el

ute THE Noll MAGAZINE FOR ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY áCOMPUTER PROJECTS

t--EVERYDAY*

CAR
COMPUTER
Electronic
log book
GPS TO PIC
AND PC
Interfacing GPS
handsets

PIC WATERING
TIMER
Versatile
automatic time
PLUS
TEACH- IN 2004
Part 3 - Clonik1VIPS 1770262 61126

http://vvvvvv.epemag.wimborne.co.uk
 Colour CCTV camera. 8mm Small transmitter designed to transmit THE TIDE CLOCK. These clocks
lens. 12V d.c. 200mA audio and video signals on 2.4GHz. Unit indicate the state of the tide. Most
582x628 Resolution 380 measures 45 x 35 x 10mm. Ideal for areas in the world have two high
lines Automatic aperture assembly into covert CCTV systems tides and two low tides a day. so
lens Mirror function PAL Easy connect leads Audio and video the tide clock has been specially
Back Light Compensation input 12V d.c. Complete with aerial designed to rotate twice each
MLR. 100x40x4Ornm. Selectable channel switch £ 30. Ref EE19 lunar day ( every 12 hours and 25
Ref EE2 £69 minutes) giving you a quick and
2.4GHz wireless receiver Fully cased easy indication of high and low
audio and video 2.4GHz wireless water. The Quartz tide clock will
Built-in Audio . 15Iux CCD camera 12V receiver 190x140x3Omm, metal case. 4 always stay calibrated to the
d.c. 200mA 480 lines sin ratio >48db channel. 12V d.c. Adjustable time moon. £21 REF TIDEC
1V P- P output 110mm x60mm x50mm. delay. 4s. 8s. 12s. 16s. £ 45. Ref EE20
Ref EEI £99

The smallest PMR446 radios currently

available ( 54x87x37mm).These tiny
handheld PMFI radios not only look great.
Metal CCTV camera but they are user friendly & packed with
housings for internal or features including VOX, Scan & Dual Watch.
external use. Made from Priced at £ 59.99 PER PAIR they are
aluminium and plastic they excellent value for money. Our new favourite
are suitable for mounting PMR radios! Standby: - 35 hours Includes: - LINEAR ACTUATORS 12-36V D.C. BUILT-IN ADJUSTABLE LIMIT
body cameras in. Available 2 x Radios, 2 xBelt Clips & 2 xCarry Strap SWITCHES. POWER COATED 18in. THROW UP TO 1.6001b.
in two sizes 1 - 100 x70 x £59.95 Ref ALANI Or supplied with 2sets of THRUST ( 400lb RECOMMENDED LOAD). SUPPLIED WITH
170mm and 2 - 100 x 70 x rechargeable batteries and two mains MOUNTING BRACKETS DESIGNED FOR OUTD009 11SE.
280mm. Ref EE6 £22 EE7 chargers £84.99. Ref Alan2 These brackets originally made for moving very large satellite
£26 mula -position brackets. dishes are possibly more suitable for closing gates. mechanical
Ref EE8 £8 Beltronics BEL550 Euro radar and machinery, robot wars etc Our first sate was to acompany building
Excellent quality multi- GATSO detector Claimed Detection solar panels that track the sun! Two sizes available. 12in and 18m
purposeTV/TFT screen, works Range: GATSO up to 400m. Radar throw £29 95 REF ACT12. £ 34 95 REF ACT18.
as just a LCD colour monitor & Laser guns up to 3 miles. Detects
with any of our CCTV cameras GATSO speed cameras at least 200
or as a conventional TV. Ideal metres away. plenty of time to adjust
for use in boats and caravans your speed £ 319. Ref BEL550
49.7MHz-91.75MHz VHF
channels 1-5,168.25MHz- TheTENS mini Microprocessors offer
222.75MHz VHF channels 6- six types of automatic programme for
12, 471.25MHz-869.75MHz. shoulder pain, back/neck pain, aching
Cable channels 112.325MHz- joints. Rheumatic pain, migraines
166-75MHz Z1- Z7. Cable headaches, sports injuries, period pain.
channels 224.25MHz- In fact all over body treatment. Will not
446.75MHz Z8-Z35 5" colour interfere with existing medication. Not •
screen. Audio output 150mW. suitable for anyone with a heart
Connections, external aerial, pacemaker. Batteries supplied. £ 19.95 POWERSAFE DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES
earphone jack, audio/video Ref TEN327 Spare pack of electrodes £ 5.99. Ref TEN327X 12V 51AH. NOW ONLY £29.95 EACH
input. 12V d.c. or mains. YUASA 6V 100AH NOW ONLY £ 19 EACH
Accessories supplied Power Self- cocking pistol p'cr002 Dummy CCTV cameras These motorise
supply. Remote control, Cigar crossbow with meta' body. cameras will work either on 2 AA batteries or BRAND NEW MILITARY ISSJE
lead power supply. Headphone with a standard DC adapter ( not supplied) DOSE METERS ( railialson
Self- cocking for precise string
Stand/bracket. 5" model £ 139 alignment Aluminium alloy They have a built-in movement detector that detectors). Current NATO issue.
Ref EE9. 6" model £ 149. Ref will activate the camera if movement is Standard emergency services unit.
construction High tac fibre
EE10 detected causing the camera to ' pan' Good Jsed by most of the world's
glass limbs Automatic safety
catch Supplied with three deterrent. Camera measures 20cm high. nulitary personnel. New and boxed.
bolts Track style for greater supplied with fixing screws. Camera also has a £69. RE, SIEM69
Fully cased IR light source flashing red Le.d, built in. £9.95. Ref
accuracy. Adjustable rear
suitable for CCTV applications. CAMERAB NIGHT VISION SYSTEM.
sight 50Ib drawweight 150k
The unit measures 10 x 10 x INFRA- RED FILM 6" square piece of flexible Superb hunting rifle sight to fit
sec velocity Break action 17"
150mm. is mains operated and string 30m range £ 21.65 Ref infra- red film that will only allow IR light most rifles, grooved for a
contains 54 infra- red LEDs. through. Perfect for converting ordinary telescopic sight. Complete
PLCR002
Designed to mount on a torches, lights, headlights etc to infra- red with infra- red illuminator.
standard CCTV camera bracket. The output only using standard light bulbs Easily Magnification 2.7x. Complete
unit also contains a daylight sensor cut to shape. 6" square £ 15. Ref IRF2 or a 12" with rubber eye shield and
that will only activate the infra- red sq for £29 IRF2A case. Opens up a whole new
lamp when the light level drops below world! Russian made. Can be
a preset level. The infra- red lamp is GASTON SEALED LEAD- ACID BATTERIES used as a hand held or
suitable for indoor or exterior use. mounted on a rifle. £99. REF
typical useage would be to provide 1 - 3AH 12V @ £ 5 REF GT1213 PN1
additional IR illumination for CCTV 3.4AH 12V @ £8 REF GT1234 These Samarium magnets
cameras. £49. Ref EEll 7AH 12V @ £8 REG FT127 measure 57mm x 20mm and
Mains operated and designed to be used I7AH 12V @ £ 18 REF GT1217 have a threaded hole 15.16a1
UNF) ir the centre and magnetic
with any CCTV camera causing it to scan.
The clips can be moved to adjust the strength, of 2-2 gauss. We have
All new and boxed, bargain prices. tested these on a steel beams
span angle, the motor reversing when it
Good quality sealed lead- acid running through the offices, arid
detects a clip. With the clips removed the
batteries found tnat they will take more
scanner will rotate constantly at approx
23rpm. 75 x75 x80mm £23. Ref EE12 than 170Ib. ( 77kg) in weight
SOLAR PANEL 10 watt silicon solar before being pulled off With
panel. at least 10 year life. 365 x keeper. £ 19.95 REF MAG77.
26mm. waterproof. ideal for fixing to
Colour CCTV Camera measures
caravans, boat, motorhomes etc. Peltier Effect heat pump.
60x45mm and has a built-in light level
Nicely made unit with fixing holes for Semiconductor thermo-
detector and 12 IR LEDs 0.2 lux 12 IR
secure fittings. Complete with leads electric device which works
LEDs 12V d.c. Bracket Easy connect
and connectors. Anodised frame. on the Peltier effect. When
leads £69. Ref EE15
Supplied with two leads. one 3M lead supplied with a suitable
is used for the o/p with two croc clips, electric current, can either
the other lead is used to connect extra cool or heat. Also when
A high quality external colour
panels. Panels do NOT require ablocking subject to an externally
CCTV camera with built-in Aka-
diode, they can be left connected at all applied temperature gradient
red LEDs measuring 60 x60 x
times without discharging the battery. can produce an electric
60mm Easy connect leads
£84.99. REF PAN current. Ideal for cooling or
colour Waterproof PAL 1/4in.
8A solar regulator 12V. 96 watt. controlling the temperature of
CCD 542 x588 pixels 420 lines
150mm x 100mm x 25mm. £ 28. REF sub assemblies. Each module
605 lux 3.6mm F2 78 deg lens
SOLREG2 is supplied with a comprehensive 18- page Peltier design manual
12V d.c. 400mA Built-in light
level sensor. £ 99. Ref EE13 featuring circuit designs, design informat.on etc.. etc. The Peltier
High- power modules ( 80W+) using 125mm square manual is also available separately. Maximum watts 56 ,2 40 x
multi- crystal silicon solar cells with bypass diode. Anti- 40mm Imax, 5.5A Vmax, 16.7 Tmax ( c- dry N2). 72. £29.95 ( mc.
reflection coating and BSF structure to improve cell manual. REF PELT1. Just manual £4 REF PELT2
Colour pinhole CCTV camera module
conversion efficiency 14'.. Using white tempered New tranimitter. receiver end
with audio. Compact, just
20x20x2Omm, built-in audio and easy glass, EVA resin, and a weatherproof film along with camera kit. £69. Kit contains four
an aluminium frame for extended outdoor use, system channel switchable camera withbuilt-
connect leads PAL CMOS sensor 6-9V
d.c. Effective Pixels 628x582 Lead wire with waterproof connector. Four sizes. 80W in audio, six IR I.e.d.s and transmitter.
12V dc, 1200 x530 x35mm. £ 287. REF NE80. 123W four channel switchable receiver 2
Illumination 2 lux Definition > 240
Signal/noise ratio > 40db Power '2V d.c.. 1499 x 662 x 46mm, £439. REF NDL3. power supplies, cables, connectors
' ? 5W 24V, 1190 x792 x46mm, £439. REF NEL5 and and mountirg bracket. £69. Wireless
consumption 200mW £35. Ref EE21
'65W 24V. 157 x826 x46mm, £ 593. Transmitter. Black and white camera
A small colour CCTV camera (75 x50 x55mm). Built-in 4 channel
measuring just 35 x28 x30mm. transmitter ( switchable). Audio buit-in
Supplied complete with bracket,
microphone and easy connect
BULL GROUP LTD 6 IR I.e.d.s, Bracket/stand. Power supply 30m range Wireless
Receiver 4channel ( switchable). Audio/video leads and scart adapter.
leads. Built-in audio. Colour 380 Power supply and manual. £69. REF COP24.
UNIT D. HENFIELD BUSINESS PARK.
line resolution PAL 0.2 lux . 113db This miniature Stirling Cycle Engine
sensitivity. Effective pixels 628 x HENFIELD. SUSSEX BN5 9SL measures 7in. x 4'.in, and comes
582 Power source 6-12V d.c. TERMS: CASH, PO, CHEQUE PRICES + VAT complete with built-in alcohol burner. Red
Power consumption 20OrnW £ 36 WITH ORDER PLUS £ 5.50 P&P ( UK) PLUS VAT. flywheels and chassis mounted on agreen
Ref EE16 base, these all- metal beauties silently
Complete wireless CCTV xylem 24 HOUR SERVICE £ 7.50 ( UK) PLUS VAT, running at speeds in excess 011.000 r.p.m.
with video. Kit comprises pinhole OVERSEAS ORDERS AT COST PLUS £ 3.50 attract attention and create awe wherever
colour camera with simple battery displayed This model comes completely
connection and a receiver with Tel: 0870 7707520 Fax 01273 491813 assembled 000 rr,lv r+ P,17 REF
video output. 380 lines colour SOL!
2.4GHz 3 lux 6-12V d.c. manual
tuning Available in two versions.
Sales@bullnet.co.uk
pinhole and standard. £79 ( pinhole) SHOP ONLINE
www.bullnet.co.uk
Ref EE17, £ 79 ( standard). Ref EE18
WWW.BULLNET.CO.UK
 ISSN 0262 3617
PROJECTS ... THEORY ... NEWS ...
COMMENTS ... POPULAR FEATURES ...

VOL. 33. No. 1 JANUARY 2004

Cover illustration ny jgr22
IELIECTRONICS
INCORPORAMO ELECTRONICS TODAY INTERNATIONAL

www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk
EPE Online: www.epemag.com

1»atecis
- an? CheatIts
CAR COMPUTER by Mike Hibbett 12
An aid for motorists who don't live with a mechanic!
BEDSIDE NIGHTLIGHT by Owen Bishop 18
A two-in-one design that will bring comfort and joy to your youngster's room.
Another in our occasional Top Tenners series
PIC WATERING TIMER by Les Clarke 38
Keep your plants in pristine condition before you PIC them!
PRACTICAL RADIO CIRCUITS - Part 8. The Superhet: 47
Prescaier, Mixers and Oscillators by Raymond Haigh
A double-conversion superhet receiver for SW bands
INGENUITY UNLIMITED - Sharing your ideas with others 69
Super Static Snooper

Se.,ile.s an? e gaisees

TEACH- IN 2004 - 3. Experimenting with op.amps by Max Horsey 24
Continuing our new 10- part tutorial and practical series - how to
apply electronics meaningfully
TECHNO TALK by Andy Emmerson 32
Blurred Vision for Telly. Digital TV and its quality
NEW TECHNOLOGY UPDATE by Ian Poole 36
IntelliFET devices improve power supply protection; New fuel cell developments
NET WORK - THE INTERNET PAGE surfed by Alan Winstanley 58
Newsgroups; Digging Beyond Google
PRACTICALLY SPEAKING by Robert Penfold 62
A novice's guide to understanding wires and cables
GPS TO PIC AND PC INTERFACING by John Becker 64
How to extract data from a GPS handset and use it in your
PIC and Visual Basic 6 programs
CIRCUIT SURGERY by Alan Winstanley and Ian Bell 70
Defining Source and Sink; Electric Meter; Linear MOSFETs

Xoialan an Se.nilea
PIC RESOURCES CD-ROM Invaluable to all PICkers! 6
EDITORIAL 11
NEWS - Barry Fox highlights technology's leading edge 22
Plus everyday news from the world of electronics
READOUT John Becker addresses general points arising 34
BACK ISSUES Did you miss these? Many now on CD-ROM! 43
FREE ENTRY COMPETITION 46
CD-ROMS FOR ELECTRONICS 59
A wide range of CD-ROMs for hobbyists, students and engineers
SHOPTALK with David Barrington 68
The essential guide to component buying for EPE projects
DIRECT BOOK SERVICE 72
A wide range of technical books available by mail order, plus more CD-ROMs
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND SOFTWARE SERVICE 75
Wimborne Publishing Ltd 2003 Copyright in al PCBs for EPE projects. Plus EPE project software
drawings, photographs and articles published in ELECTRONIC MANUALS 76
EVERYDAY PRACTICAL ELECTRONICS is fully
Essential reference works for hobbyists, students and service engineers
protected, and reproduction or imitations in whole or
in part are expressly forbidden. ADVERTISERS INDEX 80

Our February 2004 issue will be published on Readers Services • Editorial and Advertisement Departments 11
Thursday, 8January 2004. See page 3 for details

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 1

Visit our website I
www.distel.co.uk
THE ORIGINAL SURPLUS WONDERLAND! Surplus always I
wanted for cash!
THIS MONTH'S SELECTION FROM OUR VAST EVER CHANGING STOCKS
GIANT 10" 7-SEGMENT DISPLAYS IC's - TRANSISTORS - DIODES 19" RACK CABINETS
A bulk purchase enables us to bring to you these
se Europe's Largest Stocks of
ee
OBSOLETE - SHORT SUPPLY - BULK
GIANT 7-segment digital displays at anow affordable
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e enclosures and accessories.
CALL or see web site www.distel.co.uk
event timers eta As the units are a simple electro- Over 1000 Racks from stock
mechanical de-ace arid operate from 12V DC, simple COMPUTER MONITOR SPECIALS
switching via switches, relays. PIC or PC may be used
to control angle or multiple digits Units feature integral Legacy products This month's special
Zero Power memory which greatly simplifies desgn. '
For an excellent DIY practical article, see the May issue of 'Everyday
High spec genuine multysync. 33 / 42 / 47 U - High Quality
Practical Electronics' magazine Ideal School/College construction proj-
ect Supplied in good RFE condition, complete with data sheet.
CGA, EGA, VGA, SVGA
All steel Rack Cabinets
we-,9
Mitsubishi FA3415ET1CL 14" SVGA Muitisync colour monitor with fine 028
Less than 30% Only £29.95(B) or 4 / £99.00(o) dot pitch tube and resolution of 1024 x768. A variety of Made by Eurocratt Enclosures Ltd to the highest possible
of makers price Order RV144 Order PI-126 inputs allows connection to ahost of computers inclining spec, rack features all steel construction with . .
IBM PC's in COP., EGA, VGA & SVGA modes, BBC, removable side, front and back doors. Front and
THE AMAZING TELEBOX COMMODORE (including Amiga
ARCHIMEDES and APPLE. Many features Etched
1200), back doors are hinged for easy access and all
lockable with five secure 5 lever barrel locks.
'

faceplate, text switching and LOW RADIATION MPR The front door is constructed of double walled
TV SOUND & ..... L. specification. Fully guaranteed, in EXCELLENT little
used condition, Tilt & Swivel Base £4.75
steel with a ' designer style' smoked acrylic front
panel to enable status indicators to be seen
VIDEO TUNER VGA cable for IBM PC included. Order as through the panel, yet remain unobtrusive.
CABLE COMPATIBLE • OnlY £ 129 ( E) con Internally the rack features fully slotted reinforced rj
.
External cables for other types of computers available- CALL vertical fixing members to take the heaviest of I
Converts your colour monitor into aQUALITY COLOUR TV!! 19" rack equipment. The two movable vertical '
The TELEBOX is an attractive fully cased mains powered unn, containing all Generic LOW COST SVGA Monitors fixing struts (extras available) are pre punched for
standard 'cage nuts'. A mains distribution
electronics ready to plug into ahost of video monitors or AV equipment which We choose the make, which includes Compaq,
are fitted with acomposite video or SCART input. The composite video output panel internally mounted to the bottom rear, pro-
Mitsubishi, IBM, etc. Supplied ready to run with all vides 8xIEC 3pin Euro sockets and 1x 13 amp 3
will also plug directly into most video recorders, allowing reception of TV chan- cables, Standard RTB 90 day guarantee.
nels not normally receivable on most television receivers' ( TELEBOX pin switched utility socket. Overall ventilation is pro-
MB). Push button controls on the front panel allow reception of 8fully tuneable vided by fully louvered back door and double skinned top section with
'off an' UHF colour television channels. TELEBOX MB covers virtually ai tele-
14" 15" 17" top and side louvres. The top panel may be removed for fitting of
integral fans to the sub plate etc. Other features include: fitted cas-
vision frequencies VHF and UHF including the HYPERBAND as used by £59.00 £69.00 £79.00 tors and floor levelers, prepunched utility panel at lower rear for mole
most cable TV operators. Ideal for desktop computer video systems &
PIP (picture in picture) setups. For complete compatibility - even for mentors /connector access etc. Supplied in excellent, slightly used condi-
Supplied in good used condition Shopping code (D tion with keys. Colour Royal blue, some grey available - CALL - Can
without sound - an integral 4watt aedo amplifier and low level Hi Fi audio out-
be supplied in many other configurations.
put are provided as standard. Brand new - fully guaranteed.
TELEBOX ST for composite video input type monitors £36.95
VIDEO MONITORS
TELEBOX STL as ST but fitted with integral speaker £39.50 PHILIPS HCS35 ( same style as CM8833) attractively styled 14" 33U 42U 47U
TELEBOX MB Multiband VHF/UHF/Cable/Hyperband tuner £69.95 colour monitor with both RGB and standard composite 15.625 Order as BC44 Order as DT20 Order as Rt/36
For overseas PAL versions state 5.5 or 6 mHz sound specification. Khz video Inputs via SCART socket and separate phono jacks. External dimensions External dimensions External dimensions
'For cable / hyperband signal reception Telebox MB should be con- Integral audio power amp and speaker for all audio visual uses. mm=1625H x635D x mm=2019H x635D x mm=2019H x635D x
nected to a cable type service. Shipping on all Telebox's, code ( B) Will connect direct to Amiga and Atari BBC computers. Ideal for all 603 W. (64" H x25" D 603 W. ( 79.5" H x25" 603 W (88" H x25- D
video monitoring / security applications with direct connection to x23%." W ) D x23 3
/"W )
4 x23 3
/"W )
4

State of the art PAL (UK spec) UHF TV tuner module most colour cameras. High quality with many features such as Only Only Only
with composite 1V pp video & NICAM hi fi stereo sound front concealed flap controls, VCR correction button etc. Good used
outputs. Micro electronics all on one small PCB only 73 x160
x52 mm enable full tuning control via asimple 3wire link to an IBM
condition - fully tested - guaranteed
Dimensions: W14" xH12 3 /"x15Y," D.
4
Only £99.00 , , E £245 £345 £410
pc type computer. Supplied complete with simple working program
and documentation. Requires + 12V & + 5V DC to operate.
PHILIPS HCS31 Ultra compact 9" colour video monitor with stan-
dard composite 15.625 Khz video input via SCART socket. Ideal
Call for shipping quotation
BRAND NEW - Order as WOO. Only £ 9.95 code (B) for all monitoring / security applications. High quality, ex-equipment
See www.distel.co.uk/data my00.htm for picture + full details fully tested & guaranteed (possible minor screen burns). In attractive
square black plastic case measuring W10* xH10* x 13 1 2 "D. 240 V
/
HARD DISK DRIVES 21
/2" - 14" AC mains powered. Only £79.00 (D) Undoubtedly amiracle of modern technology & our
special buying power ! A quality product featuring
2'," TOSHIBA MK1002MAV 1.1Gb laptop(12.5 mm H) New £59.95 afully cased COLOUR CCD camera at agive away
21/"TOSHIBA MK4313MAT 4.3Gb laptop (8.2 mm H) New£105.00
2 INDUSTRIAL COMPUTERS price ! Unit features full autolight sensing for use in low
2V," TOSHIBAMK6409MAV 6.1Gb laptop ( 12.7 mm H) New £98.00 light & high light applications.
Tiny shoebox sized industrial 40 Mhz 386 PC system measuring A 10 mm fixed focus wide angle lens
21/"TOSHIBA MK1614GAV 18 Gb laptop ( 12 mm H) New£149.95
2
21/"to 3V," conversion kit for Pc's, complete with connectors £15.95
2
only ( mm) 266 w X 88 hX 272 d. Ideal for dedicated control gives excellent focus and resolJtion
31/'COMPAQ 3137064321 ( IBM) 9gb ULT/SCSI3
2 New £199.00 applications running DOS, Linux or even Windows ! Steel case from close up to long range. The earn-
31/"FUJI FK-309-26 20mb MFM I/F RFE
2 £59.95 contains 85 to 265 V AC 50 / 60 hz 70 Watt PSU, a 3slot ISA 7
4„posite video output will connect Ici ary
3,," CONNER CP3024 20 mb IDE I/F (or equiv.) RFE £59.95 passive backplane and a Rocky 318 ( PC104) standard, single .4e, composite monitor or TV (via SCART
board computer with 8 MByte NON VOLATILE solid state ' Disk socket) and most video recorders. brit
31/"CONNER CP3044 40 mb IDE liF (or equiv.) RFE
2 £69.00
31/"QUANTUM 40S Prodri ve 42mb SCSI I/F, New RFE
2 £49.00 On Chip' RAMDISK. System comprises: Rocky 318 ( PC104) SBC <,•49" runs from 12V DC so ideal for security &
51/ MINISCRIBE 3425 20mb MFM I/F (or equiv.) RFE
4 £49.95 ISA card with 40MHz ALi 386SX CPU, 72 pin SIMM slot with 16 portable applications where marts
Mbyte SIMM, AMI BIOS, battery backed up real time clock. 2 x9 power not available. Overall dimensions
51/"SEAGATE ST-238R 30 mb ALL I/F Refurb
4 £69.95
51/"CDC 94205-51 40mb HH MFM I/F RFE tested £69.95
4
pin D 16550 serial ports. EPP/ECP printer port, mini DIN key- 66 mm wide x 117 deep x 43 high. Supplied BRAND NEW & fully
51/"HP 97548 850 Mb SCSI RFE tested
4 £99.00 board connector, floppy port, IDE port for hard drives up to 528 guaranteed with user data, 100's of applications including Security.
51/"HP C3010 2 Gbyte SCSI differential RFE tested
4 £195.00 MByte capacity, watchdog timer and PC/104 bus socket. The 8 Home Video, Web TV, Web Cams etc, etc.
8' NEC D2246 85 Mb SMD interface. New £99.00 MByte solid state 'disk on achip' has its own BIOS, and can be
8' FUJITSU M2322K 160Mb SMD I/F RFE tested £195.00 fdisked, formatted & booted. Supplied BRAND NEW fully tested Order as LK33 ONLY £79.00 or 2for £ 149.00 ( 3)
8" FUJITSU M2392K 2 Gb SMD I/F RFE tested £345.00 and guaranteed. For full data see featured item on website. Order
Many other floppy & H drives, IDE, SCSI. ESDI etc from stock, as 0 9IM'S of applications inc: Only £99.00 (
D) SOFTWARE SPECIALS
see website for full stock list. Shipping on all drives is code firewall, routers. robotics etc
NT4 WorkStation, complete with service pack 3
TEST EQUIPMENT & SPECIAL INTEREST ITEMS Utnhliesss
sem
ea rknea
io dre
NEpW
re,
oitenm
w el in and licence - OEM packaged. ONLY £89.00 ()
ENCARTA 95 - CDROM, Not the latest - but at this price t £7.95
MITSUBISHI FA3445ETKL 14" Ind. spec SVGA monitors £245 HP6030A 0-200V DC to 17 Amps bench power supply £ 1950 DOS 5.0 on 31
/'disks with concise books c/w ()Basic.
2 £14.95
FARNELL 0-60V DC to 50 Amps, bench Power Supplies £995 Intel SBC 486/125C08 Enhanced Multibus ( MSA) New £ 1150 Windows for Workgroups 3.11+ Dos 6.22 on 3.5" disks £55.00
FARNELL AP3080 0-30V DC 0) 80 Amps, bench Suppy £1850 Nikon HFX-11 ( Ephiphot) exposure control unit £1450 Windows 95 CDROM Only - No Licence - £ 19.95
KINGSHILL CZ403/1 0-50V @ DC 200 Amps - NEW f3950 PHILIPS PM5518 pro. TV signal generator £1250
1kW to 400 kW - 400 Ftz 3phase power sources - ex stock EPOA Motorola VME Bus Boards & Components List. SAE / CALL Wordperfect 6 for DOS supplied on 3V," disks with manual £24.95
IBM 8230 Type 1, Token ring base unit driver £760 £P0A
Wayne Kerr RA200 Audio frequency response analyser £2500
INFODEC 1U, 24 port, RJ45 network patchpanels. MTH93 £49
Trio 0-18 vdc linear, metered 30 amp bench PSU. New £550
Fujitsu M3041R 600 LPM high speed band phnter £1950 SOLID STATE LASERS
3COM 16670 12 Port Ethernet hub - RJ45 connectors mL097 £69 Fujitsu M3041D 600 LPM printer with network interlace £1250 Visible red, 670nm laser diode assembly. Unit runs from 5V DC al
3COM 16671 24 Port Ethernet hub - RJ45 connectors £89 Siemens K4400 64Kb to 140Mb demux analyser £2950 approx 50 mA. Orginally made for continuous use in industrial bar-
3COM 16700 8 Port Ethernet hub - RJ45 connectors NEW £39 Perkin Elmer 299B Infrared spectrophotometer £500 code scanners, the laser is mounted in a removable solid alumini-
IBM 53F5501 Token Ring ICS 20 port lobe modules £P0A Perkin Elmer 597 Infrared spectrophotometer £3500 um block, which functions as a heatsink and rigid optical mount.
IBM MAU Token ring distribution panel 8228-23-5050N £45 VG Electronics 1035 TELETEXT Decoding Margin Meter £3250 Dims of block are 50 w x50 dx 15 hmm. Integral features include
AIM 501 Low distortion Oscillator 9Hz to 330Khz, IEEE I/O £550 LightBand 60 output high spec 2u rack mount Video VDA's £495 over temperature shutdown, current control, laser OK ouput, and
ALLGON 8360.11805-1880 MHz hybrid power combiners £250 Sekonic SD 150H 18 channel digital Hybrid chart recorder £1995 gated TTL ON / OFF. Many uses for experimental optics, comms &
Trend DSA 274 Data Analyser with G703(2M) 64 i/o £P0A El&K 2633 Microphone pre amp £300 lightshows etc. Supplied complete with data sheet.
Marconi 6310 Programmable 2 to 22 GHz sweep generator £4500
Marconi 2022C 10KHz-IGHz RF signal generator £1550
Taylor Hobson Tallysurf amplifier / recorder
ADC SS200 Carbon dioxide gas detector / monitor
£750
£1450
Order as TD91 ONLY £24.95 pl.:
HP16508 Logic Analyser £3750 BBC AM20/3 PPM Meter ( Ernest Turner) + drive electronics £75
HP3781A Pattern generator & HP3782A Error Detector £P0A ANRITSU 9654A Optical DC-2.5G/b waveform monitor £5650 DC POWER SUPPLIES
HP6621A Dual Programmable GPIB PSU 0-7 V 160 watts £1800 ANRITSU ML93A optical power meter £990
HP6264 Rack mount variable 0-20V rit 20A metered PSU £475 ANRITSU Fibre optic characteristic test set £P0A Virtually every type of power supply you
HP54121A DC to 22 GHz four channel test set £P0A R&S FTDZ Dual sound unit £650 can imagine.Over 10,000 Power Supplies
HP8130A opt 020 300 MHz pulse generator, GPIB etc £7900 R&S SBUF-E1 Vision modulator £775 Ex Stock - Call or see our web site.
HP Al, AO 8pen HPGL high speed drum plotters - from £550 WILTRON 6630B 12.4 / 20GHz RF sweep generator £5750
HP DRAFTMASTER 18 pen high speed plotter
EG+G Brookdeal 95035C Precision lock in amp
£750
£1800
TEK 2445 150 MHz 4 trace oscilloscope £ 1250
TEK 2465 300 Mhz 300 MHz oscilloscope rack mount £ 1955 RELAYS - 200,000 FROM STOCK
Keithley 590 CV capacitor / voltage analyser £P0A TEK TDS380 400Mhz digital realtime + disk drive, FFT etc £2900 Save ££££'sby choosing your next relay from our Massive Stocks
Racal ICR40 dual 40 channel voice recorder system £3750 TEK TDS524A 500Mhz digital realtime + colour display etc £5100 covering types such as Military, Octal, Cradle, Hermetically Sealed.
Fiskers 45KVA 3 ph On Line UPS - New batteries £4500 HP3585A Opt 907 20Hz to 40 Mhz spectrum analyser £3950 Continental, Contactors, Time Delay Reed, Mercury Wetted, Solid
Emerson AP130 2.5KVA industrial spec.UPS £1499 PHILIPS PW1730/10 60KV XRAY generator & accessories £P0A State, Printed Circuit Mounting etc.. CALL or see our web site
Mann Tally MT645 High speed line printer £2200 VARIACS - Large range from stock - call or see our website www.distel.co.uk for more information. Many obsolete types firm
Intel SBC 486/133SE Multibus 486 system. 8Mb Ram £ 945 CLAUDE LYONS 12A 240V single phase auto, volt. regs £325 stock. Save ££££'s

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 NEXT MONTH
PIC LCF METER
This simple PIG-based unit was designed to measure
and display the values of inductors and capacitors. As
a by-product of the technique used, it can also display
the frequency of an external OV/+5V signal source.
The ranges are approximately:
Capacitance: 1pF to 6500/IF
Inductance: 1uH to 10H
Frequency: 0.05Hz to 5MHz
The design is based upon the concept that oscillators
can be constructed from CMOS NAND gates or
inverters, and that their oscillation frequency depends
on the values of inductance, capacitance and
resistance in their feedback paths. A PIC16F628
microcontroller monitors the frequencies, performs
quite complex mathematical calculations on them and
JAZZY NECKLACE
displays the results on an alphanumeric I.c.d. screen. A chic appearance and astriking piece of jewellery can
The unit is inexpensive, and straightforward to build. emphasise the beauty of the wearer, as well as adding a
sense of lightness to life.
An item of jewellery that lends itself particularly well to
electronic enhancement is a traditional African style
necklace which comprises an array of vertical rods,
TUG-OF-WAR artistically arranged, suspended from astring around
the neck.
Many electronic handheld games are intended for This project unveils a21st- Century version of the necklace
only one player who pits his wits against the which, instead of using rods of wood or other customary
computer, thus giving the player little opportunity for materials, employs sixteen sparkling clear acrylic rods.
social interaction and producing what many These are accompanied by a compact circuit which darts
psychologists fear could become ageneration of various colours of light down the length of the rods, at
social misfits. This simple Tug-Of- War game, although random. The result is a truly amazing piece of 'jewellery".
it is built around a PIC microcontroller, must be
played by two people (in their anoraks if they wish)
and is based on the familiar game of tug-of-war,
providing, as they say, "fun for all the family".
Unlike the real game, however, it does not require a
rope or brute strength. Instead, speed of reaction is
important and the two players are equipped with
pushbuttons which they must press as quickly as
possible after an led. is lit to "pull" their opponent
over the line. The program is written to ensure that
the delay before this I.e.d. lights is random so the
players cannot accurately predict when it will light.

TEACH- IN 2004 PART 4 LOGIC GATES

NO ONE DOES IT BETTER

DON'T MISS AN
ISSUE - PLACE YOUR
ORDER NOW!
Demand is bound to be high

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 Quasar Electronics Limited Add £ 2.00 P&P to all UK orders. 1st Class Recorded - £ 4.

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Helping you make the right connections'

ABC Mini Microcontrolier Board NEW! DTMF Telephone Relay Switcher

PIC & ATMEL Programmers Currently learning about Call your phone number
microcontrollers? Need using a DTMF phone from
We have awide range of low cost PIC and to do more than flash a anywhere in the world
ATMEL Programmers. Complete range and LED or sound a buzzer? and remotely turn on/off
documentation available from our web site. The ABC Mini Starter any of the 4 relays as
Programmer Accessories: Kit is based on ATMELs desired. User settable
40- pin Wide ZIF socket ( ZIF4OW) £ 15.00 AVR 8535 RISC tech- Security Password, Anti-Tamper, Rings to
nology and will interest Answer, Auto Hang-up and Lockout.
18VDC Power supply ( PSU201) £ 5.95
both the beginner and ABC Km Starter Pack Includes plastic case. 130 x 110 x30mm.
Leads: Parallel ( LEAD108) £ 4.95 / Serial
expert alike. Power: 12VDC.
(LEAD76) £ 4.95 / USB ( LEADUAA) £ 2.95
Beginners will find that Kit Order Code: 3140KT - £39.95
they can write and test asimple program, Assembled Order Code: AS3140 - £59.95
using the BASIC programming language,
NEW! USB ' All- Flash' PIC Programmer
within an hour or two of connecting it up. Serial Port Isolated I/O Module
USB PIC programmer for all
Experts will like the power and flexibility of Computer controlled
'Flash' devices. No external
the ATMEL microcontroller, as well as the 8-channel relay board.
power supply making it truly
ease with which the board can be 5A mains rated relay
portable. Supplied with box
"designed- in" to a project. outputs and 4 opto-
and Windows Software. ZIF
The ABC Mini STARTER PACK includes isolated digital inputs
Socket and USB Plug A-A lead
everything you need to get up and experi- (for monitoring switch
not incl.
menting right away. On the hardware side, states, etc). Useful in a
Kit Order Code: 3128KT - £29.95
there's a pre-assembled ABC Mini Board variety of control and sensing applications.
Assembled Order Code: AS3128 - £39.95 Programmed via serial port ( use our new
with parallel and serial cables for connection
to your PC. Windows software included on Windows interface, terminal emulator or
Enhanced "PICALL" ISP PIC Programmer batch files). Serial cable can be up to 35m
CD-ROM features an Assembled, BASIC
Will program virtually ALL 8
compiler and in- system programmer. long. Once programmed, unit can operate
to 40 pin PICs plus certain
Order Code ABCMINISP - £49.95 without PC. Includes plastic case 130 x 100
ATMEL AVR, SCENIX SX
The ABC Mini boards only can also be x30mm. Power: 12VDC/500mA.
and EEPROM 24C devices. Kit Order Code: 3108KT - £54.95
purchased separately at £29.95 each.
Also supports In System
Assembled Order Code: AS3108 - £64.95
Programming ( ISP) for PIC
and ATMEL AVRs. Free software. Blank chip
Controllers & Loggers Infra-red RC 12-Channel Relay Board
auto detect for super fast bulk programming.
Control 12 on- board relays
Requires a40- pin wide ZIF socket ( not Here are just afew of the controller and data with included infra- red
included)
acquisition and control units we have. remote control unit. Toggle
Kit Order Code: 3144KT - £54.95
See website for full details. Suitable PSU for or momentary. 15m+ range.
Assembled Order Code: AS3144 - £59.95
all units: Order Code PSU203 - £9.95 112 x 122mm.
Supply: 12VDC/0.5A.
ATMEL 89xxx Programmer
Kit Order Code: 3142KT - £41.95
Uses serial port and any
Rolling Code 4-Channel UHF Remote Assembled Order Code: AS3142 - £59.95
standard terminal comms
State- of-the-Art. High security.
program. 4 LEDs display
4 channels. Momentary or PC Data Acquisition & Control Unit
the status. ZIF sockets Monitor and log a
latching relay output. Range
not included. Supply: ved
up to 40m. Up to 15 TXs can mixture of analogue
16VDC.
be learned by one Rx ( kit and digital inputs
Kit Order Code: 3123KT - £29.95
includes one Tx but more and control external letikar-s
Assembled Order Code: AS3123 - £34.95 devices via the ana-
à
available separately).
NEW! USB & Serial Port PIC Programmer
4 indicator LEDs.
Rx: PCB 77x85mm, 12VDC/6mA ( standby).
logue and digital
outputs. Monitor
111111117
USB/Serial connection. pressure, tempera-
Two & Ten Channel versions also available.
Header cable for ICSP. Free ture, light intensity, weight, switch state,
Kit Order Code: 3180KIT - £41.95
Windows software. See web- movement, relays, etc. with the apropriate
Assembled Order Code: AS3180 - £49.95
site for PICs supported. ZIF
sensors ( not supplied). Data can be
Socket and USB Plug A-A
Computer Temperature Data Logger processed, stored and the results used to
lead extra. 18VDC.
Serial port 4- channel tem- control devices such as motors, sirens,
Kit Order Code: 3149KT - £27.95
perature logger. ° C or ° F. relays, servo motors ( up to 11) and two
Assembled Order Code: AS3149 - £44.95
Continuously logs up to 4 stepper motors.
separate sensors located
Introduction to PIC Programming
200m+ from board. Wide Features
Go from acomplete PIC • 11 Analogue Inputs - 0.5V, 10 bit ( 5mV/step)
F.P. range of free software appli-
beginner to burning your • 16 Digital Inputs - 20V max. Protection 1K in
cations for storing/using data.
first PIC and writing your series, 5.1V Zener
PCB just 38x38mm. Powered
own code in no time! • 1Analogue Output - 0-2-5V or 0-10V. 8bit
by PC. Includes on DS1820 sensor and four
Includes a49- page step- (20mV/step)
header cables.
by-step Tutorial Manual, • 8Digital Outputs - Open collector, 500mA, 33V
Kit Order Code: 3145KT - £22.95
Programming Hardware (with LED bench max
Assembled Order Code: AS3145 - £29.95
testing section), Win 3.11-XP Programming • Custom box ( 140 x110 x35mm) with printed
Additional DS1820 Sensors - £3.95 each
Software (will Program, Read, Verify & front & rear panels
Erase), and a rewritable PIC16F84A that • Windows software utilities ( 3.1 to XP) and
you can use with different code (4 detailed programming examples
examples provided for you to learn from). • Supply: 12V DC ( Order Code PSU203)
Most items are available in kit form ( KT suffix)
Connects to PC parallel port.
or pre- assembled and ready for use (AS prefix).
Kit Order Code: 3081KT - £14.95 Kit Order Code: 3093KT - £69.95
Assembled Order Code: AS3081 - £24.95 Assembled Order Code: AS3093 - £99.95
Hot New Kits This Autumn! FM Bugs & Transmitters
CREDIT
Here are afew of the most recent kits Our extensive range goes from discreet
added to our range. See website or join our surveillance bugs to powerful FM broadcast CARD
email Newsletter for all the latest news. transmitters. Here are afew examples. All
can be received on a standard FM radio SALES
and have adjustable transmitting frequency.
NEW! EPE Ultrasonic Wind Speed Meter 0871
Solid-state design
717
QUASAR
wind speed meter MMTX' Micro- Miniature 9V FM Room Bug
(anemometer) that Our best selling bug! Good
uses ultrasonic
7168
performance. Just 25 x 15mm.
techniques and has Sold to detective agencies electronics
a no moving parts worldwide. Small enough to Helping you make the right connections!
and does not need hide just about anywhere.
calibrating. It is intended for sports-type
Operates at the ' less busy' top
activities, such as track events, sailing, Electronic Project Labs
end of the commercial FM waveband and
hang-gliding, kites and model aircraft fly'rig, Great introduction to the world of electron-
also up into the more private Air band.
to name but afew. It can even be used to ics. Ideal gift for budding electronics expert!
monitor conditions in your garden. The probe Range: 500m. Supply: PP3 battery.
is pointed in the direction from which the Kit Order Code: 3051KT - £8.95
wind is blowing and the speed is displayed Assembled Order Code: AS3051 - £14.95 200-in- 1 Electronic Project Lab
on an LCD display. A great way to
HPTX' High Power FM Room Bug learn 200 exciting
Specifications Our most power- electronic experi-
• Units of display: metres per second, feet per ments safely.
ful room bug.
second, kilometres per hour and miles per hour Everything you
Very Impressive
• Resolution: Nearest tenth of ametre need to start a
performance. Clear and stable output signal
• Range: Zero to 50mph approx. fascinating hobby
thanks to the extra circuitry employed.
in basic electron-
Based on the project published in Everyday Range: 1000m @ 9V. Supply: 6-12V DC (9V
ics! Learn about
Practical Electronics, Jan 2003. We have PP3 battery clip suppied). 70 x 15mm.
transistors, transformers, diodes, capacitors,
made a few minor design changes ( see web Kit Order Code: 3032KT - £9.95 oscillators, basic electronic circuits and
site for full details). Power: 9VDC ( PP3 bat- Assembled Order Code: AS3032 - £17.95 schematic symbols. Easy-to- read 110- page
tery or Order Code PSU203).
AS illustrated lab style manual takes you
Main PCB: 50 x83mm. MTTX' Miniature Telephone Transmitter through each electronic experiment step-by-
Kit Order Code: 3168KT - £34.95 Attach anywhere step and includes schematics diagrams and
along phone line. circuit explanations.
NEW! Audio DTMF Decoder and Display
Tune a radio into the Order Code EPL200 - £47.95
,-": 1 •
>" Detects DTMF
signal and hear 30, 130-300 and 500- in- 1project labs elso
tones via an
exactly what both parties are saying. available - see website for details
on- board electret
microphone or Transmits only when phone is used. Clear,
direct from the stable signal. Powered from phone line so Number 1for Kits!
phone lines thmugh completely maintenance free once installed.
With over 30C projects in our range we are
an audio trans- Requires no aerial wire - uses phone line as
the UK's number 1electronic kit specialist.
former. The antenna. Suitable for any phone system
worldwide. Range: 300m. 20 x45mm. Here are afew other kits from our range.
numbers are displayed on a 16- character,
single line display as they are received. Up Kit Order Code: 3016KT - £7.95
to 32 numbers can be displayed by scrolling Assembled Order Code: AS3016 - £13.95 1046KT - 25W Stereo Car Booster £26.95
the display left and right. There is also a
3087KT - 1W Stereo Amplifier £4.95
serial output for sending the detected tones 4Watt FM Transmitter
to a PC via the serial port. The unit will not 3105KT - 18W BTL mono Amplifier £9.95
Small, powerful FM
detect numbers dialled using pulse dialling. 3106KT - 50W Mono Hi-fi Amplifier £ 19 95
transmitter. Audio
Circuit is microcontroller based. 3143KT - 10W Stereo Amplifier £9.95
preamp stage and
Supply: 9-12V DC (Order Code PSU203). 1011KT - Motorbike Alarm £ 11.95
three RF stages
Main PCB: 55 x95mm. 1019KT - Car Alarm System £ 10.95
deliver 4watts of RF
Kit Order Code: 3153KT - £17.95 1048KT - Eleztronic Thermostat £9.95
power. Can be used
Assembled Order Code: AS3153 - £29.95 1080KT - Liquid Level Sensor £5.95
with the electret
microphone supplied or any line level audio 3005KT - LED Dice with Box £7.95
source ( e.g. CD or tape OUT, mixer, sound 3006KT - LED Roulette Wheel £8.95
NEW! EPE PIC Controlled LED Flasher
'This versatile card, etc). Aerial can be an open dipole or 3074KT - 8-Ch PC Relay Board £29.95
-PIC - based LED Ground Plane. Ideal project for the novice 3082KT - 2- Ch UHF Relay £26.95
or filament bulb wishing to get started in the fascinating 3126KT - Sound-Activated Relay £ 7.95
flasher can be world of FM broadcasting. 45 x 145mm. 3063KT - One Chip AM Radio £ 10.95
used to flash Kit Order Code: 1028KT - £22.95 3102KT - 4- Ch Servo Motor Driver £ 15.95
from 1to 160 Assembled Order Code: AS1028 - £34.95 3160KT - PIC16F62x Experimenter £8.95
LEDs. The user arranges the LEDs in any
1096KT - 5A Stabilised PSU £30.95
pattern they wish. The kit comes with 8 25 Watt FM Transmitter 3029KT - Combination Lock £6.95
superbright red LEDs and 8 green LEDs. Four transistor based stages with a Philips
Based on the Versatile PIC Flasher by Steve 3049KT - Ultrasonic Detector £ 13.95
BLY89 ( or equivalent) in the final stage.
Challinor, EPE Magazine Dec ' 02. See web- 3130KT - Infra- red Security Beam £ 12.95
Delivers a mighty 25 Watts of RF power.
site for full details. Board Supply: 9-12V DC. SGO1MKT - Train Sounds £6.95
Accepts any line level audio source ( input
LED supply: 9-45V DC (depending on SG10 MKT - Animal Sounds £5.95
sensitivity is adjustable). Antenna can be an
number of LED used). PCB: 43 x54mm. 1131KT - Robot Voice Effect £ 8.95
open dipole, ground plane, 5/8, J, or VAGI
Kit Order Code: 3169KT - £10.95 3007KT - 3V FM Room Bug £6.95
configuration. Supply 12-14V DC, 5A.
Supplied fully assembled and aligned - just 3028KT - Voice-Activated FM Bug £ 12 95
connect the aerial, power and audio input. 3033KT - Telephone Recording Adpt £9.95
Most items are aya;lable in kit form ( KT suffix) 70 x220mm. 3112KT - PC Data Logger/Sampler £ 18.95
or assembled and ready for use (AS prefix) Order Code: 1031M - £124.95 3118KT - 12-bit Data Acquon Unit £52.95
3101 KT - ahMHz Function Generator £6995

www.quasarelectronics.com
Secure ° wine Ordering Facilities • Full Product Listing. Descriptions 8, Photos • Kit Documentation 8 Software Downloais
 EPE PIC
RESOURCES
CD-ROM
This CD-ROM The software
requires should auto- run.
Adobe Acrobat , .1 not, double-click
Reader. on: My Computer.
Acrobat Reader v5 05 your CD drive and
is included then on the file
on the CD-ROM index.pdf

A companion to the EPE PIC

Tutorial V2 series of Supplements PIC RESOURCES
ONLY O Wimborne Publishing Ltd 2003
(EPE April, May, June 2003) werw.epemag.wimbome.co.uk

Contains the following Tutorial- related

£14.45
INCLUDING
software and texts: VAT and P&P

• EPE PIC Tutorial V2 complete demonstration software, Order on-line from

John Becker, April, May, June ' 03 www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/shopdoor.htm
• PIC Toolkit Mk3 (TK3 hardware construction details), or www.epemag.com ( USA S prices)
John Becker, Oct ' 01 or by Phone, Fax, Email or Post.

• PIC Toolkit TK3 for Windows ( software details), John

Becker, Nov ' 01
EPE PIC RESOURCES CD-ROM
Plus these useful texts to help you get the most out of your
PIC programming: ORDER FORM
Please send me (quantity) EPE PIC RESOURCES CD-ROM
• How to Use Intelligent L.C.D.s, Julyan Ilett, Feb/Mar ' 97
• PIC16F87x Microcontrollers ( Review), John Becker, Price £ 14.45 each — includes postage to anywhere in the world.
April ' 99
• PIC16F87x Mini Tutorial, John Becker, Oct ' 99 iName

• Using PICs and Keypads, John Becker, Jan ' 01

Address
• How to Use Graphics L.C.D.s with PICs, John Becker,
Feb ' 01
• PIC16F87x Extended Memory ( how to use it),
John Becker, June ' 01
• PIC to Printer Interfacing ( dot-matrix), John Becker,
July ' 01 Post Code

• PIC Magick Musick ( use of 40kHz transducers),

Ienclose cheque/P.O./bank draft to the value of £
John Becker, Jan ' 02
• Programming PIC Interrupts, Malcolm Wiles, Mar/Apr ' 02 D Please charge my Visa/Mastercard/Amex/Diners Club/Switch I
• Using the PIC's PCLATH Command, John Waller,
July ' 02
• EPE StyloPIC ( precision tuning musical notes),
John Becker, July ' 02 Card No.

• Using Square Roots with PICs, Peter Hemsley, Aug ' 02

Card Security Code (The last 3digits on or just under
• Using TK3 with Windows XP and 2000, Mark Jones, the signature strip) f
Oct ' 02
• PIC Macros and Computed GOT0s, Malcolm Wiles, Expiry Date Switch Issue No.
Jan ' 03
• Asynchronous Serial Communications ( RS-232),
SEND TO: Everyday Practical Electronics,
John Waller, unpublished
Wimborrie Publishing Ltd.,
• Using I
2C Facilities in the PIC16F877, John Waller,
408 Wimborne Road East, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9ND.
unpublished
Tel: 01202 873872. Fax: 01202 874562.
• Using Serial EEPROMs, Gary Moulton, unpublished Email: orders@epemag.wimborne.co.uk
• Additional text for EPE PIC Tutorial V2, Payments must be by card or in £ Sterling — cheque or bank
John Becker, unpublished draft drawn on aUK bank.
Normally supplied within seven days of receipt of order.
NOTE: The PDF files on this CD-ROM are suitable to
ISend acopy of this form, or order by letter if you do not wish to cut your issue t
use on any PC with aCD-ROM drive. They require
Adobe Acrobat Reader — included on the CD-ROM I.

I BECOME A PIC WIZARD WITH THE HELP OF EPE!

Everyday Practical Electronics. January 2004

 Learn to Program in C with FED!
Free book provides complete introduction to C programming for the PIC
Our free book will take you through the process of learning C from variables through
constants to pointers and then structures and unions. Most of the examples are
standalone and are as small as possible to enable the purpose and effect to be easily
understood. Nearly all can be run on our PIC C Compiler simulator so you can experiment

rn t qu;ckly - but code can also be run on practically any C Compiler.

Use
• Start to use c for the PIC — standard portable code with a standard syntax designed to be " close" to the
processor for efficiency in size and speed
• Suitable for beginners or BASIC programmers
• Covers Comments and Statements,Variables and Constants,Expressions.Functions,Program
the Forest Electronic Control,Pointers,Structures & Unions, and the Pre-processor.
Developments • The final example is a comprehensive real time programming application showing the simultaneous use of
PIC C Compile LCD, keypads, timers, clocks and ports
• Examples will run on our development board
• Soft copy of examples provided - ready to run on the PIC C Compiler
• Examples will run on other C Compilers

Download Free of Charge — www.fored.co.uk/ccomp.htm (follow the link " Learn C with FED")

FED — PIC C Compiler products

WIZ — C Visual Development for the FED PIC C FED PIC C Compiler
Compiler
• An appl:cation designer for the FED PIC C Compiler FULLY •C Compiler designed to ANSI standards
including the PIC C Compiler •Supplied with library routines for C standard functions and
• Drag asoftware component on to your design & set up the many interface applications including I2C, LCD, LED's,
parameters using cneck boxes, drop down boxes and edit timers, EEPROM, IRDA,Dallas 1Wire, Hex Keypad,
boxes (see shot below Maths, asynchronous serial interfacing, clocked data etc.
• Connect the component to the PIC pins using the mouse •With complete development/simulation environment
including LCD/Keypad/LED/RS232 terminal
• Select your own C functions to be triggered when events
occur (e.g. Byte received, timer overflow etc.) •View your simulation on a logic analyser application
showing waveforms, timing or analogue results
• Simulate, Trace at up to 10x the speed of MPLAB
•Profiler shows execution count, execution time and
• Generate the base appiicat:on automatically and then add
average time for functions and code blocks
your own functional code in C or assembler
•Smart linker — efficiently tiles routines throughout memory
• Supports over 80 PICS -16F87x,16F627/8, 16C55x,16C6x,
16F8x, 16C7xx 18Cxx, 18Fxxx, 12F629/675 etc. to minimise long jumps and page setting bits
• Demonstration download available: •Supports the FED In Circuit Debugger for 16F87x and
www.fo-ed.co.uk/CDerno.htm 18Fxx devices
'14 Screen shot
WIZ-C and C Compiler Pricing:
(left) shows
PIC C Compiler £60.00
push button
element
PIC C Compiler Professional £90.00
— WIZ-C £70.00
connected to the
PIC. Parameters WIZ-C Professional £100.00
may be set to
control WIZ-C products are provided with introductory tutorial, full extensive
debounce and manuals provided on CD.
repeat. C All prices may be reduced by £20.00 if the product is purchased at the
function may be same times as WIZ-ASM, or serial programmer, or our Development
specified to call board.
when the button
is pressed

In Circuit Debugger Programmers and Development Board

Supports 16F87x and 18Fxxx (See web pages)

• Allows real hardware to be examined &

PIC Programmer - Handles serially programmed PIC devices in a40
programs to be debugged and to be
pin multi-width ZIF socket. 16C55X, 16C6X, 16C7X. 16C8x, 16F62x,
run in real time on your application
16F8X, 12C508. 12C509, 16C72XPIC 14000, 16F87X, 18Cxxx, 18Fxxx,
• The FED ICD requires only one data
12F6xx etc.
I/O pin on the PIC which can be
Also In-Circuit programming.
chosen from any of ports B. C or D.
Operates on PC serial port
• Can program and re-program
Price: £45/kit, £50/built & tested
applications in circuit
• Up to 13 breakpoints ( 18F version) Development Board — For ALL 40 pin PICS from 16cxxx. 16Fxxx and
• Run, Animate, single step and step 18C/Fxxx Includes In-Circuit Programmer — NO separate programmer
over, run to cursor line, set PC to any required. LCD interface, hex keypad, LED's and Driver, 32 I/O pins on
value in the program header, I2C EEPROM. 2Serial Interfaces, Will run FED PIC BASIC
• Trace execution in the original C or (supplied free on CD ROM), 1A 5V regulator etc.
.• The CD-ROM is supplied with FED PIC BASIC and Compiler
Assembler source files
• View and change values of PIC special Price: £45/kit, £50/built & tested, CD - £5.00. Manual on CD-ROM
function registers, W and the ports. or download free from our web site
• Standard serial interface to PC
Forest Electronic Developments
12 Buldowne Walk. Sway,
Prices. Please add £300 for P&P and handling to each ottlei and then EU
LYMINGTON, Hampshire $041 EDU
residents add Tal l17 5% ChequesiPOs payable to Forest Electronic
Email - inf3@fored co uk
Web Site - rga iiwww for ou,
VISA Developments, phone with credit card details or order from our secure web site

01590-681511 (Voice/Fax)

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 7

 GENT
EE257 135 Hunter Street, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs. DE14 2ST VISA
Tel 01283 565435 Fax 546932 VP0r-A10110.

http://www.magenta2000.co.uk
E-mail: sales@magenta2000.co.uk
ELECTRONICS L T D All Pri
ces i
nc l
udeVA.T.ADD £3.00 PER ORDER P&P.£6.99
. nextday

MAIL ORDER ONLY • CALLERS BY APPOINTMENT

PIC PIPE DESCALER

EPE PROJECT PICS
Programmed PICs for ' EPE Projects
• SIMPLE TO BUILD • SWEPT
• HIGH POWER OUTPUT FREQUENCY
EPE
12C508/9 - £3.90; 16F627/8 - £4.90
16C84/16F84/16C71 - £5.90
16F876/877 - £ 10.00
• AUDIO & VISUAL MONITORING
An affordable circuit which sweeps
the incoming water supply with
TEACH-IN
2000
PIC. WAR
All inc. VAT and Postage variable frequency electromagnetic "ESCALE"

signals. May reduce scale formation,

"
(Some projects are copyright)
dissolve existing scale and improve
lathering ability by altering the way
salts in the water behave. Full set of top quality NEW
EPE MICROCONTROLLER Kit includes case, P.C.B., coupling components for this educa-
coil and all components. tional series. All parts as
P.I. TREASURE HUNTER High coil current ensures maximum
The latest MAGENTA DESIGN - highly effect. LED. monitor.
specified by EPE. Kit includes
stable & sensitive - with I.C. control of all breadboard, wire, croc clips,
timing functions and advanced pulse KIT 868 £22.95 POWER UNIT £3.99 pins and all components for
separation techniques. experiments, as listed in
• High stability
drift cancelling MICRO PEsT introduction to Part 1.
'Batteries and tools not included.
• Easy to build
& use
SCARER
• No ground Our latest design - The ultimate TEACH-IN 2000 -
scarer for the garden. Uses
effect, works
in seawater special microchip to give random £44.95
KIT 879
delay and pulse time. Easy to
build reliable circuit. Keeps pets/
pests away from newly sown areas,
MULTIMETER £14.45
play areas, etc. uses power source
from 9 to 24 volts.
• Detects gold, • RANDOM PULSES SPACEWRITER
• HIGH POWER An innovative and exciting project.
silver, ferrous & Wave the wand through the air and
non-ferrous • DUAL OPTION Plug-in power supply £ 4.99 your message appears. Programmable ir
metals to hold any message up to 16 digits long. 1„..
KIT 867 £ 19.99 Cornes ore- loaded with " MERRY XMAS". Kit
• Efficient quartz controlled includes PCB, all components & tube plus
microcontroller pulse generation. KIT + SLAVE UNIT £32.50 instructions for message loading.
• Full kit with headphones & all
KIT 849 £ 16.99
hardware WINDICATOR
A novel wind speed indicator with LED readout. Kit comes
KIT 847 £63.95
complete with sensor cups, and weatherproof sensing head.
Mains power unit £5.99 extra 12V EPROM ERASER
A safe low cost eraser for up to 4 EPROMS at a
KIT 856 £28.00
68000
time in less than 20 minutes. Operates from a
DEVELOPMENT
12V supply ( 400mA). Used extensively for mobile

* TENS UNIT *
TRAINING KIT
work - updating equipment in the field etc. Also in
educational situations where mains supplies are
•NEW PCB DESIGN
not allowed. Safety interlock prevents contact
•8MHz 68000 16- BIT BUS with UV.
•MANUAL AND SOFTWARE
•2SERIAL PORTS DUAL OUTPUT TENS UNIT Set of KIT 790 £29.90
•PIT AND I/O PORT OPTIONS
As featured in March ' 97 issue. 4 spare
• 12C PORT OPTIONS electrodes
Magenta have prepared a FULL KIT for this. £6.50 SUPER BAT
excellent new project. All components, PCB,
hardware and electrodes are included. DETECTOR
KIT 621 Designed for simple assembly and testing and
providing high level dual output drive. 1 WATT 0/P, BUILT IN
, £99.95 KIT 866.. Full kit including four electrodes £32.90 SPEAKER, COMPACT CASE
•ON BOARD 20kHz-140kHz
5V REGULATOR NEW DESIGN WITH 40kHz MIC.
•PSU £6.99 1000V & 500V INSULATION A new circuit using a
•SERIAL LEAD £3.99
TESTER 'full-bridge' audio
amplifier i.c., internal
Superb new design. Regulated speaker, and
headphone/tape socket.
output, efficient circuit. Dual-scale
The latest sensitive
meter, compact case. Reads up to transducer, and 'double
200 Megohms. balanced mixer' give a
Kit includes wound coil, cut-out stable, high perfor-
case, meter scale, PCB & ALL mance superheterodyne design
components. KIT 861 £27.99
KIT 848 £32.95 ALSO AVAILABLE Built & Tested... £42.99

ULTRASONIC PEsT SCARER

MOSFET MkIIVARIABLE BENCH SIMPLE PIC
POWER SUPPLY 0-25V 2-5A Keep pets/pests away from newly
sown areas, fruit, vegetable and PROGRAMMER
Based on our Mkl design and flower beds, children's play areas,
preservin%all the features, but •
now wit switching F:ire-
patios etc. This project produces KIT 857... £ 12.99
intense pulses of ultrasound which
regulator for much higher effi-
deter visiting animals.
ciency. Panel meters indicate Includes PIC16F84 chip
Volts and Amps. Fully variable • KIT INCLUDES ALL disk, lead, plug, p.c.b.,
down to zero. Toroidal mains COMPONENTS, PCB & CASE
transformer. Kit includes all components and
• EFFICIENT 100V • UP TO 4 METRES
punched and printed case and TRANSDUCER OUTPUT RANGE instructions
all parts. As featured in April • COMPLETELY INAUDIBLE • LOW CURRENT
1994 EPE. An essential piece Extra 16F84 chips £3.84
TO HUMANS DRAIN
of equipment. Power Supply £3.99
Kit No. 845 £64.95 KIT 812 £15.00

8 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 MAGENTA BRAINIBOT I & II EPE TEACH- IN 2004
THE LATEST SERIES - STARTED NOV ' 03
• Full kit with ALL hardware
and electronics
NEW ALL PARTS INCLUDING PROTOTYPE BREADBOARD AND WIRE
• As featured in EPE Feb ' 03 - -AS LISTED ON p752 NOV. ISSUE ( EXCL MISC.)
KIT 910
"A BRILLIANT NEW ELECTRONICS COURSE"
• Seeks light, beeps, avo.ds
obstacles KIT 920 ... £29.99
• Spins and reverses when
'cornered' ADDITIONAL PARTS - AS LISTED UNDER MISCELLANEOUS - BUT
• Uses 8-pin PIC LESS RADIO MODULES, SOLENOID LOCK AND MOTOR/
• ALSO KIT 911 - As 910 GEARBOX.
PLUS programmable from PC
serial port - leads and soft- KIT 921 £12.99
ware CD provided

KIT 910 £ 16.99 KIT 911 £24.99

EPE PIC Tutorial V2
PIC 16F84 MAINS POWER 4-CHANNEL EPE APR/MAY/JUNE ' 03 and PIC RESOURCES CD
CONTROLLER & LIGHT CHASER
FOLLOW THIS SERIES WITH EPE PIC TOOLKIT 3
• ZERO VOLT SWITCHING • HARD- FIRED TRIACS
• OPTO ISOLATED 5 Amp • WITH SOURCE CODE • THE LATEST TOOLKIT BOARD - 8, 18, 28 AND 40- PIN CHIPS
• 12 KEYPAD CONTROL • SPEED & DIMMING POT.
• MAGENTA DESIGNED P.C.B. WITH COMPONENT LAYOUT
• EASILY PROGRAMMED
AND EXTRAS
Kit 855 £39.95 • L.C.D. BREADBOARD AND PIC CHIP INCLUDED
• ALL TOP QUALITY COMPONENTS AND SOFTWARE SUPPLIED
IrergreaKeiregiOnvirUNq KIT 880 ... £34.99 WITH 16F84
INCLUDES 1-PIC16F84 WITH DEMO Kit 860 £19.99
PROGRAM SOFTWARE DISK, PCB,
INSTRUCTIONS AND 16-CHARAC-
TER 2- LINE
Power Supply £ 3 99
PIC TUTOR 1 MARCH - APRIL - MAY ' 98
LCD DISPLAY
FULL PROGRAM SOURCE CODE EPE SERIES 16F84
SUPPLIED - DEVELOP
YOUR OWN APPLICATION!

Another super PIC project from Magenta. Supplied with PCB, industry standard 2- LINE x PIC TUTOR BOARD KIT
16-character display, data, al components, and sohware to include in your own programs. Includes: PIC16F84 Chip, TOP Quality PCB printed with
Ideal development base for meters. terminals, cialculWois, counters. time -s - Just waiting
Component Layout and all components* (* not ZIF Socket or
for your application!
Displays). Included with the Magenta Kit is a disk with Test
and Demonstration routines.
8-CHANNEL DATA LOGGER KIT 870 .... £ 27.95, Built & Tested .... £42.95
As featured in Aug./Sept. '99 EPE. Full kit wrth Magenta Optional: Power Supply - £ 3.99, ZIF Socket - £ 9.99
redesigned PCB - LCD fits directly on board. Use as Data LCD Display £ 7.99 LED Display £ 6.99
Logger or as atest bed for many other 16F877 projects. Kit
Reprints Mar/Apr/May 98 - £ 3.00 set 3
includes programmed Clip. 8 EEPROMs, PCB, case and all components.

KIT 877 £49.95 inc. 8 x256K EEPROMS

SUPER PIC PROGRAMMER
ICEBREAKER • READS, PROGRAMS, AND VERIFIES
• WINDOWS'") SOFTWARE
• PIC16C AND 16F - 6X, 7X, AND 8X
0000000000 • USES ANY PC PARALLEL PORT
• USES STANDARD MICROCHIP • HEX FILES
• DISASSEMBLER SOFTWARE
• PCB, LEAD, ALL COMPONENTS, TURNED- PIN
SOCKETS FOR 18, 28, AND 40 PIN ICs

• SEND FOR DETAILED

INFORMATION - A
SUPERB PRODUCT AT
AN UNBEATABLE LOW
Kit 862 £29.99
PRICE. Power Supply £3.99

PIC STEPPING MOTOR DRIVER

£18.99
PIC Real Time INCLUDES PCB,
PIC16F84 WITH
DEMO PROGRAM,
Kit 863
FULL SOURCE CODE SUPPLIED
In-Circuit Emulator
SOFTWARE DISC,
INSTRUCTIONS ALSO USE FOR DRIVING OTHER
AND MOTOR. POWER DEVICES e.g. SOLENOIDS
• Icebreaker uses PIC16F877 in circuit debugger
• Links to Standard PC Serial Port ( lead suppliecA
Another Magenta PIC pro ect. Drives any 4- phase unipolar motor - up to
• Windows' (95+) Software included
24V and 1A. Kit includes all components and 48 ateo motor. Chip is
• Works with MPASM and MPLAB Microchip software
pre-programmed with demo software, then write your own, and re-program
• 16 x2 LCD., Breadboard, Relay, I/O des ces aric patch leads supplied
the same chip! Circuit accepts inputs from switches etc and drives motor in
As featured in March '00 EPE. Ideal for beginners AND advanced users. response. Also runs standard demo sequence from memory.
Programs can be written, assembled, downloaded into the microcontroller and run at full
speed ( up to 20MHz), or one step at atime.
Full emulation means that all I/O ports respond exactly and immediately, reading and
driving external hardware.
Features include: Reset; Halt on externa; pulse: Set Breakpoint: Examine and Change
registers, EEPROM and program memory; Load program. Single Step with display of
Status. W register, Program counter, ard user selected ' Watch Window' registers.

KIT 900 ... £34.99

POWER SUPPLY £3.99 STEPPING MOTOR 100 STEP £9.99
All prices include VAT. Add £3.00 p&p. Next day £6.99

Tel: 01283 565435 Fax: 01283 546932 E-mail: sales@magenta2000.co.uk

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

012004 ICM7556 £0.88 27C4001-120£5.84 em . s Reclaims 2N4403 £0.09 BC5588 £0.09 TIP31C £0.35
1165V £2.36 93C46N £0.33 lA 50V £0.35 2N5245 £0.80 8C559A £0.08 TIP32A £0.29
L272M £1.21 IA 100V £0.36 2N5296 £0.57 BC560A £0.09 TIP32C £0.26
1293E £4.03 MA IA 200V £0.39 2N540I £0.12 BC5608 £0.08 TIP33C £0.74
1297 £5.12 GM76C88. £3.60 IA 600V £0.40 2N5551 £0.11 BC636 £0.10 TIP41A £0.32
L298N £6.67 HM62128.-7 £9.14 1A 800V £0.43 2N6491 £1.58 BC637 £0.19 TIP41C £0.35
14960 £2.81 IS61C256-15 £3.20 1.5A soy £0.19 2513548 £0.30 8C638 £0.21 TIP42A £0.40
NIC COMPONENTS 16219 £4.48 ,,..,.. 1.5A 100V £0.19 AC127 £0.50 BC639 £0.11 TIP42C £0.43
LF347N £0.46
11351N £0.42
Vererr- i 1.5A 200V £0.19 AC128 £0.74 8C640 £0.13 TIP50 £0.31
SieStesraie ilea - 1.5A 400V £0.20 AC187 £0.68 8CY70 £0.22 TIPII0 £0.28
LF353N £0.40 AD420AN £25. ,„. 38 1.5A 600V £0.24 AC188 £0.97 BCY7I £0.29 TIP120 £0.32
1E356 £0.52 £4.84 BCY72 £0.20 TIPI 21 £0.34
LF411CN £0.98 AD7
A D55
572 8J1 ££'71' :4'2' 1.5A
1.5A 800V £0.26 ACY17
Station Road, Cullercoats, Ire lkV £0.26 AD149 £1.29 8D124P £6.86 TIPI 22 £0.34
LM301AN £0.40 AD7545AK £14.04 2A 100V £0.34 AD16I £0.73 80131 £0.48 TIPI 25 £0.31
Tyne di Wear, NE30 4PQ LM311N8 £0.25 AD7828KN £20.33 2A 200V £0.34 AD162 £0.95 813132 £0.46 TIPI 26 £0.31
LM3I9N14 090 £ DAC0800 £2.72 2A 400V £035 EIC107 £0.15 80135 £0.24 TIPI 27 £0.36
Prices Exclude Val @ 17`A% LM324 £0:21 ICL7109CPL £7.75 2A 800V £0.36 BC1078 £0.14 BD136 £0.21 TIP132 £13.68
LM335Z £1.00 TLC549IP £2.07 2A 1000V £0.45 8C108 £0.14 80137 £0.23 TIPI 37 £0.64
UK Carriage £. 50 ( less than lkg) LM339N £0.19 3A 200V £0.34 8C1088 £0.14 BD138 £0.24 TIPI41 £0.93
£3.50 greater than lkg LM348N £0.36 le•lafeallars 3A 4130V £0.40 BC108C £0.18 BD139 £0.23 TIPI 42 £0.93
Cheques / Postal orders payable to LM35DZ £1.90 A789C2051 £6.38 3A 600V £0.33 8C109 £0.17 BD140 £13.25 TIP147 £1.07
ESR Eleclronic Components. LM358N £0.17 12C508A04P WA 4A 100V £0.78 8C109C £0.18 BD150C £0.82 TIE'2955 £0.6?
PLEASE ADD CARRIAGE & VAT TO ALL ORDERS LM380N £0.81 12C509A04P £0.85 4A 200V £0.76 8C114 £0.19 BD201 £0.40 TIP3055 £0.63
LM386 £04
16C54C04P £1.49 4A 400V £0.86 8C115 £0.41 80202 £0.70 ZVN3306A £0.32
4000 Series 74HC32 £0.18 7415109 £0 21 1-M392N £0.7 16C548.1W £7.60 4A 6A 600V
100v £0.90 8C118 £0.41 80232 £0.50 ZVN4306A £0.80
4000B £0.27 74HC42 £0.36 7415112 £ 74 LM393N £0.21 £0.49 BCI 32 £0.36 80237 £0.32 ZVN4310A £0.64
40018 £0.16 74HC73 £0.40 74151'3 £023 1),,4745cN5 £0.37 16C56A-04P £1.63 6A 200y £0.60 8C134 £0.36 80238 £0.44 IVP3306A £0.42
40028 £0.19 74H04 £0.19 7415114 £0:36 LM1881 £2.90 I6F84-04P £3.14 6A 400V £0.53 BC135 £0.36 8D240C £0.37 ZTX300 £0.15
4007U8 £0.19 74HC75 £0.31 741-5122 £0.31 LM2901N £0.15 16F84- 10P £3.76 6A 600V £0.67 8C140 £0.75 BD245C £1.10 Z7X302 £0.17
40088 £0.23 74H06 £0.20 7415123 £0.31 LM2917N8 £2.34 16F877-04P £5.20 8A 1043V £0.98 BCI41 £0.27 BD246C £1.18 ZTX450 £0.19
4009U8 £0.23 74HC85 £0.24 7413125 £0.28 LM3900N £0.72 16F877-20P £6.00 8A 8A 200V
400V £1.00 BC142 £0.34 80283 £0.61 ZTX451 £0.19
401013 £0.23 74HC86 £0.22 7415126 £0.25 . £0.38 BD284 £0.61 ZTX453 £0.26
£0.26 LM3915
1M3914 £2.24 £1.97 8A 6013V £1.33 BS 54
40118 £0.16 74HC107 £0.40 7415132
401213 £0.16 74HC123 £.33 7415133 £0.36 LM13700 £1.04
£0.23 LMC660CN £1.26 4 „
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£0.33 LMC6032IN £1.55 25A 400V
25A 21343V £1.98£1.54 BC160
8C159 £0.28 80442 £0.37 ITX551 £0.22
40148 £0.30 74HC126 £046 7415138
4015B £0.32 74HC132 £026 7413139 . . 7808 '.".`" 25A 600V £1.82 BC1708 £0.16 813534 £0.47 Z7X600 £0.33
40168 £.20 74HC133 £ i34 7415145 £0.56 LP324N 0.72 fmi ,„.„ 35A 50V £1.67 BC171B £0.16 80535 £0.50 ZTX60013 £0.35
40178 0 £ .21 74HC137 £030 7415148 £0.64 LP339N £0.75 , ig:g 35A 100V £1.57 BC1728 £0.13 80581 £0.62 Z7X605 £0.36
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mu M34- I £0.30 78106 35A 400V £1.62 BC178 £0.18 EID646 £0.52 Z7X653 £0.37
£0 . 25 74HC139 £0. 31 74 , 1-S1, 3 £0 70
. 78108 £0.21 8C179
4020B £0.26 74HC151 £0.33 74 '-' 1" £0.36 M34-2 £0.18 80648 £.52 ITX6$98 £0.36
£0.22 MAX202CPE £1.97 78112 Thrht•re £0.10 BD650 £I.53 I7X6908 £0.37
40218 £ „,.,.,
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4035B
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40408 £(1" 3/ 74HC173 £0:3
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40428 o 22 74HC175 £0.35 7415197 £0 .60 M0302 £0.56 79124 £0.10 8E259 £0.33
40438 £ 3 5 74HC192 £0.72 7415197 £0 .43 mc4558p £0.33 ADM666AN £3.44 B7139-500 £1.00 80 25 £0.15 BF337 £0.40
40448 o 35 74HC193 £0.40 7415195 £0 .24 MK484 £0.66 1200CV £1.67 87139-600 £1.20 80375
£0.11 8E422 £0.15
40468 £1 33 5 74FIC195 £0.32 7415196 £0 .24 NE521N £6.39 L296 £6.30 BTA08-6008 £0.84 8035 5 £0.11 8E423 £0.15
40478 o 32 74HC240 £0.32 7413221 £0 .41 NE555N £0.16 1- 387 A £2.72 BTA08-6008w£0.76 8039c £0.10 8E459 £0.33
£0 .32 NE556N £0.29 LM2940CT5 £0.75 BTA08-600C £049 8C250A Quality
40488 £034 74HC241 £0.37 7415240 £0.15 8E469 £0.36 Csatasatents
4049E1 £0.29 74HC244 £0.42 7413241 £0'37 NE565N £2.30 1-M31712 £8 . 29 BTA°8-6°°sw£° '9 80618 £0.30 BFX29 £0.29 No surplus or re-
4049U8 £0.24 74HC245 £0.42 7413243 £0:30 NE567N £0.39 LM317T £0.31 BTA08-6001w£0.78 80628
£0.24 BFX84 £0.31 dundant stock. All
40508 o 20 74HC251 £0.311 7415244 £0.35 NE592 £0.62 LM317K £2.48 BTA12-600sw£0.92 80678 £0.30 BFX85 £0.33
£0.32 NE 5532 N £0.48 ua lM3 34 23 zK £2 460 EBI T
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ces ££11:185 Bg0C30197c from leading
4051E1 £021 74HC253 £0.25 7415245 0:9
£0.10 8FX88 £0.27 manufactures.
40528 £0.32 7411057 £0.25 7415247 £060 NE5534N £0.45 £0.13 8FY50 £0.30
40538 £0.22 74HC259 £0.57 7415251 £0 .24 NE5539N £4.35 Lh4337T 0.67 £ EITA26-601313 £2.78 at-nAr £0.07 8FY51 £0.22
40548 0.56 £ 741-1C273 £0.32 7415257 £0:24 OPO7CN £0.90 LM338K £5.47 TIC206D £0.70 girii_ 25 £0.08 8FY52 £0.24
Quo%
4055B £0.34 74HC299 £0.61 7415258 £0.24 OP27CN £2.33 1M3387 £1.18 TIC206M £0.75 5025 £0.09 85107 £0.21
Semis,
£0.45 OP9OGP £2.91 OA TIC226D £0.80 8037 Someday des-
40608 £0.22 74HC365 £0.28 7415259 t p2 9 5 0a5.0 OM TIC226M £1.00 ar-sa7-Ac £0.10 BSI 70 £0.20
40638 £0.41 74HC367 £0.38 7415266 £014 OP97FP £1.84 eA 7 2 3
£0.08 13U208A £1.53 patch on all stock
£0 .32 OP113GP £3.44 REFO1CP £2.50 TIC246D £1.00 gZ5:553 " £0.10 BU326A £1.40 items. Friendly
40668 £0.21 74HC368 £0.29 7415273
40678 £2.20 74HC373£0.35 7415279 £024 OP176GP £2.09 REF195GP £3.04 TIC246M £1.00 BC3488 £0.14 BU500 £1.54 helpful staff
4068E1 £0.16 74HC374 0.40 £ 7415283 £0.47 OP177GP £1.86 71431CP £0.20 TIC236D £1.12 8057 £0.25 8U508A £1.30
£0.21 OP200GP £5.60 Diedes Z0105DA £0.53 5095 £0.73 Fast Delivery
4069UB £0.17 74HC390 £0.52 7415365 BU508D £0.98
407013 £0.16 74HC393 £0.38 7413367 £0.21 OP213FP £5.20 1N914 £0.05 Di« 8C441 £0.40 8U806 £1.06 Nextday service
40718 £0.20 74HC541 £0.25 7413368 £0.21 OP275GP £2.57 IN916 £0.05 DB3, 32V £0.14 E1C461 £0.46 BUTl iA £0.57 for all small
407213 £0.18 74HC563 £0.56 7413373 £0.32 OP282GP £2.27 1N4001 £0.05 Treasisters E1C463 £0.29 BUTIIAF £ . 4 (<1 kg) orders at
40738 £0.17 74HC564 £0.48 7413374 £0.38 OP283GP £5.20 1N4002 £0.05 £0.52 BUXI34 £0.78 no ex1ra charge.
£0.62 OP290GP £4.28 1N4003 £0.04 2NI 711 0 £ 26 BC477 £0.45 BUZ11 £010 3day service for
4075B £0.17 74HC573 £0.27 7413378 2N2222A £0 .16 BC478
4076B £0.30 741-10574 £0.38 7415390 . OP297GP £4.64 1N4004 £0.04 2N2369A £0.43 BC479 £0.32 BUZ900P £5.92 orders > 1kg
4077B £0.28 74HC595 £0.27 741.5393 £.33 OP400GP £11.81 1N4005 £0.04 2N2646 £1:02 8C516 £0.21 BUZ905P £5.92
4078B
40818 0
£ . 30 74HC688 £0.46 7415395 £0.26 OP495GP £8.69 I N4006 £. 04 2N2904A £0.35 8C517 £0.12 IRF530 £0.45 No Minimum
RC4136 £1.00 1N4007 £0.0,5 2N2905A £030 8C528 £0.20 IRF540 £0.75 Order
£0.16 74HC4002 £0.31 74 Series ...„ ,, SG3524N £0.70 IN4148
40828 £0.21 74HC4017 £0.36 7407 £0.03 2N2907A £0.28 BC 537 £0.20 IRF630 £0.42 Order what you
4085B '-‘,`,." SG3543 £688 IN4149 £0.„07 2N3053 £0.31 EIC546A £0.06 IRF640 £0.63 need, . no pack
40868 w.44 74HC4040 £0.29 /Jew Kg 55M214IP £3.21 IN5400 £03,0 2N3054 £0.85 BC 5468 £0.08 IRF740 £0.91 quantities or min
40938 £0.1,8 74HC4049 £0.31 AD524AD £23.04 SSM2142P £6.16 1N5401 £0.08 2N3055 £0:58 BC546C £0.08 IRF830 £0.68 order value.
4094B £8 ,
£ 2, 1 74HC4051 £0.50 AD5481N £2.48 SSM2143P £3.78 1N5402 2N3439 062 £ BC 547 A £0.09 IRF840 £0.78
40978 ,-,,.4,. 74HC4052 £0.43 AD590JH £5.28 TBA1205 £1.04 1N5404
, £0.09 2N3440 £030 BC5478 £0.09 MJ2501 £1.60 Quantity
40988 . U." 74HC4053 £0.38 AD592AN £4.48 TBA800 £0.75 1N5406 £1110 2N3702 £0.09 BC 547 C £0.09 MJ3001 £1.84 Discounts
40998 TBA8105 £0.64 1N5407 £0. 10 2N3703 £13:10 BC548A £0.08 M111015 £2.45 Available
£
,..„.„
0 3, 9 74HC4060 £0.23 AD 595 AQ £13.92
45028 .,.,.„"..,„‘ 74HC4075 £0.27 AD620AN £9.88 TBA820M £0.38 1N5408 £0.10 2N3704 £011 8C5488 £0.09 MI11016 £2.56 We offer dis-
45038 ,...,-",,,. 74HC4078 £0.32 AD625.IN £16.20 TDA11705 £4.80 6A05 £13.,2,7 2N3705 £0:08 BC548C £0.08 MJE340 £0.33 counts for all
4508E1 AD633.ini £5.97 TDA2004 £2.21 6A1 £0.30 2N377I £1.44 BC 5498 £0.09 MJE350 £0.32 items subject to
£,' 'I', 74HC4514
'
"-.4.s4 74HC4511 £0.84
£0.64 AD648JN £2.57 TDA2030AV £1.20 6A2 £0.10 MPSA05 £0.14 quantity required,
45108 £0.27, 2N3772 £1:72 BC549C
45118 AD654JN £7.18 7DA2050V £2.28 6A4 0 20 2N3773 £1.70 BC 5508
£ £0.10 MPSA06 £0.11 phone, fax or
74HC4538 £0.41 £0.,3,2 2N3819 £0:31 8C550C £0.11 MPSAI 3 £0.09 email for aquote.
451213 £0.32 74HC4543 £0.90 AD71IJN £1.46 TDA2611A £1. 88 6A6
451413 £0.77 AD712JN £2.48 7DA2822A £1386 6A8 £8 ..R1 2N3820 £066 BC556 A £0.08 MPSA42 £015
451513 £0 .99 74LS Series AD736JN £7.95 TDA2653A £2.99 6A10 £0 . 35 2N3903 £0. 11 8C5568 £0.08 71P29A £0.32
451613 £0.44 741500 £13.22 A13797AN £7.10 TDA7052A £1.25 BAI 57 £0.09 71P29C £0.33
451813 £0.35 741301 £0.14 AD811N £6.24 7E0371 8DP £5.03 BAI58 0el :
£ 2N
0180 2 N3 39
9004
5 £ 0 10
£0 :08 B C5 g7
BC5 7AB £0.09 TIP30A £0.47
45208 £0.34 741502 £0.22 AD812AN £6.32 TEA5115 £3.11 8A159 013 2N3906 £0.
£ 08 BC 557 C £0.11 TIP30C £0.37
452113 £0.62 741503 £0.29 AD817AN £3.19 71061CP £0.37 8A741 £0 . 12 2N4401 £0:08 8C558A £0.08 TIP31A £0.28
45268 £0.40 741304 £0.22 AD820AN £3.41 71062CP £0.60 BAT42 0 ' 20 We 'eery ..area sauna el sapadters la steak, Maladies:
452713 £0.40 741505 £0.14 AD822AN £5.20 TL064CN £0.72 BAT46
£0.40 741308 £0.19 AD8291N £6.41 TL071CN £0.32 BAT49 £027 Ceramic Mini Disc, Dipped Ceramic Multilayer, Dipped & Boxed Polyester,
45288 £0.12 Mylar Film, Polystyrene, Plastic Film, MKT Polyester Tantalum Bead, Sub- mis -
45298 £0.44 741509 £0.15 AD830AN £5.44 TL072CN £0.32 BAT85
£0.24 741510 £0.27 AD847JN £5.95 TL074CN £0.40 BAV21 £007 iature Radial, 105 C Radial Low Leakage Radial, Ñon Polarised Radial & Ax-
4532B 0'07 ial, PCB Can Electrolytics, polypropylene & Ceramic Trimmers and Tuning
4536B £1.00 741311 £0.17 AD9696KN £7.73 71081 £0.28 BAW62 £005 capacitors. Full technical details available.
453813 £0.40 741512 £0.25 ADEL2020A 5.06 £ 71082CN £0.32 BAXI 6
4541B £0.33 741514 £0.33 ADM222AH £3.55 TL084CN £0.42 BY127 £0.18 Resisters - Please $tate Value Required "` I ,?3,21;
454313 £0.47 741315 £13.24 ADM232AA £3.55 TL7705ACP £0.82 BY133 £0.10 usW Carbon Film 5% E12 Series 1011-1M0 02 Each£080 per 100
455513 £0.32 741520 £0.27 ADM485JN £2.97 TLC271 £0.63 0A47 £0.70 M4/ Carbon Film 5% E12 Series 10-10M £0:02 Each, per 100
455613 £0.40 741521 £0.20 ADM666AN £2.72 TLC272N £0.60 0A90 £0.33 Y.,,W Metal Film 1% E24 Series 100-1M £0.04 Each £1.72 per 100
45848 £0.27 741326 £0.17 ADM690AN £5.13 TS274CN £0.50 0A91 £0.34 'AIN Carbon Film 5% El 2Series 10-10M £0.02 Each: £0.95 per 100
4585G £0.47 £0.25 ADM69'.AN £6.48 TS555CN £0.35 0A2013 £0.56 254iy Wirewa. çl
£0.08 I
EV Series OD1-220n .
also In stock - selected values onl, contact soleapt
3Each
47248 £0.94 741530 £0.20 ADM695AN . . UF 4001 IN, 2W, SW, 20W, .15w & &OW
401068 0.19 £ 741332 £0.23 ADM699AN £3.58 IJA741CN £0.23 UF4002 0.08 £ Pr...$ l.il.tir. - se Itut. Valu. Itequ
40109B £0.58 741537 £0.31 CA747CE £0.39 ULN2003A £0.38 UF4003 £0.09 Enclosed, lOmm Square Harz / Vert. 1000 - «IMO 0.15W £0.12 Each
401748 £0.46 741538 £0.18 CA3046 £0.47 ULN2004A £0.44 UF4004 WM Skeleton, lOmm Dia. Horizontal. lea- Imo 0.1W £0.09 Each
401758 £0.41 741540 £0.14 CA3080E £0.60 ULN2803A £0.44 UF4005 £0.10 Sub- min, 6mm Dia, Horizontal E3 2000-1M0 0.1W £0.12 Each
74LS42 £0.42 CA3130E £0.87 ULN2804A £0.44 UF4006 £0.10 Multiturn, lOmm Square Top Adjust. E3 1000-1M0 0.5W £0.81 Each
7411C "des 74LS47 £0.48 CA3140E £0.63 EPROM ,. UF4007 £0.14 Multituro, 19mm Long„.E'nd Adjust. E3 5013-1uuW £0.59 Each
74HCOO £0.16 74 L 551
.
£13.24 CA3240E £0.92 24LCO8BP £0.73 Zeners 2.7 to 33V rielemlfeesseteee - Please Witte Value en
74HCO2 14 741. 573 £0.36 DG2I ICJ £1.25 241C1613P £0.69 500mW £0.06 Single Gang Y." Shaft, 25mm Dia. 4700-2M2 Linear £0.56 Each
74HCO3 £0. £0. 21 741_574
£0.18 1304110J £2.00 241C32AP £1.14 .3W £0.10 Single Gang W'Sh.aft 25mm Dia. 4k7,10k,47k,100k,1M,2M2 Log £0.56 Each
74HCO4 £0.16 741375 £13.30 ICL7106CPL £2.80 27128-200 £399 Dual Gone' Shaft, Wmm Dia. 1k0-2M2 Linear £1.54 Each
74HCO8 £0.18 741553 £038 la7107CPL £2.10 Dual Gone* Shaft, 20mm Dia. 10k-470k Logarithmic £1.54 Each
74HC10 £0.21 741555 „ 27256-200 £3.99 NeVerl ieue Switched --' Shaft 20mm Dia. 1k0-2M2 Linear £1.92 Each
W.48 ICL7109CLP
74HC1I £0.21 741556 £0.25 ICL7611DCP £'1..0"0 2277CC624568-1155FF££22:3840 Free with all orders Switched e Shaft: 20mm Dia. 4k7-2M2 logarithmic £1.92 Each
74HC14 £0.18 741590 PCB Mount, Splined Shaft, 16mm Dia. 4700- IMO Linear £0.48 Each
74HC20 £0.28 741392 £0.37 I C17621 0.84 £ 27C5I 2-15E1 £2.81 or via thePCBinternet. Mount Splined Shaft 16mm Dia. 4700,,4k7 100k IMO Log £0.48 Each
74HC27 £0.16 74193 £0.45 ICL7660SCP £0.80 27C1001-15. £3.17 Dual PCB, Sjahned Shaft, 16mm Dia. 10k,50k1ó0k,560k Lin £0.84 Each
£0.58 ICL8038 £3.04 27C2001-15. £4.41 Dual PCB, Splined Shaft, 16mm Dia 10k,50k,100k,500k Log £084 Each
74HC30 £0.22 74LS107 £0.30 10(47555 £041

Tab 0191 2514363 Rom 0191 2522296 Email: sales@esr.ta.uk //www.asr.ca.uk

10 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 Editorial Offices:
EVERYDAY PRACTICAL ELECTRONICS EDITORIAL
WIMBORNE PUBLISHING LTD., 408 WIMBORNE ROAD EAST,
FERNDOWN, DORSET BH22 9ND
Phone: (01202) 873872. Fax: (01202) 874562.
Email: enquiries@ epemag.wimborne.co.uk
Web Site: www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk
EPE Online ( downloadable version of EPE): www.epemag.com
EPE Online Shop: www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/shopdoor.htm
See notes on Readers'Technical Enquiries below - we regret
lengthy technical enquiries cannot be answered over the tele-
fic,
09 MAIM FOR MICROPRO TECHNOLOGY 6COMPUTER PROJECTS phone.
Advertisement Offices:
EVERYDAY PRACTICAL ELECTRONICS ADVERTISEMENTS

VOL. 33 No. 1 JANUARY 2004 MILL LODGE, MILL LANE,

TIORPE-LE-SOKEN, ESSEX C016 OED
Phone/Fax: (01255) 861161 Email: epeads@aol.com

ALL SHAPES AND SIZES... Editor: MIKE KENWARD

There are not many magazines that have such a wide range of readership as EPE. We have Deputy Editor: DAVID BARRINGTON
readers from as young as 12 or 13 through to those in their eighties. Readers with little or no Technical Editor: JOHN BECKER
experience of electronics through to professional engineers and university lecturers; they all avid- Business Manager: DAVID J. LEAVER
ly follow EPE. Our Ingenuity Unlimited ( IU) feature carries items from readers right across this Subscriptions: MARILYN GOLDBERG
age and ability spectrum and we are pleased to encourage our younger readers by publishing their Administration: FAY KENWARD
innovative circuits from time to time. Not that we always know how old contributors are, but Editorial/Admin: (01202) 873872
sometimes the handwrting and signatures give us agood clue.
Advertisement Manager:
Of course, we also have readers right around the world and regular contributors from every
PETER J. MEW, ( 01255) 861161
continent. Myo Min, who is a regular IU contributor, writes from Myanmar, perhaps better
Advertisement Copy Controller:
known to us as Burma; the Rev. Thomas Scarborough in South Africa, many contributors in
PETER SHERIDAN, ( 01202) 873872
Australia, New Zealand and America and a few from places like India, Pakistan, Malaysia and
most European countries. On- Line Editor: ALAN WINSTANLEY
Iguess the World Wide Web has helped spread the word about EPE; our EPE Online edition EPE Online ( Internet version) Editors:
(which is controlled from Alabama. USA) is regularly downloaded by thousands of readers dot- CLIVE ( MAX) MAXFIELD and ALVIN BROWN
ted all over the globe, and over 10,000 printed copies are now sent to distributors abroad each
READERS' TECHNICAL ENQUIRIES
month.
E-mail: techdept@epemag.wimborne.co.uk
We are unable to offer any advice on the use,
... EXCEPT ONE purchase, repair or modification of commercial
Our hobby is truly international and age and ability seem to be no barrier. The one area where
equipment or the incorporation or modification
we are not "universal" is in gender. Our research shows that less than three per cent of our read-
of designs published in the magazine. We
ers are female. With the more enlightened UK educational system now offenng what were tradi-
regret that we cannot provide data or answer
tionally male subjects to everyone we wonder why there are still so few females interested in
queries on articles or projects that are more
electronics. Maybe there are some barriers that still need to be broken down? If you are one of
than five years old. Letters requiring apersonal
our female readers we would like to hear from you - is electronics still considered to be an unusu-
reply must be accompanied by a stamped
al subject for girls and, if so, why?
self-addressed envelope or a self-
It seems to us that many schools still find it difficult to embrace electronics - even within
addressed envelope and international reply
Design and Technology - as part of the regular curriculum, whilst a few, like Radley College
coupons.
(where our Teach- In 2004 author, Max Horsey, is Head of Electronics), positively shine at the
subject. We guess it is simply down to the background, enthusiasm and ability of individual PROJECTS AND CIRCUITS
teachers; again your views on this would be of interest. All reasonable precautions are taken to ensure
that the advice and data given to readers is
2004 reliable. We cannot, however, guarantee it and
Whilst I'm writing this in mid- November, it will be rapidly approaching Christmas and the we cannot accept legal responsibility for it.
New Year by the time you read it. So may we wish you all the season's greetings and thank you A number of projects and circuits published in
for your support and enthusiasm over the last year. We hope you have apeaceful, interesting and EPE employ voltages than can be lethal. You
rewarding 2004. should not build, test, modify or renovate
any item of mains powered equipment
unless you fully understand the safety
aspects involved and you use an RCD
adaptor.

COMPONENT SUPPLIES
We do not supply electronic components or
kits for building the projects featured, these
AVAILABILITY SUBSCRIPTIONS can be supplied by advertisers (see Shoptalk).
Copies of EPE are available on subscription anywhere Subscriptions for delivery direct to any address in the
We advise readers to check that all parts
in the world (see opposite), from all UK newsagents UK: 6months £ 16.50, 12 months £31, two years £57;
Overseas: 6 months £ 19.50 standard air service or are still available before commencing any
(distributed by COMAG) and from the following
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An Internet on-line version can be purchased and
Online subscriptions, for downloading the magazine via EVERYDAY PRACTICAL ELECTRONICS take
downloaded for just $ 10.99US (approx £7) per year the Internet, $ 10.99US (approx £7) for one year avail-
available from www.epemag.com reasonable precautions to protect the interests
able from www.epemag.com.
Cheques or bank drafts ( in £ sterling only) payable to of readers by ensuring as far as practicable
Everyday Practical Electronics and sent to EPE Subs. that advertisements are bona fide, the maga-
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East, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9ND. Tel: 01202 873872. takings in respect of statements or claims
Fax: 01202 874562. Email: subs@epemag.wimbome.co.uk.
made by advertisers, whether these advertise-
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Subscriptions start with the next available issue. We accept ments are printed as part of the magazine, or
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BINDERS stances will the magazine accept liability for
Binders to hold one volume ( 12 issues) are available non- receipt of goods ordered, or for late
from the above address. These are finished in blue delivery, or for faults in manufacture.
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spine. Price £6.95 plus £3.50 p&p (for overseas readers
CHRISTMAS TRANSMITTERS/BUGS/TELEPHONE
CHEEKS the postage is £6.00 to everywhere except Australia
Party tome body
and Papua New Guinea which cost £ 10.50). Normally EQUIPMENT
adornment
PIC VIRUS sent within seven days but please allow 28 days for We advise readers that certain items of radio
ZAPPER Pelkll
delivery - more for overseas. transmitting and telephone equipment which
Payment in £ sterling only please. Visa, Amex, Diners may be advertised in our pages cannot be
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telephone equipment as a fine, confiscation of
RIMIAIACNINE nature strip), with your name, address etc. Or order on
our secure server via our UK web site. Overseas cus- equipment and/or imprisonment can result
1 .11 IN 2000 P
Ifelusisron corral. ilial
2 '
tomers - your credit card will be charged by the card from illegal use or ownership. The laws vary
10010 CMCL1111 »OE SLIERIIETI
provider in your local currency at the existing from country to country; readers should check
exchange rate. local laws.

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 11

 Constructional Project

CAR
COMPUTER
MIKE HIBBETT

An aid for motorists who don't live A small EEPROM serial memory
device, IC2, holds the " service point"
with a mechanic! information and the historical fuel con-
sumption data from which the fuel con-
sumption trends are calculated. An RS232

C
ARS are really useful, but owning The owner may also enter "service level converter, IC3, provides the signal
one can be apain! Maintaining one, points", which are reminders to take some level changes required to connect the
keeping the engine in optimum con- kind of action such as changing atiming microcontroller to the COM port on aPC.
dition and remembering all those impor- belt or to have an in-warranty checkup.
tant services dates is anightmare — unless These events are typically time and/or dis-
you live with acar mechanic. tance based, and the Car Computer can be
Years ago afriend of the author taught configured to track elapsed time and dis-
him a great technique for monitoring a tance and prompt the owner at the appro-
car's performance. Using a small log priate moment. These service points may
book/k recorded each time the fuel tank be entered directly or conveniently down-
was filled and by recording the mileage loaded from aPC.
and amount of fuel added, she was able to
track the m.p.g. ( miles-per-gallon). A CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION LOW POWER
gradual reduction in the m.p.g. or a sud- The complete circuit diagram for the FEATURES
den change indicated the onset of aprob- Car Computer is shown in Fig. 1. The heart A number of hardware design features
lem that could be rectified before it of the design is a PIC16F877 microcon- have been implemented to enable the Car
became serious. troller, ICI. A standard liquid crystal Computer to run for several months from a
display (1.c.d.) module provides the infor- single set of batteries. You may have
COMPUTER LOG mation display in a two line by sixteen noticed that there is no Off switch!
This Car Computer replaces and characters per line format. Preset VR1 is To conserve power, the microcontroller
improves on the log book method by auto- used to set the screen contrast. User input is normally held in the Sleep operational
matically calculating the m.p.g. ( or miles is via a 12-key numeric keypad. mode where it consumes negligible power,
per litre or kilometres per litre) and allow- normally only waking up when the user
ing the user to review its trend on adisplay. presses abutton. While in Sleep mode the
Of course, the lovely thing about software microcontroller removes the power from
is that there is plenty of scope for "extra the 1.c.d. and RS232 device IC3 to sig-
features" — which have been added! nificantly reduce the circuit
It is ahandheld unit powered from four power consumption, down to
AA cells. Through the use of low power / less than 300µA. In this state
design techniques, in both hardware and / the circuit can operate for many
software, the batteries should last for sev- months before the batteries
eral months before needing to be need to be replaced.
changed. A PC link allows infor- The use of a 9V battery and
mation to be conveniently down- / regulator has been avoided because
loaded to it. However, this is not ' in this type of application this
a requirement and the device wastes a huge amount of battery
can be operated without the use energy. All the components can oper-
of aPC. ate from a6V supply, so four AA cells,
providing 1.5V each, fit the bill nicely.
WHAT IT DOES As the battery voltage drops the I.c.d.
Each time the car is ref uelled, will become dimmer, giving asimple low
the owner enters the amount of battery warning!
fuel added and the current
mileage/kilometrage(!). With DETAILED
the aid of an in-built real-time DESCRIPTION
clock, the Car Computer calcu- A low power, low speed oscillator based
lates fuel consumption and can display the around crystal X2 wakes the PIC periodi-
change in fuel consumption over amonth- cally to allow it to update the real-time
ly period. A drop in average fuel consump- clock.
tion can signal the onset of aproblem, such The keypad is connected to the PIC's
as poor engine efficiency, signalling the interrupt-on-change port, which wakes the
need for aservice or tune-up. PIC into high-speed mode when a key is

12 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 Dl
SK4 1N4001
a k
+6V 0
GND

POWER Ri
210 100n

10'2:1
+VE + VE
C5
Fig. 1. Complete circuit diagram for the PIC-

10µ 8
16

SK2 VDD 17
9 CCP1/RC2
O 1
P.2 OUT RX/DT/RC7
SCKJSCL/RC3
O T2 OUT
T2 IN TX/CKJPC6 5
24LC64 Al
3
SDliSDATIC4 SDA A2 •,••
o R2 IN
TI IN -
11
NC
24
SDO/RC5 v„
o RI OUT
12
KC, 4
13
R1 IN - NC.
14
o T1OUT - N.0 KEYPAD X4
o

L0 LL
cl+ IC1
o PIC1215.
IC3 CONTRAST
10µ
".'71 MAX232 SK5 INT/RBO VR1
12.
C1 467
e
2
C2+ 7 SK3
PGM/RB3 RA5/AN4/SS - NC
4 8 OV 1
RB
B45 RA4/TOCK1 NC
38 5
RA3/AN3A/RE
C2- 2 30 CX
PGCLK/RB6
40 4 RS
PC040437 RA3JANEWREF
3
RalIANI
2
15 A0/ANO
X3
driven Car Computer.

19 DO
P8 8 019 Dn LC D
20 DISPLAY
rspi 1101
21
PSP2/RD2
22 03
°SCUM K IN PSP3/RD3
AI 27 04
P$P4/RD4
2/144H7
26 05
O
USC2/CLK OUTpsPs/Rb5
29 De
0.1111.
PSP6/RD6
3U 117 14
CI 66011 PSP7/RD7 o
22 P IN»
TIOSOTT1CKI/RCO
Lx A 8
22p REOJANE/RD - N r.
32168KHz
-9 NC
TIOSI/CCP2/RC I RE I /AN6/WR
10
RE2/AN7/CS •••• KC

C4
22P MIM
C3 R5 ONO ONO
22p Mu 18051
2 31

SKI o o

UCLA PG PGDA ONO

CIX
pressed. Once woken the PIC then enables

£24
Approx. Cost

COMPONENTS
the 1.c.d. and displays options to the user.
Guidance Only
After 60 seconds of inactivity the PIC auto-
matically turns off the 1.c.d. and returns to excl. batts & case
the low power Sleep mode.
See
emer)
Resistors 102 24LC64 64K- bit serial
CRYSTAL CONTROL R1, R3, R4 2k2 ( 3 off) EEPROM
R2 680Q IC3 MAX232, RS232 interface
The real-time clock is maintained using
an external oscillator connected to the
R5
All 025W 5%
180Q
carbon film
TALK
PIC's Timer 1pins. Most of the oscillator Page Miscellaneous
SK 1 5- way BERG header
components are within the PIC itself, and Potentiometer SK2 DB9 9- way D-type
only four external passive components are
VR1 4k7 preset, vertical female connector,
required, crystal X2, which is astandard mounting p.c.b. mounting
32.768kHz "watch" type, plus resistor R2
SK3 14- way sit header
and capacitors C3 and C4. Capacitors X1 20MHz crystal
The crystal is an AT cut part which C1 to C4 22p ceramic disc, 5mm X2 32.768kHz AT cut watch
requires current limiting, and this is pro- pitch ( 4 off) crystal
vided by R2. AT cut crystals resemble tiny C5 to C8, 10y tantalum, 16V X3 alphanumeric liquid
piano tuning forks and can vibrate to C10 ( 5 off) crystal display, 2 lines
destruction if overdriven. The benefit of 09, C12 100n ceramic disc, 5mm x 16 characters per
this type of crystal is that they operate in pitch ( 2 off) line
a different mode to normal microcon- C11 100n tantalum 16V X4 12- key data entry
troller crystals, which allows them to matrixed keypad
maintain a small size when operating at Semiconductors
low frequencies. D1, D2 1N4001 rectifier diode Printed circuit board, available from the
(2 off) EPE PCB Service, code 431 ( double-
Crystal X1 provides the main opera-
IC1 PIC16F877-20 sided); plastic case, size 102mm x
tional clock to the PIC, operating at
microcontroller, 142mm x 48mm approx. AA- size cells
20MHz. This clock is switched off during
preprogrammed (4 off) and battery clip; connecting wire;
Sleep mode to further conserve power.
(see text) solder, etc.
Resistor R1 and diode D2 provide apull-
up to the PIC's Reset input (MCLR) and
provide protection to the rest of the circuit
This might damage plastic sockets but the
when programming voltages are applied to
damage is usually only cosmetic.
ENCLOSURE
the circuit.
The programming connector, SKI, If use of the PIC programming inter- A home-constructed plywood case mea-
allows in-circuit programming, very useful face is intended, connect the program- suring 102nun x 142mm x48rnm approx.
during development and debugging. ming interface to the board and check was used for the prototype. A plastic case
Resistor R5 improves noise immunity dur- that 5V appears on the supply pins of the of similar size may be used instead.
ing programming, which might otherwise PIC socket, and the programming voltage Suitable cut-outs should be made to accept
lockup the microcontroller. (12V to 14V, depending on your pro- the keypad and the 1.c.d. Their positions
Battery power is fed in via socket SK4, grammer) is applied to the WU pin. If need to be quite accurate. A template for
with diode D1 providing reverse polarity you find the programming voltage is on the holes can be made by measuring the
protection to the circuit. It also limits the the PIC supply pins, check the polarity of dimensions from the p.c.b. artwork. Use a
battery voltage, which can be as high as diode D2. needle file to mark all the corner points on
6.5V with four new AA cells. If all is well insert the i.c.s into their the case and drill small pilot holes, then use
Power for the RS232 interface (IC3) and sockets and plug in the I.c.d. and keypad. around bladed file to cut out the plastic.
the 1.c.d. are provided by PIC pins RC5 and Apply power and adjust VR1 for Do not use asoldering iron to melt the
RA3. The maximum current consumption acceptable 1.c.d. screen contrast. As the plastic away, as the fumes can be highly
of the two devices (3mA for the 1.c.d. and display will become dimmer as the battery toxic and the profile uneven. The mounting
15mA for IC3) is well within the 25mA level decreases, it is better to have the holes should be countersunk so a
driving capability of the PIC. display set quite dark with fresh label can be placed flush over
batteries. the case, giving an
CONSTRUCTION attractive finish.
Details of the component and track lay-
outs for the double-sided printed circuit
board (p.c.b.) for the Car Computer are
shown in Fig.2. This board is available
from the EPE PCB Service, code 431.
Although the p.c.b. is not particularly
complex or densely populated, it is advised
that you should fit the components in the
following order: i.c. sockets; resistors,
diodes, crystals, unpolarised capacitors,
polarised capacitors, connectors.
Links between the copper tracks on both
sides of the double-sided board can be
made using resistor off-cut wires, these
should be inserted and soldered first.
Once assembly is completed, but before
fitting the 1.c.d. or the i.c.s, temporarily
connect the batteries and check that power
is reaching the correct pins on the Lc. and
1.c.d. sockets. If not, check the polarity of
diode D1 and look for shorts on the
tracks.
If you find ashort between i.c. socket
pins apply asoldering iron to the pins on The author's home-made
the component side of the board and try to wooden case. It is
"wipe" the solder clear. If this does not suggested that readers
solve the problem, try using solder wick. use aplastic case.

14 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 ALTERNATIVE FOR 16- PIN L.C.D. MODULE

,fiqlkolteeteelet.
kseetlat.

SK2
The completed Car Computer circuit board with the
•6 keypad removed to show the topside components.
•
•
Fig.2 (top left). Car Computer printed circuit board com-
•9
ponent layout. Only a "see-through" underside copper
tracking is shown for clarity. The links between the cop-
e per tracks on both sides of the p.c.b. should be inserted
and soldered first. The full-size copper track masters for
the topside (below left) and underside (below right) are
3.5in. ( 90mm) x 5in. ( 128mm) also shown.

0000000000000 .on

00 00000C 00000000000
o
o

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 15

 CAR COMPUTER +Enter Fuel -Set Unitc.
SCREEN DISPLAYS RePort by Month Set Clock

28/02/04 TYpgu: Dist/Date +Pidd Reminder

*=Next, #=Done *=Change #= Done Delete Remindeàr.
—74Per— •
-

KM/Litre 35 Miles/Gallon +Erase memory

*=Change› *= Done *Done Connect to PC
-

SOFTWARE "2" keys to navigate through the list, and Use the "4" and "6" keys to move along
1he PIC and PC software for the Car press the "#" key to select. The options are: the line, and "2" and "8" keys to scroll
Computer is available free via the EPE Enter Fuel: This option is used each through the ASCII character set. This can
Downloads page, accessible through the time you add petrol. Always fill up to the be quite slow to enter, so if you have aPC
home page at www.epemag.wimbome. same point, such as when the pump clicks available, use the "Connect to PC" option
co.uk. It is also available on 3.5 inch disk off, so the fuel you have added equals the and the vc.exe PC program instead.
(foc which a nominal handling charge fuel used since last refuelling. Delete Reminder: Allows the user to
applies) from the Editorial Office. When this option is selected, the previ- remove areminder. Use the "*" key to find
Preprogrammed PICs are also available. ous distance is displayed. Enter the new the reminder to remove, then press the "0"
For further details of these, and advice on distance and press "#" when done. Then key to delete it.
component buying, read this month's enter the amount of fuel added. The device Set Units: This option should be used to
ShopTalk page. will calculate and then briefly display the select the units you wish to enter;
The PIC source code was written and fuel consumption for this refuelling. Gallons/Litres and Miles/Kilometres. This
assembled using the GPUTILS assembler, Report by Month: This option can be option should be used before entering any
whose toolset is freely available on used to display the monthly fuel consump- fuel data. If you intend to change the units,
the internet at http://sourceforge.net/ tion trend. It first displays the current you must use the "Erase memory" option
projects/gputils. month, and as the "*" key is pressed it will first to remove all previously stored data.
In-circuit reprogramming of the PIC is display previous months. Press "#" to finish. Erase Memory: This option removes all
possible through connector SKI. The author View Reminders: Displays upcoming historic fuel data, setting the device back to
used David Tait's excellent FPP Programmer reminders. It first displays the settings - defaults. This would normally only be used
for Windows, also freely available on the distance and/or date - then the text that will when the device is being used for the first
internet at http://www.people.man.ac.uk/ be displayed. Press "*" to see more time, or you want to start recording infor-
-mbhstdj/piclinks.html. Just make sure reminders, or "r to finish. mation on anew car.
your programming hardware matches up Add Reminder: Allows the user to add Connect to PC: This option can be used
with SK Icorrectly. anew reminder. First choose between the to link the device to aPC to manage the
type of reminder - Distance, Date or both. "Reminders". It's alot quicker to setup the
PROGRAM OPERATION If you select both, the reminder will be reminders on aPC than type them in by
The Car Computer provides anumber of displayed when the first event occurs. hand. See "PC Interface" below for more
options that are displayed on the 1.c.d. Once you have entered the distance or information.
through amenu. When the 1.c.d. screen is date, a flashing cursor is displayed and Blank Display: Turns the display off,
blank, any keypress will wake the device you may enter the text to be displayed as a putting the device into low power mode.
up and display the menu. Use the "8" and reminder. The device will do this automatically if no
key is pressed for 60 seconds.
Vehicle Computer
PC INTERFACE
Index [ Rem's& text [Type 1Date Distance L. The PC interface uses astandard 9-pin D-
1 6Month Service Time 12/09/03 type connector to link to aPC. The vc.exe
2 Check Oil Dist/Time 01/12/03 102000 program, provides an easy method of setting
3 Change Cam Belt Distanee 01/01/01 1500D -1 the reminders in the device.
El Empty Empty 01/01/01
5 Empty EMPty 01/01101 0
To use the interface, simply link the Car
6 E»'-'- rent.. ni /mini n Computer with the PC using a standard
7 E Enter Reminder Details modem serial cable. Select the "Connect to
8 E PC" option on the Car Computer, then run
9 E
10 E Reminder te> t Type vc.exe and click on the PC's display "Read
Data" button. To change an entry, click on
11
12
E
E
IE rev Empty zi corni
its index number. Click on "Write Data" to
Corn2
13 E update the memory in the Car Computer.
14 E Date DD MM `I'Y Figure 3shows an example program in use.
15
16
E
E F Read Data Don't forget to shut down the link on the
17 E Car Computer when you have finished
18 E Distance Write Data I as the RS232 interface draws several
19 E milliamps.
F7F—
20 E
E
Cancel

Double click on an inde.; to chançe areminder Pree,s any key

to close PC 11n
Fig.3. Car computer PC interface program in action.

16 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

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 Top Tenners

BEDSIDE
NIGHTLIGHT ..

OWEN BISHOP
This short collection of projects, some useful, some
instructive and some amusing, can be made for around
the ten pounds mark The estimated cost does not
include an enclosure or batteries.

A two- in-one circuit that will bring If you lack modelling skills, there are
comfort and joy to your youngster's room plenty of ways in which a cheap toy or
ornament can be effectively fitted with a
pair of lamps.

T
HIS design is intended as a battery- VISUAL APPEAL
powered nightlight suitable for a
The circuit can be used with a pair of SOUND-ACTIVATED
child's bedside. Its power require-
torch-bulbs, suitably enclosed for the safety TRIGGER
ments are low and it should run nightly for
of the glass, projecting from the top of its Referring to the circuit diagram in Fig.!,
several months from alantern-type 6V bat-
enclosure, but there is fun in making the the microphone (MIC1) in the sound-acti-
tery, such as the 908S. It will run for asim- nightlight more attractive to the child. For vated trigger circuit is an electret type with
ilar length of time on four D-type cells in a
the prototype asnowman theme was used, abuilt-in Lea. preamplifier. It is provided
battery holder.
but there are many other possibilities. Much with power via resistor Rl. Variations in its
The key to this economical circuit is that depends on the current interests of the child. output voltage pass across capacitor CI to
it does not stay on all night. It relies on the
An ambitious suggestion is a model the inverting input (pin 2) of comparator
fact that atypical child drops off to sleep
steam locomotive, with ablue lamp on the op.amp IC1. The potential divider formed
within 10 minutes or so of being " settled
front of the boiler, and ared lamp on the by resistors R2 and R3 set the bias voltage
down". The nightlight has two filament
footplate. A biplane is another favourite for this pin.
lamps, such as 6V torch lamps running at
topic. Or model a mermaid sitting on a The voltage at the op.amp's non-invert-
100mA each. These both come on when a
rock, or apixie on atoadstool. ing input (pin 3) is adjusted by preset
pushbutton switch is pressed.
potentiometer VR1. It is set close
From then on, the lamps are
to the voltage at the inverting
under the control of timer circuits. Mr Snowman "keeping watch" on a bedside ta ble.
input when there is no sound, that
One of the lamps (LP2) stays on
is, to approximately 3V.
for about six minutes, which is
In the absence of asignal input
usually long enough for the child
from the microphone, the output
to fall asleep. However, the other
of the op.amp at pin 6is at astable
lamp (LP1) stays on for about 13
level, either high or low, depend-
minutes. At that time it dims down
ing on whether the voltage set on
gradually, to avoid plunging the
VR1 is above or below that on
child into total darkness.
R2/R3. When the microphone
detects sound and the alternating
SOUND TRIGGER signal amplitude at ICI pin 2 is
The lamp-switching circuit is on
sufficiently high to repeatedly
aseparate circuit board and can be
cross the bias level set by VR1, the
controlled with apushbutton switch
output of ICI swings between the
as described above. However, the
two power line levels, 6V and OV.
project also includes asecond cir-
The output waveform from ICI
cuit board, which is optional. This
is a.c. coupled via C2 to the diode
is asound-sensitive trigger.
pump formed by components DI,
When its microphone detects a
D2 and C3, turning on transistor
sound such as ahand-clap, acry or
TRI. The low-going transition at
a shout, or someone hits the bed-
the collector (c) of TR 1 is a.c.
side table, the circuit generates a
coupled by C4 and triggers timers
low-going output pulse. This trig-
IC2a and IC2b at their inputs pin 6
gers the switching circuits to put on
and pin 8. These pins are biased
the lamps for another 6/13 minutes
normally high by resistor RS.
sequence. Alternatively, the lamps
Sounds such as clicks, claps and
can be switched on by pressing the
whistles, with predominantly high-
pushbutton switch, which is locat-
frequency content are the most
ed close to an always-on pilot 1.e.d.
effective at triggering the circuit.

18 Practica/ Electronics, January 2004

 The timers may also be triggered by

£8
Approx. Cost
pressing pushbutton switch SI.

TIMING CIRCUITS
COMPONENTS Guidance Only (each)
excl. case & batts.
When switch SI is pressed, or the input
from the trigger circuit goes briefly low, SOUND TRIGGER TIMING CIRCUIT
both timers ( IC2a. IC2b) are triggered into Resistors Resistors
action. Their outputs ( pins 5 and 9) go R1 2k2 See R6, R8 3M3 (2off)
R2, R3, R5 1M ( 3off) R7, R9 2k2 (2off)
high, supplying base current to transistors
R4 22k R10 220S2
TR2 and TR3, so turning them on. Current
then passes through :he lamps, LP1 and
All 0.25W 5% carbon film
or better.
TALK Rx ( see text)
All 0.25W 5% carbon film or better.
LP2. The high output from IC2a also page
charges capacitor C6. Potentiometer Capacitors
The length of the high output pulses of VR1 100k min. preset, C5 220µ axial elect. 10V
the monostables is determined by the val- horizontal C6 2200p axial elect. 10V
ues of the timing resistors ( R6. R8) and (see text)
capacitors ( C5, C7). The formula is t = Capacitors C7 100a axial elect. 10V
I. IRC, where tis in seconds, R is in ohms, C1 1tt tantalum bead, 10V
and C is in farads. With the values given in C2 220n metallised Semiconductors
Fig. I, the times are approximately 13 min- polyester film TR2, TR3 BC337 npn low- power
utes for TR2/LP1 and six minutes for C3 470n metallised transistor ( 2off)
TR3/LP2. You could obtain longer times polyester film D3 red led., or colour as
by substituting capacitors of higher values, C4 22n, metallised preferred
but remember that this reduces the life of polyester film IC2 7556 CMOS dual timer
the battery.
Semiconductors Miscellaneous
Lamp LP2 is switched off after six min-
D1, D2 1N4148 signal diode (2off) LP1, LP2 MES filament lamps, 6V
utes, when the output at pin 9of IC2 falls
TR1 BC548 npn small signal 100mA plus holders (2
to OV. After 13 minutes the output at pin 5
transistor off) ( see text)
falls too, but the fall is slightly delayed
IC1 CA3140 op.amp Si push-to- make switch
while the charge leaks away from capaci-
comparator B1 6V lantern-type ( 908S)
tor C6. This capacitor is optional and can battery or D-type cells
be omitted. With the value shown, the Miscellaneous (4 off)
lamp goes out fairly quickly. For alonger MIC1 electret microphone insert
delay, increase C6 to 4700µF or possibly Printed circuit board available from the
more. Printed circuit board available from the EPE PCB Service, code 418; ABS plastic
The circuit also has a constantly- on EPE PCB Service, code 417; 8- pin d.i.l. case; 14- pin d.i.l. socket; 1mm terminal
light, provided by led. D3, which is socket; 1mm terminal pins ( 5 off); stranded pins (7off); connecting wire; solder, etc.
buffered by resistor Rio. connecting wire; solder, etc.
As an alternative to the 6V battery sup-
ply mentioned earlier, the project can be
powered from acheap mains adaptor that CONSTRUCTION and Fig.3 ( Timing). These boards are
provides an unregulated 6V d.c. supply at available from the EPE PCB Service,
up to 300mA. But remember, if the mains The component positioning and track codes 417 and 418 respectively.
is used, amains power blackout will leave layout details for both printed circuit Assemble the circuit boards in order of
the child in the dark. boards are shown in Fig.2 ( Sound Trigger) component size, correctly observing the

+6V
o

R2 R4 C4 ,
22k 22r, 1
TR1
D2 BC548
044148

a >i k

D1 ?
1 C3
R3 VR1 1N4148 II\ 470n MOM
1M 1001, a

OV
o

+6V
o

1
,

Rx * e_S-
s LP1 * LP2 *
D3
6V 6V
10 L.ED.
100n1A 100mA
* SEE
TEXT PST +VE PST
TR2 TR3
67 R9
DIS BC337 IS BC33 7
252
5 54 9
THR IC2a o THR IC2b OUT
7556 7556 220(1
6 8
TRIG TRIG

GND
C6 1=1 C7
7 220011 10.2q,

OV
o

Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the two sections that make up the Bedside Nightlight The top half is the optional sound-sensitive
trigger with the lamp-switching circuit making up the bottom half. These two circuits are built on separate circuit boards.

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 I9

 A

1
, TR1

[4
XI •
Mel

•-n-ITE•
OV

201,-, ( 51mm)
2.7In (88mm)

Fig.2. Component layout and full-size copper foil master for Fig.3. Timing and Lamp-Switching printed circuit board com-
the Sound- Trigger printed circuit board. The completed p.c.b. ponent layout and full-size copper foil master. The finished cir-
is shown above. cuit board is shown above.

orientation of the electrolytic capacitors trigger circuit without an oscilloscope. carrot. The broomstick was along ( 10cm)
and semiconductors. Do not insert the i.c.s However, the practical test is to see if it barbecue match. A "fringe" cut from thin
into their sockets until you have thorough- triggers the switching circuit. Connect brown paper was wrapped and then glued
ly checked your assembly and soldering. both boards to the same supply lines. around one end of the broomstick to make
Initially check out the timing board on Link the "A" pins on both boards. Turn on the bristles.
its own. Run paired leads from the allocat- the power and wait for the lamps to go The snowman is supported in a small
ed points on the p.c.b. to the lamp sockets out. The lamps should come on when you metal clip (originally intended for vertical
and insert the filament lamps. You can use clap your hands a metre or so from the support of circuit boards). This is mount-
lamps of lower power ( such as 6V 60mA) microphone. Adjustment to VR1 varies ed in the centre of the plinth (enclosure)

1
if preferred. You could also use high- sensitivity. with the pushbutton switch SI and I.e.d.
brightness I.e.d.s in place of the lamps. In D3 in front of it. Lamps LP! and LP2 are
this case wire aresistor in series with each ENCLOSURE mounted on the plinth side-by-side, close
1.e.d. to limit the current. A 160Q or 180Q Once the tests have been successfully behind the snowman's feet. The light from
resistor limits current to about 25mA. carried out, the style of the enclosure can the lamps is diffused by the translucent
When power is switched on, the timers be decided. In the prototype the circuit plastic so that the snowman glows gently
are automatically triggered and the lamps boards were mounted in aplastic case that in the dark — a soothing sight, inducing
come on for the stated six and 12 minute also held the battery. The case formed the sleep!
periods. plinth on which a model snowman was
It makes it more convenient to test the constructed, see photograph. OTHER APPLICATIONS
operation of the circuit if these periods are The technique used for the snowman The switching circuit could also be used
shortened by temporarily connecting addi- may be adapted to many other simple mod- as acorridor light and porch light. It can be
tional resistors in parallel with R6 and R8. els. The basic material used is sheet poly- triggered by other devices that produce a
Using values of 100k each, the delay peri- styrene, obtainable from model stores. It is brief low pulse, including pressure mats,
ods become 11 and 24 seconds. white and translucent and easily cut with a tilt switches and microswitches.
To check the sound-activated trigger cir- craft knife. Use polystyrene adhesive to The timing circuit could be used on its
cuit, first measure the voltage at ¡Cl pin 2, assemble the parts. own without the sound-activated trigger.
which should be 3V ±0-5V. Then adjust The snowman was cut from asheet 1mm However, input pin 6 of IC2a must be
preset VR1 until the voltage at ¡Cl pin 3is thick, and thin coloured cardboard was biased high by aresistor (Rx) of between
fractionally less than that at pin 2. stuck on to make the hat and hatband, eyes, about 101Q and 1MQ, soldering it on the
The pulses are so transitory that it is mouth and buttons. The nose was ascrap of track side of the board between this pin and
difficult to check the operation of the matchstick coloured orange to represent a the 6V power rail.

20 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 BS2-IC BS2-SX BS2E-IC BS2P/2i. BS2P/40

Parallax BASIC Stamps - still the easy way to get your project up and running!

Low Power, easy

serial interface

Serial Alphanumeric and Graphic Displays,

Mini-Terminals and Bezel kits

www.milinst.com

e
-

Animated Head I 3-Axis Machine Six- Legged Walkers Robotic Arms Bipeds

Robotic models for both the beginner and the advanced hobbyist

Servo Drivers 1 Motor Drivers On- Screen Displays DMX Protocol U/Sound Ranging

Animatronics and Specialist Interface-Control Modules

Quadravo) SensoryInc Parallax Tech-Tools BASICMicro

MP3 & Speech Systems Voice Recognition Ubicom Tool Kits PIC & Pori Emulators PIC BASIC Compilers

Development Tools

Milford Instruments Limited Tel 01977 683665, Fax 01977 681465, sales@milinst.com
 News
Aroundup of the latest Everyday
News from the world of
electronics

SPAM WARS
Publicising ways to get round spam filters may, perversely, help prevent
spam filters being circumnavigated. Barry Fox reports.

ariE Internet has been buzzing with gar- Legal Protection ploy. The latest junk email buries asales
bled reports of anew patent granted to What the garbled reports have missed is pitch in apuzzling welter of gibberish text.
AT&T in the USA. On the face of things that US company Macrovision has for Some offer drugs like Viagra for sale by
AT&T is helping spammers make our lives many years successfully used the same mail order. Another promises a "Bachelor,
amisery. But perhaps AT&T is playing a legal tool to fight companies that sell Master or Ph.D." in 30 days and the price
more clever game. Some of the reports devices intended to defeat video copy pro- of a few dinners out, and then signs off
stumble close to the true story. But none tection on VHS and DVD movie releases. with some paragraphs unashamedly
get it straight. Macrovision was founded in 1983 and labelled "random data".
Spanuners flood the Internet with junk now has over athousand US and interna- The random gibberish is there to defeat
adverts by bulk-emailing the message to tional patents. Many cover the company's the filters which work by looking for a
many different addresses, often trawled core system of distorting the train of puls- high percentage of telltale phrases like
from newsgroups or guessed or predicted es that TV sets and VCRs use to keep the "free", "make money", or "Viagra".
from known addresses. Over one third of pictures steady on screen. A TV set can It is hard not to have asneaking admira-
the email addressed to office systems is cope with the distorted "pseudo-pulses" tion for the spammers who keep thinking
now spam. and display steady pictures, but aVCR is one step ahead of the filter designers. It
Anti-spam filters look for duplicate thrown into confusion and makes arecord- seems apity they could not do something
emails that hit an office system in bulk, or ing which is too bad to watch. more useful with their talent.
reach a private email several times over. Founder and inventor John Ryan first Do not fall into the trap of "clicking
Detected duplicates are automatically tried a different tactic in 1986 when he here" to reply with congratulations, sar-
deleted and added to ablacklist or quaran- filed US patent 4695 901, for amethod of casm or abuse. The one thing the spam-
tined for humans to check manually. removing pseudo-sync pulses and so mers want more than anything in the world
defeating his own technology. The patent is a reply which proves that a guessed
Anti-filtering Patent gave pirates clear instructions on how to address is "active" and owned by areal live
The US Patent Office recently granted filter out the distorted pulses and so let human.
AT&T in New York apatent for a "system another video recorder make aperfect copy
and method for counteracting message fil- of a Macrovision-protected tape. But it
tering" (US 6 643 686). The patent
describes spam as a "nuisance", describes
also lets Macrovision sue them.
Usually athreat of action is enough to
NANOMOTORS
in detail how anti-spam filter systems work
and then reveals aclever way to "foil . . .
curtail sale. Recently Macrovision went to
court in Germany and won an injunction
REALISED
spam countermeasures based upon dupli- against Media Markt TV-Hifi-Elektro BROWSING the BBC's website recently,
cate detection schemes". GmbH prohibiting the sale of the Macro the news was found that one of the ambi-
The defeat trick, reveals AT&T's patent, 2000 copy protection circumvention tions of nanotechnology, building motors
is to partition the spam address list into device. on amolecular scale, had been realised by
sub-lists, change the header and message Says Macrovision's CEO William scientists at Berkeley, at the University of
text slightly for the message sent from each Krepick: "We recognized early on that we California.
list and randomly juggle the lists in a would be the target of hackers and circum- The researchers created the world's
mathematical pattern so that addresses vention devices (and) developed a dual smallest electrical device earlier this year,
which are similar (fredl@xyc.com and track patenting approach — offensive and ahundred million of which could fit on the
fredl@xyc.com) get different content. defensive. The defensive track was uncon- end of apin. Nanotechnology promises to
Internet Patent News Service, the ventional, since it involved patenting as revolutionise medicine, chemistry and
respected patent industry newsletter, many ways as we could conceive to defeat electronics. It is said that it could allow the
branded the patent "ashining example of our own technology. So we can sue the creation of computers the size of agrain of
corporate R&D irresponsibility", "acom- illicit black boxes and circumvention tech- sand, smart fabrics that sense toxic chemi-
plete waste of corporate monies (and) a nologies such as "Macrobusters" and cals, and even nanoscale filters to clean the
waste of PTO examiner time". Internet "Macroterminators" or the most recent environment.
news groups are echoing the criticism. German Media Markt "Macro 2000" Alex Zetti and Adam Fennimore of
"Don't tell me that AT&T is going to use device. There are cases where a1-2 punch Berkeley built the motors using an atom-
the patent to fight spammers by suing using both patent infringement and copy- fine point of a nano-probe, inserting the
them", challenges the newsletter. right infringement will bring circumven- circuits onto asilicon chip four millimetres
Initially AT&T wanted to play the move tion scofflaws to their knees." square. The motor's shaft is amere half a
close to its chest. But spokesman Michael So AT&T, like Macrovision, is taking the tenth of athousandth of amillimetre thick.
Dickman now confirms the object of the calculated risk of telling the world how to Dr Fennimore comments that the motor
exercise. do something bad, in return for a legal is so small that it is not yet known exactly
"We don't want to say too much and patent monopoly on the bad deed. So the how it behaves.
compromise law suits", he says. "But con- goodies can sue the baddies for patent For more information browse
trary to what's being said, this is a legal infringement. http://news.bbc.co.uk/11/hi/technolo-
tool intended as an anti-spam measure. The gy/322,4329.htm. There is also an animat-
spammers come at you in every imaginable Gibberish Rules OK? ed series of electron microscope images of
way. We filed the patent to try and stop Unfortunately the spammers may the motor at www.berkeley.edu/news/
them coming this way". already be one jump ahead of AT&T's media/releases/2003/07/23_motorshtne

22 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 WEBBED DATA LOGGING POMONA'S
FIFTIETH
POMONA Electronics have published a
new, free 100-page full- colour catalogue
detailing "the world's broadest range of
electronic test accessories". Celebrating
50 years of innovative design and high
quality manufacture, the 50th edition cat-
alogue includes everything from individ-
ual connectors in virtually every size, to
coaxial cables, test leads and probes,
plugs and jacks, multimeter accessories
and kits, patch cords, i.c. test clips and
adaptors.
The complete catalogue and detailed
product data can be downloaded in PDF
format from Pomona's website at
www.pomonaelectronics.com.

HOW FAT?
IN Greenweld's October newsletter, our
eye was caught by a clever little device
LASCAR ELECTRONICS tell us that they have introduced a data logger which automati- which monitors the percentage of fat in
cally uploads its measurements to an Internet database. The data can then be accessed your body. You simply place your thumbs
and analysed with astandard web browser. on the top and you have the results in sec-
Getting started with the SWI 300 "couldn't be easier", say Lascar. Simply connect the unit onds. It includes a 10-person memory with
to atelephone socket, plug in the power supply and switch on. Once installed, the unit can aweight range from 20 to 300 pounds ( 9kg
be controlled entirely through your browser — simply log on to www.3wdata.com where to 136kg) and is suitable for the age- range
you can set the parameters that the logger will measure, the sampling frequency and the 10 to 80 years.
intervals between uploading data. The device comes complete with an
The website allows a user to set alarm levels and have an automated email or SMS text alarm clock and countdown features. A
message to alert them if these levels are exceeded. You can even operate remote devices battery is included. The price is £ 14.99,
through the unit's control relay output. order code HLL1129.
The data can be accessed securely through the website and can be either viewed online For more information on this and other
in graph form or exported to most popular spreadsheet programs for further analysis. Greenweld stock items, call 01277 811042
For more information browse www.lascarelectronlcs.com or www.3wdata.com.
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Everyday Practical Electronics. January 2004 23

EPE Tutorial Series

TEACH-IN 2004
Part Three - Experimenting with Op.amps

MAX HORSEY

How to apply electronics meaningfully - the aim of this 10- part series is to show, experimentally,
how electronic components function as part of circuits and systems, demonstrating how each part
of a circuit can be understood and tested, and offering advice about choosing componen -s

E)
ESIGNING a quality transistor fear of electrostatic damage. It operates on It is worth noting, though, that other
amplifier is a skilled business! awide range of voltages, and is "frequency single op.amp types may have different
Each section is dependent on the compensated". This ensures that it cannot functions for pins I. 5and 8.
conditions in previous sections, and the oscillate unpredictably and uncontrollably
gain of transistors can vary widely from — a problem often associated with high- DUAL-RAIL POWER SUPPLY
one to another. Clever circuit design can gain amplifiers. Before continuing, we need to examine
overcome many problems, but when tem- This op.amp is housed in an 8-pin the type of power supply (PSU) often used
perature changes occur unequally package. The package and its pinout sym- with op.amps — a dual-rail power supply.
throughout the system, the circuit can bol are shown in Photo 3.1 and Fig.3.1 This can be understood if you see how it is
behave unpredictably. respectively. So how does it work? created from batteries. We will assume two
A modern op.amp (operational amplifi- A clearer view of the op.amp symbol 9V batteries are employed as shown in
er) houses the entire circuit on asmall chip associated with the 741 (and many other Fig.3.3.
of silicon and so any change of temperature types of op.amp) is shown in Fig.3.2. Note
will occur equally throughout the circuit, that the power supply connections are via
hence reducing the problem. Like all inte- pin 7 (positive) and pin 4 (negative). The
1-9V
grated circuits (i.c.$) the size and cost are output is from pin 6. There are two input
much reduced and reliability increased. pins, labelled — and +.
The best of all worlds!

OP,AMP TYPE 741 OV O

Probably the best-known op.amp is the
type 741. This op.amp makes an ideal
9V
experimental device since it is electrically
robust and can be freely handled without

Fig.3.3. Example of a dual- rail power

supply.
Fig.3.2. Symbol and pin functions for a
type 741 op.amp.
The two batteries are connected in series,
The minus symbol indicates the "invert- and the point at which they join is called
ing input" and the plus symbol indicates OV. Note that calling this point OV is for
the "non-inverting input". mathematical convenience — it is not neces-
The job of the op.amp is to amplify the sarily connected to "ground" or "earth".
Fig.3.1. Pinout for a type 741 op.amp. difference in voltage between these two We can now refer to the positive side as
inputs, and apply the result to the output. +9V and the negative side as —9V. Mains
This may sound complicated, but in prac- driven dual-rail supplies are also available.
tice one or other input is generally connect- Connecting an op.amp to adual-rail sup-
ed to a fixed voltage and the signal you ply allows it, in many instances, to amplify
wish to amplify is applied to the other a.c. signals (e.g. audio signals) without
input. using bulky and expensive d.c. blocking
There are three unused pins, shown in capacitors. We will examine the use of
Fig.3. I , but not in Fig.3.2. Two of them capacitors later when we look at circuits
(pins 1and 5) are for special functions such designed to run on asingle-rail supply.
as "fine-tuning" when the op.amp is
required to amplify d.c. signals. You will OP,AMP EXPERIMENT
rarely, if ever, need these two pins and they The circuit shown in Fig.3.4 can be
should remain unconnected in your cir- assembled on a plug-in breadboard and
Photo 3.1. A type 741 op.amp. cuits. Pin 8has no function. used to illustrate how an op.amp works.

24 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 misses by avolt or so. This is not normally op.amp's output switches from low to high.
aproblem in many circuits, but it is when Careful setting of VR1 will make the sys-
describing the action! Rather than saying tem very responsive to small changes in
"nearly +9V" and "nearly -9V", we shall light level.
from now on refer to the highest possible So far, we have applied a voltage to the
output voltage as "high" and the lowest non-inverting input. You can just as easily
possible output voltage as "low". apply the voltage to the inverting input, and
connect the non-inverting input to OV. The
OPEN-LOOP GAIN output will now do the opposite of what it
Try to adjust the potentiometer very did before - i.e. inverting the output voltage.
carefully to achieve an output of OV. It is
like balancing a well-lubricated seesaw - COMPARATOR
very difficult! The reason is that the gain of The system shown in Fig.3.6 is known as
Fig.3.4. The circuit diagram for the first
the op.amp is very high - at least 100,000 a comparator, i.e. a circuit that compares
op.amp experiment.
and so it only takes avery tiny voltage shift the voltage at the inputs. We generally con-
from OV to tip the output one way or the nect one of the inputs to afixed voltage (OV
Note that the inverting input, pin 2, is other. in this case) and apply the variable voltage
connected to OV, and the non-inverting This gain is often referred to as the open- source to the other.
input, pin 3, is used as the input. The output loop gain, i.e. the amount the op.amp will We use adual-rail supply because this is
is measured on ameter. Most digital meters amplify with no feedback circuit. (We will useful when dealing with a.c. signals, but
will display the result numerically, discuss feedback later.) when dealing with sensor circuits, it is
although some may also show it graphical- So what happens if we set the poten- often more convenient to use a single-rail
ly as abargraph. tiometer to apply IV at the input? Will the supply and modify the circuit a little, as
When power is applied, and with the output swing up to 100,000V? Fortunately shown in Fig.3.7, for example.
non-inverting input unconnected, the out- it will not! Even with an "ideal" op.amp the Note that the negative end of the battery
put is likely to be at nearly +9V or nearly output can never swing higher or lower is still referred to as OV, again for mathe-
-9V (but see later). The system is rather than the supply voltage extremes. The sup- matical convenience. The non-inverting
like a seesaw which rests one way or the ply voltage sets the limits - like the seesaw input is connected to a "mid-way" voltage
other when nobody is using it. coming to rest against the ground. created by placing two equal-value resistors
You can tilt the system the way you want in series across the two power supply lines.
it to swing, by applying a voltage at the Resistors connected in
non-inverting input. This can be achieved +9V this way are known as
with a potentiometer (pot) connected as apotential divider.
shown in Fig.3.5. Another voltmeter has
7
VR1

RULE OF TEN
eg.741
47k
been added to monitor the voltage applied 9V

to the non- inverting input (but you can just 6

To provide a mid-
swap your meter between the monitoring way voltage, you
points if you only have one). The assembly 4
VOLTS know that the resistors
RI
used by the author is shown in Photo 3.2. LDR
VOLTS
INPUT OUTPUT must be equal, but
Now you can make the output swing up VOLTMETER VOLTMETER
how do you know
or down. Notice that the smallest voltage what value each must
above and below OV will cause the output be? The answer is to
to swing almost fully to +9V or -9V. use the rule of ten.
In practice the 741 op.amp cannot supply Fig.3.6. Monitoring the effects of an I.d.r. on the non-invert- Find out ( using the
an output equal to the supply rails - it ing input when using a dual- rail supply. op.amp manufactur-

+9V

* e.g.741

9V I

VR1
47k
4
VOLTS
VOLTS
INPUT OUTPUT
VOLTMETER VOLTMETER
9V I

Fig.3.5. Monitoring the effect of varying the voltage level Fig.3.7. As for Fig.3.6, but now using a single-rail supply.
applied to the non-inverting input of an op.amp.

DOING SOMETHING USEFUL er's data sheets) the current that will flow
via an op.amp input when used in your cir-
Try assembling the circuit shown in cuit . You must set your resistor values so
Fig.3.6. Here we are using potentiometer that ten times this current flows through the
VRI as avariable resistor, and employing a resistors. In many instances, though, you
light dependent resistor (1.d.r.), RI, as a can just stick to values of 101(52 or so!
light sensor. Be careful not to set VR1 to Returning to Fig.3.7, resistors R2 and R3
zero resistance, or excessive current may create amid-way voltage of 9V / 2 = 4.5V,
flow through the 1.d.r., particularly in bright which is applied to the inverting input. The
light. In a practical circuit a resistor ( say variable resistor VR1 and the I.d.r. also act
Ild2) would be connected in series with the as apotential divider and you should adjust
1.d.r. to prevent this problem. VR1 so that the voltage at the op.amp's
Set VR1 carefully so that the op.amp's non- inverting input (pin 3) is just below
output is low. Shade the I.d.r. The output 4.5V. The output will now swing to fully
should change to a positive reading. low (somewhere near to 1.5V with asingle-
Shading the I.d.r. makes its resistance rise, rail 9V supply when using a741).
Photo 3.2. Author's breadboard and so the voltage at the input rises. As this Now shade the 1.d.r. The voltage at the
assembly for the circuit in Fig.3.4. voltage crosses the OV threshold, the non-inverting input will rise, and as it

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 25

 Fig.3.8. Using the circuit of Fig.3.7 to control an Led.

crosses the 4.5V threshold, the output will Fig.3.9. Improving the circuit of Fig.3.8 to power a higher-
swing to fully high (somewhere near to current output device.
7.5V with a741 and a9V supply).
You can extend the circuit to make an the comparator, making the circuit shown
automatic light controller as shown in in Fig.3.9 and Photo 3.3.
SCHMITT TRIGGER
Fig.3.8. An 1.e.d., DI, is connected to the The protective (back-e.m.f.) diode D1 is You may sometimes want a system to
op.amp output in series with resistor R4. only required if the output device is induc- only respond to larger signal changes. For
The 1.e.d. should light whenever the 1.d.r. is tive, e.g. buzzer, relay coil, solenoid, motor, example, consider a circuit that causes a
shaded. etc. If the output drives a lamp or solid- lamp to light up automatically at dusk. A
In this single-rail circuit you will prob- state buzzer, then D1 may be omitted. If in sensitive circuit would respond to the
ably find that the I.e.d. glows dimly doubt, leave it in. falling level of light at dusk, but on a
rather than turning off properly. This is Note the inclusion of resistor R5. This is cloudy night, if the clouds suddenly
because the 741 op.amp is likely to out- only needed if the output from an op.amp, cleared, the lamp may switch off again.
put a minimum " low" voltage of around such as a741, cannot fall to near zero, as This might not be a problem, but if, for
IV to 1.5V when powered by a 9V discussed earlier. In this case, the op.amp example, your circuit triggered an auto-
single-rail supply. matic pet feeder at dusk, the pet might
will never be able to turn off the transistor
The solution is to either use an op.amp receive several days' food in one evening!
since a transistor's turn-on voltage is
which can output OV on asingle-rail sup- around 0.7V. You could use a Darlington A small amount of positive feedback can
ply, or place adiode such as atype 1N4001 pair (turn-on at about 1.4V) instead of the be employed to eliminate the problem. The
in series with the i.e.& The voltage drop single transistor, or you could use an circuit shown in Fig.3.10 uses two addi-
across the diode will be about 0.7V, allow- op.amp capable of providing a near OV tional resistors, R6 and R7, to apply apro-
ing the I.e.d. to switch off properly. output (known as a "rail-to-rail" op.amp, portion of the output voltage back to the
WARNING: Do not use an I.e.d. con- e.g. MAX473). non- inverting input. The ratio of the resis-
nected between the output and the OV rail But the simplest solution is to add a tors sets the amount of feedback.
in adual-rail circuit, since the 1.e.d. may be resistor as shown. This reduces the mini- Try the values shown. You will find that
damaged when the output goes negative, mum voltage output from the 741 to alevel the I.d.r. has to be shaded fully before the
due to the reverse-voltage limitations of the below TR1's turn-on threshold. circuit responds. Once it has responded, the
I.e.d. (as discussed in Part 2). 1.d.r. must be fully unshaded for the output
ALTERNATIVES to become low again.
COMBINING CIRCUITS You can swap the I.d.r. with athermis- In practice you may need to adjust one or
Most op.amps can only supply a few tor (or any other environment- sensitive other resistor value to achieve the desired
milliamps from their outputs, and so to effect; for instance, increasing the value of
resistance device) to make the system
switch on an output device, such as alamp R7 will reduce the effect. This type of
react to temperature changes (or other
or a relay, a transistor interface may be changes). For VR1, use avariable resistor arrangement is known as aSchmitt trigger
employed. The simplest transistor circuit whose maximum resistance is roughly circuit.
shown in Part 2 (Fig.2.2) may be added to twice the resistance of the thermistor at
room temperature. NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
You can reverse the action of the system Whereas positive feedback makes the
by swapping VR1 and the I.d.r., or by con- Schmitt trigger system less sensitive to
necting the non- inverting input to the junc- small changes, negative feedback can be
tion of resistors R2 and R3, and connecting used to make it more controllable by small
the inverting input to the junction of VR1 changes at the input. Try changing the cir-
and the I.d.r. cuit of Fig.3.10 into the one shown in

e e
ty e1 el
e , Jrt te

t•

e s • .•
'

Fig.3.10. The circuit of Fig.3.9 with positive feedback to pro-

vide a Schmitt trigger effect and reduce the sensitivity to
Photo 3.3. Prototype assembly of the circuit in Fig.3.9. minor changes at the input.

26 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

Fig.3.11. Applying a proportion of negative feedback
improves controllability to smaller signal changes.

Fig.3.13. Test circuit for use with a.c. signals. plus example
waveforms.

is the result of the output trying to swing

beyond the op.amp's output voltage limits,
and being clipped as aresult.
Increasing the supply voltage will not
Fig.3.12. The "inverted" equivalent of Fig.3.5. prevent this full-range swing and resultant
clipping, so we must reduce the gain of the
Fig.3.11. You will find that it is now possi- headphones (of a few hundred ohms or op.amp, by means of negative feedback
ble to set VR1 so that the output of ICI is greater) connected to the output. again.
at half the supply voltage. (Be aware that 8Q headphones will draw
Very slight changes in the level of light too much current from the output, although CLOSED-LOOP GAIN
will make the output move up and down eas- they could be used if you add aresistor, say As explained previously, the effect of
ily and controllably. Our op.amp with its 470Q, in series with them.) negative feedback is to reduce the gain of
massive open-loop gain has now been tamed Note that in Fig.3.13a, the op.amp output the op.amp from its open-loop gain of
and this opens up many other applications. is shown connected to a voltmeter. If you x100,000 or more, to amore suitable gain
wish to listen to the output of this and sub- which does not cause clipping, to about x5
INVERTING AMPLIFIER sequent circuits, then the signal is taken in the case of the input waveform shown in
As we will almost certainly want to from the output of the op.amp, and a Fig.3.13b.
amplify a.c. signals at some stage, it makes ground link must be made between the When negative feedback is used to
sense to return to a dual-rail system. We headphones and the OV line of the circuit. achieve this, we talk about the closed-loop
will see later how to force an a.c. amplifier gain of the system. The circuit in Fig.3.14a
to work on asingle-rail supply. CLIPPING illustrates how this is done.
Begin by setting up the circuit shown in The type of distortion illustrated in Note the addition of the resistors RI and
Fig.3.12. It is similar to Fig.3.5, except that Fig.3.13b is known as clipping distortion. It R2. These apply negative feedback. The
the non-inverting input has been tied to OV.
The variable voltage (the signal) from
potentiometer VR is applied to the invert- +9V
ing input. R2 FEEDBACK
INPUT
You will remember that adjusting the IMPEDANCE
./ RESISTANCE

potentiometer causes the op.amp output to

switch between high and low. Now apply a N RI
22k

SIGNAL
small a.c. signal ( say 1V peak-to-peak) to
the input as shown in Fig.3.13a. INPUT

You can obtain an a.c. signal from asig-

GROUND/SCREEN 0
nal generator (set to sinewave), or simply
use a cassette œ CD player and use the
"line" output or earphone output. The 9`) I

screen or ground of the link should be con-

nected to OV in Fig.3.13 ( labelled
B)
ground/screen). Rotating the wiper of VR I
in Fig.3.12 back and forth a bit will also
achieve asimilar effect.
The waveforms shown in Fig.3.13b indi-
cate the idealised signals as displayed on an
oscilloscope, the smaller trace being the
input signal and the larger trace showing
the output signal.
A good amplifier will increase the ampli-
tude (size) of the signal, but retain the orig-
inal shape. Our amplifier, though, has
introduced severe distortion, "squaring-
off" the peaks of the waveform. You could
try listening to it through high-impedance Fig.3.14. Using feedback to prevent output clipping.

Everyday Practical Electronics. January 2004 27

waveforms in Fig.3.14b show that the out- loudspeaker using a normal multimeter, times higher than the input resistor. If the
put is now an exact copy of the input, you will obtain an answer lower than you value of the feedback resistor is too high,
except that it is magnified by about five might expect. You are simply measuring the the amplifier may become unstable. In
times. It retains the shape of the input sig- resistance of the coil. practice, avoid values greater than 100kQ,
nal, but is inverted in respect to it. In other Loudspeakers are designed to work with although in some cases higher values may
words, when the input signal moves up, the a.c. signals (audio signals) and so the value be acceptable depending upon other factors
output moves down. Hence the name of this (say 8Q) stated on the speaker refers to the in your circuit. If in doubt, experiment.
circuit: inverting amplifier. total opposition to a.c. — allowing for the The output impedance of many items of
Resistors RI and R2 set the gain of the resistance of the coil, its inductive effect equipment such as CD players, video
system. You will notice that the ratio of and its capacitance effect. This total oppo- recorders etc., is typically around 11c52. So
their values is about five. In other words, sition to a.c. is called impedance. if we make the input resistor ( RI in our
the gain of the system is given by: Returning to the op.amp circuit shown in case) 10kQ, then all should be well. We
Fig.3.14, since the voltage at pin 3 (non- then set the feedback resistor to provide the
—R2 / RI
inverting input) is held at OV, so the voltage gain we want, within the constraints men-
The minus sign indicates that the output at pin 2 ( inverting input) will copy this, and tioned earlier.
is inverted, i.e. negative when the input is will become a virtual earth. Hence the
positive. You may wonder if the actual gain input signal will simply pass through a AUDIO MIXERS
of the op.amp enters the equation. In fact, resistance equal to Ri(R1 in this case) on Audio mixers are found in recording stu-
the formula above is aslight fudge, based its way to zero or ground. dios, theatres and often in video editing
on the assumption that the op.amp open- Although the signal is alternating, the systems. The inverting op.amp configura-
loop gain is very high. single resistor will oppose it as if it were tion is the ideal circuit to form the basis of
If your cassette or CD player produces d.c., and so we can say that the input an audio mixer. The reason is illustrated in
an output greater than about IV then the impedance of our amplifier is equal to the Fig.3. 15.
output wave may still be clipped alittle. value of R1,22kQ in this case. The virtual earth ensures that no signal
You can connect headphones to the out- from one source can affect another source.
put, but don't expect hi-fi sound! The out- MATCHING IMPEDANCES You can have as many inputs as you like,
put from the 741 op.amp is not intended to Why does input impedance matter? and if each of the input resistors have the
drive speakers or headphones, and apower Anyone who has lived in abed-sitter in an same value then each signal "sees" the
amplifier is needed if this is the aim. old building will know the problem; the same input impedance and is amplified by
person on the ground floor runs the bath, the same amount.
A GUIDING LAW and the water pressure throughout the Notice in Fig.3.15 that the values of the
We have shown that the ratio of the resis- building falls to a dribble. You could say resistors have been changed a little from
tors labelled R2 and RI in Fig.3.14 sets the that the impedance of the bath tap was so those in Fig.3.14. An audio mixer is gener-
gain of the system. Resistor R2 is general- low that it disrupted the pressure through- ally not required to amplify, so we can
ly called the feedback resistor (Rd, and RI out the system. afford to raise the values of the input resis-
the input resistor ( Ri). Hence the gain for- Similarly, if an amplifier circuit allows tors, and reduce the value of the feedback
mula is normally written: too much input signal current to flow, the resistor, all to 47kQ. This will provide a
signal voltage will collapse, hence destroy- gain of unity (one), i.e. the output will
Gain = — Rf / Ri
ing the signal you are trying to amplify. equal the input, not forgetting it will be
But how do you choose the actual values Still referring to Fig.3. 14, the signal has inverted.
of the resistors? We need to delve alittle to pass through RI to reach the virtual However, it may be more convenient if
more into the system. earth, into which it "disappears". If RI has your mixer did amplify a little, in which
There is avery useful fact, which applies ahigh resistance then the flow of current case the feedback resistor could be
to all op.amp circuits where negative feed- will be small, but if RI has a low resis- increased to 1001Q again, raising the gain
back is used and the circuit is not "saturat- tance, then alarge current will be "sucked" to about two.
ed" (in other words the output has not been in from your cassette recorder etc., and this The fact that the output is inverted com-
driven to either supply rail). The law states may cause aproblem. pared with the input is not aproblem since
that: The output impedance of, say, a CD we cannot (normally) hear phase differ-
player provides an indication of the current ences ( i.e. signals out of step), although
The voltage at the inverting input (pin
available from the output and, as ageneral you should avoid inverting one half of a
2 in this case) will equal the voltage at
rule, if the input impedance of your op.amp stereo signal without inverting the other
the non- inverting input ( pin 3 in this
circuit is at least ten times greater than the half. In other words your left and right
case).
output impedance of the CD player feeding speakers should be in step with each other.
This means that you can set the voltage it, then all will be well. The two systems
at the non- inverting input, and the inverting will be matched. A PRACTICAL MIXER
input will copy this. So, if we connect the This is very different from loudspeak- An audio mixer is generally required to
non-inverting input to OV, then the invert- er/amplifier matching where, for maximum allow the input sources to be varied, and so
ing input pin will be at OV as well. This is power via your speakers, the output imped- the circuit shown in Fig.3.16 could be
very useful, and makes calculations much ance of the amplifier should be equal to the employed. Each source is connected to one
easier, since there is always aknown volt- impedance of the speaker. end of apotentiometer. If the potentiometer
age in the system, regardless of your input has a maximum resistance of 10kQ, then
and output voltages. CHOOSING RESISTOR the input impedance will be a little under
This makes it possible to design audio mix- VALUES
ers (for example) with ease, as we will see We have shown that RV
later, but for now there are some other terms the value of the input 47k

to explain. We will start with impedance — resistor (R1 in this SIGNAL 3 +9V

what it means, and why it is important. case) should be as RS R2

47k
high as possible to 47k

INPUT IMPEDANCE reduce the current

SIGNAL 2 0-W--•
W- 9V
91'
I
The term resistance means the opposi- required from the CD RI
47k * 04.741 mgm
tion to the flow of electricity. So aresistor player etc. But there SIGNAL1
of 20Q will offer twice as much opposition are other constraints. 6
I 0V
than a resistor of 10Q. A simple resistor In order to amplify, VIRTUAL

will oppose a.c. and d.c. equally. the feedback resistor EARTH
VOLTS
But acoil of wire has both resistance and must be higher still in 9-
ALL NPUTS 9V
an inductive (magnetic) effect, plus a value. GROUND/SCREEN
o
capacitance effect. Its resistance will affect If, for example, you -9V 7-
a.c. and d.c. equally, but its inductance and require a gain of ten,
capacitance will affect a.c. more than d.c. then the feedback
Hence if you measure the resistance of a resistor must be ten Fig.3.15. Using an op.amp as a signal mixer.

28 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 , 0

+9V

R2
AX
47k
47k
SIGNAL 20
W-
1 9V
VI2
10k

SIGNAL 10 OV

ALL NPUTS
GROUND/SCREEN
o
T-
Fig.3.16. A practical dual-rail op.amp mixer with input level controls.
B)
101d2 altogether, but still acceptable in since the negative-going aspect of the sig-
most applications. nal cannot be processed. This would result
Note that a logarithmic type of poten- in severe distortion. Fig.3.18. An a.c. signal loses its nega-
tiometer should be used ( not a linear The trick is to raise the average value of tive-going waveform if incorrectly
type), since alog type will appear to pro- the a.c. signal, so that instead of swinging processed by asingle-rail power supply.
duce amore even change of sound level as positive and negative (i.e. above and below
the slider ( wiper) is adjusted ( this is due OV) the signal swings above and below a
to the way in which the human ear mean point, such as 4.5V for a9V supply. You saw in Part 1how capacitors appear
responds). The signal can then be amplified, before to conduct changes in voltages, even
The circuit shown in Fig.3.16 is asimple being lowered back down to amean of OV though the two sides are insulated from
mono audio mixer with three inputs. You for outputting. each other. So the capacitor in Fig.3.19a
can add more inputs as needed. If you An example circuit is shown in neatly allows the d.c. bias level to shift
require astereo mixer, then you will need Fig.3.19a. Notice that the op.amp is con- from OV to 4.5V, as shown by the wave-
another identical circuit for the other half nected to +9V and OV. We use two 10k0 forms in Fig.3.19b, representing the sig-
of the system. resistors (R3 and R4) as apotential divider nals at points A and B in Fig.3.19a.
Whilst the 741 is an ideal op.amp for to create a4.5V supply which is connected If you examined the amplified signals at
experimentation, better i.c.s are available to the non-inverting input at pin 3. points C and D, you would see that wave-
which offer lower noise (background hiss) Earlier we showed how an op.amp with form C is an amplified copy of B, and D is
and consume less power. You can also negative feedback will copy the voltage at the same signal as C but shifted back down
obtain i.c.s with two or more op.amps in pin 3 to pin 2, so in Fig.3.19a pin 2 to an average of OV. So the second capaci-
one package. Such an i.c. is the NE5532N, assumes 4.5V. So now the op.amp sees tor, C2, holds back the 4.5V d.c. level, but
as shown in Fig 3.17. This offers low noise 4.5V as its mid-point. However, the 50Hz allows the a.c. signal to pass.
and low current consumption. a.c. input signal swings equally above and The signal at point D ny be viewed on
below OV, with an average d.c. bias of OV, an oscilloscope, or sent to another circuit —
and so acapacitor, Cl, is used to block the apower amplifier for example, but note the
d.c. bias, but allow the a.c. signal to pass. 1001(52 resistor, R5. This is necessary to

Fig.3.17. Pinouts for a typical dual

op.amp.

SINGLE-RAIL SUPPLY
The circuits so far have required arather
cumbersome dual-rail power supply. While
this is fine if the power is being derived
from a specially made power unit, if you
wish to use a battery, or a simple PSU
which plugs into the mains and provides a
standard 9V or 12V d.c. output supply,
then it is very inconvenient.
We will now show how an inverting
amplifier can be made to function on asin-
gle rail supply, where OV is the lowest
voltage in the circuit. First, though, let's
explain aproblem, referring to Fig.3.18.
In Fig.3.18a an incoming sinusoidal a.c.
signal is amplified by an op.amp running
on adual-rail supply. The result is a uni-
formly shaped waveform, as you would
expect. In Fig.3.18b the signal is amplified
by an op.amp running on asingle-rail sup-
ply. The lower half of the output is missing Fig.3.19. Usina capacitors to shift the d.c. level of a.c. signals.

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 29

 SIGNAL 0
INPUT 3 1
.1
+9V
1
GROUND 0- VF13
10k 11-1\/\/"--
SIGNAL C2
05

INPUT 2 82
47k
4p7

VR10 I I FOSIGNAL
GROUND 0-•-• OUTPUT
9V

r
I I— MC

SIGNAL
INPUT 1
GROUND 0 VR1
10k
GROUND C6 +
470p T

Fig.3.20. Example of acircuit suitable for mixing a.c. signals.

provide aload for the output. If you con- noise types, including the dual op.amp (for NON-INVERTING
nect the output to another circuit, then that stereo use) type NE5532N. The power sup-
circuit will provide aload and R5 can be ply is shown as 9V d.c., but if using amains O.C. AMPLIFIER
omitted power supply adaptor, 12V d.c. would be As you might expect, it is possible to
better to avoid clipping as mentioned apply asignal to the non-inverting input of
CAPACITOR VALUES previously. an op.amp and tie the inverting input as
Calculating the values of the capacitors The input capacitors (Cl to C3) are shown in Fig.3.21. Note that we still have
(Cl and C2) required in Fig.3.19a can take shown as non-electrolytic 1µF types, negative feedback in the form of RI. The
us into some fairly heavy mathematics, and though 0.47/ÁF (470nF) will normally be ratio of resistors RI and R2 provide the
so a "rule of thumb" is offered. just as good. The output capacitor C5 is gain according to the equation:
If the capacitor value is too small, then shown as electrolytic, and it is essential to
Gain = (R1 / R2) + 1
lower frequencies will be attenuated connect its positive side as shown.
(reduced). So we need acapacitor which is No load resistor has been included at the Hence in Fig.3.21, the gain is given by:
large enough to cope with all required fre- output, as it is assumed that the output will
Gain = (47k / 10k) + 1 = 5.7
quencies, but not so large as to be bulky be connected to another circuit. But
and expensive. A value of 1µF at the input remember that you will get strange results Notice that the positive answer shows
side (Cl) will normally be more than suffi- on an oscilloscope if you test the circuit that the output is in phase with the input, in
cient; in fact you could probably use a without a load (although you may get other words, it is not inverted.
100nF (0.1µF) and not hear any difference. round this by directly monitoring the out- The input impedance of the circuit is
Use anon-electrolytic if possible — poly- put of the op.amp, at pin 6). equal to the input impedance of the op.amp
ester film and polyester layer capacitors Resistors R4 and R5 split the supply input itself, and this is likely to be very
(which are non-polarised) of at least 1/2F voltage in half to bias the non-inverting high. In fact some op.amps with f.e.t. or
are readily available, and these should be input. Note the additional capacitors C4 CMOS inputs have input impedances well
fine. The output capacitor may need to be a and C6. Both are used to help smooth the in excess of 1Me2. This very high input
little larger, particularly if you have ampli- supply and remove any ripples present. The impedance is agreat advantage in circuit
fied the signal, but use at least 1µF. value of feedback resistor R6 has been cho- design, and it is easy to reduce if not
If employing electrolytic capacitors, sen to provide again of two (actually —2, required.
ensure their positive side is towards the i.c. since the output is inverted).
i.e. connected to B on the input side, and to EXTREMES
point C on the output side. Non-electroly- LIMITATIONS 1f resistor R2 is reduced to zero (e.g.
tic capacitors may be connected either way A mixer circuit of the type shown in replaced with awire link) then the gain of
round. Fig.3.20 is designed for "line-level" sig- the system will rise towards infinity since
Be aware that electrolytic capacitors tend nals. This term is explained fully later in the inverting input will be fixed at OV and
to be noisier than non-electrolytic types the series, but in this context it means the the circuit will behave like acomparator.
and, as ageneral rule, this is another reason signals used between aCD player, video The formula shows this:
why non-electrolytic types are preferable in recorder, cassette recorder etc., and apower
Gain = (47k / 0) + 1 = infinity (since any
this type of application, especially if you amplifier. These signals peak at around 1V.
number divided by zero is infinity)
are dealing with small signals. The mixer is not designed to mix high-level
signals, such as signals fed directly to In fact, the gain will be equal to the
CLIPPING speakers, or to mix low-level signals e.g. open-loop gain of the op.amp.
We mentioned clipping earlier when dis- from microphones, or record decks with If resistor R2 is increased to infinity, i.e.
cussing the need for adual-rail supply. We magnetic cartridges. removed altogether, then the formula
have avoided clipping the negative half of Whilst it may be tempting to connect shows:
our signal by shifting its average value up several microphones to the mixer, the sig-
Gain = (47k / infinity) + 1 = 1
by 4.5V. However, with many op.amp types nals are so low that considerable amplifica-
there is still a danger of clipping if we tion is necessary. If you amplify the signal Hence we see that the output will copy
allow the peak-to-peak signal amplitude to after the mixer, noise induced by the poten- the input — we have avoltage follower.
be greater than about 2V when using a9V tiometers and elec-
supply. trolytic capacitors will +9V

oiw
In other words we should avoid allowing swamp your signal. It
e9.741
it to rise above 6.5V or fall below 2.5V, is essential, therefore, fi

otherwise the peaks of the waveform may to amplify the micro- SIGNAL 0 9V I

be distorted. So keep the peak-to-peak sig- phone signal before

nal amplitude low (below 2V), or use a applying it to the
higher power supply of say 12V or 15V. mixer. Commercial INPUT VOLTS
PRACTICAL SINGLE-RAIL
mixing desks often 82
10k
have microphone
MIXER amplifiers built into GROUND / SCREEN
o
A practical single-rail mixer is shown in some of the inputs.
Fig.3.20. The op.amp may be atype 741, Read on for asuitable
but you may prefer one of the modem low microphone amplifier. Fig.3.21. Non-inverting d.c. amplifier with dual-rail supply.

30 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

VOLTAGE FOLLOWER asingle-rail supply is
shown in Fig.3.23. +9V
As said, any number divided by infinity The circuit may be R1 '0.9.741 C2

is zero, so the value of RI in this instance is used with a dynamic 1

ck
100k 470n

II-. SIGNAL
(SEE TEXT)
RO 6 OUTPUT
irrelevant. It may as well be apiece of wire. microphone, i.e. the Cl
(Mathematicians may be worried about the type which generates a 100n
OUTPUT
consequence of 0/0 in our formula, but for- signal without the 100
GROUND
tunately even a piece of wire has some need for a separate
resistance, so the problem doesn't arise!) power supply, or you MICROPHONE

The resulting circuit is shown in

Fig.3.22. The output voltage will copy the
can use an electret
microphone providing D R2
100k
R4
10h 9V

ovT—
input voltage. This may not sound very it is the type which has C3

useful, but remember that the input imped- a battery fitted inside 4u7

ance is very high, and the output imped- the housing. Cheap
GROUND SCREEN
ance is much lower — in other words, a electret microphones
minute amount of current at the input can often employ this
cause asignificant current from the output. method, expensive Fig.3.23. Microphone preamplifier circuit, single-rail.
The circuit is thus useful as asignal buffer. ones generally require
"phantom power", i.e. The operation of capacitor C3 is more
a48V d.c. supply which must be fed down subtle. It is large enough to offer no resis-
the microphone cable from the amplifier. tance to the audio (a.c.) signals, and so as far
The signal is a.c. coupled by capacitor as a.c. is concerned it is like joining R4
Cl. Resistors RI and R2 hold the non- directly to OV, and the gain equation is intact.
inverting input to amid-voltage, 4.5V in But d.c. is blocked, and so as far as the d.c.
this case. When an audio signal is deliv- conditions are concerned, we are effectively
ered by the microphone it is amplified joining the output directly to the inverting
according to the non-inverting formula: input. The gain equation is therefore:
Gain = ( 100k / 10k) + 1 = 11 Gain = ( 100k / infinity) + 1 = 1
So if the microphone produces asignal So applying the op.amp "law" where-
of around 50mV we should obtain an out- by, if negative feedback is applied, the
Fig.3.22. Unity gain voltage follower
put of around 50 x 11 = 550mV. voltage at the inverting input copies the
(buffer).
Capacitors C1and C2 perform asimilar voltage at the non-inverting input, the
For example, you may have an elderly operation to the input and output capaci- magic figure of 4.5V (or half the supply
analogue voltmeter at the back of acup- tors in the inverting circuit (Fig.3.19). voltage) is copied to the non-inverting
board. It is a fairly cheap meter, and its input, pin 3, and hence to output pin 6. So
internal resistance is quite low. Hence the whole system sits at 4.5V, and the a.c.
when you try to take avoltage reading in a signal is amplified as shown in Fig.3.24.
sensitive circuit, the meter sucks so much The small waveform represents the input
current out of your circuit, that the reading signal from the microphone, and the larg-
is much lower than expected. er one shows the "in-phase" signal from
This is a common problem — meters the output.
which affect the circuit you are trying to Note that resistor R5 is only required if
measure. The solution is to construct a an electret microphone insert is used (these
voltage follower. The input of your voltage were discussed in Part 2). These micro-
follower requires almost no current (it has phones are inexpensive and provide agood
a very high input impedance) but it can signal, and so are ideal in "low quality"
supply more than enough current to oper- applications, e.g. if you are trying to detect
ate your cheap meter. It copies the voltage sound, rather than record it. If you use a
you are measuring with great accuracy, and dynamic microphone (any type) or an elec-
outputs this voltage to your meter. tret microphone with a built-in battery,
then omit R5.
MICROPHONE AMPLIFIER
The high input impedance of the non- NEXT MONTH
inverting amplifier makes it ideal as a Fig.3.24. Example waveforms for the In Part 4next month we start to examine
microphone amplifier. The arrangement for circuit in Fig.3.23. logic gates and digital electronics.

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Everyday Practical Electronics. January 2004 31

 =TALK ANDY EMMERSON
L J

Blurred Vision For Telly

The future of television is definitely digital but will picture quality actually
improve? Andy Emmerson looks at the options.

I
N many people's living memory the Picture quality is apparently not brilliant film archivists at the Imperial War
only choice with television was whether but will doubtless improve as technology Museum who try to preserve footage as
you watched BBC or ITV. Cable TV advances. originally seen."
was an option in few areas only and in any This is not to deny the fact that televi-
case, the most it offered by way of "extras" MISSING THE POINT sion sets are now mostly made with a 16:9
was an out-of-area regional ITV pro- Broadband was just made for applica- ratio picture tube, he continues. It's under-
gramme plus a selection of radio tions of this kind and people who see standable that having bought one of these
programmes you could listen to on the TV broadband as merely souped-up Internet sets, many viewers will be keen to get as
set's loudspeaker. access are missing the point. That's cer- much widescreen as possible (regardless of
Colour pictures and video recorders tainly the viewpoint of Brian Levy, Group the corruption of the image). And to be
were dreams for the future, whilst the only Technology Officer for Services and fair, this is apersonal preference (much in
television satellite was Early Bird, used for Solutions at British Telecom. "Fast the same way that some people like deeply
transatlantic programme exchanges on Internet is only one narrow facet of broad- saturated colour whilst others prefer sub-
special occasions only. Not much choice band," he declares. "Broadband opens up a tle, more natural hues).
but no worries either. vast repertoire of video on demand offer- But remembering the great deal of care
ings, online gaming, two-way multimedia the BBC invested in getting PAL colour
PICK-AND-MIX hookups and provides the network gateway television "right", you might be forgiven
These days broadcasters are seriously for all manner of tetherless voice and data for thinking that widescreen broadcasts
concerned. The cosy world of broadcasting devices such as high-speed wireless data would be handled with the same degree of
that they controlled exclusively is disinte- networks in the home." attention. Far from it! Programme sched-
grating into an unrestrained array of nar- For many people this explosion in ules regularly feature an often confusing
rowcasting options. With broadband an choice will not have come amoment too mixture of 4:3 and specially shot 16:9
affordable reality for the majority of the soon, but what worries them is the trade- material, leaving viewers to decide how to
British population, the future of television off in picture quality. When video technol- watch the individual programmes.
may well be apick-and-mix affair where ogists have spent the last forty years
you choose what you watch and when you adding colour to television, improving the OBNOXIOUS
view. definition from 405 to 625 lines, then CROPPING
Forget Sky Channel's feeble offer of bringing us 100Hz refresh rate screens and Another example was a classic
"your own private television station"; it's DVD discs with undreamed-of clarity, why Wednesday Play, On the Eve of
far too expensive and your actual choice is do we now look like jettisoning this state Publication by David Mercer. It was made
quite limited. The reality is that very soon of near perfection in favour of jerky, in 1968 using the standard 4:3 ratio but
you will be able to take your pick of the smeary images? was cropped to 16:9 ratio when re-
world's television programming at little or Bandwidth is the problem according to screened in 2003, creating acomplete loss
no cost, along with avast selection of pay- some, although the latency or unpre- of artistic composition. Says Andrew,
per- view offerings of specialist interest dictable delivery speed of packet-based "This is the same sort of butchery which
(not just XXX material!). networks like the Internet is another. But was inflicted on many early cinema clas-
For a realistic price you'll be able to what really infuriates "serious" viewers is sics that were re- issued in the 1950s and
catch up on programmes you missed (as the "digital vandalism" that the program- 60s in "widescreen" versions.
you already can on the BBC radio website) mers themselves are inflicting on viewers. The film cropping practice has mostly
or raid the BBC archives for classic pro- stopped, but its use in television is amen-
grammes of the past. Once this takes off, CARE AND ATTENTION ace to be discouraged. To add insult to
you can expect many other providers offer- Television historian Andrew Henderson injury, there is afunction on some digital
ing films, music videos and other material takes issue with the BBC over the way that receivers that crops 16:9 to 4:3 by chop-
for download. widescreen vandalism is slowly creeping ping off the sides. A viewer watching the
An example of this "niche program- over all broadcasts of older programmes. Mercer play in this manner would proba-
ming" is TVBrick, an Internet-based sys- He cites the Corporation's long overdue bly have lost 50% of the original image,
tem designed to help Japanese nationals repeat of the 1964 series The Great War as effectively watching a small area in the
overseas keep up with the favourite TV an example. centre of the original image."
shows from home. It was launched in July He states: "The complete series has Why the BBC feels it essential to re-
by French open- source software company had the original picture pointlessly work these old programmes into 16:9 for-
Nexedi and although some critics claim it cropped to a new bogus "widescreen" mat is beyond Andrew, since only asmall
represents copyright infringement on a version. Effectively the top and bottom of minority will want to watch something as
massive scale, the scheme sounds perfect- the image have been selectively trimmed obscure as an old 1960s play. These of all
ly defensible. off, to suit the new "improved" 16:9 pic- people are the ones for whom authenticity
It works like this. At home, in Japan, ture ratio. By doing this, roughly a third is most crucial, making the BBC's action
subscribers (yes, it's a paid-for service) of the original picture is removed and the both wasteful and obnoxious.
connect their TVBrick to the Internet via definition and picture quality deteriorates He concludes, "If you are equally
abroadband link ( the box is also connect- to a point far worse than the original angry about the current conditions, please
ed to atelevision aerial or cable TV out- broadcasts. complain to the BBC. The complaints
let). At their overseas location users Why was this thought necessary? This might be in a minority, but the issues
watch the digitised programmes either on revisionism berates the memory and involved will eventually affect the major-
a standard PC, connected by broadband, achievements of the cameramen who ity. The situation may possibly even
or on television using astandalone play- risked their lives to provide priceless change for the better, but let's pray it
back adapter called the TVBrick Player. footage. It also insults the hard work of the doesn't get worse."

32 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

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 READOUT WIN AN ATLAS LCR ANALYSER
WORTH £79
Email: john.becker@wimbome.co.uk An Atlas LCR Passive Component
Analyser, kindly donated by Peak Electronic
John Becker addresses some Design Ltd., will be awarded to the author
of the general points readers of the Letter Of The Month each month.
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All letters quoted here have previously been replied to directly.

PEAK ENJOYMENT
* LETTER OF THE MONTH * Dear EPE,
Ido like your magazine. Would you believe
SERVOS AND PICS running in response to the switch inputs, i.e. to just over ayear ago, if someone asked me what
Dear EPE, switch to adifferent servo sequence. is the difference between aresistor and atran-
There have been several queries recently in On a wiring-up note, servos have three sistor, Iwould not have known what they were
Readout regarding PICs and R/C servos. Last wires, positive, ground and a control signal talking about. Only because Iwas confined to
year Ibuilt my first PIC project. It used a feed. Iused aseparate supply (four recharge- bed for atime and your mag was just something
20MHz PIC16F877 to simultaneously control to read, Inow find Ican build little things from
able batteries) for the power feed to the servo
eight R/C servos as well as sensing four push- for the positive and ground connections, and your pages that work. OK, Ionly copy and do as
button switches. It is probably worth sharing the another for the PIC supply (aPP9 battery with it says in the article and send off for the parts
knowledge that Iobtained in doing this project, a5V regulator), so that the heavy load and any and circuit board and put them together, but oth-
and the assembler code routines that drive the electrical spikes from the servos did not affect ers think Iam clever.
servos. the PIC. The control signal only needs asmall Ido like your Teach-1n 2004 as well. Now I
The key points to understand when driving current and can be driven directly from the am beginning to understand what all those little
servos are as follows: PIC output ports, the eight Port B outputs in things Iput together do. Thanks to Max Horsey,
Each servo needs to be refreshed with apulse my case. who puts it in nice clear English. Capacitors got
about 50 times asecond, so the main loop in the Finally, if you are sensing pushswitches you me for a while as Ikept sending them back
program must not take longer than 20 millisec- need to debounce them. A good way is to because they had the wrong letters on them,
onds. The pulse has to be of aprecise length check on two consecutive times round the until Isaw in your mag how to read them.
between Ims and 2ms that defines the servo main loop that the value is still the same as it I've also bought aPeak Atlas Transistor Tester
position ttypically 1ms gives one end of the was last time. from an advert in EPE, and its a lovely little
servo movement range and 2ms the other end). In my case the servos controlled the hip and thing, so simple and now Idon't have to search
A simple delay loop can be used to time the knee joints on a4- legged walking robot that around to find out what sort of transistor or
pulse duration between switching the pulse on made it to the heats of Techno Games, but diode Ihave. Iwill get the Atlas LCR Meter
and switching it off (by setting the relevant Port there will be lots of other applications where next.
bit on and then off after the delay). sequencing or animatronics need asimilar bit Meanwhile Ihave been searching the web and
If you send at worst case a2ms pulse to each of functionality. came across The Educational Encyclopaedia
of eight servos one after each other this takes The code was developed using the FED PIC at http://pandora.beteducypediatelectronics/
16ms, so you have 4ms ( or 20,000 machine assembler and was run initially on a FED motorstep.htm, which might be of help to your
instructions) left to do anything else you want, development board, but should be easily made readers as asource for more information.
such as, in my case, sensing the switches. If you to work with other development tools. Idon't Peter Mars, via email
send ashorter pulse than 2ms, you should wait claim the code to be optimised or perfect, after
for the remainder of the time so that the overall all it was my first PIC project, but it works just Great to read such words of enthusiasm from
loop speed stays constant. fine, and might just save readers afew months you, Peter! Yes, electronics is fascinating.
If you want to move the servos in adefined working out how to drive those servos. Thanks too for the address. All the very best for
sequence you need alist of positions for each Iam happy for you to put the code on your your continued enjoyment!
servo, so Ihad eight tables with up to 20 items web site. It is supplied as assembler file
in each. In my code there is aroutine that con- robodegl_MPL.asm. UV SENSING
verts the one byte servo position field into the David Hannaford, Henley-in-Arden, Dear EPE,
relevant length pulse. With aone byte field we via email Referring to the Cloud Cover letter in
get 256 possible servo positions, or better than Readout Nov ' 03, some years ago. there was an
one degree of positioning accuracy. That looks very usefid, David. I'll put your article in the "amateur scientist" column of
To adjust the speed of movement of the ser- code in the PIC Tricks folder on our Scientific American regarding atmospheric haze.
vos you need to control how many times you Downloads page. Many thanks for sharing it The sensor used was agreen le.d, instead of a
use avalue before you move onto the next one with us. photo-cell plus filter combination (an idea attrib-
from the relevant table (with each time taking And congratulations on attempting some- uted to Forrest Mims).
one fiftieth of asecond). In my case this is vari- thing so sophisticated for your first PIC pro- Since it is now possible to get violet plus
able using the speed-up and slow-down switch- ject. Ihave long maintained that one of the near- UV I.e.d.s (I got mine from Oatley
es. This, however, can give asomewhat jerky best ways to learn something is to get stuck Electronics, who're alittle bit like Proops Bros
movement on the servos as it jumps from one into an idea that you want to achieve, and —http://oatleyelectronics.com/) perhaps asen-
position in the tables to the next. If you want sor for UV would not be too far-fetched (it
solve each step along that route as aseparate
smooth movement you need to interpolate item, experimenting with various options until might need two 1.e.d.s with one hiding behind a
between the values in the table, which is what you find aworkable solution. photographer's "UV-0" filter — easier than cut-
the interpolate routine in the program does. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter ting a piece of Wood's Glass as found on the
The servo lists were set up dynamically, whether your code is "optimised" or not. If a "blacklight" fluoro tubes at the local disco).
rather than as initial constants, and this allows does the job you want, then it's asatisfactory Iliked your Met Office ( Aug/Sep ' 03), but I
them to be changed at will while the program is method! didn't see away of dealing with real rain (I've
seen 0-5metre/hour rate when visiting the "out-
laws" in Queensland. Forget the raincoat!
WONDERFUL WEATHER! consider craft the right word, as opposed to, say, Where's the soap?). It didn't look like the ultra-
Dear EPE, work or science, as most electronic projects are sonics were protected from golf- ball hail
A wonderful project! Again. The multipurpose designed to meet a specific human need and either. .. much fiddling for retirement methinks,
weather station. PIC Met Office Aug/Sep '03. is a therefore require abit of human design strategy but agreat concept nonetheless.
challenge any craftsman would be glad to tackle. to be widely accepted. A project created by a Brian Conner, Australia, via email
The use of transducers as opposed to mechanical craftsman is the combination of art and science
vanes is agreat addition to aweather station, and with amix of love thrown in for spice. Ah, Brian, Iremember Proops in London — a
should make current condition reporting on the EPE is amagazine for craftsmen by craftsmen. real Alladin's cave in my youth! Your rain and
ham radio network less cumbersome. Dave Mynatt, Manchaca, Texas USA hail situations amuse me (am Icruel?!). No 1
Imust say, after being a reader for such a didn't allow for extremes, though Isuppose the
short time, that your projects and special discus- You are so kind Dave! Idesign because Ilove water barrel level sensor might do for the deluge
sions are quality work adding greatly to the the challenge, and that seems to be the case with (I experienced such in Malaya as achild).
knowledge base and enthusiasm for the craft. I most of our contributors these days. Thanks for the kind comments.

34 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

FIXING CANUTE to experiment with, to see if it has any use in Another idea is to make a PIC send a pre-
Some time ago reader Ken Horton wrote to practical circuit layout? Just send me apre-paid progarnmed IR transmission to avideo recorder
say that he had built Canute Tide Predictor (
June self-addressed reply envelope and Iwill forward to automatically start up and record from a
'00) and that it was: alength of ready-punched tape. Please note that CCTV camera in agarden or house. The trigger
the quantity that Ihave is necessarily limited, but would ideally come from adiscrete PIR sensor
. . . in continual use on an ocean-going boat in I'll do my best. covering apath or other area. It could even just
Portugal. Iunderstand that every so often, the My tape equipment is the Friden (Singer) output to arelay as another option, or it could
clock goes wrong displaying 25:00 hours Rexowriter. This is a typebar/moving platen go direct to the SCART plug connection to start
before locking-up. Unfortunately, Iam unable electric typewriter with added punch, reader and it up.
to give you the precise details of the error as I external interface for computers. I'd like to know How about an electronic dog's voice (for a
have not had chance to witness the symptoms if anyone else still has this equipment, or am I van or house), to be triggered when a PIR
first hand. the owner of the last remaining machine in (again) senses someone walking up adrive or
Britain? Ialso have some technical manuals and around the back of a house. It could work
Ireplied that Iknew Canute was in successful a (limited) supply of spares, if this should be of alongside timed lights for when the occupants
use as other readers had told me so, but that I help to anyone. are away.
fully accepted that his unit had this problem. Also, if any reader has agenuine need to pre- These are only thoughts rambling in my
Without details of the circumstances under which pare or copy eight-track tape, Iwill try to assist. mind after seeing people suffer at the hands of
the problem occurred. though, Iwas unable to Note that this is computer and not Telex tape - villains.
offer advice. the sprocket hole spacing is different. Ilook forward to next month's projects, and
Recently, however; Ken emailed me to say that Godfrey Manning G4GLM, seeing if Ican adapt them or their ideas for other
the unit had been brought back from Portugal for 63 The Drive, Edgware, Middx HAS 8SP jobs.
him to look at, and he had made afew code Paul Badger,
changes, which he quoted. The code is too Thank you Godfrey, those are interesting via email
lengthy to repeat here, but it has been placed on offers. And, readers, is Godfrey alone in owning
our Downloads page, within the Canute folder a Flexowriter? Ialso wonder if I'm alone in Thanks for the interesting suggestions, Paul.
Many thanks Ken! owning a Varityper, a typesetting machine with They might inspire other readers to offer us
interchangeable fonts and powered by a clock- something on these lines. And, yes, we expect
UV DETECTION work mechanism which itself was powered from readers to adapt our published ideas for their
Dear EPE, amains driven motor own purposes. It's not plagiarism, but common-
Iread with interest the letter entitled Cloud sense use of building blocks!
Cover in Readout Nov ' 03. It may be possible to MORE PIC MATHS
construct acheap sensor for UV light by using a Dear EPE, PAINTING WITH VB6
conventional 1.d.r. with abandpass plastic filter After writing my High Speed Decimal to Recently, while writing a VB6 program, I
to attenuate non-UV band light. Maybe aphoto- Binary for PICs routine (Nov ' 03 issue), Idid wanted to "paint" in different colours several
voltaic cell would work? UV photons are higher attempt "the same trick in reverse", i.e. fast bina- areas within irregular outlines. With
energy than visible light and it would seem fool- ry to decimal. It is nowhere near as easy and QuickBasic, and indeed QBasic, it was simple to
ish for the manufacturers of such cells to cover good friend Paul Turner (an EPE online reader) do this by quoting the coordinates at which the
them in such away so as to remove this potential agrees. Iwas making good progress when he colouring was to commence, the colour of the
source of energy. Presumably the output volt- sent me this link: border at which the colouring was to end, and
age/current of such acell is afunction of light the colour to be used to fill the area, all done by
intensity. www.korlanda.com/reggie/snippets.asp?ff2 one command, Paint. After much experimenta-
A Cambridge based company selling UV tion, Idecided that VB6 would not allow this
filters is at wviw.optical-illters.com/uvfilters. Ihave studied John Payson's code at this site function.
html. and Iwas going down exactly the same road as So Iasked reader and contributor Joe Farr
Gareth Howard, he, but he beat me to the end. Ah well, can't win about it (regular readers will recall Joe's excel-
via email 'em all! lent LC. Tester of Oct '02, and his recent highly-
Peter Hemsley, useful Serial Interface for PICs and VB6, Oct
That's interesting Colin, and as a first via email 03). Joe uses VB professionally and Ifelt he
response Ifelt it might be possible with an 1.d.r. would know a solution — which he does. He
Then Irealised that many transparent materials, i
Thanks Peter fyou say it's good Iknow it is! replied:
like glass for example, cut out UV (or so Iunder- Readers — Ican't put this code in PIC Tricks, but
stand). Iwondered too ethe ORP12's 1.d.r sur- you can download it from the address Peter I've attached some VB code that will allow
face would do the same, and so could not be gives. you to flood-fill irregular shapes that have been
used? If it did let through UV then Ican see that drawn on aPicture control. Click the button at
yourfiltering would work Idon't know about PV PLUGGING PORTS the bottom of the form to draw acouple of odd
cells, other than that the one Ihave also has a Dear EPE, shapes and then click anywhere on the picture
glass cover Thank you! Robert Penfold's Interface of Oct control to watch it flood fill.
Taking to heart your comments, and those '03 about accessing PC parallel ports using You should be able to adapt this code to your
from Brian Conner, Isense a round of experi- Logix4u's new INPOUT32.DLL was very requirements. Ihave not tried this code on all
menting coming up! welcome. platforms, but I'm guessing that it should be fine.
Your readers might like to know that Igive It works OK on Win2K. You can use it/pub-
TILECUTTING P.C.B.S more information on using the PC's parallel port lish/print it anywhere you think it would be use-
Dear EPE, for hobbyist electronics at www.arunetco.uk/ ful. It's just a collection of standard Windows
It is now forty years since Ifirst started buying tkboyd/elelpp.htm. I've also published a "how API calls.
electronic mags. In this time Ihave built many to do it in Delphi" tutorial at http://ourworld. Note that there is a "DeleteObject mBrush" in
projects around the home. The latest is asimple compuserve.com/homepages/TK_Boyd/Dt3k. the form_unload event. You must always make
network using four PIC16F877s, one in each sure that this is there, otherwise your PC will run
zone. Iknow this is abit of an overkill but I've Tom Boyd, out of resources and all sorts of bad things will
enjoyed the challenge. via email start to happen.
Also, Ihave found that amotorised tilecutter
is ideal for cutting fibreglass p.c.b. Would you Thanks Tom, nice to hear from you again - I've It's brilliant — exactly what Ineeded! So, as
like to pass this on to your readers. Iam looking browsed your informative site many times. I'm sure many VB-using readers will benefit from
forward to my next EPE. Robert has done more on the new DLL in the it, I have put Joe's example code into the
Brian Milner, December issue as well. This new DU is an Interface folder on our Downloads site. Thank
via email. excellent find. you very much indeed, Joe.

Duly passed on. Brian, thanks! Carry on PIC CAR ALARM? EDDYFYING!
PICing. . Dear EPE, Dear EPE,
My latest EPE, as ever, is ajoy to read, and In response to the Wanted! posting in Readout
PUNCHED TAPE more often far better than television too! Could I Dec ' 03 — any electrical engineer could tell you
Dear EPE, put asuggestion forward for some later projects that Eddy Current is adissipated fellow.
Do you remember punched paper tape? Seems which may have other uses outside the regular Guy Selby-Lowndes,
useless now. It took one-tenth of asquare inch ideas in EPE. via email
just to hold asingle byte. Think how much mem- Iwas wondering if using PICs it may be pos-
ory is crammed into the same surface area on a sible to make atwo-part car alarm that trans- Nice one, Guy! I've no idea who originated
silicon chip! mits to a receiver several metres away (e.g. the posting, but we do have afew 'jokers" on
But there is apossible use. The holes fall on inside ahouse) to let you know if someone is our Chat Zone . . .
the 0-1 inch grid of common components and stealing your car, triggered from the ignition (Which is accessible via the click-link on our
stripboard. Would any reader like asmall sample switch perhaps? home page at www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk).

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 35

New Technology
Update IntelliFEI devices improve power supply protection,
and nanoporous structures improve fuel cell
efficiency. Ian Poole reports.

G
ENERATING power for electronic cir- situations that may be encountered. In addi- The cell consists of two electrodes sand-
cuits and protecting them from surges tion to this it incorporates temperature wiched around an electrolyte. Oxygen
and failures that may cause greater prob- sensing elements as well as human body passes over one electrode and hydrogen
lems are two challenges facing designers model ESD (Electro- Static Discharge) over the other to generate electricity, heat
of electronics circuits today. Whilst they clamps, see Fig. 1. As static is amajor cause and water. Catalysts such as platinum are
may not appear to hit the headlines in the of failure this is particularly important. used to increase the rate of the reaction,
same way as other semiconductor develop- All the elements of the protection and therefore the output that can be
ments, they are equally important. circuitry auto-restart once the failure obtained from each cell.
condition has been removed. However, the The problem with fuel cells is that they
Sources of failure other feature that needs to be considered in are generally quite large for the level of
One of the major causes of failures in any protection device is the in-rush current power they are able to generate when com-
electronic circuits is high voltages reach- that is present on any circuitry that con- pared to most batteries. A typical mobile
ing them. Even what might be thought of tains capacitors as these need to charge up. phone for example requires about 3.6 volts
as relatively low over-voltages can cause Motors also have a high start-up current at around 300mA when a call is being
damage. and this can also be accommodated. made and the space available in a phone
One possible cause of failure may be a With small over-voltage or over-current for the power source is much less than 12
spike passing through the supply regulator. situations potentially leading to damage, cubic centimetres. Even this figure is
In the worst instance this might be afailure circuits like this one are part of the drive to falling as phones become even smaller
of the regulator and, although rare, the improve reliability, especially in the higher However, the output of afuel cell is pro-
consequences of afailure of this nature are voltage applications between 30 and 100 portional to the surface area that is avail-
catastrophic, resulting in most of the chips volts. Accordingly, this area of the market able for the reactions to take place within
being supplied by that voltage line being is likely to see alarge increase in demand. it. To produce acurrent of 300mA would
destroyed. require a surface area in excess of 60
It is also possible for smaller spikes to square centimetres, and this would mean
appear on the supply rails. They may that the cell would be much larger than the
result from spikes on the a.c. power line space available in the phone.
input that bypass the regulator, or they OVER Vt.
PRO7
, To overcome this problem a team of
may arise from static being discharged researchers at ST Microelectronics has
onto some part of the circuitry and getting developed a new structure than enables a
through onto the rails or other parts of the much higher surface area to be contained
circuit. within amuch smaller volume.
OVER COVENT.p

Short circuits may occur. If left without FOAM IICOY KOTECTDON This has been achieved by implement-
any protection ashort circuit will not only ing athree dimensional structure contain-

I
pnarucno“

prevent the correct operation of the circuit, TEWIERATURE

SENSE MO
ing many thousands of buried microchan-
but in many cases it will cause further nels that maximise the surface contact
MCRECTION

damage as the short could cause an over- area for the gases, the catalysts, and the
load elsewhere in the circuit. electrodes.
The research team also succeeded in fab-
IntellIFETs Fig. 1. Internal circuit blocks for the ricating a special "nanoporous" layer of
Naturally there are many integrated cir- Zetex IntelliFET protection device silicon that contained millions of pores
cuits on the market these days that very each measuring afew nanometres in diam-
effectively perform the basic protection eter. The combination of the very small
functions. One of the problems with "off New fuel cell developments pore size with the vast number of pores
the shelf' solutions is that it is very diffi- Battery technology has come along way enables very much greater surface areas to
cult to gain abalance between over-current in recent years, but amore efficient way of be achieved, and this is the key to increas-
and over-voltage situations. Although they generating electric power can be by using ing the output from the cells. Additionally
considerably improve the survivability in what is called a fuel cell. As the name the research team is working with the
most transient situations, they cannot pro- implies these cells convert their fuel into University of Naples to develop innovative
tect against all the situations that may electrical energy. As the fuel may be very low cost membranes that exhibit very high
arise. In addition to this, most of the cheap, and the cells can be re-fuelled this levels of conductivity.
devices that are available are aimed at the can be avery attractive way of powering Although it was stated that there is still
automotive market and they are not opti- electric circuits. In fact these cells can be further work to be undertaken to bring
mised for other situations. re-filled just like refillable cigarette these ideas to a state where they can be
To overcome this problem, Zetex have lighters. used in acommercial product, the team are
introduced a range of devices they call In recent years fuel cells have created a very excited about their potential. It is like-
their IntelliFET range. The chips in the large amount of interest because they ly that in years to come, products could use
product range are semi-custom devices, promise to provide aconvenient source of this technology to provide cheap and con-
programmed in the final mask stage of the cheap clean portable energy. venient sources of electricity without any
production process, and in this way they The fuel cell uses oxygen that can be undue impact on the environment.
can be set to suit the application for which obtained from the air around us and afuel Further information about new technolo-
they are intended. containing hydrogen, often in the form of a gy, and radio and electronics technology in
The chip is able to protect against the hydrocarbon and this may be anything from general can be found at www.radio-
standard over-voltage and over-current methanol to natural gas, or even petrol. electronics.com.

36 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

:
do«
foe -; • -DrDAQ Data Logger
trit I

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3• 8r
Experiments Idees for CMDAC1
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External sensors: Humidity
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• Built in sensors for light, temperature and sound 02 In Air
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 Constructional Project

PIC WATERING
TIMER
LES CLARKE

Keep your plants in pristine condition summer gets warmer (and the "perfect"
tomatoes get bigger!) and, of course, make
before you PIC them! sure that the water is on tap. Good
drainage too is essential to allow for any
over-watering. The compost's moisture

T
,,,, timer module is designed around GARDENERS' WORLD should be checked occasionally.
aP1C16F84A to control amotorised
water valve providing an automatic It is stressed that this timer and its control CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
low pressure watering system for agreen- valve are not intended for use on household The complete diagram for the PIC
house or garden. With little modification it mains water. It is designed to control the Watering Tuner is shown in Fig. 1 . The
can be used to control other devices. water feed from alow pressure rainwater PIC16F84A microcontroller, ICI, is
One of the author's first ever electronic butt and should only be battery powered. clocked by a standard 32768Hz watch
projects was an 1.e.d. clock (which he Having dabbled with ad.i.y. "automat- crystal, X1 , which is used in conjunction
admits was badly soldered onto strip- ic" watering system for a small green- with capacitors CIand C2.
board!). It used amains frequency counter house, the author found that he regularly The module operates as a24-hour clock,
type i.c. driving four seven-segment dis- had to override the moisture sensor circuit. set with programmable timer options
plays, and probably consuming acouple of For some reason it was very difficult to entered by acombination of the four push-
amps. adjust, then just as he thought he had got it to-make switches, SI to S4. These are
Consequently, one of the design con- right he discovered that the copper soil monitored via PIC pins RAO to RA3.
straints for this PIC Watering Timer probes had decomposed! Water valve (X3) open and shut testing is
module was for it to run on batteries with This timer module now waters his provided by temporarily connecting pin RA4
low power consumption. The prototype greenhouse tomatoes at regular intervals to the OV line via test points TP1 and TP2.
consumes only 1.7mA, mostly drawn by regardless of the gardener's presence. The PIC pin WL-1( and the five Port A pins
the 1.c.d. It has also proved to keep time only adjustment needed to the circuit is to are normally biassed high via the
well. lengthen the "wet" time bit by bit as the resistor module R2 to R7.

DI
186061

R2 TO R7 *
566 7
DO
8
DI
* SEE TEXT 9 X3
D2
10
03
4 6
MCLR PBS 04 X2 15nvn WATER
SI LC D ISOLATION
7 7 12
1X16 VALVE
RAS RBI D5
18 8 3 MODULE
B " r RA1 R82 06
12V S2 I
14
RA2 RB3 07
2 4
RA3 RB4 WHEN VALVE
RS
IS CLOSED S5
3
BS E SHOULD BE OPEN
4 P?Cl16F84
I

R
R E16 S5 : 0 NC
S4 —
T-
3
4-0 0 RB7
130

N C NORMALLY CLOSED
C1 P POLE iCOM)
12p N 0= NORMALLY OPEN

TEST
STRAP
OSC
r--
OSC2
is
ONO

32768i1i
OV

Fig. I. Complete circuit diagram for the PIC Watering Timer.

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 The liquid crystal display (X2) module
used in the prototype is a 16-character
single- line device, type Hitachi
LM020L. A standard 16-character 2-line
1.c.d. may be used instead. It is operated
in normal 4-bit mode controlled by Port
B, as with the majority of EPE 1.c.d.-
based designs.
PIC pin RB7 controls Darlington tran-
sistor TR 1via current-limiting resistor Rl.
In turn, TRI controls the water valve drive
motor, Ml.
Microswitch S5 is connected to PIC pin
RB6. The PIC looks for achange in the
contact status of this switch to stop the
geared motor at the extremes of the valve's
open and shut travel. This design requires
no drive power to hold the valve in either
position, thus saving power.
The prototype control module takes its
power from a6V 1.3Ah rechargeable bat-
tery. This keeps it running for about a
month. A 6V 10Ah battery would extend
the duration to about eight months.
Diode D1 prevents the circuit being
damaged by an incorrectly connected bat-
tery. It also keeps the supply voltage to the
PIC and 1.c.d. below the nominal 6V sup-
ply from the battery and within their maxi- Completed PIC Watering Timer controller together witn "plumbed-in". motor driven,
mum supply limits. water valve.
The valve motor is powered from asep-
arate 12V battery, whose capacity depends
Note that the 7-resistor module (R2-R7) The I.c.d. can be connected to the board
on the motor's requirements ( 1.3Ah would
has only the common and six resistor pins using ribbon cable.
be the minimum).
used, the seventh resistor's pin should be The completed assembly was fitted into
cut off (the one adjacent to IC1 pin 5). asmall transparent box, measuring 112mm
CONSTRUCTION A mulliturn trimpot was used for VR1 as x 62mm x 31nun. In the prototype, the
The circuit is constructed on a small
it fitted along atrack and bridged the cut — external wires were brought out to asmall
piece of stripboard, 15 strips by 25 holes,
to do this the middle connection was bent terminal block to simplify connection to
as shown in Fig.2.
back to line up. Alternatively, asmall cir- the batteries and motor.
Assemble in ascending order of compo-
cular or skeleton preset could be used (but Do not insert the PIC until you have
nent size, using a socket for IC1. Ensure
would require the stripboard width to be checked the accuracy of your assembly and
that diode D1 and transistor TR1 are posi-
one track wider to accommodate it). soldering.
tioned correctly.

NOTE: R2 TO R? IS A SEVEN RESISTOR NETWORK -

SEVENTH RESISTOR IS NOT JSED ¡ CUT PIN OFF)

X3
TO GEARED
MOTOR

2 4 6 8 10 2 4 16 19 20 22 2•
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 5921 23 2>

P2 TO R7 +6V B2

WHEN VALVE . S CLOSED

SS SHOULD SE OPEN
D
E
E
OV F S5
G
••—= P
H
H N.0

LCD D6 +4/—
D7
RS 6. ?Al -VE
N
+4—••••-•
0 k
CX +444.—• **-01.- -01 -132
(CV)
RA7V •111
I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 vi 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 15 2021 22 23 24 29

O IMM• • 0 0 • 0 • • 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 • • 0 • o
N • 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 • 0 o • 14
• 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 • 0 0 • 0 0

• 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MOTOR V
0 0 0
+12V 81
• 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 •
• 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 • 0 • • 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0
H EKE • • 0 0 0 0 0 • • 0 • 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 H
G 1:1:X:EICI
I. 0 • 0 0 • 0 • • 0 0 0 0 •
•
ICICKX• • 0 0 • 0 0 • 0 • • 0 0 0 0 •
E • 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 E
D • 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0
•11 - .1:11M
• 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 • B II
SE O
A 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 c 0 o 0 0 0 • • 0 0 •IMECCI A

9. 11 2 3 ' 4 15 16 17 18. 13 211 21 22 23 «

Fig.2. Sthpboard component layout, underside copper track breaks and wiring details to off-board components.

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 39

MOTOR AND VALVE made. Using a long
switch blade also helps.
With the prototype, the motor used was (A switch with a roller
a small 12V geared type, having a shaft could work just as
speed of about 100 r.p.m. The size of motor well.) The plate was fit-
required, though, depends on the torque ted with a right-angled
needed to turn the valve used. As the metal strip to assist final
author's rain water butt fed to 151nm cop- mounting to a green-
per pipe, he used astandard metallic isola- house platform.
tion valve from the plumbing section of the Prior to assembly the
local d.i.y. store. This type has ascrewdriv- motor drive shaft was
er slot for changing the valve position and, filed to aflat screwdriv-
importantly, has a360 degree rotation. er-like blade to fit snug-
The motor was fitted to aflat metal plate ly into the valve slot.
with the output shaft (typically 0.25in. or This motor/cam/ switch
6.25mm diameter) protruding. The cam assembly was then
was made from an old potentiometer knob fixed precisely above
and some thick flat plastic (see Fig.3). This the valve with the
was drilled to fit the boss, precisely shaped
and then glued on the knob base. The
TRIc
switch needs to be "made" for amaximum
of 90 degrees rotation (maybe just abit less
to allow for over-travel).
The valve position switch is mounted
alongside the cam. Slightly larger holes
here will allow for small adjustments to be

COMPONENTS VALVE SHOWN SHUT

S5 IS OPEN

Resistors
R1 10k 0-25W
See
5% carbon rD n e
film
R2 to R7 7x5k6 sil. TALK
resistor page
module (see text)

Potentiometer
VR1 10k 15-turn trimpot or
min. round preset
(see text) Fig.3. Motor and valve linkage and switch-
ing arrangement. A close-up view of the
Capacitors microswitch actuator lever and plastic
Cl, C2 12p ceramic disc, 5mm MOTOR AND WATER VALVE operating cam is shown above.
pitch (2off)
motor drive shaft engaged in the slot and The tuner allows the water valve to open
Semiconductors
secured. only during the active Window, its mini-
D1, D2 1N4001 rectifier diode
You may find a plastic isolation valve mum setting is one hour. The duration of
(2 off)
requires less force to move but sometimes the valve's open period is variable between
TR1 TIP120 npn Darlington
transistor they have adifferent tap arrangement and one and 30 minutes. The valve opening fre-
IC1 PIC16F84A-04 may be difficult to mount. A second manu- quency can be once every hour to amaxi-
microcontroller, al valve or tap used prior to the motorised mum of once every eight hours.
pre-programmed valve is also useful. These options give amaximum range for
(see text) The isolation valve has two Off (verti- the valve's open time of 30 minutes every
cal) and two On (horizontal) positions for hour (possibly alittle wet) and aminimum
Miscellaneous each rotation. To simplify construction, of one minute once aday. Default settings
S1 to S4 min. push-to-make switch only one closed and one open position are are stored in the PIC's non-volatile data
(4 off) ( 1red, 3black used and the others are ignored. The motor memory.
buttons) should only stop at either of the two On power-up, the settings are recalled,
S5 min. microswitch required positions. the valve is shut off. the Window made
X1 32768Hz watch crystal Note that diode D2 must be connected inactive and the current time set to 12:00.
X2 1-line 16-character I.c.d. across the motor's power terminals, cath- Simultaneously, the 1.c.d. is configured and
module (see text) ode ( k) on the positive side. the other registers are initialised. The
X3 Water isolation valve
screen display then cycles for eight sec-
(see text)
PROGRAM OPERATION onds, showing the various settings.
M1 small 12V geared motor
The P1C's timing operation is under con- The sequence is as shown in Table 1, in
(see text)
trol of Timer 0 (TMRO). In conjunction which "X" indicates that time setting is
with its prescaler, an interrupt is generated required, and "S- indicates that the valve is
Stripboard, 15 strips by 25 holes; plas-
tic case, transparent lid, 112mm x62mm at arate of 1Hz. At each interrupt, counters shut.
x31mm; 4-way terminal block; 6V battery are incremented as appropriate for the sec- On each interrupt, the time is updated
(see text); 12V battery (see text); materi- onds, minutes and hours, on a 24-hour and displayed, the colon blinking syn-
als for cam, valve and motor mounting clock basis. chronously. Checks are made of the
(see text); connecting wires; solder, etc. At each hourly increment, the software switches and the Window settings, and
checks whether watering should be turned action taken accordingly. Note, though,
Approx. Cost on at that time. The watering period ( from that when power is being applied to the
Guidance Only £16 hereon referred to as the "Window") is pre-
viously set by the user via switches Si to
motor, under control of PIC pin RB7, the
excl. motor. valve & batt. display is only updated after the motor
S4, as described presently. has stopped.

40 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 Layout of components inside the finished control box.

SETTING UP Tabla 1. Example screen displays at power-on and when switch Si is

Pressing switch Si will start the eight- pressed.
second display sequence, as shown in Table
Time Settings
1. Then pressing one of the four switches,
SI to S4, gains access to asetting mode, as FROG XS 12:00 Mode indication
shown in Table 2. Referring also to Table 1, W-00> 24 XS 12:00 Window (continuous)
P- 05@2h XS 12:00 Duration and Frequency ( 5mins every 2hours)
set the Duration and Frequency first.
?—SET XS 12:00 Set-up prompt
The display will revert to Status and
Time after the 7-SET Prompt ( item 4 in
Table I ). When leaving set-up after altering Table 2. Setting modes
the watering or time settings, the Window
Setting Switch Si Switch S2 Switch S3 Switch S4
status will be initialised, but not for new
Duration or Frequency data settings. This Time • Display/ Enter Time Fast Slow
allows changing within the active Window. Exit Setting Advance Advance
Duration and Frequency changes are Window Display/ Set Window Enter Window Set Window
Exit Open Time Setting Close Time
applied after the current cycle.
Duration/ Display/ Set Set Enter Duration/
If the Window is active after setting, then
Frequency Exit Du ration Frequency Frequency
Frequency is set to one hour. If inactive,
Window timings are displayed. During the The Window settings are updated after these settings
active Window, the Duration and Frequency
countdowns are disp,ayed. To the left of the
time display the condition of the Window is
WINDOW • 10 > 19
indicated by "A" (active) or "I" (inactive). FREQUENCY = C - 2004h

The valve position is also shown, as "0" 3rd OPEN VALVE MISSED
(open) and "S" ( shut). Pressing switch Si SET UP 1st OPEN VALVE 2nd OPEN VALVE FOR THE FIRST CYCLE

alone allows the settings to be viewed with-

out making changes.
Below are two example screen displays.
10 '. 00 1100 12 100 13 100 14 100 15:00 16 '.. 00 17T:00 18'r00 19:00 2000
The first shows the display following set- I I
up, but prior to the Window start time, with
"r standing foi inactive Window, and "S"
t t
for shut valve. SET UP 1st OPEN VALVE 2nd OPEN VALVE 3rd OPEN VALVE

W - - 09>18 IS 08:45
Fig.4. Typical setting up sequence.
The second screen shows atypical dis-
play following set-up, but after the
Window start time. It shows the current power applied, the valve can be opened and a 4-hour Frequency will give three
Duration and Frequency, with "A" for and shut via switches Si and S2, openings, with one hour remaining when
active Window, "S" for shut valve. The "*" respectively. the Window becomes inactive. The next
symbol indicates that the valve will acti- At this time, the position switch S5 can Window will start the Frequency over
vate at the next hour change. be adjusted so the valve is left in the cor- again.
rect position when the motor stops. Also note that if a valve opening coin-
C - - 05@lh AS*11.45 Powering down is the only exit from cides at the end of an active Window, the
Test mode. Window is made inactive first so the
During normal active Window opera- expected valve opening will not occur.
tion, the Duration and Frequency count- IN USE Setting the active Window to end at 24:00
downs are prefixed by "C" (current status). After testing and adjusting valve and hours allows continuous operation as the
At the beginning of each hour the switch operation, the unit can be put to hour's register never reaches this number.
Frequency is decremented. At zero, a work. Judge what active Window, Duration Interestingly, setting the active Window to
Duration timer is started, the motor is start- and Frequency will suit your needs/envi- start and end at the same hour makes the
ed, the valve opened and the screen updat- ronment. Start with short wet times and timer Window activate every other day!
ed to show an active Window status. build up.
When microswitch S5 is activated by the Setting up is best done outside the active RESOURCES
motor's rotation. the software turns off Window, then the first day's Frequency The PIC software for the PIC Watering
transistor TR1, and so stops the motor will be correct. If setting up is done after Timer is available from the EPE Editorial
drive at the correct open spot. The motor is the active starting hour, the Frequency will office on 3.5in disk, for which anominal
re-energised to shut the valve after the pro- start with the valve opening on the next handling charge applies — see the PCB
grammed period. hour, see Fig.4. Service page. It is also available for free
Bear in mind that when an active download via the EPE homepage at
TESTING Window is started the Frequency count is www.epemag.wimbome.co.uk; select the
\\ith a link connected temporarily also started, over-riding any unused set- Downloads path, and then enter the PICs
between test points TP1 and TP2, and ting, i.e. setting a 9-hour active Window folder.

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 41

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using the more sophisticated PIC16F877 family. Book + unmade kit 2u + software £51.50
The heart of our system is a real book which fies open on your desk while you Book + top up kit 2t + software £37.98
use your computer to type in the programme arm control the hardware. Start with (PP UK £4, Europe £ 10, Rest of world £ 14)
four very simple programmes. Run the simulator to see how they work. Test them
with real hardware. Follow on with a little theory The Kits
Our complete PIC training and development system consists of our universal
mid range PIC programmer, a306 page book covering the PIC16F84, a262 page The assembler and C & C++ kits contain the prototyping
book introducing the PIC16F877 family, and a su te of programmes to ri.n on a board, lead assemblies, components and programming
PC. The module is an advanced design using a 28 pin PIC16F872 to handle the software to do all the experiments. The ' made up' kits
timing, programming and voltage switching requirements. The module has two are supplied ready to start. The 'top up' kit is for readers
ZIF sockets and an 8pin socket which between them allow most mid range 8, 18, who have already purchased kit la or lu.
28 and 40 pin PICs to be programmed. The plugboard is wired with a5volt supply.
The software is an integrated system comprising a text editor, assembler Assembler and C & C++
disassembler, simulator and programming software. The programming is
performed at normal 5volts and then verifiea with plus and minus 10% applied to Click on ' Special Offers' on our website for details of
ensure that the device is programmed with a good margin and not poised on the how to save by buying acombined kit for assembler and
edge of failure. DC version ( shown) for UK, battery version for overseas. UK C & C++.
orders include a plugtop power supply.

Universal mid range PIC programmer moaule

+ Book Experimenting with PIC Microcontrollers
+ Book Experimenting with the PIC16F877 (2nd edition)
+ Universal nid range PIC software su:te
+ PIC16F84 and PIC16F872 test PlCs £ 139.00
(Postage & insurance UK £9, Europe £ 14, Rest of world £24)

Experimenting with PIC Microcontrollers

This book introduces the PIC16F84 and PIC16C711, and is the easy way
to get started for anyone who is new to PIC programming. We begin with
four simple experiments, the first o' which is expia ned over ter and half
a pages assuming no starting knowedge except the abilty to operate a
PC. Then having gained some practical experience we study the basic
principles of PIC programming, learn about the 8 bit timer, how to drive
the liquid crystal display, create a real time clock, experiment with the
watchdog timer, sleep mode, beeps and music, including a rendition of
Beethoven's Für Elise. Finally there are two projects to work through,
using the PIC16F84 to create asinewave generator and investigating the
power taken by domestic appliances. In the space o' 24 experiments, two Experimenting with the PIC16F877
projects and 56 exercises the book works through from absolute
beginner to experienced engineer level. The second PIC book starts with the simplest of experiments to
give us a basic understanding of the PIC16F877 family. Then we
look at the 16 bit timer, efficient storage and display of text
Hardware & Ordering Information messages, simple frequency counter, use akeypad for numbers,
Our PIC software is supplied as a self installing programme which will letters and security codes, and examine the 10 bit AID converter.
operate on any modern PC whichever operating system is used. For full The 2nd edition has two new chapters. The PIC16F627 is
information click onto ' Using PIC Software' on our web site. introduced as a low cost PIC16F84. We use the PIC16F627 as
Telephone with Visa, Mastercard or Switch, or send cheque/PO for a step up switching regulator, and to control the speed of a DC
immediate despatch. All prices include VAT if applicable. motor with maximum torque still available. Then we study how to
use a PIC to switch mains power using an optoisolated triac
Web site:- www.brunningsoftware.00.uk driving a high current triac.

Mail order address:

Brunning Software 138 The Street, Little Clacton, Clacton-on-sea,

Essex, C016 9LS. Tel 01255 862308

42 Everyday' Practical Electronics, January 2004

 BACK ISSUES
EVERYDAY

We can supply back issues of EPE by post, most issues from the past three years are avaieable. An EPE index for the last five years is also available at
www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk or see order form below. Alternatively, indexes are publishec in the December issue for that year. Where we are unable to
provide a back issue a photocopy of any one article (or one part of a series) can be purchased for the same price. Issues from Nov. 98 are aveable on CD-
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still available before commencing any project from a back-dated issue.

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SEPT '02 Photoco•ies onl SEPT '03
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...1.111.1.11...11.1,11.1.11.1.111101.11 (Q-Multiplier, MW Reflex Radio, Speaker Amplifier) (S.S.B. and Direct Conversion Receiver) • Anyone
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Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 43

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44 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 solutions for learning electronics
PlCmicro(Ri -nicrocortrDller CPLD/FPGA training resources FL— OWL— CMS
traini -ig days electronics workbench

Multi- channel scope

Power supply
Proto board
£149
•VAM

We can help you learn PlCmicro program -fling and also This low cos - develooment board is suitable for both Flowlog electionics workbench is the perfect platform to
hep you teach PICrnicra programming to others. We learning how to progam CPLDs as well as for allow you to oevelop electronic projects and learn
provide a number of training days each kern in: developing C:PLD based projects electronics. When connected to your PC it will provide
you with:
Introduction te PlCmicro and flowchart Suitable for programming and
prograrrming developing CFLD projects 5V power supply ( 500mA)

Programming PeCnicros in Assembly Free development software from Altera* 2 channel analogue scope

Programming PlCmicros in C Includes an Altera 7000 series device 4 channel digital ' scope

Each day includes 7hands-on hours of training, and full Includes sample projects Software fer datalogging and control
support materials to allow you to continue lez.ming at
home. 'requires broadband internet connection Prototype board and metal backplane

please see our web site for full details of all products and training days and for free resources

next time you are online take aquick look at: Matrix Multimedia Limited
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www.matrixmultimedia.co.uk t. C870 700 1831 f. 0870 700 1832

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& notepad compulers microwave ovens, electrical lamps, pumps, battery chargers, etc.
Low Battery Alarm
The inverters give an audible warning signal when the battery voltage is lower than 10.5V (21V for the 24V version). The inverter
automatically shuts oft when the battery voltage drops below 10V (20V for the 24V version). Fuse protected input circuitry.

Order Coce Power Voltage Was Price

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Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 e
st 1
i
"pi
-0\e vc
se
.Prize.-.à

FloPSI SONY CYBERSHOT

Competition
DIGITAL CAMERA
DSCP72 (worth £279)

2nd
Think of an application for the Lascar
Electronics FPSI 1010 module and you could Prize
e
win one of these great prizes. LOW
ALARM!:

01,.
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The FloPSI Series ( Flash SONY DVD PLAYER

Programmable Status Indicator) is a DVPS330 (worth £ 129)
range of compact LED modules that

3rd
switch between bright red and green
at two separate user programmed
levels. Once defined by the user, the
setup information is stored in Wash
memory, which can be programmed +OV OV VIM STORE
as often as you like. -- Prize
The FPS1 Series can be used in countless applications, especially where a
simple, universal "GO/NO GO" indication is required.
In association with Lascar Electronics Ltd, Everyday Practical Electronics is
running acompetition to find the best application idea for the new FloPSI
SONY PORTABLE CD
module. We want to hear about all your ideas, from novel uses for the FPSI
1010, to advanced application ideas utilising all of FPSI 1010's features.
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To find out more about this exciting product download adatasheet from:

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To enter the competition all you need to do is fill out the form below and send it to the EVALUATION
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application suggestion is, in the opinion of the judges, the most innovative and novel idea.
The judges' — drawn from the directors of Lascar Electronics Ltd and Wimborne Publishing
Ltd — decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Illegible entries will be
excluded. No responsibility will be accepted for the non- receipt of entries. The names of the All competition entries will be
prize winners will be published in the April 2004 edition of Everyday Practical Electronics. put into aprize draw.The first 10
Send to Everyday Practical Electronics, FLOPSI Competition,
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FLOPSI Competition Entry Form

Name: My suggested application is:

Company ( if applicable):

Address .

Tel:

Email:

Closing date for receipt of entries February 13th 2004.

Send to Everyday Practical Electronics, FLOPSI Competition, 408 Wimborne Road East, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9ND
Employees of Lascar Electrorics Limited, Wimborne Publishing Limited and the printers of Everyday Practical Electronics cannot enter the competition.
 Constructional Project

PRACTICAL
RADIO CIRCUITS
RAYMOND HAIGH
Part 8: A double-conversion superhet receiver for the SW bands

Circuits for the set budder and experimenter 455kHz i.f. transformers. When greater
selectivity is required, acrystal, ceramic or
mechanical filter is built into the U. ampli-

L
AST month's article covered the the screened-grid valve, measures that per- fier. Low frequency final i.f.s have fallen
advantages and drawbacks of the mitted amplification at high frequencies, out of use.
superheterodyne (or superhet for i.f.s of around 100kHz persisted for
short) receiver. A design for amixer/oscil- another decade. FILTERS
lator unit with a 1.6MHz intermediate fre- Second channel interference problems Crystal
quency (i.f.) output was described. Raising (see Part 7) intensify as the i.f. is lowered The first filters relied upon the piezo-
the if. to 1.6MHz, instead of the more and/or reception frequency is raised, and electric nature of quartz, and the way
usual 455kHz, reduces susceptibility to manufacturers began to adopt the now slices of this crystalline material can be
second channel interference, the major standard i.f. of between 450kHz and made to resonate, very sharply, at radio
defect of the superhet. 470kHz. The growing demand for domes- frequencies.
This final part deals with the intermedi- tic sets with shortwave coverage no doubt Professor W. G. Cady exploited this
ate frequency amplifier, which provides contributed to this development. phenomenon, for the first time. in 1921,
most of the selectivity and gain. Teamed Despite the higher i.f., valve superhets when he used a slice of quartz to control
with last month's 3-Band SW Superhet with two, double-tuned i.f, transformers the frequency of an oscillator.
Tuner/Mixer, it forms ahigh performance were selective enough for domestic listen- During the 1930s, circuits incorporat-
receiver for the shortwave listener. ing. High performance communications ing one or two crystals ( Robinson's
receivers either incorporated acrystal filter crystal gate and the Simmonds-
SELECTIVITY (see below) or had asecond mixer/oscilla- Robinson two crystal filter) were form-
Selectivity increases as the intermediate tor stage that produced afinal i.f. between ing part of high performance receivers.
frequency is lowered. 50kHz and 100kHz. Passbands as narrow as 300Hz (for
Let us assume a receiver with the low Current practice with simple transistor Morse reception) can easily be achieved
i.f. of 100kHz tuned to a station on receivers is to provide three, single-tuned, with this technique.
900IcHz with an adjacent transmitter oper-
ating on 910kHz. Signal spacing is 10kHz
(910kHz minus 900kHz), and the adjacent
station is, therefore, off tune from the
wanted one by amere 1-1 percent. Normal
preselector, or signal frequency, tuned cir-
cuits will be unable to prevent the unwant-
ed station reaching the mixer.
After mixing, the wanted signal will
emerge at the if. frequency ( 1000kHz
local oscillation minus 900kHz signal,
equals 100kHz i.f.). The adjacent station
will, therefore, emerge at a frequency of
90kHz ( 1000kHz minus 910kHz).
Heterodyning has increased the difference
between the signals to 10 percent, and the
tuned circuits in the i.f. amplifier are better
able to remove the unwanted station.
Performing this calculation with an i.f.
of 455kHz reveals adifference, after het-
erodyning, of around two percent. The
improvement with the higher i.f. is, there-
fore, very much less.

EARLY
DEVELOPMENTS
The first superhets had i.f.s below
100kHz in order to ensure stable operation
with triode valves. Despite the introduc- Group photograph of this month's printed circuit boards: Second Mixer/Oscillator
tion, during the 1920s, of neutralizing and I.F Amplifier (top); Signal- Strength Meter (left) and B.F.O./Product Detector (right).

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 47

Mechanical Details of anumber of low and medium losses and ripple. In practice, the filters
The Collins Radio Corporation of priced ceramic filters, together with details detailed here will perform well despite
America subsequently developed mechani- of Toko's mechanical unit, are given in slight imperfections in matching. They are
cal filters in which the resonant elements Table 8.1. Bandwidths (passbands) are avery convenient way of achieving high
are vibrating metallic discs linked by arod. quoted at the 6dB down (i.e., half-voltage) selectivity with an intermediate frequency
Filters of this kind can produce passbands points. The figures represent the full of 455kHz.
less than 400Hz wide. passband, not the deviation from centre
They are expensive but capable of very frequency. GAIN
high performance. The signal is transferred The if. amplifier printed circuit board During the valve era, gain within the i.f.
to, and extracted from, the disc resonators used here will accommodate any of the amplifier was invariably provided by asin-
by acoil wound on the link rod and mount- filters listed. gle variable mu valve. Variable mu valves
ed in the field of apermanent magnet. display a large change in amplification
Miniature mechanical filters are current- PERFECTION when the bias voltage is shifted by the
ly manufacture by Toko, see Table 8.1. The perfect filter would cause zero a.g.c. circuitry. To achieve the same level
Signal transfer involves the piezoelectric attenuation, have aflat response within the of gain, transistor superhets require two if.
effect and the resonant mechanical element passband, sharp cut-off at the passband amplifier stages.
is aphosphor bronze strip. Performance is boundaries, and completely attenuate all Increasing use is being made, in domes-
inferior to the Collins filters, but they are other frequencies. In practice, filters have tic portables, of integrated circuits that
very inexpensive and widely used for less an uneven response (ripple) within the contain all but the audio stages on asingle
demanding applications. Passbands can be passband, spurious responses beyond, and chip. When these devices are employed, a
as narrow as 3IcHz. an insertion loss ranging from around three miniature filter and its matching transform-
to ten decibels (dB). ers provide selectivity.
Ceramic Ceramic filters are prone to spurious Modern communications receivers usu-
Development of the ceramic filter by responses, which are much reduced when ally have two, specialized, integrated cir-
Murata and Vernitron coincided with the they are combined with tuned matching cuit "gain blocks" in the final if. amplifier.
introduction of transistors and the resulting and i.f. transformers. Excellent a.g.c. performance, predictable
drive towards miniaturization. Ceramic fil- impedances (for filter matching) and high
ters also exploit the piezoelectric effect. In MATCHING levels of gain are achievable with these
this respect they are similar to crystal fil- The specified filter performance will devices.
ters, but they have alower Q-factor (i.e., only be realized if its input and output Unfortunately, they are not widely
they resonate less sharply) and insertion impedances are correctly matched to the available to home constructors and, con-
losses are greater. amplifying devices in the i.f. strip. This is tinuing the practice adopted throughout
Manufactured from lead zirconate not easy to achieve with bipolar transistors the series, the i.f. amplifier "strip"
titanate and other compounds, they are (automatic-gain-control alters bias levels described here uses easy-to-obtain, non-
smaller and usually cheaper. They are and changes input impedance). critical semiconductors.
widely used in radio equipment, from Serious mismatching causes an asym-
domestic portables to high performance metrical passband, increased insertion
communications receivers.

DUAL-CONVERSION
SW RECEIVER

An add-on if amplifier board for last month's

SW Superhet Tuner/Mixer

Tuned transformer IFT2 selects the i.f. amplifier across the broad passband of
SECOND 455kHz heterodyne and acts as TR1's the first, in effect shifting the first i.f. This
MIXER/OSCILLATOR drain (d) load. The stage is decoupled by results in abandspread or fine tuning sys-
To secure acceptable selectivity, the RI and Cl. tem that has aconstant rate, irrespective of
1.6MHz output from our first mixer The second oscillator must operate at reception frequency.
(Part 7) must be lowered to 455kHz. 2055kHz ( 1600kHz plus 455kHz). Tuned The fine-tuning rate is preset by VR2.
Constructors seeking higher selectivity circuit L2/C6 determines the frequency of Potentiometer "noise" is eliminated by
will then be able to use one of the 455kHz oscillation and the maintaining device is capacitor CI 1and resistor R6 isolates the
filters already described. The i.f. amplifier TR2, an n-channel field effect transistor. signal circuits from the bias network.
must, therefore, be preceded by asecond Low impedance mixer coupling winding Blocking capacitor C7 prevents the short-
mixer/oscillator. LI minimizes damping on the tuned ing of the bias through coil L2.
The full circuit diagram for the circuit.
Second Mixer/Oscillator is given in Feedback for this Hartley oscillator is FILTER
Fig.8.1. Here IFT1 is tuned to the taken from the source of TR2 and applied Intermediate frequency transformers,
1.6MHz incoming frequency, by capaci- to atapping on L2 via bias resistor R5 and IFT2 and IFT3, ensure an acceptable
tor C2, its low impedance coupling bypass capacitor C9. Supply line decou- match to any of the Toko or Murata filters
winding ensuring acorrect match to the pling is by R4 and C10. listed in Table 8.1. A filter, XI, with atotal
first mixer (See Part 7). bandwidth of 41cHz is recommended for
Signals developed across IFT1 are HANOSPREAD general listening on the shortwave bands.
applied to TRI gate (g), the second mixer, The second oscillator frequency can be Wider filters can be used to avoid side-
the local oscillation being injected at its altered, over narrow limits, by potentiome- band cutting, but selectivity will be exces-
source (s). Biasing of this stage is by resis- ter VR1 which varies the reverse bias on sively compromised if the passband is
tor R2, which is bypassed by capacitor C4. varicap diode Dl. This tunes the second greater than 61cHz.

48 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 FT3
7MCS4786N
7MCS4718N

X1
455KHz FILTER
(SEE TEXT)

TR1 TR2
214381 , 2N38 lO

FINE TUNE
(OUTPUT FROM
SHORT WAVE
VP 1
MIXER/OSCILLATOR
100 ,
UNIT DESCRIBED
IN PART 7)

220p VR2
( i 0 220k

1.6MHz DI
IF INPUT 80105

R6 • C11
100k 4 VIT +

1.1 2N38I 9
il BF244A
o 0 •
*CAPACÍTORS C3. C5, C13 AND C17
o LOCATED IN BASE OF COIL
ALTERNATIVE

sgel
FIELD-EFFECT
TRANSISTORS
gs o 05

+9V TO PRODUCT DETECTOR AND BP.O. UNIT e.

+9V TO MIXER/OSCILLATOR UNIT ( SEE PART 7)
+9V TO SIGNAL STRENGTH METER UNCT
+••

ON / OFF

R7
100E:
C1
100n T C23 +
eT0m UM
R15
262
dig
IFT5 229
IFT4 YFICS11100ACLA TO
YHCS1A590R PRODUCT
DETECTOR D4 a
3
2mA
02 R1z; c.21 L.E.D.
OA90 47011 1T6

o
5 it • IF.
R9 2
82k

TH3 TR4
ME SH10 el 91'
.
2,v

7-
A.M. SS.B.

CIF mew
omm

L, 11.1.1. VOLUME
R14
4k7
o

C12 ciLii ,11

100

1
TO SIGNAL

III III BF,99

IUP BF240 AND 8E241 BB105
STRENGTH
METER
(FIG.8.4)
AUDIO FROM
PRODUCT DETECTOR

MPSHIO 8E494 0A90

1N4148
bec ceb
ALTERNATIVE R.F. TRANSISTORS

Fig.8.1. Full circuit diagram for the Second Mixer/Oscillator LE Amplifier for the Dual- Conversion SW Superhet Receiver.
(See Part 7for the first Mixer/Oscillator stages.)

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 49

 IF. AMPLIFIER Provision is made for the r.f. output of S2b, connects the B.F.O. and Product
Bipolar transistors TR3 and TR4 provide the i.f. strip to be connected, via capaci- Detector to the power supply ( see
amplification at the 455kHz second i.f. tor C19, to a product detector so that Fig.8.6).
This circuit is used, with minor modifica- single side-band (s.s.b.) signals can be Supply line decoupling of the entire
tions, in all domestic superhets fabricated clarified. Toggle switch S2a selects if. amplifier at r.f. and a.f. is accom-
from discrete components. either the a.m. output or the plished by capacitors C22 and C23.
Transformers IFT4 and IFT5 couple the clarified s.s.b. signals. The other half (Slb) of the On/Off
stages and tune the amplifier to 455kHz. The other half of switch Si is used to connect asepa-
Emitter bias to TR3 is developed across R8 this switch, rate battery to the simple Speaker
and Gain preset VR3. This stage is decou- Amplifier (Part 2). Separate bat-
pled by R7 and C16, and the emitter resis- teries prevent the audio
tors are bypassed by C14. Emitter bias to amplifier's current swings
TR4 is provided by R11 with C18 as the disturbing the electronic
bypass capacitor. tuning systems. Power
"on" is indicated by low
AUDIO current led. D4.
DETECTOR
Point contact germanium AUTOMATIC
diode D2 demodulates the a.m. GAIN CONTROL
signals, and residual radio fre- The d.c. voltage produced by the detec-
quencies are filtered by C20, R13 tor diode D2 is used to control the gain of
and C21. (Diode detectors were dis- TR3 and TR4 by varying their base bias.
cussed in Part 1.) The audio output is As signal strength increases, the voltage
developed across resistor R14 and cou- becomes more negative. This reduces the
pled to the al. gain (Volume) control, bias and, hence, the current through the
VR4, by capacitor C24. transistors, and gain falls.

SHORT ( NOT MORE THAN 75mm (3in))

CONNECTION TO B.F.OJPRODUCT
DETECTOR P.C.B. (SEE FIG.8.6)

I.6MHz I.F. OUTPUT FROM

FIRST MIXER/OSCILLATOR
(SEE PART 7)

A.M. OUTPUT TO
SPEAKER AMPLIFIER
VIA S2a AND VR4

OVr
OV FROM BATTERY - VE
CONNECT TO
METAL CHASSIS •--( 1—• 0)/ TO 1ST MIXER/0SC.
iFT2
AT TUNING
OV TO SIGNAL-STRENGTH
CAPACITOR XI METER
EARTH POINT
OV TO B.F.°. UNIT

A.G.C. VOLTAGE TO
VR2 SET BANDSPREAD TUNING RATE SIGNAL- STRENGTH METER TO +9V
VR3 . SET LF. AMPIJFIER GAIN (SEE FIG.8.4) (VIA S1

•76in ( 121.0mm)

Fig. 8.2. Printed circuit board topside component layout. interwiring to off-board components and full-size copper foil master for
the Second/Mixer/Oscillator I.F. Amplifier.

5() Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 Approx. Cost

COMPONENTS Guidance Only

excl. case & balls

I.F. AMP C3, C5, IFT2 7MCS4718N Toko

Resistors See C13, C17 included in it can screened ( metal can)
R1, R7, R8 100Q (3 off) C6 150p polystyrene or coil
R2, R15 2k2 (2 off) ceramic "low k" IFT3 7MCS4786N Toko
C7 27p ceramic "low k" screened coil
R3
R4, R5,
220k
TALK C8 47p ceramic "low k" IFT4 YHCS1A59OR Toko
R14 4k7 ( 3off) Pa ge C9, C20. screened coil
R6 100k C21 10n ceramic ( 3off) IFT5 YHCS11100AC2 Toko
R9 82k C11 47 radial elect. 16V screened coil
R10, R12 8k2 ( 2off) C12 10/4 radial elect. 16V
R11 1k C19 22p ceramic " low k" Miscellaneous
R13 470Q C23 470/4 radial elect. 16V xl CFU455IT Murata 4kHz
All 0.25W 5% carbon film C24 470n ceramic or polyester bandwidth ceramic filter
(see text)
Potentiometers Semiconductors Si, S2 d.p.d.t. toggle switch ( 2 off)
VR1 100k rotary carbon, D1 BB105 varicap diode
linear D2 0A90 germanium diode Printed circuit board available from the
VR2 220k enclosed carbon D3 1N4148 signal diode EPE PCB Service, code 428 ( LE Amp);
preset D4 5mm low current ( 2mA) case, aluminium box 203mm x 152mm x
VR3 1k enclosed carbon red led. 76mm (8m. x6in. x3in.) — 2off (see text);
preset TR1, TR2 2N3819 n- channel field white card and rubdown lettering for front
VR4 4k7 rotary carbon, log. effect transistor (2 off) Panel; protective 2mm thick Perspex sheet
TR3, TR4 MPSH10 high frequency for front panel; two large and four small
Capacitors transistor or similar (2 off) plastic control knobs; aluminium sheet for
Cl, C4, C10, tuning capacitor ( Part 7) screen; I.e.d. hold-
C14 to C16, Inductors er; audio type screened cable; multistrand
C18, C22 100n ceramic ( 8 off) IFT1, L'/L2 154FN8A6438 Toko connecting wire; p.c.b. nylon stand-off
C2 220p polystyrene or screened ( metal can) pillars; battery holder and connectors; nuts,
ceramic " low k" coil (2 off) bolts and washers; solder pins; solder etc.

The a.g.c. ( automatic gain control) provide compensation for the silicon conditions, sufficient output is available to
circuit is a little obscure. A chain of com- transistors). drive the detector. The a.g.c. line is
ponents, R9, RIO, D3, RI2 and D2 form a The a.g.c and bias network is connected bypassed by C12.
shared bias network. Including detector to TR3 and TR4 via the IFT's coupling Details of the printed circuit board
diode D2 introduces the signai - related windings. The full a.g.c. voltage is applied (p.c.b.) topside component layout. full-size
voltage variation. Stabilization against to the base of TR3. Final stage TR4 is con- copper foil master and the off- board wiring
temperature changes is provided by diode nected via resistor RIO to limit the a.g.c. details are shown in Fig.8.2. General guid-
D3 ( which must be asilicon component to action so that, even under strong signal ance on construction is given later.

Table 8.1: Mecnanical and Ceramic I.F. Filters

Ceramic Fitter: Murata Type CFU OUTPUT

Type Input/output 6dB

No. impedance bandwidth
CFU455IT 2k 4kHz
INPUT
CFU455H2 2k 6kHz
CFU455G2 2k 9kHz GROUND

(Case size: L8mrn xW7mm xH8mm) UNDERSIDE VIEW

Ceramic Filter: Murata Type CFG

INPUT OUTPUT
Type Input/output 6dB
No. impedance bandwidth
CFG455J 2k 3kHz
f NOTCH

CFG455I 2k 4kHz
CFG455H 1k5 6kHz
UNDERSIDE VIEW GROUND
(Case size: L11mm xW7mm xH9.5mm)

Ceramic Filter: Murata Type CFM

OUTPUT
INPUT
Type Input/output 6dB OUTPUT INPUT

No. impedance bandwidth SIDE AND FRONT VIEWS

CFM455J1 2k 2.6kHz
Mechanical Filter: Toko Type HCFM
CFM455I 2k 4kHz
CFM455H 2k 6kHz Type Input/output 6dB
GROUND
UNDERSIDE VIEW
GROUND No. impedance bandwidth
(Case size: L2Omm xW7-3mm xH10.3mm)
HCFM2455A 1k/1k5 4kHz
HCFM2455B 1k5/2k 6kHz
Insertion loss for all of the filters, except the CFM455I and the CFG455J, is 6dB. I-ICFM2455C 2k 8kHz
Insertion loss for the CFM455I is 7dB; for the CFG455J, 8dB.
(Case size: L8.2mm xW3-5mm xH9.5mm)

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 51

SIGNAL-STRENGTH
METER

Check the reception conditions with this

simple circuit

A Signal-Strength Meter is useful for potentiometer VR2 provides the other two.
monitoring reception conditions and Setting the slider (moving contact) of VR2 Panel meter full-scale deflection (f.s.d.)
assessing different aerial systems. It can to the same potential as the collector of is set by preset VR1, and the bridge is sta-
also be of assistance during the setting up TRI, in the absence of asignal, brings the bilized against thermal drift by diode DI,
process. meter pointer to zero. which mirrors the base/emitter junction in
The Signal-Strength Meter bridge circuit The base of TRI is connected to the TR 1 .
given in Fig.8.3 enables the standing volt- a.g.c line via current limiting resistor RI. Meters of lower sensitivity can be used
age on the a.g.c. line to be nulled out so The a.g.c voltage becomes more negative if the value of RI is reduced. It ought not,
that the meter pointer can rest at zero under as signal level increases, current through however, to be taken below 100 kilohms.
no- signal conditions. TR 1decreases, and the voltage at its col- With this value it should be just possible to
Transistor TRI and collector load resis- lector becomes more positive, driving over use a lmA meter. Meters of higher sensi-
tor R2 form two arms of the bridge: preset the meter pointer. tivity should be shunted to around 100µA.
Details of the printed circuit board top-
side component layout, full-size copper
lal
TO +9V VIA SIa
foil master and interwiring are given in

TÍ
cbe
R2
4k7
Fig.8.4. General guidance on construction
is given later.
1N4148 BC 549C
62
our
TR1 467
RI BC549C VR1
220k 100k ..•I !
t•61-Ei
TO A.G.C. UNE
e VRI: SET FULL.SCALE
D1
a 1/..Pilt • ez•ruz
DEFLECTION
ON I.F. AMPUFIER
VR2: SET ZERO 11,14148 30t'ii c irs.1
(SEE AG. 2)
OV CC 0000 ' I'Zi?is6£

Fig.8.3. Circuit diagram for the Signal- Strength Meter

Panel Meter

COMPONENTS and circuit

board mounted
in one corner of
the receiver top
SIGNAL-STRENGTH METER chassis.
Resistors See
R1 220k ( see
text)
R2 4k7
All 025W 5% carbon film TALK
Page VA
Potentiometers
a
TO .. 9V (VIA SI )
VR1 100k enclosed carbon
preset
To A
VR2 4k7 enclosed carbon • • • O
IF
.G .AMPLLIFIER
C. E OUTPUT
OU PIN

preset
D TO OV PIN ON IF.
AMPLIFIER P.C.e.

iç
Semiconductors
DI 1N4148 signal diode s...:AE1
TR 1
e
100pA
TR I BC549C npn small
signal transistor

Miscellaneous
MEI 100yA moving coil
VR1: SET METER FULL-SCALE
panel meter DEFLECTION
1.22in (31.0mm)

VR2: SET METER ZERO

Printed circuit board available from CO;

(I d :
cee\
the EPE PCB Service, code 429 ( Sig.
Meter); multistrand connecting wire; 0 jive°
solder pins; solder etc.

Approx. Cost
Guidance Only £.50
excl. meter Fig.8.4. Signal- Strength Meter printed circuit board component layout, wiring and
full-size copper foil master.

52 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 H.F.O. AND
PRODUCT DETECTOR

An additional circuit for receiving

single-side- band transmissions.

Readers interested in Morse and single diode Dl in order to change the beat note
side-band ( s.s.b.) speech transmissions will or to accommodate the upper and lower
require abeat frequency (b.f.o.) and carrier side-band transmission modes. This oscil- gate, and the audio output is developed
replacement oscillator. lator circuit is almost identical to the sec- across drain load resistor R3. Residual
Morse is transmitted by interrupting the ond mixer/oscillator, and the function of radio frequencies are filtered out by C2, R5
carrier, and the receiver must contain an the various components has already been and C4. C5 is the d.c. blocking capacitor.
oscillator to beat with these signals and described. Choke RFC1 prevents the leakage of oscil-
make them audible. Single side-band trans- The oscillator's output is coupled, via lations into the supply rail.
missions have their carrier suppressed at coil LI, to the source pin of product
the transmitter and it must be restored, by detector TRI. Signals are applied to TRI
an oscillator in the receiver, so that they
can be demodulated ( see Part 6).
The simplest arrangement, widely
adopted during the valve era, is to inject The B.F.O. board
the oscillation directly into the i.f. strip, housed in an
just ahead of the detector. Unfortunately, aluminium screening
this activates the a.g.c system and box.
depresses receiver sensitivity. Accord-
ingly, asimple product detector has been
included to ensure the complete isolation
of the oscillator.

CIRCUIT DETAILS
The full circuit diagram for aB.F.O. and
Product Detector is shown in Fig.8.5.
Transistor TR2, coil L2 and capacitor C6
form a455kHz Hartley oscillator. Its fre-
quency can be altered slightly by varicap

O S2b

0 04
o
R2
o o5 475
AUDIO FROM DIODE
COIL BASE
DETECTOR
(UNDERSIDE VIEW)
(C24 FIG8 1)

83 87
41%

1111
10k R5
2N3819 4700 4'17 S2a
F _cre0-0

sgd
AUDIO TO VR4
ak (FIG.8.1)

BB105
TR 1 TR2
2b/ 1, o :
1N 3819
C8
l'p
1,112
RWO6A II
7752EK

C3
11),
TO SECONDARY
OF IFT5 VIA C19
ON LP AMPLIFIER
PC B.)

C12 I
4p7 4
1-1

Fig.8.5. Complete circuit diagram for the B.F.O. and Product Detector. For clarity, switch S2a is also shown on the I.F Amp
circuit. This circuit is required for the reception of s.s.b. transmissions.

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 53

 Product detectors were discussed in
Approx. Cost

COMPONENTS Guidance Only £12 Part 6. They function in the same way as
mixers but combine close radio frequencies
excl. case
to deliver an audio signal at the output port.
Details of the printed circuit board top-
B.F.O. and PROD. DETECT C6 220p polystyrene or side component layout, full-size copper
Resistors See ceramic "low k" foil master and interwiring are shown in

meriLL
R1, R6 220k C7 27p ceramic " low k" Fig.8.6. General guidance on construction
(2 off) C8 47p ceramic " low k" is given later.
R2. R5 470 2 C10 100n ceramic
.
(2 off) TALK C11 4y7 tantalum bead, 16V COMPONENTS
page
R3 10k Transistor types for the three circuits are
R4 4k7 Semiconductors not critical and alternatives, with base con-
R7 47.2 D1 B13105 vancap diode nections, are included in Fig.8.1. Other
R8 100!.2 TR1, TR2 2N3819 n-channel field Eels, including the BF245B, J304 and
RO 100k effect transistor ( 2off)
J310, have been in-circuit tested and found
All 0,25 carbon film
to be satisfactory.
Miscellaneous
Detector diode D2 must be apoint con-
Potentiometers L1/L2 RVVO6A7752EK Toko
tact germanium type. The specified 0A90
VR1 100k rotary carbon. lin. screened ( metal can) coil
RFC1 1mH rf. choke is often used in this circuit, but the 0A47
VF- 2 220k enclosed carbon
preset S2 see 1.F Amp listing and others should perform equally well.
The Murata CFU455IT filter is recom-
Capacitors Printed circuit board available from the mended, but the i.f. printed circuit board
cl 100,a radial elect. 16V EPE PCB Service, code 430 ( B.F.0./Prod. will accept any of the units scheduled in
C2, C3, Detect.); screening box for B.F.O., size Table 8.1. Readers whose requirements are
C9 10n ceramic ( 3off) 76mm x51mm x25mm (3m. x2in. x1in.) — less demanding can dispense with the filter
C4 47n ceramic see text; audio type screened cable; multi- and link the coupling windings of 1F1'2 and
C5, C12 4,u7 radial elect. 16V strand connecting wire; p.c.b. nylon stand- 1FT3 with a 100pF low-k ceramic capaci-
(2 off) off pillars; solder pins; solder etc. tor. The performance implications of this
are discussed later.
Full details of the preselector and first
mixer/oscillator stages, and the switched
coil pack, were given in Part 7. Details of a
simple Speaker Amplifier were given in
Part 2.

GENERAL
CONNECT VR4 TO SW:. BY
THESE LEADS
MUST BE SHORT,
ASCREENED CABLE IF LEAD CONSTRUCTION
IS MORE THAN 75mm (319)
NOT LONGER LONG. The three circuits are assembled on sep-
THAN 75mm ( 341).
arate printed circuit boards (p.c.b.$). This
SIGNAL
g permits the complete screening of the b.f.o.
•
•••--I R5 1—.•
v52
unit and makes it easier for constructors to
GROUND
TRli tiD omit items they do not require. These
boards are available from the EPE PCB
TO OV PIN ON IF. Service, codes 428 (I.F. Amp), 429 (Sig.
AMPIJFIER P.C.B.
Meter) and 430 (B.F.O./Prod. Det.).
Lsc The component side of the I.F. Amplifi-
er printed circuit board, together with a
TO +9V ( VIA Slat
• full-size copper foil master, is given in
Fig.8.2. Component and foil sides of the
POTENTIOMETERS
TO SECONDARY OF FT5, VIA C19 VIEWED FROM REAR Signal-Strength Meter p.c.b. are shown in
ON I.F. AMPLIFIER P.C.B. S2b
A.M. OUTPUT VIA C24
Fig.8.4 and the two sides of the B.F.O. and
ON IF. AMPLIFIER P.C.B. Product Detector board are depicted in
Fig.8.6.
VOLUME Off-board wiring is made easier by the
use of solder pins at the p.c.b. lead-out
points. They should be inserted first. Follow
these with the resistors, then the coils, and
then the capacitors, smallest first.
CONNECT SCREENING LEADS TO
CHASSIS VIA POTENTIOMETER CASE The semiconductors should be soldered
TO SPEAKER AMPLIFIER in place last, their lead lengths just long
(SEE PART 2) enough to attach aminiature crocodile clip
2.72M ( 69.0mm)
to act as aheatshunt. (Heat shunting is good
practice with Eels and germanium diodes).
Filter matching transformers IFT2 and
1F1'3 are only 7mm square (the 10trun ver-
sions are no longer retailed), and particular
care should be taken to avoid bridging
tracks when they are soldered onto the
p.c.b. Avoid stressing the pins of the coils:
this can result in open-circuit windings.
On completion, double-check each
board for bridged tracks and poor soldered
joints. Check the orientation of the semi-
conductors and polarized capacitors, and
check coil and i.f.t. placements.
Connect a fresh 9V battery and check
current drain. The I.F. Amplifier should
Fig.8.6. Printed circuit board topside component layout, interwiring to off-board consume around 4mA, the B.F.O. and
components together with the underside copper foil master. Product Detector around 6mA.

54 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 Mount the p.c.b.s on insu- (5) Using the signal generator, inject a
lated stand-offs, and connect modulated 455kHz signal at the drain
the "earthy" side of the i.f. of the second mixer, TR 1 . Adjust the
board input to the metal chas- cores of IFT2, IFT3, 1FT4 and IFT5 for
sis, close to the tuning capaci- maximum reading on the testmeter.
tor. This point should also be
used as the chassis connection (6) Filter X1 determines the if. frequency,
for the first mixer/oscillator and this may not be precisely 455kHz.
p.c.b. (see Part 7). Connect the Rock the generator tuning control
audio amplifier board to chas- knob, very gently, in order to set its out-
sis at the a.f. gain or volume put exactly at the filter resonance. If
control this changes the generator setting,
refine the alignment of IFT2 to IFT5.
ALIGIVMENT
- Second (7) Remove the voltmeter and connect the
Mixer/Osc. Signal-Strength Meter p.c.b. in its
Alignment of the com- place. Switch off the generator and
pleted Double-Conversion SW adjust preset VR2 on the meter board to
Receiver cannot be undertaken bring the pointer to zero. Reconnect the
generator and inject alow-level signal.
RECEIVER ASSEMBLY without the aid of asignal generator cover-
ing 1.6MHz to 30MHz. The procedure is as Adjust preset VR1 on the meter board
The chassis and front panel described in follows: to set the pointer at mid-travel. The
Part Three could be used for this recei%er. testmeter is no longer required.
Construction of adouble-conversion super- (1) Switch receiver and signal generator on
het does, however, represent aconsiderable and allow a thirty- minute warm-up (8) The first if. can range from around
effort, and many readers will want amore time. Always keep the generator output 1600kHz to 1650kHz. It should be cho-
"finished" look. The arrangement adopted as low as possible. Sensitivity will sen to avoid interference from any
for the prototype receiver is shown in the increase as alignment progresses, and medium wave stations that are strong in
various photographs. eventually adirect connection between the reception area. For the purpose of
Case and chassis are formed from two receiver and generator will no longer be this guidance, it will be taken as
standard aluminium boxes, with their required: just place the generator's out- 1600kHz.
U-shaped covers fixed back-to-back. The put lead close to thé injection point.
coil pack and first mixer/oscillator p.c.b., (9) Set the signal generator to 1600kHz
from last month, is mounted, along with (2) Coil and i.f. transformer cores, espe- and inject aweak signal at the input to
the various controls, below the chassis. cially the small slug type, are brittle. the i.f, amplifier board. Adjust the core
The tuning capacitor, i.f. amplifier, b.f.o Use a plastic trimming tool for the of L1 /L2 (the second oscillator coil),
unit, signal- strength meter and audio adjustments. then the core of IFT1, for maximum
amplifier are located above the chassis. reading on the meter. Refine the adjust-
Receiver and audio amplifier batteries ate (3) Potentiometers, VR1, VR2 and VR3, ment of IFT2.
secured, by strong rubber bands, to ahard- associated with the I.F. Amplifier,
board platform fixed alongside the coil should be set at mid-travel. Switch This completes the alignment of the sec-
pack. reception mode to a.m. and turn up ond mixer/oscillator and the if, amplifier.
A small screening box encloses the Volume control VR4.
b.f.o. unit, and a metal screen is fixed - First Mbter/Osc.
around the tuning capacitor. These mea- (4) Connect ahigh impedance voltmeter (a Readers should now refer back to Part 7
sures are not absolutely essential, but they digital testmeter is suitable) across the for the circuit details and Component
do help to prevent spurious responses. Signal-Strength Meter output points on Numbers to be quoted in connection with
The front panel is marked out on white the i.f, board and switch it to alow ( say the alignment of the preselector and first
card and annotated with rub-down letter- 2V) range. mixer/oscillator stages.
ing, see photograph. Acrylic sheet, 2inin
thick (the kind used for DIY double glaz-
ing), protects the panel. The speaker is
mounted beneath the top of the case, which
is finished with car spray paint. Rubber
feet protect the underside.

INTERWIRING
Details of the interwiring connections
between the printed circuit boards are also
shown in Fig.8.2, Fig.8.4 and Fig.8.6.
Screened cable must be used where indi-
cated, but it can be of the ordinary audio
variety.
Note the use of the OV pin on the i.f.
amplifier board as the common negative
connection for all of the receiver p.c.b.s.
Do not rely on the outer braiding of
screened leads to act as negative returns for
the power supply.
The negative supply lead for the Speaker
Amplifier is connected directly to the
appropriate pin on its p.c.b. ( see Part 2).
Connections to the battery positive termi-
nals are, of course, via switch Sla for the
receiver boards, and S1 b for the Speaker
Amplifier.
Provision is not made on any p.c.b. for
the 1.e.d dropper resistor R15. This compo- General layout of p.c.b.s within the topside chassis. Note the screening bracket
nent is included in the wiring to the Power around the tuning capacitor. The small p.c.b., to the side of the main board, is the
On 1.e.d. D4. Speaker Amp from Part 2.

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 55

 Padder capacitors, C6a to C6c, between powerful ones can be
have been calculated on the basis of a received free from side-band-splatter.
5pF to 130pF tuning capacitor, Without the filter, the weak sta-
VC2/VC4. Fixed capacitors should tions cannot be heard. Some top note
be wired in series with higher value cutting is not too high aprice to pay
polyvaricons (tuning capacitors) to for the clear reception of weak and
reduce their swing to not much more "difficult" stations.
than 130pF. Trimmers inside the case High selectivity makes tuning criti-
of the tuning capacitor are best not INPUT AFTENUAION
cal. The simple reduction drive on the
used for Range Three in this applica- h
main tuning control is not adequate. A
tion. Set them at zero and mount sep- reduction of 36-to-one or 100-to-one
arate trimmers on the p.c.b. would be more appropriate. The con-
Remember that the receiver will stant-rate fine tuning or bandspread
function with the oscillator running control does, however, ensure that the
at 1.6MHz above or below the signal arrangement is workable.
frequency. The oscillator core setting
that produces the lowest inductance PHONES DRIFT
(giving the highest frequency) is the Receiver front panel layout and lettering. If the superhet's oscillator is not
correct one. crystal controlled it will drift. High
Screw large cores down to increase (16) Switch to single-side-band mode, set selectivity only makes the problem more
inductance. With the small cores, induc- b.f.o. tuning potentiometers, VR1 and apparent.
tance is at maximum when they are flush VR2, to mid position, and precisely With this receiver, after a ten-minute
with the top of the can. tune the receiver to a steady signal. warm-up, drift is unnoticeable up to
Frequency coverage is determined whol- Adjust the core of b.f.o. coil, LI/L2, 12MHz or so and small enough not to be a
ly by the setting of the oscillator coil cores, for zero beat in the loudspeaker. problem at higher frequencies. Special
L2, and trimmers, VC3. Signal frequency measures were not taken to minimize it,
cores, Li, and trimmers, VC1, are adjusted (17) Adjust i.f. gain preset, VR3. Mid-posi- and performance in this respect could no
to optimize alignment, thereby peaking tion should suit most users, but if the doubt be improved.
sensitivity and minimizing second channel reception area is difficult and/or the Mounting the speaker under the top of
interference. aerial very inefficient, maximum gain the cabinet caused microphony when weak
may be required. This will, however, signals were reproduce at good volume.
(10) Inject a 1600kHz signal at the gate of increase inter-station receiver noise. This was cured by loosely packing the top
first mixer, TRI. Adjust the core of Readers blessed with agood aerial compartment with plastic sponge.
IFT1 for maximum meter reading. in an ideal location may choose amin- The aluminium box chassis and case are
imum setting. Altering VR3 affects the no more than adequate. To get the best out
(11) Switch to Range Three. Set trimmers, adjustment of the signal- strength of the receiver, its various sections should
VC lc and VC3c, at about 10 percent meter. be enclosed in diecast boxes and an (expen-
mesh and turn tuning capacitor, sive) air-spaced tuning capacitor fitted.
VC2NC4, to maximum value. Inject PERFORMANCE
a 10MHz signal at the aerial terminal The receiver is sensitive and internally COMPARISONS
and set the core of oscillator coil, L2c, generated noise is comparatively low: the In asimple comparison test with amod-
for maximum response. Adjust the field-effect transistor mixers are probably ern, high-performance communications
core of signal frequency coil, Llc, to contributing to this. receiver (price tag in excess of £ 1000), tun-
further peak the response. Adopting a 1.6MHz first If. results in a ing was swept from 5MHz to 12MHz.
significant reduction in second channel Every station picked up by the communica-
(12) Set tuning capacitor, VC2/VC4, at its interference, but the problem is not com- tions receiver could be heard equally well
minimum value. Inject a30MHz sig- pletely eliminated. Two tuned circuits in on this radio. The test did, however, expose
nal at the aerial terminal and adjust the preselector would make performance four, second-channel responses. These took
oscillator trimmer, VC3c, for maxi- very acceptable in this respect (see Part 7). the form of "phantom" stations (see Part 7).
mum response. Adjust signal circuit The specified filter provides good selec- A sweep across the 3-5MHz amateur band
trimmer, VC1c, to further peak the tivity but there is anoticeable attenuation of revealed the superiority of the commercial
response. the upper audio frequencies. With the filter receiver, but very little would have been
in circuit, weak signals sandwiched missed by auser of the set described here. III
(13) Swing the tuning capacitor back to
maximum and refine the adjustment
of the coil cores. Then back to mini-
mum and peak the trimmers again.

(14) Repeat this process on Ranges One

and Two, injecting the appropriate fre-
quencies ( see Table 7.2) at the tuning
limits. Carry out refining adjustments
on all ranges to ensure continuous
coverage.

(15) When the three ranges have been

aligned, finally peak the response
with the tuning capacitor set at
around 15 percent, and then 85 per-
cent, mesh. This will help to optimize
tracking over the tuning capacitor's
swing.

This completes the alignment of the

receiver.
faiim%".4101
- 13.F.0./Prod. Bet.
The beat frequency oscillator can now 111111111.11» 11111111111111111111
be tuned, if, gain adjusted, and the signal- Underside chassis showing wiring to rear of front panel controls, coil pack p.c.b.
strength meter settings refined. (Part 7) and arrangement of the battery packs on a hardboard platform.

56 Everyday Practical Electronics January 2004

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Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 57

SURFING THE INTERNET

NET WORK
ALAN WINSTANLEY
Archive News extracts from the Internet to help you home in on aparticular glos-
sary definition. There is also auseful pop-up blocker that prevents
E
VER since its beta days, Google has grown to become the largest
"pure" search engine available. Users like Google's minimalist distracting pop-ups from appearing. This action can be overridden
appearance and its speed of searching, while the sophisticated using the CTRL key when clicking, and you can "enable" preferred
indexing and constant "learning" algorithms ensures that Google sites to show pop-ups.
generally delivers accurate and relevant results very quickly. One feature that is probably less popular with web site owners
A very useful toolbar is available from www.google.com that than Google users themselves is Google Images: you can search for
integrates directly with Microsoft Internet Explorer browser. an image by asking Google to scour the web and produce agallery
Google is, however, more than aweb search engine, and the toolbar of thumbnails. This feature is also available from the Search Web
allows you to access many of Google's other features. Experienced toolbar button, or go to http://images.google.com/.
Internet users will know that the Usenet archive of Deja News was
acquired by Google and integrated into "Google Groups". Web
Images
Web owners are often less keen to see their image contents
users often overlook this archive but it preserves awealth of useful
indexed and displayed in this way, as it merely consumes their
information that can be gleaned from the messages posted over
bandwidth and has no commercial benefit. On the other hand, own-
many years by other users.
ers of web site shopping carts probably won't object to their prod-
Usenet, or "newsgroups" is afundamental means of communi-
ucts being listed in Froogle http://froogle.google.com/ which is
cating with like-minded users. Newsgroups are formed around a
fully searchable, even for Onstream tape drives! Froogle is heavily
particular topic, and if you have aspecific query then it is quite pos-
US$ orientated, and is currently only in beta release, but in the
sible that someone else has asked the same thing, so you can use the
future could form auseful hub for shopping cart searches.
Google toolbar and search Google Groups to see if anyone else has
supplied the answer.
Practical Newsgroups
1,2 I«. !I.

A recent practical example of Google Group's usefulness relates

2. j

to the author's Onstream digital tape backup system: when

Onstream's Dutch operation collapsed another company (Onstream
Data) rose from the ashes, which mercifully helped to guarantee the
supply of tapes and software for the immediate future. Eyes nar-
rowed when Onstream's web site suddenly vanished, and there was
no answer from tech support either.
What had happened? After searching Google Groups for
"Onstream", other newsgroup users affirmed the writer's fears that
Onstream had collapsed asecond time, this time for good. Armed
with this information, the search was on for Onstream 30GB tapes,
and Ebay UK soon yielded alucky bargain of three such tapes and
aspare USB drive thrown in, all for less than £90 (in keeping with
the author's make-do policy of not constantly buying the latest or
fastest in IT equipment any more).
Ebay's listings (search for "Onstream") also highlighted aweb
site that had all the necessary software downloads to support the
product at least for the time being. It got better: aGoogle Group Dogpile is auseful search engine with downloadable toolbar
search also connected the writer with one of the original Onstream that is worth trying out.
design engineers, an interesting American who lived in Holland but
had returned to the US and now worked for another drive manufac- Digging Beyond Google
turer. All of this goes to show that with just alittle detective work, Google has other features that make it especially suited to the
the answers are out there on the Internet: you just need to Google it. electronics enthusiast, including its ability to parse PDF documents
Some newsgroups that are of interest to electronics enthusiasts such as data sheets or technical literature. If Google isn't enough to
include sci.electronics.basics, sci.electronics.design or perhaps meet your needs, there are other search engines worth considering.
comp.arch.embedded for microcontroller applications. (Also see MSN is integrated directly into Microsoft's web browser and is the
http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist/indez.htm). You can default engine launched when you click the MSIE Search button.
access www.groups.google.com or use the Google toolbar, or use Another popular engine is Dogpile ( www.dogpile.com or
aUsenet software client such as Outlook Express, Free Agent or .co.uk). The search engine returns results from Google, Yahoo,
Turnpike. AltaVista, Overture, Mirago, Teoma and more. Dogpile also offers
Confusingly, another feature of Google's toolbar is the "News" afree toolbar that puts many useful functions at your fingertips. It
button, which is not related to Newsgroups. Instead Google will has an Images, News, Audio/MP3, Dictionary and Thesaurus find-
attempt to access the news services of media web sites and try to list er as well. A built-in pop-up blocker can be configured to "woof' or
results based on the latest news headlines. Another toolbar option growl when it's working. Dogpile's toolbar also has astreaming
is to search the "Google Web Directory" which draws results from news-ticker courtesy of ABC News.
DMOZ, the Open Directory at www.dmoz.org. When you visit the At the end of the day, there are many ways in which you can
site you will see afamiliar icon, the Netscape dinosaur mascot (see make the Internet work for you. There is no right way or wrong way
last month's Net Work for the potted history of Mozilla). —the information is out there and all you have to do is find it, using
The Google toolbar links over to dictionary.com where the def- whichever tools work for you.
initions of words can be checked: access it via the toolbar's Search I'll round off another year of Net Work by wishing readers around
Web drop-down list. As mentioned in this month's Circuit Surgery, the world ahappy Christmas and asafe and prosperous New Year.
Google's Glossary (http://labstgoogle.com/glossary) provides You can email me at alan@epemag.demon.co.uk.

58 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 EPE IS PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO OFFER YOU THESE

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Filters is a complete course in designing active and passive filters that makes them. Case study material ( including the
use of highly interactive virtual laboratories and simulations to explain how filters NASA Mars Rover the Milford Spider and
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Everyday Practical Electronics. January 2004 59

PlCmicro TUTORIALS AND PROGRAMMING
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starts with fundamental concepts and software tools needed to create Hex code Flowcode is a powerful language that uses
extends up to complex programs including for a wide range of PlCmicro devices — macros to facilitate the control of complex
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The CD makes use of the latest simulation of PlCmicro devices. controllers and I.c.d. displays. The use of
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learning: the Virtual PlCmicro micro- the PlCmicro microcontrollers, this CD- electronic devices without getting bogged
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assembler code for the PIC16F84 • Complete course in C as well as C Flowcode produces MPASM code which is
microcontroller on- screen. Using this you programming for PlCmicro microcontrollers compatible with virtually all PICrricro
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1
Expert system for code entry helps first time demonstration tutorials • Produces ASM
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==.
••••••••••• •

cycle and has challenges ( washing devices • Institutional versions include

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Everyday Practical Electmnics, January 2004 61

PRACTICALLY SPEAKING
Robert Pen fold looks at the Techniques of Actually Doing It!

Er is certainly true to say that modern amps), it is still suitable for most pro- to something like 32s.w.g. wire, or even
construction techniques have greatly jects. With many projects the total cur- 32a.w.g. (American wire gauge).
reduced the amount of hard wiring in rent consumption is only about 20mA Under the metric system the diame-
electronic projects. Irecently did some or less, with only a tiny fraction of that ter of the wire is specified in millime-
repairs to two shortwave radios from going through many of the connecting tres. 14s.w.g. wire is very thick at
the 1960s and both were entirely hard wires. around 2mm in diameter, and 40s.w.g.
wired! The modern way is the opposite Even so, a medium duty wire, such wire is very fine at just 0.125mm.
of this, with everything on a circuit as a 7/0.2 type, is probably a better 24s.w.g. wire is 0.156mm in diameter
board and, ideally, no hard wiring at all. choice for general project wiring. With and is a good choice for link-wires on
However, probably every project its maximum current rating of about circuit boards. Components lists usual-
includes at least a few wires and 1.5A, this type of wire is suitable for the ly specify the gauge and the diameter,
cables, and many projects are still fair- vast majority of projects but it is still and component catalogues mostly give
ly bristling with them. It is an aspect of easy to use. both types of measure, so there should
construction where due care has to be Only a few projects such as some be no problems here.
exercised. The chances of making mis- power supplies and power amplifiers
takes are generally higher with the require heavy duty equipment wire. Ribbon Cable
wiring than with the circuit board, and Projects such as these often involve Ribbon cable is one of those "best
hard wiring can live up to its name. maximum currents of several amps. For thing since sliced bread" inventions. It is
example, 24/0.2 wire can handle cur- a multi-way cable that has a number of
Stranded rents of up to 6A and is adequate for insulated wires laid side- by-side and
On looking through a large compo- most high-power projects. As heavy joined together. This gives aflat ribbon-
nents catalogue you will probably find a duty equipment wire is unwieldy in use like cable that typically has from 10 to
few dozen types of wire and cable it should only be used where high cur- about 60 wires.
spread over several pages. Many of rents are involved.
these cables are specialist in nature, Never use medi-
and are not the type of thing you would um or light duty
be likely to use in atypical project. wires where aheavy
For most projects the only type of duty type has been
wire required is some form of p.v.c. specified. Using wire
insulated connecting wire. There are at an excessive cur-
two basic types on offer in most cata- rent will result in it
logues, which are the single and multi- getting hot, which
core varieties. An advantage of the sin- has obvious safety
gle-core type is that it can be formed implications. The
into complex shapes and it will accu- voltages dropped
rately retain those shapes. This makes through the wire will
it useful for producing complex cables almost certainly
that run neatly around the project. stop the project from
Single-core wire is little used in pro- working properly Fig. 1. With ribbon cable it is easy to peel off apiece having
jects despite this potential advantage. anyway. the required number of wires.
One reason for this is simply that few Presumably due
projects have complex cabling that can to its lack of popularity, most suppliers There are two main types of ribbon
utilise this capability. There is also a only seem to have single-core equip- cable, and one is specifically designed
major flaw with this type of wire. ment wire available in one size. This is for use with certain types of computer
Even when using proper wire strip- likely to be 1/0.6, which is suitable for connector. The 0.05 inch pitch of the
pers it is easily damaged as the plastic light and medium duty applications. wires matches the terminals on the
insulation is stripped away. This leaves Other types of single-core wire are connectors and together with the thin
the wire weak and prone to breaking if available, and most catalogues list insulation permits a system of solder-
it undergoes any flexing. While multi- enamelled copper wire in awide range less connection to be used. This type of
core wire is not totally immune from this of diameters. The insulation on this type ribbon cable is grey in colour apart from
problem, it is much less vulnerable to it. of wire is more or less a coat of tough a red lead at one edge. It is usable as
Use proper wire strippers and there varnish. There is no need for wire strip- equipment wire where several connec-
should be no problems. Use knives, pers with enamelled wire, and the insu- tions running side-by-side are needed,
scissors, etc., and not only will the lation can be carefully scraped away but it is less than ideal.
wires will be weakened but you will using a miniature file or a penknife. The second type of ribbon cable is
probably injure yourself as well. Enamelled wire is not suitable for far better in the current context. One
most applications because its insula- small but crucial difference is that the
On The Right Gauge tion is easily damaged. It is mainly used wires have insulation of different
General-purpose connecting wire in home-made inductors and trans- colours. This may seem to be of no
may well be referred to by other names formers. Tinned copper wire is another importance, but it aids the easy identifi-
in component catalogues, such as form of single-core wire. It has no insu- cation of each wire. When using ribbon
"hook-up" or "equipment" wire. lation and in projects it is mainly used cable instead of a conventional cable-
Whatever name is used, it is available in for link-wires on circuit boards. form this is very important, particularly
light, medium, and heavy duty varieties. In the past single-core wires were where a large number of wires are
Light duty equipment wire is usually available in a range of standard wire involved.
described as something like " 10/0.1", gauges (s.w.g.) from about 14 to 40. This type of ribbon cable is available
which signifies that it has 10 strands of This system was apparently used for all in 10-way and 20-way varieties.
0.1 millimetre diameter wire. Although sorts of things, including knitting nee- However, asection having the required
this type of wire can only be used for dles. Although we have now gone met- number of wires is easily peeled from a
currents of up to around 500mA (0.5 ric, you might still encounter references larger piece (see Fig.1). This type of

62 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

ribbon cable seems to be less widely form of screen. These days the screen It is not worth buying one of these for
available than the computer variety, but is usually in the form of a number of very occasional use, but there is an
it is really worthwhile seeking it out. fine wires that are wrapped around the easy alternative. Use a modelling knife
insulation of the inner wire. This is to make two longitudinal cuts through
Cross-talk known as a lapped screen. the outer sheath on opposite sides of
When using ribbon cable or tying Some audio cables have the wires the cable, so that the sheath can be
individual wires together to form a sin- woven into a braiding, and this method peeled back and trimmed. The fine
gle cable it is best not to group too is the norm for radio frequency cables. wires in the screen are easily damaged
many wires together. Capacitance In use the screen carries the earth con- so exercise due care.
between the wires can cause problems. nection and provides abarrier between Lapped cables are easy to deal with,
A capacitor consists of two metal the inner conductor and the outside because the wires in the screen can be
electrodes separated by alayer of insu- world. pulled to one side and then twisted to
lation that is called tne dielectric. A rib- Screened leads are mainly used form a short lead, as in one section of
bon cable consists of pairs or wires externally. As a couple of examples, the lower lead in Fig.2. Tin the wires
separated by a layer of insulation, and they are used to provide the connec- with solder so that they cannot sepa-
each pair or wires therefore form a tions between items of equipment in a rate again.
capacitor. The same is true for any two hi-fi system and to connect the aerial to
insulated wires running side- by-side. a television set. Screened leads are
In both cases the capaclance occasionally used within projects
between adjacent wires is very small, though. Stray pickup from the outside
and will normally be afew picofarads or world is not usually the problem,
less. With some circuits this can still be because sensitive projects are normal-
enough to couple a significant amount ly housed in metal cases that provide
of signal from one wire to the other. overall screening.
There should be no problem with Sometimes a circuit is so sensitive
something like three wires running from that even a minute amount of stray
a circuit board to a socket or poten- feedback from the output to the input
tiometer. Any stray coupling is likely to could cause instability. Screening the
be too small to be of practical signifi- input and output wiring helps to min-
cance. imise any stray feedback. Another rea-
Using a single multi-way cable to son is to screen vulnerable wiring from
carry the connections to input and out- an internal source of electrical noise,
put sockets is ask,ng for trouble. Any such as a mains transformer or an
stray coupling tends to feed some of electric motor.
the output signal back to the input. With These days most audio projects
most types of audio circuit this practi- operate with stereo signals and require
cally guarantees instability. stereo screened cable. The best type is
The article concerned will usually effectively just two single screened
make it clear if good isolation between leads joined together to produce a
certain parts of the circuit is important. "figure-of- 8" style cable. Both the
Where there is any doubt, always use a cables in Fig.2 are of this type.
separate cable for each component, The cheaper type has the inner con-
which will often be the easiest and ductors sharing the same screen and
neatest way of handling things. outer sheath. Particularly with long
Ribbon cable is often used with digi- cables, the latter has the disadvantage
tal circuits. Although problems with that the inner conductors are screened Fig.2. Lapped screened cable is easily
stray coupling are mainly associated from the outside world but not from prepared for connection. Tin the screen
with sensitive audio and radio equip- each other. This can result in a loss of with solder to prevent it from splaying
ment, the high switching speeds of stereo separation at higher audio fre- apart.
digital circuits can cause sufficient quencies, but the effect is unlikely to be
coupling to produce glitches from of significance with short cables within Finally, strip and tin the inner con-
digital circuits. a project. ductor in the same way that an ordinary
With something like acomputer add- With audio cables there are differ- lead would be prepared for connection.
on that connects to the printer port of a ences in terms of their quality and in This gives something like the upper
PC it could be helpful to use aconnect- points of detail, but electrically there lead in Fig.2. The same method works
ing cable several metres long. However, is no fundamental difference. The quite well with some braided cables,
in order to avoid cross coupling it is situation is different for cables where the wires are only loosely woven
often necessary to use a cable of no designed for use at high frequencies. together and tend to separate once the
more than a metre or so in length. They are designed to operate with outer sheath is removed.
sources and loads that have a spe- With the heavier types of braiding a
Screened Leads cific impedance. hole is made in the screen close to
Ordinary connecting wire and ribbon These are generally called coaxial where it emerges from the outer
cable are fine for most purposes. but (or just "coax") cables, but strictly sheath. The inner conductor is then
some projects require the use of speaking all screened cables are of the pulled out through this hole and clear of
screened leads. There are two possible coaxial variety. The article concerned tne screen. The screen can then be
reasons for using screened cable, and should explain the exact requirements formed into a lead and tinned with sol-
the most common one is to shield where aspecial cable is required, such der, and the inner conductor is dealt
wiring in a sensitive part of the circuit as a 75-ohm coaxial or very low-noise with in the usual way.
from electrical interference. audio type. Note that with a few of the larger
Stray pick-up of mains "hum" is screened cables their lack of flexibili-
usually the main problem, but there Making Connections ty makes this method impractical.
are plenty of sources for electrical Screened cable is inevitably a bit With these cables most of the screen
interference in a modern environ- more awkward to use than ordinary can be trimmed away to leave a
ment. The second reason is to pre- equipment wire. With thin audio cables narrow ring. A piece of bare wire is
vent wiring that carries strong high it is possible to start the process by then coiled around the screen and
frequency signals from radiating removing some of the outer sheath soldered to it, leaving a short wire to
illegal radio interference. from the end of the cable. For the thick- act as the lead for the screen.
In its most simple form a screened er audio cables and coaxial types a Obviously, due care must be taken
cable has an insulated wire at its cen- special heavy-duty wire stripping tool is not to seriously overheat and damage
tre, and this is surrounded by some required. the cable.

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 63

 Special Feature

GPS TO PIC AN
PC INTERFACIN
JOHN BECKEP
How to extract data from a GPS This article is based upon the author's
use of the Garmin GPS12 handset. It has
handset and use it in your PIC and also been proven by friend and EPE read-
er Andrew Jarvis on aGarmin eTrex hand-
Visual Basic 6 programs. set. In essence, the information provided
should be compatible with all GPS hand-
sets that comply with the NMEA 0183

G
standard.
LOBAL Positioning System (GPS) NMEA 0183
navigation handsets have been
available inexpensively for some
STANDARD SENTENCE TYPES
time and are in widespread use. Readers There are several interface format proto- NMEA 0183 data comprises aseries of
have been asking lately how they can be cols under which different handset types ASCII sentences. The most common sen-
interfaced to PIC inicrocontrollers. can output the serial data. There is, though tences are prefixed by an identity code of
This article demonstrates how such auniversal standard protocol which can be $GPxxx, where "xxx" is aspecific 3-letter
interfacing can be done with GPS handsets selected and output for use by external infix indicating the information type that is
that support the NMEA 0183 standard. It equipment. The standard is that specified held within a sentence. There is a docu-
also illustrates how they can be interfaced by the National Marine Electronics ment available for free download from
to aPC-compatible computer, using Visual Association, NMEA. Although there are http://home.mira.neti—gnb/gps/nmea.
Basic 6 (VB6). The techniques are different versions of this standard, the html which gives all sentence codes which
extremely simple and the software exam- NMEA 0183 Interface Standard is the one are prefixed by $GPxxx, and gives short
ples given can be readily modified to suit a most widely adopted and likely to be avail- descriptions of the sentence formats.
wide variety of applications. able with all commercial GPS handsets. The descriptions are too many to
NMEA 0183 defines the electrical signal include here and readers are referred to
GPS PROTOCOLS requirements, data transmission protocol this document for more information. It
The Global Positioning System is a24- and specific sentence formats for a 4800 should be noted that not all GPS handsets
satellite constellation in orbit around the Baud serial data bus. However, compliance will output all the data sentences.
globe. GPS handsets receive data from a with the standard is not mandatory and However, there is at least one sentence that
selection of satellites and process it to pro- manufacturers are free to decide how they all handsets should output, that which
vide avariety of navigational facts, such as will implement the standard. In essence, includes the recommended minimum spe-
telling you where you are in three dimen- though, the most commonly required data cific GPS/Transit data.
sions, latitude, longitude and altitude. Other is likely to be formatted consistently. This sentence is prefixed by the code
facts, such as current course and speed, are $GPRMC ( RMC = Recommended
calculated by the handset in relation to two Minimum Content) and consists of 13
or more timed transmissions. Increasingly, fields of data. 12 of which are separated by
GPS is also being used not for navigation at commas. The sentence is output in ASCII
all, but for critical timing applications as it text format and, with the exception of the
is basically avery cheap atomic clock! checksum code in the final field, does not
The data transmitted from aGPS satel- require decoding. Table 1shows an exam-
lite consists of two parts, an ephemeris ple of the format ( the numbers below it
(containing data relating to the transmit- indicate the field numbers).
ting satellite) and an almanac ( containing It is this sentence, plus one other, that
data relating to the whole GPS system). the example software has been pro-
The receiver uses the almanac to determine grammed to find and interpret from the
which satellites should be visible in the many sentences that are output from atyp-
sky. Signals from these visible satellites ical handset.
are acquired and the most accurate of the The second sentence that the software
ephemerides are downloaded for position- example accepts is that which contains
ing purposes. altitude data and is prefixed by the identi-
Handsets typically output the data to fier $GPGGA. This sentence is all about
their own 1.c.d. screen as textual state- the positioning fix of the receiver. It too
ments and as images generated by their includes time, latitude and longitude data,
software. The text data is also available for but this is just arepeat of that in $GPRMC.
output in an RS232 serial format via a Of casual interest, though, it also states the
built-in connector, although the type of number of satellites in view at that time
connector and its pin arrangement can vary (there are typically six in view from the
between models. (User handbooks should Typical example of a Garmin GPS 12 author's home, but not visible to the naked
provide the details for individual models.) data screen. eye!)

64 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 t' ERE GPS Interface Example V1.0 04JUL03 ,jjt 21 13 12 11 10 9 a 7 6 6432 1

O\ :
3
. 0 0 0 C 0 0 0 0 0 0y
C' COM1 c000000000 oo
SGPRMC SG PGGA ss\
25 2423 22 212019 1817 16 1614
Cate 090703 COM2 Time 14:50.51 25-P1N FEMALE RX = 3
A)
Time 14:50.51 Latitude 50'48.349 N TX = 2
OV = 7
Latitude 50'48.349 N Loricitude 00 1'54.706 W' 1 2 3 4 5

Longitude 001'54.706 W Fix 1 = GPS fix o (000002,

RX = 2
\O 000 TX = 3
Knots 000.0 Satellites 05 OV = 5
8) 6 7 8 9
Course 315.2 Precision 1.
9- PIN MALE
Variation 003.8 Altilude 35 6
Checksum 77 OK Geoid 493
Status A=UK Update None Fig.2. Pin numbering of 25-pin female
Test Send and 9-pin male connectors.
Che,-
Asum 61 0:12
to PIC

GPS CODES RECEIVED

SGPBOD„T„M„'47
$GPRTE,1 1,c,0'07
SGPRMC,145050A,5048.349,N,00154.706,W,000.0,315.2,090703,003.8,1e76
SGPRMELA ,,,,,,, ,„„V"71
1
SGPGGA,145050,5048 349,N,00154.706,W,1,05,1.9,35.5,M,49.3,M„`63
$GPGSA,A,3„,08,10,13„24„27„„3.0,1.92.1"32 KIER 0193
SGPG SV,3,1 ,11,02,05,025,00,04,05,186,00,08,67,154,44,10,61,295,381F
SG PGSV,3,2,11,13,22,079,42,21,03,334,0024,30215,39,26,07265,00°7D 4800 killud
SGPGSV,3,3,11,27,61,076,48,28,06,150,00,29,31,269,30.,„°49
$PGRIYIE,7.9,M,8.8,M,11.8,14`18 Garmin GPS 12 interface screen.
IGPGLL,5048.349,N,00154.706,W,1 45051A14
SPGRM2,117,f,31C
IPGRIAM,WGS 84'06 Highlighting this option and then press-
ing Enter displays the menu. Selecting
Interface, the first option then is to select
The PC demonstration screen showing the GPS sentence codes received and the the output protocol. For the GPS12 the set-
decoded data for two of them. tings are NONE/NMEA, NMEA 0183 2.0,
4600 Baud. Once selected, this handset
stores the settings and implements them
PHYSICAL PROTOCOLS each time the handset is used.
GARMIN GPS12 PINOUTS
The default physical data output
protocol for GPS handsets is based on the 1) POWER INPUT
HYPERTERMINAL
familiar RS232 standard. The voltage char- 2) GROUND
It is possible to read the GPS data via the
acteristics are said to be compatible with 3) DATA OUT Hyperterminal function that most PCs have
most Host devices (e.g. PCs and other dig- 4) DATA IN installed as part of their basic suite of pro-
ital logic hardware). However, the GPS grams. To access Hypertenninal, click the
transmits positive voltages only, whereas Windows Start button, select the path
the RS232 standard requires both positive Fig. 1. Garmin GPS12 pinouts. Programs/Accessories/Hypertenninal then
and negative voltages. double-click on HYPERTRM.EXE.
Also, the voltage swing between mark according to NMEA 0183. Following A "Connection description" sub-screen
and space may not be large enough to meet power-on, the author's Garmin GPS12 path should appear. Enter aname for the con-
the strict requirements of the RS232 stan- selection requires several pressings of the nection, e.g. GPStest, and choose an icon
dard, although the GPS voltages suit most Page button until ascreen offering alink to for it, or accept the default icon. Click OK.
Hosts as long as the interface cable is wired the Setup Menu appears. On the Phone number screen that then
correctly.
The other electrical characteristics are
full duplex, serial data, 4800 Baud Table 1. Example coding for an NMEA 0183 sentence
(although other Baud rates are supported $GPRM0,145050,A,5048.349.N.00154.706,W,000.0.315.2 090703,003.8,W76
by some GPS handsets), eight data bits, no 1 23 45 67 8 9 10 11 12
parity bits, and one stop bit.
The interpretation of this example sentence is:
BASIC GPS TO PC
Field Data Description Meaning
INTERFACING
The data that is output from GPS hand- o $GPRMC sentence identifier information type
sets that support the NMEA 0183 standard 1 145050 time of fix 14:50:50 UTC
is suitable for directly inputting to aPC via 2 A validity OK (A = OK, V = invalid)
one of its serial communication ports, e.g. 3 5048.349 current latitude 50°48.349'
4 N North/South North
COM1 or COM2. It will be necessary to
5 0154.706 current longitude 001°54.706'
study your GPS handset manual to estab-
6 West/East West
lish which pins on the output connector are
7 000.0 speed in knots 0.0 knots
used for signal output and common
8 315.2 true course 315.2°
ground. Those for the Garmin GPS12 are 9 090703 date stamp 09 July 2003
shown in Fig.l. 10 003.8 magnetic variation 3.8e
The signal output and ground (GND) 11 West/East West
should be connected to the RS232 signal 12 '76 checksum 76 (in hex)
input and GND on your PC. Fig.2 shows
In the most common usage, the terms UTC (Universal Time Coordinate) and GMT
the connections for 9-pin and 25-pin
(Greerwich Meridian Time) are identical.
connectors.
Before you get an Ordnance Survey map — it's EPE's tocation that's given — not the author's
Next consult your GPS handbook for home!
details of how to set it for outputting data

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 65

Connection Description .d• It is also important to note that the exam- You can set the block length to suit your
ple makes use of Joe Fair's EPESeria110 own needs and the Timer 1interval can be
New Connect'on OCX (see Serial Intetface for PICs and set for any desired period.
VB6, EPE Oct ' 03) for serial communica- Each block is input and immediately
Enter aname and choose an Icon le the comect cry tion. Joe's software must be installed with- output to adisk file named GPSReceived
bane in VB6 for the example source code to run. Text.txt. The file is over-written with each
Alternatively, readers who have aversion new block of data received. Immediately
loon
lOFOnS
of VB6 which allows use of the MSCOMM the file is closed for each block, it is
Active-X procedure can re-write the serial reopened and the data re-input for process-
i
- E4. I/O sections accordingly. The VB6 pro-
gram has been set to the same serial trans-
ing and screen display. There is then a
pause until Timer 1times-out again, when
fer defaults as those just stated. the next block is input and processed.
OK Cancel
To run the program, copy the source On the author's Gannin GPS12 the full
code files into your VB6 folder, load the cycle of sentences transmitted typically
program and run it in the usual way. First consists of about 550 bytes of data. The
Hypterterminal connection description set the COM port address required via the 1024 byte block length therefore ensures
screen. radio buttons at the top of the run-time that all sentences are received, with an
screen (see photo on previous page). overlap. On re-input the sentences are sort-
appears, ignore the phone number boxes ed into alphabetical order and duplicate
and click on the arrow alongside the PC INTERFACE identity prefixes deleted, retaining the lat-
"Connect Using" box. From the dropdown SCREEN est one.
list select the COM port you want to use With the GPS handset connected as The data can be examined in detail via
and click OK. described for Hyperterminal, data similar the ListBox when the Stop button is
A "Connection Properties" screen then to that shown in the screen photo will be clicked, and via the recorded text file.
appears. Set "Bits per Second" (Baud) to displayed when the program's Start button
4800, Data Bits to 8, Parity to None, Stop is clicked. The data will vary, of course, INTERFACING A PIC
Bits to 1and Flow Control to Hardware, depending on your local conditions. To The example PIC software has been writ-
and click OK again. If the GPS handset is stop the data flow click the Stop button ten for the PIC16F877 device running at
running and correctly connected to the PC, that is revealed once Start has been 3.2768MHz. The source code is written in a
data will scroll down the screen in NMEA clicked. variant of TASM and is suited for assembly
formatted sentences. There are three areas allocated for data and programming into the PIC via TK3.
It is possible, though, that you may just display. The upper two boxes are dedicated TK3's software is also suitable for translat-
see strings of garbage characters at this to data extracted from sentences identified ing the TASM code to MPASM. The hex
time. If so, first check that handset and by the $GPRMC and $GPGGA prefixes. file supplied is in the MPASM format.
Hyperterminal are set for the same Baud The lower area is aListBox in which all Install aPIC16F877 on the TK3 board,
rate. Otherwise the output from your GPS sentences received from the GPS in each along with a3.2768MHz crystal. Connect
handset probably needs its logic to be sampling batch are displayed. This display the 1.c.d. module to TK3's allocated pins
inverted via an inverter gate such as a allows you to compare the data shown in (PORTB control as usual — see Fig.4).
74L504, 4069 or other hex inverter logic the upper two boxes with that for their Connect the PC's serial output pin to the
device, as shown in Fig.3. respective unsplit sentences. Studying the input of the inverter mentioned earlier.
program will reveal the simplicity of the Connect the inverter's output to PIC pin
data extraction technique. RC7, its serial input pin. Load and run the
A point worth clarifying, though, is the example HEX software.
Checksum format. At the end of each sen- Click the Send to PIC button on the PC's
tence, if it has been fully received, is a screen. This action loads the file data from
Checksum value prefixed by an asterisk the last block recorded from the GPS hand-
("*"). The checksum is held in the last two set and repeatedly outputs it to the PIC in
characters following the asterisk and the response to control by Timer 2.
value is in hexadecimal. The PIC receives the data in bytes, look-
Fig.3. Inverter gate connections.
The checksum is calculated by first set- ing for and then storing data for two spe-
ting an initial register to zero and then cific sentence types, $GPRMC and
Mount the device on a piece of strip- X0Ring with it the ASCII value of each $GPGGA. It first looks for the $GPRMC
board, or aplug-in breadboard of the type character within the sentence, excluding sentence identity letters sequence, storing
recommended for use with the EPE PIC the first character ("$") and the last three it to memory. Having found it, it inputs all
Toolkit TK3 assembly and programming characters (asterisk and checksum). The the next several characters and also stores
aid (Oct/Nov '01). final X0Red register value is then com-
Ensure that the Hyperterminal connec- pared in decimal with the decimal equiva-
tion is closed before using the VB6 GPS lent of the hex value of the checksum. If +5V 0

demo software. the two values match, the sentence has

2
been correctly received.
CUSTOMISED GPS TO +VE

PC SOFTWARE FIELD LENGTHS N.C.—. Do

N.0
8
DI
Hyperterminal is fine for showing the Note that the fields within the sentence 9
D2
type of data that comprises the NMEA sen- do not necessarily have fixed lengths. NC
10
03
tences. It is not capable, however, of actu- Whilst the time and date values, for exam- RBO
11
04 LC.D.
MODULE
ally processing the data. The author has ple, are probably always formatted to a RBI
12
05
13
written an example program in Visual fixed length, there is evidence to suggest TO RB2 D6
PIC 14
Basic 6 (VB6) that illustrates how blocks that values following decimal points in the PINS
RB3 07
4
of sentences can be received by the PC latitude and longitude fields may have dif- RB4 RS

from aGPS handset and then processed. ferent quantities of decimal places, RB5 6 É
RNTI
The program is ademonstration for use depending on the handset model. The
GND
by readers who have VB6 installed on their author's Gamin GPS12 uses three decimal
PC and who wish to make use of GPS data places, but it is known that some handsets
in their own programs. It shows the way in have four places.
CONTRAST
which GPS data sentences and various Consequently, when splitting aGPS sen-
fields within them can be extracted selec- tence into its fields it is essential to use the
tively. Armed with this example, the pro- comma as the separating symbol for all OV 0

gram can be modified to entirely suit the fields except the checksum.
user's needs. It cannot be used by those As written, data is input in blocks of Fig.4. Connections between the
who do not have VB6. 1024 bytes in response to aTimer 1event. PIC16F877 and I.c.d.

66 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

them to memory. While doing so it looks
for the occurrence of ASCII 13 (CR — car- PANEL 1. A BRIEF atomic clocks ever launched into
riage return) which signifies the end of a space.
sentence.
HISTORY OF GPS 1977. Testing of GPS user equipment
On receipt of ASCII 13, the software 1920s. Origins of radionavigation began.
enters achecksum validation routine, in a Early WW2. LORAN, the first navi- 1983. Following the Soviet downing of
similar X0Ring process to that used by the gation system to employ time-difference- Korean Air flight 007, President Reagan
PC software. If the checksum is found to of-arrival of radio signals, is developed offers to make GPS available for use by
be correct, the next routine is entered in by the MIT Radiation Laboratory, but is civilian aircraft, free of charge. This
which commas are looked for. If it is incor- only two-dimensional (latitude and longi- marks the beginning of the spread of GPS
rect, the next occurrence of the required tude). technology from military to civilian
sentence is sought. 1957. The concept for GPS evolved aircraft.
When the checksum is correct, it is then from observations of Doppler shift in sig- March 1990. The US Department of
assumed that the correct fields are present. nals from the Russian satellite Sputnik. Defence (DoD) activates SA (Selective
The software then splits the data into its 1959. Transit, the first operational Availability), the purposeful degradation
fields and outputs it to an alphanumeric satellite-based navigation system, and in GPS navigation accuracy.
1.c.d. screen. The fields are not stored to consisting of seven low-altitude polar- August 1990. SA is deactivated during
dedicated register locations, although they orbiting satellites, is developed by the the Gulf War. DoD purchased thousands
could be if the user prefers. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics of civilian GPS receivers to be used by
The data is formatted and stored by the Laboratory (APL). the Allied forces during the war. The use
1.c.d. in two pages of its screen memory, 1963. The Aerospace Corporation of GPS proved to be the first successful
one visible, the other hidden. Every few launches astudy on using aspace system tactical use of aspace-based technology
seconds visibility alternates between the as the basis for anavigation system for within an operational setting.
pages. vehicles moving rapidly in three dimen- July 1991. SA is reactivated after the
sions; this led directly to the concept of Gulf War.
GPS. 8 December 1993. The US Secretary
14:511.1.1 UTC 11 1964. limation, a US Navy satellite
system, is developed and its work on
of Defense formally declares Initial
Operational Capability of GPS, signify-
F19:4717:1717 space-qualified time standards provided ing that with 24 satellites in orbit, GPS is
an important foundation for GPS. no longer adevelopmental system and is
1967. Transit made available to civil- capable of sustaining 100-metre accuracy
Example of I.c.d. screen page 1while
ian users. and continuous worldwide availability.
actively monitoring SPS.
1971-1972. Ground and balloon-car- 1May 2000. SA restrictions lifted and
ried transmitters simulating satellites civil use GPS receivers are able to find
were tested and accuracies of ahundredth their positions with an accuracy to within
of amile demonstrated. 10 to 20 metres anywhere in the world.
51-Ir 48.349H Ñ 1973. Approval to proceed with the A 34-page comprehensive history of
iCi1 54."1.I Naystar GPS is granted and aconfigu-
ration of 24 satellites was ultimately
GPS, from which the above has been
extracted, can be downloaded from:
placed in 12-hour inclined orbits, com- www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR
Example of 1.c.d. screen page 2. mencing in 1974. They carried the first 614/MR614.appb.pdf

Page one holds the clock and calendar handset's data output to the inverter's contras facilities and also have an area of
data extracted from sentence $GPRMC. input, in place of the PC connection. memory where sentence data can be stored
Page two holds the latitude and longitude If you wish, the handset data can be fed during reception and processing. The cod-
data, also from $GPRMC. Just one field of simultaneously to both PIC and PC. ing for the full PIC16F87x family will be
sentence $GPGGA is used, the height Note that a timeout count is used to the same as in the example, although the
value, which is placed on line two of 1.c.d. detect non-arrival of GPS data. If the 1.c.d. serial pin numbers will differ.
page one, following the calendar data. Both screen top line frequently alternates
pages hold the Validity letter from between showing data and the message RS232 CHIP
$GPRMC, "A" for valid or "V" for invalid. "WAITING SIGNAL", decrease the value Although direct coupling of the serial
If the checksum is found to be wrong a allocated to TIMEOUT3 (the default is data lines to the PIC and PC is likely to be
message to this effect is placed on both 254) to provide alonger timeout delay. effective, greater sophistication and poten-
pages. tially greater reliability of data transfer can
Examining the PIC source code you will SUITING YOUR NEEDS be provided if an RS232 interface chip is
see that the process has been made very Study the PIC and VB source codes to inserted between the data source and its
linear and very understandable, without see how the $GPRMC and $GPGGA sen- destination. A suitable circuit using the
any "clever programming" tricks, such as tences have been handled. It should be familiar Maxim MAX232 device is given
Macros or multiple-purpose sub-routines. obvious how the software can be changed in Fig.5.
Having processed $GPRMC the soft- to deal with sentences
ware now looks for the $GPGGA identifi- having other identity
er and then inputs and processes that prefixes and data
sentence in amanner similar to that used fields containing other
with $GPRMC. On this occasion. though, navigational data. The
it is only the height (altitude) data that is field contents for
extracted. The software then loops back to other sentences can be
again look for $GPRMC, etc. established by refer-
Note that the PIC software allows you to ring to the down-
change the Baud rate at which the PIC loaded web file
receives data. The value associated with referred to earlier.
this can be changed to suit the crystal and As mentioned, it is
Baud rate that you require. TK3 since ver- a simple matter to
sion V1.42 has aBaud calculation facility change the PIC's
to assist in choosing the correct value. crystal and Baud
rates. It is equally
DIRECT GPS INPUT simple to use PICs
TO PIC other than the
To directly input live data from the GPS PIC16F877, provid-
handset to the PIC simply connect the ing they have serial Fig.5. RS232 interface using a MAX232 device.

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 67

 This device was discussed in Joe Fan's but that it cannot be relied on to pinpoint invaluable advice given in the preparation
article previously referred to, and in Part 3 specific points on the ground. of this article, and for field-testing the soft-
of the author's EPE PIC Tutorial V2 ( June Consequently. the author does not propose ware demos.
'03). to upgrade his Earth Resistivity Logger
(April/May ' 03) to include GPS location GPS MANUFACTURERS
GPS DATA STABILITY monitoring. However. GPS is useful for WEB LINKS
As mentioned in Panel 1, GPS Selective identifying a small area having adiameter Garmin - www.garmin.com. free man-
Availability ( SA) has now been removed of just a few metres, and a GPS logging ual download
by the US authorities. The accuracy of nav- interface option is included with his forth- Lowrance - www.lowrance.com. free
igational coordinates is now said to be coming Magnetometry Logger design. manual download
within 10 to 20 metres. In field tests with Magellan - www.magellangps.com
the Garmin GPS12, the coordinates data SOFTWARE Northstar - www.northstarcmc.com
appeared to have aresolution of about two The demonstration software for this arti- Delorme - www.delorme.com
metres. However, repeated tests across the cle is available from the EPE Editorial Icom - www.icomamerica.com/gps
same area showed that the coordinate read- office on a3.5in disk, for which anominal
ings could vary with time. They were handling charge applies, see the EPE PCB Andrew says that the principle players
found to drift by two to three metres over a Service page. Is also available free via the for chipset/embedded products are Sirf,
period of a few minutes even when the Downloads click- option on the EPE home Trimble, Motorola and RoyalTek, and that
handset was kept stationary. page at www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk. the following link may be useful to some
The conclusion is that the accuracy is readers:
amazing considering the distance between ACKNOWLEDGMENT http://home-2.worldonline.n1/-samsv1/
the handset and the transmitting satellites, The author thanks Andrew Jarvis for the oemtable.htm.

Free via the Downloads click- link option on the home page when
you enter our main web site at www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk,
then enter the PIC Microcontroller source codes folder and select
PIC Watering Timer.

Practical Radio Circuits-8

This final installment of the Practical Radio Circuits series pro-
Car Computer vides asecond mixer/oscillator and if. amplifier which, together with
Some readers may have difficulty locating a source for the last month's Tuner/Mixer front-end, forms ahighly selective receiver
MAX232 RS232 interface and the 24LC64 serial EEPROM chips for shortwave listening. Only the various inductors and ceramic filter
called for in the Car Computer project. Try ESA Components will cause any real local sourcing problems. Transistor types are not
(te 0191 251 4363 or www.esr.co.uk) for the MAX232 and Maplin critical and readers should have no difficulty in finding them or their
(le 0870 264 6000 or www.maplin.co.uk) for the 24LC64 64K equivalents shown in the main circuit diagram ( Fig.8.1).
serial EEPROM, their code RF28F. The recommended Murata CFU455IT 4kHz bandwidth ceramic
Quite a number of our advertisers now stock 2- line 16-characters filter was purchased ( mail order only) from JAB Electronic
per line alphanumeric I.c.d. modules and sourcing should not be a Components, Dept EPE, PO Box 5774, Birmingham B44 8PJ
problem. However, you should check the pinning arrangement as (te 0121 682 7045 or www.jabdog.com). Having contacted
the p.c.b. has been designed to take both 14- pin and 16- pin ( Hitachi Murata, the author informs us that they confirm the type numbers
L016 in model) types which have their take-off points in ahorizontal listed in Table 8.1 are in current production. However, they have
row along the edge of the display module. inserted an S into the part numbers ( i.e. CFUS455IT), but JAB still
Readers may find the 100µF tantalum capacitor hard to track know them as listed in the table. If your requirements are less
down. We understand, from the designer, that you could substitute demanding you can, it is suggested, dispense with the filter and
a 1014F one in its place. link the coupling windings of IFT2 and IFT3 with a 100pF low- k
A pre-programmed PIC16F877-20 (20MHz) microcontroller can ceramic capacitor.
be purchased from Magenta Electronics ( 2e 01283 565435 or The above company also supplied all the Toko coils and the
www.magenta2000.co.uk) for the inclusive price of £ 10 each BB105 varicap diode. The coils and if. transformers are also obtain-
(overseas add £ 1 p&p). The software is available on a 3-5in. PC- able from Sycom, Dept EPE, PO Box 148, Leatherhead, Surrey
compatible disk ( Disk 7) from the EPE Editorial Office for the sum of KT33 9YW ( e 01372 372587 or www.sycomcomp.co.uk).
£3 each ( UK), to cover admin costs (for overseas charges see page Any point-contact germanium diode should work as the detector
75). It is also available Free via the Downloads click- link option on diode D2; e.g. 0A47, 0A90 or 0A91. It must, however, be agerma-
the EPE home page when you enter our main web site at nium type. Most of our component advertisers should stock a suit-
www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk, then enter the PIC Microcontroller able 100,4A moving coil panel meter for the Signal- Strength Meter.
source codes folder and select PIC Car Computer. Try ESA Components ( te 0191 251 4363 or www.esr.co.uk).
The double-sided printed circuit board is available from the EPE All three printed circuit boards are available from the EPE PCB
PCB Service, code 431 (see page 75). Note the board is not a Service, codes 428 ( I.F. Amp), 429 ( Sig. Meter) and 430
plated-through- hole ( pth) type. (B.F.0./Prod.). See page 75 for prices.
Finally, the keypad, crystals and listed connectors are widely
stocked items. The choice of case is left to individual preference. Bedside Nightlight (Top Tenner)
No disagreeable problems should be encountered when shop-
PIC Watering Timer ping for parts of the Bedside Nightlight, this month's Top Tonner
The size and type of geared d.c. motor required for the PIC project. Most of the components appear to be "off- the- shelf"
Watering Timer project will largely depend on the torque needed to items.
operate the water isolation valve used. The prototype motor was a Not too sure about supplies of the miniature microphone insert,
12V geared type with ashaft speed of approximately 100 r.p.m. they seem to have been around for years, for the Sound Trigger cir-
Having only just received the new Squires ( le 01243 842424) cuit. However, they are currently listed/stocked by Sherwood
catalogue, a very quick "flip-through" the pages revealed a good Electronics ( see their advert), WCN Supplies ( le 023 8066 0700)
section on small d.c. motors that readers might like to investigate and Crickiewood Electronics ( 2* 0208 452 0161). We suggest you
further. The water valve used in the model was purchased from one ask for one with p.c.b. mounting pins for ease of soldering.
of the large d.i.y. superstores. It should be capable of a 360° The two small printed circuit boards are available from the EPE
rotation. PCB Service, codes 417 ( Sound Trig.) and 418 (Timing/Lamp)
If you wish to use asimilar translucent box to house the electron- respectively.
ic control circuit board, this was obtained from Rapid Electronics
(le 01206 751166 or bvww.rapidelectronics.co.uk), code 30-3852 Teach- In 2004 Part 3
(blue) or 30-3862 ( red). The 16-character I.c.d., watch crystal and a No problems are expected to arise from this month's part of the
suitable Darlington transistor should be generally available. Teach- In 2004 series. The 741 op.amp i.c., used in the demonstra-
For those readers unable to program their own PICs, a ready- tion circuits, is now considered as being "ten-a- penny" and any com-
programmed PIC16F84A microcontroller can be purchased from ponent supplier should carry stocks. Use the popular ORP12, or its
Magenta Electronics ( 2e 01283 565435 or www.magenta2000. equivalent, for the light- dependent resistor ( I.d.r.).
co.uk) for the inclusive price of £5.90 each (overseas add £ 1p&p). If you have not already purchased parts ( see Part 1) for this new
The software is available on a 3-5in. PC- compatible disk ( Disk 7) series, Magenta Electronics ( fe 01283 565435 or www.
from the EPE Editorial Office for the sum of £3 each ( UK), to cover magenta2000.co.uk) have put together two component kits, includ-
admin costs (for overseas charges see page 75). It is also available ing one with a plug-in breadboard; see their ad. on pages 8/9.

68 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 INGENUITY
UNLIMITED
Our regular round- up of readers' own circuits. We pay between
£10 and £ 50 for all material published, depending on length
and technical merit. We're looking for novel applications and
circuit designs, not simply mechanical, electrical or software WIN APICO PC BASED
ideas. Ideas must be the reader's own work and must not OSCILLOSCOPE WORTH £ 86
have been submitted for publication elsewhere. The •100MS/s Dual Channel Storage Oscilloscope
circuits shown have NOT been proven by us. Ingenuity •50MHz Spectrum Analyser
Unlimited is open to ALL abilities, but items for consideration in •Multimeter • Frequency Meter
this column should be typed or word- processed, with a brief • Signal Generator
circuit description (between 100 and 500 words maximum) and If you have anovel circuit idea which would be
full circuit diagram showing all relevant component values. of use to other readers then aPico Technology
PC based oscilloscope could be yours.
Please draw all circuit schematics as clearly as possible.
Every 12 months, Pico Technology will be
Send your circuit ideas to: Ingenuity Unlimited, Wimborne
awarding an ADC200-100 digital storage
Publishing Ltd., 408 Wimborne Road East, Ferndown Dorset oscilloscope for the best IU submission. In
BH22 9ND. (We do not accept submissions for / U via E-mail.) addition, aDrDAQ Data Logger/Scope worth
Your ideas could earn you some cash and a prize! £69 will be presented to the runner up.

SUPER STATIC SNOOPER - moue mcounerme

wHE circuit shown in Fig.1 is an exceeding- delayed by RI, CI, and C2 at the non- invert- If a mains-to- 12V d.c. power supply is
. ly sensitive Super Static Snooper. When ing input ( pin 3). Thus an imbalance is creat- used, this should be aregulated, "clean" sup-
properly adjusted, it will detect the static cre- ed, and ICI 'soutput swings low. Note that the ply, otherwise the parameters of ICI's offset-
ated by someone taking off awoollen jersey circuit is so designed that it is self-adjusting, null may be exceeded. To begin with, try a
at adistance of more than two metres — yet at and may take aminute to settle again if it is generous sheet of tin foil for the metal sensor.
the same time it is immune to transients, to fundamentally unsettled by a charge at the Make sure that asound connection is made
changes in temperature or ambient siatic metal sensor. between the R1/R2 junction and the sensor
charge, and to the switching of relay RLA. Resistor R3 and capacitor C3 represent a plate.
Since static charge on the body will vary low-pass shunt, which filters out any rapid
considerably, the circuit's behaviour is not pulses at ICI's output — in particular mains Fine Tuning
always predictable. However, it will virtually transients or spurious electromagnetic pulses. To set up the circuit, turn both VR1 and
always detect a body at close proximity. A Preset VR2 biases IC2's trigger input ( at pin VR2 as close to their mid-positions as they
special feature is that the metal sensor used 2) to provide much increased sensitivity, and will go without triggering the relay ( 1.e.d. D2
may be fairly large. For example, the Snoop DI, TRI, R4, and C4 take the trigger input will also illuminate to indicate triggering).
worked satisfactorily when clipped to the "high" — thus disabling it — for a brief Then begin to "fine-tune" the circuit. For very
author's large single-cylinder motorbike. moment after IC2 triggers. This ensures that fine tuning, you will need to stand back and
there is some "blanking" of the action of let the circuit settle for aminute before mak-
Circuit Details relay RLA, so that it will not upset the ing further adjustments.
In principle, the design is very simple. Its extreme sensitivity of the circuit. In the absence of static, the circuit may
"front end" is a low-noise j.f.e.t. op amp In Fig.1, the values of R5 and C5 are nom- seem unresponsive. It really comes alive once
(ICI), which is balanced by means of an off- inal, and set the period for which IC2 trig- it has had time to settle, and is presented with
set-null adjust control ( VR1). A small-value gers. The period is calculated by the formula even amodest amount of static.
capacitive potential divider (Cl and C2) pre- t = 0.69 x R5 x C5 seconds. If desired, a
sents approximately half the supply voltage at large- value capacitor may be taken from Thomas Scarborough,
its non-inverting input. IC2's reset pin to OV, and alarge-value resis- South Africa
When a static charge is presented to the tor from the reset pin to + 12V to create a
metal sensor, this instantly alters the potential delay and allow for settling-in of the circuit at
at the inverting input — but its effect is switch-on.

+12V

R5 SPOT
22
DI 03 RA
1N4148 1N4148
a
TR1 11 a
2N38I9
METAL
RI
SENSOR 4 8
1M R7

RST V
0/P

IC2 Ti-IR TR2 e

7555 B0135
DIS R6
212
TRIG
ONO

R4
IM

OV
o

Fig. 1. Complete circuit diagram for the Super Static Snooper.

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 69

Regular Clinic

CIRCUIT
SURGERY ,
ALAN WINSTANLEY
and IAN BELL
Our monthly help-desk column shows how the Google Glossary can help you
with technical definitions, we look at current sourcing and sinking,
and MOSFET operation in linear mode is also outlined.
Source from the Google The basic difference between source and which combines two 1.e.d.s into one pack-
sink current can be illustrated with the 555 age. In general, for clean rail-to-rail
Glossary timer. The bipolar NE555 type has arated switching and lower power consumption,
Can anyone tell me the text book defini- output source or sink current of 200mA, use the CMOS 7555 instead. The data
tions of sourcing and sinking current? according to the useful data sheet supplied sheets contain graphs that illustrate typical
Thanks from Steve (in the EPE Chat Zone by SGS Thompson (download from output characteristics at avariety of supply
message board www.epemag.wimborne. www.st.com). The NE555 data sheet also voltages.
co.uk). has a full internal circuit diagram of the Novices should note that just because a
If ever Ihave needed the definitive "text- timer, which highlights what goes on at the device output is "low", it does not mean that
book" word for anything then for twenty output stage. it can be used to sink much current to OV,
years Ihave usually started with the Art of because it depends on
Electronics by Paul Horowitz and Winfield the internal design
Hill, but actually Icould not pin down a and technology used.
specific reference there. Conversely, the output
Over on the intemet then, my next stop being "high" does not
was the Google Glossary http://labsl. guarantee that you
google.com/glossary which returned just can draw much signif-
one definition for source current, namely icant current from it
the "Conventional current flow out of a either.
DUT with the active load as pull-down". Often overlooked is
Sink current is defined by Google Glossary that fact that some
as "Conventional current flow into aDUT devices are actually
with the active load as pull-up." A "DUT", only intended ever to
the Glossary tells us, is shorthand for sink current, a good
'device under test'. example being tradi-
Note that the glossary is only Google's Fig.2. A 555 alternating-Le.d. flasher uses source and sink tional TUL bipolar
attempt to pull in third-party definitions currents through pin 3. 7400 series logic
from around the web, and usually anumber gates. A TUL logic
of alternatives are offered by the glossary By connecting the 555 as an astable mul- "high" output was not designed to drive,
database. Users must decide for themselves tivibrator, asimple alternating 1.e.d. flasher say, an 1.e.d. pull-down load: the gates
whether there is any common ground can be produced which relies on the fact were better at sinking current because they
amongst Google's various results that will that the 555 will both source and sink cur- had an internal transistor connecting to
let them settle on acommon definition. rent. In Fig.1, 1.e.d. D2 will illuminate ground. Often with these things, it's only
when the output (pin 3) of the 555 is high. experience and checking data sheets that
Current flows out of pin 3and through the reveals to the hobbyist the various charac-
1.e.d. to the OV rail; the diode is considered teristics and correct operating modes.
as a "pull down" load because it "pulls A.R.W.
down" the output to the OV rail. When pin
3goes low, then current will flow through Linear MOSFETS
D1 instead, which acts to pull the output up Some time ago we looked at MOSFETs
to V+. and their driver circuits for switching loads
You can consider the output stage to be on and off. The physics of the MOSFET
like achangeover switch that connects pin including proprietary variants such as the
3 either to the positive supply or to OV. HEXFET were given in the January 2003
This is not a perfect analogy though, column. Following this we were asked
because the bipolar i.c. circuit cannot about the linear operation of MOSFETs.
switch from "rail to rail" — even when the We assume this meant use in linear ampli-
output is "low" there may still be some fiers, although the phrase could be ambigu-
measurable potential which means that D2 ous as they have two main modes (or
may still glow dimly. Similarly when pin 3 regions) of operation — saturated and lin-
is "high" it will not reach the full supply ear. In this month's Surgery we look at the
Fig. 1. How pull-up or pull-down loads rail voltage. An alternative arrangement various regions of operation of MOSFETs
allow sink or source currents to flow. using abi-colour 1.e.d. is shown in Fig.2 before looking at linear circuits.

70 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 Linear amplifiers use the MOSFET in the power control — we can select conducting The graph in Fig.4 shows the output
saturated regions. In the linear region how- or non-conducting by switching the gate characteristic of the MOSFET. The
ever the MOSFET acts as avoltage con- between two appropriate voltages, which is graph shows how drain current (I D)varies
trolled resistor: for this reason the linear atypical application for asimple MOSFET with drain-source voltage (VDs )for four
region is also known as the ohmic region. switch capable of driving heavy loads. different values of gate-source voltage
Of course, MOSFETs may be also be For linear circuits, we need to know a Vos ( each of the Vos curves is for aVos
turned off and non-conducting (also known little more detail. The creation of the con- greater than the threshold voltage, other-
as the cutoff mode or region); digital MOS ducting channel requires the gate-to-chan- wise I D would be zero). The graph is
circuits and drivers can switch the devices nel voltage to be larger than the threshold divided into the linear and saturation
quickly between saturation and cutoff. voltage. If both the source and drain are at regions.
Another MOSFET region of operation, OV the situation is simple, but if avoltage
which has received alot of attention in the (V Ds )is also applied between source and
last few years in the i.c. design world, is drain (the usual situation in alinear circuit) SATURATION REGION
known as the subthreshold region and then the voltage difference between the UNEAR
REGION
involves using the device just below what gate and channel changes as we "move
is usually regarded as the "point of con- along" the channel from source to drain.
duction". This allows a very low current Imagine that we have applied sufficient v„„
operation that can be very useful in today's gate voltage to create the conducting chan-
v„,„
high performance, battery powered, mobile nel (Vp s > VT)and that both the drain and v„,,
electronic devices. source voltage are at OV. We now increase
Readers familiar with valves (vacuum the drain voltage, keeping the gate voltage
vo.
tubes) may notice acorrespondence with the same. At first the channel behaves more
the behaviour of MOSFETs. For valves the or less like aresistor — increased drain volt-
saturation region is called the pentode age resulting in aproportional increase in Fig.4. Idealised output characteristics
region and the linear region is called the drain current. for a MOSFET transistor.
triode region.

Recap If we look at one of the curves for a

Before going any further we should recap particular Vos value we see that in the
the operation of the MOSFET. Fig.3 shows linear region, for very small values of
a simplified cross section of a device in VDs ,increases in VDs result in apropor-
which we can see four terminals: source, tional increase in I D.In this region the
drain, gate and bulk. Most discrete devices MOSFET behaves like aresistor As VDs
have only three terminals because the bulk is further increased the rate of increase of
—the silicon substrate in which the device is ID slows down and as we enter the satu-
formed — is internally connected to the ration region the curve flattens out to a
source. More generally the device can be plateau. Then, changes in VDs do not
fully symmetrical, in which case it is only change I D ,so for afixed Vos the MOS-
the direction of current flow that determines Fig.3. Schematic cross-section of a FET acts as aconstant current source. In
the difference between source and drain. MOSFET. Note the current-carrying this region the drain current is complete-
The bulk terminal can be controlled sepa- "channel" that allows drain-source ly controlled by Vos and it is this behav-
rately (and it is, in some i.c. designs). current to flow. iour that is exploited when making linear
If we apply zero, low or negative gate- amplifiers.
source voltage then the device is turned off The conductivity of the channel depends In practice the behaviour of the MOS-
because the source-bulk-drain n-p-n on how far above the threshold voltage Vos FET is a little more complex than
regions act as two back-to-back diodes. is above threshold (i.e. the value of Vos — described; for example the drain current is
Here, "n" and " p" refer to the type of VT). For sufficiently small values of VDs the not completely constant for agiven Vos in
chemical used to "dope" pure silicon to resistance of the FET is more or less inverse- the saturation region. However, we hope
create interesting semiconductor behav- ly proportional to (Vp s — VT)and device acts our basic view of the device should help
iour. N-type silicon has more electrons free as linear voltage variable resistor. with understanding basic MOSFET
to take place in conduction than in pure sil- As we further increase VDs the drain circuits. I.M.B.
icon, p-type has fewer electrons, but these voltage starts to have asignificant impact
gaps can be regarded as mobile "holes" on the gate-to-channel voltage. As VDs Electric Meter
which act like positively charged versions increases the gate-to-channel voltage at the Regular readers who remember the EPE
of the electrons in the n-region. Placing an drain end of the device diminishes. For project PIC Electric Meter ( February and
n-region next to ap-region creates apn- example if Vos is 2V and VDs = I V, with March 1996) may be interested in adevice
junction, also known as adiode junction, the source and bulk at OV then the gate-to- that Ihave been experimenting with: the
through which current can usually flow in channel voltage at the source end is 2V, but Wattage and Current Meter marketed by
one direction only. it is only IV at the drain end. This tends to Brennenstuhl is a standard mains wall
If we apply apositive gate-source volt- reduce conductivity at the drain end of the adaptor with liquid crystal display of power
age to the n-channel MOSFET, then the channel, increasing its effective overall consumption in watts, kilowatt-hours and
electrostatic attraction of this gate voltage resistance. actual cost, so that the operating costs of
will pull (negatively-charged) electrons When VDs is increased beyond the point electrical devices can be monitored.
from the nearby silicon to the p-type region at which it is equal to (Vos — VT)the gate- However, it also includes amains voltage
just under the gate. Once we have suffi- to-channel voltage at the drain end will be and frequency meter, and provides present
cient electrons here the region will behave less than the threshold voltage. This does current consumption and power factor
as if it is n-type silicon. At this point we not cut off conduction, but causes the chan- (cos 0) values. Simply plug the appliance
will have acreated an-type channel con- nel to reduce to avery narrow region at the into the monitor and check the display.
necting the n-type drain and source surface of silicon just under the gate oxide. What was surprising was how energy-
regions, thus we have an n-n-npath from Now as VDs is further increased we have efficient some modern appliances proved
source to drain, rather than the n-p-nback- two opposing effects: firstly the increase in to be. A 28in. flat screen colour TV con-
to-back diodes previously described. VDs tends to increase the drain current, and sumed only about 150 watts though a60
Conduction can now take place from secondly the decrease in effective gate-to- watt light bulb, when measured, was found
source to drain. The transistor is switched channel voltage tends to reduce drain cur- to consume exactly that! The device will
on and the gate-source voltage at which rent. These two effects more or less bal- be of interest to anyone conducting ener-
this occurs is the threshold voltage, VT. ance one another resulting in a constant gy-saving comparisons or monitoring the
drain current for agiven Vos irrespective supply (which, in the author's case, rose to
Linear Circuit Operation of changes in VDS. The channel is said to 251V a.c. at times). The 230V mains
This explanation may be sufficient if all be saturated, hence the term saturation square-pin type can be purchased from
we need is adigital gate or simple on/off region. Maplin, code L61AG price £24.99. A.R.W.

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 71

 FREE Electronics Hobbyist Compendium
book with Teach- In 2000 CD-ROM
(...,
r? e DIRECT BOOK SERVICE
NOTE: ALL PRICES INCLUDE UK POSTAGE

emt dmi>,
The books listed have been selected by Everyday Practical Electronics
editorial staff as being of special interest to everyone involved in elec-
tronics and computing. They are supplied by mail order to your door.
Full ordering details are given on the last book page.

EPE TEACH-IN For afurther selection of books see the next two issues of EPE.

2000 CD-ROM
Radio
The whole of the 12-part Teach-In 2000 series by John
Becker (published in EPE Nov '99 to Oct 2000) is now
available on CD-ROM. Plus the Teach-In 2000 interac-
tive software covering all aspects of the series and
Alan Winstanley's Basic Soldering Guide ( including
BASIC RADIO PRINCIPLES AND TECHNOLOGY AN INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR RADIO
illustrations and Desoldering).
Ian Poole I. D. Poole
Teach-In 2000 covers all the basic principles of elec- Radio technology is becoming increasingly important in Amateur radio is a unique and fascinating hobby which
tronics from Ohm's Law to Displays, including Op.Amps. today's high technology society. There are the traditional has attracted thousands of people since it began at the
Logic Gates etc. Each part has its own section on the inter- uses of radio which include broadcasting and point to turn of the century. This book gives the newcomer acom-
active software where you can also change component point radio as well as the new technologies of satellites prehensive and easy to understand guide through the
values in the various on-screen demonstration circuits. and cellular phones. All of these developments mean subject so that the reader can gain the most from the
The series gives a hands-on approach to electronics there is a growing need for radio engineers at all levels. hobby. It then remains an essential reference volume to
with numerous breadboard circuits to try out, plus asim- Assuming a basic knowledge of electronics, this book be used time and again. Topics covered include the basic
ple computer interface which allows a PC to be used as provides an easy to understand grounding in the topic. aspects of the hobby, such as operating procedures, jar-
a basic oscilloscope Chapters in the book: Radio Today, Yesterday, and gon and setting up a station. Technical topics covered
Tomorrow; Radio Waves and Propagation; Capacitors, include propagation, receivers, transmitters and aerials
ONLY £12.45 including VAT and p&p Inductors, and Filters; Modulation; Receivers; etc.
Transmitters; Antenna Systems: Broadcasting; Satellites; 150 pages Order code BP257 £ 5.49
Order code Teach-In CD-ROM Personal Communications; Appendix - Basic
Calculations.
VALVE RADIO AND AUDIO REPAIR HANDBOOK

Robotics
263 pages Order code NE30 £ 17.99 (Second Edition) Chas Miller
This book is not only an essential read for every profes-
sional working with antique radio and gramophone
PROJECTS FOR RADIO AMATEURS AND S.W.LS. equipment, but also dealers, collectors and valve tech-
R. A. Penfold nology enthusiasts the world over. The emphasis is firm-
INTRODUCING ROBOTICS WITH LEGO MINDSTORMS
This book describes anumber of electronic circuits, most ly on the practicalities of repairing and restoring, so
Robert Penfold
of which are quite simple, which can be used to enhance technical content is kept to a minimum, and always
Shows the reader how to build avariety of increasingly sophis-
the performance of most short wave radio systems. explained in a way that can be followed by readers with
ticated computer controlled robots using the brilliant Lego
Mindstorms Robotic Invention System (RIS). Initially covers The circuits covered include: An aerial tuning unit; A no background in electronics. Those who have a good
fundamental building techniques and mechanics needed to simple active aerial; An add-on b.f.o. for portable sets; grounding in electronics, but wish to learn more about
construct strong and efficient robots using the various -dick- A wavetrap to combat signals on spurious responses; An the practical aspects, will benefit from the emphasis
together components supplied in the basic RIS kit. Then audio notch filter; A parametric equaliser; C.W. and S.S.B. given to hands-on repair work, covering mechanical as
explains in simple terms how the 'brain' of the robot may be audio filters; Simple noise limiters; A speech processor; A well as electrical aspects of servicing. Repair techniques
programmed on screen using aPC and "zapped" to the robot volume expander. are also illustrated throughout.
over an infra-red link. Also, shows how a more sophisticated Other useful circuits include a crystal oscillator, and A large reference section provides a range of infor-
Windows programming language such as Visual BASIC may RTTY/C.W. tone decoder, and a RTTY serial to parallel mation compiled from many contemporary sources, and
be used to control the robots. converter. A full range of interesting and useful circuits for includes specialist dealers for valves, components and
Details building and programming instructions provided, short wave enthusiasts. complete receivers
including numerous step-by-step photographs.
92 pages Order code BP304 £4.45 270 pages Order code NE34 £23.99
288 pages- large format Order code BP901 £14.99

Computers and Computing

MORE ADVANCED ROBOTICS WITH LEGO
MINDSTORMS - Robert Penfold
Covers the Vision Command System

Shows the reader how to extend the capabilities of

the brilliant Lego Mindstorms Robotic Invention System
THE INTERNET FOR THE OLDER GENERATION PIC YOUR PERSONAL INTRODUCTORY COURSE
(RIS) by using Legos own accessories and some sim-
Jim Gatenby SECOND EDMON John Morton
ple home constructed units. You will be able to build
Especially written for the over 50s. Uses only clear and Discover the potential of the PIC micro-
robots that can provide you with 'waiter service' when
easy-to- understand language. Larger type size for easy controller through graded projects - this book could
you clap your hands, perform tricks, 'see' and avoid
reading. Provides basic knowledge to give you confi- revolutionise your electronics construction work!
objects by using 'bats radar', or accurately follow a line A uniquely concise and practical guide to getting up
marked on the floor. Learn to use additional types of dence to join the local computer class.
and running with the PIC Microcontroller. The PIC is
sensors including rotation, light, temperature, sound This book explains how to use your PC on the Internet
one of the most popular of the microcontrollers that are
and ultrasonic and also explore the possibilities provid- and covers amongst other things: Choosing and setting transforming electronic project work and product
ed by using an additional (third) motor. For the less up your computer for the Internet. Getting connected to design.
experienced, RCX code programs accompany most of the Internet. Sending and receiving emails, pho- Assuming no prior knowledge of microcontrollers
the featured robots. However, the more adventurous tographs, etc., so that you can keep in touch with fam- and introducing the PIC's capabilities through simple
reader is also shown how to write programs using ily and friends all over the world. Searching for and projects, this book is ideal for use in schools and col-
Microsoft's VisualBASIC running with the ActiveX con- saving information on any subject. On-line shopping leges. It is the ideal introduction for students, teachers,
trol ( Spirit.00X) that is provided with the RIS kit. and home banking. Setting up your own simple web technicians and electronics enthusiasts. The step-by-
Detailed building instructions are provided for the fea- site. step explanations make it ideal for self-study too: this
tured robots, including numerous step-by-step pho- is not a reference book - you start work with the PIC
tographs. The designs include rover vehicles, a virtual 228 pages Order code BP600 £.99 straight away.
pet, a robot arm, an 'intelligent' sweet dispenser and a The revised second edition covers the popular repro-
colour conscious robot that will try to grab objects of a grammable EEPROM PICs: P16C84/16F84 as well as
specific colour HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN PC - the P54 and P71 families.
298 pages Order code BP902 £14.99 Third Edition 270 pages Order code NE36 £15.99
Morris Rosenthal
ANDROIDS. ROBOTS AND ANIMATRONS - Second More and more people are building the own PCs. They
Edition - John !ovine get more value for their money, they create exactly the UNDERSTANDING PC SPECIFICATIONS
Build your own working robot or android using both off- machine they want, and the work is highly satisfying R. A. Penfold ( Revised Edition)
the-shelf and workshop constructed materials and and actually fun. That is. if they have a unique begin- PCs range from simple systems of limited capabilities
devices. Computer control gives these robots and ner's guide like this one, which visually demonstrates up to complex systems that can happily run applica-
androids two types of artificial intelligence (an expert sys- how to construct a state-of-the-art computer from start tions that would have been considered beyond the abil-
tem and a neural network). A lifelike android hand can be to finish. ities of a microcomputer not so long ago. It would be
built and programmed to function doing repetitive tasks. A Through 150 crisp photographs and clear but minimal very easy to choose a PC system that is inadequate to
fully animated robot or android can also be built and pro- run your applications efficiently, or one which goes
text, readers will confidently absorb the concepts of
grammed to perform awide variety of functions. beyond your needs and consequently represents poor
computer building. The extra-big format makes it easy
The contents include an Overview of State-of-the-Art value for money.
to see what's going on in the pictures. For non-special-
Robots; Robotic Locomotion: Motors and Power
ists, there's even a graphical glossary that clearly This book explains PC specifications in detail, and
Controllers; All Types of Sensors; Tilt; Bump; Road and
illustrates technical terms. The author goes "under the the subjects covered include the following: Differences
Wall Detection; Light; Speech and Sound Recognition:
hood" and shows step-by-step how to create a socket 7 between types of PC (XT, AT, 80386, etc); Maths co-
Robotic Intelligence ( Expert Type) Using a Single-Board
Computer Programmed in BASIC; Robotic Intelligence (Pentium and non-intel chipsets) and a Slot 1 ( Pentium processors; Input devices (keyboards, mice, and digitis-
(Neutral Type) Using Simple Neural Networks ( Insect II) computer, covering: What first-time builders need to ers); Memory, including both expanded ( EMS) and
Intelligence); Making a Lifelike Android Hand; A know; How to select and purchase parts; How to extended RAM; RAM disks and disk caches; Floppy
Computer-Controlled Robotic Insect Programmed in assemble the PC; How to install Windows 98. The few disk drive formats and compatibility; Hard disk drives
BASIC; Telepresence Robots With Actual Arcade and existing books on this subject, although badly outdated, (including interleave factors and access times): Display
Virtual Reality Applications; A Computer-Controlled are in steady demand. This one delivers the expertise adaptors, including all standard PC types (CGA,
Robotic Arm; Animated Robots and Androids: Real-World and new technology that fledgling computer builders Hercules, Super VGA, etc): Contains everything you
Robotic Application ,. are eagerly looking for. need to know if you can't tell your EMS from your EGA!

224 pages Order code MGH1 £16.99

224 pages - large formar Order code MGH2 £20.99 128 pages Order code BP282 £.45

72 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 Theory and Reference
Bebop To The and you'll have a few chuckles, if not belly laughs, along years ago. it has helped many thousands of readers to
Boolean Boogie the way. In addition to over 200 megabytes of mega-cool become familiar with the principles of radio and electronics.
multimedia, the CD-ROM contains avirtual microcomput- The original author Sowerby was succeeded by Scroggie in
By Clive ( call me
er, simulating the motherboard and standard computer the 1940s, whose name became synonymous with this
Max) Maxfield
peripherals in an extremely realistic manner. In addition to classic primer for practitioners and students alike. Stan
Specially Imported a wealth of technical information, myriad nuggets of triv- Amos, one of the fathers of modern electronics and the
by EPE - Excellent ia, and hundreds of carefully drawn illustrations, the CD- author of many well-known books in the area, took over the
value ROM contains a set of lab experiments for the virtual revision of this book in the 19805 and it she, with his son,
An Unconventional microcomputer that let you recreate the experiences of who have produced this latest version
Guide to early computer pioneers. If you're the slightest bit inter-
Electronics ested in the inner workings of computers, then don't dare 400 pages Order code NE27 £21.99
Fundamentals, to miss this!
Components and Over 800 pages in Adobe Acrobat format
£21.95 including VAT and p&p GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR MULTIMETER
Processes
R. A. Penfold
This book gives the This book is primarily aimed at beginners and those of
Order code BEB2 CD-ROM
"big picture of digital limited experience of electronics. Chapter 1 covers the
electronics. This basics of analogue and digital multimeters, discussing the
ELECTRONICS MADE SIMPLE
indepth, highly readable, up-h-Iris-minute guide shows you relative merits and the limitations of the two types. In
how electronic devices work and how they're made. You'll Ian Sinclair
Assuming no prior knowledge, Electronics Made Simple Chapter 2 various methods of component checking are
discover how transistors operate, how printed circuit
presents an outline of modern electronics with an empha- described, including tests for transistors, thyristors, resis-
boards are fabricated, and what he innards of memory Cs
sis on understanding how systems work rather than on tors, capacitors and diodes. Circuit testing is covered in
look like. You'll also gain e working knowledge of Boolean
Algebra and Karnaugh Maps, and understand what Reed- details of circuit diagrams and calculations. It is ideal for Chapter 3, with subjects such as voltage, current and
Muller logic is and how it's used. And there's much, MUCH students on a range of courses in electronics, including continuity checks being discussed.
more (including a recipe for atruly great seafood gumbo!). GCSE, C&G and GNVO, and for students of other In the main little or no previous knowledge or experi-
Hundreds of carefully drawn illustrations dearly show the subjects who will be using electronic instruments and ence is assumed. Using these simple component and cir-
important points of each topic. The author's tongue-in- methods. cuit testing techniques the reader should be able to con-
cheek British humor makes it adelight to read, but this rs a Contents: waves and pulses, passive components, fidently tackle servicing of most electronic projects.
REAL technical book, extremely detailed and accurate. A active components and ICs, linear circuits, block and
great reference for your own shelf, and also an ideal gift for circuit diagrams, how radio works, disc and tape record- 96 pages Order code BP239 £5.49
afriend or family member who wants to understand what it ing, elements of TV and radar, digital signals, gating
is you do all day.... and logic circuits, counting and correcting, micro- DIGITAL GATES AND FLIP-FLOPS
processors, calculators and computers, miscellaneous Ian R. Sinclair
470 pgs - large formal Order code BEB1 £26.95 systems. This book, intended for enthusiasts, students and techni-
cians, seeks to establish a firm foundation in digital elec-
199 pages Order code NE23 £ 13.99
tronics by treating the topics of gates and flip-flops thor-
BEBOP BYTES BACK (and the oughly and from the beginning.
Beboputer Computer Simulator) Topics such as Boolean algebra and Karnaugh map-
SCROGGIE'S FOUNDATIONS OF WIRELESS ping are explained, demonstrated and used extensively,
CD-ROM
Clive (Max) Maxfield and Alvin AND ELECTRONICS - ELEVENTH EDITION and more attention is paid to the subject of synchronous
Brown S. W. Amos and Roger Amos counters than to the simple but less important ripple
Scroggies Foundations is a classic text for anyone work- counters.
This follow-on to Bebop to the ing with electronics, who needs to know the art and craft No background other than a basic knowledge of elec-
Boolean Boogie is a mulimedia of the subject. It covers both the theory and practical tronics is assumed, and the more theoretical topics are
extravaganza of information explained from the beginning, as also are many working
aspects of a huge range of topics from valve and tube
about how computen. wcrk It practices. The book concludes with an explanation of
technology, and the application of cathode ray tubes to
picks up where "Bebop l" left off, microprocessor techniques as applied to digital logic.
radar, to digital tape systems and optical recording
guiding you through the fascinat-
techniques.
ing world of computer desigr .
Since Foundations of Wireless was first published over 60 200 pages Order code PC106 £9.95

Music, Audio and Video

QUICK GUIDE TO ANALOGUE SYNTHESIS ELECTRONIC MUSIC AND MIDI PROJECTS VIDEO PROJECTS FOR THE
Ian Waugh R. A. Penfold ELECTRONICS CONSTRUCTOR
Even though music production has moved into the digi- Whether you wish to save money, boldly go where no musi- R. A. Penfold
tal domain, modern syrthesisers invariably use ana- cian has gone before, rekindle the pioneering spirit, or sim- Written by highly respected author R. A. Penfold, this book
logue synthesis technictJes. The reason is simple - ply have fun building some electronic music gadgets, the contains acollection of electronic projects specially designed
analogue synthesis is flekilkle and versatile, and its rel- designs featured in this book should suit your needs. The for video enthusiasts. All the projects can be simply con-
atively easy for us to unde ,stand. The basics are the projects are all easy to build, and some are so simple that structed, and most are suitable for the newcomer to project
same for all analogue synths, and you'll quickly be able even complete beginners at electronic project construction construction, as they are assembled on sthpboard.
to adapt the principles te any instrument, to edit ekist- can tackle them with ease. Stripboard layouts are provided There are faders, wipers and effects units which will
ing sounds and create exciting new ores. This book for every project, together with a wiring diagram. The add sparkle and originality to your video recordings, an
describes: How anabgue synthesis works; The essen- mechanical side of construction has largely been left to audio mixer and noise reducer to enhance your sound-
tial modules every synthesiser has; The three steps to individual constructors to sort out, simply because the vast tracks and a basic computer control interlace. Also,
synthesis: How to create ohat bass sounds; How to majority of project builders prefer to do their own thing in there's a useful selection on basic video production
generate filter sweeps; Advanced synth modules How this respect. techniques to get you started.
to create simple and complex synth patches; Where to None of the designs requires the use of any test equip- Complete with explanations of how the circuit works, shop-
find soft synths on the Web. ment in order to get them set up properly. Where any set- ping lists of components, advice on construction, and guid-
If you want to take your synthesiser - of the hardware ting up is required, the procedures are very straightforward, ance on setting up and using the projects, this invaluable
or software variety - past the presets, and program and they are described in detail. book will save you asmall fortune.
your own sounds and effects, this practical and well- Projects covered: Simple MIIDI tester, Message grabber, Circuits include: video enhancer, improved video
illustrated book tells you what you need to know. Byte grabber, THRU box, MIDI auto switcher. Auto/manual enhancer, video fader, horizontal wiper, improved video
switcher, Manual switcher, MIDI patchbay, MIDI controlled wiper, negative video unit, fade to grey unit, black and white
switcher, MIDI lead tester, Program change pedal, keyer, vertical wiper, audio mixer, stereo headphone
60 pages Order code PC118 £7.45
Improved program change pedal. Basic mixer, Stereo amplifier, dynamic noise reducer, automatic fader, pushbut-
mixer, Electronic swell pedal. Metronome. Analogue echo ton fader, computer control interface. 12 volt mains power .
QUICK GUIDE TO MP3 AND DIGITAL MUSIC
unit. supply.
Ian Waugh
MP3 files, the latest angle music format, have taken the 124 pages Order code PC116 SID,95- £5.45 124 pages Order code PC115 pee- C5.45
music industry by storm. What are they? Where do you
get them? How do you use them? Why nave they thrown
THE INVENTOR OF STEREO - THE LIFE AND WORKS
record companies .rito a panic? Will they make music PC MUSIC - THE EASY GUIDE
OF ALAN DOWER BLUMLEIN
easier to buy? And cheaper? Is this the future of music? Robin Vincent
Robert Charles Alexander
All these questions are more are answered in this How do Imake music on my PC? Can Irecord music onto
This book is the definitive study of the life and works of
concise and practical book which explains eve,ything my PC? What's asequencer? How can Iget my PC to print
one of Britain's most important inventors who, due to a
you need to know about MP3s in a simple and easy-to- a music score? What sort of a soundcard do Ineed? What
cruel set of circumstances, has all but been overlooked by
understand manner. It ex>ains: hardware and software do Ineed? How do Iconnect akey-
history.
How to play MP3s on your computer; How to use board to my PC?:
Alan Dower Blumlein led an extraordinary life in which his
MP3s with handhela MP3 players: Where to find MP3s Just a few of the questions you've probably asked. Well,
inventive output rate easily surpassed that of Edison, but
on the Web; How MP3; work; How to tune into Internet you'll find the answers to all these questions, and many
whose early death during the darkest days of World War
radio stations; How to crate your own MP3s; How to mom, in this book. It will show you what can be done, what
Two led to a shroud of secrecy which has covered his life
record your own CDs from MP3 files: Other digital audio it all means, and what you will need to start creating your
and achievements ever since.
music formats. own music on your PC. It's an easy read, it's fully illustrated
His 1931 Patent for a Binaural Recording System was
Whether you want to stay bang up to date with the lat- and it will help you understand how acomputer can be used
so revolutionary that most of his contemporaries regard-
est music or create yoJr own MP3s and join the on-line as acreative music tool.
ed it as more than 20 years ahead of its time. Even years
digital music revolution. this book will snow you how. It covers soundcards, sequencers, hard disk digital audio
after his death, the full magnitude of its detail had not
60 pages Drier code PC119 £7.45 been fully utilized. Among his 128 patents are the princi- recording and editing, plug-ins, printing scores with notation
software, using your PC as asynthesiser, getting music onto
pal electronic circuits critical to the development of the
and off the Internet, using Windows, sample PC music set-
world's first elecronic television system. During his short
ups, FA0s, a glossary, advice on hardware and software,
working life, Blumlein produced patent after patent
ALL PRICES breaking entirely new ground in electronic and audio
engineering. 116 pages Order code PC117 £11.95
INCLUDE UK POST During the Second World War, Alan Blumlein was deeply
and alist of industry contacts.
engaged in the very secret work of radar development and
AND PACKING contributed enormously to the system eventually to become HIGH POWER AUDIO AMPLIFIER CONSTRUCTION
CD-ROM prices include VAT 'H25' - blind-bombing radar. Tragically, during an experi-
mental H2S flight in June 1942, the Halifax bomber in which
R. A. Penfold
Practical construction details of how to build a number of
and/or postage to anywhere Blumlein and several colleagues were flying, crashed and audio power amplifiers ranging from about 50 to 300/400
all aboard were killed. He was just days short of his thirty- watts r.m.s. includes MOSFET and bipolar transistor
in the world ninth birthday. designs.
420 pages Order code NE32 £17.99 96 pages Order code BP277 £4.49

Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004 73

 Circuits, Project Building fit Testing
Data and ELEC. I/IONIC PROJECTS FOR EXPERIMENTERS
R. A. Penfold
The projects include:- Simple audio links, F.M. audio
link, P.W.M. audio links, Simple d.c. links, P.W.M. d.c. link,

Design
Many electronic hobbyists who have been pursuing their P.W.M. motor speed control, RS232C data links, MIDI
hobby for a number of years seem to suffer from the link, Loop alarms, R.P.M. meter.
dreaded "seen it all before" syndrome. This book is fairly All the components used in these designs are readily
and squarely aimed at sufferers of this complaint, plus available, none of them require the constructor to take out
any other electronics enthusiasts who yearn to try some- a second mortgage.
PRACTICAL ELECTRONIC FILTERS thing a bit different. No doubt many of the projects fea-
Owen Bishop tured here have practical applications, but they are all 132 pages Order code BP374 £5.45
This book deals with the subject in a non- mathematical worth a try for their interest value alone.
way. It reviews the main types of filter, explaining in sim- The subjects covered include:- Magnetic field detector,
ple terms how each type works and how it is used. Basic Hall effect compass, Hall effect audio isolator, Voice
The book also presents a dozen filter-based projects
scrambler/descrambler, Bat detector, Bat style echo loca-
with applications in and around the home or in the
constructor's workshop. These include anumber of audio
tion, Noise cancelling, LED stroboscope, Infra- red "torch",
Electronic breeze detector, Class D power amplifier,
RADIO BYGONES
projects such as a rythm sequencer and a multi-voiced We also carry a selection of books
Strain gauge amplifier, Super hearing aid.
electronic organ.
aimed at readers of EPEs sister maga-
Concluding the book is apractical step-by-step guide to 138 pages Order code BP371 £5.45
designing simple filters for awide range of purposes, with zine on vintage radio Radio Bygones.
circuit diagrams and worked examples. These books include the Comprehensive
FAULT-FINDING ELECTRONIC PROJECTS
88 pages Order code BP299 £5.49 R. A. Penfold Radio Valve Guides ( five books with a
Starting with mechanical faults such as dry joints, short-circuits
DIGITAL ELECTRONICS - Free copy of the Master Index) for just
etc, coverage includes linear circuits, using a meter to make
A PRACTICAL APPROACH £15. Also Jonathan Hill's excellent Radio
FREE voltage checks, signal tracing techniques and fault finding on
With FREE Software: Number One SOFTWARE
Systems - EASY-PC
logic circuits. The final chapter covers ways of testing a wide Radio, a comprehensive book with hun-
range of electronic components, such as resistors, capacitors,
Professional XM and Pulsar (Limited Functionality) operational amplifiers, diodes, transistors, SCRs and theca
dreds of photos depicting the develop-
Richard Monk with the aid of only alimited amount of test equipment. ment of the British wireless set up to the
Covers binary arithmetic, Boolean algebra and logic The construction and use of aTestate Continuity Tester, a
gates, combination logic, sequential logic including the
late 1960s.
Signal Tracer, a Logic Probe and a CMOS Tester are also
design and construction of asynchronous and synchro- included. The three volumes of our own Wireless
nous circuits and register circuits. Together with aconsid- For the Warrior by Louis Meulstee are
erable practical content plus the additional attraction of its 136 pages Order code BP391 £5.49
close association with computer aided design including also available. These are a technical his-
the FREE software. PRACTICAL F1BRE-OPTIC PROJECTS tory of radio communication equipment in
R. A. Penfold
There is a 'blow-by-blow' guide to the use of EASY- PC the British Army from pre-war through to
Professional XM (aschematic drawing and printee circuit While fibre-optic cables may have potential advantages
board design computer package). The guide also con- over ordinary electric cables, for the electronics the 1960s.
ducts the reader through logic circuit simulation using enthusiast it is probably their novelty value that makes For details see the shop on our UK web
Pulsar software. Chapters on p.c.b. physics and p.c.b. them worthy of exploration. Fibre-optic cables provide an
site at www.epemag.wlmborne.co.uk or
production techniques make the book unique, and with innovative interesting alternative to electric cables, but in
its host of project ideas make it an ideal companion for most cases they also represent a practical approach to contact us for a list of Radio Bygones
the integrative assignment and common skills compo- the problem. This book provides a number of tried and books.
nents required by BTEC and the key skills demanded by tested circuits for projects that utilize fibre-optic cables.
GNVO. The principal aim of the book is to provide a
straightforward approach to the understanding of digital
electronics.
Those who prefer the 'Teach- In' approach or would
rather experiment with some simple circuits should find
the book's final chapters on printed circuit board produc- BOOK ORDERING DETAILS
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A. L. Brown Order from our online shop at: www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/shopdoor.htm
This book shows you how, with common sense and
basic do-it-yourself skills, you can protect your home. It
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and improve your home security, even if you already
have an alarm. Every circuit in this book is clearly
described and illustrated, and contains components
that are easy to source. Advice and guidance are based
BOOK ORDER FORM
on the real experience of the author who is an alarm
installer, and the designs themselves have been rigor- Full name:
ously put to use on some of the most crime- ridden
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The designs include all elements, including sensors,
Address:
detectors, alarms, controls, lights, video and door entry
systems. Chapters cover installation, testing, mainte-
nance and upgrading.

192 pages Temporarily out of print

MICROCONTROLLER COOKBOOK
Post code . Telephone No:
Mike James
The practical solutions to real problems shown in this cook-
book provide the basis to make PIC and 8051 devices real- Signature:
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ways to enhance these are shown. A survey of common
interface devices, and a description of programming fl Ienclose cheque/PO payable to DIRECT BOOK SERVICE for £
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74 Everyday Practical Electronics, January 2004

 PCB SERVICE
PROJECT TITLE Order Code Cost
EPE Mini Metal Detector JULY 03 396 £4.28
Radio Circuits - 2 0- Multiplier 397 £4.28
MW Reflex Radio 398 £4.60
Wave Trap 399 £4.28
Speaker Amplifier 400 £4.44
Printed circuit boards for most recent EPE constructional projects are available from Ohmmeter Adaptor Mk11 401 £4.60
the PCB Service, see list. These are fabricated in glass fibre, and are fully drilled and Ultimate Egg Timer (Top Tenner) 403 £4.91
roller tinned. All prices include VAT and postage and packing. Add £ 1per board for
*EPE PIC Met Office IIMIBB 402 £10.46
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Please check price and availability in the latest issue. *PIC - A-Colour - Software only - -
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Buffer Amplifier 420 £4.44
PROJECT TITLE Order Code Cost
**Serial Interface for PICs and VB6 416 £5.23
*PIC Spectrum Analyser FEB 02 334 £7.13 *PIC Breakpoint - Software only -
Versatile Current Monitor 335 £4.75 Anyone At Home - Logic Board NOV 03 421} Pair £6.35
Guitar Practice Amp 336 £5.39 - Relay Board 422 J
*PIC Virus Zapper =MU 337 £4.75 Radio Circuits-6 Direct Conversion SW Receiver 423 £6.02
RH Meter 338 £4.28 *PIC Random L.E.D. Flasher 424 £4.60
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*Programming PIC Interrupts - Software onl - Radio Circuits-7 SW Superhet Tuner/Mixer 426 £5.70
Christmas Cheeks (double- sided) 427 £4.44
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*PIC Big Digit Display MAY 02 341 £6.02
Bedside Nightlight ( Top Tenner) JAN 04
Washing Ready Indicator 342 £4.75
Sound Trigger 417 £4.44
Audio Circuits- 1 - LM386N-1 343 £4.28 Timing/Lamp 418 £4.60
-TDA7052 344 £4.12 Radio Circuits-8 Dual Conversion SW Receiver
-TBA820M 345 £4.44 I.F. Amp 428 £5.71
- LM380N 346 £4.44 Signal- Strength Meter 429 £4.45
-TDA2003 347 £4.60 B.F.O./Prod. Detector 430 £4.75
-Twin TDA2003 348 £4.75 *Car Computer (double-sided) 431 £7.61
World Lamp JUNE 02 340 £5.71 *PIC Watering Timer - Software only -
Simple Audio Circuits-2 - Low, Med and High
Input Impedance Preamplifiers ( Single Trans.) 349 £4.60
Low- Noise Preamplifier ( Dual Trans.) 350 £4.75
Tone Control
Bandpass Filter
351
352
£4.60
£4.75
EPE OFTWARE
Frequency Standard Gene•ator - Receiver 353 £4.12
- Digital 354 Software programs for EPE projects marked with a single asterisk * are
£6.82
*Biopic Heartbeat Monitor 355 £5.71 available on 3.5 inch PC-compatible disks or free from our Internet site. The
Simple Audio Circuits - 3 JULY 02 following disks are available: PIC Tutorial V2 ( Apr-June ' 03); EPE Disk 3
(2000); EPE Disk 4 ( 2001); EPE Disk 5 ( 2002); EPE Disk 6 ( 2003 - excl.
- Dual Output Power Supply 356 £4.60
Earth Resistivity and Met Office): EPE Disk 7 ( Jan 2004 to current cover
- Crossover/Audio Filter 357 £4.44
date); EPE Earth Resistivity Logger ( Apr- May '03); EPE PIC Met Office
Infra- Red Autoswitch 358 £4.91
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*EPE StyloPIC 359 £6.50
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- Interface Board £4.91 jects is on its own CD-ROM. The 3.5 inch disks are £3.00 each ( UK), the CD-
361
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367
368
£4.91
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tersA Everyday
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379
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Everyday Practical Electronic, January 2004 75

 WHETHER ELECTRONICS IS YOUR HOBBY
OR YOUR LIVELIHOOD.
YOU NEED THE MODERN ELECTRONICS MANUAL
and the ELECTRONICS SERVICE MANUAL

THE MODERN ELECTRONICS MANUAL (CD-ROM VERSION ONLY)

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studying electronics
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET

STARTED AND GO FURTHER IN ELECTRONICS!
The revised CD-ROM edition of the Modern E'ectronics Base a computer interface, measuring instruments, workshop
Manual ( MEM) contains practical, easy-to- follow information on the equipment, security systems, medical and musical circuits, etc.
folowing subjects: The Base Manual describes 12 projects including aTheremin
and a Simple TENS Unit.
BASIC PRINCIPLES: Electronic Components and their
Characteristics ( 16 sections from Resistors and Potentiometers to ESSENTIAL DATA: Extensive tables on diodes, transistors,
Crystals, Crystal Modules and Resonators); Circuits Using Passive thyristors and triacs, digital and linear i.c.s.
Components ( 10 sections); Power Supplies; The Amateur
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Electronics ( 6 sections); Operational Amplifiers; Intioduction to word, phrase or abbreviation you're not familiar with, simply look
Physics, including practical experiments; Semiconductors up the glossary included in the Manual and you'll find a
(5 sections) and Digital Instruments ( 3 sections). comprehensive definition in plain English.

CI RCUITS TO BUILD: There's nothing to beat the satisfaction of The Manual also covers Safety and provides web links to
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and making printed circuit boards, to the tools needed for The most comprehensive reference work ever produced at a price
circuit- building, the Modern Electronics Manual and its you can afford, the CD-ROM edition of THE MODERN
Supplements describe clearly, with appropriate diagrams, how to ELECTRONICS MANUAL provides you with all the essential
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THE MODERN ELECTRONICS MANUAL (

MEM - CD-ROM version only)
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 ELECTRONICS SERVICE MANUAL
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET STARTED IN The essential work for
REPAIRING AND SERVICING ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
servicing and repairing
SAFETY: Be knowledgeable about Safety Regulations, Electrical Safety and First Aid.
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UNDERPINNING KNOWLEDGE: Specific sections enable you to Understand Electrical
and Electronic Principles, Active and Passive Components, Circuit Diagrams, Circuit • Around 900 pages
Measu'ements, Radio, Computers, Valves and Manufacturers Data, etc. • Fundamental principles
• Troubleshooting techniques
PRACTICAL SKILLS: Learn how to identify Electronic Components, Avoid Static
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• Choosing and using test
TEST EQUIPMENT: How to Choose and Use Test Equipment, Assemble aToolkit, Set
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CI lardrUPPLUMPLIMPLP U-
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INDEX
SPI 15 x5mm Red LEDs SP133 20 x 1N4004 diodes AUDON ELECTRONICS 79
SP2 12 x5mm Green LEDs SP134 15 x 1N4007 diodes
SP3 12 x5mm Yellow LEDs SP135 6 xMiniature slide switches N. R. BARDVVELL 79
SP5 25 x5mm 1part LED clips SPI36 3 xBFY50 transistors B.K. ELECTRONICS Cover ( iv)/45
SP6 15 x3mm Red LEDs SPI37 4 xW005 1.5A bridge rectifiers
SP7 12 x3mm Green LEDs SP138 20 x2-2/63V radial elect. caps. BRUNNING SOFTWARE 42
SP8
SP9
10 x3mm Yellow LEDs
25 x3mm 1part LED clips
SP140
SPI42
3 xWO4 1.5A bridge rectifiers
2 xCMOS 4017
BULL GROUP Cover ( ii)
SPIO 100 x IN4148 diodes SPI43 5 Pairs min. crocodile clips CRICKLEWOOD ELECTRONICS 57
SPI 1 30 x 1N4001 diodes (Red & Black)
SPI2 30 x 1N4002 diodes SP146 10 x2N3704 transistors CROWNHILL ASSOCIATES Cover ( iii)
SP18 20 xBC182 transistors SP147 5 xStripboard 9strips x DISPLAY ELECTRONICS 2
SP20 20 xBCI84 transistors 25 holes
SP23 20 xBC549 transistors SP151 4 x8mm Red LEDs ENERGISE TECHNOLOGY 79
SP24 4 xCMOS 4001 SPI52 4 x8mm Green LEDs
SP25 4 x555 timers SP153 4 x8mm Yellow LEDs
ESR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 10
SP26 4 x741 Op.Amps SP154 15 xBC548 transistors FOREST ELECTRONIC DEVELOPMENTS 7
SP28 4 xCMOS 4011 SP156 3 xStripboard, 14 strips x
SP29 3 xCMOS 4013 27 holes JPG ELECTRONICS 80
SP33 4 xCMOS 4081 SP160 10 x2N3904 transistors LABCENTER 17
SP34 20 x 15914 diodes SP161 10 x253906 transistors
SP36 25 x 10/25V radial elect. caps. SP165 2 xLF351 Op.Amps MAGENTA ELECTRONICS 8/9
SP37 12 x 100/35V radial elect. caps. SP166 20 x 1N4003 diodes
SP39 10 x470/16V radial elect. caps. SP167 5 xBC107 transistors MATRIX MULTIMEDIA 45
SP40 15 xBC237 transistors SPI68 5 xBC108 transistors MILFORD INSTRUMENTS 21
SP41 20 xMixeo transistors SP172 4 xStandard slide switches
SP42 200 xMixed 0.25W C.F. resistors SP173 10 x220/25V radial elect. caps NATIONAL COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY 79
SP47 5 xMin. PB switches SP174 20 x22/25V radial elect. caps
PEAK ELECTRONIC DESIGN 33
SP49 4 x5 metres stranded core wire SPI 75 20 x 1/63V radial elect. caps.
SP102 20 x8- pin OIL sockets SP177 10 x 1A 20mm quick blow fuses PICO TECHNOLOGY 37
SP103 15 x 14- pin OIL sockets SP178 10 x2A 20mm quick blow fuses
SPIN 15 x 16- pin OIL sockets SP181 5xPhono plugs - asstd colours
QUASAR ELECTRONICS 4/5
SP105 4 x741S00 SP182 20 x4.7/63V radial elect. caps. RYKEL TECHNOLOGIES 57
SP109 15 xBC557 transistors SP183 20 xBC547 transistors
SP112 4 xCMOS 4093 SPI87 15 xBC239 transistors SHERVVOOD ELECTRONICS 80
SP1I5 3 x 10mm Red LEDs SPI89 4 x5 metres solid core wire
SP116 3 x lOmm Green LEDs SP192 3xCMOS 4066
SQUIRES 79
SP118 2 xCMOS 4047 SPI95 3 x 10mm Yellow LEDs STEWART OF READING 23
SPI24 20 xAssorted ceramic disc caps SPI97 6 x20 pin OIL sockets
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PP3 + PP9 SPI99 5 x2.5mm mono jack plugs
SP130 100 xMixed 0-5W C.F. resistors SP200 5 x2.5mm mono jack sockets
SP131 2 xTL071 Op.Amps
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ibl FC12-300 WATTS Freq Range 45Hz-20kHz, Sens 96dB, Size H600 W405 D300mm
MXF200 W19' D11" H3 /" 2U
MXF400 W19" D12" I-15 3U Price: - £249.00 per pair
SIZES:- MXF600 W19" D'3" H5 3U ibl FC12-200 WATTS Freq Range 40Hz-20kHz, Sens 97dB, Size H600 W405 D300mm
MXF900 W19' D14" H5Vi" 3U Price: - £ 199.00 per pair
PRICES:- MXF200 £ 175.00 MXF400 £ 233.85 ibl FC12-100 WATTS Freq Range 45Hz-20kHz, Sens 100dB, Size H546 W380 D300mm
MXF600 £ 329.00 MXF900 £ 449.15 Price: - £ 179.00 per pair
SPECIALIST CARRIER DEL £ 12.50 Each ibl WM12-200 WATTS Freq Range 40Hz-20kHz, Sens 97dB, Size H418 W600 D385mm
Price: - £ 125.00 Each
SPECIALIST CARRIER DEL:- £ 12.50 per pair, wedge monitor £7.00 each
Optional Metal Stands PRICE -- £49.00 per pair Delive:- £6.00

• :

ctroni Kit

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y <lOT>\\ CT'OTI\ /43-A'S-e MID/TOP \
CONFIGURED 3 WAY 2WAY BASS/MID COMBINED 2 WAY MID/TOP COMBINED

FEATURES: -
Advanced 3-Way Stereo Active Cross-Over (Switchable two way), housed in a19" x1U case. Each
channel has three level controls: Bass, Mid & Top. The removable front facia allows access to the
programmable DIL switches to adjust the cross-over frequency: There are two versions available:-
X03- S Bass- Mid 125/250/500Hz, Mid- Top 1.8/3/5kHz, all at 24 dB per octave.
X03 Bass- Mid 250/500/800Hz. Mid- Top 1 8/3/5kHz, all at 24 dB per Octave.
Please make sure you ask for the correct model when ordering. The 213 way selector switches are
also accessed by removing the front facia. Each stereo channel can be configured separately. Bass
Invert Switches are incorporated on each channel. Nominal 775mV input/output. Fully compatible
with the OMP Rack Amplifier and Modules.
BOTH MODELS PRICED AT :- £ 117.44 + £5.00 P&P
SUPPUED READY
el111211[01:21àagelIA1:1A111011à1g:111[0]Ifiliare11 BUILT AND TESTED
These modules now enjoy aworld-wide reputation for quality, reliability and performance at arealistic price. Four
models are available to suit the needs of the professional and hobby market . le. Industry, Leisure, Instrumental
ad Hi- Fi etc. When comparing prices. NOTE that all models include toroidal power supply, integral heatsink,
I'rus fibre PC B and dnve circuits to power acompatible Vu meter All models are open and short circuit proof
THOUSANDS OF MODULES PURCHASED BY PROFESSIONAL USERS
OMP/MF 100 Mos-Fet Output Power 110 watts
curi R.M.S. into 4 ohms,freq_uency response 1Hz -
100kHz -3d13„ Damping Factor > 300, Slew Rate
ectronics 45V/uS, T.H.D. typical 0.002%, Input Sensitivity
500mV, S.N.R. 110dB. Size 300 x 123 x 60mm.
Unit 1. Comet Way. Se.One...1-':.,
E•444. 2 6"i".4 on Price:- £42.85 + £4.00 P&P
017#12.K-•-iirn Fax,- 01707-420243 OMP/MF 200 Mos-Fet Output Power 200 watts
FRE 0 r L R.M.S. into 4 ohms,freqpency response 1Hz -
over 3000 *.Y. rest 100kHz -3d13, Damping Factor >300, Slew Rate
50V/uS, T.H.D. typical 0.001% Input Sensitivity
500mV, S.N.R. 110dB. Size 300 x 155 x 100mm.
Price:- £66.35 + £4.00 P&P
OMP/MF 300 Mos-Fet Output Power 300 watts
R.M.S. into 4 ohms,freq_uency response 1Hz -
100 WATI" ACTIVE SUB BASS AMPLIFIER PANEL 100kHz - 3dES, Damping Factor > 300, Slew Rate
60V/uS, T.H.D. typical 0.001%, Input Sensitivity
AN ACTIVE SUB BASS AMPLIFIER WITH A TRUE 100W 500mV ,S.N.R. 110dB. Size 330 x 175 x 100mm.
. _ • RMS OUTPUT. SUPERB CONSTRJCTION WITH THE Price:- £83.75 + £5.00 P&P
FACILITIES TO INTEGRATE SEEMLESSLY INTO MOST
HI- Fl OR HOME CINEMA SETUPS USE THIS PANEL OMP/MF 450 Mos-Fet Output Power 450 watts
PLUS ONE OF OUR LOUDSPEAKERS TO MAKE YOUR R.M.S. into 4 ohms,freqpency response 1Hz -
OWN SUB WOOFER THAT WILL MATCH OR BEAT MOST 100kHz -3dB, Damping Factor >300, Slew Rate
COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SUB WOOFERS. 75V/uS, T.H.D. typical 0.001%, Input Sensitivit/
500mV, S.N.R. 110dB. Fan Cooled, D.C.
'mar • FEATURES:- • 100W RMS INTO 8 OHMS • HIGH AND
LOW LEVEL INPUTS TOROIDAL TRANSFORMER
Loudspeaker Protection, 2 Second Anti Thump
Delay. Size 385 x210 x 105mm.
• SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION ' D.C. SPEAKER Price:- £ 135.85 + £6.00 P&P
PROTECTION • FREQUENCY ROLL OFF, LOWER
10Hz, UPPER 60Hz TO 240Hz ( FULLY ADJUSTABLE) OMP/MF 1000 Mos-Fet Output Power 1000 watts
* AC3 COMPATIBLE FILTER CAN BE BYPASSED R.M.S. into 2 ohms, frequency response 1Hz -
FOR 5-1 FORMATS. • AIRTIGHT CONSTRUCTION 100kHz -3c113, Damping Factor >300, Slew Rate
•TENS Oc THOUSANDS OF OLA PANELS ALREADY 75V/uS, T.H.D. typical 0.001%, Input Sensitivb
IN USE. • COMPLETE WITH LEADS 500mV, S.N.R. 110dB. Fan Cooled, D.C.
Loudspeaker Protection, 2 Second Anti Thump
SPECIFICATIONS:- • POWER 100W RMS @ 8 OHMS • FREO RESP. 10Hz 15KHz Delay. Size 422 x300 x 125mm.
-3dB DAMPING FACTOR >200 DISTORTION 0.05% S/N A WEIGHTED Price:- £261.00 + £ 12.00 P&P
>100dB • SUPPLY 230V A.C. WEIGHT 2.7Kg SIZE H254 X W254 X D94mm NOTE MOS-FET MODULES APE AVAILABLE IN TWO VlERSIONS:
STANDARD - INPUT SENS 500mV,BANDWIDTH 1001diz. OR PEC
THERE ARE 2 VERSIONS OF THE ABOVE PANEL AVAILABLE :- BSB100/8 (PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT COVPATIBLE) - INPUT SENS
8 OHM VERSION BSB100/4 4 OHM VERSION BOTH PANELS ARE PRICED AT 77cerV, IIVIDVVIDTH Metz ant:ER srANDARD OR MC

B K ELECTRONICS
£117.44 + £5.00 P&P INCL. V.A.T. CHECK WEBSITE FOR ) iniNL._S
REF D5
DELIVERY CHARGES:- PLEASE INCLUDE AS ABOVE UNIT 1COMET WAY, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, ESSEX. SS2 6TR.
TO A MAXIMUM AMOUNT £30.00. OFFICIAL ORDERS
VISA FROM SCHOOL, COLLEGES GOVT.,_PLCs ETC. PRICES TEL.: 01702-527572 FAX.: 01702-420243
INCLUSIVE OF V.A.T. SALES COUNTER. CREDIT CARD Web:- http://www.bkelec.com E- Mail sales@bkelec.com
ORDERS ACCEPTED BY POST PHONE OR FAX.