Re: [time-nuts] Number of GPS sats in the sky?

2015-07-10 Thread Chris Hoffman
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?Do=constellationStatus
http://www.gps.gov/systems/gps/space/

IIRC: 6 planes, 6 slots each, so 36 to cover the sphere, and the GPS
aperture is big (high orbits) so guess up to 1/2 of the constellation could
ever be in view (... yeah, right): 18?

On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:54 AM, Bob Stewart b...@evoria.net wrote:

 Is there a practical limit to the number of GPS sats overhead at any one
 time? I ask this because I'd like to start parsing this info from my ublox
 receiver and need to setup an array for the values.  Memory is not
 unlimited on my PIC.

 Bob - AE6RV

 ___
 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.




-- 
/ch
KG60 atsin arrl dot net
___
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.


Re: [time-nuts] What's the easiest way to divide by 10 for Thunderbolt reference output?

2012-07-24 Thread Chris Hoffman, KG6O
John,

That's interesting to me. What exactly are the actual structural limitations of 
[that] pic?

-CH

On Jul 24, 2012, at 7:55, John Ackermann N8UR j...@febo.com wrote:

 Unfortunately, the TAPR T2-Mini divider 
 (http://www.tapr.org/kits_t2-mini.html) can't quite get to 1 MHz from 10 MHz 
 with the PIC divider chip due to limitations in the chip architecture.
 
 However, nothing says you couldn't dead bug in a decade divider chip in 
 place of the PIC, and let the T2-Mini provide the input conditioning, output 
 driver, voltage regulation, connectorization, etc. for you, making it much a 
 smaller project.
 
 John
 
 
 On 7/24/2012 8:18 AM, Chris Wilson wrote:
 
 
   24/07/2012 13:14
 
 My Racal Dana 9908 can take a 1 Mhz external reference. Inputting my
 Thunderbolt at 10 MHz works, but shifts the decimal point over. I am
 not sure if this has any other detrimental effects as to accuracy or
 other? What's the easiest way to have a 1 MHz reference from the
 Thunderbolt for this timer / counter please, yet retaining 10 Mhz for
 my other devices that want a 10MHz reference signal?  Thanks.
 
 
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.

___
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.


Re: [time-nuts] Timing Health Monitoring

2012-07-19 Thread Chris Hoffman
Richard,

This paper is fascinating to me. I finally understand how the TMDE/Metrology 
lab to which I continually sent my measurement equipment for calibration was so 
important. 

Looking back, I recall something that looked exactly like an FMS rack shown in 
the paper! It was accompanied by a make-shift cubicle with walls of HP and 
Marconi gear in various states... and a sweet, aged, bearded geek with 
trifocals... 

It's telling, I think, that the first FMS was built on an Apple II.

 
-CH

Chris Hoffman
cq.k...@gmail.com
http://ar.ctur.us




On Jul 18, 2012, at 7:00 PM, Richard H McCorkle wrote:

 Chris,
 If you have multiple standards to monitor (or may have in the future)
 you might consider building a small version of the NIST FMAS board
 described in http://tf.nist.gov/general/pdf/1950.pdf to keep track
 of them.
 
 Richard
 
 
 What advice does anyone have on building/finding cheap [visual?] comparison 
 devices
 to display or detect a timing [lesajo?] from my 10MHz sine wave ports?
 
 Further, what timing/health metrics could/should I be aware of and/or 
 looking for?
 
 I do not want to spend good money on another oscillicope if I can help it, 
 but I do
 want to see, or at least be remotely  aware of clock slips/walks and other
 anomalies. I am thinking about building an embedded system to automate 
 monitoring,
 configuration, and alerts... perhaps using an Arduino.
 
 -CH
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.
 
 
 
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.

___
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.


[time-nuts] Zero-Crossing Detector Design?

2012-07-19 Thread Chris Hoffman
Can anyone suggest a good reference design for a zero-crossing detector? I am 
trying to home an ADC sampler trigger to the 1VRMS (50ohm) 10MHz sin from my 
XL-DC... And now I'm thinking that I should just home the uC clock to it, as 
well.

Essentially, I believe that I'm looking for an efficient, stable, and accurate 
sine-to-square converter... and I'll welcome any advice in this area. 

This may also be used in a 1KHz 5Vpp IRIG-B decoder... I don't feel like 
rectifying the signal, to be honest. I want to try to keep a smaller BOM, sense 
the waveform primarily, and crunch numbers inside the uC. 


-CH

Chris Hoffman
cq.k...@gmail.com
http://ar.ctur.us




___
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] Trimble Mini-T end of life

2012-07-19 Thread Chris Hoffman
How about a couple of buffers for counting external (opto-isolated) pulses or 
sines? A 1 to 5Vpp range might do it, maybe with a sensitivity north of 100MHz?


-CH

Chris Hoffman
cq.k...@gmail.com
http://ar.ctur.us




On Jul 19, 2012, at 12:15 AM, saidj...@aol.com wrote:

 Hello everyone,
 
 please send suggestions for the following new product we are working  on:
 
 Trimble recently announced that the Mini-T is end of life, and is giving a  
 last time buy of August 1st 2012. It does not seem that Trimble plans to 
 offer a  replacement unit. The Mini-t enjoyed a relatively short lifetime, 
 and 
 it  seems Trimble has left it's customers hanging in the air, as when it  
 discontinued the Thunderbolt some time ago.
 
 Jackson Labs Tech is in the process of designing a replacement unit  for 
 the Mini-T that customers will be able to use as a direct replacement so  
 that 
 they don't have to order more units than they need and don't have to cancel 
 running projects, but this unit will have much higher performance and  
 significantly more features and options to chose from. Availability  of 
 evaluation units is early next month, and it will not be  discontinued as 
 long as 
 there is demand.
 
 There is still a window of opportunity to suggest added  useful features, 
 so please do send your suggestions to me as to  what you would like to see in 
 a perfect Mini-T replacement unit. We  will consider all reasonable 
 suggestions and requests.
 
 Thanks much in advance,
 Said
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.

___
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.


Re: [time-nuts] Zero-Crossing Detector Design?

2012-07-19 Thread Chris Hoffman, KG6O
Thank you, Azelio! I don't suppose there's an impromptu FAQ page out there, is 
there?

-CH

On Jul 19, 2012, at 11:58, Azelio Boriani azelio.bori...@screen.it wrote:

 This is sort of a FAQ: the argument was already discussed here. One of the
 most interesting idea (in my opinion) is to use an RS485 line receiver like
 the ST3485, MAX483, ADM485. They are actually transceivers so they must be
 tied permanently in RX. Since they are differential you can also put a 1:1
 (or a 1:4 to raise the level) transformer to isolate the input too.
 
 On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 6:03 PM, Chris Hoffman cq.k...@gmail.com wrote:
 
 Can anyone suggest a good reference design for a zero-crossing detector? I
 am trying to home an ADC sampler trigger to the 1VRMS (50ohm) 10MHz sin
 from my XL-DC... And now I'm thinking that I should just home the uC clock
 to it, as well.
 
 Essentially, I believe that I'm looking for an efficient, stable, and
 accurate sine-to-square converter... and I'll welcome any advice in this
 area.
 
 This may also be used in a 1KHz 5Vpp IRIG-B decoder... I don't feel like
 rectifying the signal, to be honest. I want to try to keep a smaller BOM,
 sense the waveform primarily, and crunch numbers inside the uC.
 
 
 -CH
 
 Chris Hoffman
 cq.k...@gmail.com
 http://ar.ctur.us
 
 
 
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to
 https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.

___
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] Zero-Crossing Detector Design?

2012-07-19 Thread Chris Hoffman, KG6O
Actually, I being new to the list, I do not feel I the correct verbiage. That 
said, I will do better on keeping the noise down. Again, my thanks.

-CH

On Jul 19, 2012, at 12:23, paul swed paulsw...@gmail.com wrote:

 you can search time-nuts there has been a number of very good discussions
 on this.
 Sorry to say how you search is equally a good question.
 
 On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 3:19 PM, Chris Hoffman, KG6O cq.k...@gmail.comwrote:
 
 Thank you, Azelio! I don't suppose there's an impromptu FAQ page out
 there, is there?
 
 -CH
 
 On Jul 19, 2012, at 11:58, Azelio Boriani azelio.bori...@screen.it
 wrote:
 
 This is sort of a FAQ: the argument was already discussed here. One of
 the
 most interesting idea (in my opinion) is to use an RS485 line receiver
 like
 the ST3485, MAX483, ADM485. They are actually transceivers so they must
 be
 tied permanently in RX. Since they are differential you can also put a
 1:1
 (or a 1:4 to raise the level) transformer to isolate the input too.
 
 On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 6:03 PM, Chris Hoffman cq.k...@gmail.com
 wrote:
 
 Can anyone suggest a good reference design for a zero-crossing
 detector? I
 am trying to home an ADC sampler trigger to the 1VRMS (50ohm) 10MHz sin
 from my XL-DC... And now I'm thinking that I should just home the uC
 clock
 to it, as well.
 
 Essentially, I believe that I'm looking for an efficient, stable, and
 accurate sine-to-square converter... and I'll welcome any advice in this
 area.
 
 This may also be used in a 1KHz 5Vpp IRIG-B decoder... I don't feel like
 rectifying the signal, to be honest. I want to try to keep a smaller
 BOM,
 sense the waveform primarily, and crunch numbers inside the uC.
 
 
 -CH
 
 Chris Hoffman
 cq.k...@gmail.com
 http://ar.ctur.us
 
 
 
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to
 https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to
 https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to
 https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.

___
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] Zero-Crossing Detector Design?

2012-07-19 Thread Chris Hoffman, KG6O
Thank you, Bruce!!! That is exactly the information I was looking for. I 
sincerely appreciate the help.

-CH

On Jul 19, 2012, at 12:47, Bruce Griffiths bruce.griffi...@xtra.co.nz wrote:

 The problem of optimal zero crossing detector design was essentially solved 
 by Oliver Collins in the 1990's.
 Essentially a series of cascaded limiter stages with appropriate gain and 
 bandwidth distribution are used.
 With a 10MHz 1V rms signal only 2-3 stages suffices.
 However unless you need fs jitter less complex zero crossing detectors should 
 suffice.
 
 1) a comparator (or line receiver) based design should achieve sub 10ps 
 jitter.
 
 2) AC coupling to the input of a CMOS (AC04, AHC04 LVC04) should achieve a 
 jitter of 1ps or less
 
 3) A simple differential pair with AC coupled emitters (reduces asymmetry due 
 to component tolerances ) is capable of sub ps jitter.
 
 There is a spreadsheet to assist design of Collins style zero crossing 
 detectors at:
 
 http://www.ko4bb.com/~bruce/ZeroCrossingDetectors.html 
 http://www.ko4bb.com/%7Ebruce/ZeroCrossingDetectors.html
 
 Bruce
 
 
 paul swed wrote:
 you can search time-nuts there has been a number of very good discussions
 on this.
 Sorry to say how you search is equally a good question.
 
 On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 3:19 PM, Chris Hoffman, KG6Ocq.k...@gmail.comwrote:
 
   
 Thank you, Azelio! I don't suppose there's an impromptu FAQ page out
 there, is there?
 
 -CH
 
 On Jul 19, 2012, at 11:58, Azelio Borianiazelio.bori...@screen.it
 wrote:
 
 
 This is sort of a FAQ: the argument was already discussed here. One of
   
 the
 
 most interesting idea (in my opinion) is to use an RS485 line receiver
   
 like
 
 the ST3485, MAX483, ADM485. They are actually transceivers so they must
   
 be
 
 tied permanently in RX. Since they are differential you can also put a
   
 1:1
 
 (or a 1:4 to raise the level) transformer to isolate the input too.
 
 On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 6:03 PM, Chris Hoffmancq.k...@gmail.com
   
 wrote:
 
   
 Can anyone suggest a good reference design for a zero-crossing
 
 detector? I
 
 am trying to home an ADC sampler trigger to the 1VRMS (50ohm) 10MHz sin
 from my XL-DC... And now I'm thinking that I should just home the uC
 
 clock
 
 to it, as well.
 
 Essentially, I believe that I'm looking for an efficient, stable, and
 accurate sine-to-square converter... and I'll welcome any advice in this
 area.
 
 This may also be used in a 1KHz 5Vpp IRIG-B decoder... I don't feel like
 rectifying the signal, to be honest. I want to try to keep a smaller
 
 BOM,
 
 sense the waveform primarily, and crunch numbers inside the uC.
 
 
 -CH
 
 Chris Hoffman
 cq.k...@gmail.com
 http://ar.ctur.us
 
 
 
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to
 https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.
 
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to
   
 https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 
 and follow the instructions there.
   
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to
 https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.
 
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.
 
   
 
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.

___
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.


Re: [time-nuts] Timing Health Monitoring

2012-07-19 Thread Chris Hoffman, KG6O
Ah! The very height of elegance in a good design [imho] : no upgrade needed.

-CH

On Jul 19, 2012, at 12:40, Magnus Danielson mag...@rubidium.dyndns.org wrote:

 On 07/19/2012 05:48 PM, Chris Hoffman wrote:
 Richard,
 
 This paper is fascinating to me. I finally understand how the TMDE/Metrology 
 lab to which I continually sent my measurement equipment for calibration was 
 so important.
 
 Looking back, I recall something that looked exactly like an FMS rack shown 
 in the paper! It was accompanied by a make-shift cubicle with walls of HP 
 and Marconi gear in various states... and a sweet, aged, bearded geek with 
 trifocals...
 
 It's telling, I think, that the first FMS was built on an Apple II.
 
 The NIST time-scale algorithm was run on a PDP-8 with 5kWord memory. It used 
 to run on a pair of AT machines, but they have upgraded to a pair of 386s 
 now. Every 12 min they will execute for 40 s and then go back to idle 
 waiting. Processing-wise, there is no need to get more modern machines.
 
 Can't recall seeing that paper, so thanks for the reference. Had a nice chat 
 with one of the techs dealing with those services. Very nice folks!
 
 Cheers,
 Magnus
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.

___
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.


Re: [time-nuts] time-nuts Digest, Vol 96, Issue 70

2012-07-17 Thread Chris Hoffman, KG6O
Wow! Great info.

The 5v mag mount antennae are working, but the receivers are cycling between 
2-D and 3-D (5 or 6-bird) modes. With the 26dB trimbles, I suspect I'm loosing 
~5db in the 30ft of crumby RG-5, and a little pattern with my rain-gutter 
backplane. 

I don't have too much arial obstruction, but that's no excuse from overkill: 
I'll be on the lookout for 26- or 40[?!?]-dB cones. 

Does anyone have a Lucent part number available?

-CH

On Jul 17, 2012, at 5:00, time-nuts-requ...@febo.com wrote:

 Send time-nuts mailing list submissions to
time-nuts@febo.com
 
 To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
time-nuts-requ...@febo.com
 
 You can reach the person managing the list at
time-nuts-ow...@febo.com
 
 When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
 than Re: Contents of time-nuts digest...
 
 
 Today's Topics:
 
   1. Re: XL-DC Antenna Requirements (Tom Knox)
   2. Re: XL-DC Antenna Requirements (Bob Martin)
 
 
 --
 
 Message: 1
 Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:11:59 -0600
 From: Tom Knox act...@hotmail.com
 To: Time-Nuts time-nuts@febo.com
 Subject: Re: [time-nuts] XL-DC Antenna Requirements
 Message-ID: bay162-w4046e629af83f1d3bded81df...@phx.gbl
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
 
 
 Hi Chris;
 There were a number of XL-DC produced with 12vdc antenna power and should be 
 marked near the connector. There are also some marked Down converter 
 required. Other then then those the 58532A is a great choice andf sold under 
 a number of names such as VIC-100, the Lucent antennas are also nice. The 
 lucent are available in three gains 20, 26, 40 dB version. Most are the 26dB 
 version and are a great product. Placement can be important, and although you 
 could use indoors it will perform best as low as possible with a full view of 
 the sky. (Low to avoid terrestrial interference).
 
 Thomas Knox
 
 
 
 Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:50:02 +0200
 From: azelio.bori...@screen.it
 To: time-nuts@febo.com
 Subject: Re: [time-nuts] XL-DC Antenna Requirements
 
 The XL-DC is a 6 channels receiver, so no other benefit other than a
 greater probability to see constantly 6 satellites is gained from 24 to 32
 satellites constellation.
 
 On Mon, Jul 16, 2012 at 11:59 PM, Chris Hoffman cq.k...@gmail.com wrote:
 
 All,
 
 Though somewhat outmoded, looking forward to starting my own time shop
 with two XL-DC controllers that I have been lucky enough to pick up
 recently.
 
 My question: Do I really need to invest in the likes of the HP 58532A
 antennae, or will my surplus Trimble magnetic antennae -- magnetically
 attached to a random ferrous backplane -- do?
 
 I guess what I am really asking: what are the relevant antenna design
 requirements here, and does the advent of as 32-satellite-constellation
 have any effect upon the antenna choice (i.e. design downgrade) for the
 TrueTime XL-DC?
 
 -CH
 
 Chris Hoffman
 cq.k...@gmail.com
 http://ar.ctur.us
 
 
 
 
 
 
 -CH
 
 Chris Hoffman
 cq.k...@gmail.com
 http://ar.ctur.us
 
 
 
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to
 https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.
 
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.
 
 
 --
 
 Message: 2
 Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:02:49 -0700
 From: Bob Martin k6...@comcast.net
 To: time-nuts@febo.com
 Subject: Re: [time-nuts] XL-DC Antenna Requirements
 Message-ID: 8dbef16d-ce19-4088-9347-458c02a53...@comcast.net
 Content-Type: text/plain;charset=us-ascii
 
 Chris--
 
 The 58532A is somewhat higher gain (30dBi or better) than most mag-mount 
 antennas (26dBi typ IIRC).  The pointy nature of the 58532A also serves as an 
 avian deterrent, reducing the accumulation of attenuating deposits...
 
 Running two receivers, I would highly recommend a real GPS distribution amp 
 such as the 58535A.  Such a beast will let you run both receivers from one 
 antenna, while providing isolation between the receivers.  I just happen to 
 have one handy, having recently pulled it out of service and replaced it with 
 a 4-port model to better support my time-nuttiness.  Contact me off list if 
 you would be interested.
 
 73 Bob k6...@arrl.net
 
 
 On Jul 16, 2012, at 16:01, time-nuts-requ...@febo.com wrote:
 
 Message: 1
 Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:59:52 -0700
 From: Chris Hoffman cq.k...@gmail.com
 To: time-nuts@febo.com
 Subject: [time-nuts] XL-DC Antenna Requirements
 Message-ID: 0208b173-9f7b-49b9-ae83-ee231ebba...@gmail.com
 Content-Type: text/plain;charset=us

[time-nuts] Timing Health Monitoring

2012-07-17 Thread Chris Hoffman, KG6O
What advice does anyone have on building/finding cheap [visual?] comparison 
devices to display or detect a timing [lesajo?] from my 10MHz sine wave ports? 

Further, what timing/health metrics could/should I be aware of and/or looking 
for?

I do not want to spend good money on another oscillicope if I can help it, but 
I do want to see, or at least be remotely  aware of clock slips/walks and other 
anomalies. I am thinking about building an embedded system to automate 
monitoring, configuration, and alerts... perhaps using an Arduino.

-CH
___
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] Timing Health Monitoring

2012-07-17 Thread Chris Hoffman
Mr. Sproul: I really like your solution! Do you mind emailing me code and 
schematics?

Bob, you right: I should be watching slips with a PPS-actuated buffer. For now, 
I don't have the resources for a ready-made dual-input counter, but the 
strangest/best things seem to show up at the flea market when I'm least 
expecting them ;) For now, I will be conducting research on integrating a 
rudimentary counter on top of Mr. Sproul's design.

Chris: It should be no issue to take your comparator and 'tape' an A/D pin to 
it for digital monitoring, either (I'm not sure how Bob's design is 
implemented, but it appears roughly equivalent). Do you have any examples I 
should be looking for?

-CH

Chris Hoffman
cq.k...@gmail.com
http://ar.ctur.us




On Jul 17, 2012, at 11:51 AM, MSproul wrote:

 
 On Jul 17, 2012, at 11:09 AM, Chris Hoffman, KG6O wrote:
 
 
 What advice does anyone have on building/finding cheap [visual?] comparison 
 devices to display or detect a timing [lesajo?] from my 10MHz sine wave 
 ports?
 I am thinking about building an embedded system to automate monitoring, 
 configuration, and alerts... perhaps using an Arduino.
 
 -CH__
 
 
 
 
 
 Hi Chris
 I am doing what you are asking about. I have built a Frequency Comparator 
 that compare two10 MHz
 square waves but would probably work with sine waves. I am using a Digilent. 
 Inc. chipKIT Uno32.
 
  
 http://digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,892,893Prod=CHIPKIT-UNO32.
 
 This board is comparable to the Arduino and most of the shields for the 
 Arduino will work with the chipKIT.
 To program the chipKIT requires the Mpide program from Digilent. The program 
 is free (from the above site)
 AND will program both the Arduino and chipKIT, just select the proper option. 
 No change in source code is required
 to compile for the Arduino or chipKIT. The program looks just like the one 
 from Arduino.
 
 The attached photo shows the display of my comparator.
 
 The first line is the name of the source code
 The second line is error between reference and Device under Test and whether 
 the DUT is high or low
 The third line is current time between cycle slips
 The fourth line is the current error and is continually updated during a 
 cycle slip
 
 The LEDs at the top give a visual presentation of the cycle slips: 
 Left-moving - DUT is LOW.,
 right-moving - the DUT is HIGH
 
 The hardware only requires 6 ICs plus LEDs and a few passive parts.
 
 The program is not finished yet. I still have to do some long-term testing 
 and some minor 'tweaking
 but does what I want.
 
 It is very interesting to watch an oscillator from a cold start. The lights 
 will race one direction, slow down,
 stop, then race the other direction until it finally slows down and stops.
 
 M. L. Sproul, W5UGQ
 Amarillo, TX
 mspr...@suddenlink.net
 
 FreqComp.JPG

___
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.


[time-nuts] XL-DC Antenna Requirements

2012-07-16 Thread Chris Hoffman
All,

Though somewhat outmoded, looking forward to starting my own time shop with two 
XL-DC controllers that I have been lucky enough to pick up recently. 

My question: Do I really need to invest in the likes of the HP 58532A antennae, 
or will my surplus Trimble magnetic antennae -- magnetically attached to a 
random ferrous backplane -- do? 

I guess what I am really asking: what are the relevant antenna design 
requirements here, and does the advent of as 32-satellite-constellation have 
any effect upon the antenna choice (i.e. design downgrade) for the TrueTime 
XL-DC? 

-CH

Chris Hoffman
cq.k...@gmail.com
http://ar.ctur.us






-CH

Chris Hoffman
cq.k...@gmail.com
http://ar.ctur.us




___
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.