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[CLaNZeR]

I started this thread over the weekend and it got expanded abit, but it got lost when the server had to be restored
MrMamos gave me alot of feedback and started making the PCB's to try it out.

Basiclly it just stated that due to the feedback I have re-designed the Micro Processor Pulse controller to be modular and you can see the protoype below.

You now have a Main Board that controls the communications back and forth from the PC and also programs each Modules Processor.

A max of 8 modules can be attached and each module has a Fet and a Opto Sensor attached. This is now controlled via a dedicated Pic Processor and also monitors all of the other 8 opto inputs.

I have updated http://www.overunity.org.uk with more details.

This week I am working on the Pic Code and windows App and will release details when done.

(http://www.overunity.org.uk/protv4.jpg)

Regards

Sean.

[CLaNZeR]

Find below the PCB layouts:

Managed to keep them single sided with a lot of wire links, but this should make it easier for people to make.

(http://www.overunity.org.uk/72dpiOverlaypulsemotorv4.jpg)

(http://www.overunity.org.uk/72dpiPCBpulsemotorv4.jpg)

I will release the Hi-Res images as soon as it is all tested.

Regards

Sean.

[CLaNZeR]

Excellent mate, I made the tracks and pads a bit bigger than usual and avoided running tracks between pads, as know what a pain it can be when etching your own PCB's.

Shame the post did disappear as we covered a fair bit on the pin configs and stuff, but I have updated the pages at my site, just in case they go again.

Be good to see any pictures you got.

Regards

Sean.

[CLaNZeR]

Nice clean etching
What are you using for developing?, very impressed must admit.

CNCDuDeZ is my site, started as a hobby but did not expect the demand to be so high, so knocked it on the head, so I could concentrate on doing stupid stuff looking for OU LOL
I will try to get back to it, when I have got this stage of my life out of the way LOL

Must admit it is handy letting the CNC machine do the drilling, it does not do a bad job of tracing the PCB's out either, but I have to order some more fine bits, hence back to the etching at the moment.

I use the Mplabs/Mpasm compiler with Pic basic as the PBP compiler does not support the new 18F chips yet.It is handy when programming the new USB chips.

The 15Pin DB's are RC's so yep two rows as easier to layup again.

Did not get time to work on code tonight, as the guys dragged me out for a bit of food and a few drinks, but tomorrow night I will crack on.

Regards

Sean.

[CLaNZeR]

Hi Mike

What do you mean picture paper and Iron on?
I have used that blue Iron on paper before but must it admit it was a nightmare.

I just print out on clear laser acitate and expose with lightbox.
I messed around for years using different developers and caustic Soda but now find the seno applicators the best.

http://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?kw=34-0065&tier1=Tools%2c+Fasteners+%26+Production+Equipment&tier2=PCB+Equipment&tier3=Etching&tier4=Seno+PCB+applicators&moduleno=29438

Regards the machine, I may have parts for a frame and set of motors but probably not the  controller box. Would love to help you out in the future, but at the moment I find it hard to find 5 minutes when back home at the weekends as it is. I am planning to have a months break in about 6 weeks time, where I will then be able to catch up on stuff back home and maybe help you out.

I have plenty of carbide bits, but thanks for the offer. The ones I use when tracing out PCB's are really fine point and expensive, which is not good when you snap one grrrrrrrr LOL

Will be staying in hotel room tonight and not going out, so will crack on with the code so hopefully can try it out at the weekend. Then the boring task of making another 7 module boards so I can test it all with them all connected!!

Regards

Sean.

[CLaNZeR]

Only drawing up the PCB's while in the hotel room, not making them LOL!!!
Dun't think I would get all those chemicals through Airport Security!!!

I work away from home 5 days a week on short term contracts, so tend to move around a bit, which is a pain as cannot do anything until I get home at weekends, if it involves using my workshop

I did the Windows Configuration Software last night and have placed some screen shots below, can you think of any other configuration that may need adding?

(http://www.overunity.org.uk/ver4mainshot.jpg)

(http://www.overunity.org.uk/ver4moduleshot.jpg)

Each Module has a Tab and can be programmed individually as above.

Regards

Sean.

[CLaNZeR]

Hi Mike

Well managed to get a few hours testing out the Pic Code and Circuit today.

There is a couple of Mods need doing to the PCB's, but apart from that the communication between PC and first Pic on the Main Board is working great and also the Communication Between Pic1 on Main Board and Pic 2 on Module 1 is also now spot on and behaving.

The Two mods are on the picture below.

1.) You will need to cross over the Links for the TX and RX lines for Pic Chip on main module. Cannot beleive I got that wrong after double checking god know how many times LOL, but lucky there are links there, will modify the release PCB with Fix.

2.) I am using serial comms at 9600 Baud between the Main Board Pic Chip and Module Pic Chips.
 One line needs a 4K7 Pull up resistor added. So simply solder under the Module Board a 4K7 Resistor between Pin18 of the Pic on each Module Board and 5Volts line which is Pin 14 on the Pic Chip.

Running out of time again this end, as usual never enough time over the weekend, but should be able to get it finished this week over a couple of evenings.

(http://www.overunity.org.uk/MODforV4.jpg)

Cheers

Sean.


 

[CLaNZeR]

Yep just pop a resistor on the module board between Pin18 and Pin14 on the Pic Chip. Pin 14 is 5 volts.

Was thinking what you said about using the circuit also as a Pulse generator and all anyone would have to do is put a link in place of the Opto Sensor and then the Pic will just use the Trigger delay and Pulse Width to generate a permant Clock signal.

The timing at the moment is in Milliseconds but we can drop that down to Microseconds for people wanting more scope and faster pulses. With a 20mhz crystal this means we can get right down to 3US as a minimun pulse delay.

Regards

Sean.

[CLaNZeR]

Right, getting there atlast after a weekend of De-Bugging the Pic Code and windows Application.

Find below a link to a Zip file that contains the modified PCB layouts with overlays showing connections for coil and opto switches, Hex files for the Pic Chips and the Windows application.

http://www.overunity.org.uk/PulseControllerVer4.zip

I pretty pleased with this and so far the Pot and Manual Delay options work good, I have not implemented the Variant delays yet but will do at a later date. Also the Rev counter routine needs finishing off.

Any feedback always welcome as usual and will update the website when I get a minute.

(http://www.overunity.org.uk/version4.jpg)

Regards

Sean.

[CLaNZeR]

Looking good.  Rounding up parts now as it looks like something to play with this week.  I will probably ribbon cable the two boards for now.  As I have PCB DB15 males and no females.  Will look in garage.  Maybe I will find some.

Boards are tinned, drilled.  Have all but the MAX233 I think..

Excellent Mike!

I do not think you will be dissapointed, it works pretty good, but as usual until it is used in anger we will not know all the bugs.

I am really pleased you suggested the point of using as a pulse generator, I have left the code in the main chip controlling the LED when in Run mode and everytime the Fet is taken high or low the LED either lights or does not, this gives a nice Visual idea of what is going on. I will add the option later to disable this and hence save power or using the main chip to feed data back for the Rev Counter. I have nearly got the routine off for this one, but getting irregular results while testing.
I still want to try out the idea of pulsing a Magnet with a certain frequency to turn it on or off and I reckon this will work great for that experiment also.

I was really surprised the pots worked as well as they do and a variable pulse can be achieved very simply by turning these with a screw driver for tweaking. Again the visual of the LED shows this, without having to get out the scope, of course at higher speeds this will be needed.

I have changed course with the pulse motor for now and am going to try and pulse a very low power solenoid that I have attached to a magnet on a slider, rather than going for the back EMF collection for now.
As you know it takes very little movement by hand with a magnet pointing towards a wheel loaded with magnets to get it spinning. So the theory is that 3mm of movement will be enough, no dought I will see!!!!

(http://www.overunity.org.uk/solenoid1.jpg)

If you get stuck for any parts, PM me and I can post over.

Cheers

Sean.