE 14
1 11
CLOCK Q1
9 2 RESET N.C. 13
Q2
6 3 Q6 Q0 12
Q3
5
2 Q4 4 Q5 Q1 11
RESET 4
Q5
3 5 Q4 N.C. 10
Q6
GND 6 Q3 Q2 9
7 GND N.C. 8
7
FUNCTION TABLE
CLOCK RESET OUTPUT STATE
L NO CHANGE
L ADVANCE TO NEXT STATE
X H ALL OUTPUTS ARE LOW
X = DON'T CARE
Photo 6.7. Breadboard showing the binary Fig.6.12. Symbol, pinouts and
counter and LEDs. Part of the oscillator is function table for a 74HC4024
shown at the left. binary ripple counter.
similar situation with the NAND, cle even though inversion oc- function (Reset, Clock, Enable,
NOR and XNOR gates, although curs. Some circuits show a bar etc.) is permitted or occurs when
in their case the inversion took line above the description for that pin is taken (or is already at)
place on the output data. such a pin (as we have done in high.
The significance about the Fig.6.11). Indeed, the use of a
logic level to which a device bar to signify inversion is ar-
guably more commonplace than “Q” OUTPUTS
such as a counter responds is
important to note. Many devices the circle. The remaining useful pins
do not respond to the actual are labeled Q0 to Q6 (in some
voltage level at an input (as did circuits or pinout diagrams, they
RESET LOGIC may be labeled as Q1 to Q7).
the logic gates in the Tutorial)
but to the change in logic level. Pin 2 of the 74HC4024 is Note that three pins have no
the Reset pin. When Reset is at function (8, 10 and 13). Note
In the case of the
logic 0 (low), the counter is per- also the use of “Q” to signify an
74HC4024, the change re-
mitted to count any pulses that output; conventionally, this is the
sponded to is that from high to
enter the Clock pin. Two things letter normally used with digital
low, and the counter adds 1 to
happen when the Reset pin is devices such as counters
its internal count value. The de-
taken high (logic 1). First, the (whereas “Y” was used with the
vice is said to respond to the
entire count within the device is gates, earlier).
trailing edge of a pulse (a term
reset to zero. Second, the We have said that the
we used when looking at pulses
counter is prevented from count- 74H4024 is a 7-bit counter. Pins
in the Tutorial).
ing any further pulses until Re- Q0 to Q6 are the outputs at
When the pulse changes set has been returned low. which the seven bits of the inter-
from low to high, the device
Note that in some types of nal binary count value are ac-
does not respond in any way
counter, Reset may be active- cessed. Referring you back to
and the count remains as it was.
low, in other words, Reset oc- what you have learned about
(The 74HC4017 we shall use
curs when the pin is set low binary numbers, output Q0 cor-
later responds to the change
(logic 0), but counting is permit- responds to bit 0, Q1 to bit 1,
from low to high – i.e. to the
ted when the pin is high. etc. It is to tie in with this num-
leading edge).
The terms active-low and bering that the resistors and
Be aware that not all circuit LEDs are numbered from 0 to 6
active-high are frequently en-
diagrams show the inversion cir- in Fig.6.11.
countered in electronics. The
latter means that the stated BINARY COUNT-UP
TEACH-IN 2000
CLOCK IN
FROM IC1a PIN 2
If you run the 8-Bit Binary actual decimal value that the bits
Logic program and set the 8-Bit represent shown in the Cor-
OR line A to zero, and then keep rected Input Byte box.
pressing the <+> key the binary R
16
26
36
14
15
17
20
21
23
24
25
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
22
sequence will count up in ones 2
(increment) at each press, from FREQUENCY

0 to 255 and then back to zero DIVISION D a D a a D a D a D
4 k 8 k 9
k 10 k 9
to start counting again. k
A further experiment you IC1 74HC4017

This is what’s happening can try is to select any of the
inside the 74HC4024 (except counter outputs as the source of
that it only has seven bits). From the data signal when running the k D k D k D
5 a 1 a 0 a
D k D k D k
a 2 a 6 a 7
a reset value of 0000000, it will Computer As Frequency R
increment each time the clock
26
36
14
15
18
20
24
27
29
30
31
33
34
35
19
21
22
23
25
28
32
Counter program. 1
pulse goes from high to low.

When it reaches a count of deci- This will enable you to really
mal 127 (binary 1111111), at the wind up the oscillator rate, yet
next negative-going clock pulse still be able to see a meaningful
frequency value displayed on
Fig.6.13. Breadboard layout
it rolls-over to 0000000 again. for the 74HC4017 decade
screen (which you should men-
That, then, is the sequence tally multiply by the division rate counter.
you should be seeing on the provided by the counter pin se-
LEDs connected to your lected – each output is at half disconnect the counter’s Clock
74HC4024 (although the bread- the rate of the previous one, re- input pin 1 from the oscillator,
board space available prevents member!). and couple it to interface OUT3
them from being inserted in the (controlled by key <3>). This
ideal visual sequence). What we also suggest you
do is to put the 74HC4024’s Re- puts the counter’s Clock and
As with the logic gates, set under computer control. Dis- Reset total under finger-tip con-
there is a truth table for the connect the link between the trol. The Mutual Melding of Man,
74HC4024, except that it is ac- counter’s pin 2 and 0V. Now link Mind and Machine, no less!
tually referred to as a Function pin 2 to OUT2 of the interface.
Table and takes a somewhat Repeatedly pressing key <2>
different format. It is shown as
RIPPLE
will then cause the counter to
part of Fig.6.12. run or be reset. You should be Ripple, incidentally (but sig-
The table shows the output able to see the result on the nificantly), in this context refers
state in relation to the conditions LEDs and on the screen. to the way that the counter’s in-
on the counter’s Clock and Re- ternal sections respond. (Note
If you are feeling further ad- that ripple has a different mean-
set pins. Note the upwards and venturous (and why not?!), also
downwards waveforms in the +6V
clock column. The first signifies 16
the rising (leading) edge of an +VE
3
Q0
input clock pulse, the second CLOCK 14
CLOCK Q1
2
INPUT a
4
shows the falling (trailing) edge. Q2 a D0
74HC4017 7
These are commonly encoun- Q3
10
a D1 k
Q4
tered symbols in digital electron- 15
RESET 1 a D2 k
Q5 a D3 k
ics. Q6
5
a D4 k
6
Q7
If the counter’s Q0 to Q4 13 9
a D5 k
ENABLE Q8 a D6 k
pins are linked to the computer Q9
11
a D7 k
12
interface input pins IN0 to IN4, CARRY OUT a D8 k
you can observe the count se- GND D9 k
8 a
quence for the first five bits via D10
k
the Parallel Port Data Display/ k
Set program. With the oscillator R2 R1

470W 470W
rate set slow enough, the bits
will be seen to change state in
0V
the two upper boxes, with the
Fig.6.14. Circuit diagram for the 74HC4017 decade counter.
TEACH-IN 2000
SYMBOL PINOUTS
74HC4017
16
+VE
3
Q0
14 2 1 Q5 +VE 16
CLOCK Q1
4 2 Q1 RESET 15
Q2
7
Q3 3 Q0 CLOCK 14
10
15 Q4
RESET 1 4 Q2 ENABLE 13
Q5
5 5 Q6 CARRY OUT 12
Q6
6
Q7 6 Q7 Q9 11
13 9
ENABLE Q8
11 7 Q3 Q4 10
Q9
12 8 GND Q8 9
CARRY OUT
GND
8
FUNCTION TABLE
CLOCK CLOCK RESET *OUTPUT STATE
ENABLE
Photo 6.8. Breadboard showing the L X L NO CHANGE
X H L NO CHANGE
decade counter experimental circuit, X X H RESET COUNTER
with part of the oscillator seen to the Q0=H, Q1 TO Q9=L
C.O.=H
left, and part of the ADC chip to L L ADVANCE TO NEXT STATE
the right. Take care that crossing X L NO CHANGE

X L NO CHANGE
link wires do not touch. H L ADVANCE TO NEXT STATE
X = DON'T CARE
ing in the context of power sup- 74HC4024 and in- * CARRY OUT = H FOR Q0, Q1, Q2, Q3 OR Q4 = H
CARRY OUT = L OTHERWISE
plies – which we will discuss sert the
later in this Teach-In series.) In 74HC4017. Con- Fig.6.15. Symbol, pinouts and function
simple terms, the counter connect its pins as table for the 74HC4017 decade counter.
tains several divide-by-two cir- shown in
ne
cuits in a chain. It takes time for Fig.6.13, complete with LEDs
eded for the 10 LEDs D0 to D9,
each counter to react to a trigger D0 to D9 and resistors R1 and
since only one can ever be on at
pulse from the preceding R2. You will need to “steal” the
once.
counter. tenth LED from the oscillator,
unless you bought more than You will see from the circuit
The delay is only short
the suggested quantity of 10. diagram that, in common with
(nanoseconds for the
Ignore D10 for the moment. the binary counter, this decade
74HC4024), but the total delay
counter has a Clock input (pin
as the pulses ripple through Power up your breadboard
14) and a Reset pin (pin 15). As
stages to the final output can be and watch the sequence of the
we said earlier, the 74HC4017
critical to other circuits, which LEDs. Adjust the oscillator rate
increments the count on each
may rely on the synchronization so that you clearly see the steps
rising edge of the clock pulse.
between a multi-stage counter’s of the count.
clock pulse and the setting of an The count is reset to 0 when
Whereas the 74HC4024
output pin. the Reset pin is high. However,
counted in binary, from 0 to 127,
when the Reset pin is low, the
There are counters in which the 74HC4017 decade counter
continuation of the count de-
the internal circuitry is designed counts in steps from 0 to 9,
pends on the status of a third
so that each section is triggered rolling over to begin the count
pin, Enable, pin 13. Not surpris-
at the same time. These coun- from 0 again following 9. During
ingly, this pin enables or inhibits
ters are referred to as syn- the count only one output is ever
the clock count. Because there
chronous. high at any time.
is a bar-line above the word En-
The pinouts for the able (or a circle on its input), we
DECIMAL COUNTER 74HC4017 are shown in know that the counter is enabled
Fig.6.15, the circuit diagram for when the pin is low.
When you can tear yourself the connections on your bread-
away from the fascination of bi- The ten outputs are labeled
board is illustrated in Fig.6.14.
nary counting, have a look at the Q0 to Q9, which ties in with the
Again the LEDs are numbered
attributes of a decade counter, count value that a logic 1 on the
from zero to correspond with the
the 74HC4017. Remove the respective pin represents.
output numbers. Note that only
one ballast resistor (R1) is The function table for the
TEACH-IN 2000
74HC4017 is shown as part of When you are ready to consider LED from one of the outputs
Fig.6.14. An interesting point to them, you’ll find that data sheets (but not from outputs 0 or 5).
note is that the Enable pin can give typical timing values for Add the LED to the Carry Out
also act as a clock signal to the practically everything! pin as D10, via the already in-
counter. When Clock is held There is an eleventh output serted resistor R2). Power back
high and Enable is taken from pin, the Carry Out pin. This pin up again and observe the se-
high to low, the count advances goes high when the counter is quence.
to the next state. reset or rolls over to zero. It re- As with the 74HC4024, you
In most circuits it is more mains high until a count of five is can connect up to five outputs to
usual to use Clock rather than reached. the computer interface at IN0 to
Enable as the clocking signal. The Carry Out signal is of IN4. You can also connect the
However, what this option high- benefit in a variety of situations; Clock, Reset and Enable pins to
lights is that Enable should such as where you might wish to the interface outputs OUT2 to
never be taken low when the couple (cascade) two or more OUT4, controlling them from
clock is high if you wish to pre- decade counters in series, for your keyboard when running
serve the count value existing at example. In this case the rising program Parallel Port Data Dis-
the last clock pulse. edge of the Carry Out signal play/Set.
It is subtleties like this that would be used as the clock So there’s a whole raft of
abound in digital electronic cir- pulse for the next stage. Thus ideas to play around with until
cuits, especially when the overall the first counter would count next month. You could also in-
circuit complexity is great. You units from 0 to 9 and the second clude some experiments with
always need to consider the im- stage count the decades from the logic gates, interfacing them
plications of how the timing of 10 to 90. A third stage could to the computer and counters as
different signals can affect the count the hundreds, 100 to 900, well. Till then this author’s out
response. In reality, at this stage and so on. for the count!
of your learning, you need not Observe the Carry Out pin
concern yourself about them. in action by removing, say, the CORRECTION
In Part 5, Fig.5.6. Add link
wire to join rows E and F of col-
umn 42.
amplifier. This seems
by ALAN WINSTANLEY & IAN BELL straightforward enough – just
use large values of Rc and we
Onwards with our opamps extravaganza we go, get a nice high gain: after all
unearthing more of the inner workings of these resistors are cheap and large
essential electronic workhourses. Plus more questions values don’t cost any more than
and answers from our postbag as well. smaller ones!
Unfortunately it’s not that
Following several readers’ simple. First of all opamps are
enquiries we received usually integrated circuits (ICs)
concerning opamps (operational where large resistors do cost
amplifiers), last month we more – they take up more space
provided a summary opamp (silicon real estate!).
selector chart, which illustrated Furthermore, it is difficult for
the often-gargantuan differences IC makers to fabricate precise
between individual types. There resistance values, so there can
are thousands of opamps be comparatively few resistors
available, often optimized for a on a typical chip. Secondly, the
particular use and in demanding transistors have to operate
applications (e.g. within a certain range of bias
instrumentation or low-power currents, below which they may
circuits) the choice of device give poor performance in terms
type can be very critical. of gain etc.
It’s a good idea to decide on If we use large resistors and
the factors which are most Fig.1. Differential amplifier
keep the supply voltage the
important in your application formed from a matched pair
same, we have to reduce the
(input impedance/slew-rate/ of npn transistors bias current, possibly to an
power consumption?) and then unacceptable level. Alternatively,
choose a likely-looking device very high voltage gain, so the
voltage gain of our differential we can always increase the
using our selector as a guide, or supply voltage, but do you really
check the major catalogs for amplifier should be as high as
possible. want an opamp that requires a
guidance. Also, many 100V supply?
manufacturers now have web Any transistor used in the
sites from which data sheets amplifier will have a (more or This seems like a no-win
can be downloaded, and using less) fixed gain, but this is in situation, but happily the current
the data in our previous articles terms of its current output, i.e. mirror circuit comes to our
you will be able to navigate its collector current. Variations rescue. Although a current
through the minefield of opamp in the transistor’s base-emitter
parameters and specifications voltage and base current will
more easily. cause large variations in its
collector current. The collector
current flows through the
OPAMPS – GETTING collector resistor, Rc, giving
LOADED rise to the output voltage, Vo.
We now continue to By Ohm’s Law, V=IR, so
investigate opamp for a given current variation,
characteristics and techniques. then the larger we make R the
We described the basic larger the voltage variation will
differential amplifier last month, be. This means that the larger Fig.2. simple single-transistor
which we have drawn again in we make Rc, the larger the amplifier.
Fig.1. Opamps should have a voltage gain of the differential
Circuit Surgery
source has a very high 0××66V. The bias current causes
resistance (ideally infinite, in a certain collector current to flow
fact), any current we choose can (call this IBIAS) which results in a
flow from it. certain voltage drop across the
Thus, in our opamp circuit collector resistor.
we can set up a current source As the signal varies, the
outputting the appropriate bias collector current varies around
current, and use it in place of IBIAS causing the voltage drop
the collector resistor; the across the collector resistor to
transistor gets the correct vary as well. This action
operating current it needs, and produces the (amplified) output
we get a high voltage gain due voltage signal. We can think of
to the very large effective the bias and the signal as two
resistance of the current source. separate components of the Fig.4. Schematic of transistor
See May and June ’99 Circuit collector signal, which when amplifier with active load.
Surgery for a detailed added together give the overall
shown in Fig.4.
explanation of transistor current action of the circuit.
sources. We can use an active load
It does not matter where the
with the differential amplifier, but
bias “comes from”, so we could
the situation is a little more
apply the bias current directly to
complex because we have to be
the collector circuit by using a
careful not to upset the
current source as shown in
symmetry of the circuit. If we
Fig.3. With no signal applied the
used two separate current
base voltage would adopt the
sources for the two transistors,
appropriate voltage (0××65V in our
we may not be able to match the
example), always assuming currents accurately enough to
than the required base current the emitter bias current.
could be supplied to the base
(the means for this is not shown, The reason this matching is
but in a real circuit the base difficult (unlike the two
would obviously be connected transistors in the differential
Fig.3. Simple transistor am- somewhere to achieve this). amplifier itself which are well
plifier with current source matched) is that if the emitter
load (active load). current source and differential
ACTIVE LOAD amplifier transistors are npn
BIASED APPROACH When we applied the signal then the active load will be pnp,
to the amplifier, we would force and it is difficult to match npn
Before seeing how we apply
the collector current to with pnp transistors. The
this to our differential amplifier, it
something other than IBIAS, and solution is use a current mirror
is easier to have a look at a
in order for the current to be with its reference connected to
simple one-transistor amplifier,
maintained through the constant one differential transistor and its
and at this point it is useful to
current source the difference, output to other. This is shown in
recall the idea of biasing in more
i.e. the signal current, would flow Fig.5.
detail. Consider Fig.2, a very
basic transistor amplifier. It is in the internal resistance of the It looks like even this
biased by applying a DC voltage current source. Now this resistor approach breaks the symmetry
to the base (not shown), and is large and therefore results in of the circuit (TR3’s base
often a potential divider is used a very large voltage gain (a connection is not the same as
for this purpose. small current change results in a TR4’s), but as far as current flow
The input signal varies large voltage change). is concerned the circuit is still
around the bias voltage, so for A current source used to get symmetrical. When a differential
example if the bias voltage was high gain from an amplifier in input voltage is applied, the
0××65V and the signal was 0××02V this manner is known as an amplified output difference
active load. The schematic for a current on TR2’s side is dropped
peak-to-peak, then the bias
across the current mirror’s very
voltage would vary from 0××64V to basic implementation of Fig.2 is
Circuit Surgery
large internal (output) copper tracks will also help to
resistance. So we get a highly heatsink the device as well, and
amplified voltage signal at TR2’s for this reason audio amplifier
collector. ICs are always best soldered
However, TR4 is wired like a direct to the board rather than
forward biased diode (the using a DIL socket. ARW.
transistor’s base-emitter
junction) and therefore has a SURFACE-MOUNT
low resistance. The voltage gain
at TR1’s collector is therefore SELECTION
low and this output cannot be “I would like to ask what the
used. With an active load the term “MSOP” stands for: I have
differential amplifier has to be a school project in mind using a
used with a single ended output. TC07 to detect temperature and
We’ll be rounding off our wondered if the MSOP version
opamp mini-tutorial next month, would be suitable? Thank you!”
by looking at the output side of This question was posed in
things, including ways of Fig.5. Differential amplifier
the EPE Chat Zone message
implementing short-circuit with higher gain due to active board of our web site. MSOP
protection. IMB. load. Transistors TR3 and simply means Moulded Small
TR4 form a current mirror Outline Package. Anything with
SOCKET TO ME “SO” in its description means
There are two types of DIL “Small Outline” and should
David Preston asks: “I immediately set alarm bells
socket – the “leaf” type uses a
have a question on the use of ringing!
pair of wiping spring contacts on
dual in-line (DIL) sockets. I have
every pin. The entrance to each It means you’re looking at
several designs that use an contact is large, and the IC pins the tiny surface-mount version,
opto-triac operating at mains are gradually guided into which will be unsuitable for most
voltages. Could you tell me the alignment using automatic or school or hobbyist projects
maximum ratings of a DIL manual insertion equipment. because of the steady hand
socket? Would they be suitable needed to position and solder
for a DIL opto-triac or should I More expensive precision
“turned-pin” sockets make a them reliably by hand, although
solder the device straight to the you could try if you fancy a
board?” good contact with the four
corners of each IC pin and challenge. Otherwise be sure to
The typical contact rating of require that the chip must be buy the ordinary discrete version
a DIL socket is at least 1A or pre-aligned, but they tend to be instead.
more. Harwin is a well-known easier and smoother to work Here is a mini-glossary of
maker and their catalog of with. The idea is to produce a some abbreviations used in this
turned-pin sockets quotes a gas-tight seal around the four area:
rating of 2A per pin, with an points of contact, to ensure a
insulation resistance of 500V noise-free and reliable joint. The CERDIP: Ceramic dual-in-line
(which I would interpret as the current ratings of both types is package
maximum voltage allowed about the same, but I would say DIP: Dual-in line package
between two adjacent pins). that the “leaf” type will have a LCCC: Leadless ceramic chip
Another maker (Augat) is stronger joint. carrier (20 to 84 pin,
quoted at up to 3A with a Personally speaking, with square body, no
dielectric strength of 1kV RMS any opto-isolator or triac device leads).
(1××4kV peak). However, I would controlling mains loads, I would LDCC: Leaded ceramic chip
hate to hang a 750W mains load want to solder it directly to the carrier
on such a socket! I would prefer board, so that there are nice PLCC: Plastic leaded chip
say 50W to 100W or so “meaty” solder joints that will carrier (square-style
maximum as a safe rule of help with the current-carrying SM chip)
thumb. capacity of the joint. The PCB’s PQFP: Plastic quad flat-pack
Circuit Surgery
QFP: Quad flat-pack
SMC: Surface mount
component
SMD: Surface mount device
SMT: Surface mount
technology
SOIC: Small-outline
integrated circuit
(generic surface-
mount IC)
SOJ: Small-outline with “J”-
shaped leads
SOMP/MSOP: Molded small-
outline package
SOP: Small-outline package
(for surface mounting)
SOT: Small-outline
transistor
Take it from someone who
knows, it’s dead easy to order a
surface-mount device by
accident so you need to pay
close attention to the catalogs
(and data sheets) when
ordering. ARW.
TELCAN HOME VIDEO
by Barrie Blake-Coleman
The true story of a British “first” in home video competitor, but the
recording. “transistorized” version soon
appeared from their
development bench and at 72
Britain stands pre-eminent in compelling. They wanted to
UK pounds was even more
creative science and engineering, develop a small CCTV system
astonishing.
but the depressingly long list of but the broadcast standard
camera tubes were far too bulky Advertisements elicited an
“lost” British firsts in invention
and expensive. inspiring response. Domestic
shows how often thwarted or
and international sales rocketed
disillusioned British inventors and The Cathodian device now
– an order for 4000 cameras
innovators have either abandoned made matters simpler. Cost was
came in from Germany. An
their ideas or gone abroad, still a problem so, not requiring
absolute triumph given that the
thereby reducing British the full TV standard quality, they
Germans held the British
competitiveness. Decades of negotiated with Cathodian to buy
electronics industry in low
British under-investment in British all the slightly imperfect tubes
regard.
ideas and British technologies has (one or two drop-outs on the
meant that other nations either video array).
independently develop the same Oftimes a genius in circuit TAKE OVER
ideas, or directly capitalize on design, Michael developed the
British technical creativity – and The then senior engineer at
camera electronics using just Granada TV, Reg Hammons,
soon overtake Britain in their own four stages from two thermionic
markets. saw a trade advert for the NEV2
valves. This miracle of economy and thought the camera would
Just such a story is that of was based on an ECC82 double be good for mobile outside
Norman Rutherford and his triode and an ECL82 triode broadcasts and rehearsals. He
partner Michael Turner, who have pentode valve. The first provided mentioned his viewing of the
learnt this lesson and are quick to a video amplifier and diode camera to Sidney (later Lord)
remind us. They should know, mixer, the second a triode RF Bernstein then head of
back in the early 1960’s they not oscillator and power output Granada.
only developed the first domestic stage for the horizontal scan
video record and replay system, coils. Bernstein flew to
but also the first combined TV and Nottingham and at a meeting
The vertical signal was with both Norman and Michael
VTR and the first Camcorder; but, obtained from a mains-ripple
it is claimed, poor foresight by learnt that not only was
supply, giving a usable mains manufacturing capacity very
their backers and investors lost locked sawtooth. “It was a
them the edge. limited, but the development of
unique – if not eccentric, piece the camera had so depleted the
of design typical of Michael and company’s reserves that they
MAKING A PICTURE myself, but it worked like an were unable to meet anything
absolute dream,” so commented approaching a substantial order.
The announcement of the Norman Rutherford recently. He then asked how much they
Cathodian Vidicon 3-inch TV
The whole camera would need to continue R&D
camera tube early in 1960 took
assembly, designated NEV1 and production. “Too much.”
the attention of both Norman
Mini-Eye in its initial design, sold said Norman “About half the
Turner and Michael Rutherford.
for 150 UK pounds and value of the Company”.
The possibility of a new product
for their Nottingham Electronic outpriced and outperformed “What is that amount” asked
Valve Company (N.E.V.Co) was anything around. It was 250 UK Bernstein. “About £20,000,” said
pounds less than its nearest
Special Feature
Norman. At first they tried a narrow replay heads. The head gap was
“That’s petty cash.” bandwidth design based on a too wide to give the high
Bernstein said and instructed his domestic audio recorder to frequency response necessary to
accountant to write a check emulate the high-speed wire and approach the ideal 3MHz needed
there and then. metal tape recorders already to reproduce the full video
used by the big broadcasting bandwidth of the 405-line system.
The company now had a operations. It was also determined that the
new owner, but though lowest response able to give a
Bernstein had a 75 per cent It was the path of least
resistance – no one actually wide enough gray scale to enable
stake, both the original partners the picture to have clarity was
were appointed directors with knew what the maximum
frequency limit was on very high 2××5MHz.
full management of the
company’s operations. All debts speed recording and so they Something needed to be done
were paid off. More to the point converted two 0××25-inch reel-to- to eliminate the head problem and
they now had no limits to what reel Grundig and Ferrograph AF give the designers a chance to
they could spend on R&D. recorders to run at 60 and 120 grapple with the other aspects of
inches per second (IPS). the video processing. A narrow
Surprisingly, enough video gap head was produced from an
IN A SPIN information could be recorded at existing Ferrograph unit, but even
Reg Hammons made 60 IPS to create a shadow of a without AC bias on the tape
frequent trips from Granada to picture; at 120 IPS it was “just (rather, a heavy DC bias directly
liaise with the company on recognizable” but a lot more applied to the tape by means of a
behalf of Bernstein. On one work needed to be done. permanent magnet) and heavy
occasion he mentioned that he But months of work gave pre-emphasis on the video signal,
was aware of a large effort little in the way of the best that could be achieved
taking place in the US and encouragement. Then, in was 2MHz. “It just got by” Norman
Japan to develop a video January of 1962, Michael Turner Rutherford recounted, but it had
system for recording broadcast discovered in the course of to be better.
TV at home. Ampex had examining head driver methods Unfortunately they had a
developed the helical scan that a considerable seemingly intractable problem.
system for professional users in improvement in signal-to-noise The narrower the head gap, the
the US in the middle fifties and could be achieved by lower the magnetic path
the same approach was being introducing significant pre- reluctance around the gap
tried for domestic recorders. emphasis on the driver signal. became. Thus, the greater the
flux shunt around the gap, the
“There is a popular point of view, originated by Emerson, more the signal field was shared
between the gap and the leakage
which assumes that building the first, or a better mousetrap,
path.
results in people beating a path to your door – this must be the
most pernicious fallacy ever to misrepresent invention.” The result was that as the
response was increased with a
narrowing gap, so the signal-to-
Hammons thought there The improvement was so noise ratio worsened. A mu-metal
could be a large market for profound that it implied that a Ampex head (intended for HF
home video recorders and urged broadcast quality picture could telemetry and imported from the
the two to have a go at be achieved quite soon. States) was one possible solution,
developing a system for the Unfortunately it was also a but it was prohibitively expensive.
British market. The idea found a damaging revelation – the The only recourse was to design
receptive audience, the mini-eye improvement was genuine but one themselves!
camera had sold well but now simply took the existing Many months of work led
orders were tailing off. operational limits in a different inevitably to a design which
It was known that Ampex direction. avoided the conventional
had solved the video tape problems associated with ordinary
problem using four rotating HEAD TO HEAD heads – they plumped for a cross-
heads producing a helical scan field head where the passive
– but this was an expensive The main problem was section was made of two screw
option for a home video system. identified as the record and adjustable copper arms nominally
Special Feature
separated at the rear by a 200 phase correction circuits to
micron gap with a tape face gap recover the original signal.
of just under 50 micron. The Tape speed still needed to
active section carrying the coil be high (120 IPS for broadcast
laterally straddled the two standard recording) but by using
copper arms and this design 12,000 feet of 0××25-inch triple
gave the necessary bandwidth.
play tape on 10××5-inch spools
Nevertheless, DC bias was (for increased play time and
still employed as too a better head wrap) the record
considerable amount of pre- time was extended to over 20
emphasis. But by contriving an minutes. An added advantage
overwind on the final video was the narrow video and audio
driver stage’s inductive load, the track widths (the latter FM
effective bandwidth shot up to modulated on a second head),
well in excess of 2××6MHz. The this narrow track enabled the
replay signal was, of course, still tape to be turned over and Telcan unit playback demon-
highly differentiated and this was recorded on the other side. stration at its launch in 1963.
equalized by employing a series The early prototype (1962)
More to the point, the replay
of 3db/Octave integrators and model is shown in the heading.
produced a very good video
FIRST MEETING
Norman Rutherford and
Michael Turner were school
friends in the war years, having
met one Wednesday afternoon
on the school football field dur-
ing a sports period. They found
themselves in trouble when the
sports master espied them
rooted to the spot in mid-field,
deeply engrossed in discussing
a design for a radio control cir-
cuit – a small error for both,
since Michael was on one side
and Norman was the opposing
goalie!
Norman’s father owned a
radio retailers and then, later in
the fifties, a television retail and
repairs shop in Nottingham.
Michael’s father was the propri-
etor of a garage, and thus both
boys developed against a back-
ground of technology and engi-
neering.
Later, in 1952, the two boys
met again as college chums at
the Peoples College in Notting-
ham, where both developed an
abiding interest in electronic de-
sign, becoming immersed in the Norman Rutherford (right) and Michael Turner
white heat of the post war
broadcasting and electronics
(left) with their wives and a Telcan “Combi”
age. They bought government set at the press launch, June 1963.
Special Feature
surplus components and con- ode poisoning due to poor vac- vacuum technology) for a uni-
structed the first television re- uum or faulty assembly) and a versal CRT re-gunning process.
ceiver in the East Midlands to replacement CRT cost in excess Now they started to make
operate from the London trans- of 20 UK pounds to purchase more money selling and instruct-
mitters. (equivalent to 230 pounds to- ing on complete re-gunning sys-
Norman Rutherford went on day). However, the Nottingham tems (proudly made by their now
to study, at the (then) Notting- partners were bringing the price well established and well re-
ham and District Technical Col- of reconditioned CRT’s down to spected Nottingham Electronic
lege, and lost contact with 9 pounds and 10 shillings, and Valve Company). The old work-
Michael for a few years until in a good week could recycle shops, in a disused cinema at
early 1957. Then, with a 100 UK well over 50 tubes through the Netherfield became hopelessly
pound stake scraped up and process. limited and the company, now
borrowed they started a partner- Not all CRT re-conditioning with 12 employees and an ac-
ship and the late fifties dawned had been immediately within countant, moved to an old malt
with both men making a living their grasp – Mullard tubes had house at East Bridgford near
reconditioning television Cath- removable cathodes, Mazda Nottingham.
ode Ray Tubes (CRT’s). ones did not. But they soon
They started in a converted solved the problem. A US com-
garage with Norman, Michael pany (Superior Electronics) be-
and one employee learning the gan to sell complete electron-
delicate art of cutting off tube gun assemblies. Buying the new
necks, removing the electron guns gave them an even greater
guns and rejuvenating the cath- edge – they had developed all
odes. New TV tubes were noto- the machinery and process
riously unreliable (usually cath- technology (including the RF in-
duction heating and most of the
signal – normally (with high payroll was now supporting

contrast pictures) hard to some 70 plus people. That
distinguish from the original 405 Bernstein allowed the directors
transmission even at lower of NEV to buy back his interest
speeds. Head fouling remained for the original buying price was
a problem with the relatively high no consolation.
oxide loss of early tapes, but the Initially thinking themselves
passive section of the head was fortunate, they were quick to find
designed to be quickly a new partner with the US based
removable and cleaned. Cinerama corporation which had
made its shareholders a
ON THEIR OWN massive return with the film
‘How the West Was Won’.
AGAIN Cinerama bought in to N.E.V.Co
Demonstrations to Granada to the value of 200,000 UK
were unexpectedly cool, for pounds even though at this time
reasons never fully explained by Cinerama were, as an
Bernstein. N.E.V.Co lost their The “Combi” television/video organization, running at a
sponsor at the very time it recorder. substantial loss.
expected further investment.
The reason given at the time and somehow had to keep the
was poor picture quality, but this business going. The Granada WELL KITTED OUT
was specious and clearly not the decision could not have come at Time had been lost, and
issue. a worse time, the tube though not personally financially
reconditioning business had embarrassed by the new US
Whatever the reason,
virtually collapsed with the ever- shareholding, the two partners
Norman Rutherford and Michael
improving quality and durability were aware of their financial and
Turner had lost a major investor
of new tubes, and the company business vulnerability – they
Special Feature
Norman Rutherford large injection of new cash for
demonstrated Telcan on the the company and R&D was the
BBC 9 O’clock News (replaying first to benefit. For a moment
the opening few minutes of the there appeared to be yet
broadcast) but this was as another new beginning for the
ineffective as a next day ATV company.
interview was ridiculous – the Unfortunately, what was
interviewer continually asking desirable in one context was not
the originators if they thought in another, and the two partners
Telcan a “gimmick”. They were found themselves embroiled in
later to maintain that the business negotiations and legal
Close-up shot of the TV interviewer could not grasp the entanglements to the detriment
screen during Telcan replay. concept of electronic recording, of the company’s main
and mistakenly believed that the business. In December of 1963
were on their own once again Telcan method involved the use Norman and Michael were
and looking to develop their of an 8mm movie camera asked to demonstrate the video
products and product range (similar to a system already in recorder at a crucial
further. Hoping to salvage the use). shareholders meeting of the
profitable divisions of the Orders for the Telcan units ailing Cinerama Corporation at
company Norman, as Managing were slow. The kits sold for 60 the Capital Theatre, Broadway
Director, split the operation by UK pounds (some 700 pounds in New York.
forming Telcan (Research and today) – only the technically
Development) and Telcan TV, However, they were asked
skilled and well off could afford to try something novel – to video
the latter being mainly involved them. A number of pre-built
in manufacturing. the shareholders themselves at
units did sell well, as too did the meeting. Being away from
Trading again in early 1963, special “Combi” examples fitted base, and unable to get one of
the partners (now including a into TV’s, but of the total number their own Mini-Eye 4 inch
financial manager, Brian North) sold the greater majority were cameras, Norman got hold of a
set out to provide the video units kits. 525-line studio standard Vidicon
in kit form (as the Telcan TKR As sales of the TKR 500 camera and videoed all and
500). The new operation faltered, the partners designed a sundry, amazing everyone by
manufactured every major miniature battery driven portable playing back the pictures at the
component necessary including record player for 7 inch 45 RPM meeting.
the record/replay heads, printed records which, entirely self
circuit boards, video circuits, The technology was enough
contained and enclosed, to placate all of the unhappy
tape transport and a variable operated like a modern floppy
capstan size system (0××25 HP shareholders – now absolutely
disk drive. A fair number were convinced that Cinerama had a
motor). With variable speed produced and for a short while
operation (60, 120 or 180 inches real winner. However, all was
were popular. not sweetness and light,
per second) the kit, if correctly
assembled, produced a recorder Cinerama itself was not actually
of very satisfactory ORDERS FROM able to invest any further – even
performance. though its individual principals
OVERSEAS were well able to. The partners
A public demonstration and returned from the US with the
However, Cinerama, already
press conference at the Aldwich mistaken expectation of a large
a stockholder in N.E.V.Co,
Hotel, London, held on June order for the new “Telcan”
proposed through its Chairman
24th 1963 created a wealth of system but it failed to
Nicholas Riesini, the formation
interest and publicity, but the materialize.
of a joint company for
attitude of the press and the
exploitation of Telcan in the US As Cinerama floundered the
public appeared to be diffident. It
and, given the other possible Chairmanship changed to that of
was staggering that few could
financial holdings of stock in William Foreman, a creditor of
actually see the need for “home
N.E.V.Co, agreed to purchase Cinerama. Foreman was not
video recording” – even if they
any stock willing to be released slow to convey his personal
had the slightest notion of how
by other interests. This distrust of the Telcan business
technically awesome the
ultimately resulted in a fairly to the new Executive.
development of Telcan was!
Special Feature
Acknowledgements.
The author offers his sincere thanks to Mr. Nor-
man Rutherford (for patiently retelling his story
for the umpteenth time), to Mr. Rob Cox, curator
of the Wollaton Hall Industrial Museum in Not-
tingham, Mr. John Brunton at the Nottingham
Post, and to all those that gave their time to find,
or process, material for this article.
The Wesgrove (Telcan) kit of

components (1963).
Sensing mounting hostility competing
from their new principals, the domestic video
two partners decided to look recorders. One
further afield for investment and leader was the
gave demonstrations in the US Sony 0××5-inch
to the Filco (Ford Motor Co.) reel-to-reel video
and Admiral Corporations. But recorder; Philips
the interest and enthusiasm was were also One of the last remaining examples of the
less than it might have been in competing while Telcan video recorders on show at the Wolla-
the face of an ever-growing a further system
hostility and starvation of funds. ton Hall Industrial Museum, Nottingham, UK.
was marketed by
In hindsight, Norman Loewe Opta in
Rutherford admits that had they Germany. owner of a music shop and FM
“toadied” a little to their new radio station, and one now to be
The message was obvious,
partners things may have gone seen at the Wollaton Hall
the Telcan linear system needed
better. In short, there was only to be updated to record in the Industrial Museum in
one way out and in August of Nottingham. Norman and his
helical scan mode in order to
1964 Norman Rutherford, as partner Michael Turner became
rival other products. But this was
Managing Director, put the disaffected and parted company
beyond the resource of the
company into voluntary just after the firm was wound up.
already ailing and overstretched
liquidation. Telcan-Wesgrove operation. Norman continued to do
Talks with various potential some consultancy work in
backers, even Japanese electronics; he eventually gave
OVERSTRETCHED interests, got nowhere. The up and went into property
Undaunted, and with the Wesgrove business, like its development with his brother,
greater number of their 70 odd predecessor, was put into only returning to his first love in
original staff still at hand, the two voluntary liquidation just 19 the early 1980’s when he
partners set up again at Basford months after the Cinerama became involved in developing
under the name Wesgrove. debacle. an infrared transmission system
Again this was a kit form for closed circuit TV. He finally
recorder business though, as found lasting fame by way of an
always, customers could EPILOGUE entry into the Guinness Book of
purchase a fully assembled Only two of the original Records in 1982.
version. Telcan units built by Norman Much could be said about
Unfortunately, by this time, Rutherford and his Company this lost opportunity for British
the Ampex helical scan system survive to this day – one in San enterprise in terms of too little
had already appeared in Francisco, owned by Al Cox the too late, but the reality is
Special Feature
different. The technical principle the linear record system was investment vision come
was only good enough to prove never going to have the technical anywhere close to the technical
the value of the product – for all flexibility required by the market vision, then a good deal more
the negativity faced at the (for convenient long play, high might have been accomplished.
Telcan launch, everyone quickly resolution monochrome or color As it was, the two partners,
came to see how useful a home recording). Also, the short record / Norman Rutherford, Michael
video unit could be and that a replay time, and poor long-term Turner and their associates did
massive market awaited. head dependability were very unequivocally demonstrate and
Although the original much a weakness. sell the first commercial home
technical principle of Telcan Yet, for all that the promise video recorder, the first
defined the operational limits, was there, and had the Camcorder (and the first
“Combi” TV and video recorder).
What price “vision”?
A ROUNDUP OF THE LATEST EVERYDAY NEWS
FROM THE WORLD OF ELECTRONICS
WATERMARKING MUSIC
Barry Fox reports on the arrival of a new method
to prevent unauthorized music copying.
The music and electronics that can survive to-and-fro con- copyright message.
industries have agreed on the version between the analog and The symbol data rate varies
technology they will use to bury digital domains and resist hack- depending on the music content,
a watermark in music recordings ers who try and wash it out, but is typically around 100 bits
to control unauthorized copying while not degrading the sound. per second. So it takes a few
from the Internet. The Secure 4C Entity, a consortium of IBM, seconds for the decoder to rec-
Digital Music Initiative, a com- Intel, Matsushita (Panasonic) ognize all the symbols needed
mittee of 120 hardware and soft- and Toshiba, took on the job of for a copyright message or
ware companies, has chosen testing 11 different proposals. copy-control signal.
MusiCode from Aris Technolo- Some spread a thin layer of
gies of Cambridge, Massachus- modulated noise under the au-
setts, USA. dio; others suck notches from GOLDEN EAR TESTS
The SDMI was formed when the music and add modulated Aris claims that although the
record industry trade body the noise to the gaps. MusiCode music waveform is slightly al-
Recording Industry Association works in a completely different tered to convey the symbols,
of America failed in its legal bid way. there is no noticeable effect on
to block sales of Diamond Multi- the sound, even when it comes
media’s Rio, the pager-sized from a super hi-fi source such
CODED SYMBOLS as a DVD-Audio player, with fre-
solid state recorder that uses
MP3 compression technology to The encoder in the record- quency range of 100kHz and
download and replay music from ing studio holds a library of sym- dynamic volume range of
the Internet. bols, digitally coded letters of the 140dB.
alphabet and numbers, which Audio enthusiasts have al-
are represented by pre- ways been wary of anything that
WATERMARKED determined patterns of a musi- alters the sound but Aris says
SOURCE cal waveform. These can be the tests done by 4C prove the
peaks within a limited range of system works. 4C built on the
SDMI agreed that music will heights, which occur within a so-called Muse tests of CD wa-
be watermarked at the recording fixed period of time. The en- termarking which were carried
studio with digital code which coder analyses the music, look- out in Europe with EU funding by
identifies the copyright owner ing for patterns that are similar the music industry’s trade body
and tells how the music is in- to the library patterns. When a the International Federation of
tended to be sold, for instance close match is found for a sym- the Phonographic Industry. All
on a CD. An “SDMI-compliant” bol that is to be buried in the the major record companies
Internet music player will search music, the encoder modifies the played music in their studios to
for any watermark, which re- music peaks so that they exactly panels of “golden ear” audio ex-
veals that a recording is an match the library symbol. perts listening to marked and
unauthorized copy from the In-
A decoder in the player unmarked music without know-
ternet, and refuse to play it.
holds a library of symbol repre- ing which was which.
Laws will be tightened to stop
sentations like those in the en- Paul Jessop, the IFPI’s
people modifying players so that
coder. When it finds a matching Technical Director, organised
they ignore “don’t play me”
pattern in the music it triggers the European tests has confi-
marks.
the appropriate symbol. To- dence in the SDMI’s findings.
The SDMI wanted a mark gether the symbols build up a
NEWS......
“I am delighted” he says
“that we have found a technol- LIFE, THE UNIVERSE, AND THE UK
ogy that independent listening The British National Space Center has announced that the search
tests have shown to be inaudi- in the UK for life in the Universe is on! Astrobiology – a new science
ble”. to search for life across the Universe – was launched in mid-
December ‘99 and the excellence of UK scientists puts us in a strong
SCEPTICISM MAY world position.
Dr Don Cowan, Chair of the panel of experts that spent last year
REMAIN investigating work currently underway in the UK, recently made the
The SDMI, like the IFPI, re- following statement:
fuses to name any of the “This is a really exciting time in Astrobiology. In our investigation
“internationally recognized we found many British scientists who were Astrobiologists without
golden ears,” which it claims knowing it; biologists were studying how life survives in the harsh en-
were satisfied. Paul Jessop says
vironment of Antarctica, astronomers were developing new missions
he knows what this means. Au-
to find new planets, chemists were developing new techniques to
dio enthusiasts will refuse to be-
identify biochemical markers, geologists were studying the way life
lieve that any mark can be in-
transforms the properties of our planet. Brought together they make a
audible and be sure they can
powerful force in Astrobiology which will enable us to find out still
hear degradation even when
more about where we come from and what other life might exist or
there is none.
have existed in the universe.”
Renowned US mastering
In a separate statement, Science Minister Lord Sainsbury has an-
and recording engineer Bob
nounced that the UK is to invest 1.4 million UK pounds in the experi-
Ludwig had previously warned
mental and research opportunities offered by the European Space
that although watermarking
Agency’s EMIR-2 program. The funding includes 15 million pounds
might be inaudible on lo-fi Inter-
investment in the UK small satellite sector, helping transfer the UK’s
net music, its effect on super hi-
world-leading capability in small satellites from the academic into sci-
fi DVD-Audio would be notice-
entific and commercial markets.
able. He said he was wary of
any reassurances from the Furthermore, Surrey Space Center, run by the University of Sur-
RIAA, which had argued in the rey at Guildford, tell us that NASA has once again selected Surrey
1980s that the Copycode notch Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) as the only non-US supplier for its
system was inaudible. Rapid Spacecraft Acquisition contracts over the next five years.
Ludwig now says “my fer- Under the contract, SSTL will supply its flight-proven off-the-shelf
vent hope is that digital signal mini-satellite platform for space and science technology missions to
processing has improved to the all of NASA’s centers and other US Government agencies.
point where watermarking can SSTL’s first mini-satellite, UoSAT-12 was launched in early ‘99
be totally inaudible under all rea- and their sixteenth, Clementine, was launched in December ‘99.
sonable circumstances”.
All-in-all it seems an excellent start to the new millennium for the
UK’s involvement with Space. Surf www.sstl.co.uk
Guiding Inventors
A step-by-step guide to help inventors make an informed choice about using invention promotion com-
panies has recently been published on the Internet by Lord Sainsbury, DTI (Department of Trade and In-
dustry) Minister with responsibility for science and innovation. The guide is intended to help inventors get
the most out of promotion services and provides advice on finding sources of free or low cost information.
Said Lord Sainsbury, “I do not want creative individuals to become unsuspecting victims of unscrupu-
lous firms. I am confident that the easy-to-follow steps will help inventors avoid making costly mistakes”.
The DTI factsheet can be accessed at www.innovation.gov.uk. Another useful Web address is that
of the Patent Office, at www.patent.gov.uk. The DTI’s phone number is +44 (0) 171-215-5000.
NEWS......
QX3 INTELPLAY MICROSCOPE

Matel, the world’s best-known toy maker responsible for favorites such as
the Barbie doll, has teamed up with Intel to produce a range of toys to com-
plement the personal computer. Aimed at the six year-plus market, the mar-
velous Intelplay QX3 microscope is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) compatible
device that allows color images to be captured on a Pentium PC at several
magnification factors, from x10 to x200. This allows youngsters to explore the
fascinating world of microscopy and see images live on-screen.
Magnification factors refer approximately to the size of the image when
viewed on a 15-inch computer monitor, say Mattel: this would, for example,
enable a 1mm mustard seed to become a wonderful 20cm knobbly spheroid
on a 19in monitor. The microscope resolution is 512 x 384 pixels, which is
more than adequate for most investigations.
The excellent Windows software, replete with brilliant and fun sound ef-
fects, permits live viewing of the object (the frame delay depends on the
throughput performance of the PC – it can appear virtually real-time on a
350MHz desktop). Still-capture and time-lapse movies can also be produced,
perhaps to illustrate the growth of a mung bean or the movement of star-
struck creepy crawlies. Slide-shows of microscopic montages, accompanied by some great sound tracks,
can easily be put together by budding young boffins. Images can be printed or exported as bitmaps, and
there is a great paint package included which allows pictures to be suitably enhanced.
The microscope has colorful chunky controls to allow youngsters to control the magnification and fo-
cus, and a push-button allows still images to be captured on disk for future reference. The QX3 incorpo-
rates two filament light sources (above or backlit) which are selectable through the software. The micro-
scope unit can be detached from its stand to allow free-standing use, and the USB lead is approximately
three meters long for this purpose.
It is completely powered through the USB connection and requires no extra mains adaptor or batteries.
This also means that it could be used as a stand-alone device with a USB-enabled laptop computer, per-
haps for junior field studies.
A complete kit is supplied by Mattel, including an Activity Book, sample slides and containment cap-
sules. Everything is safely molded in plastic of a high quality, with no glass parts or sharp edges being pre-
sent. Although it was launched towards the end of 1999 in the USA, our reviewer managed to obtain one of
the first in Europe earlier this year, and had great fun exploring various natural objects, such as seeds,
shrimps, sugar crystals and the anatomy of honey bees. Surface-mount electronic devices found their way
under the lens too, and some reasonable photos captured of SMD chips and close-ups of soldering.
The QX3 is a fantastically creative educational gadget – much more than a toy – and is bound to be a
big success with children, parents and teachers. Expect a UK launch in late Summer 2000, at a price of ap-
proximately 90 UK pounds.
Alan Winstanley
EMF Facts
There has been a lot of publicity for the topic of EMF (electromagnetic fields), much of it having a
negatively-biased approach. We have been advised that the new Safety Test Solutions web site,
www.safety-test-solutions.de, offers a wide range of information on this topic. It tells you about the char-
acteristics of EMF, where they occur and their effects. It also explains technical terms.
The website information is available in English, French, German and Spanish, on a wide variety of sub-
ject areas. “On our new website, every visitor will quickly find the information they need, no matter whether
they are getting involved with electromagnetic fields for the first time, or if they are an EMF expert looking
for detailed information”, stated Hans J. Forster, Executive Director of Safety Test Solutions.
NEWS......
x 7cm) and weighing 42lb
TITANIC (18kgs), is the only surviving ra-
dio receiver documented as
RECEIVER having heard the distress cries
DISCOVERED from the Titanic – a fantastic
relic from this most famous of
A unique and valuable Ed- historic disasters. A photo of the
wardian crystal receiver, made receiver is shown in this month’s
in England in 1910, has recently Technology Timelines feature.
been unearthed by a Midlands
antique dealer, and has been The receiver will be on show
acquired for a major private in pride of place at the next Na-
wireless collection in this coun- tional Vintage Communications
try. Fair, which will be held at the
NEC in Birmingham on Sunday
Early radios of this period 30th April 2000.
are rare enough, but what
makes this particular set espe- Other exhibition items on
cially unique is that its maker, Mr show at the fair will be a com-
George Leadbetter (a machine prehensive collection of WWII
turner and clock repairer then spy radio transmitters and re-
living in Ledbury, Worcester- ceivers, a Horophone time-
shire), while listening-in on the signal receiver (another unique
set’s earphone on the morning Edwardian radio), and a display
of Monday 15th April 1912, sud- depicting the history of recorded
denly tuned into the sinking Ti- sound.
tanic’s CQD/SOS Morse dis- For more information con-
tress signals. tact The National Vintage Com-
Unfortunately, having run munications Fair, Spice House,
round to the local police station 13 Belmont Road, Exeter, De-
to tell the sergeant what he had von EX1 2HF, UK.
heard, he was turned away, Tel: + 44 (0) 1392-411565
none of the police officers on
Email: sun-
duty believing what he had to
press@eurobell.co.uk
say!
It would be difficult to know Web: www.angelfire.com/tx/
what help Mr Leadbetter”s news sunpress/index.html
could have been had he been (If you are interested in vin-
believed (the Titanic was some tage radio, why not take out a
3,000 miles away across the subscription to our sister maga-
other side of the Atlantic), but zine, Radio Bygones? For de-
help was nearby and the dis- tails see
tress signals were picked up by www.radiobygones.com)
ships close at hand, resulting in
the rescue of over 700 passen-
gers and crew.
Such a pivotal role did wire-
less play in saving many hun-
dreds of lives on board the
stricken ship that its value was
dramatically demonstrated and
acknowledged around the world.
This beautiful engineer-
made radio, measuring some
24in x 14in x 9in (60cm x 35mm
with DAVID BARRINGTON www.epemag.com. Finally,
data sheets for the PIC16F87x
family (and other PIC products)
Some Component Suppliers for EPE Online Construc- are available for free download
tional Articles from Microchip’s web site:
www.microchip.com. Maxim
Antex RF Solutions (UK) manufacture the MAX492
Web: www.antex.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1273-488880 opamp used in this design. Their
Web: www.rfsolution.co.uk web site is at: www.maxim-
Bull Electrical (UK) ic.com
Tel: +44 (0) 1273-203500 RS (Radio Spares) (UK)
Email: sales@bull- Web: www.rswww.com
electrical.com Speak & Co. Ltd. Garage Link
Web: www.bullnet.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1873-811281 The main items of concern
CPC Preston (UK) regarding the Garage Link
Tel: +44 (0) 1772-654455 Micro-PICscope project are likely to be the
transmitter and receiver
EPE Online Store and Library For those readers who like modules and the Holtek encoder
Web: www.epemag.com the look of the neat orange and decoder chips.
plastic box used in the Micro-
Electromail (UK) Starting with the HT12E
PICscope project, this is an RS
Tel: +44 (0) 1536-204555 encoder and HT12F decoder,
product and can be purchased
ESR (UK) through their mail order outlet the last time we looked for
Tel: +44 (0) 191-2514363 Electromail (code 281-681). similar Holtek chips they were in
Fax: +44 (0) 191-2522296 They can also supply the very short supply and FML
Email: sales@esr.co.uk MAX492 dual opamp (code Electronics (Tel: +44 (0) 1677-
Web: www.esr.co.uk 182,2738). 425840) bought some in. Once
again, we understand they are
Farnell (UK) The 2-line 16-character happy to supply the above
Tel: +44 (0) 113-263-6311 alphanumeric liquid crystal encoder and decoder ICs.
Web: www.farnell.com display module, complete with
connector, used in the prototype Regarding the RF Solutions
Gothic Crellon (UK) AM transmitter and receiver
was originally purchased from
Tel: +44 (0) 1743-788878 modules, several component
Magenta Electronics and we
Greenweld (UK) understand that they still have suppliers, such as Suma
Fax: +44 (0) 1992-613020 stocks of this device. Designs (Tel: +44 (0) 1827-
Email: greenweld@aol.com 714476), Quasar Electronics
The PIC16F876-20P used in (Tel: +44 (0) 1279-306504), and
Web:
this project is the 20MHz Veronica Kits (Tel: +44 (0) 1274-
www.greenweld.co.uk version. For those readers 883434) may be able to help.
Maplin (UK) unable to program their own Also, Maplin are currently listing
Web: www.maplin.co.uk PICs, a ready-programmed a low cost pair, quote code
Magenta Electronics (UK) 16F876 can be purchased from VY47B.
Tel: +44 (0) 1283-565435 Magenta (see above) for the
inclusive price of 10 UK pounds The last mentioned
Email: company also supplied the
(overseas readers add 1 UK
sales@magenta2000.co.uk lever-arm microswitch (code
pound for postage). Software for
Web: NF21X) and the miniature LDR
the Micro-PICscope (written in
www.magenta2000.co.uk (code AZ83E). You can, if you
TASM) is also available for free
Microchip download from the EPE Online wish, use the good old ORP12.
Web: www.microchip.com Library at www.epemag.com The 66MW resistor for R5 in the
Transmitter was made up from
Rapid Electronics (UK) The printed circuit board is two 33MW “high voltage” types
Tel: +44 (0) 1206-751166 available from the EPE Online (code V33M). The two printed
Store (code 7000259) at
Shop Talk
circuit boards come as a pair designer – Raymond Haig – the and Components Pack.
and are available from the EPE TOKO coil numbers and ranges Magenta Electronics –
Online Store (codes 7000261 – used in the Receiver have been Multimeter and components, Kit
transmitter, and 7000262 – set out in Table 2 in the article 879.
receiver) at www.epemag.com and were purchased from Bonex
Ltd (Tel: +44 (0) 1753-549502), FML Electronics (Tel: +44
type numbers and order codes (0) 1677-425840) – Basic
Flash Slave component sets.
are as follows: CAN1A350EK,
Not much can go wrong 380-350; RWO6A7752EK, N. R. Bardwell (Tel: +44 (0)
when shopping for parts for the 3357-752; RWR331208NO, 114 255-2886) – Digital
Flash Slave, this month’s simple 351-208; 154FN8A6438EK, Multimeter special offer.
Starter Project. The 356-438; KANK3426R, 363-426;
phototransistor may cause some KANK3337R, 363-337;
local sourcing concerns, but, as PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Video
MKXNAK3428R, 363-767. We
the author states in the article, Cleaner Feb '00
have also been informed that
several npn types have been JAB Electronic Components Amended software is now
successfully used in the unit. (Tel: +44 (0) 121-682-7045) available via the EPE Online
The BPX25 npn phototransistor stock an extensive range of Library at www.epemag.com.
used in the prototype came from TOKO coils. The INIT routine should read:
Maplin (code QF30H).
One item we neglected last INIT CLRF PORTA
We understand that some month was the slow-motion BSF STATUS,
overseas readers are having reduction ball-drive for the PAGE1
difficulty finding ZTX type tuning capacitor. Glancing
transistors locally, so we MOVLW B‘00000000’
through a “flyer” from Mainline
suggest they opt for the 2N3440 Surplus Sales (Tel: +44 (0) 870- This configures PORTA as
type. Other, high voltage and 241-0810) we see they list one outputs only.
high current transistors should for just 2.50 UK Pounds, plus a
work equally well in this design. 3 pound (UK) post and packing
One important point though, like charge. Quote order code 81-
the 2N version, the pinout and 0224.
encapsulation may differ and
The three small printed
must be carefully checked
circuit boards are available as a
before inserting on the circuit
set from the EPE Online Store
board.
(codes 7000254, 7000255, and
7000256) at www.epemag.com
High Performance
Regenerative Receiver
Teach-In 2000
As we highlighted last
No additional components
month, some of the type
are called for in this month's
numbers quoted for the “plug-in”
installment of the Teach-In 2000
TOKO coils called for in the
series. For details of special
High Performance Regenerative
packs readers should contact:
Receiver did not tally with our
information. However, thanks to ESR Electronic
efforts on the part od the Components – Hardware/Tools
John Becker addresses some of the general points readers have raised. Have
you anything interesting to say? Email us at editor@epemag.com!
rather than the seemingly ever

WIN A DIGITAL elusive pre-wound coils – once
MULTIMETER found in constructors’ cata-
logues. In fact the humble fuse
can also be used as PCB stand-
The DMT-1010 is a 3 1/2 digit offs!
pocket-sized LCD multi-meter D.B. Venuti
which measures a.c. and d.c. Thurgarton, Norwich, UK
voltage, d.c. current, and re-
sistance. It can also test
diodes and bipolar transistors. A very useful suggestion,
and secured using the following and one which we are pleased
Every month we will give a to publicize. Thank you DB –
method:
DMT-1010 Digital Multimeter enjoy your new meter!
to the author of the best Read- By soldering the lower con-
out letter. tact of the fuse to a small pad on PC SCREEN DUMPS
the etched oscillator PCB, the
coil can be wound as in Fig.1, Dear EPE,
and the turns held tightly, whilst I commend John Becker
FUSED COIL FORMERS the “hot end” of the coil is sol- and your team on your intuitive
dered to its intended point of the treatment and presentation of
Dear EPE, circuit, before any other compo- electronics in the Teach-In 2000
Reading much of the series nents are mounted. By applying series. The accompanying inter-
recently on Practical Oscillator a smear of Araldite to the coil active computer program is also
Design (Jul-Dec ’99), has layers, and holding a 25W iron very impressive.
prompted me to come up with a near, heat and melt the resin
It looks as if the printed
practical idea for constructors of whilst turning the former, this will
screen-shots are actual pho-
RF oscillators etc. ensure a uniform, covering and
tographs of a PC monitor taken
Basically the idea, which I ultimately hold the turns perma-
with a camera. Indeed, this
have already put into practice, nently in place.
seems to be your method for
makes use of the ordinary house- In fact, many of your read- reproducing any PC graphical
hold 3A/13A ceramic fuse. Pre- ers will probably be familiar with output. You probably have your
pare to dismantle the fuse by eas- heating of Araldite to increase its own reasons, but just in case, I
ing off one end with pliers, whilst flow and quicken its setting time, have a suggestion that would
the other end is secured by sol- and in this application the coil save time and effort, while also
dering it to a piece of scrap PCB will appear glazed, as if encased dramatically improving the qual-
for support. Discard the internal in glass! ity of the reproductions. The fol-
fuse wire plus sand, and a very Using 28 or 30swg enam- lowing applies to IBM-
nice ceramic coil former remains, eled copper wire and using most compatible PCs only, running
also keep the connector at one of the length of the former, pop- Windows 3.1, 95, 98 or NT.
end, this will prove useful too. ular MF frequencies and beyond Pressing the <PRINT
Ceramic type coil formers are can be covered with the appro- SCREEN> button (located be-
often referred to in the ARRL priate value of capacitor. side the <SCROLL LOCK> key)
Handbook in numerous construc- Hopefully readers can be on the keyboard causes the
tion articles for VFOs etc, and encouraged to experiment using monitor output at that time to be
apart from the excellent mechani- items such as fuses to provide stored to the clipboard. The
cal and temperature stability they potentially excellent coil formers, “Edit Paste” command, available
offer, coils can easily be wound
Readout
in most Windows-based editing added the following additional is down to picking up the Jan ’93
software, can then be used to advice: issue in WH Smiths, glancing
dump the image into a docu- through Teach-In 93 Part 3 and
ment, or in the case of a graph- that is why I subscribe!
ics editing package, into an im- If you want to see how easy
it is in normal Windows mode, Regarding “Notations” on
age file. page 32 (Jan ’00), I have used
just press (and release) the Print
To capture DOS output, run Screen button now, then use quite a few pots made by Ra-
the DOS-based program from Start > Programs > Accessories diohm that are labeled, for ex-
Windows at the full screen set- > Paint to open the simplest of ample, 10KA, 10KB or 10KC
ting, hit <PRINT SCREEN> to paint programs and then use where A, B and C indicate lin,
capture the desired output and Edit > Paste and see what hap- log, and reverse-log respec-
use the <ALT> <TAB> key com- tively. I always assumed that this
pens – you can then save this
bination to return to the Win- was a house code, but I have
image as a .BMP file, and then
dows editing program for subse- seen it used on published circuit
use Adobe Photoshop to shrink
quent pasting. It is then also diagrams too. Also, an Omeg
it and/or change it into other for-
very easy to label the image with pot I have is labeled 10K LIN.A.
mats.
graphics editing software if de- By the way, if you take two dual-
sired. It’s also worth noting that gang Radiohm or Omeg pots
pressing the Print Screen button and disassemble them, you can
Active Dialog/Message
on it’s own captures the entire rebuild them as one 3-gang and
boxes can be neatly captured to
screen, while pressing and hold- a single-gang pot (nothing
the clipboard by pressing <ALT>
ing the <Alt> key and then wasted!). The 3-gang pot makes
<PRINT SCREEN>. This
pressing the Print Screen button a passable 18dB/octave variable
causes the background graphics
to be omitted from the capture. will only capture whichever win- Sallen and Key filter a possibil-
dow is currently active. Cheers – ity. I have assembled a 4-gang
I thoroughly enjoy your mag- Max pot but it’s no good trying for a
azine, and with practical circuits, 24dB/octave filter as the match-
it certainly lives up to its name. ing is not good enough.
UP TO SCRATCH
John Harris Dear EPE, Robert Penfold’s Practically
Co. Longford Speaking feature on page 58
EPE Jan 2000 – best issue demonstrates how difficult it is to
Ireland
for a long time, as well as being insulate transformers of the style
PIC-free! Glad I renewed my illustrated in Fig.2 since the cen-
Your assumption about us- subscription. ter tap is not insulated nor are
ing screen photos is absolutely The mag arrived as I was the vertical parts of the tags
correct. I did not know that my finishing writing up notes and where the ends of the windings
computers were capable of drawing the circuit diagram for are soldered to. If possible, I
screen saving in this way from a something I’ve just finished and usually try to mount a trans-
DOS-based program. Other au- I was trying to remember the former so that the primary tags
thors have previously provided symbol for a thermistor (not are difficult to touch and have
us with electronically captured something you use everyday), often thought this would be eas-
images, but I had assumed they so I was well pleased with ier if the primary tags were at
had special software. Fig.3.3 on page 33. I really think the bottom of a transformer and
I tried it when I saw your e- the Teach-Ins are one of the not the top. Where this is impos-
mail and it worked nicely, en- best things you do. I have been sible I have either stuck a piece
abling the images to be stored to a hobbyist on and off for nearly of acrylic sheet on top of it with
disk and passed to our in-house 50 years since I built a one- double-sided sticky foam pads
typesetting team. The screen valve set, later converted to or fashioned a shroud from
images in this month’s Teach-In mains for the HT, given the price “Masticard” as used by model
have been done this way. Thank of 90V HT batteries, and my first makers. I cannot think of any
you. serious electric shock (no better way and it does seem daft
namby-pamby PP3 batteries that you can buy a boot for the
Your e-mail was actually then!). I have found there is al- mains inlet but have to impro-
passed to us by Max, our Online ways something new to learn. In vise on the transformer.
edition editor in the USA. He fact the reason I read EPE today
Readout
I also studied Robert’s The computer was pur- neously counted in the wrong
Scratch Blanker (Jan ’00) very chased as is, second-hand and direction – how infantile!
carefully as I am about to build a has a Pentium 166MHz proces-
similar device using a Reticon sor, that’s about all I can tell you TEACH-IN AND PSION (2)
SAD1024 CCD delay line that I about it. I also used a length of
bought years ago for the purpose 25-way ribbon cable with a male Dear EPE,
and never got round to. I had dug 25-way D-type snap-in adapter As a person who is involved
out my old notes and cuttings. on one end and soldering the mainly in Computers/IT, and
One of the cuttings was An Exper- ends of the cable to strip board only dabbles in Electronics as a
imental Scratch Eliminator (Hi-Fi on the other end. I did this so I very part-time hobby, I feel rela-
News Sept-Oct ’79) by one R.A. don’t need to make a PCB for tively refreshed to be able to an-
Penfold, which makes me wonder the Centronics adaptor. swer one of the questions posed
if it is coincidence that 20 years in your Readout section.
later when I am about to build Hitesh Lala
South Africa I refer to the letter from Fed-
what I started thinking about in erica Appolloni in the January
1979, Robert Penfold publishes 2000 Issue of EPE Online. Fed-
another design. Spooky! erica is trying to use the Teach-
Great to know you appreci-
Barry Taylor ate us! The only reason I can In 2000 software on an XT-
via the Net think of for the negative values Emulator.
is that you are connecting the Normally, I don’t think that
meter in back-to-front. The COM there would be a significant
Thank you Barry for another lead should go to 0V, i.e. the problem in using the software on
interesting contribution to Read- negative terminal of your bat- a Real XT based PC. I think that
out. Sorry we can’t publish it in its tery, or the metal chassis or the problem is caused by the
entirety. other known ground (0V) point display mode used by the soft-
of your computer or its connect- ware. The display resolution re-
ing lead. quired by the Teach-In 2000
The Centronics parallel con- software is just not possible on a
TEACH-IN 2000 HELP!
nector to the breadboard for Psion series 5 palmtop. The er-
Dear EPE, Teach-In has more than just one ror generated would be consis-
Thanks for the wonderful pin that can be used for ground tent with an attempt to switch to
magazine. I had been trying to get (0V) connection. Pins 19 to 29 a different display mode failing.
involved with electronics for a provide separate grounds for the
Mike Insch
while, but our local library did not screening on individual signal
via the Net
have enough info. Then I found wires, pin 16 is Logical ground,
out about EPE. I began reading pin 17 is Chassis ground, while
the magazine in Aug ’99, under- pins 30 and 33 are quoted in my Thank you Mike. The resolu-
standing little and eventually sub- source book as just being tion of the screen mode used
scribed to EPE Online. The Ground. (Screen 9 in QBasic/QuickBA-
Teach-In 2000 series has really Look closely at the connec- SIC, EGA/VGA) is 640 x 350
helped me to begin understanding tor for the identity of the pins. pixels, with text set for 80 char-
electronics. Note that once you have found acters x 25 lines, 16 color at-
I was working on the experi- pin 1, the numbers follow se- tributes.
mental section of Part 4 and quentially to the end of that row, Interestingly, with regard to
found that on my computer the and continue on the second row the “hieroglyphs” problem being
readings I get for the 8-bit data from the pin immediately oppo- experienced by some readers
output are -5V for low and 0V for site pin 1. This is contrary to the (see several previous Read-
high. The same with the inputs. I order in which DIL IC pins are outs), I have succeeded in simu-
reversed the polarity of my input numbered, going down one side lating the situation (via code-
voltage to get the programs to and then back up the next. This page commands) on two of my
work. I hope this will not affect the explains the cause of the pin machines and found that prob-
programs in any way and that I numbering error in Fig.4.6 (Feb), lem then exists with text set for
will be able to continue with the as reported last month (March); 80 x 25, but not with it set for 80
wonderful Tutorials. the author (me!) had erro- x 43.
Readout
DOING IT RIGHT! I also found/find EPE a valu- times just gives the correct an-
able source of suppliers of parts swer. After pressing <A> to get
Dear EPE,
thanks to the ads, but I noticed the answer, the program gets
I bought a copy of your maga- that your Online issue (judging back to normal, only to repeat
zine the other day after a nine by the sample issue only) does the same after the 16th ques-
year gap. I was pleasantly sur- not contain these ads. I see the tion, and so on.
prised to find that the comfortable adverts as almost as an impor- Thanks for a great Teach-In
old format was pretty much intact, tant part of the magazine as the series and for a great magazine.
and that the regular contributors articles, and thus it seems a
like Robert Penfold were still hard shame to omit them from the Federica Appolloni
at it, doing their best to instil their electronic version, especially via the Net
wisdom to us readers, and even when so many have web pres-
the familiar old Bull Electrical ad. ence these days that overseas
inside the front cover was still subscribers can also contact So it did! I’ve now fixed it
there after all this time. The small them very easily. Just a thought. and the fix will be released when
details such as the component software version V1.1 (with
lists and the stripboard layouts, Please keep up the good more demo routines) is released
and even the little cartoon illustra- work and the high quality of EPE with Teach-In 2000 Part 7. In
tions brought the memories back and be assured that your publi- the meantime, just remember
as if I’d only bought a copy last cation is probably amongst a that this bug is lurking (but it’s
month. very small minority that seems not malignant and it’s not a Y2K
to have got it right. bug – has anyone encountered
The noticeable changes in-
cluded things like the Internet fea- Jason Webb one of those yet? I haven’t)
ture Net Work and the fact that Reading, Berks .
most advertisers now have web SOLDERING TIP
sites (which is good news), and
Thanks for your kind com- Dear EPE,
that everyone seems to be going
on about this PIC processor ments, Jason. Some may regard I have a question on solder-
thingy (sorry to be an ignoramus). us as a bit staid, but as you ing iron tips. After a job is done I
But it was reassuring to know that said, it seems to work OK. We have been told to put a small
some institutions like EPE have are moving towards ads in the amount of solder on the tip and
remained essentially unchanged Online version. Watch that then unplug the soldering iron. I
over nearly a decade, even de- space! have also been told do not do it.
spite a merger with another publi- Who is right?
cation (when I was a regular TEACH-IN BUG Michael Powell
reader in ’91 it was of course Ev-
Dear EPE, via the Net
eryday Electronics I read).
While using the TY2K
Some might say that this
(Teach-In 2000) software I have On-line Editor Alan Winstan-
shows a lack of progress on the
stumbled on a bug with the self- ley received Michael’s query,
part of the publication, but I say
test of the Resistor Values and and replies to it:
that in reality what it means is that
Color Codes program. The first
the formula is right and therefore
four questions ask for the resis-
doesn’t need to change.
tance to be typed in, and this is I always dab a small amount
My life veered away from followed by four questions which of solder on the tip to tin it, wipe
electronics in ’91, but now after ask for the resistance to be se- it clean on a damp sponge and
the re-igniting of my interest in lected graphically. then unplug the iron and let it
hobby electronics thanks to an- cool while the tip is still nice and
When the last of these
other interest of mine, cycling, and shiny. This preserves the clean-
questions is answered correctly
the desire to build a two-stage liness of the tip ready for the
(eight questions), the program
sealed lead acid battery charger next job. However, you MUST
gets into a loop where the ques-
to charge my self-designed front WIPE it clean before unplug-
tion remains unchanged and the
lighting rig, I am glad I did pick up ging, or the excess solder and
graphical value of the resistance
a copy of EPE, as I found it as en- flux will just burn and “dull” the
changes to what the program
joyable to read now as I did back tip and lead to unwanted de-
thinks should be the correct next
then. posits before the iron has gone
answer. Typing <Enter> several
Readout
cold. Data Logger except that, not
If you don’t use the iron for a finding a spare 7404 buffer in As I explained in the Data
time (say 5 to 10 minutes or the components box, I used a Logger article, and advised to
more) before switching off, the tip couple of NAND gates with par- Malcolm, I am not an expert in
is bound to be dirty when it cools alleled inputs from a 4011 in- comms port use and had to re-
down due to baked-on flux de- stead. I eventually succeeded in search heavily before achieving
posits, oxides etc. This could getting it going, but only by using a working circuit, which was
make it harder to clean up the tip one of the gates, not two in se- subsequently proved on my sev-
when you next switch it on. quence as in the Data Logger eral computers.
(Brand new tips can gradually be circuit. In other words I had to
invert the output from the PIC’s What Malcolm missed when
made unusable for this reason. examining the .BAS code is that
RC6 pin.
Hence you must always thor- a machine code routine is also
oughly tin a new tip straight I checked with Microchip accessed, this doing the actual
away.) technical support about this. The reading of the comms port. In it
RC6 output is indeed inverted, the data is indeed re-inverted.
If a tip is always kept nice and
and is intended to be used with The full machine code text can
shiny, it is always easier to use. It
an RS232 transceiver, most of be read in file DATLOG02.J.
will accept solder readily and let
which invert the input signal (so
you solder accurately and more
that on the line side of the
quickly. So whoever told you to
transceiver chip the output is
add some solder is right – pro-
correct).
vided you wipe the tip to remove
any excess solder, before the iron Since your design puts the
has gone cold. signal through two inverting
buffers in sequence, i.e. retains
the inverted signal as output by
(Also, don’t forget that Alan the PIC, how did you ever get it
Winstanley’s Soldering Guide fea- to work at all? I looked through
turing lots of cool photographs is your PC comms input program
available in the EPE Online Li- (DATLOG02.BAS), but I couldn’t
brary at www.epemag.com). see anything that was doing
anything strange to the hard-
SERIAL LOG ware – but I don’t use QuickBA-
SIC so I’m not an expert in it.
Dear EPE,
But if you get any queries
I’m designing and building an from folks with older kits who
automatic weather station based can’t get it to work, you might
around the PIC16F877. I’ve been suggest that they try using
pinching ideas and bits of circuit something like the MAX232CPE
from your PIC Data Logger (Aug instead of the 74HC04. R.A.
’99) and PIC Altimeter (Sep ’98). Penfold had a useful article on
I’ve been trying to get a serial using this chip (Interface July
RS232 link from the PIC’s USART ’96).
to my PC working (to transfer re-
sults). I used exactly the circuit Malcolm Wiles
and cable pinout you have in the via the Net

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Everyday Practical Electronics - 2000 - 04

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Volume 2 Issue 4

INGENUITY UNLIMITED - hosted by Alan Winstanley 272

HIGH PERFORMANCE REGENERATIVE RECEIVER - Part 2 276

SERIES AND FEATURES

NET WORK - THE INTERNET PAGE surfed by Alan Winstanley 283

TECHNOLOGY TIMELINES - Part 3 - Communications and Related 285

INTERFACE - by Ian Poole 295

TEACH-IN 2000 - Part 6. Logic gates, Binary and Hex Logic

CIRCUIT SURGERY - by Alan Winstanley 315

TELCAN HOME VIDEO - by Barrie Blake-Coleman 319

REGULARS AND SERVICES

READOUT - John Becker addresses general points arising. 333

SIXTEEN-CHANNEL TWO-WIRE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

The Great Logo Adventure

Controlling the Forrest Mims

Bebop to the Bebop BYTES Back

Visit the EPE Online Store at

Programming Micro- Designus Maximus

Visit the EPE Online Store at

Small plastic case, approximately

See also the

flows once the flash has been

large building or out of doors

own ideas about how to use it.

Since people often wish to theoretically possible to run

Approx. Cost Transmitter Receiver

Fig.4. Printed cir-

each pulse is high compared

values of resistors R6 and R7 in the circuit is based on

seconds with each “low” taking is high enough. The opamp is of

wide tolerance. quiescent current (10uA 2 R.F. GND

resistor R6 to begin with. This 10 A.F. VCC

sets a much shorter time period The non-inverting input (pin 11

(about half a second) so the 3) of IC1 receives a voltage 13 * TEST POINT

Visual signal monitoring with frills! www.epemag.com, Ed.)

preset VR1 to set the screen +9V

Fig.2. Printed circuit board component layout, wiring to the

FIg.3(a). LCD character cell matrix with all

This interactive presentation uses the specially

Nearly 40 tutorials cover almost every aspect

HARDWARE: Whilst the CD-ROM can be used on its own, the

PRICING: CD-ROM (Hobbyist/Student): $70 US Dollars (plus S&H)

Visit the EPE Online store now to BUY!

Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and

PC Controlled DC Motor – Key-

is used to interface a DC motor to the 24V MOTOR

control voltage set by VR1, the WAVE R7

teract the wide tolerance typical 0V

of these controls. IC2 acts as a

RF Attenuator VR1 Headphone socket AF Gain VR8

Wave trap Electronic tuning PCB.

Chassis topside layout show-

Fig.6. The audio power amplifier PCB

TOKO Coils and a 10pF-365pF Variable Capacitor

MOSFETs, but they will certainly

CALIBRATION oscillator) to make the If a reasonable aerial is

The paperless office is NEW IDEA technologies. The first is the

Computer Desktop Encyclopedia

The PhizzyB Computer Simulator

PICtutor by John Becker

Electronic Circuits & Components

Digital Electronics (Mike Tooley)

Analog Electronics (Mike Tooley)

Modular Circuit Design