Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-29 Thread MailLists
There was also the short lived XPLA2 PZ/XCR3320,3960 (Ph/X) SRAM CPLD family, which had to be configured from an external memory... just another exception which confirms the rule. ftp://ftp.xilinx.com/pub/coolpld/isp/960_conf.pdf The even older intel FLEXlogic, bought by Altera, and rebranded

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-28 Thread Bruce Griffiths
Not true, the configuration is loaded from EEPROM to RAM on power up. Bruce Azelio Boriani wrote: By preload I think you mean the configuration step of the logic. It seems that the Xilinx one stops the clock after the configuration is done. Anyway using small EEPROM based CPLDs you have no

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-28 Thread cfo
On Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:03:20 -0700, Jerry Mulchin wrote: You might want to take a look at the Atmel XMEGA parts. Far more capabilities than the ATMega parts. Watch out . If using an Xmega make sure to select the U ... Usb ones. Most of the non U parts have an errata list longer than the

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-28 Thread Azelio Boriani
configuration is loaded from EEPROM to RAM on power up For every kind of logic? Even for the simplest XC3000 series (and the Altera equivalent EPM3000 series) small EEPROM CPLD? On Sat, Apr 28, 2012 at 9:04 AM, cfo xne...@luna.dyndns.dk wrote: On Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:03:20 -0700, Jerry Mulchin

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-28 Thread MailLists
I guess you wanted to refer to the old XPLA PZ3k/5k CoolRunner series bought from Philips, renamed XCR3k/5k, and later enhanced to XPLA3/XCR3kXL, not the antique FPGA family XC3k... (C)PLDs don't need an external memory for configuration storing, it's internal. There are also some Lattice,

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-28 Thread shalimr9
of precise time and frequency measurement time-nuts@febo.com Subject: Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made? FPGA with internal flash memory to boot from, yes, but I think that small CPLD haven't to boot anything: they should have the interconnection array associated with the EEPROM cell

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-28 Thread Bruce Griffiths
Yes, I should have been more specific. The details about the state machine clock behaviour aren't on the datasheet and were obtained by asking Xilinx. The reason for using CMOS RAM to controll the CPLD interconnections is to reduce the static power consumption well below that possible when

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-28 Thread Jim Lux
On 4/28/12 12:10 PM, shali...@gmail.com wrote: I have not studied CPLDs but Actel has the only true Flash based FPGAs. The flash cells directly control the FPGA fabric. As such, they are mostly immune to Single Event Upset that plagues just about any other FPGA technology, and there is no

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-28 Thread shalimr9
@febo.com Reply-To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement time-nuts@febo.com Subject: Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made? On 4/28/12 12:10 PM, shali...@gmail.com wrote: I have not studied CPLDs but Actel has the only true Flash based FPGAs. The flash cells directly control

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread Jim Lux
On 4/26/12 10:46 PM, cfo wrote: On Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:58:26 -0700, Jim Lux wrote: On 4/26/12 1:24 PM, Hal Murray wrote: albertson.ch...@gmail.com said: 2) The IDE is written in Java and is portable. It is truly identical on all platforms. Yes it uses gcc but the end user never has to

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread Attila Kinali
On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:17:43 -0300 Daniel Mendes dmend...@gmail.com wrote: About replacing the 74ACT175... there´s a company called Potato Semi (well.. they make chips, right?) whose sole business is to make damn fast 74 logic. Their chips can be bought at ebay in small quantities. Look at

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread cfo
On Fri, 27 Apr 2012 06:21:10 -0700, Jim Lux wrote: It uses a 100% standard avr-gcc toolchain as backend , and just creates the commandline call for using that. So avr-gcc , avr-as , avr-ar , avr-objcopy etc. are used behind the curtains. Fascinating.. Are avr-* also java? Or are there

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread David
On Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:52:33 +0200, Attila Kinali att...@kinali.ch wrote: On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:17:43 -0300 Daniel Mendes dmend...@gmail.com wrote: About replacing the 74ACT175... there´s a company called Potato Semi (well.. they make chips, right?) whose sole business is to make damn fast

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread Attila Kinali
On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:30:45 -0500 David davidwh...@gmail.com wrote: If you add a second lower current source or sink, then you can get away with a LM311 class comparator and one fast timer channel in the microcontroller. The input pulse width charges the capacitor and the timer counts how

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread EWKehren
The Altera Max 3000A as I mentioned before will do all TTL devices, it has an extensive library easy to use and very cheap. All That at 200 MHz. I became a believer and others I introduced to it love it to. In an hour from downloading the free software you can have your first design. If I

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread Bob Camp
...@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-boun...@febo.com] On Behalf Of Attila Kinali Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 10:30 AM To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement Subject: Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made? On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:30:45 -0500 David davidwh...@gmail.com wrote: If you add a second

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread David
On Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:30:11 +0200, Attila Kinali att...@kinali.ch wrote: On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:30:45 -0500 David davidwh...@gmail.com wrote: If you add a second lower current source or sink, then you can get away with a LM311 class comparator and one fast timer channel in the

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread David
I have been looking at CPLD and FPGA designs for aggregating the logic required but keep running up against their lack of jitter specifications for asynchronous applications. Is the part and development cost worth replacing a handful of discrete logic when the CPLD or FPGA is dedicated to such a

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread EWKehren
Contact me off list and I will be glad to work with you. Test board etc. Bert Kehren In a message dated 4/27/2012 2:36:45 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, davidwh...@gmail.com writes: I have been looking at CPLD and FPGA designs for aggregating the logic required but keep running up against

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread Jerry Mulchin
You might want to take a look at the Atmel XMEGA parts. Far more capabilities than the ATMega parts. Brief description: • Atmel AVR CPU - Clock speed to 32MHz • Memories • DMAC - Direct memory access controller • Event system • System clock and clock options • Power management and sleep modes •

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread Bruce Griffiths
The Wilkinson TDC (dual slope) has been successfully used for decades in nuclear instrumentation. One problem is in switching the discharge current on and off sufficiently quickly. This can be largely circumvented by having it on all the time. One drawback is the slow conversion speed (100us

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread Azelio Boriani
By preload I think you mean the configuration step of the logic. It seems that the Xilinx one stops the clock after the configuration is done. Anyway using small EEPROM based CPLDs you have no clock at all: there is no configuration to load. On Fri, Apr 27, 2012 at 10:01 PM, Bruce Griffiths

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread David
On Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:01:43 +1200, Bruce Griffiths bruce.griffi...@xtra.co.nz wrote: The Wilkinson TDC (dual slope) has been successfully used for decades in nuclear instrumentation. One problem is in switching the discharge current on and off sufficiently quickly. This can be largely

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread David
On Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:13:55 +0200, Azelio Boriani azelio.bori...@screen.it wrote: By preload I think you mean the configuration step of the logic. It seems that the Xilinx one stops the clock after the configuration is done. Anyway using small EEPROM based CPLDs you have no clock at all: there

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread Azelio Boriani
FPGA with internal flash memory to boot from, yes, but I think that small CPLD haven't to boot anything: they should have the interconnection array associated with the EEPROM cell array. On Fri, Apr 27, 2012 at 11:52 PM, David davidwh...@gmail.com wrote: On Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:13:55 +0200,

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread Chris Albertson
It uses a 100% standard avr-gcc toolchain as backend , and just creates the commandline call for using that. So avr-gcc , avr-as , avr-ar , avr-objcopy etc. are used behind the curtains. Fascinating.. Are avr-* also java? Or are there just binary versions that run on all platforms?

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-27 Thread EWKehren
correct Bert Kehren In a message dated 4/27/2012 6:58:32 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, azelio.bori...@screen.it writes: FPGA with internal flash memory to boot from, yes, but I think that small CPLD haven't to boot anything: they should have the interconnection array associated with the

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?...nanode

2012-04-26 Thread Andrew Back
On 26 April 2012 01:27, Chris Albertson albertson.ch...@gmail.com wrote: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi I just read the above page.  The Raspberry contains close source drivers and binary blob graphics firmware.   That is an 100% deal killer. It's unfortunate that it makes use of

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-26 Thread EWKehren
Has any one considered asking Richard. As far as logic is concerned a 200 MHz Altera MAX 3000A makes a perfect substitute at a cost of $ 2.50 that includes a very solderable socket. Works Bert Kehren In a message dated 4/25/2012 3:16:51 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-26 Thread Dan Kemppainen
me off list for more information... Thanks Dan On 4/25/2012 2:42 PM, time-nuts-requ...@febo.com wrote: Message: 1 Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:44:30 -0500 From: Stanleytimen...@n4iqt.com To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement time-nuts@febo.com Subject: Re: [time-nuts

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?...nanode

2012-04-26 Thread Don Latham
25, 2012 7:39 PM Subject: Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made? On 25 April 2012 19:09, Randy D. Hunt randy_hunt...@yahoo.com wrote: Then there is also the matter of surface mount components. Some people my not physically be able to work with them, learning to solder or not. I am rapidly

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-26 Thread Hal Murray
albertson.ch...@gmail.com said: 2) The IDE is written in Java and is portable. It is truly identical on all platforms. Yes it uses gcc but the end user never has to deal with gcc or even know what gcc is. Same with saving your code, hit just puts it some place and keeps track of it Do I

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-26 Thread Jim Lux
On 4/26/12 1:24 PM, Hal Murray wrote: albertson.ch...@gmail.com said: 2) The IDE is written in Java and is portable. It is truly identical on all platforms. Yes it uses gcc but the end user never has to deal with gcc or even know what gcc is. Same with saving your code, hit just puts it

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-26 Thread Chris Albertson
On Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 1:24 PM, Hal Murray hmur...@megapathdsl.net wrote: albertson.ch...@gmail.com said: 2) The IDE is written in Java and is portable. It is truly identical on all platforms. Yes it uses gcc but the end user never has to deal with gcc or even know what gcc is. Same

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-26 Thread Chris Albertson
On Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 12:20 PM, Don Latham d...@montana.com wrote: OK, Chris, I'll bite. What the heck is a tool chain? It is the series (or chain) of software tools you need to use. Text editor, compiler, linker and whatever you need to program the chip and then maybe a debugger and maybe

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-26 Thread Andrew Rodland
Hal Murray hmurray@... writes: albertson.chris@... said: 2) The IDE is written in Java and is portable. It is truly identical on all platforms. Yes it uses gcc but the end user never has to deal with gcc or even know what gcc is. Same with saving your code, hit just puts it some

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-26 Thread Dennis Ferguson
On 27 Apr, 2012, at 02:57 , Chris Albertson wrote: Closed source drivers and binary blob firmware.I'd have nothing to do with a project that includes either of those. I'd require a open source platforms with a 100% free tool chain. Also, it is a bit of overkill after all a bare PIC

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-26 Thread cfo
On Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:58:26 -0700, Jim Lux wrote: On 4/26/12 1:24 PM, Hal Murray wrote: albertson.ch...@gmail.com said: 2) The IDE is written in Java and is portable. It is truly identical on all platforms. Yes it uses gcc but the end user never has to deal with gcc or even know what gcc

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Attila Kinali
On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:01:36 + (UTC) Andrew Rodland and...@cleverdomain.org wrote: Would anyone be willing to sell (or loan for an extended period) one or two ready-to-go PICTIC IIs within the United States? I realize this may be rude to ask since it's a hobby project, but what can I say?

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Azelio Boriani
I agree, nevertheless let me add: because it is a hobby project it is good also starting to learn how to use the soldering iron. On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 2:59 PM, Attila Kinali att...@kinali.ch wrote: On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:01:36 + (UTC) Andrew Rodland and...@cleverdomain.org wrote:

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Attila Kinali
On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:24:50 +0200 Azelio Boriani azelio.bori...@screen.it wrote: I agree, nevertheless let me add: because it is a hobby project it is good also starting to learn how to use the soldering iron. But for that, you need someone who shows you how to solder. You can learn it

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Azelio Boriani
Yes, better have someone who can help but nothing should prevent you from learning something. On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 4:44 PM, Attila Kinali att...@kinali.ch wrote: On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:24:50 +0200 Azelio Boriani azelio.bori...@screen.it wrote: I agree, nevertheless let me add: because it

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Chris Albertson
On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 5:50 AM, Bill Dailey docdai...@gmail.com wrote: I have wondered the same thing. It might be time for a group project to design a Pictic III that uses parts that are readily available. Today I'd build it around an Arduino rather than a PIC even if the cost is more.

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Don Latham
Chris: I concur. Arduino base would allow simple extension to 'net control as well. Don Chris Albertson It might be time for a group project to design a Pictic III that uses parts that are readily available. Today I'd build it around an Arduino rather than a PIC even if the cost is more.

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Don Latham
I forgot to add that a simple redrafting of the II as an Arduino shield with appropriate chips and chip passives would accomplish the desired end without losing the very careful engineering and testing that has already been done? Would be nice to have a way to change caps without soldering as

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Stanley
at time :-( Stanley - Original Message - From: Don Latham d...@montana.com To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement time-nuts@febo.com Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 11:37 AM Subject: Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made? I forgot to add that a simple redrafting

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Randy D. Hunt
On 4/25/2012 7:44 AM, Attila Kinali wrote: On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:24:50 +0200 Azelio Borianiazelio.bori...@screen.it wrote: I agree, nevertheless let me add: because it is a hobby project it is good also starting to learn how to use the soldering iron. But for that, you need someone who

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Chris Albertson
On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 9:37 AM, Don Latham d...@montana.com wrote: I forgot to add that a simple redrafting of the II as an Arduino shield with appropriate chips and chip passives would accomplish the desired end without losing the very careful engineering and testing that has already been

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Chris Albertson
On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 11:09 AM, Randy D. Hunt randy_hunt...@yahoo.comwrote: Then there is also the matter of surface mount components. Some people my not physically be able to work with them, learning to solder or not. I am rapidly joining that group be cause of my vision. Get yourself a

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Andrew Back
On 25 April 2012 19:09, Randy D. Hunt randy_hunt...@yahoo.com wrote: Then there is also the matter of surface mount components.  Some people my not physically be able to work with them, learning to solder or not.  I am rapidly joining that group be cause of my vision. Since Arduino has been

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Chris Albertson
On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 11:39 AM, Andrew Back and...@carrierdetect.comwrote: On 25 April 2012 19:09, Randy D. Hunt randy_hunt...@yahoo.com wrote: Then there is also the matter of surface mount components. Some people my not physically be able to work with them, learning to solder or not.

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Attila Kinali
On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:45:52 -0700 Chris Albertson albertson.ch...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 5:50 AM, Bill Dailey docdai...@gmail.com wrote: I have wondered the same thing. It might be time for a group project to design a Pictic III that uses parts that are readily

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Bruce Griffiths
Chris Albertson wrote: On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 9:37 AM, Don Lathamd...@montana.com wrote: I forgot to add that a simple redrafting of the II as an Arduino shield with appropriate chips and chip passives would accomplish the desired end without losing the very careful engineering and

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Robert Darlington
limited space the kitting process takes several hours to do them one at time :-( Stanley - Original Message - From: Don Latham d...@montana.com To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement time-nuts@febo.com Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 11:37 AM Subject: Re: [time-nuts

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Bruce Griffiths
Attila Kinali wrote: Hi Bruce, On Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:15:41 +1200 Bruce Griffithsbruce.griffi...@xtra.co.nz wrote: If a suitable ADC is used the interpolator can be simplified considerably whilst improving its performance. Could you tell a little bit more about what a suitable ADC

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Attila Kinali
On Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:00:17 +1200 Bruce Griffiths bruce.griffi...@xtra.co.nz wrote: If a capacitive input charge redistribution ADC is used the interpolator output capacitor can be directly connected to it. This eliminates the output buffer amp with its unknown settling time as well as the

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Daniel Mendes
About replacing the 74ACT175... there´s a company called Potato Semi (well.. they make chips, right?) whose sole business is to make damn fast 74 logic. Their chips can be bought at ebay in small quantities. Look at this 600MHz D flip flop:

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Chris Albertson
On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 12:11 PM, Attila Kinali att...@kinali.ch wrote: On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:45:52 -0700 Chris Albertson albertson.ch...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 5:50 AM, Bill Dailey docdai...@gmail.com wrote: I have wondered the same thing. It might be time

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread WB6BNQ
Chris, Your undying devotion to the Arduino is laudable. However, the point that i think you are missing is such functionality is also available on other platforms with the same amount of ease and support. If you take someone who has never seen, touched nor had any knowledge of any computing

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?...nanode

2012-04-25 Thread Alan Melia
Message - From: Andrew Back and...@carrierdetect.com To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement time-nuts@febo.com Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 7:39 PM Subject: Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made? On 25 April 2012 19:09, Randy D. Hunt randy_hunt...@yahoo.com wrote

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Chris Albertson
On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 4:24 PM, WB6BNQ wb6...@cox.net wrote: Chris, Your undying devotion to the Arduino is laudable. However, the point that i think you are missing is such functionality is also available on other platforms with the same amount of ease and support. If you take someone

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread Cliff Sojourner
two thumbs up for Radio Shack - they sure have their problems but they are all we have in a lot of places. with the new Velleman and Arduino and Basic Stamp kits, they are clearly trying. they have a ways to go, but I try to vote with my $$$ a little bit. Cliff K6CLS On 2012-04-25 16:41,

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread David
On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:13:42 -0700, Chris Albertson albertson.ch...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 9:37 AM, Don Latham d...@montana.com wrote: I forgot to add that a simple redrafting of the II as an Arduino shield with appropriate chips and chip passives would accomplish the desired

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II ready-made?

2012-04-25 Thread David
On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:26:25 +0200, Attila Kinali att...@kinali.ch wrote: Hi Bruce, On Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:15:41 +1200 Bruce Griffiths bruce.griffi...@xtra.co.nz wrote: If a suitable ADC is used the interpolator can be simplified considerably whilst improving its performance. Could you tell

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-07 Thread Azelio Boriani
Yes, I was thinking of trying a PICTIC II partial redesign with a Xilinx CPLD, using other type of fast turn off diodes and so on. On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 8:28 AM, Attila Kinali att...@kinali.ch wrote: On Sun, 5 Feb 2012 19:55:36 -0900 (AKST) Richard H McCorkle mccor...@ptialaska.net wrote:

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-07 Thread Hal Murray
att...@kinali.ch said: BTW: does anyone know how these days low cost FPGAs perform in terms of jitter? (the data sheets are kind of scarce in that regard). And how do they compare to state of the art ECL logic? Generally, not good. The general problem is that they have a lot of logic and a

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-07 Thread Azelio Boriani
To enhance the PICTIC II performance can step recovery diodes be used? Maybe the fast turn off can boost the switching capabilities of the interpolator for best resolution... On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 12:35 PM, Hal Murray hmur...@megapathdsl.net wrote: att...@kinali.ch said: BTW: does anyone

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-07 Thread David
On Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:28:14 +0100, Attila Kinali att...@kinali.ch wrote: On Sun, 5 Feb 2012 19:55:36 -0900 (AKST) Richard H McCorkle mccor...@ptialaska.net wrote: While using a faster timebase or higher interpolator gain increases the resolution that doesn?t imply the accuracy will also

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-07 Thread David
Step recovery diodes turn off fast but have a relatively long storage time. The fastest switched current integrators use schottky diodes. On Tue, 7 Feb 2012 14:06:55 +0100, Azelio Boriani azelio.bori...@screen.it wrote: To enhance the PICTIC II performance can step recovery diodes be used?

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-06 Thread Attila Kinali
On Sun, 5 Feb 2012 19:55:36 -0900 (AKST) Richard H McCorkle mccor...@ptialaska.net wrote: While using a faster timebase or higher interpolator gain increases the resolution that doesn’t imply the accuracy will also increase. The PICTIC II uses CMOS logic with propagation delays that vary

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-05 Thread Joseph Gray
John, I appreciate your help. Among other things, I'm not sure what to do with the adjustment pots after I finish building the board. Speaking of software, I was wondering if anyone had written a program for controlling the PICTIC II and logging the data. Using a serial terminal can be tedious.

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-05 Thread Joseph Gray
John, Would using the 50 MHz XO option be something I should consider? Joe Gray W5JG ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-05 Thread John Miles
-Original Message- From: time-nuts-boun...@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts- boun...@febo.com] On Behalf Of Joseph Gray Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2012 11:04 AM To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement Subject: Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions John, Would using

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-05 Thread Chris Albertson
On Sun, Feb 5, 2012 at 12:12 PM, John Miles jmi...@pop.net wrote:  We were also talking about some possible GUI ideas for configuration and data acquisition, but I was ramping up a larger project at the time and never had time to explore them further. Before anything like a GUI, I think I'm

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-05 Thread Stanley
I appreciate your help. Among other things, I'm not sure what to do with the adjustment pots after I finish building the board. Set up to measure an interval that is more or less ramdon or granteed to cover the full range of the interpters. The idea is to adjust each pair the stop and start

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-05 Thread Joseph Gray
I know the resolution can be enhanced by swapping out some parts, but it's been too long to recall the details. On the schematic is a list of alternate XOs. For 50 MHz, the 1000 pf cap is changed to 180 pf. This is stated to give 25 ps maximum resolution. If this simple change is all that is

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-05 Thread Joseph Gray
Set up to measure an interval that is more or less ramdon or granteed to cover the full range of the interpters. The idea is to adjust each pair the stop and start sides to cover the full range of possible of numbers without overlap or loss of resolution. What source would I use to

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II questions

2012-02-05 Thread Richard H McCorkle
Fellow Time Nuts, The PICTIC II is a spin-off of a low cost front end developed for a GPSDO to compare the oscillator to GPS 1PPS over very short ( 20us) time intervals. In that application all that was required was 1ns TIC resolution to match the resolution of the GPS sawtooth correction to get

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II PIC chips, update and opening for more orders (reminder)

2010-08-25 Thread Robert Darlington
Last call for PICTIC II chips. I'm ordering the chips this coming weekend and if you want them, get em ordered ASAP. See the email below for details. This will very possibly be the last time I make these available unless there is sufficient interest in the future. Also, to those that ordered

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II PIC chip group order (update)

2010-07-29 Thread Don Latham
Robert: Do you have two left? Thanks Don Robert Darlington Hi all, Just a reminder that I'm going to place an order for the PICTIC PIC chips tonight for those in the USA that want them. The price is $10.00 for the first one, $2.50 for each additional, including shipping and programming. 1

Re: [time-nuts] Pictic II boards are here !

2010-07-28 Thread f1ehx
Please, for two pieces, how do I pay , for France ? Thanks Bernard. - Original Message - From: Stanley Reynolds stanley_reyno...@yahoo.com To: time-nuts@febo.com Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 12:08 AM Subject: [time-nuts] Pictic II boards are here ! Paypal to

Re: [time-nuts] Pictic II boards are here !

2010-07-27 Thread Bob Martinson
Board received 7/26/10, nice looking board, thanks for the order. Regards, Bob Martinson -Original Message- From: time-nuts-boun...@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-boun...@febo.com] On Behalf Of Stanley Reynolds Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 6:08 PM To: time-nuts@febo.com Subject: [time-nuts]

Re: [time-nuts] Pictic II boards are here !

2010-07-23 Thread Heathkid
Can someone please send me information on ordering programmed PICs? It seems I arrived at the Pictic II party a bit late (I really need a better clock) and digging back through all the messages has me lost. I've only recently joined time-nuts and searching archives isn't easy. Thank you so

Re: [time-nuts] Pictic II boards are here !

2010-07-21 Thread Peter Vince
Morning Stanley, Good news! As I mentioned before, I am happy to act as a UK Post Office if youl'd like to send all the UK-bound boards to me. I am collaborating with Ian Muir in Wales (Time Nut member Gonzo) on this project, so between us we would like five boards please. If you can let

Re: [time-nuts] Pictic II boards are here !

2010-07-21 Thread Stanley Reynolds
measurement time-nuts@febo.com Sent: Wed, July 21, 2010 3:39:54 AM Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Pictic II boards are here ! Morning Stanley,     Good news!  As I mentioned before, I am happy to act as a UK Post Office if youl'd like to send all the UK-bound boards to me.  I am collaborating with Ian Muir

Re: [time-nuts] Pictic II boards are here !

2010-07-21 Thread Lester Veenstra
So, do we now have available, an up to date (a moving target with Mouser, I acknowledge) parts list and stock numbers for correct resistors(trim), FETs, and ICs? Lester B Veenstra MØYCM K1YCM les...@veenstras.com m0...@veenstras.com k1...@veenstras.com   US Postal Address: PSC 45 Box 781 APO

Re: [time-nuts] Pictic II boards are here !

2010-07-20 Thread Stanley Reynolds
Picture of board here: www.n4iqt.com/stanley_reynolds/picticii/Picticboard001.JPG - Original Message From: Stanley Reynolds stanley_reyno...@yahoo.com To: time-nuts@febo.com Sent: Tue, July 20, 2010 5:08:22 PM Subject: [time-nuts] Pictic II boards are here ! Paypal to

Re: [time-nuts] Pictic II boards are here !

2010-07-20 Thread Stanley Reynolds
Corrected link to picture: www.n4iqt.com/picticii/Picticboard001.JPG   - Original Message From: Stanley Reynolds stanley_reyno...@yahoo.com To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement time-nuts@febo.com Sent: Tue, July 20, 2010 5:26:44 PM Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Pictic

Re: [time-nuts] Pictic II boards are here !

2010-07-20 Thread Robert Darlington
Cool board, Stanley. The PIC chips are in on my end and the plastic protective tubes I ordered came in today. I got these for mailing them out to the various folks that wanted a chip. Guys, I'm going to try to get them out this week. As I mentioned before, I'm leaving for Arizona this coming

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II parts from Mouser in da house!

2010-07-19 Thread Robert Darlington
All of the PICs I ordered came in on Friday (Mouser ships FAST!) so it's a matter of programming them and getting them out this week. Just an FYI guys, I'm leaving for southern Arizona for three weeks for work. If I don't get them out this week I will do my very best to get them out while I'm on

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II Parts from Mouser

2010-07-19 Thread Richard H McCorkle
The TS272CN is an acceptable substitute for the TS272ACN in the PICTIC II but as noted has a higher input offset voltage. This can be compensated for in the second stage by adjustment of the offset trimmer. I selected premium parts for temperature stability in the application. Sorry the

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II Parts - SOIC to PDIP Adaptor

2010-07-10 Thread Ed Palmer
Yes, they look like they should work. I have a few of item #380243138677 that I bought a while back. As long as C9 is low enough or is bent out of the way they should work. Item #330436763629 is interesting. The trace lengths will be shorter than the above adapters. Item # 250661866947

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II Parts - SOIC to PDIP Adaptor

2010-07-10 Thread Hal Murray
stanley_reyno...@yahoo.com said: No, the ebay item 180460919851 looks correct, data sheet for 74ac175 has the same pin out for all packages I agree that that one should work. Anybody interested in this mess who hasn't yet looked at it should check out the back half of that ebay page in case

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II Parts at Mouser

2010-07-10 Thread Ed Palmer
I see that the 74AC175 in the Mouser project has now morphed to a 75AC*T*175. Was that substitution intentional? I think it should be okay, just wanted to check. (What? Paranoid? Who said that?!) Ed Richard H McCorkle wrote: Time-Nuts, When the PICTIC was first developed a number of

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II Parts at Mouser

2010-07-10 Thread Bob Camp
Hi There's been a thread on the 175. It's both the wrong logic level and package. The good news is that you can buy it. The other parts are obsolete. Bob Sent from my iPhone On Jul 10, 2010, at 4:56 PM, Ed Palmer ed_pal...@sasktel.net wrote: I see that the 74AC175 in the Mouser project has

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II Programmed 16f688 chips

2010-07-10 Thread EB4APL
Hello, I has been reviewing some info about PIC programmers, since I agree with other list members that a cheap PIC programmer is more convenient than sending PICs forth and back, taking in account that probably new versions of the firmware will appear soon. My main programmer is a China made

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II Programmed 16f688 chips

2010-07-10 Thread Robert Darlington
Hi guys, For those of you that are having me pick up the PIC and program it and send it out,please feel free to go through Ignacio if you want or cancel the order if you want to program them yourself. I haven't bought anything yet so it's definitely not a problem on my end if you'd rather get a

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II Parts at Mouser

2010-07-09 Thread Stanley Reynolds
I was thinking of using a 74F175 not as fast uses more power but I have it. Stanley snip 7) The 74AC175 is un-obtanium in a PDIP package the project shows a 74ACT SOIC version, you'll have to kludge it on to the board Logic levels on the clock may impact accuracy (but probably won't). snip

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II Parts at Mouser

2010-07-09 Thread Bob Camp
Hi The 74F175 is in stock at Mouser. I'll let Rich decide if it's good enough. Bob Sent from my iPhone On Jul 9, 2010, at 5:16 PM, Stanley Reynolds stanley_reyno...@yahoo.com wrote: I was thinking of using a 74F175 not as fast uses more power but I have it. Stanley snip 7) The

Re: [time-nuts] PICTIC II Parts at Mouser

2010-07-09 Thread Richard H McCorkle
Time-Nuts, When the PICTIC was first developed a number of front-end designs were evaluated with the 74AC175 providing the best characteristics, size, and speed in a DIP format. When the PICTIC was released in 2008 the 74AC175PC was in full production, but by the time the PICTIC II with the diode

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