Difference between revisions of "Anchor"

From Hackstrich
m (I2C fix.)
(LCD pondering/research.)
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*** Analog/PWM
 
*** Analog/PWM
 
**** Output drive (to op-amp)
 
**** Output drive (to op-amp)
* An LCD would be cool to plot the response of load variations without a PC (transient response, current limits, etc.)
+
* Want a graphical LCD for the output/UI, and the PIC chosen will drive a nice TFT
** Could use a simple [http://www.sparkfun.com/products/710 STN monochrome panel], would be cheap and work well
+
** WQVGA is a nice size, can get a menu/buttons on the side and still have room for the info display
** Could alternatively use a [http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8624 touchscreen OLED], would be expensive but look ''really cool''
+
** Likely still want the critical UI bits to be physical controls (current/voltage mode/setting)
** Middle ground would be a [http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10089 touchscreen LCD], which would be not-crazy-expensive and still look pretty cool
+
** Could use the [http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8335 SparkFun 24-bit PSP LCD] (~$30 without touch, ~$55 with touch)
** With any of these options, want the critical UI bits to be physical controls (current/voltage mode/setting)
+
** The [http://ca.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Newhaven-Display/NHD-43-480272MF-ATXI-T-1/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvkC18yXH9iIh1DSVlmwX%2f6zmg5hbQkdt0%3d Newhaven NHD-43-480272MF-ATXI-T-1] from Mouser may be a better option, cheaper and more likely to be available long-term
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[[Category:Current Projects]]
 
[[Category:Current Projects]]
 
[[Category:Status/Waiting for Time]]
 
[[Category:Status/Waiting for Time]]

Revision as of 00:44, 25 December 2010

Anchor will be an electronic current/voltage sink, for testing/characterizing power supplies and other similar tasks.

  • Desired features/specs:
    • Constant current and constant voltage options
      • Maybe constant power too?
    • Ramp-up/down automatically and track outputs
    • Pulse load to test transient response
    • 5A/100V maximums
      • 500W dissipation in a FET is a bit nuts, so it won't be 5A *at* 100V
      • 100W continuous, 500W pulse might be reasonable? Would be nice anyway.
    • Some kind of computer interface for more complicated tests/more detailed data analysis
      • USB would be easy to implement
      • Ethernet could be cool, but that seems overkill here
      • GPIB would be the traditional choice for test gear, but I've never done any work with it
  • PIC24FJ256DA210 will be used as it has all the graphics/LCD drive/acceleration built in to enable a nice colour TFT display
    • Inputs
      • Digital
        • Load On/Off
        • CC/CV mode?
        • 2 for UI quadrature encoder
      • MCU-integrated 10-bit ADC
        • Heatsink temperature
        • UI pot (if used)
      • I2C
        • LTC2453 I2C 16-bit ADC for current and voltage measurement
    • Outputs
      • Digital
        • 1 for a CC/CV mode relay (if required)
      • Analog/PWM
        • Output drive (to op-amp)
  • Want a graphical LCD for the output/UI, and the PIC chosen will drive a nice TFT
    • WQVGA is a nice size, can get a menu/buttons on the side and still have room for the info display
    • Likely still want the critical UI bits to be physical controls (current/voltage mode/setting)
    • Could use the SparkFun 24-bit PSP LCD (~$30 without touch, ~$55 with touch)
    • The Newhaven NHD-43-480272MF-ATXI-T-1 from Mouser may be a better option, cheaper and more likely to be available long-term