PHILIP'

TRANSISTORS
DIODES
RECTIFIERS
ZENER DIODES
ANALOG ICs
LOGIC ICs
MEMORIES
RESISTORS
CAPACITORS
DESIGNER'S CHOICE

SIGNET" 410

PHILIPS - SIGNETICS
for
QUALITY AVAILABILITY & CONTINUITY
in
Electronic Components and Materials
Insist on Philips and Signetics Components
from your local stockist

Electronic
Components
and Materials PHILIPS
 TEST GEIIII/2
-metering and power supply prolects

Contents
EDITORIAL
Project Designs: Barry Wilkinson
Editor: Jan Vernon
Publisher: Collyn Rivers
Managing Director: Arnold Quick
Audio level meter 5
ADVERTISING
Sydney: Tel 33-4282 Impedance meter 9
Melbourne: Tel 51-9836 Audio millivoltmeter 15
Digital display 20
Digital voltmeter 23
Simple frequency counter 27
Phase meter 33
Temperature meter 37
Audio signal generator 40
Audio noise generator 44
Tone burst generator 47
Cross hatch/dot generator 52
RF signal generator 55
Marker generator 59
Logic probe 62
Logic pulser 65
Logic tester 67
Simple CMOS tester 73
Transistor tester 77
Linear IC tester 78
IC power supply 80
Dual power supply 84
Basic power supply 90
Experimenter's power supply 91
Test Gear was printed in 1977 by Switching regulator supply 95
Wilke and Company Limited, Decade resistance box 99
Melbourne.
Oscilloscope calibrator 101
Distributed by Gordon and Gotch.
(* Recommended and maximum Dual beam adaptor 102
price only). Silent A- B switch 106
Copyright: Electronics Today
International. Audio attenuator 108
Universal timer 110

VI an ELECTRONICS TODAY publication

3
 THE COMMONWEALTH COPYRIGHT ACT OF 1968
EXPRESSLY FORBIDS THE REPRODUCTION OF
ANY MATERIAL WITHOUT THE COPYRIGHT
OWNERS PRIOR PERMISSION.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUB-

LICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM
OR BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT THE PERMISSION
OF THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS — ELECTRONICS
TODAY INTERNATIONAL.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL PERMISSION

BE GRANTED TO PHOTOSTAT ANY PART OF THE
CONTENTS AND ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION
FOUND SO DOING WILL BE PROSECUTED UNDER
THE TERMS OF THE COMMONWEALTH COPY—
RIGHT ACT 1968.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all constructional projects referred to in this edition will operate as indicated
efficiently and properly, and that all necessary components to build the same will be available, no responsibility whatsoever
is accepted in respect of the failure for any reason at all of the project to operate effectively or at all whether due to any
fault in design or otherwise, and no responsibility is accepted for the failure to obtain any such component parts in respect of
any such project. Further, no responsibility is accepted in respect of any injury or damage caused by any fault in the design
of any such project aforesaid.

4
AUDIO LEVEL METER

PROJECT 438
Peak and average audio levels are indicated by abar of light.

HIGH- POWER amplifiers usually take 0.3 seconds to reach 99% of the in 8 ohms). Strictly speaking therefore
incorporate meters to indicate the reference level, and will then such meters should be called level or
output- power levels in each channel. overshoot by not more than 1.5% and power meters, not VU meters.
These meters are often called VU not less than 1.0%. Even the best of such meters are not
meters but in most cases they resemble The professional VU meter is thus an fast enough to indicate accurately the
proper VU meters only in the way instrument that has been designed to peak levels which occur in music and
they are scaled. give a reasonable compromise between hence are useless for detecting the
A professional VU meter is the indicating the fast peaks and the onset of amplifier clipping. This is vital
industry standard for measuring the average levels of a complex music as at clipping amplifier distortion rises
levels of complex music waveforms. It waveform. rapidly.
has ascale marked from — 20 to +3 VU In contrast the meters fitted to some One alternative is to use in addition
(on a steady state signal VU amplifiers have scales calibrated in VU to the level meter a clipping indicator
correspond to dB) where ' 0' VU but usually relying on the inertia of that detects fast peaks which exceed a
corresponds to a level of one milliwatt the meter movement to provide meter preset level. The ETI 417 OVER- LED
into 600 ohms. The meter has a averaging. Apart from this thé 0 VU project was such an instrument — it
carefully controlled time constant point corresponds to the rated power flashed an LED when amusic transient
such that if a reference tone level is output of the amplifier — not to 1 mW exceeded clipping level.
applied the pointer of the meter will into 600 ohms ( equivalent to 75 mW The circuit described in this project
is best described as a ' level meter'. It
uses an array of LED diodes set to
illuminate at successively higher
increments in music level. With this
type of display an estimate can quite
SPECIFICATION easily be made of channel balance, and
all transients, no matter how fast, are
Supply voltage 20 to 32 volts dc detected and indicated.
15 to 20 volts dc
DESIGN FEATURES
Supply current 16 mA dc approx The ETI 438 Level Meter can be
arranged to indicate levels either in
Input sensitivity 'VU meter' format or in output power
(VU meter) 500 k/v format. In the ' VU- meter' format the
eight diodes light at 3 dB intervals
Indication 8 LEDs 3 dB apart from — 18 to + 3 VU where 0 VU
corresponds to the nominal voltage
Attack time 1ms required. Alternately as a power meter
(remember that an amplifier cannot be
Release time 0.5 sec. driven beyond the clipping point) the
top LED indicates maximum power
and each lower LED indicates half the
power of the one above it. The LEDs
of the meter could thus be labelled,

5
 POWER
Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the level meter. INPUT
20-32Vdc
15-20Vac
12
D3

1
+Ve

T
4' C5
' ' 47u F 35V

220i
COM35V

R22
Ql 3k3
BD140
Cl BC640
1/IF

°"--1 OV
AUDIO
INPUT
NOTES
IC1 IS LM3900
PIN 14 IS + Ve
PIN 7 IS OV

IC2,3 ARE LM339

PIN 3 IS + Ve
PIN 12 IS OV

820 nv D1-02 ARE 1N914 BA318

D3 IS EM401 1N4005
LED1-8 ARE 5023

VOLTAGES GIVEN ARE OF

THE PROTOTYPE BUT SHOULD
BE TYPICAL MEASURED WITH
25Vdc SUPPLY AND NO INPUT
SIGNAL

HOW IT WORKS - ETI 438 comparators turn off in sequence

LM3900 inputs.
Although the circuitry of the level The eight comparators are allowing the 10 mA to flow through
meter looks complicated the connected to a resistor divider chain the LEDs. Thus as the voltage
complete instrument only uses three the top of which is fed from a 5.1 increases a bar of light of increasing
ICs. These are an LM3900 which is a volt supply which is stabilized by a height is formed by the LEDs.
quad amplifier and two LM339s zener. The resistor values are The current drawn from the power
which are quad voltage comparators. calculated to provide reference supply is about 16 mA and is
The input signal is amplified and voltage steps at 3 dB intervals. The independent of the number of LEDs
buffered by IC1/3 to provide about output of the detector is applied to which are on. Supply voltage is not
2.5 volts out at 0 VU input. The all the non-inverting inputs of the critical and may be anywhere
value of R5 is selected to give the comparators. between 20 and 32 volts. Providing
sensitivity required for amplifiers of The LEDs are all connected in series the supply is between these limits the
different power outputs. The gain of and supplied with a constant current unit will also be insensitive to supply
this amplifier is equal to the ratio of of 10 mA by the source consisting of ripple. When working from a de
R9/R5. QI and Q2. The outputs of the supply a 47 microfarad filter
A positive peak detector, ICl/1, comparators are via open collector capacitor is required but if an ac
and an inverting negative peak transistors which are " ON" if the supply is used then the capacitor
detector, IC1/2, give an output which input is lower than the reference should be increased to 220
represents the absolute peak level. voltage at the particular comparator microfarad to minimize ripple. A
Capacitor C3 and resistor RIO input. With no input signal at all the single diode is used to both rectify
provide the peak hold and decay comparators are all on thus shorting the ac input and to prevent damage
time. IC1/4 provides compensation out all the LEDs so that none is on. due to accidental reversed polarity if
for the 0.6 volt offsets of the As the input voltage rises the ade supply is used.

6
 1
PARTS LIST — ETI 438 •
R21 Resistor 68 ohm 1/2W 5% AUDI) LED 2
R19 " 390 ohm 12W
1 5% INPU —
R18 " 560 ohm /
12W 5% LED 3
R17 " 680 ohm '/2W 5%
R20 " 820 ohm V2W 5% LED 4
R16 " lk 2 W
/
1 5%
R15 " 1k5 V2W 5% LED 5
R14 " 2k2 V2W 5%
R13 " 2k7 V2W 5%
R12,22 " 3k3 V2W 5% LED 6
R6,10,11 Resistor 100k 1 2 W
/ 5% OV
LED 7
R1,2,7,8 " 1M I/2W 5%
R3,4,9 See Table 1 1/
2W 5% -;
R5 See Table 1 1/ W 5%
2 LED 8
POWER
Cl 2 3,4 Capacitor 111F 35V electro INPUT
*cbA, 4711F 35V electro
*C5B 22011F 35V electro
* use 47 11F for dc operation 22011F
for ac operation
ICI Integrated Circuit LM 3900
IC2,3 Integrated Circuit LM 339
01,2 Dlode IN914, BA318 or similar
D3 " EM401, IN4005 or similar
ZD1 Zener diode 5.1 V 400 mW
Q1 Transistor BD 140, BC640
Q2 BC177, BC 557
LED 1-8 L.E.D. 5023 or similar
PC board ETI 438 Fig.2. component overlay using 80140 for 01. Circled diagram shows use of alternative
NOTE: Electronics Today is adopting BC640
the European standard method of
showing component values— i.e.
1k5 = 1.5k, 2k7 = 2.7k, etc.
the second divider chain to adjust for the current into the positive input is
offsets etc. set at about 12 microamps by R3 and
The LM3900 is a quad differential R4. Current into the negative input is
for example ( for a100 watt amplifier) amplifier which uses a current provided from the output by R9. If
100, 50, 25, 12.5 watts etc. balancing technique at the input rather the current into the negative input is
The fast attack time of the meter than the voltage balancing that is used too low the output voltage will rise
(less than one millisecond) ensures with conventional operational thus increasing the current into the
that even very short transients are ampliters. Both the inputs " look" like negative input until balance is
detected, whilst the relatively slow the base-emitter junctions of normal achieved. This self balancing ensures
release time ( 0.5 seconds) provides a transistors and both are at 0.6 volts correct static biasing.
reasonably-accurate, average — level with respect to ground. The currents
indication. into the two inputs must be equal if Gain is obtained by feeding asignal
the output of the amplifier is to be in into R5 which adds or subtracts
In most previous designs for such
the linear region. In the case of IC1/3 current into the negative input. For
meters, discrete transistors were used
to build level detectors. Temperature
effects and variations in gain led to OUTPUT 1 OUTPUT 4 ONO INPUT 4. INPU TI- INPUT T• INPUT

inaccuracies and to calibration dif-

ficulties. These problems have largely
been overcome in the ETI 438 meter
by using the LM339 IC which contains
four accurate level detectors in one
package. Additionally the LM339 also
OUTPUT
has an open-collector output stage
which enables a constant current
supply for the LEDs to be used. Thus
the current and LED brightness are the
same no matter how many LEDs are
OUTPUT / OUT UT 1 MIT ; 1NP TT NP P I 1.
alight.
TOP VII*

If required the interval between

Fig.3. Internal circuitry and pin corrections of the LM339 IC.
LEDs may be altered by changing the
values of R13 to R20. Thus for
example, a 6 dB interval could be
used. Additionally the display could INPUT OutPut OuTPUT ** UT 1

be extended to 12 or even 16 diodes I e

by adding comparators and LEDs and

by substituting another divider chain
for R20 .( values would have to be /*(1

calculated for the levels required). The

positive inputs of the comparators
would also be fed from C3 and R10.
A separate current source would be
required as there is insufficient supply
voltage available to light 16 LEDs in Neu
;

I WI* Z.
- 11

INPUT I' OUT UT Z OU PUT I

rp
INPUT v GOO

series. If the bottom. LED in such a MIRROR

system indicates a level more than 30 URRENT

dB down it may also be necessary lo MIRROR

use atrimpot as the bottom resistor of Fig.4. Internal circuitry and pin connections of the LM3900 IC.

7
 AUDIO•
LEVEL METER TABLE 1A — VU METER
FSD = +3 dB
R3, 4 and 9 are 1megohm

the amplifier to remain balanced there SENSITIVITY VALUE OF R5*

must be a corresponding shift in 50 mV 22 k
output voltage. The voltage gain is the 100 mV 47 k
ratio of R9 to R5. 250 mV 120 k
500 mV 220 k
1V 470 k
SPECIFICATION LM3900
Maximum supply *R5 = Sensitivity x 500 000 ohms.
voltage 32 V
Supply current 6 mA typical
Voltage gain 2800 V/V typical
Input current
range 1µA — 1mA
Current balance 0.9 — 1.1 at 200
TABLE 1B — POWER METER
µA FSD = 0 dB
Bias current 30 nA typical R3, 4 and 9 are 100 k
Output current
capability POWER OUTPUT VALUE OF R5
18 mA source
IN WATTS 4 Ohms 8 Ohms 16 Ohms
typical.
1.3 mA sink 5 150 k 200 k 270 k
typical 10 200 k 270 k 390 k
15 240 k 330 k 470 k
20 270 k 390 k 560 k
The LM339 is a quad voltage 25 330 k 430 k 620 k
comparator where the output of each 30 360 k 470 k 680 k
is an NPN transistor which has ar 40 390 k 560 k 820 k
unterminated collector and its emitter 50 430 k 620 k 910 k
connected to ground. 75 560 k 750 k 1.1 M
100 620 k 910 k 1.2 M
150 750 k 1.1 M 1.5 M
SPECIFICATION LM339 200 910 k 1.2 M 1.8 M
Maximum supply 250 1M 1.5 M 2M
voltage 36 V
Supply current 0.8 mA typical R5 k = 32,/PR Where P = power in watts
Voltage gain 200 000 V/V
R = speaker impedance in Ohms.
typical
Offsett voltage 2 mV typical
Bias current 25 nA typical
Response time 1.3 µS typical not to bend the leads too often or too accuracy may be obtained by using a
Output sink current & 16 mA typical close to the body of the LED as the variable potentiometer in series with
Input common- leads break very easily. R5. To adjust this potentiometer
mode voltage inject a signal ( around 1 kHz) equal to
range 0 to ( V+ — 2 volts) CALIBRATION 0 VU ( VU meter) or maximum power
(E = VRP, e.g. 4 ohms and 100 watts,
Resistor R5 is seiecteci from Table 1 E = 20 volts) and adjust such that the
CONSTRUCTION and this will ensure a result within 10 second top LED ( VU meter) or the
The meter will most likely be percent of that required. Greater top LED ( power meter) just lights. •
mounted in an existing amplifier or
piece of equipment and for this reason
the board construction only is given.
Layout of components is non-critical
but, as with any multiple IC device,
construction is greatly simplified by
using the printed-circuit board
specified. The usual precautions with
polarities of components, such as
capacitors, diodes, ICs and transistors
should be observed. Some care must
be taken when mounting the LEDs in
order to obtain even spacing and good
alignment. The long lead of the LED
should be inserted in the hole furthest
from the edge of the board. Put a
slight curvature in the leads so that the
LEDs can be aligned against the edge
of the board (see photo). Take care

8
 IMPEDANCE METER
Measure impedance directly with
ETI's new impedance meter — ETI 116 Impedance Meter
checks capacitance and induct-
ance too! 3k
1k 10k

300 30k

100 100k

30 300k
THIS IS an unusual project — in that
we started out designing one thing and 10 1M
finished up developing another! RANGE
We had intended to design an RLC
bridge which is a very useful IMPEDANCE 1kHz
instrument and perhaps the next most
commonly used after the multimeter, UNKNOWN 110kHz
signal generator and scope.
But whilst it is useful to be able to CAL EXT.
measure the value of an individual
MODE FREQ. EXT. INPUT PO
component, on many occasions we are
more concerned with the magnitude of
the impedance than we are with the
actual value of C or L.
Fig. 1. Block diagram of the impedance
For example assume that we require meter snows that it consists of an oscillator
to know how the impedance of a an amplifier and ameter circuit.
speaker varies with frequency. Due to
the effects of the crossover network it
V PROJECT 116
will not be known whether the speaker
EXTERNAL °
is inductive or capacitive in the INPUT
crossover region. Additionally a
speaker goes capacitive below its
natural resonant frequency. Hence the
use of an RLC bridge to plot impedance SWITCH
would be very tedious indeed. We
would have to determine whether the
speaker was capacitive or inductive, IMPEDANCE
UNDER
measure the actual value and then
TEST
calculate the impedance for each point
to be plotted.
With the ETI impedance meter
REFERENCE
impedance can be read directly as a RESISTOR
function of frequency as shown in
Fig. 7.
This is just one example of the many
possible applications. In addition the
meter may be used to measure
component values by simply referring
to a reactance chart or doing a simple
calculation as detailed below.
Other applications include measuring
the impedances of microphones,
filters, transformers and amplifier
inputs etc. All can be measured as
easily as one would measure a resistor
using an ohmmeter. Simply by
connecting the device to the input
terminals of the meter and making the
measurement as detailed in the " How
To Use" section.
In most practical applications we
-equire to know the magnitude of the
mpedance — we do not care whether When measuring items which are connected to the mains earth either the item, or
the meter, must have the earth removed.
the device is predominantly inductive
)r capacitive.
On the rare occasions that we do
•equire to know reactance we can

9
 IMPEDANCE METER
measure the dc resistance as well as the
C13 impedance and calculate from the
1000,,F
formula
RI
390 3.1Viat

X = N/z 2 - R2
EXT
INPUT

01,,F 84
QV* 382 EXTISW14
where X = reactance inductive or
238V

e capacitive at the frequency

1k \
OA RV1
10k
o
382 lk used
THI
82 R3 853 Z = magnitude of impedance
1k5 1k5 OV
•EXT
Se41.
EXT 9P/11, OV (as measured on impedance
7E81101
.0 4.0v meter)
OV

C3
R = dc resistance ( as measured
C4 lk
OV 0.01F by an ohmmeter).
I1.45V NOTES
T •
240/
7.5V43.7.5V
VE
VOLTAGES GIVEN ARE OF THE
PROTOTYPE BUT SHOULD BE TYPICAL MEASURING CAPACITANCE
COMPONENTS MARKED • ARE MOUNTED The value of an unknown capacitor
ON FRONT PANEL AND NOT ON PC. BOARD
240V
I BEFORE INSTALLINGC12 MEASURE THE
can easily be determined by measuring
INPUT
C .

N SW2 Cl
D.C. VOLTAGE FROM 07, AND IF NEGATIVE
REVERSE THE POLARITY
the impedance and then using the
0.11,F THE VOLTAGE SHOULD BE WITHIN. 1.5V.
reactance chart. Or, it may be
oil

OV R2O• calculated from the formula

1k UNKNOWN
1
OV
C8
C = 27rFXc(with capacitors Xc=Zc)
VE

If the 10 kHz frequency is used this

,
,A741
may be simplified to
130139 A741
1313140 I
8C548/PHILIPS BCEA8
385459
a „VIEWED FROM C in microfarads = 16 (Z in ohms)

e
EIC568
IC 5
0C568/ONLY UNDERSIDE

IDe
VIEWED FROM
ABOVE and if 1kHz
Fig. 2. Circuit diagram of the complete impedance meter. CµF = ! 2. (Z in ohms)
ZC
Since the meter can resolve the range
1 ohm to 1 megohm this implies a
capacitance range of 16 pF to 160µF.
But as explained elsewhere stray
capacitance limits the lowest
capacitance that can be resolved to
about 100pF.

MEASURING INDUCTANCE
To determine the value of an
unknown inductance the impedance is
again measured and the value read off
the reactance chart. Alternately the
value may be calculated from

L high
x=L Ozc
Loils
Fig. 3. Printed circuit board
layout. Full size. 140 x 62 mm.
or L . N/ZL 2 — R2 OM 03 coils)
7arF
 HOW IT WORKS Eh- 116 Q2. Transistor Q4 is supplied with a
The basic format of the impedance
constant current of 22 mA by QS,
meter may be seen from the block and Q4, in conjunction with the
diagram Fig.l. Firstly, we have an
input pair, supplies the necessary
oscillator which may be switched to overall gain. Transistors Q6 and Q7
provide either 1kHz or 10 kHz. Then
buffer the output of Q4 and Q5 to
we have adifferential amplifier with provide the necessary current drive.
a high input impedance, and lastly a The dc bias for the amplifier is
meter drive circuit.
provided by R17 such that an output
Either output of the oscillator, or voltage within ±-1.5 volts of zero is
an external frequency, as required, is always obtained.
passed to the non-inverting input of
The meter drive circuitry consists of
the amplifier. The amplifier gain is
a741 IC with ameter, and half wave
set by the ratio of the unknown
rectifier in series, connected in the
impedance, Z, to the reference
feedback path. A second diode is
resistance, R. Due to feedback, the
used to prevent the IC being
voltage across R is always equal to
saturated on the opposite-polarity
the input voltage and, as the
swing.
amplifier requires no input current,
The current in the meter is half the
the current through R must also flow
current through R25 and, since this is
through the unknown impedance, Z.
proportional to the difference
The voltage across Z is therefore
between input and output voltages of
proportional to its impedance.
The meter circuit measures the the amplifier, is proportional to the
voltage across the unknown
output voltage by using the input
impedance. The meter scale is linear
voltage as areference. Since the input
and the IC effectively compensates
voltage is equal to the voltage across
for the diode drop. Capacitor C3
R, we are effectively measuring the
provides the smoothing necessary
voltage across Z.
when working at frequencies less
Refer now to the main circuit
diagram Fig.2. The oscillator is of the than 40 Hz.
As previously stated the gain of the
Wein bridge type and uses a741 IC as
amplifier is set by the ratio of the
the amplifier and an R53 thermistor
unknown impedance 'Z' and the
as the stabilizing element. The circuit
reference resistor and is equal to
oscillates at the frequency where the
impedance of C2 and C3 is equal to Z + R
(where Zmay be
the resistance of R2 and R3 complex)
respectively. Therefore, to change
frequency, we simply change the The value of R is switch selectable
values of C2 and C3. The output of from 10 ohms to 1megohm in eleven
the oscillator is attenuated by R4 and ranges. In the calibrate mode a 1 k
RV1 to approximately one volt. resistor, R20, is substituted for the
The amplifier has avery high input unknown impedance and the 1 k
impedance, can supply about 200 range selected. This provides again of
mA into a load, has an open-loop two and thus with one volt in we
gain of 50 dB and can work into any have two volts out and hence 1volt
load including a short circuit (unity into the meter circuitry.
Thus, on calibrate, the output of
An integrated circuit operational the oscillator (or the external
amplifier having the above oscillator level) should be adjusted by
characteristics (at reasonable cost) is RV1 to obtain full scale deflection
not available, hence, adiscrete seven on the meter. The calibrate position
transistor design was used. To obtain should also be selected before
the high impedance input a pair of changing the unknown impedance, as
FETs, QI and Q3, used as a an open circuit may damage the
differential pair, operate with a meter by driving it well beyond full
constant current (4 mA) supplied by scale.
Fig. 4. Component overlay and wiring diagram for the impedance meter.
 IMPEDANCE METER
TURNS RATIO
To measure the turns ratio of an
unknown transformer simply load the
It should be borne in mind that we current flowing. Hence such coils secondary with a value of resistance,
are determining impedances by using should be measured under conditions R, which causes the impedance Zp
audio frequencies in this instrument as close as possible to those when in (looking into the primary) to drop by
hence components such as RF coils circuit. Further the inductance value, 50% from the unloaded value. The
may well have a different impedance as measured, will only be accurate on turns ratio may then be calculated
at RF frequencies ( due to skin effect coils having aQ greater ihan 10. from
etc) than they do at audio.
Additionally iron-cored coils have an If the dc resistance is greater than N1 = ZP (
N = number of turns)
inductance dependant upon the one tenth of the measured impedance
measuring frequency and upon dc the second formula should be used. N2 R

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0.1 ( 0.01)
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

IMPEDANCE ( OHMS)

FOR IMPEDANCES GREATER THAN 10S2.

DIVIDE CAPACITANCE SCALE BY THE
SCALING FACTOR AND MULTIPLY THE *FIGURES IN BRACKETS
INDUCTANCE SCALES BY THIS FACTOR. ARE FOR 10 kHz Fig. 5. Reactance chart
e.g. A CAPACITOR WHOSE IMPEDANCE IS for determining values
of L or C from measur-
6000 OHMS ( SCALING FACTOR x 1000) AT
ed impedance at 1kHz
1kHz VALUE IS 27/1000 = 0.027µF (10 kHz in brackets).

12
 This calculation is based on the fact
that an impedance in the secondary is
transformed to an impedance in the
primary that is proportional to the
square of the turns ratio.
Many other applications can be
devised for an impedance meter and
the few mentioned here are indicative
of the usefulness of such ar
instrument.
CONSTRUCTION
Any accepted construction method
may be used but the use of a printed
circuit board will greatly simplify the
procedure.
Components should be assembled
onto the printed circuit board, with
the aid of the component overlay Fig
Fig. 4. Internal view
4, making sure that all polarized
of the meter shows
components are orientated correctly. how the board and
Capacitor C12 should not be fitted other components
initially as the required polarity must are positioned.

be determined as follows. 2. Switch on power.

Temporarily connect the transformer PARTS LIST - ETI 116
3. Select the required test
to the otherwise completed board and R24 Resistor 4.7 ohm I/2W 5%
frequency. The meter should read full R5 10
switch on the power. Measure the R6 30 PP

voltage from the amplifier at point H. scale, if not, adjust RV1. R22 47 IP ••

R7 100 tt P
1 et

This should be within ± 1.5 volts of 4. If an external oscillator is used set

R23 •
120
zero. If this voltage is negative reverse the frequency and adjust oscillator R8 •
300
the polarity of C12 to that shown on R1,18 390
•9

output level to obtain fall scale R25 430

the overlay. If the voltage is positive reading. R19 680
use the polarity shown. This variation R9,20,21 " 1k
5. Connect the impedance to be
of voltage at point H is due to R2,3 Ik5
measured. R4 2k2
differences in the FET transistors 01 R10 3k
6. Select the one megohm range. R11,16 10k
and 03.
Attach wires to all output R12 30k
•e

7. Switch the cal/impedance switch R13 •

100k
cohnections of the printed circuit to impedance. R14 300k
R15 ••
IM
board allowing sufficient length to R17 ••
22M
terminate them in their respective 8. Reduce the range, if necessary, to
obtain a readable deflection. This RVI Potentiometer 2k2 Trim type
positions. Instal the board in position THI Thermistor type R53
using 12 mm long spacers and reading s the required impedance; eg
C 1I Capacitor 33pF ceramic
countersunk screws. Countersunk 0.6 on the 10 k range is an impedance C2,3 0.01 /IF polyester
of 6 k. C1,4,7 " 0.1
screws are necessary as they will be C8,10 " 0.1LLF
C9 10 /IF 16V
covered by the lid of the box. Install 9. If desired the external frequency electrolytic
the power transformer and power lead, may be varied to obtain a plot of C12 10011F 6.3V
on the rear panel, together with the impedance versus frequency. electrolytic
C13 100011F 6.3V
power- cord clamp and earth lug. electrolytic
Mount the slide switch to the front 10. Switch back to ' Cal' before C5,6 tt
100011F 25V
electrolytic
panel using countersunk screws. removing the impedance being
measured. Q1,3 Transistor 2N5459 or similar
Resistors R5 to R14 should be Q2,5 BC548
mounted on the rotary switch SW3 Q4 BC558
Q6 BD137, BD139
before mounting it on the front panel. Q7 BD138, BD 140
If the 30, 300, 3k etc resistors are not ICI, 2 Integrated Circuit 11.4741C
available they may be replaced by a mini dip or TO5

parallel combination; eg 30 ohms is. Dl- D4 Diodes EM401 or similar

05, 6 " IN914
obtained from 33 ohm and 330 ohms ZDI Zener Diode BZY88 C3V3
TABLE 1
in parallel and 3 k from 3.3 k and 33 k or similar

in parallel. Ti Transformer 240V/7.5-0-7.5V

Error Resistance Capacitor Capacitor lA
The rest of the front panel (R2/R3) (C1,C4) ( C2,C3) PL 1.5-18/20VA,
components, except the meter, ( for PL 15/20VA

ease of wiring) should now be 1% 150k 0.001µF 100 pF M1 Meter 0-1 ma F5D.
2% 68k 0.0022µF 220 pF 75 x 65 mm
mounted together with the
escutcheon. The wiring can now be 3% 47k 0.0033µF 330 pF SWI Switch three pole three
position slide switch
completed and the meter installed and 4% 39k 0.0039µF 390 pF SW2 19
DPDT 240V toggle
connected. 5% 27k 0.0056µF 560 pF switch
SW3 one pole eleven
6% 22k 0.0068µF 680 pF position rotary
switch
7% 18k 0.00824F 820 pF SW4 CrPOT toggle switch
USING THE METER 8% 18k 0.0082µF 820 pF
PC board ETI-116, Metal box Dick
The meter should be used in the 9% 15k 0.0111F 1000 pF Smith type LMB 564, Front panel,
following manner:- 10% 13k 0.01µF 1000 pF small phone socket, pointer knob, 3
core flex and plug, rubber grommet
1. Switch the cal/impedance switch and cable clamp, four 12 mm long
spacers two terminals, nuts & bolts etc.
to cal.

13
 IMPEDANCE METER
will affect both ranges choose the one megohm range is useful only up to
FREQUENCY CALIBRATION about 4 kHz. The 300 krange is useful
with the greatest error. Table 1 gives
The frequency should be within 10% the correct resistance to use. to about 10 kHz.
of nominal if specified components are When measuring series LCR networks
used. However, if afrequency meter is Re- measure the frequencies. One (where the impedance rises greatly off
available the network can be trimmed frequency should now be right and the resonance) it is usually necessary to
other high. The capacitors Cl and C4 parallel a resistor across the network
to give the correct readings.
or C2 and C3 can be paralleled by the to stabilize it. Once at resonance, the
appropriate capacitors as selected from resistor may be removed for the actual
Measure both the 1kHz and the
Table 1. impedance measurement. The
10 kHz and calculate the percentage
errors. If either or both are low in LIMITATIONS frequency can now be altered provided
frequency the resistors R2 and R3 can Due to stray capacitance, ( about 15 that the meter is not allowed to go off
be paralleled with additional resistors pF) associated with the front panel scale. The resistor used should be not
to increase the frequency. Since this terminals and the switches, the 1 more than 10 times the value of the
network impedance at resonance. •

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
ETI 116 Impedance Meter MARKINGS
3k ELECTRONICS Today International
1k 10k is adopting British Standard BS1852:
1967 for marking component values
C ,1 30k
on circuit diagrams.
100-0-100k The values of components are given
by figures but the decimal point is
30'7.
/ .%**-- 300k replaced by a multiplier symbol in
accordance with a table of standard
10 1M prefi xes. This procedure greatly

o
RANGE reduces the possibility of errors.
Examples
IMPE DANCE IkHz
4 k7 equals 4.7 kohm
UNKNOWN
o 10kHz
47 k
1M 5 "
47 kohm
1.5M ohm

o CAL.

MODE
EXT.

FREQ.
o
EXT. INPUT
o
POWER
4n7 "
6p8 "
4.7 nF
6.8 pF
Where a multiplier is not needed, the
symbol ' R' is inserted to signify ohms.
Example
Fig. 6. Layout of front panel. Full size is 152 x98 mm. 4R7 equals 4.7 ohms
Note also that capacitors that were
formerly specified as decimal fractions
25
of microfarads ( 10 6F) are now
expressed in nanofarads ( 10 -9 F).
Example
0.01µF = 10 nF
20
Abbreviation Read as: Multiplies unit by:

tera 1012
G giga tog
mega
IMPEDANCE IN OHMS

10 6
kilo 10 3
15
h hecto 10 2
da deka 10
d deci 10 -1
centi 10 -2
milli 10 -8
micro 10 -6
10
nano 10 -8
pico 10' 12
femto 10 -18
a atto 10 18

5 Standard prefixes . Multiplier symbols

above 1000 are written with capital
(upper case) letters, multipliers below
1000 do not use capitals ( i.e. they are
in lower case).
o
20 50 100 500 1000 5000 10,000
When spelled out in full, all
multipliers start with a lower case
FREQUENCY
letter ( except when it is the first letter
Fig. 7. Impedance- versus-frequency plot for atwo-way speaker box. Note the combined in asentence).
speaker/box resonance is 75 Hz. The crossover frequency was 2kHz. A plot such as this would Thus — 10 MW = 10 megawatts
be extremely difficult to generate using aconventional LCR bridge, but is very simply done — 10 mW = 10 milliwatts
using the ET! 116 impedance meter.

14
 PROJECT 128 AUDIO
MILLI VOLTMETER
Sensitive instrument for 'A'
weighted audio noise and signal eti 128
measurements. D fitt:ibL) n U,
JC

O 30 InV 100 rnV 300 mV

<-3 -30dB - 20 dB - 10 dB

AN ACCURATE and sensitive ac 10 mV

voltmeter is needed for many audio - 40 dB
equipment measurements. 3 mV
VOLTS
Whilst for example, maximum power -50dB +10 dB

output is readily measurable with a 1mV 10V

conventional multimeter, more -60 dB +20 dB

complex instrumentation is required O 3mV

for measuring noise output ( a +30 dB
measurement required when checking
signal/noise ratio).
Even signal levels as high as 100 mV,
typical output of most pre-amplifiers,
are not readily measured with
accuracy on aconventional multimeter.

The ETI 128 Millivoltmeter is

specifically designed for such
measurements whilst also being useful
as a general purpose ac/dc voltmeter.
The lowest range, of 300 microvolts sheet of thin aluminium which is self-addressed envelope ( minimum size
FSD, allows measurements to 80 dB coated with aphoto-sensitive emulsion envelope 190 x 127 mm).
below one volt, whilst other ranges on one side. The reverse side has a
The meter used in the prototype was
allow measurements up to 30 volts ac self-adhesive coating, protected by
waxed paper, which is peeled off when from Dick Smith Electronics. It
or dc. These ranges cover most of the
the material is to be stuck down. As measures 100 x82 mm but requires to
measurement requirements of audio
work. Scotchcal is only available in bulk, ETI be rescaled. The scale as published on
When measuring noise levels account is making available ready-to- use page 19 should be cut out and glued
must be taken of the non-linear front panel labels made from this over the existing scale taking care not
characteristics of the ear. For this material. Should you require one of to let glue or dirt enter the meter
reason a network has been these labels send $4.00 and astamped, movement. Any similar meter may be
incorporated which tailors the meter
response- versus-frequency to match
the subjective response of the ear.
SPECIFICATION
Such a network is known as an ' A
weighting network' and its use
provides a measurement which is
realistically related to what is heard. RANGES
When measurements are made using dc ( FSD) 10, 30, 100, 300 mV, 1, 3, 30 V.
this network the results must be auto- polarity, LED indication.
quoted as being ' A weighted'. ac ( FSD) 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30, 100, 300 mV, 1, 3, 10, 30 V
Typically this is done by quoting dBA 0dB = 1mW into 600 ohms ( 0.775 V)
rather than just plain dB. weighting curves, ac only, flat, ' A' weight
ACCURACY ±3% nominal
CONSTRUCTION
The meter is a highly sensitive MINIMUM READING
instrument and for this reason the Open circuit — 76 dB
constructional method given should be Terminated 47 k — 85 dB
followed closely if noise and hum
pickup are to be minimized. POWER SUPPLY
A diecast box is used to house the Voltage +6 and — 6volt ( batteries)
meter as this provides excellent Current approximately 12.5 mA
shielding against external signals. The Battery life approx 100 hours ( 8 x 1015 cells)
front panel label is made from
'Scotchcal'. This is aspecially prepared

15
 AUDIO MILLIVOLTMETER RV3
C19
C15 4.7µF
100k
10pF
SW2a
C3 0.• SW3a
ro -Ve
RV1
AC 1200pfF R29
SW1a -
r All
100k
10k 2 R30
1k
LED 1

820k C13 IC3

C7 R19
R20 RV2 1
.23pF 3 LI1830 6
C2 T_, 2-24pF
10k
C9
10k 220k
FLAT
LED 2
0.1pF R12 E 33pF
sw2b
1
82k —0 8
IC2 5
o CA3130 D5
C5I R13R14 IN9 4
180pF 180k
CA3130 6
R21
C4 47k
120pF R16
18k C16 , +,
R27 33pF
F°
0 1k2

R17 C8
1k 10pF
OC AC

SW1b
.3 mV TO PIN 7
Q••••' SW3b IC1,2,3 ..,<N4
0
1 mV +Ve 11,C17 — 41

03 mV 1 33pF 9-
6V
10V . Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the millivoltmeter.
_ _1 'BATTERY
10 mV _

ii-
30 mV

100 mV
-r
6V =
+1 Cl 300 mV
"220pF TO PIN 4 , BATTERY
16V 1V ICI .2,4

R7 -Ve _I_C18
3V
220k
10V +-L

30V

HOW IT WORKS — Eli 128 adjust the offset voltage on the the amplifier effectively compensates
CA3130 and thus acts as a zero-set for the diode drops. A preset for
The millivoltmeter may be control. Since the offset voltage is offset adjustment, RV3, is provided
separated into several sections in affected by temperature this control for this IC. Calibration is performed
order to simplify the explanation of is available externally. by adjustment of the shunting
its mode of operation. These are:— resistance, R31 and RV4, across the
(a) Input attenuator. When measuring noise in audio
meter. Due to the full-wave action of
(b) Input amplifier. systems aweighting network is often
the rectifier the meter when on the
(c) ` A'-weight network. used to give a measurement which is
dc ranges reads uni- directionally
related to the non-linear response of
(d) Meter drive circuitry. regardless of dc polarity. The output
(e) Polarity detector. the ear. The most commonly used
of IC2 will however will either be at
weighting is known as ' A' weight and
The input attenuator consists of over one volt positive or one volt
this facility is built into the meter.
resistors R11 to 17 and capacitors C4 negative (voltage drops across the
The ' A' weight curve is produced by
to 7, and gives division ratios of 1, diodes) depending on whether the
a network that has a three- pole,
10, 100 and 1000. The capacitors are input voltage is positive or negative.
high-pass filter and a single-pole,
required to ensure that the division This is compared by IC3 against zero
low-pass filter. The main section of
remains accurate at high frequencies. volis and, depending on polarity,
this filter is formed by CIO, C11,
The input amplifier is a CA3130 either LED 1 or LED 2 will be
C12 and R22, 23, and R24 ( two
operational . amplifier where the gain illuminated. With an ac input both
poles). The third pole is due to C3
is selected by SW3b. Gains of 190, LEDs will be on. These LEDs are
and the one megohm combined
60, 19, 6 and 1.9 are available which therefore the polarity indicators.
resistance of R11 to R17. This later
together with the input divider ratios Capacitor C19 removes any high
section prevents saturation of the
provide the 11 ranges required. The frequency components which could
input amplifier at low frequencies.
high gain ranges of 190, 60 and 19 be coupled into the input, as the
Since this filter introduces some loss
are ac coupled, as the temperature LEDs are located next to the input
at 1kHz, RV2 is incorporated to
stability of the CA3130 will not socket.
provide the same loss in the ' flat'
allow voltages of less than 10 mV de Due to the difference between the
mode.
to be used. The output of this average and the RMS values of a
amplifier is 60 mV when the meter is The second IC acts as a meter sine-wave a slight change in gain is
indicating full scale on any range. A amplifier. The input signal is rectified necessary in the ac mode and, this
potentiometer, RV1, is provided to by the diode bridge D1 to D4 whilst change is made by SW1b.

used as long as it has 100 microamp two outer poles. Such precautions are Commence construction by
sensitivity. necessary to prevent any possibility of assembling components to the
The ac/dc and Flat/'A' weight instability on the most sensitive printed- circuit board, making
switches are four- pole types although ranges. The metal bracket which absolutely sure that all are mounted in
only the outer two poles are used. The supports the printed- circuit board also the correct position and with the
centre two poles are earthed in order acts as a shield between the meter correct polarity. This should be
to reduce the capacitance between the circuitry and the input stages. carefully done — once the meter is

16
 SW2b ON/ I SW2b1 4Ve
-

n N/C WO
C4
D E
g - I Cil
C5 R30 1
— TO LEDs
C6 g C12 ,e/e 8
R15 1-• L _ I F
SW2a RV2
C15i 1C3
Il
COM A —1 R16
C7
;Rylc
•8a 9a • T cg I

NbO
C)7a 10a
• • R27 I— G SW1h*
• • 8b 1 7err;;N UtI
•7b
9b
• RV1a 4=1—• ,
- R26 F-
11a —
Cl
-
SW lb
10b • - R25
6a• • 6b • N/C
1m •RVlb RV4

C13 [11 4, 16
•5b VVb• —0—•••
5a• •Wa
4h lb
• i
3b 2b •
I :
4a• 6 • • la 1 . 11L.it
1I
R2
e 2a
• 3a I...." -..../
-4 R5 I— 1 i • 8l
fT
R4 F I l1
*
Fig. 2. Component N M
overlay. +
WIRES MARKED * SHOULD BE SHIELDED WIRE
TO
METER
3b ) 3a) 2b ( 2a)

4b (4a) lb ( la)

5b ( 5a) Wb ( Wa)

lib Mal
6b ( 6a)

7b ( 7a) 106 ( 10a)

8b ( 8a) 9b (9a)
REAR WAFER ONLY SHOWN
FIGURES IN BRACKETS
CORRESPOND TO FRONT
WAFER

LED 1

INPUT

0V Fig. 3. Interconnection diagram.

fully assembled, it is very difficult to C8.14,15 10 pF Ceramic

PARTS LIST — ETI 128
change components. Resistor 270ohm 2% /4W C9,13. 33 pF Ceramic
R2 1

330 ohm 2% ihm C4 120 pF Ceramic

R25
390 ohm 2% /4W C5 180 pF Ceramic
Assemble the front panel, fitting all R26 1

R4 820 ohm 2% /
14W

1k 2% /W C12 820 pF Ceramic

switches with the exception of SW3. R17
99
4
1
C3 1200 pF polyester
LEDs, potentiometer, input socket, 2k7 2% 4 W
/ C6 1500 pF polyester
R6 1
8k2 2% /4W C11 0.018/IF polyester
meter, and the shield. The shield RIO 1
18k 2% /
4W C10 0.056/IF polyester
R15,16 1

passes between the centre two R21 47k 2% 1/

4W

R8 68k 2% yaw C2 0.1 polyester

contacts of the ' A'-weighted switch. C19 4.7 non polarised
R13,R14 180k 2% /
14W
electro
820k 2% 4 W
/ C16,17,18" 33/IF 10V electro
Solder a tinned copper lead to each R11 1
CI 2201./F 6V electro
of the 12 contacts on the rear wafer of R30.31 Resistor lk 5% /
14W

R9,27 Ik2 5% /
14W 1C1,2 Integrated Circuit CA3130
switch SW3 ( about 25 mm long). Feed RI 3k3 5% 4 W
/
1 IC3 LM301
R22 4k7 5% 4 W
/
1
these wires through the holes provided DI- D5 Diode IN914, BA318 or
R19.20 10k 5% /
14W

in the printed-circuit board ( lb to 11 b 10k similar

R25,29 5% /
14W
LED 1,2 5023 or similar with panel
and Wb) making sure that the wiper R3,23 27k 5% Ibm mounting
R5,12 82k 5% /
14W
contact on the switch goes to Wb and SW1,2 Toggle switch 4 pole 2 positions
R18
91
100k 5% 1/
4W
that the other wires are inserted in R7
99
220k 5% /
14W SW3 Rotary switch 2 pole 11 positions
99
270k 5% /4W
SW4 Toggle switch 2 pole 2 positions
R24 1
sequence. Do not solder as yet.
MI Meter 100/IA FSD * see text
RV I Potentio-
Assemble the printed- circuit board meter 100k lin rotary PC Board ETI 128
RV2 220k Trim Die cast Box 6357p
onto the shield and the rotary switch RV3 100k Trim Two knobs'
RV4 5k Trim One RCA socket
to the front panel. We used a 3 mm Eight AA size batteries
stack of washers to space the switch C7 Capacitor 2-24 pF Philips Two- 4xAA size battery holders
2222 808 00006 Shield to Fig. 7
back from the front panel so the

17
 AUDIO MILLI VOLTMETER

Fig. 5. Printed circuit layout. Full size 170 x 87 mm.

dB

+10

10

control knob would sit down closer to 20

the front panel. Remove any slack in
the tinned-copper wires, connecting 30

the switch to the printed-circuit board

and , then solder them to the board. 40

Now remove the printed-circuit board

and switch assembly from the front 50

panel. The switch will now be rigidly

60
held onto the board, and the front
wafer can now be wired to the board
via further tinned-copper links. Make
sure that none of these wires is
touching. 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10' 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0' 2 3

Add leads to the printed-circuit in WEIGHTING CURVE A

FREQUENCY IN H.

the locations shown on the overlay

and reassemble the board and switch Fig. 4. Curve of '
A' weight response.
assembly to the front panel. The
components on the front may now be
connected to the board by these leads may be determined later if necessary then adjust RV3 to zero the meter.
which should be kept as short as during the calibration procedure. 3. Select the 10 mV range, dc, and
possible without placing undue strain 'flat', and adjust the front panel
on the wires. The only exception to CALIBRATION control RV1 to zero the meter.
this rule is the wire from SW1a to 4. Remove the short from the input,
Before commencing cal ibration,
SW2a which should be kept reasonably select the 300 mV range and apply an
check that the meter performs as it
well clear of the second pole of SW10. input having a frequency of less than
should on all ranges by applying
This is best done by running the lead known voltages and checking that a 500 Hz and a level which gives a
down the front panel along the convenient indication, eg 0dB. Change
deflection of roughly corresponding
bottom and then back up to SW2a. the frequency to somewhere between
magnitude is obtained. Also check that
Shielded wire should be used where 10 kHz and 50 kHz making sure that
the ' A'-weighted switch appears to
designated on the overlay and wiring the input level is the same in both
work as it should.
diagrams, and this should preferably cases, and adjust capacitor C7 so that
1. Short the input, select the 3 mV
be of the low capacitance variety. the meter reads the same in both cases.
range and switch on.
The LEDs are connected in parallel 2. Allow about 5 minutes for the 5. Apply an ac input signal and
but in anti-phase, the actual polarities instrument to stabilize thermally and switch between ac and dc. The reading

18
 77

eti 128
o o 30 mV 1110 mV 300 mV
NOTES
ALL HOLES DRILLED 35m, DIA

-30 dB \ -10 dB ALL DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

10 mV 1V MAT: lenm ALUMINIUM

-40 dB 0dB

r3 mV 3V
10

A - 50 dB .10 dB

• 1mi/ 10V
N - 60 dB .20 dB

Y 0.3mV 30V
L -70 dB .30 dB

o o
00
o o
ON FLAT AC

A wt. DC
4. -
OFF
ZERO INPUT

Fig. 6. Front panel artwork. Full size 189 x 121 mm.

71

Fig. 7. Details of shield-support bracket.

This internal view of the meter shows on

the right, how the range switch is wired to
the printed-circuit board. Note also the
shield.

Fig. 8. Artwork for meter (shown full size).

on ac should be about 10% higher than flat and ac modes and adjust RV4 to
on dc. If it is 10% lower the leads to give the correct reading.
switch SW1b should be reversed. 9. Apply a dc input of known
6. In the ac mode select ' A'-weight polarity and check that the correct
and apply a 1kHz signal of sufficient LED illuminates. If not, reverse the
level to obtain a 0 dB indication on leads to the LEDs.
the 1 volt range. Vary the frequency This completes the calibration and
over the whole audio range and check the instrument should now give
that the response as shown in Fig. 4 is accurate readings on all ranges and at
obtained. all frequencies within the specified
7. Go back to 1kHz and check that range. •
zero dB is indicated in the ' A'-weight
mode. Now select 'flat' and adjust
RV2 to obtain the same reading.
Note how the shield passes between the
8. Apply an accurately known earthed, centre contacts of the 'A' weight
voltage with the instrument set to the switch.

19
Project 533

DIGITAL DISPLAY
This updated version uses bigger and more readily available seven-segment displays.

described are used. Since both ICs

are CMOS devices, they can be
easily damaged by static charges.
Hence they should be handled as little
as possible, fitted to the board after
all other components and soldered
using aminimum of heat.
Starting with the display board
use ashort length of thin insulated
wire to form the link which
goes between the pins of the FND500
then add the displays.
Next fix lengths of tinned copper
wire to each of the four holes on the
bottom of the display board. Allow
approximately 10 rim of wire to
extend from either end of the holes.
Bend each wire so that they lie paral-
lel and flush to the surfaces of
the display board — do not solder as
yet.
On the main printed-circuit board
(533A) fit resistors R1,2,3,4, and R9
capacitors Cl and C2 and the three links.
now mate the display board to the
THE ETI 533 DIGITAL DISPLAY WAS Normal systems using TTL main board by inserting each of
originally published in the July 1975 logic generally have a7490, a7475 the previously bent wires into its
issue of Electronics Today and has been and a 7447 to drive each 7 segment corresponding pair of holes on the
very popular as ageneral purpose LED display digit. Hence main board.
display module. We are republishing to build athree-digit display Apply gentle force to the display
this project for two reasons. Firstly, nine ICs are required in addition board until its bottom edge
many people have asked for the details to three display ICs. fits snugly against the main board.
of how to use alarger display. And However, complex logic functions Solder each of the wires to both the
secondly, the type of display originally are available in CMOS which allow display and main boards to make a
specified is now quite difficult to obtain. a3digit display to be built using sound electrical and mechanical
We therefore redesigned the display only two ICs — and such ICs are support for the display.
section of the module to accept the available at reasonable cost. One Fit R5,6,7,8, 10, and 11 and, taking
Fairchild FND 500 type of display of the devices is athree-digit, decade- care to orientate them correctly,
which has 13mm high characters and is counter, store and the second is a fit Q1, 2 and 3 and IC1 and IC2.
quite readily available. Of course the three-digit decoder driver. Thus Lastly check that all components
previous design is still quite valid and three digit displays can be built have been correctly fitted and
when the DL 704 and NSN74 type of which have the following advantages: all solder joints are good. If
displays are available they can be used possible get someone else to
1. Small size check your final circuit as afinal
as specified in the original article.
2. Low power consumption ( 120 mA safeguard.
Only the small display board
compared to 600 mA in TTL)
has been changed and it may be fitted
3. Wide power supply range PARTS LIST — ETI 533
to a previously built logic board
(5-15V unregulated). R1, 2, 3, 4 Resistor 100 k
if necessary. The new display board
4. Cost about same as TTL but R5-11 Resistor see text.
is, however, wider than the old board Capacitor 1n0 Polyester
rapidly decreasing. Cl
and the appropriate room must be C2 Capacitor 10 nPolyester
5. Immunity to noise is greatly
available — especially if two modules IC1 Integrated Circuit MC
improved. 14553 ( CMOS)
are to be mounted side by side.
Disadvantages: IC2 Integrated Circuit 14511
Digital Display Maximum frequency about 1 or 4511 ( CMOS)
MHz compared to 15 MHz for TTL. 01,2,3 Transistor BC 558 or
All digital intruments have a
similar
common assembly in the display DISPLAYS FND500 or similar.
Construction
system. Again, almost all instruments Three required.
require decade counters, stores and Construction is quite straightforward PC boards ETI 533A and ETI 533C
decoder-drivers for the display especially if the printed circuit boards

20
 +v
o
(5-15V)

C2
_L
lOn
3 4 16
7 1 IC2 •
6 2 MC14511
51-1
Cl 5 6 1312 11 10 9 15 14
1n0
'R5— R11
•R5 R11 5V =68tt
10V = 33012
15V = 1000(2

OVERFLOW
o 14

CLOCK IC1
o 12 MC14553

1111111

DISABLE
o 11
2 1 9 10 1 6 4 2 1 9 10 7 6 4 2 1 9 10
DISPLAY
DISPLAY DISPLAY
FND500 FND500 FND500
8 MSD 3 LSD
STROBE
o 10
e C11-03
15 01 BC558 OR
SIMILAR e
RESET
o 13
C12

R1 ÇR2 KR3 < R4

100k look< 100k 100k

OV
o
FOR DECIMAL PT. ( RIGHT HAND)
ON DISPLAY CONNECT
Fig. 1Circuit diagram of the display PIN 5 TO + V VIA RESISTOR
(OF SAME VALUE) AS ABOVE
PIN 3 AND 8 ON DISPLAYS
ARE INTERNALLY JOINED

STROBE
DISABLE
CLOCK FN D500 END 500
MS D LSD
RESET
0/FLOW
+Ve
—Ve

Fig, 2 Component overlay of the Fig. 3 Component overlay of

the display board.
logic board.

ítert eti 533c

°
kfet)
Fig. 4 Printed circuit layout of the Fig. 5 Printed circuit layout of the
loctic board. Full size 78mm x 42mm d."splay board. Full size 53mm x 36mm.

21
 How it works — ETI 533
The heart of the counter is 1C1. This and require a minimum voltage change sufficient current to drive the display.
LSI CMOS chip contains a three-digit of from 30% to 70% of supply volts. If it is required that the display be blanked
decade counter, three sets of latches, However it is recommended that a swing to save power the track to pin 4 on IC2
and a three-digit multiplexer with an from OV to supply be used to give a should be cut and pin 4 switched to
internal oscillator. Cl is used to set the satisfactory noise margin. Each input either + V or OV. If 0 the display
frequency of this oscillator. can be considered to be 100k shunted will be blanked.
The four input lines to IC1 are used to by 8-10 pF. Voltage swing below OV Although IC2 is coupled to all three
control the operation of the counter. and above supply are also to be avoided. displays, only one display is lit up at
Since 1C1 is a CMOS device R1-4 are The one output available is the over- any one time. Thus when it is the turn
used to protect its inputs. Pulses to flow ( pin 14). This goes positive when of the most significant digit to be dis-
be counted are fed to the clock input the counter is 999 and the clock input is played IC1 presents that number to
and on a negative transition the value high. When the clock input goes low and IC2 which decodes the number and
in the counter is increased by one. The advances the counter to all zeros the presents it to the three displays, but only
schmitt-trigger action of the clock input overflow goes low. This is a CMOS output QI is turned on, so only the left most
allows any value of transition time of and will swing between supply rails. It is display lights.
the input pulse. not recommended that the overflow Note that IC1 controls which number
The counter operates when there is a output be used to drive TTL directly. is being presented and which transistor
low at the disable input ( pin 11). It can be used to drive a second 533 is turned on. This is called multiplexing.
To ensure accurate counting the clock display to give a6 digit readout if required. The switching between displays occurs so
should be low when the disable is brought The internal multiplexer of ICl allows quickly that to our eyes the light appears
from a high to a low level. The strobe considerable saving in parts and board continuous.
input controls the loading of the latch. space. It allows a three-digit number to Resistors R5 to All limit the current
When it is low, data can be accepted for be transmitted over a single set of lines to each LED display to a safe level.
display. However, the strobe input and it does this by leaving each digit on Three different values have been given
has no effect on the counter, i.e., even the output lines for ashort length of time, for these resistors. Select the value
with the strobe input high, the counter before replacing it with the next digit. appropriate to the supply voltage that
can still be incrementing. Then after presenting all the digits once, you decide to use, 68 ohms for 5 V,
A high on the reset input clears the it starts over again and repeats the 330 ohms for 10 V and 1k for 15 V.
counters ( to a 000 state) and stops the operation.
Transistors 01, 02 and 03 also act as
internal multiplexing oscillation of IC1, 1C2 is a CMOS, latch, BCD to seven- current amps since only a limited amount
and so blanks the display. Returning segment decoder and driver, however of current can be taken from IC1.
the reset to a low allows the internal for this application the latch is not used.
Any voltage from 5V to 15 V can be
oscillator to start up and all zeros to It converts the 4-bit BCD code into the
be displayed. used to supply the counter, however,
seven- line code necessary to drive the
All inputs are standard CMOS inputs a supply voltage of 15 V allows the
display segments. It also provides
counter to operate at its highest speed.

USING THE DISPLAY

Power Supply 5to 15 Vdc
(do not exceed 16 V)
Clock Input Counter is advanced
on the negative edge
of the clock input.
Speed of transition is
not important.
Disable Input Must be low to enable
clock to advance
counter.
Reset Input Counter is reset to
000 if this input is
high. e
Strobe Input If this input is taken
high the display will
remember the counter
state at the time of
going high. The count-
er can still be advanc-
ed, or reset without
changing the display.
Overflow This output is used to
clock a second mod-
ule to form a six-
digit counter. Or to
clock any CMOS cir-
cuit as an indication
of overflow. The out-
put goes high when
the clock input goes
high and the counter
is 999. It goes low If this is suspected add a 10 nF
when the counter ad- capacitor across the inputs on the supply rail via aresistor which has
vances to 000. module the same value as thpse used for R5
Note 1. If long leads are used pickup Note 2. To use the decimal points to R11. A separate wafer on the range
may occur which causes interference provided on the displays connect switch should be used to enable
with normal action of the counter. pin 5 on the displays to the positive the appropriate decimal point. •

22
 DIGITAL VOLTMETER
THE three-digit display module des-
cribed on pages 20-22 is readily adapt-
able to a wide range of applications.
The display module has been designed
so that an extra circuit board can be
mounted above the display board thus
enabling a wide range of additional
facilities to be ' in-built'.
In this article we describe a simple
yet accurate digital dc voltmeter add-
on board. It is shown here as asingle-
range unit which is economical enough
to be mounted within other equip-
ment as a panel meter. An input
switch and scaling resistors could
easily be added to convert the intru-
ment for use on ranges from one volt
full scale to 1000 volts full scale.
We have not described the construct-
ion of an enclosure as individual re-
quirements will vary widely.
Inexpensive unit uses dual-slope technique
CONSTRUCTION
or an accurate voltmeter is required correct reading. The calibration
The display-counter module ETI 533
for comparison. Two adjustments are poientiometer RV1 can now be
should be built first using the
provided, one for calibration and the adjusted by applying an accurately
instructions given on page 20.
other to compensate for the offset in known voltage near full scale.
Two additional boards are required
the integrator IC. For input voltages of
to complete the voltmeter and the
10 V or more the offset potentiometer The meter has alarge overrange and
overlays and interconnections are
is not required as the error is within voltages up to 250 per cent of full
given in Fig. 3. Check that all
one digit. scale can be measured except that the
components, especially the metal case
This offset potentiometer should be first digit is lost and must be assumed,
ICs are orientated correctly.
adjusted first by applying a voltage of ie, if you are measuring a car battery
The interconnection wires should
about one per cent ( 10 digits) of full on a 10 V range and it reads 3.52 V it
be long enough to allow the boards to
scale and adjusting RV2 to give the is obviously 13.52 V.
fold together as shown above. The
lower board ETI 533A has the
components uppermost, the middle
board ETI 117A has the components MEASURED PERFORMANCE OF PROTOTYPE
downwards while the top board ETI
117B again has the components
uppermost. It may be necessary to Number of digits 3
juggle the components slightly on the
lower two boards to allow them to fit 250% ( no indication)
Overrange
together closely enough. These two
boards are spaced apart with 12mm Cual polarity No
long spacers while the upper two
boards are separated by 6mm insulated Ranges 1, 10, 100 and 1000 V dc
spacers. A piece of insulation material
should be fitted between the top two Accuracy As adjusted
boards to prevent the solder joints
touching. Linearity ±1digit
Power, 9-15 volts dc, is supplied to
the lower board while the input Power supply 9-15 V dc at 120 mA isolate(
connects to the upper board.
The unit can be either installed in a Input impedance 100 k/V
suitable box or within a piece of
equipment. If range switches are Cverrange Protection
required simply change the value of 1V range 100 V limited by power
R12 as per Table 1. A suitable box for 10 V range 500 V dissipation and
mounting the unit as a separate 100 V range 500 V voltage rating of
instrument is the type PC1 marketed 100 V range 2500 V * R12
by A & R. *input switch permitting

CALIBRATION Reference 5.1 volt zener at constant current.

Unfortunately to calibrate any
23
voltmeter a known voltage reference
 DIGITAL VOLTMETER HOW IT WORKS
The method of analogue-to-digital
ccnversion used is the popular
dual-slope integration technique.We
chose the dual-slope technique
because it is relatively insensitive to
component tolerances and gives very
linear results with least mount of
circuit complexity. The technique
o was developed by Weston and hence
is covered by patents, however, there
is nothing to stop individual
constructors from using it, nor are
there any royalties involved.
a
oo
The circuit consists of an integrator
(IC4 and C3), acomparator ( IC5), an
input selector ( IC3), an oscillator
(IC6/1,2,3) an RS flip flop ( IC7/1,2),
pulse generators for the reset and
strobe outputs (IC6/4, IC7/3,4), a
voltage reference ( ZD1 and constant
current source ( QI), and the digital
display module on page 74.

The 5 kHz output of the oscillator,

cn a which runs continuously, is
in w o
connected directly to the clock input
u O 0 n M
of the display module and the
conversion proceeds as follows. Flip
Cr ‘...'

(/)
Flop 1C7/2, drives IC3 such that it
selects either the input voltage via
2 R12 or the reference voltage via RI 3.
o
,.c•cc
The state of the flip flop is
determined by the output state of
the comparator ICS (output high
a
o
selects input voltage) and the
N overflow output from the display
module (overflow selects reference
voltage). If the input vollse is
(.0
selected the output of the integrator
O will fall at a rate dependant on the
o
-J input voltage, and, if the reference
O
voltage is selected the input voltage
will rise at aconstant rate.

When the integrator output rises

above 5.1 volts the comparator
output goes high causing the output
of IC6/4 to go low (as pin 5of IC6/4

PARTS LIST

R16,18 Resistor 33k 1

/ w 5%
4
R17 68k" "
R15 220k "
R13 470k
R14 820k" "
R12 See text

RV1,2 Potentiometer 50k Trim type

C6 Capacitor 10oF ceramic

C5 68 pF "
C4,7,8,10 330pF"
C9 ,, 0.0111F polyester
C3,11 ., 1.
p F 25V
Tantalum

W D1,2,3 Diode IN914 or similar

I-- (.7 ZD1 Zener diode BZ x 79 C5 VI
rn z <
2F- I-- 0 Gll Transistor 2N5459 or
,c — —Iw similar

-JO> 3 IC3 Integrated circuit 4016 ( CMOS)

N a-zow IC6 4011 ( CMOS)
a) IC7
PI
4001 ( CMOS)
CC IC4,5 I. It CA3130
CC 0 0
_IWO PC Boards ETI 117A, ETI 117B
C. o
O owww Display Board Complete — Project ETI 533
a. co cc co July 1975

24
 is also high). After about 10 µseconds integrator will rise at apredetermined importance to warrant special
delay, due to R16 and Cl, the rate and on crossing the 5.1 volt adjustment of the clock frequency
flip-flop changes state and the output reference level the strobe and reset which is preset by R15 and C4.
of IC6/4 goes high again Thus apulse pulses are generated, the flip flop The reference supply is a 5.1 volt
is generated which is used as the toggled and the process started again. zener diode and a FET connected as
strobe to transfer whatever number is The time taken to bring the a constant current source. The 5.1
integrator back to the reference level volts is used as the common and
in the decade counters into the store,
is proportional to the input voltage hence, the 12 volt supply for the
and hence, to the display. The strobe
pulse also triggers a 15 microsecond and hence the number in the decade voltmeter must be left floating and
counter at that instant is the required must not be connected to ground or
monostable, IC7/3, the output of
reading of input voltage. to any other equipment.
which is delayed by 10 microseconds
The only components which are Due to the simplicity of the circuit
and inverted by IC7/4. This new
required to have good stability, if there are some features of the
pulse acts as a reset pulse for the
counters setting them to zero. accuracy is to be maintained, are instrument which are not desirable
As the flip flop has now reverted to but do not greatly affect the
R12, R13 and ZD1. All other
its original state the input voltage is components, provided their operation of the instrument. Firstly
reselected and the integrator short-term stability is good, can be there is no over-range indication and
commences to ramp down again almost any tolerance. The integrator thus if 15 volts is applied to the 10
repeating the cycle. capacitor, for example, can have any volt range the instrument will read 5
value between 0.5 microfarad and 2.0 volts. The unit remains accurate
Whilst the input voltage is selected
microfarads without affecting (except for the first digit which is
clock pulses are gated into the
accuracy. However variations in the lost) until the integrator clips on its
counter and after about 200
value of this capacitor will affect the negative swing (about 250% of full
milliseconds ( 1000 clock pulses each scale). The other point is that if the
0.2 mS) the counter will be full. The over-range capability. The clock
frequency may likewise be altered input voltage is negative the
overflow thus generated from the
without affecting accuracy however, comparator, IC5, will remain high
display changes the state of the flip and no further strobe or reset pulses
flop and the reference voltage is if the time of 1000 clock pulses is a
multiple of 20 milliseconds the will be generated. The effect of this is
selected. The voltage across the
voltmeter will automatically reject 50 to freeze the display at the last
integrator ( referenced to 5.1 volts) at
Hz ripple on the voltage being number. This is not normally a
this instant will be proportional to
problem as the display goes to zero if
the input voltage. With the reference measured. This however was not
considered of great enough the input is disconnected.
supply connected the output of the

Fig.2. Circuit boards used for the

converter.

TABLE I

RANGE VALUE OF R12

1V 100k 5%*
10V 1M 5%*
100V 10M 5%•
1000V 100M 5%•
(10 x 10M)
For multirange meters R12 must
be 1% or adjustable.

9 15V tic

C11
INPUT

14 COMMON

Fig.3. Component overlay of the complete voltmeter.

25
 DIGITAL VOLTMETER r_
NOTE
The MC14553 is manufactured
1
1 'CURRENT-SOURCE
by Motorola and distributed by
INAS CIRCUIT CURRENT SOURCE FOR 06 AND 07
LOAD . FOR 011
Total Electronics. The MC14511,
MC14016, MC14011 and
MC14001 are also distributed
02 03 F-
by Total. However these latter
devices are also available from
Fe- other manufacturers under the
*£•,,% numbers 4511, 4016, 4011 and
03 4001 respectively.
D•
Distributors of these latter
HI
devices are Cerna, National and
52 AWA ( RCA).

_J

INPUT STAGE SECOND

STAGE

OS THE CA3130 OPERATIONAL

NON-INv
INPUT
AMPLIFIER
For those unfamiliar with this IC we
MV - INPUT
have reproduced the internal circuitry
06
in Fig. A. It is an economical FET
input operational amplifier. This IC is
unusual as it combines a FET input
09 010
stage with a bipolar amplifier and a
01 CMOS output stage, all on the one
chip! It is a pin for pin equivalent for
RS 56
the 301/741 type of IC and needs a68
1313 IMI
pF capacitor between pins one and
eight for compensation. The major
JL L
differences are a maximum voltage of
Fig. A. (î).90FFSET NULL COMPENSATION STROOING 16 V between the supply rails (± 8 V)
NOTE and the extremely high input
resistance of 1.5 TO ( 1500 000 mn)
DIODES DS THROUGH DO PROVIDE GATE- OXIDE PROTECTION
FOR MOS/FET INPUT STAGE

and low input current of 5 pA.

PROJECT
PROJECT ELECTRONICS
This unique project book has been designed spec-

ELECTRONICS ifically for the newcomer to electronic circuit

construction, and in particular to fulfill the needs
of schools' current three-segment technics sylla-
bus in electronics.
Available at most major newsagents, kitsets and
component suppliers or directly from Modern Mag-
azines, 15 Boundary St, Rushcutters Bay. NSW
2011 -$4.75 ( special prices available for bulk orders
from schools).

CONTENTS INCLUDE TEMPERATURE ALARM

CONSTRUCTING PROJECTS SINGING MOISTURE METER
SOLDERING TAPE NOISE LIMITER
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS TWO OCTAVE ORGAN
CONTINUITY TESTER LED DICE
SOIL MOISTURE INDICATOR TACHOMETER
HEADS OR TAILS OVER REV ALARM
TWO TONE DOORBELL INTRUDER ALARM
500 SECOND TIMER CAR ALARM
MORSE PRACTICE SET TRAIN CONTROLLER
BATTERY SAVER FM ANTENNA
BUZZ BOARD OVER LED
IIV I on ELECTRONICS TODAY publication BASIC AMPLIFIER HI FI SPEAKER
AM TUNER ELECTRONIC SIREN
ELECTRONIC BONGOS PROBLEMS?
SIMPLE INTERCOM COMPONENT CONNECTIONS
nli

GU PROJECT 118

Inexpensive unit works to 1MHz.

Frequency Meter eti 118 1000k

100k

10k
WE CONTINUE our series of simple
units, based on the ETI 533 Display 1000
Module, by describing a simple
frequency meter. The unit is easy to INPUT 100
construct and quite inexpensive. RANGE
POWER
loot

DESIGN FEATURES
We originally considered that this
project would only take a short time
to develop — but were we ever wrong!
Just about everything that could have
gone wrong did so, and we became

SIMPLE
convinced that Murphy was not only
alive and well but was living in
Rushcutters Bay.
The first problem was to choose suit-
able timebase circuitry. As the project

FREQUENCY
had to remain fairly economical to
build, the use of acrystal timebase was
ruled out. We eliminated a mains
referenced timebase because it was
considered that the possibility of

COUNTER
battery powered operation was a
definite advantage. Especially as
control tones on the mains can cause
problems.
An NE555 timer was tried for the 10
second timebase but it soon became readings. The error occurs because the stability of better than one part in
apparent that the device just was not NE555 output stage does not go 10 000 and ultimately chose the one
stable enough even when the power exactly to the supply rails but only 0.6 shown in the circuit diagram. This
supply was regulated. The change in V away from them. The same applies type of oscillator is well known but is
frequency due to supply changes was to the discharge transistor which has a not normally considered to have good
about 1.5%/volt. And even with a fixed saturation vottage. accuracy and stability. This is because
regulator the stability was not good We considered many oscillator in a conventional op- amp IC there is
enough to allow more than four digit designs in an effort to find one with a normally abase-emitter junction at the
output, as in the 555. However in the
new CA 3130 device this problem has
been eliminated as the output stage is
SPECIFICATION CMOS and appears as a resistance
INPUT IMPEDANCE 470 k // 47 pF (about 500 ohms) and not as avoltage
drop. A further advantage of this IC is
INPUT SENSITIVITY
the extremely high input impedance
10 Hz to 10 kHz < 50 mV rising to 1V at 1MHz
which eliminates any inaccuracies due
RANGES 99.9 Hz to 999 kHz to loading effects. On the prototype
the frequency change was less than
DISPLAY 3 digits ( no overload indication) one part in 10 000 with a supply
ACCU RACY as calibrated. voltage change of from 8 to 16 volts.
The main source of error is now due to
STABILITY 0.01% can be expected but depends the temperature coefficient of R10.
on resistor stability. The expected error, using good quality
OVERLOAD metal- film resistors would be around
0.01% per degree C.
PROTECTION
The CA3130 IC is also ideal for the
up to 100 kHz 50 Vac.
input stage, because of its high input
100 kHz to 1 MHz dropping from 50 Vac to 10 Vac impedance, and also because it allows
50 Vdc. a 0 V reference to be used thus
POWER 240 Vac or 12 Vdc at 100 mA. eliminating the centre- tap point
normally required for conventional
operational amplifier circuits.
(Main text continued page 31)
27
 SIMPLE FREQUENCY COUNTER PARTS LIST
R3 Resistor 47 ohm 4 W
/
1 5%
R11 560 5%
R4,5,13,14 " 10 k I/AW 5%
co R17 22 k "W 5%
o L.> > R12 " 33 k 5%
CC .-he
ueni R7,8 re 47 k 4 W
/
1 5%
cr.) R6,16 " 100 k VAN 5%
R1,2 er 470 k /W
4
1 5%
R10 ., 560 k 4W
1 2%
R15 4M7 /W
4
1 5%
R9 ( See table 1)
C4 Capacitor 6.8 pF ceramic
C2,3,6 " 47 pF ceramic
C7,8,10 " 47 pf ceramic
C1,5,9 " 0.1 ¡IF 100v poly-
ester
C13 47 I.LF 25 V electro
C12 1001./F 25 V electro
CO I, C11 100011F 25 V electro
'i.e
DI Diode IN914 or similar
D2'-06" EM401, IN4005 or similar
IC1,2 Integrated Circuit CA3130
(AWV)
IC3 " • 4518 ( CMOS)
IC4 " 4001 ( CMOS)
IC5 " 7812 ( plastic
pack).
SW1 Rotary switch 6 pole 5 position
SW2 toggle switch DPOT ( miniature)
Ti transformer 240 V/12.6 V 150 mA

PC Board ETI 118

Case type PCI ( A&R Soanar) or
00 O similar
Display Module — ETI 533
Shield as per Fig. 7.
Front panel as per Fig. 5.
3 plain spacers 6.4 mm long insulated
3 plain spacers 19 mm long
3 1/8 whit. spacers 25 mm long
One 8 way tag strip
3 core flex plug, grommet and clamp
pc board pins
3 25 mm long 1/8 whit. screws
9 12 mm long 1/8 whit. screws
6 1/8 nuts.
Two input terminals ( red- black)

Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the frequency counter.

PARTS AVAILABILITY
The CMOS ICs used in this project are
distributed by CEMA and TOTAL.

110W IT WORKS — ET! 118

The frequency counter may be
divided into several basic sections.
a. Input amplifier — Schmitt trigger.
b. 10 Hz oscillator.
c. Two divide by 10 networks.
d. Strobe and reset circuitry.
e. Power supply.
f. Display module ( ETI 533).
The input amplifier is a CA3130
connected as a Schmitt trigger.
Resistors R3 and R4 provide positive
feedback whilst resistor R2 provides
protection for the input of the IC.
The resistor R5 is used to increase
the negative slew rate of the amplifier
thus increasing the range of operation
to one megahertz.
The 10 Hz oscillator is another
CA3130 where positive feedback is
CID applied by R8 and negative feedback
by RIO. When the output is high the
voltage at pin 6 is about 6.8 volts.
The capacitor C5 charges via R10,
and when it reaches 6.8 volts the
output goes low. The voltage now set
at pin three is 2.2 volts and the
output remains low until C5 has
discharged to this point at which the
output goes high again. Preset RV1
00
varies the oscillator frequency by

28
 jA
SW1
FRONT VIEWED
0V SECTION FROM
4R 17}- REAR

R14}.› -
4R41- -I R3 F
C3
CO M

16
-1 081
+ -fRiii- -
r INPUT
12V .4- R5 1-
---• -r6711- MIDDLE
SECTION

Fig. 2. Component overlay.

12.6V ac CENTRE LEAD

NOT USED REAR
SECTION

TRANSFORMER
8 way A & R 6474
TAG STRIP
240V
4-12V PRIMARY
100,F GREEN
C121 25v .dr (GREEN- YELLOW)

105 POWER BLACK ( BLUE)

SWITCH
C11
1000µF
25V
Fig. 3. Wiring of the range switch.
RED(BROWN)

Fig. 4. How the power supply is mounted on the back panel and interconnected.

about 4% and aparallel resistor, R9, procedure removes three out of every input pulses over aone second period
is required to set it within the four strobe pulses when using the 10 we can measure to the nearest one
required adjustment range. A higher Hz timebase, making the display cycle, or one hertz. If a three digit
value preset could be used but it easier to read. display is used then the maximum
becomes difficult to adjust with The resistor R16 is used to raise the reading will be 999 Hz. However if
accuracy. the frequency happens to be, say,
steady-state voltage at the reset
The divide by ten circuitry is simply 156254 Hz the display will read 254
terminal to about 1.8 volts, thus
a 14518 IC which contains two and ignore the 156. To measure a
ensuring that the reset pulse goes
decade counters. It can be switched higher frequency, either a shorter
high enough to give reliable
to divide the input frequency ( 100 k, tirggering. The voltage at the strobe timebase must be used, or, the input
1M ranges) or the timebase ( 100 Hz, terminal sits at about 10.4 volts due frequency must be divided down. For
1kHz ranges) by means of the range the 10 kHz range we simply use an
to the 100 k input impedance of the
switch SW!. display module. 0.1 second timebase giving 10 Hz
The timebase, be it ten seconds, one resolution. For the 100 kHz we
The power supply is a full-wave
second or 0.1 seconds, is coupled by divide the input by 10 and use an 0.1
rectifier and capacitor filter supply
SW1/d to IC4/1 pin 13. When this second timebase, whilst for the one
which is regulated down to 12 volts
voltage goes high the output of IC4/1 megahertz range the input is divided
by a 7812 regulator IC. The control
goes low and Cl couples a short by one hundred. For the 100 Hz
circuitry is isolated by a diode D6
negative going pulse into the strobe range a ten second timebase and no
and capacitor C13 to prevent any
terminal of the display module. After division is used.
ripple appearing on the 12 volts due
ashort time, due to R12 and C7, the If we use the one megahertz range
to the current drawn by the display
output of IC4/3 goes high and C10 to measure our 156254 Hz, we
module.
couples ashort positive pulse into the display 156. Switching to 100 kHz we
reset terminal of the display module. The display module contains athree get 563, on 10 kHz we get 625 and
When the output of IC4/1 goes low decade counter-store-decoder and fmally 254 on the 1000 Hz range,
the output of IC4/4 goes high and display as described on page 22. thus the frequency can be read to the
the output of IC4/1 remains low nearest hertz but the accuracy
irrespective of what now occurs at To measure frequency all that is depends on the accuracy of the initial
pin 13. After about 350 milliseconds needed is to count the number of setting up and the fact that
C9 recharges via R15 releasing IC4/1 pulses occurring over agiven period temperature variations cause an error
to the control of the timebase. This of time. If we count the number of of one part in 10 000 per degree C.

29
 SIMPLE FREQUENCY COUNTER

Fig. 5. Front panel of the

frequency meter.

Initially the maximum frequency of using this delay, the timebase changed CONSTRUCTION
operation was limited to 200 kHz due frequency by about four parts in The display module should be con-
to the slow, negative slew-rate of the 10 000. Since the power supply to the structed as described on pages 20 and
IC. Looking at the internal circuit of control circuitry was isolated from the 21. The value of resistors R5 to R11
the IC it was decided to increase the display module, the circuitry is mainly should be 560 ohms for operation of
bias current in the second stage by CMOS, and the oscillator rejects the 12 volt supply.
adding a resistor between the positive supply rail change, none of these The control board should be
supply and pin 8. This allows the factors could be suspected as acause
assembled with the aid of the
frequency response to be extended to of the trouble. The problem was due component overlay Fig. 2. Use printed
beyond one megahertz. A small to the fact that IC4/4 works in the
circuit board pins for all outputs and
compensating capacitor was found to linear mode and can draw 10 to 20
for R9 as an aid to later assembly.
be necessary to eliminate the effects of mA. This modulates the power supply Make sure that the link between + 12
a small amount of coupling from the by up to 20 millivolts. The cure is to
volts and pin 14 of IC4 is installed.
10 Hz oscillator. The resistor to pin 8 power IC4 directly from the 12 volts.
This explains the use of the link of the Wire switch SW1, in accordance with
also alters the offset voltage but this
board. Fig. 3, and leave the leads long enough
does not affect the operation of this
Some coupling between the display to reach the printed circuit board.
circuit.
board oscillator and the input stage Assemble the power supply onto the
Another problem that occurred was tag strip and the back panel of the box
occurred and was cured by adding an
in the strobe and reset pulse network. aluminium shield between the two as detailed in Fig. 4. There is no need
to insulate the tag of the regulator
Using an 0.1 second timebase the boards.
from the rear panel as it is the
display changes too rapidly for ease of To obtain all five ranges with only
common terminal which should be
reading. Therefore IC4/4, which is two divide- by-ten sections necessitates
earthed. The rear panel itself is earthed
connected as a 350 millisecond a more complex switch. This was
considered to be justifiable as the via the mains cable.
monostable, is used to eliminate three
out of every four strobe pulses thus alternative was to use a switch with The front panel has to be cut and
making the display more readable. one less wafer but add one more drilled as shown in Fig. 5. It can be
However it was discovered that, when 14518 IC. either silk screened with the required

TABLE 1
Frequency with
Value of R9 to allow RV1
RV1 at minimum
to calibrate
50 Hz input
48.1 — 50
49.8 — 51.8 15 Meg
51.3 — 53.4 8.2 Meg
52.7 — 55.0 5.6 Meg
54.7 — 57.1 3.9 Meg
56.7 — 59.3 3.0 Meg
58.8 — 61.7 2.4 Meg

Fig. 6. Printed circuit board for the counter. Full size 90 x 45 mm.

30
 input terminals ( about 150 mm) for prevent accidental personal contact.
45
later connection to the control board.
Connect leads to the positive volt, zero CALIBRATION
volt, strobe, reset and input clock Apply about 6 volts ac at 50 Hz,
inputs on the display module and from the secondary of a power
SHIELD
assemble the display board, shield and transformer to the input of the
control board as shown in Fig. 8.Make counter. Select the 100 Hz range and
3 HOLES 4mm DIA sure that the spacers do not touch the set_the trimpot, RV1, to its minimum
60
ALL DIMENSIONS copper tracks on any of the boards, resistance position. Wait for the
IN MILLIMETRES reading to settle ( there is about ten
(except for the front spacer on the
control board). If any of the spacers seconds between readings) and using
are too close to the tracks add apiece this reading look up the corresponding
MAT: TIN PLATE of insulation material under the value of R9 from Table 1. Install this
OR THIN ALUM spacer. The whole assembly can now resistor and again check the reading, it
be mounted in to the box. should now be just under 50 Hz. The
On the display module the power trimpot RV1 can now be adjusted to
rails are taken direct to the power give a reading of exactly 50 Hz. If a
39
supply whilst the ' reset' and 'strobe' more accurate frequency source than
Fig. 7. Drilling details of the shield plate. go to the control board and the the mains is available it can be used
'control' to the rotary switch. On the instead of the 50 Hz for final
control board the power rails also go calibration. Due to the effect of
range markings etc, or a Scotchcal direct to the power supply whilst all soldering upon the value of resistors
panel can be used as in our prototype. other leads, with the exception of the final calibration should be left until
coaxial cable, go to the rotary switch. several hours after R9 is soldered into
Scotchcal panels for this project can
be obtained for $3.00 ( plus SAE) Finally connect the power switch position so that the resistor mai;
directly from Electronics Today. and insulate it with plastic tape to stabilize.
A piece of polarized or red plastic can
be used to protect the displays. If the
A&R box, as specified, is used
mounting holes will have to be drilled
in the base of the box. These can be
marked by temporarily installing the
front panel, by fitting the three 25
mm spacers to the control module ( the
left front mounting hole on the
module is not used) and sitting the
control module in position. It will be
found that the right front spacer
interferes with a rib in the base of the
box. Cut this rib away with achisel or
similar tool such that the spacer can sit
flush with the base. Mark the hole
positions, remove the module and drill
the holes.
Fit the rear panel in to the box and
then mount the input terminals to the
front panel ( the rear of the screws of
the terminals may have to be
shortened to clear the display module
mounting spacers). The rotary and
toggle switches should also now be
mounted to the front panel. Connect a
short length of coaxial cable to the

1 25mm SCREWS

CONTROL
BOARD

D limm SPACERS D SHIELD

SPACERS
El
DISPLAY BOARD

25mm SPACERS
(THREADED)

BASE OF BOX

12mm SCREWS !

Fig. 8. Assembly of the counter display

boards.

31
 t
HOW TO ORDER
ETI Circuits No 1, the Electronics Its Easy series, and Top Projects Vol 3
are available now from most newsagents or directly from ETI.

Top Projects Volume 4 will be available in mid -

June 1977.
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Vol 1/2/3. in measurement MEASUREMENT AND
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Volumes 1 & 2 now reprinted COVIIMITS This book is an unusual
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It is acompilation of a series
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produced as a 100 page book.
highly thought of by the
This volume takes the reader
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from an introduction to
that they republished the
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Written by Peter Sydenham
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32
Project 133

PHASE
METER By Dr. P.C. Bury, Phys cs Dept., Victorian College of Pharmacy

This instrument measures phase angles of voltage, current or power from sub-
audio frequencies to 100 kHz or beyond. Readout may be either digital or
analogue.

THE POWER being dissipated in an ac Therefore, in order to measure produced by zero crossing detectors
circuit is one of the more difficult power, one either needs awattmeter — from the two voltages.
an expensive instrument if any great For those who have not encountered
quantities to measure with normal
laboratory equipment — unless the accuracy is desired — or aknowledge of the exclusive- OR ( XOR) function be-
circuit is purely resistive. This is because 0, the phase angle. While 0 can be fore, this is alogic function ( in the same
the power dissipated is given by the estimated from adual trace oscillo- way that AND and OR are logic
expression P = IV cos0 where Iis scope, this article describes asimple and functions) that gives an output ( logic 1)
current, V is voltage and 0 is the phase accurate way of measuring it directly. if its two inputs are different, but not
angle between them. Theta ( 0) varies In addition to power measurements, if they are the same. Thus two square
from 90° for an ideal inductance, measurement of the phase difference waves which are in phase will produce
through 0° for aresistance, to —90° for between two voltages is useful when no output: two which are exactly out
acapacitance. Since cos - ±90 = 0, both worKing on filters, feedback loops and of phase will produce amaximum
inductance and capacitance dissipate no phase-shifting networks: it can be used continuous output; and intermediate
power at all. They store it during one to measure the Q of an inductor, and phases will produce an output proport-
half-cycle and release it to the source hence check for shorted turns, or the ional to the phase difference ( see
again during the following half-cycle. loss factor in acapacitor. A further Fig. 1). This system has the advantage
application of growing importance in of being almost immune from noise
the audio field is the phase of the problems since no triggering or latching
sound from individual drive units in a circuits are involved.
- INPUT A
loudspeaker enclosure, or members of Because the circuit response is
an array of loudspeakers. symmetrical about 0° and 180°, there
The phase relationship between two are no output discontinuities or am-
voltages is conventionally measured by biguities of reading. However an
- - INPUT B ( REF, detecting when each crosses zero additional flip-flop is required to sense
voltage ( see Fig. 1) in one direction, which voltage is ahead of the other
and arranging for one voltage to turn a and indicate it. The circuit is imple-
flipflop ON and the other to turn it mented with CMOS gates which have
INPUT A AFTER OFF. The percentage of time that the the advantage of being able to be used
ZERO CROSSING
DETECTOR fliplop is on, and hence the average in either linear or digital mode.
value of the flipflop output, is proport-
ional to the phase difference between CONSTRUCTION
INPUT R AFTER
ZERO CROSSING
DETE•TOR
the two voltages. This method has three We assume that only the more exper-
inherent disadvantages — ienced constructor will build asome-
(i) Voltages with little or no phase what specialised instrument of this
AVER -
AGE OC difference can give readings of 0° and type, and that they will be capable of
LEVEL CONVENTIONAL
OUTPUT
360°, or areading which varies random- assembling, handling the CMOS, with
ly between these limits. due care, boxing it without step by step
(ii) Any noise on either signal can cause instructions. The pc board can be
EXCLUSIVE OR false triggering and jittery readings. copied from the diagram ( Fig. 3), or
OUTPUT
(iii) Any harmonic distortion can pro- hopefully will be available through
duce ashift in the zero crossing point commercial channels. The layout of
RECORDER and hence an error of 0.6° for each the components is shown in Fig. 4.
OUTPUT
1.0% of distortion. Some care is needed to keep the input
The method used in the circuit leads as short as possible as the gain of
described here is to form the
Fig. 1. Comparison of the conventional Text continues on page 36
exclusive- OR of the square waves
'flip-flop' method and the exclusive- OR
method used in this project.

33
 Cl R1
330n 22k IC1/1 IC1/3 IC1/5
0 - 1
NOTES:
INPUT

POWER RAILS NOT SHOWN

IC1, 74C04, PIN 14 +5.6V
+5.6V +5.6V PIN 7 OV
IC2, 4030, PIN 14 +5.6V
R2 PIN 7 OV
1M IC3, 4013, PIN 14 +5.6V
RV1 R7 PIN 7 OV
100k 220k 01, BC548
D1, 1N914
*SEE TEXT
USE
OV

C2 R3
330n 22k IC1/2 IC1/4 IC1/6
IC2/2 1•CAL.

REF.
INPUT OUTPUT
1800 -0-180°

+5.6 V R6 o
OV

T
1M C7 C9
64
1M
OV 10p T 10p
RV2 " C4 220k
100k T 22,
OV
OV

OV fIC3/2
OV 91 D S

_ 1 13
IC2/3 611 616
+5.6V 470 LED 1
68k CK R14
10 10k +5.6V
R15
10k
C6 01
10y
OUTPUT OV C8 e
0-180°
P
47-1
-

ov OV
Fig.2.
OV

HOW IT WORKS

The two inputs are first squared. For stance it may be set to 180 mV for a would leave one flip-flop unused. In fact it flip- flop is slaved to the reference input as
example the reference input is amplified 180° phase difference and read it on a
turns out that there are two functions that it is set when IC2/2 goes low and reset
by gates IC1/2, IC1/4 and IC1/6 ( see digital multimeter. Alternatively up to these gates can usefully perform. First, for when IC2/2 goes high, and this enables the
Fig. 2) and then applied to IV2/2, one 50 µA can be drawn to give areading on setting up the input squaring circuits: if 180° duty cycle to be set (see below).
of the spare EX.OR gates whose other any suitable meter or multimeter. The use the flip-flop is slaved to the squaring cir- When C5 is connected to IC2/1 ( the USE
input is grounded. This conveniently of an external meter is of course amuch cuit, the exact 180° condition can be set position) the flip-flop will have equal
behaves as a Schmitt trigger type of more economical proposition. when the complementary outputs Q and outputs at Q and Q if the two inputs are
bistable circuit. The average of the output Q have equal average values. Secondly exactly in phase. It produces a positive
In order to detect which of the inputs
of this gate is formed by R8 and C4, and these gates can be arranged to turn the value of Q relative to Q when the input
is leading the other, the two voltages from
this is inserted via R6 as the dc level at flip-flop on and off to give aconventional leads the reference voltage and anegative
the squaring circuits are also fed to the D
gate 1C1/2. phase meter circuit output. While this does value when it lags, the average voltage
type flip-flop IC3/2. One voltage is used
for the clock input and the other as adata not give as accurate a reading, it does give between them being proportional to the
This produces two important con-
input. This type of flip-flop is really adata one which is of opposite polarity for phase difference. R12, R13, C7, C9 and
sequences. Firstly it forces the output of
IC2/2 tci a symmetrical 180 °on/180°off latch, and whatever voltage is present at leading and lagging voltages and which can RV4 are used to filter this output and set
condition which is maintained stabely by the D input at the moment when the clock therefore be recorded graphically and it to some convenient value.
voltage changes from low to high is held unambiguously on an instrument such as Of the other components, R10 is used
almost complete dc feedback. And second-
a chart recorder. This is therefore des- to delay the voltage to the clock inputs
ly, because we now have a true squaring until the next clock pulse. Thus if the D ignated the recorder output. slightly to compensate for the set-up time
circuit rather than a zero-crossing de- input stays low until after the clock at the data inputs, and the LM309 reg-
tector, all errors due to even-order har- input goes high, the output Q will always In operation one input of the EX.OR ulator and associated components holds
monic distortion are cancelled. R4 and remain low showing that the D input lags gate IC2/4 is connected through C5 to the supply voltage constant at just under
RV2 are used to adjust for input offset the clock input. The complementary the output of one of the squaring circuits. 6 volts. This is important as the full-scale
and set the exact 180 0 condition. output Q will be high and this is used to Its other input is tied to the positive rail readings from the outputs is proportional
IC gates IC1/1, IC1/3, ICl/5 and turn on the transistor and LED indicating so that it functions as an inverter with to the supply voltage. The circuit can be
1C2/1 process the signal from the other this lag condition. Since any noise arriving respect to the other input ( the EX.OR is run from a 9V battery and draws about
channel in an identical manner, and the at the clock input can cause spurious re- a flexible beastie isn't it?). With C5 20 mA with the LED off and 40 mA with
two squared outputs are fed to gate setting of the flip-flop, it is preferable to connected to the output of IC2/2 ( the it on. Alternatively any power supply that
IC2/3 which is the gate that forms the use aclean voltage to drive it. This is why CAL position), when IC3/2 goes negative produces between 9 and 30 volts may be
EX.OR of them. Its output is filtered by this channel has been designated the C5 and R9 differentiate this, and IC2/4 used, but it should be afloating supply to
R11 and C6 and a voltage proportional reference. Noise on the other channel is gives ashort ( 1
/ µsec) positive spike, which
2 simplify the measurement of the phases of
to the phase difference of the inputs may almost completely ignored. is used to set IC3/1. Since the data input currents, and R16 and the voltage rating
be taken from across C6. RV3 is used to These then are the basic EX.OR funct- of this flip-flop is always low, the clock of C10 should be increased if more than
set this to a convenient value — for in- ional parts of the phasemeter, and this pulse will always reset it again. Thus the 15 volts are used.

TO LED

R18 Q
c1

REF, INPUT
=i 15_
j (:). bcoLi
RV2
z
C80 e
R10
—C_

9 25 V

RV1
1 CTW43
— 1 RV3 I
INPUT

Fig.3.
Fig.4.
OUTPUT OUTPUT
180° — O — 180° O — 180°

Resistors all /
2W
1 5% PARTS LIST ETI 133 Semiconductors
IC1 74C04 ( CMOS)
R1 22 k IC2 4030 "
R2 1M R16 470 Capacitors IC3 4013 "
R3 22 k R17 1k C1,2 330 npolyester
IC4 LM309k
R4- R6 1M R18 68 C3,4 221116 V electro
01 BC548
R7,8 220 k C5 100 µceramic
01 1N914
C6,7 1011 16 V electro LEO
R9 4k7 C8 4µ7 16 V
R10 3k3 Potentiometers Miscellaneous
R11 68 k RV1,2 100 kTrim C9 104 16 V PCB ETI 133
R12,13 39 k RV3 10 k " C10,11 loop 25 V Case to suit
R14,15 10 k RV4 4k7 " C12 220 npolyester Terminals and sockets to suit
PHASE METER
without the phase difference showing
more than about one degree. Another
excellent test is to connect different
signal generators of different fre-
quencies to the two inputs. The output
should read exactly 90°, as the signals
will be in phase exactly as often as they
are out of phase. Our prototype failed
this test, reading 92°, and it was only
after considerable trouble that we
METAL
CIRCUIT
traced this to non- linearity in our
SHEETS
BOARD trusted ( and expensive) multimeter. We
guess the moral is to use adigital meter
if accuracy is really important. Note
that the recorder output is undefined
under these conditions.
The high-frequency accuracy is
Fig. 5. Details of the shield between IC1 and IC2. limited by the rise and fall times of the
CMOS outputs, by any mismatch in R1
position, the meter to be used to the and R3 and their stray capacitances, and
the input stage is extremely high and
recorder output and asignal of about by propagation delay differences
oscillation can occur if they become
coupled to the later stages. To help 100 mV at about 1kHz to the reference between the two input and squaring
isolation, small metal sheets, about circuits. These, on the two units tested,
input. Adjust RV1 to give anull reading
4" x V/2" should be soldered above have been about 50 nsec. This would be
3 on the meter. Disconnect C5, leaving
equivalent to 1° phase error for every
and below the board between IC1 and the end free, and adjust RV4 to give a
25 kHz of signal frequency. Thus the
IC2. These can conveniently be attached convenient reading on the meter to
meter is usable, but certainly not
to the link between points A and B in correspond to 180° ( eg 180 mV or
accurate, up to about one megahertz.
the circuit as shown in Fig. 5. For the 45 pA). If this is hard to set exactly,
connect afixed resistance in parallel Input protection is provided by
same reason, the CAL and USE points
should not be taken to apanel- mounted resistors R1 and R3 and the internal
with RV4 to give better control for any
switch but the connection changed on individual meter. diodes in the 74C04. We have tested
the board itself. We have used two this system to inputs of 80 .Vrms before
Next connect jumper leads from the
molex pins at these points, marked any degradation of the gates occurred,
positive sides of C3 and C4 to either
X in Fig. 4, which work quite but avalue of say 25 Vrms ( 70 V pip)
side of C7 ( i.e. one to V+, the other to
satisfactorily. V—, it doesn't matter which), connect should be regarded as afairly safe work-
When the board is assembled, it can ing maximum. If IC1 is mounted in a
the meter to the main output and adjust
be mounted behind the front panel, RV3 to give a180° reading (with socket, it can be simply changed if
supported directly by stout wires to parallel resistance if needed as in the accidently overloaded. Under no
the two inputs and the recorder out- previous paragraph). Finally, remove the circumstances can 240 V be applied
put. Connect apower supply and check two jumper leads and connect one directly to the inputs!
that the voltage across C11 is six volts between the two inputs, connect C5 to When using the instrument for
or just under. Calibration and testing are the USE position and adjust RV2 slowly measuring phase in 240 V mains cir-
simplified if the leads of C11 and the and carefully until the LED is just on cuits, common sense precautions should
positive lead of C3 and C4 are left the point of turning on and off. The be observed to ensure no damage occurs
long enough to be able to clip alead meter should now be reading less than to the instrument or the operator! First
thereon. half adegree: if not, repeat the cali- use amains testing screw driver to
bration procedure. identify the active lead: secondly always
As acheck of proper operation, you switch off the power when connecting
CALIBRATION or making any alterations to the circuit
should now be able to vary the com-
To calibrate the instrument, first munal input from millivolts to volts under test: thirdly make sure that the
connect capacitor C5 to the CAL and from sub-audio to over 100 kHz resistor R makes reliable contact and
cannot accidentally become discon-
nected, otherwise the reference input
can get the full mains voltage through
the load. Finally use avoltage divider or
an oscilloscope X10 probe to reduce the
voltage to asafe level.
The circuit shown in Fig. 6can be
set up on an insulating board with a
socket for the load to be plugged into.
Resistor R is chosen to give avoltage of
1volt or less when the load current
flows through it and must be rated to
dissipate afew watts if large currents
are to be handled. A value of 0.22 SZ,
5W is suitable for most situations. And
remember that, when set up like this,
the instrument reads the phase of the
Fig.6. How to use the meter to show the relative phase of mains voltage to mains current. voltage relative to the current.

36
En TEMPERATURE
PROJECT 130 METER

Converter connects to any analogue or digital meter.

OUR original design concept for this are quite adequate il an analogue CALIBRATION
unit was as a complete instrument meter is to be used for the readout. To calibrate the instrument, two
based on our ET! 533 digital display However if adigital meter is to be used accurately known temperatures are
using a forward biased diode as the the extra accuracy of the readout required. One may be water or oil at
sensor — this generating a would warrant ten-turn presets being room temperature ( ice water should
temperature- proportional voltage used for RV1 and RV2, as setting not be used as there the temperature
which in turn is supplied to a accuracy is considerably improved. may vary several degrees between
voltage-to-frequency converter. We The converter quite readily fits into a different points in the solution). The
planned to use atimebase to generate small aluminium mini-box. Two nine high temperature is best obtained by
the necessary strobe and reset pulses. volt batteries are used to power the heating oil or water and allowing it to
However the cost and complexity of unit and battery drain is low enough stabilise at around 80 0 C. A second
this arrangement was such that we to ensure alife of many months. smaller heat conductive container
decided against it. A 3.5 mm jack is used to connect the filled with water is then immersed in
sensor to the unit and the output to the larger container. This simple
What finally emerged was a simple
the meter is provided via an procedure prevents errors due to
temperature- to- voltage converter
inexpensive two- pin speaker socket. circulating currents in the larger
which can be used in front of any
The probe is constructed by volume of water. An accurate
analogue or digital meter. The
moieting the sensor-diode into the tip mercury- in-glass thermometer should
converter provides an output of
of a ball-point pen casing, or similar. be used to measure temperatures
10 mVideqree which can be either
The method may best be understood during the calibration procedure as
Celsius or Fahrenheit depending on
by reference to the drawing. detailed below.
calibration. If a dedicated digital
readout is required we suggest that
you incorporate the converter with
our ETI 118 digital voltmeter.
SPECIFICATION

CONSTRUCTION RANGE 0to 100 o C

Whilst a printed-circuit board is by 32 to 212 ° F
no means essential, using one certainly OUTPUT 10 mV/degree
makes construction easier and ACCURACY + 1°
improves the appearance. The RESPONSE TIME 3seconds
potentiometers as shown in our
prototype are single turn presets which

37
 OUTPUT

RV2
100k C2
0.047p F1

C3
SW1b 0.047p F T
NOTE
FOR DEGREES F
R5 = 750k HOW IT WORKS — ETI 130.
Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the temperature meter. R7 -- 820k
FOR DEGREES C A forward biased diode has a
R5 = 910k temperature coefficient of about — 2
R7 = 470k mV/ 0C. That is the normal voltage
across a silicon diode of nominally
1. Place the sensor and thermometer rate of change that we are after at the 0.6 volts will decrease by two
into the cool solution, allow a little moment. millivolts for every degree C increase
time for stabilisation, and then 4. When the correct rate of change has in temperature. This change with
measure the voltage from the been set as above place the sensor and temperature is sufficiently linear over
converter and the temperature. Record thermometer into the cool solution the range of 0 to 100 0C to use it as a
and adjust RV1 to obtain areading of temperature sensor.
these two readings.
What the ETI 130 circuit does is to
2. Place the sensor and thermometer 10 mV per degree. That is if the
amplify this voltage and to provide
into the hot solution and measure the solution is at 25 0 C adjust RV1 to offset compensation for the normal
voltage and temperature as before. The obtain areading of 0.25 V. 0.6 volt drop across the diode.
voltage change between the first and Transistors Q1 and Q2 provide a
second readings should be equal to the Due to the spread of diode constant-current source of about
temperature change times 10 characteristics from one device to 5mA into the zener diode ZD1 such
millivolts. another the necessarily small that a very stable five volt reference
3. If the voltage versus temperature adjustment range of RV1 and RV2 is obtained which is independent of
the battery supply voltage. (V supply
is not as specified in step 2adjust RV2 may not allow all diodes to be
greater than 6 V.) The forward bias
and repeat steps 1 and 2 until it is. calibrated . with the resistor values
current through the sensor diode is
Note that varying RV2 changes the specified. If this is found to be the
about 0.5 mA as provided by RI.
voltage at both the hot and the cold case it may be necessary to change the This current is low enough to prevent
positions. It is the correct slope, or value of R5, R6 or R7. errors due to self heating of the
sensor diode.
The voltage across the sensor diode
is amplified by ICI (a very high
input- impedance operational
ADD PIECE amplifier) whose gain is fixed at the
OF INSULATION ratio of ( R7 + RV2)/R4. The
BETWEEN LEADS necessary offset is provided by RV1
which is adjusted to cancel the
normal 0.6 volt drop across the
diode. By selecting the correct values
for R5 and R7 as shown on the
JOIN DIODE LEADS Fig. 2. This diagram
ONTO WIRES circuit diagram the indication of
shows how the sensor
is mounted into a temperature in degrees C or F may be
ball-point pen casing obtained.
or similar.

38
 PARTS LIST
R1,3 Resistor 10k 2 W 5%
/
1
R2 ,, 100 V2W 5%
R4,6 '1 100k 1 2 W 5%
/
R5,7 ., See Fig. 1 and
test.
RV1 Potentiometer
10k * trim type
RV2 t, 100k * "

*for digital readout a multiturn

trim potentiometer is recommended.
Cl Capacitor 33pF ceramic
C2,3 0.04711F
polyester

DI Diode 1N914
ZD2 Zener Diode BZX79C5V1

Q1,2 Transistor BC558, BC178

ICI Integrated Circuit LM308

Metal box
Two 9v batteries
Two pole toggle switch
PC board ETI 130
3.5mm plug and socket
Two pin plug and socket for output

OUTPUT POWER
SW1

Fig. 3. Component overlay and interconnection diagram.

I
Ilk

o o
ETI 130

Fig. 4. Printed circuit pattern. Full size

63 x 63 mm.

Internal view of the completed temperature converter. Note also the probe at front.

39
o
RVlb 25K

RIO

41 12 V

RI? Unless otherwise indicated all

06
BC 108 resistance is in ohms and
1 C3 5 Cl 02
RI capacitance in micro- farads
4./OPf BCI 78
10K CIO
•47 1.047 .
0047
500.. t
RI6
5.6K

OUTPUT
RV3 10K
1:15
01
BC108 ciari SIN 3
SVV1b B C108 04
SOUARE '500tar R19
BC108
30(1
SW 26
SW 2a
R2 R 23
L>IM
1.8K
C2 R83011

iR18 R22 R24

17 147 1 0
. 0471170Pf
DI R6 R9 680C1.
RV,4 820 21 68 On
0A91 loon 680A

R25

SV1/4
240V AC
Similar connection for both
8C108 and BC178
Fig. 1

Audio Signal Generllioner

 T
HIS ARTICLE gives all
necessary data for constructing
a reliable, stable audio signal
generator which covers frequencies
from 15Hz to 150kHz in four
switch-selected ranges.
Both sine and square wave outputs
are provided. Sine wave amplitude is
one volt rms, square wave amplitude is
one volt peak, adjustable by both fine
and coarse attenuators in the emitter
follower output stage.
The generator uses a total of seven
silicon transistors, six of which are npn
types and one a pnp type. The Wien
bridge oscillator ( 01, 02, 03) is a
slightly modified version of the
well-known Mullard circuit which uses
fixed capacitive elements and variable
resistance elements in the bridge and
includes a thermistor to ensure
constant amplitude output. The
modifications to the original Mullard
Wien bridge circuit have been made to
accommodate transistors readily
available in Australia.
The full circuit is shown in Fig. 1.
Frequency is varied by the ganged
potentiometers RV 1a and RV 1b; these
form the resistive elements of the
bridge. Constant amplitude output is
ensured by the thermistor TH1 in the
feedback loop to the emitter circuit of
01.
The npn/pnp pair Q1 and 02 form a
high gain amplifier which is coupled to
the npn emitter follower 003 . Our completed unit
For sine-wave output the signals are
taken via SW2a and SW2b, and the
fine attenuator control RV4, to the
base of emitter follower 07. The
output of 07 then goes via the
switched attenuation circuit ( SW3, Front panel wiring
R21, R22, R23, R24) which can be details.
used to adjust the sine-wave output to
a maximum of 1volt, 100 mV, or 10
mV rms.
For square-wave signals, the
sine-wave output from 03 is taken to Fig. 5. Calibration
04 and 05, which together form a scale ( full size)

25
30

20 35

40

50

60
70
80
90
15 100 Simply constructed audio sqgnal generator
provides adequate performance for home and
150 shop use.

41
 Audio Signal Generator

PARTS LIST

R1 - Resistor 10k A watt 5%

R2 -
R3
R4 " 6.8k
R5 " 1.2k
R6 „ 100íZ
R7 „ 6.8k
R8 „ 30
R9 „ 6801
R10 - " 100e
R11 - " 47k
R12 - " 2.7k
R13 - „ 1.5k
R14 - " 1.2k
R15 " 2.7k
R16 - " 5.6k
R17 - 100k
R18 - - 820,Ç2
R19 - 30
R20 " 680S2
R21 „ 4.7k
R22 " 68e2
R23 " 5.6k
R24 " 680S-2 " II

R25 " 150£.2 1 watt 10%

RV1 ( a/b) - Dual gang potentiometer 25k linear

RV2 - Potentiometer preset 10k linear
Fig. 4. General layout of components, in our final version we found it was desirable to us
RV3 screened signal reads between the circuit board and the panel mounted switches.
RV4 -- Switch potentiometer 5k linear

Cl - Capacitor - metallized 0.47 pf, 15 volt Fig. 2. Foil pattern - full size
C2 - " 0.47 pf, "
C3 0.047/if,
C4 0.047pf, o
C5 O. 0047pf ,
C6 O. 0047pf ,
Cl - Capacitor - metallized 470 pf, 15 volt
C8 470pf,
(silver mica capacitors may be used for
C7 and C8).
CO - Capacitor - electrolytic 1000 pf, 16 volt oame
Cl 0 - " _ „ 500 pf ,
Cl 1 220 I.tf,
C12 500 ¡if,
C13 -- " 500 /if,
(Note C10- C13 are single en
-ded type capacitors)
C14 - " - " 1000 pf,

D1 - diode - 0A91 ( or equivalent)

02-5 diodes EM401 ( or equivalent)
213-1 - zener diode BZY96, 12v., 1 watt
(or similar)
01 - Transistor BC108
02 BC178
03-07 - Transistors BC108
TH1 - Thermistor type STC type R53
Ti - Transformer 240 volt to 12 volt 150 ma
(Ferguson type PF 2851 or similar)

SVV1 ( a/b) - Switch rotary, two pole, four way

SW2 ( a/b) - Switch rotary, two pole, two way
SW3 - Switch rotary, single pole, three way
SW4 - ( rear of switch pot. R V4)
PC ET- 006 - Printed circuit board
Case - ATC type plastic case
Various Output terminals, connecting block,
mains cable and plug, control knobs.

Errata: Capacitors CI,C2,C3,C4,C5,C6,C7 and C8

shoLld be 100 volts not 15 volts as shown above.

42 1
 Audio Signal Generator

squaring amplifier. The pre-set

potentiometer RV2 is used to set the
Frequency range 1: 15Hz — 150Hz
mark-space ratio to 1:1. The squared
Frequency range 2: 150Hz — 1,500Hz
signal is then taken from the emitter
Frequency range 3: 1,500 Hz — 15,000Hz
follower 06, through pre-set
Frequency range 4: 15,000Hz — 150kHz
attenuator RV3, and , then to the
output transistor 07 (range 4 will in fact extend beyond 150kHz)
Output variation: Less than ± 1c18 from 15Hz — 150kHz.
The preset potentiometei RV3 is
Distortion: <1%
adjusted to produce a maximum
Output impedance: 600 ohms.
square- wave output of 2 volts
Sine-wave output: 0-1 volt ( rms)
peak- to- peak. The coarse output
0-100mV ( rms)
attenuator will reduce this to either
0-10mV ( rms)
200mV or 20mV peak- to-peak. Each
Square-wave output: 0-2 volts ( peak- to- peak)
of three output levels ( both sine- wave
0-200mV ( peak- to- peak)
and square-wave) is then steplessly
0-20mV ( peak-to- peak)
variable from zero to maximum by
Square-wave mark/space ratio: nominally 1:1
means of RV4.
Square-wave rise time: less than 1µsec.
A circuit for a 12 volt power supply
has been included in Fig. 1. However,
if the generator is used infrequently or
for short periods, it can be operated
of which is reproduced in Fig. 2. The If desired, the unit can be assembled
from a 12 volt battery. Current drain
layout of components is shown in Fig. on Veroboard. The layout of
is less than 30mA.
3; compare this with Fig. 4, which is a components is not too critical,
Our prototype unit was built on a
photograph of the completed unit. although we have found that it is
printed circuit board the foil pattern
necessary to use screened leads from
the oscillator board to the output level
9.Zl

switch, and from the output level

switch to the output terminals.
-A

It is essential that, metallized

3V

7-1 C8 SW la capacitors be used for Cl, C2, C3, C4,

C5
C5 and C6. Silver mica capacitors may
--II D2 —I
ID 4 1
— '
s
[ C3 •
SW la
be used for C7 and C8 ( 470pF). DO
NOT use ceramic capacitors.
SW Ia
C1
The frequency range scale illustrated
C14
in Fig. 5 will prove accurate enough
C6 for most audio work. If greater
accuracy is required, the unit must be
checked against another oscillator of
.L J__ _L _L
known accuracy.
m 31 2, 3:1
cr, ul The output waveform should, if
R25 I
— — I* possible, be checked with an
zo `
FT T T oscilloscope to verify that a good
OV
sine- wave is being obtained and that
the square- wave is uniform. The
10 m
R24 -iR 8
SW3 mark- space ratio of the square-wave

\I
R23 output should be set to 1:1 by the
100 m v pre-set potentiometer RV2 and the
SW 3
TH I peak- to- peak output level by RV3. If
no oscilloscope is available, RV2 and
RV3 should be set to mid- range.
H R16
SW 3 If an audio frequency voltmeter is
available, the sine-wave output should
C9 be checked from 15Hz to about
100kHz to ensure that reasonably
constant output is maintained.
The output signal should remain
constant within ±-1dB up to 100kHz or
so, but there may be changes in level
whilst changing frequency. The
envelope stability ( or the time take
for the amplitude to stabilize after a
change in frequency) is mainly a
function of the quality of the dual
ganged potentiometer.
21 Performance of the prototype unit is
detailed above. •
43
 PROJECT 441 AUDIO NOISE
GENERATOR
Simple circuit generates both
white and pink noise.

PINK WHITE

ON

NOISE is generally an undesirable

phenomena that degrades the
performance of many measurement
and instrumentation systems. It
therefore seems strange that anyone
o should want to generate noise, but this
+15-30V
R2 is often the case.
R8
5k6
C2 5k6 Noise generators are often used to
inject noise into radio-frequency
H
1µF
.0 WHITE
NOISE
amplifiers in order to evaluate their
R1
56k
PINK small signal performance. They are
also used to test audio systems, and as
4{11-N°°1SE random signal sources for wind-like
C7
4' C3 1µF effects in electronic music.
25µF
25V
There are two commonly used noise
source characteristics, ' pink' and
R3 'white'. White noise is so called
39k
C1 because it has equal noise energy in

T
03
25,J F 0.0056 pF 0.0027 pF equal bandwidths over the total
25V
OV frequency range of interest. Thus, for
o example, a white noise source would
01-03 ARE TYPE BC548
have equal energy in the band 100 to
200 Hz to that in the band 5000 to
Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the noise generator. 5100 Hz.

44
 PARTS LIST — ETI 441
HOW IT WORKS — ETI 441
R1 Resistor 56k 2 W
/
1 5%
In the days when vacuum tubes R2 5k6 I/2W 5%
were in common use the most R3 39k l/zW 5%
R4 1M /W 5%
commonly used form of noise R5
2
1
390k /W
2
1 5%
generator was a vacuum- tube diode R6 100k I/2W 5%
operated in the current saturation R7 18k I/2W 5%
mode. Nowadays noise generators R8 5k6 I/2W 5%
may be very complex indeed. Highly Cl Capacitor 25JLF 25V electro
complex digital generators which C2 1 25V electro
produce psuedo-random digital noise C3 2511F 25V electro
C4 0.00561.1F polyester
may cost many thousands of dollars. C5 0.002711F polyester
An example of a simpler type of C6 820pF ceramic
digital noise source may be found in C7 111F 25V electro
our synthesizer design ( see Q1- Q3 Transistor BC548, BC108
International Music Synthesizer 4600 or similar
PC board ETI 441
ETI December 1973). However for CASE
audio work of a general nature the BATTERIES
most commonly used, and the OUTPUT SOCKETS
simplest, method is to use a zener
diode as anoise generator.
Transistor Q1 is in fact used as a
zener diode. The normal base-emitter
junction is reverse-biased and goes
into zener break-down at about 7 to
8 volts. The zener noise current from
o
Q1 flows into the base of Q2 such
that an output of about 150
millivolts of white noise is available. OV
The ` zener', besides being the noise
source, also biases Q2 correctly, and .1 R1
the noise output of Q2 is fed directly
WHITE
NOISE
to the White Noise output.
+0c 2
Nil „
To convert the white noise to pink
1. -Lc41.
a filter is required which provides a t) R2 h +Ve
3dB cut per octave as the frequency cr cc
C6 C5 Fis
increases. A conventional RC PINK
network is not suitable as asingle RC T T TT +0c7 NOISE
stage ¡eves acut of 6dB per octave.
Hence aspecial network of Rs and Cs Fig. 2. Component o o
is required in order to approximate overlay.
the 3dB-per- octave slope required.
Since such a filter attenuates the
noise considerably an amplifier is
used to restore the output level.
Transistor Q3 is this amplifier and
the pink noise filter is connected as a
feedback network between collector
and base in order to obtain the
required characteristic by controlling
the gain-versus-frequency of the
transistor. The output of transistor
Q3 is thus the pink-noise required
and is fed to the relevant output
socket.

If white noise is filtered or modified

in any way it is referred to as coloured
noise or, often more specifically, as
'pink' or 'grey' noise. The term pink Printed circuit layout. Full
noise should be restricted to the noise size 67 x49 mm.
characteristic that has equal energy per
percentage change in bandwidth. For
example with true pink noise the
energy between 100 Hz and 200 Hz
should equal that between 5000 Hz
and 10 000 Hz ( 100% change in both
cases). CONSTRUCTION out for the two different pin
Construction is relatively simple and connections used by different
Pink noise therefore appears to have almost any of the common methods, manufacturers.
more bass content than does white such as Veroboard or Matrix board,
noise, and it appears to the ear to have may be used if desired. For neatness For use as a separate instrument in
a more uniform output level in audio and ease of assembly it is hard to beat general experimentation the unit will
testing. To change white noise to pink a proper printed-circuit board and for need to be powered by a pair of
noise a filter is required that reduces this reason we have provided details of nine-volt batteries. However if the unit
the output level by 3 dB per octave asuitable board. is to be built into some other piece of
(10 dB per decade) as the frequency is Almost any type of NPN transistor equipment, as is often the case, any
increased. The ETI 441 Noise will do for the generator provided that supply within the equipment which
Generator is designed to provide both the one used for G3 has again of 100 has an output of between 15 and 30
white and pink noise as required. or more. If BC548 type are used watch volts dc will be suitable.

45
AUDIO NOISE GENERATOR
Bruel & &jeer Potenhometer Range dB Rect Lower Urn. Freq .
: z Wr Speed mm/sec.
Copennoge
n 51-2

de d

Measunng Obi •

eV Ill( 3
aearaferaco
rze 4

Rec.
Date:
Amplitude of white noise
SIgn o versus frequency as measured
10 20 Hz 50 100 200 500 1000 2000 5000 10000 20000 with a one-third octave filter
OP 1124 Multip yFrequency Scale by Zero Level: (1612/2112) set.

Bruel & Kicer Poienhometer Range !Ile dB Rect,fie, Lower Um Freq Ht Wr Speed
0-175 50r2 7, err- . 'rya weir a 1

eB d d

4D-20

. Alleasowng Obj

4/ 44
4.•,,C_
zporaKe_.
tv • ,ze
Va wider__ •
• -30 5Kr 2 10.
_

1i15 5

Amplitude of pink noise versus

frequency as measured with a
one-third octave filter set.
1] 0
Rec No.:....
Date:
Stgn • 0 0
10 20 Hz 50 100 200 500 000 2000 5000 10000 20000
OP 1124 Alulbp yFrequency Scale by Zero Level ( 1612/2112)

internal layout of the

generator.

46
TONE BURST testing is a technique
which is rapidly gaining acceptance in
awide variety of applications. Typical
applications are in testing of
hydrophones,
telephone
signal-to-noise
channels, reverberation
in
TONE BURST GATE
chamber testing and in the
CYCLES ON CYCLES OFF
determination of peak distortion in
loudspeakers. With loudspeakers, tone 4 8 4 8
burst testing has the further advantage 16 2 J6 TRIGGER
OUTPul
that the speakers may be tested with F.2
their maximum peak power level
whilst keeping the average sound
output level low enough to not annoy
the neighbours — a considerable BURST
advantage indeed.
Some time ago our audio TONt
O
consultants, Louis Challis and OUTPUT
Associates, asked us to build them a MODE
tone- burst generator and the resulting INPUT
eti12 4
instrument has been used by them ever
since wi th much success. The
tone- burst test has been mentioned in
several speaker reviews and, as aresult,
many people have asked for

Ell
constructional details of this
instrument.

DESIGN FEATURES
A tone burst must always be an
integral number of cycles. If the burst
is switched on or off part way through PROJECT 124

TONE BURST
a cycle then undesirable transients will
be produced that will mask the test
results. Thus the burst must start and
end exactly at the zero-crossing point

GENERATOR
of the sine wave in the burst.
In the original unit, designed for
Louis Challis, preset times can be
independently selected for the on and
off periods of the burst with the
exception that the burst time is
A valuable tool for testing loudspeakers.
automatically modified to give an
integral number of cycles. The
preselected on/off ratio, however, is
independant of the burst frequency. MEASURED PERFORMANCE
To give the required control range, six
switched ranges as well as a variable TONE BURST GENERATOR.
control are provided for both the on
and off periods. Other features of the On Time Cycles. 2,4,8 or 16
original unit are the ability . o start at
any point in the cycle as well as the 2,4,8 or 16
Off Time Cycles
zero crossing point, a phase- inverting
switch to select either the positive or
Frequency Response
the negative half cycle first and an 3 Hz — 300 kHz +0 — 3dB
OFF LEVEL control to set abase tone
level which is modified when the tone
Distortion
burst occurs. In addition the dc level 3V input at 1kHz <0.02%
of the output can be set and aswitch
is provided to select burst, pure tone Input Level
or off as required. Maximum 3V RMS
When it came to redesigning the unit Nominal range 100 mV to 1V
as a project we decided that many of
the features offered by the original Input Impedance 47 k
design were unnecessary for the user
concerned only with testing speakers. Output Noise Voltage
Hence the unit has been redesigned in a with no input <25 pV
greatly simplified form.
Power Supply Current 4 mA
Instead of using monostables to
generate variable on/off times we now
divide the input with a counter to
47
 tondemo isms 3N01
10 11
IC4/3 4
12 REVERSE
4016 OUTPUT
IC4/4
+6V 4016
5
2 3
6 16 R4 R6
O C2 47k 120.(.2
5 8 220p 12
9 C4
iVvV\--o
IC2/1 0 SVV1 1
TRIGGER
IC3/1 1
4520 4 I 4001 3 6 IC4/1 33p OUTPUT
Cl IC3/3
+6V ON 2
1µ F 13 4001 4016 —IF
3 29 TIME
25V
8 + 6V
2 7 TONE OFF
(.›2
. I (D
1

INPUT Cl 6 SVV3/1 SVV3/2 3

1R1 +6V -1,--•--10.0 0.0—•—•- - 6V 8 R7
47k 301 1202 OUTPUT
C5
9 OFF TONE
4 14 301 6
R3 6
16 IC4/2 2
4
1 4016
47k C3 5 4 C5
—6V /
VW— 13 8 220p 8 4 0.047 4 1
IC2/2 SVV2 1 IC3/4 —6V
IC3/2 4001
4520 12 4001 13
R2 6
47.2
OFF 9 2
11 29 TIME R5
10 47k

PARTS LIST — ETI 124

+6V
RI Resistor 47 kr., 'MW 5%
R2 " 47 IL 'MW 5%
• SVV4 R3 " 47 k 'MW 5%
R4 " 47 k 'MW 5%
o
+f +6V POWER RAILS OF IC2, IC3, AND IC4 NOT SHOWN
PIN 16 OF IC2 IS + 6V
R5
R6
47 k 'MW
120 iMW
5%
5%
R7 120 I/4W 5%
C6 PIN 8 OF IC2 IS — 6V
Cl Capacitor 1 UF 25V electro
6V' PIN 14 OF IC3 AND 4 IS + 6V
I 0.047;J F C2 ' 220 pF ceramic
PIN 7 OF IC3 AND 4 IS — 6V C3 " 220 pF ceramic
C4 " 33 pF ceramic
PIN 7 AND 15 OF IC2 ARE RESET PINS AND — 6V
C5 " 0.047 i/F polyester
C6 " 0.047 µF polyester
C7 " 0.047 l/F polyester
ICI Integrated Circuit LM 301A
6V C7 IC2 " 4520 ( CMOS)
IC3 " 4001 ( CMOS)
• 0.047µ F IC4 " " 4016 ( CMOS)
IC5 " " LM301A
o 6V SW1 Switch 1 pole 4 position rotary
Fig. 4. How to add SW2 Switch 1 pole 4 position rotary
a potentiometer to TO PIN 9 SW3 Switch DPDT Toggle with
ON IC4 centre off
the generator for
SW4 Switch DPDT Toggle
burst- on- tone 47k
PC Board ETI 124
operation. That is LIN
8 AA size batteries
TO PINS 2,3
the generator gives 4 P. OF IC4 2 4- way battery holders and clips
a continuous tone Plastic case
REMOVE Escutcheon
level with tone bursts LINK TO OV 3 single RCA sockets
of higher ampli- 2 knobs
Fig. 1. Circuit diagram. TO OV.
tude at intervals.
 HOW IT WORKS- Eli 124
The input signal is squared by
comparator IC1 such that the output
of the comparator will be high if the
input is above +6 mV, and low if the
CONTROL input signal is below — 6mV.
A
Resistors R2 and R3 provide the
CONTROL necessary positive feedback to cause
the IC to act as a compatator. The
output of the comparator is
connected to both clock lines of IC2.
If the enable line is high these
4016 counters ( IC2) will toggle at the
4066 input frequency.
QUAD ANALOGUE IC3/3 and IC3/4 form an RS flip
SWITCH. ON IF
CONTROL IS HIGH flop where the output must be in
ON RESISTANCE either a high or a low state, that is
4016 TYP 2800 the flip flop has only two stable
4066 TYP 800
states. If the output of IC3/3 is high
1C2/1 is allowed to clock and, after
tho number of input pulses selected
o by SW1 have been counted, the
output from SW1 goes low. This low
is coupled to the flip flop by C2
toggling the flip flop, disabling IC2/1
CLOCK Ve and enabling IC3/2. After the
number of cycles, as selected by
ENABLE RESET
SW2, have been counted the flip flop
4520
2 '16
DUAL 4 BIT is again toggled. IC3/1 and IC3/2 are
•4 8 BINARY UP COUNTER used to square up the pulses
TOGGLE ON POSITIVE
EDGE OF CLOCK o generated by C2 and C3 respectively.
4
IF ENABLE IS HIGH The input signal is also coupled to
16 2 AND RESET IS LOW. the output buffer, IC5, by the
RESET ENABLE analogue switch 1C4/l. When this
switch is closed ( control signal high)
—Ve CLOCK
the output of the buffer will be the
same as the input. When switch IC4/1
is open IC4/2 will be closed and the
4001
output will be held at zero. Since
QUAD 2 INPUT
NOR GATE these switches are controlled by the
flip flop the output will be the
INPUTS OUTPUT required tone burst.
A 13 A trigger output is taken from the
flip flop to synchronize an oscillo-
0 0 1
scope if required. A second output is
0 1 0 SVV2 SW1 also available from pins 4/i 1of IC4
1 0 0 which is the reverse of the main
output.
1 1 0
Switch SW3 forces the flip flop into
either of its two possible states thus
Fig. 2. Component overlay allowing continuous tone or no
and interconnection diagram. output to be selected as required. In
Note that there are six links on
the centre position the normal tone
the board, including two under
IC4, which should be installed burst is obtained.
Fig. 3. Pin connections of the ICs used in the generator. first.
 TONE BURST GENERATOR obtain times that remain in the same
ratio regardless of input frequency. We
settled for the ability to select 2, 4, 8
and 16 cycles for the duration of
either period, as this compromise
greatly simplifies the circuitry. We still
have the switch to select tone, tone
burst or off, but the OFF LEVEL
control has been deleted. The latter
control may quite easily be added,
however, as shown in Fig. 4. . The
output dc level control and the
starting- point phase change have also
been deleted.
Since we only need half of a CMOS
4016 IC, to give the required output,
the other half may be used to give an
inverse output if required, that is, the
reverse output is on when the other is
off and vice versa. This output is not
buffered or brought out to the front
panel. If it is intended to load this
output with less than 47 k it is
recommended that a4066 IC be used
Fig.5 (al Top trace — the input tone burst of five cycles. (original design). instead which will handle loads down
(b) Bottom trace — the response of a low-cost speaker at 1kHz. Note the reduced to 10 k. For loads of lower impedance
amplitude of the first half cycle and that ringing has added another cycle at the end of than this, a buffer such as is on the
the burst. The room reflection can be seen on the trace after the burst.
normal output should be used.

.6*.:41`iWnalj '
Fig.6. Printed circuit board
for the Tone Burst Generator O ETI 124 alb
Full size. 142 x 47mm.

TONE BURST GATE

OFF

o
CYCLES ON CYCLES OFF
o
4 8 4 8
ON 2 S, J 16 2 16
TRIGGER
POWER
OUTPUT

BURST

o TONE 0 OFF
o
INPUT
MODE OUTPUT

eti'124
Fig.?. Front panel artwork

50
CONSTRUCTION
As with any project construction is
greatly simplified if a printed circuit
board is used. However the layaut of
the unit is not critical and any other
suitable method, such as Veroboard or
Matrix board may be used if desired.
We strongly recommend that sockets
be used for the CMOS ICs, especially if
a printed circuit board is not used, as
these devices are quite easily damaged
when soldering. The use of IC sockets
also facilitates later servicing. Also
remember that, unlike TTL, all unused
inputs of CMOS must be connected to
either the positive or negative supply
rail.
The plastic box that we used
measured 160 x 95 x 50 mm and is
very convenient in that the printed
circuit may be held in position by
sliding it down behind two of the
pillars to which the front panel is
screwed. The front- panel overlay on
the prototype was made from
Scotchcal but, as the amount of How the unit is assembled.
lettering required is quite small, this
may readily be done directly on the
panel by hand or with Letraset.
Shielding of the internal wiring is not
required providing that the unit is kept
away from strong 50 Hz fields. If The use of a : one- burst generator appreciate the noise that you will
operation in the vicinity of strong minimizes both these problems. How generate.
fields cannot be avoided then the unit this is achieved is better understood by By varying the off period we can also
should be mounted in adiecast box. examination of Fig.5. This shows on select a ratio where the room
the upper trace a five cycle 1000 Hz reflection, the oscillation seen after
burst that is fed to a loudspeaker. the cessation of the burst, does not
USING THE UNIT
The second trace shows the same burst interfere with the first few cycles of
The testing of loudspeakers is very as picked up by amicrophone in front the burst and the response versus
difficult indeed and much effort is still of the speaker. We notice that the frequency of the speaker may then be
being spent to find test methods which burst has been changed by the speaker assessed from the amplitude of the
will not only give an accurate and an examination of these changes first half cycles that are stable in
understanding of the relative can tell us alot about the speaker. For amplitude. Thus it is possible to gain
effectiveness of the design, but which example we notice that the first half an appreciation of the frequency
will be easy to reproduce. cycle has not reached full amplitude response, transient performance and
One of the main problems with and this indicates that the speaker quality in terms of ringing of aspeaker
speaker testing is that the speaker would have some difficulty in by careful use of the tone-burst
cannot easily be isolated from its reproducing high frequency transients. technique.
environment. For example, reflections Next we notice that instead of five The transient power handling
from the walls of a room modify the cycles there are now at least five and a capability of aspeaker may be assessed
response, seen by a microphone, no half. This could mean one of two by selecting a fairly long off to on
matter where the microphone is placed things. Either there is a speaker/room ratio for the burst and by feeding the
in the room. If one could eliminate resonance or, the speaker itself is burst to the speaker via a high- power
reflections then the situation would be continuing to vibrate after the original amplifier. If for example an off to on
improved considerably, and hence the excitation has ceased. Which is it? We ratio of 8:1 is used then the peak
use of anechoic ( echo free) chambers can determine this by changing the power will be eight times the average
for testing speakers. But such position of the speaker to see if any power. Thus the speaker may safely be
chambers are very expensive to build change occurs in the shape of the driven to a peak level where a
and consequently not readily burst, if not it is caused by the speaker predetermined amount of distortion
accessible to the amateur. itsel .
f, and if it does then it is a occurs. Take care that the amplifier is
A further problem is in assessing the speaker/room resonance. A speaker capable of providing the péak power
transient power handling capability of that lengthens the burst unduly will required.
the speaker. Speakers will handle far sourd muddy in that region. Of course Of course atone- burst generator may
greater peak transient power than is the speaker must be examined over its be used for awide range of testing. We
indicated by their RMS power rating. whole range to gain a thorough have mainly concentrated in this
This is a very important attribute of assessment of performance. article on its application to the testing
loudspeakers in handling musical It is of course possible to eliminate of loudspeakers.
transients. Any attempt to assess this room reflections simply by performing The circuitry of the tone- burst
with a sinewave signal may result in the tests outside. However unless one generator may easily be modified for
the destruction of the speaker due to lives in a very quiet area, background us P as a ' silent switch' for A/B speaker
thermal failure — apart from also being noise will introduce problems — and testing. The method of doing this is
extremely noisy. your neighbours are unlikely to shown on pages 106 and 107.

51
 eh PROJECT 704

CROSSHATCH/DOT
GENERATOR
Inexpensive unit for converging
colour TV set.

THE COLOUR television picture is

created in the receiver picture tube by
three separate electron guns — one
each for red, green and blue. As these
guns cannot be in the same physical
position they need to be converged
into one spot on the screen.
The process of converging at the
centre of the screen is called static
convergence and is performed by
magnets on the yoke assembly.
However, the screen of the picture
tube is not everywhere coincident with
the deflection plane and this causes
errors when the beam is deflected
away from centre. These deflection
errors are corrected electronically by
12 or more controls and the process is
known as dynamic convergence.

An important part of the process is

the use of a crosshatch generator to
provide horizontal and vertical lines on
the screen. Using the generator, the
convergence errors are immediately attaches it to the antenna terminals the output of the module to the
apparent and the controls on the set and selects channel 6. socket by means of a short length of
are usually labelled with the effect
CONSTRUCTION 75 ohm coaxial cable. The connections
each has on acrosshatch pattern. to the switch and battery may then be
Coil L1 should be constructed from
24 gauge B&S enamelled copper wire made with ordinary hookup wire.
In addition to setting up convergence
the generator pattern may also be used by winding 6 turns, close spaced,
to set up horizontal and vertical around a former, such as a knitting SETTING UP
linearity and to orientate the needle, so that the finished outside Connect the unit to the antenna
deflection yoke coils on both black diameter of the coil is about 5 mm. terminals of a television receiver and
and white and colour sets. Coil L2 is constructed by winding 4 select Channel 6. Adjust the coil L2 to
turns of 24 gauge B&S enamelled obtain the strongest signal on the
Most of the inexpensive pattern copper onto a miniature Neosid screen. ( This may be totally out of
generators, which are currently former which is fitted with a VHF slug sync at this stage.)
available, produce a video waveform, and an aluminium can. Fit links to the Now adjust RV2 as you would a
which must be injected into the board in accordance with Fig. 2 and normal horizontal sync control to
correct place in the TV, and require a then the above coils and other obtain vertical lines and then adjust
synchronizing signal from the TV set. components can be assembled to the RV1 for vertical sync. Then readjust
Such generators are thus fiddly things printed circuit board with the aid of L2 for clearest picture and make small
to use. the component overlay. Take adjustments to RV2 and RV1 to
particular care with the orientation of obtain the most stable crosshatch.
The ETI 704 generator produces a
ICs and other polarized components. Finally adjust brightness and contrast
combined horizontal and vertical- sync
Assemble the CMOS devices to the of the set to obtain white lines on a
waveform and this, together with the
board last of all and handle them as black background. These adjustments
crosshatch video, is modulated onto a
little as possible. Avoid touching the need only be made on initial set up
carrier frequency operating in VHF
pins. and henceforth the generator is simply
channel 6 ( 175.25 to 180.75 MHz).
Assemble the output socket and attached to the antenna terminals and
Thus to use the generator one simply
switch to the front panel and connect switched on.

52
CROSS HATCH-DOT GENERATOR
HOW IT WORKS — ETI 704
Two 555 timers, ICI and IC2, are
used as the frame and line sync pulse
generators respectively. Integrated
o circuit ICI generates one millisecond
wide pulses at 20 millisecond
o.- oL2-
0 00
eee co> intervals (50 Hz) and IC2 generates
five microsecond wide pulses at 64
microsecond intervals ( 15625 Hz).
Light synchronization of ICI to IC2
is achieved by means of R3. Thus
both oscillators have to be close to
the correct frequency before locking
will occur.
Gates IC3/2, IC4/1, IC4/2 and
IC8/2 form an exclusive-OR function
on these two sync-pulse trains to
LI-
produce a combined sync-pulse train
at the output of IC8/2.
CC CO
(..) At the end of each line-sync pulse
o an oscillator, formed by IC5/1 and 2
is gated on, and produces atrain of
pulses at approximately 240 kHz.
-o
The leading edge of each of these
o
pulses triggers monostable IC5/3 and
IC5/4 such that a 40 nanosecond
wide pulse is generated. Thus
approximately 14 40 nanosecond
wide pulses are generated between
successive line sync pulses. These
eye- 0
e pulses produce the vertical lines of
o the crosshatch.
m At the end of each frame sync pulse
ow
cr decade counter IC6 is enabled. This is
< a CMOS Johnson decade counter
Qe
which provides an output at pin 1
every tenth line sync pulse
commencing from the 5th pulse after
the counter is enabled. This output is
divided by two by IC7 and the
output of IC3/3 is therefore low for
the duration of every twentieth line
period. This output is the horizontal
lines of the crosshatch.
The vertical and horizontal
crosshatch signals are NANDed and
NORed by IC3/4 and IC4/3
respectively to provide either
crosshatch or dots as selected by
SW1/b. These outputs are inhibited
during the line and frame sync
periods via IC3/2, IC8/1 and IC8/3.
The output from IC8/4 is thus the
composite crosshatch video signal.
The composite sync from IC8/2 and
the composite video from IC8/4 are
summed into R12 by R10 and R11
and form a combined sync and video
waveform which modulates the RF
from oscillator Q1 via diode Dl.
Transistor Q1 and its associated
components form an oscillator which
cc e runs at around 180 MHz. The output
from the generator is therefore a
modulated RF signal at channel 6
frequency which is adjustable by
LI)
tuning coil L2.
The unit is powered from a 9 volt
battery which is only on when dots
or crosshatch are selected. The 9
volts is regulated down to 6 volts by
means of R9 and zener diode ZD1.

53
 PARTS LIST — ETI704
RI Resistor 47k 2 W
/
1 5%
R2 " 2k7
R3 " 3M3
R4 " 4k7
R5 " 560
R6 12k YU

R7 " 3k9 OF

R8 " 2k2
R9 " 150
R10 " 10k 111

R11 " 4k7

R12 " 330 Oli

R13 " 27k

R14 " 82 VP

R15 " lk
R16 " 4k7
R17 " 3k3
RVI Potentiometer 10k Trim type
RV2 4k7 "

Cl Capacitor 0.47pF TAG Tantalum

C2 " 0.008211F Styroseal
C3 " 390pF ceramic
C4 33pF
C5 " 331,1F 10V electro
C6 " 331/F 10V
C7 " 100pF ceramic
C8 " 10pF ceramic
SIN1 CO " 10pf ceramic
C10 " 1pF ceramic
.....eraccemol.». •
CII " 100pF ceramic
C12 " 100pF ceramic
M* 1'1-3 C13 " 100 pF
C14 " 0.0011../F
ZD1 Zener Diode BZX79C6V2
• L2 DI Diode IN914
QI Transistor BF180
• IC1,2 Integrated Circuit NE555
IC3,5,8 " 4011 ( CMOS)

1
IC4 " " 4001 ( CMOS)
IC6 " " 4017 ( CMOS)
IC7 " " 4013 ( CMOS)

ICBM Li Inductor see text

L2 Inductor see text

:r7F1"rk PC Board ETI 704

+ cs DPDT with centre off toggle switch

75ohm socket
.11=1111111› 9V battery and connector
R12 -
r Box PC1 or similar ( A&R sonar)

OUTPUT
75 ,
». SOCKET
COAX

Fig.3. Component overlay.

Fig.4. Printed circuit

board layout.

54
RF SIGNAL
GENERATOR
simple unit for servicing AM receivers

PROJECT
129

AN RF SIGNAL generator is an above requirements are met by the The variable capacitor is mounted
invaluable instrument for AM radio ETI 129 generator and, since only one onto the component side of the
servicing and alignment — it greatly of the available signals is used at any printed-circuit board but spaced from
one time, e common level control is it by about 2 mm ( an oversized nut
simplifies alignment and allows each
stage to be checked for gain and used for all these outputs. may be used). The mounting of the
frequency response. board and variable capacitor assembly
In our generator the provision of IF
Three types of signal are required for to the front panel and reduction-drive
frequencies from 430 to 480 kHz, as
these purposes. Firstly, we require an assembly may best be understood by
well as catering for non-standard
audio signal to check that part of the referring to Fig. 3. Note that the board
receivers, allows receiver IF selectivity
receiver from the volume control is mounted by four standoffs and that
n be checked.
(after the detector) to the speaker. rubber grommets are used to allow the
Secondly, we need a modulated RF board to move slightly — for this
CONSTRUCTION reason the screws should not be
signal at 455 kHz ( 430 to 480 kHz
available for non-standard receivers) The prototype instrument was tightened too much. This method is
for checking and aligning IF stages, mounted in an aluminium box having used to avoid the expense of using a
and lastly, we need a modulated RF external dimensions of 145 x 115 x90 flexible drive to the variable capacitor.
signal in the range 500 to 1600 kHz to mm. Layout of the circuitry is The six-to-one slow-motion drive is
check out the RF amplifier and important and for this reason the mounted to the front panel by two 15
converter. printed-circuit board layout provided mm long bolts. The drive is spaced
In addition the level of the generator •;hould definitely be used. Take care back from the front panel by 4 mm
output should be adjustable so that when assembling components to the long spacers.
AGC action may be checked out, and printed-circuit board to correctly The remaining controls are mounted
so that optimum levels may be chosen orientate capacitors C9, C11 and C15, straight onto the front panel as shown
for servicing and gain checks. All the transistors 01 to 04 and diode Dl. in the photograph.

55
 RF SIGNAL
GENERATOR

Scotchcal front panels,

ready to stick on are
available from Electronics
Today at $4.00 each.
Send stamped addressed
envelope — size at least
150 x 120 mm. Address to
Scotchcal Offer, Electronics
Today, 15 Boundary Street,
Rushcutters Bay, NSW 2011.

Printed-circuit board layout.

Full size 129 x 80 mm.

CALIBRATION generator to the receiver.. back to a high frequency again. The

High Range. Using a conventional AM Adjust capacitor C3 until the signal correct tuning point is where the
receiver tune to a station at the top from the generator can be heard frequency is at its lowest, i.e. in the
end of the frequency band. Set the interfering with the station. This will middle. The level of the generator
pointer of the RF generator to take the form of a whistle which, as signal may have to be increased to
indicate the frequency of the station C3 is tuned, wiil go from a high obtain the correct point with
being received and couple the frequency to alow frequency and then accuracy. This procedure is called

C9
R2
—L +6V BATTERY 220 10pFI-= C11
—.

I 0.022p F
03
BC548
C7 ± I I
C10 ...... e
0.1p F AF
0.022p F 02
01 OUT
Cl II BC548
150pF C12 e
0.022p F
C14 ± R10
0.047p FI 220 C15
R5 C18
5k6 4.7µF
R14 1 .0.022/1 F
C13 10k

T R9 RF
10pF
10V 1k2 OUT

C17
470pF
R15
e 1k
C16
04 0.0047µF
C2
.
)SW2 BC548
330pF _

LOW R12 < R13

HIGH RANGE 10k < 330
RANGE

C3 C5
2 24pF C6
470pF 5-65pF
PHILIPS BC548
10-415pF BC548 ONLY MPF102

CC e
d

Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the modulated RF generator.

56
 Fig.3. Method of mounting printed-
'zero beating'.
circuit board and variable capacitor
assembly to the front panel and Now tune the receiver to astation at
reduct on drive. the low end of the band. Again set the
2mm SPACER pointer of the RF generator to the
frequency at which the station
operates and adjust the slug of L1 for
RUBBER GROMMET zero beat in the same manner as for
the high end.
15rrem SPACER
Repeat the procedure for both the
REDUCTION DRIVE
high and low ends of the band until
there is no change at either end.
FRONT PANEL OF BOX
DIAL POINTER Low Range. The low range should be
calibrated after the high range
calibration has been completed.
PARTS LIST - ETI 129
R2,10
First set C6 to mid position. Then
Resistor 220 V4W 5% C10,11 Capacitor
R3 0.02211F polyester tune in a station on a broadcast
270 C12.18
R13 0.0221.1.F polyester
330 re 19
C14 receiver that lies somewhere between
R15 1k II re 0.0471.1F polyester
C7 0.11/F polyester
R9 1k2 re ty
either 860 and 960 kHz or 1290 and
C15 4.712F 10V electro-
R8 Ik8 •I lytic 1440 kHz. These two bands are twice
C9,13 101.1F 10V electro-
R4,5 5k6 and three times the generator IF band
11 FP

R12,14 10k Pr PP lytic

01 Transistor MPF102 or similar
R7
R6 ",. 27k
47k
09

91
PP

91
02,3,4 BC548 or similar
respectively. That is, we are working
D1
on the second or third harmonic of the
RI 180k Diode IN914 or similar
generator respectively. Divide the
11 10

R11 ., 220k
SWI Switch SPST toggle
SW2 SPOT toggle
actual frequency of the tuned- in
RVI Potentiometer 1k Lin rotary.
station by two ( for stations between
C3 Capacitor Li Inductor See table 1.
2-24pF Philips
2222-808-00006
860 kHz and 960 kHz) or by three for
PC board ETI 129
C6 5-65pF Philips Metal box 145 x 115 x 90 mm stations between 1290 and 1440 kHz.
2222-808-01001 Front panel
CI 150pF ceramic 6 to 1 Reduction drive. Now set the pointer on the RF
C2 330pF ceramic
C4 rl
10-415pF Roblan
Four rubber grommets generator to this frequency. Adjust the
Four 15mm long spacers*
variable Two 4mm long spacers* capacitor C6 for zero beat as detailed
Two 2mm long spacers*
C5,17 11
470pF Ceramic Three terminals ( red, black, green)
for the high range.
C16 0.0047J/F polyester Nuts & bolts etc.
C8 0.011.1F polyester Refer to any standard textbook for
* Spacers may be cut from longer sections.
alignment procedure for AM receivers.

TO SW2 RF TO RV1
LOW AF
RANGE •

o
C10,C11, C12, and R3, R4 provides
about 180° phase shift of the signal
o at the collector of Q3, and the
feedback to the base of Q3 is
therefore positive — causing
TO BATTERY
Q4 C. C15 oscillation. The frequency of
. e9
C18 oscillation is about 600 Hz.

O
F
R12 C16 b
c) Transistor Q4 is a class ' A'
e 13 cia e amplifier which is biased by the
Cil half-supply method ( RIO and R11)
)
the operating supply being obtained
from emitter-follower ,Q3. The
C10 e
output of Q3 is the sine-wave from
b.C1:1 fa3
/ cl3 C12 the phase-shift oscillator. Because of
R11 any change at the junction of
Q3 and RIO causes a corresponding
Cl
change in the emitter current of Q4.
C2
C7
o The emitter current of Q4 therefore
Ca varies at the rate of 600 Hz. The
SW2 SW2 emitter resistance of a transistor
COM HIGH SW1
depends on the emitter current of
RANGE
that transistor and the gain depends
Fig. 2. Component overlay • for the RF generator. Note the wire link between R12 and C8 on the ratio of the collector load,
which should be installed before fitting C4. Also note the connection from C4 to the board R10 to the emitter resistance. Since
where shown by the asterisk.
the emitter resistance is varying at
HOW IT The circuit may be sub-divided into by coil LI in conjunction with ca- 600 Hz, the gain of the transistor will
three basic sections. These are: also be varying at 600 Hz and so the
WORKS — pacitors C2 through C6.
RF or carrier oscillator. Two ranges are provided, 500 kHz RF signal fed to the base of Q4 from
ETI 129
to 1600 kHz with Li, C3 and C4; QI by C16 is modulated by the audio
b) AF or modulation oscillator.
and 430 to 480 kHz with LI, C2, C5 signal.
c) Modulator and buffer amplifier.
and C6. Diode D1 is used to develop The signal across R10 is fed to RV1
a) Transistor Q1 is connected as an a negative bias across R1 which thus by Cl 5and this signal consists of two
Hartley oscillator. The positive
limits the level of oscillation, and components — the modulated RF
feedback necessary for oscillation is
hence prevents damage to the gate of and the audio tone.
provided from the source terminal of Ql.
QI back to the gate via coil Li. The After attenuation by RVI the
b) Transistor Q3 is connected as a signals are separated by high and low
frequency of oscillation is determined phase-shift oscillator. The network pass filters to the AF and RF outlets.

57
 RF SIGNAL
GENERATOR

Fig. 4. Front panel artwork. Full size 148 x 116 mm.

COUPLING TO RECEIVER In both the above methods if

insufficient signal level is available an
Method 1. To ferrite rod coil. Connect
earth connection may also have to be
one end of a length of ordinary
made between the generator and the
hook-up wire to the RF OUT jack and
receiver.
then wrap about two turns of the
Method 3. Audio testing. Use alength
other end of the wire around and over
of wire as before but with a series
the aerial coil on the ferrite rod.
capacitor of about 0.47µF. Note that
Method 2. To an IF amplifier. Connect an earth connection will definitely be
a wire to the RF OUT jack and to its required in this case. Once again the
other end connect a 0.001 capacitor best place to inject asignal is straight
and a 1k resistor in series. To inject into the base of the transistor. •
the signal into the IF stage just
connect the free end of the resistor to Internal view of the
the base of the IF stage transistor. generator.

TABLE 1

Li 20 turns 0.5 mm enamelled copper wire

tapped at four turns from grounded end.
CORE Philip potcore P18 series, material 3B7 or
3H1, e= 220. Part No 4322— 022
— 24280 or 4322 — 022 — 24080
FORMER 4322 — 021 — 30270
ADJUSTOR 4322 — 021 — 31080
CLIP 4307 — 021 — 20000
One each of core, former, adjustor and clip required to
assemble one complete coil.

58
 I MARKER
PROJECT 706 GENERATOR

Accurate crystal-controlled
markers for tuning and aligning
communications receivers.

A LIMITATION of most low priced

communications receivers and
conventional radios is that tuning
accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This
means that when waiting for a
short-wave station to come on the air
we may well miss the beginning of the
transmission because we have been
tuned to the wrong frequency. The
traditional method of overcoming this
problem has been to use a marker
generator or crystal calibrator. Such
instruments generate a series of
accurately known and harmonically
related signals which are tuned by the
receiver in order to determine the A slice of quartz crystal has the harmonics should be spaced
accuracy of the dial. The marker property that when avoltage is applied reasonably close together and should
• generator may also be used to perform to either side of the crystal, the crystal extend to 30 MHz. Ideally aharmonic
the periodic calibration and alignment wilI be mechanically strained and should fall within the pass- band of a
required by most sensitive receivers. conversely, when mechanical strain is receiver no matter what frequency is
Although it is possible to build a applied a voltage appears across the tuned. We therefore selected a
generator which could be set to any crystal. The crystal has a natural minimum spacing of 10 kHz as being
desired precise frequency this frequency of resonance and it is thus the most practical. Unfortunately the
approach is uneconomical. The more equiveent to a tuned circuit with a inaccuracies of many receivers can, in
practical method is to have an very high 'CI'. the high bands, exceed 200 kHz thus
oscillator running at an accurately The cheapest available crystals several harmonics may be within the
known frequency and to generate operate at 4 MHz and to obtain the pass-band at any one time making it
harmonics of this frequency. For frequency intervals that we require we impossible for the operator to
example a basic frequency of 1MHz used CMOS ICs to divide down from determine to which harmonic he is
would have harmonics at 2 MHz, the higher trequency. To ensure tuning. To overcome this problem the
3 MHz, 4 MHz .... and so on. maximum operating speed the CMOS marker generator is switchable to
The marker generator must supply a ICs need to be operated from a10 volt provide harmonics spaced at intervals
stable and accurate signal without the supply. Some exceptional devices will of 4 MHz, 2 MHz, 1MHz, 100 kHz
necessity of elaborate initial setting work on six volts but the level of and 10 kHz.
up. This requirement leads to the higher harmonics is then reduced To produce the series of harmonics
obvious need for a quartz crystal as somewhat. required it is necessary to generate a
the basic frequency-determining To cover as much of the dial as we series of very narrow pulses at a
element. can in an effective manner the repetition rate equal to the spacing
required. That is, 10,000 narrow
pulses per second will produce the
harmonic series 10 kHz, 20 kHz,
30 kHz up through 29 990 kHz and
SPECIFICATION
30 000 kHz.

Harmonic Spacing Five switchable outputs 4 MHz, 2 MHz, 1MHz, CONSTRUCTION

100 kHz and 10 kHz. We mounted our unit in a
Harmonic Range useable to 30 MHz commercially available aluminium box
having dimensions of 150 mm wide by
Accuracy dependent on calibration. 75 mm high and 100 mm deep. The
printed-circuit board is mounted on
the rear panel of the box but spaced

59
 MARKER GENERATOR
D Q
CLK
• 1 IC3a 69 IC3b 14
CLK CLK
13 10 10
IC2a IC2b

1MHz
100kHz

6 10kHz

3
—à--
C5
27pF
R3
10k
T +8
A
1TITERY
2
1"

+12V

NOTES
IC1 ( 4007) PINS 7,4 AND 9 ARE GROUND
IC2 (4013) PINS 6,4,8,10 AND 7 ARE GROUND
IC3 ( 4518) PINS 8,7 AND 15 ARE GROUND
Circuit diagram of marker generator.
IC1 PINS 14, 2 AND 11 ARE + 12V
IC2 PIN 14, IS + 12V
IC3 PINS 2,10 AND 16 ARE + 12V

from it by four 19 mm long machine

screws. Also mounted on the rear PARTS LIST — ETI 706
HOW IT WORKS — ETI 706. R1 Resistor /W 5%
panel are the two output terminals. R2 1k
4
14M7

The marker generator is a The two switches and the R3 10k "
constant- frequency oscillator driving RV1 Potentiometer 4k7 lin
potentiometer are mounted on the
into a CMOS divider chain. Cl Capacitor 100pF Ceramic
Switchable outputs from the divider front panel whilst the battery holders C2 9. 5-45pF Philips 2222
chain are selected to drive a pulse are clamped to the bottom of the box C3 .. 33pF
808 91503
Ceramic
generator. by means of a clamp made from a C4 .. 150pF Ceramic
C5 27pF Ceramic
scrap piece of aluminium.
91
The oscillator is IC la in which RI C6 .9 0.112F Ceramic
biases the IC into linear operation. With the exception of the ICs, mount
ICI Integrated Circuit reE ( glig
The crystal determines the basic all components and fit all links to the
IC2 4518 ¡ CMOS
frequency of operation at 4MHz in printed-circuit board. After checking IC3
conjunction with Cl, 2, 3 and 4 that all are correct, mount the ICs, XTAL one 4.0000 MHz quartz crystal
which appear to the crystal as one 30pF load
double checking their orientation
parallel capacitor. The capacitor C2 is SW1 Rotary Switch 1 pole 5 position
before soldering. Fit all flying leads to SW2 Toggle Switch SPST
used to tune the oscillator exactly to
frequency as explained in the text.
the board allowing about 150 mm of One pair of Terminals
PC Board ETI 706
The resistor R2 adds extra phase shift free length. Aluminium Box 150mm, 75mm,
100mm.
but also reduces the gain. Thus if the Drill the box with all the required Two knobs
oscillator is slow in starting reducing holes and fit all the components such Eight AA size batteries
Two 4xAA size Battery Holders
R2 may help. The output of the as the switches, the potentiometer and Nuts and Bolts.
oscillator is buffered from the rest of the output sockets. Fit the
the circuit by Id/b.
printed-circuit board to tha rear panel
IC2 is aCMOS dual type D flip flop tune a signal that we know to be on
with C2 to the top of the box and
that divides the 4MHz by four to 13 250 kHz. First select 4 MHz on the
provide an output of 1MHz, the
route the leads to their respective
points as detailed in the component marker generator and connect its
2MHz also being brought out.
overlay. Note that one of the screws output to the aerial socket of the
A further dual division by 10 is
provided by IC3 which therefore through the wafer of SW1 has an earth receiver. Tune the receiver to the
provides outputs of 100 kHz and lug underneath it which is used as the marker which will be found at 12 MHz
10 kHz. common earth point. (third harmonic of 4 MHz). Once
The required output is selected by Fit the batteries and connect them located confirm that it is indeed
SW1 and applied to C5 and R3 which
up but do not switch on until a final coming from the marker generator by
differentiate the squarewave output switching it on and off. Now switch to
wiring check has been carried out. Ten
of the divider. The waveform is then the 1MHz markers and tune the
amplified and squared by ICl/c to
minutes of your time at this stage
could save you the cost of anew set of receiver upwards to locate the 13th
provide an output train of narrow
ICs. harmonic at 13 MHz. Now select
pulses, the amplitude of which may
100 kHz markers and tune upwards
be varied by means of RV1.
USING THE GENERATOR through two markers to locate
Say for example, that we wish to 13.2 MHz. Finally select the 10 kHz

60
 OUTPUT

Printed-circuit layout. Full size 70 x 58mm.

markers and tune up through afurther

five markers to locate 13 250 kHz.
Note that it this tuning procedure is
carefully carried out it is quite simple
to locate any position on the dial with
great accuracy.

THE CRYSTAL.
Crystals are supplied to work within Internal view of the
specified tolerances. The tighter the completed marker
generator. Note that
tolerances the more expensive the
the board is mounted
crystal. However the crystal oscillator with the crystal and
may be placed exactly on frequency C2 towards the top of
(within smell limits) by varying the the box.
amount of capacitance in parallel with
It.
When purchasing acrystal you must
tell the manufacturer what capacitance
it will be working with and he will
grird your crystal to be within the
specified limits when it is used with
that particular capacitance. This
marker generator has been designed to
work with crystals that are ground for
30 pF capacitance.

CALIBRATION
The marker will be sufficiently
accurate for most people with C2 set
to half value. For those who want
greater accuracy the generator must be
calibrated against a signal of known
accuracy. The PMG transmit a time
signal precisely for this purpose and it
can be found on 4.5 MHz, 7.5 MHz
and on 12 MHz.
The generator may be aligned against
one of these frequencies by the
zero- beating technique. First tune in
the PMG signal and then connect the
generator. A whistle will now be heard
and C2 should be tuned to the point
where the beat frequency has dropped
so low that it cannot be heard. The
generator is now spot on frequency
and it should be noted that this
calibration is independent of the
receiver accuracy. •

61
 GU PROJECT 120

HOW IT WORKS
The probe consists of two
independent voltage level detectors
which, via pulse stretching
monostables, drive light-emitting
diodes to give a visual indication of
the logic state being monitored.
Transistors QI and Q4 form the low
level or ' 0' detector, transistors Q5
and Q6 the high level or ' I' detector
whilst the remaining components
form the pulse stretching
monostables and visual indicators.
The high level detector works as
follows. If the input level is below
about 2.5 volts ( 1.3 volts above the
level set on R17 by transistor Q5)

LOGIC PROBE
transistor Q6 will be cut-off. When
the input level rises above 2.5 volts,
transistor Q6 will turn on, as will Q7,
causing LED 2 to light — indicating a
'1'. The transition at the collector of
A basic tool for digital servicing. Q7 will, at the same time, be passed
to Q8 turning it off. The current
THE SERVICING of digital make them visible. It was found that which was flowing through Q8 will
now flow via R22 in to the base of
equipment is greatly simplified by the readily available linear ICs were not
Q7 holding it on even though Q6
use of a logic pulser and logic probe, suitable as they are too slow and
may by now have stopped
for these two instruments enable one required dual supply voltages. Neither conducting. After fifty milliseconds
to follow circuit operation stage by could CMOS be used as it also is too the charge on C2 will leak away via
stage. slow, for testing TTL gates, and its R19, 20 allowing Q8 to conduct.
threshold voltages are not consistent. When Q8 conducts it robs the
Further, TTL could not be used as it current from the base of Q7
turning it and the LED off. However
THE PROBE cannot withstand the voltages used
should the voltage at the tip of the
The probe must be capable of with CMOS logic. This virtually means
probe still be present Q6 will still be
detecting pulses as short as 50 that the only devices that are suitable turned on holding on in turn q7 and
nanoseconds (for TTL operation) and are discrete transistors. the LED.
Resistors R11, 12, 13 and 14 set
the operating conditions of Q5 such
that the threshold voltage is
optimized for either TTL or CMOS.
As CMOS logic works on supply
voltages ranging from five to fifteen
volts, transistor Q5 has been arranged
to track the supply so that the
correct threshold is maintained at all
times.
The low level detector works in
exactly the same fashion except that
it is inverted in order to detect pulses
which approach within 0.45 volts of
the negative line (TTL only). Each
PNP transistor and each NPN
transistor have been replaced with
their complements. In this case Q4
sets the thresholds and the circuit
operates exactly as stated for the
high detector. Note that the diodes
The logic probe seen have also been reversed.
from the rear.

62
 n f4-
-

OV
LE D1

>1-
LoD

z
a_
LIJZ
>u
;CC
Qui
\ A. e .
À.,
•4 R181- .r: Ln rà‘b e
..S
.., e)
c 1 (Deg
LIJ0
C3 TO THE
C2 c -r" e cr -r PROBE TIP
ii Za.
•

R15

oi

co o

TO PROBE TIP
Fig. 3. Component overlays for the two comparators showing
in wiring.

toz
O N.
PARTS LIST — ETI 120
5 % Lo
R3,18
R4,15,19 Resist
.680
or 1k
R10,13 1 k8
R1,9,12,17 " 2 k7
R5,14,22 3 k3
e•
R2,16 8 k2
R7,21 10 k o
R8,11 27 k
•

R6,20
•
100 k 9-I
.
e) a'

C1,2 Cap,Icitor 0.4711F 25 V tantalum Om al rn co .* r,

C3 10.0 11F 25 V " n IM .-

e
.--VV e -' 4nw CCrn
1- r _o
D1,2 Diode IN914 or similar
'c-N ni
CC
e_vvv\r_e
-r- o

Q1,7,8 Transistor 2N3638, 2N3638A

Q2,3,6 2N3643 CD >1144— \AA/V-9
Q4 BC 179, BC559
ID r
- 0 'Lee°
Q5 " BC109, BC549 •r1 0 (..). > t- ,..
[cr.(
ClcooD (..)
SW1 Switch Two pole, two position o
miniature toggle
PC boards 2 off ETI 120
Probe case ( see text)
LED 1, 2 Light emitting diodes 5082 - 4484 or similar
2 Alligator clips or Ezy-hooks

cd,
CHARACTERISTICS
0

PULSER — ETI 121 (

See page 65)
• Will source, or sink, up to 500 mA.
• Operates on supply voltages from 5 to 15.
• Suitable for both TTL and CMOS.
e Power supply drain less than 15 mA under worst case
conditions. cr.e
• Press for ' 1' release for '0'. High impedance at other
times (> 1 M).
O CO 00
e Will drive capacitive loads up to 1000 pF.
t
U
-I 0
L11/
• Protected against accidental reversal of supply leads.
• Duration of pulse 500 nanoseconds.
PROBE — ETI 120
• Pulses as narrow as 50 nanoseconds will be detected.
• Stretches narrow pulses to 50 millisecolds for ease of
detection.
• Operates on supply of 5 to 15 volts.
• Suitable for TTL or CMOS.
• True ' 1' and '0' level detectors. Neither LED is alight if
the circuit is faulty or the probe is not making contact.
• Current drawn from the circuit is less than 20 microamps.
• Current drawn from power supply ( ona LED alight) 12 Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the logic probe

mA on 5 volts, 35 mA on 15 volts.

63
 LOGIC PROBE

'L.7ç..e.„,„
te BE
•

rL Fig. 2. Printed circuit board for

the logic probe (2 required).
Full size 23 x 66 mm.

•
As both high and low logic states pulses as short as 50 nanoseconds may
must be detected, a discrete transistor readily be detected.
voltage- comparator circuit was
designed to detect each state CONSTRUCTION
separately. These comparators must We built our probe onto two small
not load the circuit under test as printed circuit boards and assembled it
CMOS is sensitive 'to current and into a small, commercially- available
capacitive loading. In our prototype Fig. 4. Linking required between the two
probe case. The two printed-circuit boards.
the current drawn was a maximum of boards are identical and care should be
19.7 microamps for a high, and 10 taken to use the correct overlay for
microamps for a low. each board as different transistors are
In both comparators the transistors
used and some components are hold a small name- plate in position as
associated with the pulse detector are
reversed on the two boards. Note shown in Fig. 6. Two LEDs are
turned on by an input level that
particularly diodes DI and D2 and mounted into the end plate, together
exceeds the comparator threshold.
capacitors Cl and C2. Also note how with SW1, and after soldering leads to
As transistor turn- on time is much
the two boards are linked together and the LEDs they should be passed
faster than turn-off time, using the
that the supply rails are reversed. No through the holes in the plate, and the
transistors in this way ensures the
difficulty should be experienced if the plastic end- piece, and secured in
highest possible speed of operation for
printed- circuit boards and the position with adrop of epoxy cement.
the particular types of transistors used.
component overlay as specified are Another hole is drilled in the stopper
Additionally, the delay in turning off
used. through which is passed the two
assists by lengthening the pulse, thus
The probe case used in our prototype supply-voltage leads.
ensuring more reliable triggering of the
was one manufactured by Jabel. The Connect the leads from the stopper
monostable on very short pulses.
case has a length of 102 mm and an assembly to the previously assembled
The input transistors Q1 and 06 are
internal diameter of 23 mm. The boards. Position the boards together,
protected against breakdown, due to
probe tip, as fitted, is rather large and copper side to copper side, with a
excessive base- emitter voltage, by
awkward. We therefore replaced the piece of insulating material between
diodes D1 and D2. The diodes are also
tip, with a darning needle, as shown in them. Make sure that the board
required to ensure that Q1 and 06
Fig. 6. The fine point of this tip is assembly will fit in to the tube
remain conducting even when the
much easier to use on micro circuitry without fouling the sides. Cut a piece
probe tip is taken to the supply and, as it is very sharp, it will of cardboard or plastic 75 x 85 mm,
voltage.
penetrate varnish etc to make reliable roll it into a tube and fit in the probe
Transistors 03 and 08 are also contact. A needle is a little brittle and body. Now fit the board assembly into
protected against reverse base- emitter for this reason it is recommended that the tube — it may be necessary to
voltages by R4 and R19 respectively. a maximum unsupported length of 12 dress the sides of the boards with afile
In operation the probe will light LED mm be left protruding. Resistor R15 is to obtain aneat fit.
1 if a low level is detected, LED 2 for mounted within the tip and soldered The tip may now be connected and
a high, neither LED if the point being directly to the needle. The other end both ends screwed into position.
monitored is at ground potential or a of the probe is fitted with a plastic Finally, alligator or, better still,
poor contact is made with the tip, and stopper which is used to support SW1 Ezy-hooks clips should be fitted to the
both LEDs will light if there is apulse and both LEDs. SW1 is also used to supply leads.
train present.
A single pulse input will be
lengthened, by the monostables, to
50 milliseconds with the pulse
polarity being indicated by the LED
HOOK UP WIRE
which is illuminated. Thus even single
EPDXY RESIN

HOLE FOR
LEADS DARNING
PLASTIC NEEDLE
END METAL
PLATE EXTENDING
OUT 12mm PLASTIC END
Fig. 5. Artwork for the nameplate on the Fig. 6. How the probe ends are constructed.
probe.

64
En PROJECT
121 LOGIC PULSER
Companion instrument to the logic probe.

ALTHOUGH the logic probe used

alone is avery valuable piece of digital
test equipment, it is limited by the
fact that it can only observe the logic
states that occur naturally within the
piece of digital equipment under test.
The logic pulser is afurther valuable
tool that is used in conjunction with
the logic probe. It's function is to
override the naturally occurring state
at the particular circuit node under
test. That is, if the circuit node is
normally at the ' 1' state, the pulser
will drive that node to a '0' for avery
short period when the microswitch is
pressed. If the circuit node is normally
at a '0', the probe will drive it to a ' 1'
for a very short period when the
microswitch is released. Thus it puts a
short pulse into the circuit node
regardless of it's normal state when
SW1 is pressed and released.
A fairly powerful pulse is required to A basic tool for digital servicing.
override the normal logic state of a probe it is possible to tell if that point SW1 is mounted into the
circuit node and care must be taken to is shorted to either rail. plastic-section of the tip as follows.
ensure that the devices either driving, The logic pulser combined with the First check the switch to determine
or being driven from that node are not what the contact arrangement is.
logic probe is thus capable of
damaged. This is achieved by making Attach colour coded wires to the
performing stimulus — and — response
the pulse of very short duration. In switch, to aid later identification, and
testing of both TTL and CMOS logic
our probe the pulse width is 500 tape the microswitch into position.
and of determining the exact nature of
nanoseconds. Thus although the pulse
afault at aparticular circuit node. Epoxy cement may then be used to fix
is of high current the energy released is the switch into place permanently.
insufficient to damage normal logic
CONSTRUCTION Now cut aslot into the probe case so
devices. that the switch and plastic tip
Construction is greatly simplified if
The probe must be suitable for
the printed circuit board of Fig. 2, is assembly can be inserted into the
driving either TTL or CMOS that is, it casing.
used. This should have the
must operate from a supply ranging
components assembled to it in Connect the probe tip and
from 5 to 15 volts, it must be capable
accordance with the component microswitch leads to the board and,
of operating into loads having a overlay. Note particularly the polarity
capacitance as high as 1000 picofarads after insulating the inside of the case
of Cl, and the connections of the
and must supply a current pulse of with cardboard or plastic as previously
microswitch such that the
around half an amp. All these described, insert the board into the
normally-closed terminal of the switch
conditions are fulfilled in the ETI 121 case. Pass the supply leads through the
is connected to the base of transistor
Pulser and the prototype has been plastic end piece and then fit both end
Q1. Also make sure that a red lead is
tested by causing it to generate several pieces and secure them in position.
connected to the positive rail of the
hundred thousand half amp pulses Lastly attach Ezy-hooks or alligator
board, and ablack lead to the negative
without any problems. The probe is clips to the supply leads.
rail, to facilitate later connection.
quite capable of pulling two ( in We used the same probe case for the Keep the supply leads as short as is
parallel) high- power TTL ' zeros' to a pulser as for the logic probe. The reasonably possible as excessively long
'1' level and this is the most severe
probe tip is again replaced by a leads will degrade the performance of
condition it has to meet.
darning needle and the microswitch the pulser.
At the same time as providing high
level pulses, the pulser should not
draw too much supply current as some
CMOS supplies may not have much
additional capability. Under worst-case
conditions the ETI Pulser drew a
maximum of 10 mA.
The probe is capable of overriding a
normal logic state but is not capable of
overriding a point that is connected to
ground or to a supply rail. Thus by
pulsing a node and at the same time
Internal construction of the pulser.
looking at that point with the logic

65
 TO POSITIVE
POWER CLIP

C4
C2
0.33F
82pF 03
R3 2N3638 4.7U
R12 I--
e
01 6k8
2N3643
C3
SW1
82pF R13 TO PROBE
o—
22k TIP
N/C NbO

COM
R7 04
TO NEGATIVE 6k8
2N3643
POWER CLIP
411

2N3643
2N3638

Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the pulser.

HOW IT WORKS
Fig. 2. Printed circuit board
for the pulser. Full size
23 x 65 mm.
131,1
TO PROBE TIP
The pulser is activated whenever TO ' VE POVVER
SW1
CLIP
microswitch SW1 is pressed. This
switch controls the state of aflip-flop
formed by transistors QI and Q2. N/C
The flip-flop is necessary to prevent
contact bounce of the microswitch C4
N/O
from having effect. COM
The output transistors of the probe,
Q5 and Q6, which in turn are syi Fig. 3. Component overlay
controlled by Q3 and Q4 are both TO VE POWER for the pulser.
CLIP
normally off. However when the
microswitch is pressed 02 turns off MICRO
and the rising voltage on its collector SWITCH
EPDXY
is coupled, via C3, to the base of Q4 RESIN
turning it on. This in turn, turns on
Q5 pulling the output to the positive
rail. This generates a ' 1' pulse if the N/C
point under test was at a ' 0' level. Fig. 4. Construction of the NbO
Resistor RI2 provides acurrent limit tip for the pulser probe. COM
of around 500 milliamps. Due to the DARNING
small value of C3 the pulse output is NEEDLE CONNECTION
EXTENDING TO PROBE TIP
only about 500 nanoseconds long,
OUT 12mm
short enough so that there is
PLASTIC
insufficient energy to damage the
END
device under test.
When the switch is released Q2
turns on and the negative-going edge
is coupled to Q3 by C2 turning it on. PARTS LIST
This turns on Q6 causing the output
R12 Resistor 4.7 ohm '4W 5%
to be pulled to the negative rail. This R,8,9,10,11 .. 120 ohm '4W 5%
gives a ' 0' pulse which, like the ' 1' R4 II
1k2 '4W 5%
pulse, is only 500 nanoseconds long. R5 „ 2k7 '4W 5%
The output from the probe is taken R1 .• 3k3 '4W 5%
via the paralleled combination of
R13 and C4 where C4 carries the R2,3,6,7 II 6k8 '4W 5%
R13 ., 22 k '4W 5%
current and R13 discharges C4
between pulses. This network C2,3 Capacitor 82 pF ceramic
protects the probe against the C5 0.01 µF polyester
condition where the probe is C4 II 0.33 µF polyester
inadvertantly connected to avoltage Cl II 10 µF 25 V tantalum
which is above or below the logic 01,2,4,6 Transistor 2N3643 or similar
supply rails. 03.5 .. 2N3638, 2N3638A or similar
Resistor R5 isolates the high 1micro switch miniature McMurdo type 2LM
SPECIFICATION
current pulse from the power supply, 2alligator clips or Ezy-hooks
See probe page 63. PC board ETI 121
capacitor Cl providing the actual
current needed. probe case ( see text).

66
ell PROJECT 122 LOGIC TESTER
Test CMOS and TTL with
this versatile instrument.
DIGITAL IC TESTER 'a
:1
As eetkeete
0e
C.
101111..
TEST VOLTAGE
........ (CMOS)

eb4P00414.00
FAST CMOS
- VP

eivefe
POVVE R

°sc.'
!II I

11
WARNING: TTL
SLOW

When using the tester, re- IC CURRENT

ON
member that manufacturers
recommend that CMOS ICs
should not be inserted or
removed from acircuit
without first switching off
the power supply.

EXPERIMENTERS often damage ICs schematic of the particular IC drawn board to the rear of the board and
in the process of developing a new on it, to be fitted to the front of the then soldering the switches to the
circuit and often try a new IC in a tester as an aid to the interpretation of copper side of the board. This
circuit that is not working to eliminate the LED test indications procedure avoids the necessity of a
that as a possible cause. The result of multitude of screws passing through
this is that one usually finishes up with CONSTRUCTION the front panel.
a box full of ICs which are of dubious The most expensive single The printed-circuit board should be
value. To sort out these ICs one must component in the tester, after the assembled with the aid of the
use a tester that is capable of testing transformer, is the case. For this component overlay by fitting all
the wide range of differing ICs that are reason we decided to make a wooden components with the exception of
available in the most commonly used case and a plain aluminium front IC1, 5, 6 and 7, and LEDs 1 through
families. panel. Some people may however wish 16, and the patch pins. Check that the
to mount the unit in adiecast box and ICs are orientated correctly as are also
Until recently the most commonly for this reason the printed circuit C2, 5, 7, 9 and D1, 2 and 3. Now
used family has been TTL. But CMOS board has been sized to fit in a solder these parts into position using
is rapidly gaining widespread usage and standard 222 x 146 x 51 mm die-cast the least amount of heat necessary on
any tester, to be of value these days, box. The following description is for a ICs 2, 3and 4.
must be able to test both these wooden box specifically, but applies Position the LEDs and patch pins
families. The ETI Logic Tester is equally well to the metal box. onto the copper side of the board but
capable of testing both families, and is The printed-circuit board is mounted do not solder them in place as yet.
also capable of being used to to the rear of the front panel, copper Now fit the board to the front panel
breadboard and test simple circuits side to the panel, such that the LEDs so that the pins and LEDs protrude
based on single ICs. and patch pins, mounted on the through the panel evenly. Secure the
printed-circuit board, project through pins and LEDs in position by using a
An LED indicator is associated with the front panel. This greatly simplifies very small drop of five minute epoxy
each pin of the IC under test and these construction as it saves some 48 leads for each, on the component side of the
are arranged around the perimeter of a and solder joints. The switches are
box representing the IC under test. secured to the front panel by first
This allows asmall card, which has the glueing two pieces of printed-circuit (Text continued on page 69)

67
 HOW IT WORKS.
on the front panel. Test connections
The tester consists of four basic operating currents for the LEDs.
sections. The socket for the IC under are made to these pins by patchable
links from the oscillator and test A 555, 1C4, is used as an astable
test, the output level-detect logic,
switches so that the correct test oscillator which initially charges C8
oscillators and switches for the
conditions may be set up. via R9 and R10 until the 2/3 supply
inputs, and the power supply.
Resistors R19-26 and R43- R50 threshold is reached. C8 is then
The socket for the IC under test has
connect each row ( ie pin) to alogic discharged via R9 and pin 7 of the
the pins in each row electrically
level detector, ICs 5, 6, and 7. These 555 to the lower threshold of 1/3
connected to each other. These rows supply volts. Switch SW6, when
CMOS hex-inverters buffer each pin
are the groups of five holes which are
and drive an LED to indicate the operated, puts a larger value of
perpendicular to the central groove
logic state of the pin. When the logic capacitance into the circuit which
on the socket. Each row ( je, each pin
voltage on apin is high the LED will gives a frequency of about one hertz.
on the IC under test) is connected via
be alight. Resistors R19 to R26 and This is slow enough so that the eye
a 10 megohm resistor to ground to
R43 to 50 protect the internal diodes can follow each logic state transition.
prevent the build up of static charges.
of ICs 5, 6 and 7 against the The high speed operation is used for
The resistors also hold all
possibility of apin being taken above checking very long counters and shift
unconnected inputs at ground
the positive supply voltage or below registers and can also be used in
potential thus preventing any damage
ground potential. Resistors R11 to conjunction with an oscilloscope.
to the IC.
R18 and R51 to R58 in conjunction The square wave output of the
Each row is also connected to apin
with the five volt supply set the oscillator is made available at a

C6
0.15F

SW1
D1
EM401 T OSC
OUT
R9

>I 3 470k

Cl C7 2 7
INPUT
240V I 0.1p F 25 F 0-
ac 02 25V 1 4
R10
E114101 SW6 100k
N
TTL FAST
o
PL 130 VA SLOW C8
0.0033p F

V Du

11 12 •
+VE PIN

SW2
-1—.
—VE PIN SW7 SW8 SW 9
f
t

SW2, 3, 4 7 6 D E
SW7, 8, 9 IC1/6 IC1/3
SHOWN IN Ji +5V
'0' POSITION

R19 R35 PIN 16 R43 W D3

t
R11 LED 1 PIN 1 R27 R51
10k LED 16 560 EM401
560 10k G 10M 10M • V 10
+ C9
R20 PIN R28 R36 PIN 15
2 - 10p F
10M 10M U M 10V
1.r.>
PIN 3 R29 R37 PIN 14 R53
10M LED 14 560
IC5/6
PIN 4 R38 PIN 13 R54
R14 L R22 R30
5604 ED 10k j 10M 10M S 10 LED 13 560

R23 PIN 5 R31 R39 PIN 12 R55

10M LED 12 560
10k K 10M 12

PIN 6 R40 PIN 11 R48 R56

R24 R32
10M 10M 10k LED 11 560
Q 15

PIN 7 PIN 10
R25 R33 R41 R49 R57
10k 10M 10M P 10k LED 10 560
IC7/4

4
R26 P IN 8 R34 R42 PIN 9 R50
10k N 10M 10M

723
NOTES 4009 555 7
POWER RAILS ON IC1, 5, 6 AND 7 NOT SHOWN LED 16 1 5 oo ,8
PIN 1ON IC5, 6 AND 7 IS + 5V
PIN 16 ON IC1, 5, 6 AND 7 IS VDD 4 : c109
PIN 8 ON IC1, 5, 6, AND 7 IS OV
PIN 3 ON IC7 IS OV 2 1 10
7805
PIN 14 ON IC7 IS Voo OUTPUT
BOTTOM
o ..COM
9
VIEW

INPUT TOP VIEW

Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the logic tester.

68
 patch-pin on the front panel. 1/6 will be low. When IC 1/6 SW2 is and regulated to five volts by IC3.
There are six further output pins on operated again it earths the input of The resulting five volt supply is used
the front panel three of which, D, E IC 1/6 sending the output of IC 1/6 to drive the LED indicators and to
and F, are set to negative or positive and input of IC 1/5 high and the power the TTL device under test.
supply by means of toggle switches. output of IC 1/5 low. Since the input Integrated circuit IC2, a type 723, is
As there is no debounce logic of IC 1/6 is connected to the output a regulator the minimum output of
associated with these pins they can of IC 1/5 it is held low even if the which is set to five volts by RV1 and
only be used to set up static contacts of SW2 bounce several times the maximum of 15 volts by RV3.
conditions and not for clocking when the switch is operated. Thus Front panel control RV2 allows the
counters and shift registers. The the output at A is one single output voltage to be adjusted
remaining three pins are also transition from high to low ( low to between five and 15 volts. The
programmed by switches but these high when next the switch is current limit on the output is set to
switches are connected to ICI which operated). The output of the three 30 mA by means of R8. SW5 selects
contains three RS flip-flops to debounced switches are labelled on the high current five volt supply for
effectively remove any contact the front panel as A, B, and C. testing TTL or the low current
bounce of the switches. This operates IDthe power supply diodes DI and variable supply for CMOS. Terminal
as follows. If initially the input of IC D2 full-wave rectify the output from J1 in the negative supply lead is
1/5 is earthed by SW2 its output will the power transformer. The output provided for checking the current
be high and hence the output of IC from the rectifier is smoothed by C2 drawn by the IC under test. •

Fig. 2. How the components are mounted

on the pc board.

N/C N/O A PARTS LIST — ETI 122

R5 1
R8 Resistor 22n IMW 5%
R11,18 560

R6
4 1. () R51,58 560
R7 4 k7
SW2N/0 R19,26 10 k
1-
ee
R43,50 10 k

r-
SW2N/C R1,6 e
100 k re

R4R3 4..
e
B I SW3 R10 100 k Ut

0
•e
G N/C R9 470 k

•
e
R27,42 10 M 11

FI
Cr - C
-0- -L 1_. SW3N 0 / -f

•
— r ."
.{ 1- «•«1 77 RV1 Potentiometer 5 k Trim type
Cr cr cc VDD RV3 10 k Pt ff

1 „./
....j.-OSC OUT
RV2 10 k Linear
03
TeiTrról- 71 t-róTótei -r c
c
el
SW6 cOM C4 Capacitor 100 pF Ceramic
C8 " 0.00,3F polyester
C1,3,6 Pf 0.1
C5,7 „ 211 25V electro
C9 " 1011F 10V "
SW6N/C
C2 470/IF 35V "

01,2,3 Diode EM401 or similar

SW5N/C LED 1 — LED 16 Light Emitting Diodes
RL4484 or similar
CT
TRANSFORMER IC 1,5,6,7 Integrated Circuit 4009
(CMOS)
IC2 Circuit 723
(metal can case)
SW5N/0 IC3 Circuit 7805
(T0-220 - Case)
cc 5 IC4 Circuit 555

o 9 Cd
J1 Jack small earpiece type

SW1 OPST toggle 240V rated

TERMINAL POSTS NEXT TO WIRES MARKED G- V SW2-SW9 miniature slider switch 2 pole
AND THE LED'S ARE MOUNTED ON COPPER SIDE 2 position
OF THE PC BOARD
TO TRANSFORMER
PC BOARD ETI 122
SECONDRY
IC Socket SK20 see text
Wooden case see text
Transformer 240 V primary 30V CT
secondary
or 2 x 15 V windings
PL30/20VA
25 patching Pin McMurdo type FT- 1
feed throughs
(Text continued from page 67) If using the recommended test socket front panel
prepare it by removing the paper from 3 core flex and plug
heatsink for IC3 ( see Fig.6)
board. Do not glue the LEDS to the the rear of the socket, cut the paper in
front panel. Once the glue has set, half and then remove about 12 mm
carefully remove the board from the from each side. The paper is then Mount the transformer into the base
front panel and then solder the LEDs replaced on each side so that leads can of the box and interconnect the board
and pins into position. Fit 250 mm row be soldered to the metal forming and switches etc.
long leads to the board for later the pins of each row. The front panel The wooden box was constructed
connection to the switches and power must also be cut out so that these from 12 mm thick pineboard such that
transformer and then, using a leads may be passed through. Now the outside dimensions were 225 x
minimum amount of heat, solder ICs affix the socket to the front panel and 148 x 70 mrri We finished our box
1, 5, 6 and 7 into position. ihstall the printed circuit board. wi th coloured Estapol high-gloss

69
 enamel which resulted
pleasing final appearance.
in a very
o o
DESIGN FEATURES.
TERMINAL POSTS
There are several design requirements
which must be met in a unit which is 0000000®
designed to test both CMOS and TTL

0)‹) LED'S
devices. These may be summarized as DIODE SYMBOL TO SHOW
follows. POLARITY OF LED'S
1) The unit must be capable of
correctly testing both types of logic.
2) Simple gate functions should be
tested by go no/go checks and
complex functions such as counters
and shift registers should also be LED'S
reliably checked.
3) There should be the least possible 11 *
chance of damaging the device during
testing.
4) CMOS ICs must be testable with a 0000000®
variety of supply voltages. TERMINAL POSTS
5) A clock oscillator and ameans of

o
setting up the input conditions must
be provided. o
One of the major design difficulties
with a unit such as this is coping with Fig. 4. Positioning of LEDs and terminal posts on the copper side of the printed-circuit board.
the many different pin configurations

2 STRIPS OF PC BOARD PATCHING PINS

MATERIAL 130mmx 8mm
r.= _,60rn•--11 1-4-20mml GLUED TO BACK OF
LED'S FRONT PANEL
FRONT PANEL

20mm

U U U t
ie
SLIDE SWITCHES
MAT: 16 GAUGE ALUM SOLDERED TO
PC BOARD STRIPS COMPONENT SIDE PC BOARD
Fig.6. Heatsink for IC3. The IC is mounted
(by ascrew) through a3.2 mm hole in the
Fig. 5. How the front panel and printed-circuit board are assembled.
base of the heatsink (see photograph
of inside of unit).

Fig.]. Printed circuit-

board artwork. Full size
142 x 104 mm.
70
 LOGIC TESTER
eti 122 DIGITAL IC TESTER
A 0

O 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 0
o
10v
co

OSC
OUT e

5v 15v
D 0
TEST VOLTAGE
E 0 (CMOS)
SWITCH OFF POWER
BEFORE CHANGING IC. O 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
F

—Ve
POWER
FAST CMOS
1 1 I I
o o AO BO CO D 0 E f:01 F [0:j OSC
H
0 0 0 O 0 0
ON IC CURRENT SLOW TTL

Fig.8. Front panel artwork (shown half-size — full size shpuld be 223 mm x 148 mm).

of the differing functional

provide the higher current required by generated for the testing of more
requirements ( eg ashift register versus TTL for its operation. The other complex logic. The debounce logic
a two- input NAND gate) of devices supply is a variable one for testing must be capable of operating on 5 to
within the one family, as well as those CMOS and is not capable of supplying 15 volts and of sinking at least two
between different families. A more than 30 mA. Thus a TTL gate milliamps for TTL tests. The 4009 IC
multi-way switch could be used for inadvertently connected to this supply with its high output current capability
each input pin but would greatly would not be damaged. was again considered to be most
increase the expense of the unit. A
The regulator used for the five-volt suitable for this task.
good alternative is to use patchable
supply is athree terminal IC which has
links, and this is the approach that we We would also like to have used the
built in current limiting and thermal
have chosen to use in our unit. In 4009 as the oscillator, but RCA do not
shutdown. It will not therefore be
addition we have used a small recommend using CMOS that has a
damaged by a short circuit due to
breadboard socket as the test socket, high output capability in alinear mode
testing a faulty IC. It is not possible to
rather than a standard 16 pin as the power dissipation of the device
construct adiscrete design, as cheaply,
dual-in-line socket, as this allows us to may be exceeded. The oscillator must
that has the same performance.
improvise special tést circuits for the provide pulses that swing between the
Next we need a device that will
more complex logic ICs, and the positive and negative supply rails ( in
detect the state of each pin on the
means to breadboard simple circuits. order to drive CMOS) and must be
device under test and drive an LED to
The need for avariable power supply capable of sinking the two milliamps
indicate that state. The device has to
for CMOS testing presented two required by TTL. It must also be
be driven by TTL and CMOS outputs,
additional problems. The first of these capable of operating on supply
that is, by voltages anywhere between
was the danger of plugging a TTL IC voltages of 5 to 15 volts. Since the
5 and 15 volts. A suitable IC is the
into the unit when it is set up for standard CMOS devices cannot provide
CMOS 4009 IC which has six
CMOS and for some higher supply the current requirement it was decided
inverters in one package. Each inverter
voltage than the five volts required for to use a555 IC as the oscillator.
will monitor a pin without drawing
TTL. Secondly the LEDs used for
monitoring each pin would draw more appreciable current. The 4009 is also
CMOS devices should not be operated
designed to translate logic levels. Thus
current as the supply voltage with inputs left floating as some devices
increased. The current ratio could be we may use it to monitor a 5 to 15
may drift into the linear mode and be
volt input level at its input but provide
as high as four to one and a destroyed by excessive power dissip-
afive volt signal only at its output.
corresponding variation of LED ation. For this reason a 10 megohm
intensity would occur. To overcome Switches are provided which have resistor is connected between each pin,
this problem it was decided to provide debounce logic associated with them. on the test socket, and ground. These
a second supply of five volts to This is necessary so that single bounce resistors also conduct away any static
operate the LEDS which will also free rise and fall transitions can be charge that may build up.

72
SIMPLE
socket is fitted with a static discharge
resistor to earth. A current limiting
resistor, R 37, is in series with the
supply so that the tester is protected

CMOS TESTER
against damage due to possible
excessive current into an internal short
in the test IC. This limiting resistor
also ensures that current through the
input- protection diodes on the IC
does not exceed the specified limit of
in inexpensive unit for the hobbyist.
10 mA.
Only readily available components
are used in the tester and, in fact the
ICs used are available from at least
four different manufacturers.
To test simple gate functions, eg
NAND gates, NOR gates, we need at
least four switches and a logic level
detector but for the more complex
functions, eg multipliers, we need at
least six switches and six level
detectors. A clock — pulse generator is
required for the testing of flip flop and
other clocked devices. This pulse
generator must be free of the contact
bounce that is typically encountered
with mechanical switches. For this
reason we used apair of CMOS NAND
gates wired as an astable multivibrator
to generate a continuous train of
pulses. This may be used to increment
counters and to shift data in shift
registers. As it is a CMOS circuit it is
perfectly suited to driving other CMOS
devices.

CONSTRUCTION
We recommend that the
printed- circuit boards as specified be
used as construction is thereby greatly
simplified. The printed- circuit boards
should be assembled as detailed in the
component overlay diagrams. Switches
SW1 to SW7 should be mounted by
first glueing two strips of
printed- circuit board to the front
also use only those components which panel ( copper side out). The switches
are readily available to the average may then be soldered to the copper
home constructor. The ETI 123 Tester side of the board. This procedure
fulfills all these requirements. avoids the necessity of having 14 screw
The tester circuitry draws very little heads visible on the front panel.
PROJECT 123 current except for that drawn by the
LEDs. Even the LEDs only draw
The test socket is mounted on the
non- copper side of board 123b. This
current whilst a device is actually board also carries links Lkl to Lk16
NOW THAT the use of CMOS logic under test. For this reason we thought which connect directly to the pins of
is becoming widespread there is an that the expense of a mains power the test socket. These links are also
obvious need for asimple CMOS tester supply was unwarranted and chose to mounted on the non-copper side of
suitable for the hobbyist. In last use batteries instead. For those who the board and should be of reasonably
month's issue we described a would rather operate the unit from a heavy gauge tinned- copper wire, and
sophisticated tester for both CMOS mains derived supply, one capable of should be installed such that sufficient
and TTL. That particular instrument is supplying anywhere between 5 and 12 room is under the link to enable test
very versatile but may be too volts at up to 40 milliamps will be leads to be attached to them by means
expensive for many budding suitable. Another major expense, that of alligator clips or Eazy hooks.
experimenters and we have therefore of providing a large number of Resistors R1 to R16 are mounted on
designed this simpler instrument to p-ogramming switches to set up the the copper side of this board so that
cater for their needs. test conditions, has been alleviated by they are not visible when the board is
A simple CMOS tester, although using flying leads fitted with alligator bolted to the front panel. The top two
being inexpensive, must be capable of ciips to connect to the IC under test. screws, nearest to the LEDs, should be
performing the majority of tests Several steps have been taken to 18 to 25 mm long so that board 123a
required for CMOS logic without prevent damage to the IC by the tester may also be mounted on them later.
causing any damage to the ICs under and conversely, damage to the tester On board 123a, mount and solder in
test or being damaged itself. It must by the IC. Firstly each pin of the test position on the component side of the

73
 SIMPLE CMOS TESTER
R25 S
R4 < R5 < R6 < R7 R8
10M < 10M<1OM < 10M R19 10k R31 R37
10M 1k2 1k

Lk4 Lk5 Lk6 Lk7 Lk8

PIN1 PIN2 PIN3 PIN4 PIN5 PIN6 PIN7 PIN8

PIN16 PIN15 PIN14 PIN13 PIN12 PIN11 PIN10 PIN9

Lk12 Lkl 1 Lk10 Lk9

R12 All R10 R9

10M 10M 10M 10M

Cl R18
0.33p F 12M

I 9V

'BATTERY

GROUND

NOTES
IC1 TYPE No 4011 SW2-7
IC2 TYPE No 4009 •z" OV SHOWN IN
'0' POSITION
POWER RAILS ON IC1, 2 NOT SHOWN
PIN 7on IC1 IS OV
PIN 12, 13, 14 ON IC1 IS +9V
PIN 8on IC2 IS OV
PINS 16 AND 1ON IC2 IS + 9V LED

POINTS A- O GO TO ALIGATOR CLIPS

POINT O IS + 9V FOR IC UNDERTEST

POINT P IS OV FOR IC UNDERTEST Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the CMOS tester.

HOW IT WORKS - input. Resistors R31 to R36 set the

ETI 123 operating currents for the LEDS.
The final section contains switches
The ET! 123 CMOS tester can be SW2 to SW7 and a clock oscillator.
described in three separate sections. The output of the switches can be
Firstly there is the test socket for the either 0 volts or +9 volts that is, a
device under test. The test socket is logic ' 0' or a logic ' 1'. These outputs
mounted on a printed circuit board are made available at test leads which
which also holds a 10 megohm may be connected to the IC under
static- discharge resistor to protect test as required. To protect the tester
each pin of the IC. Each IC pin is also against internal shorts on the IC
connected to a surface mounted link under test, and incorrect
by which connections can be made to PARTS LIST — ETI 123
connections, R37 has been inserted
R37 Resistor 1k 14,Watt 5%
1
the IC. in series with the supply rail to R31-36 1.2k .. - /9
The next major section of the tester limit the current that may be drawn R25-30 If 10k
R17 ,ff 1.5M eV VI

contains detectors which monitor the to a level which cannot cause any R1-16 10M
voltage at each pin of the IC. Each damage. R19-24 .. 10M .. ..
R18 .. 12M .. ..
detector consists of a CMOS inverter IC 1/2 and IC 2/3 are wired as an C3 Capacitor 0.1/IF polyester
which derives an LED indicator. astable multivibrator where the C 1 PI 0.3 31.IF re
C2 " 101.1F 16 electrolytic
When the voltage at the input of the frequency of oscillation is IC1 Integrated Circuit 4011 ( CMOS)
inverter is greater than half the determined by the time constant of IC2 " 4009 ( CMOS)
LED 1-6 Light Emitting Diode
supply voltage the LED will be alight. Cl and R17, whilst R18 is used to RL 4484 or similar
Conversely the LED will be off when protect the input of IC 1/3 from any SW1-7 Miniature slider switch 2 pole
2 position.
the voltage at the input to the voltage excursions past the supply IC Socket 16 pin DIL ( preferably
inverter is below half supply voltage. rails. IC 1/1 is used as an inverting with IC removing slide)
Case 160 x 90 x 50 mm plastic box
Resistors R19 to R30 protect IC2 buffer and the output of the circuit is with aluminium front panel UBI
against static charges and from the made available at the front panel by Alligator clips ( 15)
Battery 9 volts ( 6 size AA cells)
condition where a detector has no means of alead and alligator clip.

74
 o o o
ILk16 ILk14 ILk12 ILk10
ILk15 ILk13 Lk 11 Lk 9

rsJ
IC SOCKET cc cc cc CC Er CC CC

1-è 'T 1-
0 a ====== I
T"Ta
QQ DO COOL a I
4, -
I- -1— —L
co Ln cs) CI N cy
Cr Cr cc CC CC cc cc

'TT -r
IL: k 1 Lk 5 Lk 7
Lk 6 Lk 8

o o
OV
Fig. 2. Component overlay for the test-socket board ETI-123b,
non-copper side. Fig. 3. Component overlay for the copper side of board ET/- 123b.

OV

R17

C.
.4 R18 t. board, all components with the
exception of the LEDs and capacitor
A Cl. As Cl needs to be apolyester type
it may be physically too big to be
mounted on the component side
without fouling the front panel and
E
should therefore be mounted on the
copper side. The LEDs should be
D inserted in their positions but not yet
soldered. Temporarily mount the
board in position such that the LEDs
N protrude through their correct holes in
the front panel. Keeping the front
panel face down, solder the LEDs into
the board. Remove the board and
solder 150 mm lengths of hookup wire
to the points marked A to F on the
overlay and pass these leads through
Fig. 4. Component overlay for board ETI-123a. Note that Cl may need to be mounted on the corresponding holes in the front
reverse side, and that the LEDs should be mounted as detailed in the text. panel. Do the same for the leads G, H.
J. KLMP and Q from switches SW2
to SW7 using adifferent coloured wire
to that used previously. These wires
should also be passed through the
appropriate holes in the front panel.
Finally solder alligator clips or Eazy
TO BATTERY hooks to the ends of all these leads
TO BATTERY
and connect supply and earth leads to
the 123b board. Check both boards
SVV7 SW6 SVV5 SVV4
for wiring errors or errors in
component insertion before bolting
board 123a in position. The battery
may then be connected and the unit is
ready for use.
Note that if the type UB1 box is
used as in our protype the top corners
UM R CC) G P
of the 123a board may have to have
the corners trimmed off at 45 degrees
Fig. 5. Switch interconnection diagram. Note that C3 is mounted across one of the switches. so that the board will fit in the box

75
 SIMPLE CMOS TESTER
o
eti 123a
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Weri
e se
o • UL..-m: % v*sc
ilve • 0
i Pe>le
(Hill
oerfsorrego.../

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0o
0 eti 123b

Fig. 6. Printed-circuit board layout — ET! 123a. Full size 88 x 63 mm. Fig. 7. Printed-circuit board layout — ET1 123b. Full size 88 x 71 mm.

without fouling the mounting pillars consulting the manufacturers data or absolutely sure that these connections
for the front panel. by duplicating the conditions under are correct. Reversed power
which the IC will be used in the connections will destroy the IC.
circuit. Switch on the tester and use the input
OPERATION Next insert the IC to be tested into switches to systematically apply all the
Before testing or inserting any IC the test socket and connect the power possible input conditions to the IC
make sure that the power is switched supply leads to the links for whilst noting that the output
off. Set up the operating conditions appropriate pins of the IC. Double conditions of the IC are as they are
for the IC to be tested either by check these connections to make supposed to be. •

Internal view of the tester. Note how the top board is mounted (see text).

76
TRANSISTOR TESTER

PROJECT 222

Measure and test your

transistors with this easily
built device.

EXPER IMENTERS will frequently use

the same transistors in a whole
sequence of experimental circuits, for
recovering and re- using such
components saves considerable outlay.
But semiconductors are easily
The transistor tester mounted in a metal case.
damaged — by incorrect operating
conditions — or by excessive
application of heat when soldering.
Only too often a malfunctioning
Circuit diagram of the ETI transistor
experimental circuit will be checked
tester.
and rechecked before one realises that
atransistor is dead.
A transistor tester will save hours of
such frustrating and unproductive
effort.
Transistors can often be bought
cheaply in bulk — usually in unmarked
and untested lots — or recovered from R4
old computer boards. Here again a 470k

transistor tester will prove invaluable

in eliminating the faulty bits.
The simple transistor tester described
in this project not only sorts out the •TRANSISTOR
UNDER TEST
good from the bad but indicates also
the approximate gain (
e) of the
transistor. This is amost useful feature
for those circuits where transistors
need to be matched. Two ranges of
gain ( beta) are provided, 0-100, and
HOW JT WORKS
0-1000. The tester may also be used to Opeiarion of the tester is very
check transistor polarity. • simple. Ile meter, Ml, monitors the
collector current of the transistor
under test whilst R4 supplies a
current of about 10 µA into the base
of the test transistor. Thus, on the
PARTS LIST — Transistor Tester
— ETI 222 1000 range, the maximum collector
R3 Resistor 33S-2 1/
2 watt 5%
current will be I mA and, on the
R2 Resistor 270ii 1/ 2 watt 5% 10003 range, 10 mA. Switch SW3
RI Resistor 470 /
12 watt 5%
therefore changes the meter
R4 Resistor 470k I/2 watt 5%
sensitivity according to the beta
DI Diode IN914
ZDI Zener diode SZY88C5V6 range ;elected.
SWI Push button push-to-make The meter is protected by means of
SW2 Switch toggle DPST
D1 against damage due to test
SW3 Switch toggle SPST
9V battery transistors being shorted. The zener
MI Meter lmA movement diode ZD1 stabilizes the battery The construction method may readily be
SKI Socket TO5 transistor type voltage to 5.6V. seen from this photograph of the back of
Metal case or minibox
the front panel.

77
 LINEAR IC TESTER
ell
quick
PROJECT 115
check of vital operating
parameters. Checks are provided for
offset voltage ( max ±10mV), offset
current ( max ± 1000 nA) and of
operation in an actual circuit
OFFSET configuation.
VOLTAGE
OFFSET It is a most valuable instrument;
OSCILLAL CURRENT
saving an experimenter time that
would otherwise be spent tracing
down faulty ICs.

CONSTRUCTION
We chose to mount our circuitry on a
small piece of matrix board, rather
than a printed circuit board, as there
are relatively few components used.
Make sure that IC1 is orientated
correctly ( note pins 1, 5 and 8 are not
used). The wires from the
compensation switch ( SW2) should be
as short as possible in order to
minimise the chance of unstable
operation.
The test socket should be glued into
Test all commonly available operational amplifiers for three vital place ( taking care not to get glue down
parameters. the pins) and, after the wires to the
socket are soldered on, these should
also be held to the panel with glue or a
LINEAR integrated circuits are standard 8-pin, dual- in- line plastic metal clamp.
available today at prices little higher pack, have the same pin connections The wires to the socket must be
than those of discrete transistors. As and very similar characteristics. Hence supported in some way, as detailed
they offer far better performance as the only real difference is in the above, to prevent the rather fragile
parameters, and greater versatility than associated frequency compensation pins breaking off.
transistors they are being used in new network, a universal, linear — IC tester
designs in ever increasing numbers. is quite afeasible proposition. HOW TO USE
Most linear ICs are now built into a The tester, described here provides a The parameters of commonly-
available ICs are detailed in
Table 1. An IC on test should not
exceed these figures. Those that do
exceed these values may not operate
correctly in some circuits and should
be discarded.
To test an IC, plug it into the test
socket making sure that it is orientated
correctly. Select the appropriate
equalization as detailed in column 4 of
Table 1 and switch the unit on. Select
'OSCILLATOR' mode and observe
that the meter should sweep up and
down the scale at about 1 Hz.
Now switch to ' OFFSET VOLTAGE'
mode and read the meter which is
calibrated at 10 mV full scale
deflection.
Next switch to ' OFFSET
CURRENT'. In this mode the meter is
Showing the internal calibrated at 1000 nA ( 1 microamp)
construction of the full scale deflection.
tester. Note that
matrix board holds
Discard any IC that does not oscillate
the majority of the or has excessive offset current or
components. voltage.

78
 TABLE 1

TYPE MAX OFFSET CURRENT MAX OFFSET VOLTAGE COMPENSATION

301 50 nA ±7.5 mV c
307 50 nA ± 7.5 mV A
308 1 nA ±7.5 mV C
709 500 nA .5 mV B
741 200 nA ±6 mV A
748 200 nA ± 6 mV C
777 20 nA ±5 mV C
1456 30 nA ±12 mV A

HOW IT WORKS — ETI 115

PARTS LIST ETI 115 Centre-zero meter Ml, via resistor
R8, indicates the output voltage from
the IC under test. The frequency
R1,2 Resistor 100 5% 1/
2W ICI integrated circuit 1..1A741 compensation components for the
R3,5 2.2M particular IC under test are selected
R4 1M PP It MI meter 0.5 mA — 0— 0.5 mA
R6 22 k 91 Pt Ferrier Instruments model B46 or by SW2, and the test mode is selected
R7 1.5 k ee et simi lar by SW1.
R8 3.9 k II It
In position "C", of SW1, a 2.2
R9 33 k SW1 Switch 2 pole, 3 position
megohm resistor is connected from
9e 99

R10 150 k Of If rotary

SW2 2 pole, 3 position the output ( pin 6) of the IC under
Cl Capacitor 11./F polyester rotary test to the inverting input ( pin
C2 0.00471.1F SW3 2 pole on-off toggle. 2), and a 2.2 megohm resistor from
polyester
C3 33PF ceramic Metal box approx. 150 x 180 x 90mm.
the non- inverting input ( pin 3) to
C4 et 220pF ( Aust. Trans 70-50-40) or similar. ground. Current is drawn by both pin
C5,6 ,. 10/IF 16V 2 x 9V battery ( type 216 or similar). 2 and pin 3 of the IC and, if these
electrolytic currents are equal, the output voltage
will be zero. Any difference in input
currents will therefore be indicated as
an output voltage on meter MI.
In position B the resistor from pin 6
to pin 2 is reduced to 22k and a 100
ohm resistor, RI, is connected from
pin 2to ground. This results in the IC
R4
1M
having a voltage gain of 220. Resistor
R2 is also made 100 S2 so that offset
e\AAA
R5 current does not affect the operation
2.2M in this mode. Hence the IC will now
AvW NOTES:
R6
SW1 amplify any offset voltage between
POSITION
22k
A — DYNAMIC TEST
pin 2 and pin3 ( that is, it is operating
WV‘ 8 — OFFSET VOLTAGE in the linear mode) by 220 and the
Cl C — OFFSET CURRENT
1pF meter deflection will be proportional
SW2
to the offset voltage.
II POSITION
A — 741,748 ETC. If either offset voltage or offset
13-709 current are excessive the meter will
C — 301A, 308 ETC.
read off scale and the IC should be
0.0047p F
R7 discarded.
15k
C3 In mode A the IC is connected as a
33pF triangular wave oscillator having an
operating frequency of 1Hz.
R10
Bo r i Integrated circuit IC1 is connected as
150k
a Schmitt trigger where the output
SW2A —"\AAA--•
+9V of the Schmitt goes high if its input
R1 drops below - 1.5 volts, and will go
100 +9V low if the input exceeds 1.5 volts.
—NW-1—•—oe SW1A 2
R9 The output of IC1 is taken, via a 1
33c megohm resistor, to the input of the
0C 7
A
IC under test and the output of the
ICI
R2 100 741 Test IC becomes the input of the
•--/VW--013 R8 Schmitt trigger. An integrating
SW 1B 39k 4 capacitor, Cl , is connected across the
R3 —9V IC under test. The effect of this is to
SW2 B
2.2M O 4 C4 cause the output of the test IC to rise
TB 21
20pF = —9V
CENTRE ZERO at 7 volts per second until + 1.5 volts
is reached. At this point the Schmitt
operates and the output of the test
IC now commences to fall at the
le +9V same rate. When - 1.5 volts is reached
+I cs
9V the direction reverses again and the

TC6
«No

BATTERY 10pF
cycle repeats. Thus we have an
16V Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of linear IC tester.
oscillator with a frequency low
+1 enough to be followed by the output
9V
`
-- 10pF meter as an indication of correct
BATTER Y
— T 16V
operation.
0 , 9V
SW 3B

79
 IC POWER
I
N June 1971 we published
constructional details of a ' Logic IC
Power Supply' which was specifically
intended to power RTL and TTL
circuitry. Since then we have received
a surprisingly large number of requests
to provide details of asimilar unit with
an extended voltage range.
Here then are details of a simple yet
versatile power supply capable of
delivering 1 amp up to 10 volts and 1 /
2

amp up to 15 volts.
The unit may readily be adapted to
operate over other voltage and current
ranges.
As with the previous unit,
refinements such as output voltage and
current metering, variable current
limiting etc. may be added to the basic
circuit.

VOLTAGE REGULATOR IC
The control circuit of this supply is
formed by the integrated circuit
precision voltage regulator — shown as
IC1 in Fig. 1. This IC is now produced
by a number of companies including
SGS, Fairchild and Motorola
(respective type numbers are included
in the parts list for this project).
The integrated circuit is amonolithic
voltage regulator constructed on a
single silicon chip using the planar
expitaxial process. The device consists
of a temperature compensated

o
E 14) ETI111
PROJECT
111
2 )l1
c
o47 t m V
r e

o o

Foil pattern for logic

80 power supply (actual size
SUPPLY Simple, adjustable
power source has
innumerable
applications.

240V a.c.

Ti R3
240V / 15V lA , C3

I
470
R2
100µF OUTPUT
25V
390

Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of regulated supply.

FREQUENCY
COMPENSATION

9
TEMPERATURE
COMPENSATED
LINER
o vc
7

SERIES PASS
OR
4 vo

my.
COMPENSATION

LIMIT
VOL AGE
REFERENCE CV ENI CURAI NT
CURRENT
AMPLIFIER LIMIT SENSE
• 0V,,, 30 S y 0 2 SENSE
CURREN NON IN EATING INVE TING
,M TER INPUT IN UT

Fig. 2. Simplified schematic of uA723. Circuit schematic of IC uA723.

reference amplifier, error amplifier,

power series- pass transistor and HOW IT WORKS
current limiting circuit. Additional Figure 2 shows a simplified transistor within the IC becomes
external npn and pnp pass elements equivalent circuit of ICI. The voltage forward biased and bypasses any
may be used when output currents reference amplifier produces further increase in drive current from
exceeding 150mA ( from the IC) are (typically) 7.I5V at pin 4, this the output stage.
voltage has a maximum temperature The max. output voltage and current
required. Provision is made for
coefficient of 0.015%/°C. of this unit is a function of the
adjustable current limiting and remote
The Vref voltage is taken to transformer, filter capacitor, and the
shut-down. In addition to this the IC
potentiometer RV I which enables it heatsinking of Ql. The prototype
features low standby current drain, to be varied between 0.7V and unit used a 15V centre tapped IA
low temperature drift and high ripple 7.15V. The error amplifier ( within transformer ( AR 2155) and this
rejection. the IC) drives apower transistor ( also provided IA up to 10V and 1 /A at
2

within the chip), and this in turn 15V. The drop in output current is
drives the external series pass due to rectified de voltage decreasing
CONSTRUCTION
transistor Ql. on load. If a higher voltage
Our prototype unit was built on an
The output of QI is divided by R2 transformer is used — or one with a
epoxy glass board, however the
and R3 (+2.2) and this voltage higher current rating, thus providing
constructional method is not critical provides the feedback signal for the better regulation — then higher
and the unit may alternatively be built error amplifier. Hence the output output currents may be expected.
on matrix board, tag strips etc. voltage will be approximately 2.2 The maximum output voltage may
The power transistor is mounted on a times the voltage on RV I. be altered by changing the ratio of
2" strip of extruded heatsink which in Current limiting is determined by R2 and R3. Note that the maximum
turn is located on the printed circuit the voltage drop across RSC. If this no-load voltage across Cl should not
board by the same screws that locate exceeds 0.6V, the current limit exceed 35V.
the transistor. One of these screws is

81
 Electronics Today International

4600 and 3600

SYNTHESIZERS

Here are full plans for building two full-scale musicians, university music departments and as
electronic music synthesizers. home hobby projects.
Many thousands of these remarkable units
Here, the complete series has been reprinted in a
have been built world-wide since the series
completely corrected and up- dated form.
of constructional articles started in Electronics
Today late in 1973.
The book is available in alimited edition of 2000
Since then, the two units have gained areputation copies only.
as being among the most flexible and versatile of
ENSURE YOUR COPY NOW!
electronic instruments available.

They have been built as school and university Send S12.50 to Electronics Today International,
group projects, by recording studios, professional 15 3oundary Street, Rushcutters I
3ay NSW, 2011.
-

82
IC POWER SUPPLY
Fig. 3. Layout of
components on
circuit board.
o
4

+Ve OUT
RV1 ( WIPER)
RV1
OV OUT
RV1

SPECIFICATIONS
Input Voltage 220-240V
Output Voltage
Output current
1.5V — 15V
1A at 10V
Ell 111 o
'AA at 15V

Ripple Approx. 5mv peak-to- peak

a.c. INPUT
(at 10V- 1A)
15-25V

Regulation 0-100mA = 4mV ( 10 Volt)

0-1.0A = 20mV ( 10 Volt)

also used for the electrical connection INCREASED RIPPLE

for the collector of the transistor. REJECTION
The integrated circuit chosen for this RSC - TYPICAL VALUES
The IC may be soldered directly into
project has atypical ripple rejection of
the circuit — ensure that the device is
74 dB. This is more than adequate for Value of RSC Current Limiting
correctly orientated — and avoid
most app1ications. However by
excess heat. Recommended maximum 10 ohms 65mA
additional filtering at the non- inverting
lead temperature during soldering is 1ohm 650mA
input ( pin 3), the ripple can be even
300 ° C. 0.5 ohms 1.4A
further reduced. A typical
A load sensing resistor ( RSC) is used performance, using a 4.7µF capacitor 0.2 ohms 3.2A
to provide overload protection. In our across the non- inverting input and
prototype we used a short length of Vrer is approximately 86 dB. •
resistance wire cut to length to limit
the current to the desired value. An
interesting alternative is to substitute a
20 ohms 5 Watt wire-wound PARTS LIST ETI 111
potentiometer for RSC. This enables
the current limiting facility to be
steplessly varied. With this feature the R1 resistor 470 ohm 1 /2W 5%
user can start experimenting with a R2 resistor 390 ohm 1 2 W 5%
/
very low current limit and then R3 resistor 470 ohm 1 2 W 5%
/
increase the current when the circuit is RSC see text
operating correctly. RV1 potentiometer 5k linear
Dl- D4 diodes EM401, 1N4005 or similar
The basic circuit described in this
01 transistor 2N3055
article can be modified to provide
IC1 integrated circuit uA723
other ranges of voltage and current.
The main design limitations are that (or SGS L123, or MC1723CG)
the voltage across the IC must not (metal can types)
exceed 40V and that the output Cl capacitor 1000 uF 35V electrolytic
current from the IC must not exceed C2 capacitor 0.1 uF 100V
150mA, or 800mW of power. C3 capacitor 100 uF 25V electrolytic
Ti transformer 240V primary
Transistor Q1 ( 2N 3055) is capable 15-20V sec @ lA
of dissipating up to 115 watts but if
power levels of this magnitude are PC board ETI 111
envisaged then a second transistor on- off switch, terminals, knob, 3 core flex and plug,
should be added, in a Darlington pair metal box approximately 41 /2 x 31
/2 x 6 etc.
configuration, to transistor Q1. This
will reduce the loading on IC1. A
arger heat sink will also be required.

83
 DUALBy BARRY WILKINSON

Specifically intended for

powering experimental integrated
circuit projects, this power unit
features independent positive
and negative supplies — but
with automatic tracking when
required.

PROJECT
105

TO POS.
OUTPUT
TERMINAL

TO COMM.
OUTPUT VOLTMETER
TERMINAL 0-25V

TO NEG.
OUTPUT 0—•:—.0
TERMINAL

TO PIN 9

TO PIN 17
SW 6

AMMETER
— 1mA
— 750 mV F.S.D.

TO PIN 11

TO PIN 15

Fig. 1. Circuit diagram

of complete unit.

+ 0
EXT.

TO PIN 6
EXTERNAL
INPUT
INT.
T TO WIPER Rvl

o
TO PIN 4
Fig. 2. Circuit modifications for externally
programming positive rail (see text).
lOE
ou
7Z4 4

84
POWER SUPPLY

U
NTI L recently, integrated circuits separately ad!ustable from zero to 20 incorporated within the power supply.
were priced beyond the reach of Volts, or settable in such a way that
the average enthusiast, and very A panel mounted switch is used to
the negative supply automatically
few constructional projects specified select the maximum desired current at
tracks the positive supply.
their use. either 190 mA or 1.80 Amps. If this
CURRENT LIMITING level is reached, the output voltage will
But as with so many electronic Both the unit, and your experimental drop and current will be held at the
components, mais production and circuits, are protected against damage selected limit.
wide-spread commercial acceptance by current limiting netwcrk s For the professional user of this unit,
has resulted in quite dramatic price
reductions, and integrated circuits
costing twenty or thirty dollars a
couple of years ago, are now readily
available for well under two dollars.
Many cost less than adollar.

From the enthusiast's point of view

this is amost exciting development for
it opens up the possibility of
constructing far more ambitious
projects than were previously feasible
using discrete components. Many such
projects are featured in Electronics
Today International.

But there is one minor drawback to

integrated circuits and this is that
many of them require both positive
and negative power supplies. These
supplies must also have a better level
of line and load regulation than was
previously necessary.
The power supply described in this
project has beer designed specifically
for this purpose. It is intended for
both the serious enthusiast and the
professional development engineer.

As may be seen from the

specifications, its performance is
equivalent to many commercially built
units at many times the price.
The unit has two outputs, one
positive, and one negative — each
Fig. 3. Foil pattern of printed circuit board (full size).

85
 DUAL POWER
SUPPLY
provision has been made for the
positive regulator to be externally
programmed. The necessary wiring
changes are shown in Fig. 2.
Due largely to the use of externally
mounted heatsinks, and the use of
integrated circuits in the control and
voltage reference circuits, the
complete power supply unit is quite
small and compact. Yet despite this,
the internal layout is spacious and all
major components are readily
accessible.

CONSTRUCTION
Construction is reasonably
straightforward if work progresses in
the correct manner. The unit may be
assembled on matrix board, but we
strongly recommend that the correct
printed circuit board be used. The foil
pattern of the p.c. board is shown in
Fig. 3.
Assuming that the printed circuit
Fig. 4. How the components are Mounted on the printed circuit board.
board is used, commence construction Compare this with Fig. 3.

by inserting the pc board pins into the

Fig. 5. Diodes positions numbered on the board.
DI — 04 are These pins should be inserted with the
mounted on
flange ( if flanged) on the component
top of the
filter capacitors. side of the board. All external wiring
to and from the printed circuit board
will be attached to these pins on the
foil pattern side of the board.
When installing the integrated
circuits ensure that they are orientated
correctly before soldering. ( Note that
Fig. 4 shows all components, including
integrated circuits, as seen from the
component side of the board.)
Small heatsinks are fitted over
transistors 04 and 08. Ensure that
these do not contact any other
component by mounting them about
1/8" above other nearby components.
When all components have been
mounted on the board, recheck for
correct orientation and polarity.

Fig. 6. This drawing shows front panel wiring details. Wires A, B and Care interconnecting wires on the front panel. Wire D goes to the common
of the filter capacitors.
 Now mount the transformer and the BASE ET105
9 DUAL POWER SUPPLY
filter capacitors onto the chassis. 9
168 steel ( plated/

Locate diodes DI — 04 on top of the

filter capacitors as shown in Fig. 5. 5

The heatsinks must now be drilled to 4 3HOLES it"

take the two 2N3055 output 3HOLES )-' DIA.

transistors. Carefully remove any burrs

------- —
from around the holes and then mount 1HOLE ODIA,

the transistors preferably using 3HOLES 4" D1A.

McMurdo type 2210-01-01 anodised

10 HOLES W' DIA.
insulating washers. If available, use a
smear of silicon grease between 4 HOLES it" DIA.

transistors and the heatsinks — this o 26 HOLES e

-DIA.
will further improve heat transference.
6 4HOLES FOR MOUNTING
Finally, check insulation between the COVER. WHIT TAP IN
BASE POSITION TO SUIT
transistor and the heat sink, and then e COVER.

fit the McMurdo type 9151-09-01

transistor covers. •NOTE REAR OF COVER
IS FLUSH WITH BASE
On our prototype unit we
constructed our front panel by -t-
sandwiching a line drawing between +--h ,
the chassis and a piece of smoked
perspex. This provides a very
professional looking appearance. An 11
even better finish can be obtained
by using an anodised aluminium panel,
and these may be available from parts
-
suppliers.
obtained by using an anodised
aluminium panel, and these may be 4'

available from parts suppliers. 5.

1o r
Having determined the method of
finishing the front panel, assemble all 0hø .
'a ON DIAGONAL
1 !,•. From cares
the relevant components onto the
panel.
Wires should now be attached to the
pins on the underside of the printed
circuit board. Insulated 14/0076 wire
should be used for this purpose. Two
wires should be attached to pins 9, 12,
17 and 19, three wires attached to pins
11 and 17, and four wires attached to
pin 4. All wires should be either colour
coded or marked so that they may be 10

clearly identified.
The printed circuit board should now
be mounted onto the chassis and the
wires loomed to their respective
destinations. Note that one each of
wires 11, 12, 17 and 19, together with
wires 13 and 18 go to the back of the
unit and to the heat sinks. Wires 1and

COVER 60100 DUAL POWER SUPPLY

SPECIFICATION — POWER SUPPLY — 113g steel

ET 105
Output Voltage 0 — 20 Volts positive
0-20 Volts negative
Output Current 0 — 1.5 Amps
Current Limiting 190 mA and 1.80 Amps
Meter Ranges
(current) 150 mA and 1.5 Amps 4Hu.es ,ur selt Tnopers
yoso,un to sult base NOTE: The power supply is short
(voltage) 25 Volts
better than 1 mV for
circuit proof but shorts in excess of
Line Regulation
15 Volt input voltage 30 seconds should be avoided due to
change excessive power dissipation in the
Load Regulation less than 10 mV drop transistors.
from no-load to full-
load
Ripple less than 2 mV peak
to peak
Output Impedance 7 mn@ dc — 1.5 kHz
14 mn@ — 3 kHz
56 mn@ — 15 kHz
200 mn@ — 100 kHz

87
 DUAL POWER
SUPPLY 2 go to the filter capacitors and awire
D comes from the common of the
PARTS LIST ET105 filter capacitors up to the loom and to
RI — resistor 330 ohm the common terminal on the front
R2 panel.
R3 - " 1.8k, 2%
The front panel can now be wired as
R4 - " 5.6k, 2%
R5 - " 2.2k shown in Fig. 6.
R6 - " 1.5k The wires to the heat sink mounted
R7 - " 10k, 2%
R8 10k, 2% transistors are taken through the
R9 " 1k grommetts provided, and the already
R10 - " 330 ohms
R11 - " 330 ohms
assembled heat sinks mounted into
R12 - " 10k position.
R13 - " 10 ohms
Complete all remaining wiring taking
R14 - " 10 ohms
R15 - " 100 ohms care that all leads carrying 240 Volts
R16 - " 100 " are adequately insulated. The mains
R17 - " 10 "
R18 - " 10 " lead must enter the case through an
R19 - " 0.47 ohms, 2 Watt, ASW2 insulating grommett and the lead must
0.47
R20 II

be securely anchored to the case. It is

R21 - " 1k
R22 - " 1k
R23 - " 1k
R24 " 1k
R25 - " 1k
R26 - " 1k
R27
R28
- " 3k, 2% HOW IT WORKS
- " lk, 2%
R29 - " lk, 2%
R30 - " 3k, 2% The mains input voltage is reduced
R31 - " 10k, 2% and isolated by transformer Ti. The
R32 " 10k, 2% 25-0-25 Volt output from the
(all resistors are 42 Watt 5% unless otherwise
stated, The 2% resistors are Pye type TR5 or
transformer is then rectified and
equivalent) filtered by diodes Dl-D4, and
CI — capacitor, 220011F, 50 Volt, Elna type PG capacitors Cl and C2 to provide an
C2
C3
unregulated ± 40 Volt dc supply.
2511F, 50 Volt, Elna type RB
C4 e. re el I. F. OR Series regulators are used in the
C5 100 pF. main control system. The two
C6 2211F, 16 Volt, tag tantalum type
C7 FP
regulators — one for each supply —
C8 2201./F, 50 Volt, Elna type RB are almost identical in operation,
C9 ft le PI OP el P. I.
therefore only the positive regulator
01 — D4 diodes type Al5A or equivalent. will be described in detail.
05 — D10 " " " 1N914 "
Dll — 012 " EM401 " The series pass transistor Q5, is
ZD1 zener diode type BZX70 C27 mounted on an external heat sink.
ZD2 Transistors Q4 and Q6 provide
QI transistor type TT800
Q2 current amplification for Q5 giving
Q3 TT801 the combination atotal current gain
Q4 el
TT800 exceeding 50,000. The voltage gain is
Q5 " 2N3055
approximately unity.
Q6 " TT801
Q7 " 2N3055 The main reference supply is
Q8 " TT801 generated by ICI which is aprecision
Q9 " TT800 voltage regulator. The reference level
ICI -
— integrated circuit type 1.IA 723C
IC2 " 1./A 741C
required is obtained by
IC3 " µA
741C potentiometer RV I which is
IC4 IF jLA741C
. " connected across the 5.6 Volt
(all the above ICs are metal can type). regulated output from IC1.
SW1 — miniature switch, double- pole changeover,
Power for the IC voltage reference
240 Volt, Plessey C & K type 7201 or similar.
SW2 is supplied by RI, ZD Iand C3. This
SW3 " single pole changeover, C & K 7101 maintains a constant voltage across
SW4
the IC, eliminating variations due to
SW5 " double pole changeover, C & K 7201
SW6 t.
changes in mains voltage. The 27
TI transformer, A & R type PT 7554, 50 Volt, Volt supply from this circuit is also
centre tapped, 1.5 Amp. used to supply power to IC3.
RV1 — potentiometer, linear, 10k, Plessey type E The reference for the negative
or equivalent.
RV2 .9 F. supply is obtained from operational
Sundries amplifier IC2 which is connected so
TOS Heatsinks, - 2 off, McMurdo TXBF 032 025 CB Power as to track the positive reference
transistor heatsinks, 2 off, Mullard 35 DB 3C drilled to suit. Two
supply. The 5.6 volt output from this
transistor covers, McMurdo 9151 09 01. Two anodised insulating
washers, McMurdo type 2210 01 01. One set of metalwork. One circuit is just as accurate as the
front panel. 240 Volt neon panel light. Three terminals. Two output from the main regulator.
potentiometer knobs. One fuse holder for size 00 fuse. One 1 Amp Power for this operational amplifier
size 00 fuse. One 3 core flex and plug. One cable clamp. One
is supplied from a 27 volt zener
printed circuit board ET 014. Twenty two pc pins McMurdo type
5737 54 08. Three grommets. Four rubber feet. Four 3/4" spacers. which is also used to supply IC4.
14/0076 connecting wire ( insulated) various screws, washers, nuts The power supplies for ICI are + 27
etc.
Volt and 0 Volts; for IC2 and IC4,
Voltmeter — 25 Volts fsd, 242" square, Ferrier type B 23 or
equivalent. the supplies are + 5.6 Volts and 727
Ammeter — 750 mV fsd, lmA, scaled 1.5 Amps and 150 mA. Volts; for IC3, + 27 Volts and - 5.6
Ferrier type B34 or equivalent. ( when ordering, Volts.
specify that meters should be scaled for steel panels).
Resistors R27 and R28 divide the
output voltage by four. This voltage

88
not sufficient merely to tie a knot in
the mains cord — this is a dangerous
practice.
The supply should now be ready for
use, but before connecting to the
mains, recheck all poi nt -
to- point
wiring and all soldered connections.
One point that may not be
commonly realised is that meters are
calibrated specifically for one panel
material. A meter calibrated for
mounting on a steel panel may be as
much as 30% out if it is mounted on
an aluminium panel — and vice-versa.
We recommend that a steel chassis is
used for this project — but if you
decide to use aluminium notify the
meter supplier accordingly. •

is compared against the voltage set by

RV1 by operational amplifier IC3.
The output of IC3 controls the series
regulator configuration, and hence
the output voltage. The action of IC3
is to keep the two voltages at its
input at the same level. Thus, the
output voltage will be four times the
input voltage, and virtually
independent of load current.
When load current approaches the
level set by the limit switch,
transistor Q2 becomes forward biased
sufficiently to cause it to conduct.
This bypasses current from the base
of Q4 and causes IC3 to lose control
of the output. If the load continues
to increase, the output 4oltage will
fall and the current will remain
effectively constant.
The negative regulated supply
works in the same manner when the
power supply is used in the normal
mode.
A tracking mode of operation is
also included, and in this mode the
negative supply tracks the positive
supply. If, for example, the positive
regulator is set at + 14.5 Volts, then
the negative supply will
automatically be set at - 14.5 Volts.
In the tracking mode of operation,
the reference voltage is zero volts and
the voltage used as the output voltage
reference is the centre voltage of the
two supplies. And since the IC tries
to maintain both inputs at the same
level ( in this case zero volts) then the
two output voltages must be of the
same value.
Diodes D7 through D12 are used to
protect the integrated circuits and BASE 169 steel C.P.O.P.
output transistors against various COVER 18g steel.

forms of misuse, including shorting

the positive and negative outputs
together.
Provision has been made in the
design for externally programming
Holes in cover and base
the positive regulator. If this facility for self tappers.
is required, alter the wiring as shown Note: rear of cover is flush
with rear of base.
in Fig. ( Resistor R12, and diodes
D5 and D6 protect the IC when this
mode of operation is employed).
En BASIC POWER
PROJECT SUPPLY
Simple regulated supply provides
4.5-12 volts at 400 mA maximum.

THIS LITTLE power supply provides

a range of switch selectable output
regulated voltages from 4.5 to 12
volts. The supply will provide up to
400 mA and the output can withstand
a short circuit without damage. It is
therefore ideal for the experimenter or
for use with high drain appliances.

ACTIVE
0—o
240V INPUT

o---0
NEUTRAL SW1 11

240V/15V @ lA
EA RT?i--1 .

15
SPECIFICATION
Nominal output voltage 12 V, 9 V, 6 V,
and 4.5 V Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the regulated power supply.
Output current 0 — 300 mA
Current limit approx. 500 mA
HOW IT WORKS
* except when modified for use with The 240 V mains voltage is reduced cannot handle the required output
organ to 15 volts by transformer Ti, and current, it drives Q2, a power
this secondary voltage is then transistor, which can handle the
full-wave rectified by rectifier bridge required load.
PARTS LIST DI- D4. When the load exceeds 400 mA
POWER SUPPLY ET I221 The output of the bridge rectifier is (approximately), the voltage drop
filtered by Cl to provide across R6 forward biases QI which
R6 Resist,' 1.5 ohms 1 2 W 5%
/ approximately 20 volts dc. turns on and shunts current away
(2 x 1.5 ohms in
parallel for organ) The series combination, of Zener from the base of Q2. Thus the
R7 220 ohms 1/ 2 W 5%
diode ZD1 fed by resistor RI, regulator loses control and the
R3 •
820 " "
RI, 8 1k 19 ef provides a stabilized voltage of output voltage falls, limiting the
R4, 5 1.5k current to 400 mA. As the power
around 13 volts which is applied
R2 ••
2.7k
across the voltage divider R2, R3, R4 dissipated in Q2 under short-circuit
Q1 Transistor PN3643 or similar and R5. Thus a series of reference conditions is around 10 watts, Q2
Q2 2N3055
Q3 VV PN3638 " voltages are generated for the must be fitted to a heatsink.
regulator, where the positive rail is Additionally, resistor R7 limits the
D1-04 Diode EM401 or similar
ZD1 Zenerdiode BZY88C13 " fixed and the negative rail is the one current supplied by Q3 to a safe
that is varied. value ( for Q3) under short circuit
Ti Transformer 240V/15V e IA
SW' DPST 240V switch Transistor Q3 is an emitter follower conditions.
SW2 4 position single pole switch
heatsink for Q2
where the output (emitter) is about If afully variable supply is required,
0.6 V higher ( more positive) than the a 10 k potentiometer should be used
Cl Capacitor 22001./F 25V electrolytic
C2 base. The base voltage is selected by in place of the voltage divider. The
eo
100/IF 16V
SW2 from one of the tappings on the wiper of the potentiometer is then
Piece of matrix hoard.
reference-voltage divider. Since Q3 fed directly to the base of Q3.

90
' Project 132

EHPERIMBITERS
POWER SUPPLY
This power supply is suitable for the experimenter. It has fully adjustable
output voltage and current limiting. A single meter can be switched either to
voltage or current while an LED will indicate an overload.

THIS ECONOMICAL POWER SUPPLY

rep'aces the ETI 111 supply published
some years ago. The 111 gave an output
voltage variable between 1.5 and 15 V,
this project gives the full range 0 to
15 V. In addition this supply features
metering ( or you can use the cali-
brated scale on the second version if
you don't have aspare meter) to
enable accurate setting of voltage or
current.
The 132 is attractively housed in a
plastic case and Scotchcal front panels
are available to give the unit apro-
fessional look.
Construction
Commence by assembling the pc board
with the aid of the component overlay
diagram. The main filter capacitor Cl
is normally achassis- mounting type,
out we mounted this satisfactorily by
passing the lugs through the large holes
in the pc board, bending them flush
with the copper and soldering. Check
the polarity of the capacitor before
fitting, as it cannot be seen later. The
transistor 03 is fitted, along with its
heatsink, with the two mounting
screws. No insulation is used between SPECIFICATION ETI 132
the transistor and the heatsink but pass
asmall piece of tubing over the base Output Voltage 0-15 V variable
and emitter leads where they go through Output Current 0-1 A
the heatsink, to prevent shorting. If
Current Limit approx 1.2 A
the meter is not required RV3, RV4 and
RIO are not used. Load regulation 35 mV 0 to 1A load
The front and rear panels can now be Line regulation 20 mV 220 to 260 V input
drilled. Note that the mounting bracket
of the transformer has to be cut back LED indication of current overload
about 12 mm on one end to allow it to
fit easily. If ascotchcal panel is used it

(Continued on page 93)

91
Project 132

D1- D4
1N4001
ACTIVE

I
RV1
10k 21(2
7

1
r— r— IC1 ZD3
A A 301A 5.1V
NEUTRAL ZD1 ZD2 • 2
•--0 Ti 12V 5.1V
S1N1 240V/18V@1A
RV2 4 C2
PL18/20VA R9

0-1A
10k 33p C4 R10
PL 1.5-18/20VA R6 10k
EARTH 1001.1 12k
1k 25V
C1
2500).,F

OUTPUT 0-15V
R1 C3
35V 100p C5
lk 100p
R7
LED 1 470
R2
lk
RV4
5k
02
BD139

e R4
01
10k e
8C548 • 03
b 2N3055
115
R3 100
0.47 5W
e

RV3
Fig 1. The circuit diagram of the power supply. 1k

------ SW2

M1
1mA FSD

Setting Up
How It Works
The 240 V mains is reduced to 18 V put voltage is divided by R8 and 1. Without Meter — With this version we
in Ti. This 18 V ac is then rectified R9 and is taken to IC1 which com- rely on the potentiometer to be linear.
by D1- D4 and filtered by Cl to give pares it to that set on RV1. IC1 In practice it is not linear at the two
about 25 volts dc ( on no load). The then adjusts the drive to the output ends of its travel. Calibration is done by
voltage reference for the supply is stage until the two voltages are the adjusting the knob position and RV2.
ZD2, which gives about 5V dc. same. RV2 is used to compensate Set the output to one volt and
However, due to the large variation for variations in the voltage of ZD2. position the knob to read one volt. Now
in voltage across Cl ( caused by load In the event of an overload the turn the knob to 15 V and adjust RV2
changes) additional regulation is voltage drop across R3 will forward- to give 15 V output. Recheck the 1V
used, incorporating ZD1, and the two bias 01, which will bypass current setting and repeat the procedure, if
circuits give the stability required. away from the output transistors. necessary.
The regulator is a 'series-pass' type This causes the output voltage to 2. With Meter — Connect the output to
with the positive rail common and fall, the comparator sees this error, an accurate voltmeter and turn the pot
the negative rail variable. We have and the output of IC1 goes to the to maximum. Adjust RV2 to give 16 V.
done it this way to achieve outputs positive supply rail ( trying to Adjust RV4 until the meter reads 16 V
down to 0 V. The comparator IC compensate). 01 however will con- (with RV2 switched to volts). Now
(LM301) cannot work with its input tinue to bypass any extra current, connect aload and an ammeter. Set
less than about 2volts above the holding the output current constant 1A on the ammeter and then adjust
negative rail, but it can work with • at about 1.2 A. However, the addi- RV3 until the power supply meter
the inputs at the positive supply tional current out of IC1 will for- reads 1A.
rail. However this will not work ward bias LED 1and it will indicate
with all types of op amp — so do not the overload.
substitute the 301 with a741 or With such high gain in the circuit
similar. additional frequency stability is
The output of ICI controls the needed and C3 and C5 provide this.
output transistors, Q2 and 03. A For metering, we simply use a1mA
level-shifting zener ZD3 is used in movement meter and measure the
the output of IC1 as its output voltage across the output ( via 810
cannot swing low enough. The out- and RV4) and across R3 ( current).
Fig 2. The meter scale used.

92
 TERMINAL
BLOCK
PARTS LIST ETI 132 240V POWER CORD
Resistors
R1,2 1k W 5%
R3 0.47 S2 5W 5%
R4 10 k Y2W 5%
R5 100
R6 1k

R7 470
R8 2k2
R9 10 k
R10 12 k

RV1 Potentiometer 10 k lin rotary

RV2 10k Trim
RV3 1k "
RV4 5k "

Capacitors
Cl 2500 µ electro
type RG
C2 33 p ceramic
C3 100 p "
C4 100 25 V electro
C5 100 p ceramic

Semiconductors
D1-04 Diodes 1N4001
ZD1 Zener 5.1 V 400 mW
ZD2 Zener 12 V 400 mW
ZD3 Zener 5.1 V 400 mW
LED 1 LED with mounting clip

01 Transistor BC548
02 BD139
03 2N3055
IC1 Integrated circuit LM301

Miscellaneous
PCB Eli 132
Transformer 240 V — 18 V 2A
PI 18/20 VA or PL 1.5-18/20 VA
Case PC1
Power cord and clamp
Heat sink OSE H-3400
Two 2 pole 2 position 240 V Toggle
switches
Two terminals
Meter 1mA FSD scaled 0-16 V, 0-1.2 A
Knob

•If meter is not required delete RV3,

RV4, R10, the meter and one switch

Fig 3. The component overlay and interconection diagram.

The photo on the right shows the second

version of the power supply — where the
voltage is set using a calibrated pot rather
than a meter.

POW ER S UPPLY
ET' 132
can be fitted before drilling and used as
atemplate. Take care, however, not to
scratch the panel.
Assemble the front and rear panels
and wire the unit accordingly to Fig 3.
The wires to and from the power switch
can pass the pc board via the chamfer on Nug uLA

the lower left hand side. Other wires

from the pc board to the front panel can
be connected onto the copper side of
the board.

93
 POWER POWER SUPPLY ETI 132

oON

0/LOAD

o
VOLTS

0
AMPS

Fig 4. Front panel layouts

SCOTCHCAL OFFER Full size 131 x 66 mm.

Scotchcal panels ready to stick on are available from Electronics

Today at $ 3.00 each. Send order together with a stamped
addressed envelope — size at least 150 x 120 mm. Fig 5. Printed circuit layout.
Address to Scotchcal Offer 132, Electronics Today, 15 Boundary Full size 132 x 66 mm.
Street, Rushcutters Bay, NSW, 2011.

94
 SWITCHING
REGULATOR SUPPLY
ell
PROJECT
119

Drive those TTL

circuits with
this 5volt
10 amp ( max)
supply.

WHILST the introduction of CMOS inverter which employs a ferrite Table 2 with four layers close wound
has lowered the power requirements of transformer. Regulation is obtained by of 14 gauge B&S wire. Due to the dc
digital equipment using it, many large controlling the inverter and by this current in the choke an air gap is
scale systems, because of cost and means very high efficiencies may be necessary to avoid saturation. The
availability, are still designed around obtained. Nearly al ithe components in easiest method of adjusting this gap
TT L logic. For such systems afive-volt such a system work at mains voltage for best performance is to run the
supply having acapability of up to 10 and hence for safety reasons this supply at the maximum current
amps is often required. approach was not used in our project. required and adjust the gap by
The choice of power supply for a inserting that thickness of insulation
system depends very much on the
CONSTRUCTION between the cores which gives
output requirements. In very low All components, with the exception minimum ripple voltage. We found
power applications a shunt regulator of the transformer and the choke are that a 3 mm gap was required at 10
consisting of a series resistor and a best mounted on a printed-circuit amps for a ripple of 50 mV
zener may be entirely adequate. For board such as the one specified. The peak- to- peak.
medium power systems however a choke should be wound as detailed in The prototype was mounted in a
series- pass transistor regulator is
normally used.
Whilst the series pass regulator is very TABLE 1
good with regards to ripple and Comparison of typical series and switching regulators
regulation the specification of the
SERIES SWITCHING
transiormer is critical if the supply
efficiency is to be above 50%. In a Output Voltage 5V 5V
larger system this can be a very Output Current 10 A 10 A
important factor. Efficiency
With a switching regulator the 240 V in 50% 70%
requirements on the transformer are 260 V in 40% 70%
greatly relaxed and an efficiency of Ripple Voltage < 5mV p-p 50 mV p-p
70% or more can readily be obtained Regulation 0-10 A < 0.05 V 0.3 V
with mains- input variations of from Input Voltage 240 ± 10% 160 to 260 V
160 to 260 volts. Transformer Secondary 8.5 V @ 12 A 20 to 30 V @ 80 VA
A fourth type is the switch-mode Diodes Reauired 10 A 3A
supply where the mains voltage is first Filter Capacitor 33 000 µF 2200pF
rectified and filtered. The rectified Short Circuit Current 15 A 15 A
mains then drives a high- frequency

95
SWITCHING REGULATOR SUPPLY
die-cast box which acted as the
heatsink as well as ashield to prevent
the radiation of RFI generated by the
I-
z D
-> switching action of the supply. If
Olo
u_Ë o d ;g M0
another form of box is used aheatsink
0...1 "îg
c must be added to the transistor-diode
1-w a o. 7 oD._
•---/VVV\--/VVVN—e bracket for cooling.
,-,-0
•-•D_I
<to -a
An external LC filter will reduce the
LIJ-J (II .., Xim
0,,E wze1tx"*.
ripple even further if required. For
<0E CO .-
220 <- (,) wz
1`.0
1- 0
ri
example aseries choke of 20 turns of
0,4e ew 2>w
w- mw 00 a- cc
N -0
.._>.E 1.6 mm wire on a 10 mm ferrite rod
0.-o-
,, .
-1_0
J2 ocom
nOD 0 01g and a parallel combination of 1000
Nme
ZeCe* 00 MI- U Z
N µF electrolytic and 0.47 polyester
\AAA, capacitors external to the box will
Ln 0
1-N provide considerable extra ripple
CC N
attenuation.
Nc.2>
ueo
ti s

• co
e
Mci O
mr4. 'cP*
•—VVVV-

ccm-

..o o

u
•
— N.A.A/V— • •--N.A.A.A.i-• N

U. CC I- On

0
a .—VV\A
r -e ZN 21
o
coo
0,- PARTS LIST - Eli 119
U,
R14 Resistor 0.0 n
R11,13 " 33 1W 5%
CD .2
R12 47 Ii2W 5%
CCr- R3,17 " 100 /W
2
1 5%
R15 220 /W
2
1 5%
R7,18 390 n1
2w
/ 5%
R6,8,9 " 1k V2W 5%
R10,16 " 1k I/2W 5%
R2,4,5 5k6 /W
2
1 5%
e, RI 47 k /W
2
1 5%
NZ cc in
N
RV I Trim Potentiometer 100 n
C4 Capacitor 470 pF ceramic
a
o C3,5,6 " 0.00111F polyester
C.0 - C2 " 0.111F polyester
N x
-z Cl " 250011F 50 V electro
CC 111 acsi
C7 " 500011F 6V electro
\AAA/
o. Dl- D4 Diode 3 Amp 100V IN5408
O or similar
05 " BYX50-200
ZD1 Zener Diode 3.3 V or 3.9 V
400 mV
Gil Transistor 2N2646 or similar
CsP- Q2,3 " 2N3645 or similar
Q4,7 2N3642 or similar
Q5 " BD140 or similar
II
Q6 " BDY92 or similar
Li choke see Table 1.
Tl Transformer 20V - 30V @
60VA ( 7.5 Amp output)
75VA ( 10 Amp output)
O SW1 Toggle switch 2 pole 240 V

14
rated.
Heatslnk bracket to FIg.3
Diecast Box 6357p
PC Board ETI 119
Insulation kit for Q6 and D5
14 * R14 Is made out of 4 strands of
jug element each 40 mm long.
Fig.2 Component overlay.
I —Ve OUT I+Ve OUT

LyiJ
1 %.4 R18

C7 ,.•4

,TT

ac
INPUT

D5 AND DE. MUST BE

INSULATED FROM
BRACK ET

TO
CHOKE

HOW IT WORKS — ETI 119 period and fall during 'die off period. both it and Q4 to turn off. This also
The current never falls to zero except turns off the output switch Q5/6.
IN a conventional series regulator
at very low load currents and the This is the current protection
power supply the resistance of a
average is the same as the load circuitry.
series transistor is controlled in order
current. A voltage proportional to the
to maintain the correct output
The operating frequency is set by output is provided by RV1 to Q7 for
voltage. The series transistor
the tiff Ql which runs about comparison to the voltage of ZD1. If
dissipates considerable power and
20 kHz; the higher the operating Q7 is turned on sufficiently it will
therefore at very high load currents
frequency the lower the ripple also turn on Q3 thus unlatching Q2/4
series regulators are quite inefficient.
voltage on the output. However as and turning off the output switch.
In the switching regulator a series
the operating frequency goes up so Once the supply has stabilised this
transistor is still used but does not
also do switching losses in both action will control the on time of the
operate in its linear range. Instead it
transistor Q6 and diode D5. The switch in each cycle of the 20 kHz,
switches ON and OFF at high speed 20 kHz was chosen as acompromise. such that the output voltage is
such that the load is alternately It is high enough not to be audible maintained at avoltage as set by RV1
connected and disconnected to a but low enough to keep these losses in asmooth and even manner.
supply voltage that is higher than to a minimum. A fast transistor and We used a 240 V to 30 V 2 A
that required across the load. By diode are still required however. For transformer, which is adequate for
controlling the ratio of ON to OFF example if an MJ802 transistor is supply currents of up to 7.5 amps,
time we effectively control the used the power losses increase by 5 however any transformer having an
average voltage as seen by the load. to 10 watts at 10 amps output output of 20 to 30 volts and apower
For example if it is on for 25% of the current. rating of 60 VA would do. If up to
time the average output voltage will When the UJT fires the pulse 10 amps output is required then a
be 25% of the input. Thus by
generated is coupled into the base of transformer with arating of 75 to 80
controlling the ON/OFF ratio the
Q4 by C4 turning Q1 on. This, intum, VA would be required.
output voltage may be stabilized
turns on Q2 and the switch Q5/6. It is also possible to suprty the
whilst dissipation in the series
When Q2 turns on Q4 also turns on regulator from a dc supply of 10 to
transistor is very greatly reduced.
and both latch on. If the current 40 volts. If the voltage available is
However since most loads do not
through Q6 rises above about 12 to less than 20 volts R2 should be
like their supply to be in the form of
14 amps Q3 will turn on robbing replaced by alink to ensure that the
a square wave an LC filter is used
current from the base of Q2 allowing UJT operates correctly.
before the load to pass only the dc
component.
Referring to the main circuit
diagram we see that transistors Q5
and Q6 are used as the series switch.
Li ami Cl form the output filter.
Due to the inductance of the choke a
flywheel diode is required, not only
to protect the transistor, but to
provide proper operation. %hen the
switch is on, the load current flows
through the transistor, the choke,
LOAD
and into the capacitor and the load
(Fig. A). When the switch is opened
the load current must continue to
flow through the choke and this is
done via the flywheel diode D5 (see Fig. A. Current paths wrth switching Fig. B. Current paths with switching
Fig. B). The current through the transistor on. transistor off.
choke will thus rise during the on

97
 SWITCHING REGULATOR SUPPLY
T
r. 80
.4-46

- T20
Fig. 3. Transistor/diode
mounting bracket.

2HOLES 4mm DM 10

TABLE 2 Choke winding details.

CORE Philips E core 4322-020-
34720 two required
15
FORMER Philips 4322-021-
5.5 •-•••• 5.5 31830 or 4312-021-
23622 one required
19 Four layers close wound of 1.6
JmmOIA mm wire core gap 3 mm ( see
17
text).
4HOLES 34
4mm DIA,4,

43

MATERIAL 1.6mm ALUM

ALL DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

de INPUT
MAX
40V

Fig. 4. This circuit recommended by a

components supplier is simple but lacks
4- short-circuit protection. Such protection
is difficult to add to this circuit.

Fig. 5. Printed circuit-board layout. Full size. 178 x 78 mm.

•

98
DECADE
PROJECT
108

RESISTANCE
BOX A versatile and accurate variable
resistance unit for experimenters

A DECADE resistance box is an extra-

ordinarily useful device — enabling the
user to select precisely the resistor
value needed when that breadboard
TC TERMINAL mock-up doesn't quite match the
theoretical calculations: there being
nothing more time consuming than the
'unsolder and try another' technique.
Another use for adecade box is as a
precision variable resistor in ex-
perimental measurements — and to
meet this requirement we have provid-
ed ten-ohm resolution and have speci-
fied 2% accuracy resistors. These re-
sistors are available at reasonable cost
— you could of course go to 1% resis-
tors but such accuracy is rarely needed
for most applications.

R11— R20 R1— R10

10 x 100U 10 x 10S2

Fig. 1. The method of

interconnecting the switches.
99
 PARTS LIST

RI — R10 Resistor ion 2% Y2 watk

Philips type MR30 or equivalent.
R11 -- R20 Resistor 100S2 2% 1 2 watt
/
Philips type MR30 or equivalent
R21 — R30 Resistor 10002 2% 1 /
2
watt Philips type MR30 in
equivalent
R31 — R40 Resistor 10kohm 2% V;
watt Philips type MR30 or
equivalent
R41 — R50 Resistor 100kohn 2% Y2
watt Philips type MR30 or
equivalent
SW1 — SW5 Wafer switch, single pole,
11 position OAK type F or similar.
diecasi box 43 /" x33
4 /' x2", ITT type
4
043B00 or similar.
2binding post terminals and 5 knobs.

E DECADE RESISTANCE BOX -1

Fig. 2 The resistors are mounted
to the switches as shown.

5 5
4\ i / 6
Fig. 3. Front panel
I 7 3*`• I 7 3 I 7 overlay ( full size).

2 0 8 2 — 0 -- 8 2 0 8
I
1 / \ 9 1 / • 9 1 9 will act as a fuse and protect the
/ \ switch contacts from damage due to
0 10 0 10 0 10 shorts. Finally connect pin "0" of
x10 x100 x 1k SW5 to the other terminal.
In our prototype we disassembled
4 5 6 4 5 the switches and filed away the stops
1
0 7 3*\. \ I /6 thus allowing continuous rotation in
3s,N, I / 7 either direction. Be very careful, if you
I de decide to do this, not to damage the
switch. Remove the wafer assembly
2 0 .8 2 — 0 -- 8
taking care not to apply pressure to
/ 9 the rotating wiper section. Remove the
0 1 / \ 1 / \ circlip retaining the shaft and
withdraw the shaft/clicker plate

L_ 0
x10 k
10 0 10
x100 k _I assembly. The stop may then be
removed with a file and the switch
reassembled. •

CONSTRUCTION
Assemble the resistors to the
switches as shown in the photograph,
R1- R10 to SW1, R11-20 to SW2 and
so on to SW5.
Fit the switches to the metal box and
ensure that the resistors are clear of
the metal box sides. If there is
insufficient clearance a piece of
manila-folder cardboard will provide
the necessary insulation.
Connect all the switches in series, as
shown in Fig.1, and then connect the
wiper of SW1 to one of the input
terminals with one single strand from a e) 5HOLES
3 /
8 " DIA
piece of flexible hook-up wire. This

BOX

Fig. 4. Drilling details

for the diecast box.
ITT 043500
13 2HOLES
5/
16" DIA

100
OSCILLOSCOPE
CALIBRATOR
50Hz

PROJECT 106 33k 5W 2.2K TRIM. POT. 20V OUTPUT

TO CRO
POWER
22V 1W
SUPPLY CALIBRATE 2k 1%
ZENER
This simply-constructed voltage 250 TO 350 V.D.C. DIODE
calibrator can be built into 0 10V SWITCH
practically any existing
1POLE
oscilloscope.
BC 108 OR SIMILAR lk 1% 9 POSITIO

820≤≥ 5%

0 5V

T
HIS simple calibrator enables 50 EM401
Hz square waves of exact
amplitude to be displayed on an 12002 1%
oscilloscope.
The calibrator can be added to HEATER WINDING
existing oscilloscopes, or built as an OV 0 2V
3 TO 9 V.A.C.
external accessory. It eliminates
measuring errors due to gain controls,
or probe dividers, as a calibration 2002 1%

signal is obtainable by inserting the filament transformer for the chopper

probe tip directly into the calibration supply. The diode connected between
output socket and checking the 0 1V
the BC 108's base and emitter protects
displayed calibration signal against the against excess voltage at this point.
calibration control switch setting.
The divide' earth point and the
The oscilloscope time- base accuracy
emitter of the BC' 108 chopper
can also be checked with this
transistor should be taken to the same
calibrator — the 50 Hz square-wave
point. All wiring should be shielded or
signal is derived from the mains thus
located away from existing
providing a stable 20 millisecond
oscilloscope wiring to avoid cross talk.
period. 1202 1%
The 50 Hz calibrator output should
The calibration voltage is derived
be taken to abinding post mounted on
from a 22 volt zener diode; this
the ftont panel of the scope. The
voltage is chopped at 50 Hz by the BC 0 0.2V
rotary calibrator switch should also be
108 transistor, trimmed to exactly 20
mounted on the front panel. If a
volts by the calibration potentiometer
miniature switch is used for this 20≤≥ 1%
and applied across achain of precision
function no problem should be found
resistors.
finding a suitable location — the
The consumption of the unit is
existing panel lamp mounting can 0 0.1V
negligible and is energized by the
often be utilized for the purpose.
power supplies of the oscilloscope to
which the unit is fitted. The calibration potentiometer is best
It is obviously impossible to give mounted internally. Once set it rarely
installation instructions for each needs further adjustment.
individual make and type of Initial calibration is performed by
oscilloscope — however all that is disconnecting the collector of the
required is to locate an HT rail BC108 transistor and then using an
carrying between 250 and 350 volts accurate dc voltmeter to set the top of
for the main divider supply, and the the divider chain at exactly 20 volts.
•

Circuit of complete oscilloscope calibrator — note that some resistor values in the divider OV
chain are obtained by parallel resistors of higher value.

101
 en PROJECT 114

THE oscilloscope, next to the

mu ltimeter, is perhaps the most useful
test instrument. Indeed, for any
serious experimental work an
oscilloscope is indispensable.
Unfortunately they are expensive
beasts, and whilst an experimenter
may well afford a simple,
low- frequency single- beam type, a
dual- beam version ( at $300 or more) is
usually beyond his means.
Nevertheless a dual- beam facility is
most convenient, for it allows
comparison of two different signals,
for wave-shape or timing, and makes
obvious, differences which otherwise
would not be discernable.
The simple dual-beam adaptor
described here, whilst not providing all
the capabilities of an expensive
dual- beam CRO, will however, cover
most experimenter's requirements.
It is a low cost unit which allows two
inputs of similar amplitude to be
displayed simultaneously on separate
traces. Frequency response of the unit

DUAL BEAM
is sufficient to allow observation of
signals up to about 1 MHz.

CONSTRUCTION

ADAPTOR
Most of the components are
mounted on a printed circuit board.
However, if desired matrix or
veroboard may be used.
Be careful to orientate the polarised
Simple unit converts single beam CRO to dual beam operation. components correctly, as shown on
the component overlay. Wiring to the
sockets and switches should be as
short as possible. Note that C3 and C4
are mounted on the input switches and
C5 is mounted on the output socket.
Our prototype was mounted in a
small aluminium minibox as
illustrated. As individual requirements
will vary, details of front panel layout
and metalwork only are supplied.

USING THE ADAPTOR

Connect the output of the adaptor to
the input of the CRO. The two
adaptor inputs now become A and B
trace inputs to the CRO. A triggering
signal should be applied direct to the
trigger input of the CRO as otherwise
the CRO will tend to synchronize to
the chop frequency and not to either
input signal.
It is preferable that the two input
signals have approximately the same
amplitude as there is no input
amplifier or range selection provided

102
 +7V
Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of complete unit.

DI
IN914

R2
D2 1M
IN914
NOTES:
-7V +7V IC1 4001AE CMOS
-7V
IC2 4016AE CMOS
C3, C4 ARE MOUNTED ON SIN2 AND W13
C5 IS MOUNTED ON THE OUTPUT SOCKET

CHANNEal i o SW2 +7V +7V

A INPUT
C3
0.22,, F D3
01
400V IN9lt
R3 2N5458
(4) lk
8
RV1
IC2/1
100k
LOG D4
RV3
2.2k
c), OUTPUT
IN914 LIN
C5
-7V 100pF
+7V
CHANNEt U i o
B INPUT H o SW3
D5
C4 IN914
0.22p F R4 R5
12
400V lk 10k
11
02
RV2 BC108
IC2/2
100k e
LOG
D6 03
IN914 BC108
R6
-7V 220

-7V
H/
470

SPECIFICATION

Input Level
dc ±4 volts max
ZD2 C8

SVI4
6.8VT 10µF
0' -7V
ac
dc insula-
2 volts RMS max

tion on ac ±400 volts max

dc level shift I
- 1.5 volts
240V/12.6 - 15V
30mA
Frequency Response
on the adaptor. However there is an that if the input signal is aharmonic of — 3dB point > 1MHz
attenuator provided on each input so the chopping frequency, ( see Fig. 4)
that some adjustment may be made. choo;ing the other chop mode will Chopping Frequencies
If only one input is to be applied it is prevent the chop frequency being A 60 Hz
best to switch to that input only thus visible. 35 kHz
eliminating the second trace and any Normally CHOP 1 would be used for
cross talk which may occur due to the high frequency inputs, and CHOP 2 Input Impedance
high input impedances. for low frequency inputs. An 100 k ohm
Two chopping frequencies are used, ALTERNATE mode has not been
having widely different frequencies, so included ( entails obtaining an output
103
 DUAL BEAM
ADAPTOR
from the CRO of unknown level and
availability) as the CHOP 1 mode is
similar and almost as effective.
By means of the two shift controls
traces A and B may be separated by up
to ±-1.5 volts.

HOW IT WORKS — ETI 114

Switches SW2 and SW3 select de or

ac coupling, or input shorted, for
channel A and channel B inputs
respectively. The signals are applied
to the sensitivity potentiometers
RV1 and RV2 and then passed to
IC2/1 and IC2/2 which select one of
the signals as an input to source Fig.2. Printed circuit board pattern for the adaptor. (Shown fullsize).
follower Ql.
Transistor Ql is supplied with a
constant current ( approximately 2.7
mA) by transistors Q2 and Q3.
Hence, there is about 3 volts across
RV3 and RV4, and this is unaffected
by changes in input signal level.
These potentiometers therefore
R4 }- o
provide a level-shift facility. When
channel A is selected by IC2/1, IC2/3
selects RV3, and when channel B is
selected by IC2/2, IC2/4 selects RV4.
Thus as each signal has an t
independant level shift the '.wo traces
may be separated when chopped.
The CMOS gates of IC2 are driven
R3 I- ®
by the outputs, A and B, the
circuitry associated with ICI. The
drive circuit mode of operation is
selected by SW1, a four position
switch, such that channel A only,
channel B only, A and B chopped at
OV
60 Hz or, A and B chopped at 35
kHz may be selected. The operation
is as follows. o
Integrated circuit ICI forms a
multivibrator which can run at 60 Hz
or 35 kHz, or be locked in A-high
B-low, or A-low B-high output states.
For example, if SW1 selects — 7 volts, Fig.3. Component overlay.
IC1 pin 10 will be at +7, ICI pin 11
will be at — 7, IC1 pin 3will be at + 7
and ICI pin 4will be at — 7volts. The
CMOS switches of IC2 will be "on" if
the control voltage is at +7 volts and
"off" if the control voltage is at — 7
volts. Thus when — 7 volts is selected
/ \
by SW I , "A" will be at + 7volts, and
/\ / \ \ /
IC2/1 and IC2/3 will select channel / \ ‘‘. // .. \ / .. \
A. Similarly if + 7 volts is selected by
. \ / ‘ \ /
SW1, IC2/2 and IC2/4 will select / \ \/ NI / \ y / \ i
channel B.
,
If C2 and R2 are selected by SW1
the multivibrator will be free to run
at 60 Hz and channels A and B will
be alternately selected at this
frequency. Similarly if Cl and Rl are
selected, channels A and B will be
alternately selected at 35 kHz.
The power supply is a simple
full-wave bridge type which uses two
Fig. 4a. Two signals, correctly displayed using Fig.4b. Use of incorrect chopping frequency
Zeners to provide the +7 and — 7 the dual beam adaptor. for aparticular input signal (chop frequency
volt supplies required. aharmonic of signal) results in above effect.
To cure use other chop frequency.

104
 Layouts of compon-
ents within the unit
can be see from
this and accompany-
ing photographs.

.6.
lal 114 DUAL BEAM ADAPTER

dc —
ac 0 A PARTS LIST — ETI 114

I- 0 R6
R7
R3,4
Resistor 220
470
1k
/
1
/
1
/
1
2W
2W
2W
5%
5%
5%
R5 10k I/2W 5%
or
RI 12k /W
2
1 5%
SENS. SHIFT R2 09
IM /
12W 5%

RV1,2 Potentiometer 100k log rotary

RV3,4 Potentiometer 2.2k lin rotary

dc — C5 Capacitor agn ceramicester

.
Cl

ac 0 B C2
C3,4 ..
0.01F polyester
0.22 /IF 400V poly.

1---
C7,8 " 10 16V electrolytic
C6 nowe 35V
Dl- D6 Diode IN914 or similar
D7-D10 " EM401 or similar
SENS. SHIFT ZD1,ZD2 Zener Diode BZY88C6V8
,... or similar

Q1 Transistor 2N 5458
Q2,Q3 " SC108, BC548
or similar
CHOP 1
ICI Integrated circuit 4001AE CMOS
OFF A
B---%
\ ' CHOP 2 IC2 Integrated circuit 4016AE CMOS
\
Ti transformer 12.6V — 15V @ 300 ma
PF285I, PF3786, A& R7577 etc.
PC Board ETI 114

0 .) SW1 switch one pole 4 position rotary

SW2,3 switch 3- position slide switch
SW4 switch 2- pole on-off toggle 240V
ON rated.
Metal Box 130mm x 105 mm x 80 mm
3 sockets to suit CRO leads
OUTPUT Knobs for front panel.

Fig.5. Artwork for front panel of the adaptor.

105
 SILENT A-B SWITCH
Speakers may be A- B tested using this simple modification to our tone-burst generator

WHEN evaluating speaker systems in speaker selector switch, or by wiring a CONSTRUCTION

A-B listening tests, the first few change- over relay in the speaker The ETI 124 Tone- burst Generator
seconds of listening convey the truest wiring. should first be constructed as detailed
impression of sound quality. Listening
Whilst such switching methods are on page 47 except that the wiring to
for longer than afew seconds not only
simple and reliable they have one SW3 is changed as detailed in Fig. 1
fails to give further information, but
major drawback. That is that switching and 2 of this article. The dual- RCA
may well give a false indication. For
may take place at any point in the socket and the phono socket are then
this reason it is usual to switch rapidly
waveform and as a consequence mounted on one side of the box. If a
between the reference speaker and the
switching transients may be metal box is used make sure that the
speaker under test. This is generally
introduced which tend to mask the phono socket is insulated from the
done by using the amplifier's A/B
subtle differences for which one is case of the box as it is at apotential of
listening. Hence amethod of switching six volts. The switch, SW6, should be
at zero-crossing points would be of mounted in a small pill container or
great value. similar housing and fitted with a
HOW IT WORKS — ETI 124 AB three-core cable that is terminated at
As this unit is based on the When the ETI Tone- Burst Generator the other end by astereo phone jack.
operation of the tone-burst generator was constructed it was realised that it Note that the common of the switch
ETI 124 described on pages 47-51, contained all the circuitry needed to should be connected to the common
that article should be thoroughly performance this switching task and
read first. Only the changes of the jack but that the other wires
that it could be modified to do so very may be wired to either of the
necessary to that unit are detailed in
si mply. remaining contacts.
this article. A- B switch would be a
little simpler if designed specifically USING THE SWITCH.
The switching must be done at low
for that purpose, the modifications
level and hence the unit is used at the The audio switch requires a
required to the tone-burst generator
are so simple that we thought it not input of astereo power amplifier. The reasonably high level of signal to
worth while to design a special reference speaker and the speaker ensure correct zero-crossing switching.
circuit. under test are each connected to one There are two suitable points in a
To make the generator act as an channel of the amplifier and the silent conventional amplifier. The first
A- B switch it is necessary to disable switch switches the input to the position is between the tape- in and
the existing mode switch. We do this amplifiers as required. Thus the tape-out sockets but the second and
by plugging in an external control arrangement is mono only but this is preferable position is between the pre
switch, SW6, via a stereo phone all that is required to assess the and main amplifiers provided that the
socket. The phone socket has two transient response and performance of main amplifier has a volume control
change- over contacts fitted which are
aspeaker in comparison to areference that is independent of the
used to disconnect the plus and
speaker. preamplifier.
minus six volts supplies from SW3
when the jack is inserted. One of the
phono contacts also disconnects the
plus six volts from the common of
the socket when the jack is removed.
+6V
As the common of the socket is
required to be at plus six volts the
phono socket must be insulated from R4
C2 47k
the front panel which is at 0 volts.
220p 12
The control switch, SW6, svv
effectively shorts either R4 or R5
thus stopping the pulses from C2 or ON
20 TIME
C3 triggering the flip-flop. When the
switch is actuated there is a delay TONE
until the number of cycles as set by
SW3/1
the front panel switch have occurred
and then, at the next zero crossing,
the change-over occurs. The delay is
necessary to ensure that any contact
bounce of the SW6 contacts does not
cause unwanted switching of the OFF c3

circuit. TIME

SW2 220p
29

nis

GU PROJECT 124 AB Fig. 1. Partial circuit diagram of the tone-burst generator modified to perform AB switching.

106
 To connect the unit for AB testing
apply a single input, from the
preamplifier ( switched to mono), to
the normal input socket of the
generator. The normal output socket Fig. 2. Interconnection diagram
of the generator is not used but the to phono socket and RCA output
sockets of AB switch. PHONO
two RCA output sockets are
SOCKET
connected back to the left and right
channel inputs of the main amplifier.
When SVV6 is operated the mono input
will be silently switched between right
and left channel speakers.

If using the tape sockets the monitor

TO PIN TO PIN
switch should be in the ' monitor' 8 IC4 11 IC4
position and the balance control
should be adjusted so that the levels
from the two speakers are apparently
the same. Make sure that the tone
controls are in the flat position, as
they can cause phase shifts which TO OV 2 WAY RCA
prevent the switching occuring at the SOCKET
zero-crossing point.

If the pre and main amplifier

terminals are used the preamplifier
volume should be adjusted to about
half way and separate volume controls
used to balance for the difference in
efficiencies of the two speakers. If the
main amplifier does not have separate
volume controls then external ones without upsetting the crossover point. controls should be set for eight cycles
must be added if balance is to be Change over may be effected by on and off as this position will
achieved. In this case the tone using either a toggle switch or a push effectively remove any contact
controls may be used if required button. The tone- burst generator bounce. •

Electronics Today International

4600 and 3600

SYNTHESIZERS
Complete plans for the Electronics Today Inter- satile of electronic instruments available.
national 4600 Synthesizer and the 3600 Synthesizer They have been built by recording studios, pro-
will soon be available in book form. Many hundreds fessional musicians, university music departments
of these remarkable synthesizers have been built and as hobby projects.
since the series of construction articles earted in the This book is available now as alimited edition
October 1973 issue of Electronics Today. of 2000 copies only.
Now the articles have been re- printed in acom-
pletely corrected and up-dated form. Ensure your copy now!
The International Synthesizers have gained arep- Ensure your copy now. Send $ 12.50 to Electronics
utation as being among the most flexible and ver- Today, 15 Boundary Street, Rushcutters Bay, 2011.

107
 CHASSIS
83 6812
EARTH

°-1
R5 22k

833 82012

834 I1k 645 11

88 22022

89 36k 53
A

010 77022 2 R36 75011 846 7501

3
10
R37 20
Anli?l 276

36021
42 o
OUTPUT

40
814 43021 040 18k

7 5
R15 I8 841 STY4

616 56022 842 62011 649 62011

851
R2 62'
R43 100k
62012

618 6201 644 62(41 650 6201

NOTE.
FOR CLARITY THE TWO
SECTIONS OF SW? AND
SIMILARLY SW3 ARE SHOWN
WITH OPPOSITE ROTATIONS,
TAKE CARE WHEN WIRING TO
021 750 1
FOLLOW CONTACT NUMBERING

COMMON

Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the attenuator.

This useful audio attenuator
project for the experimenter
provides 0-59dB attenuation
PROJECT 112
in one dB steps. We have chosen Pi type sections for
our unit. We could have connected the

AUDIO
various sections in tandem to form a
ladder attenuator, but this would have
made more complex rotary switches
necessary. Instead, we chose to

ATTENUATOR
employ a separate section for each
step of attenuation, making only
simple rotary switches necessary.
The input and output resistances of
the unit remain relatively constant at
ACCURATE attenuators are required 600 ohms over the full attenuation
in a multitude of design, service, range. The input impedance can be
testing and measuring situations. These changed to 10k by SW1 but an
units are designed with varying degrees additional 30dB of attenuation is
of accuracy and as many steps of added. The output can also be
attenuation as the designer feels terminated internally by SW4 when
necessary. They may be balanced or using ahigh impedance load such as a
unbalanced and have whatever input meter.
and output impedances the designer The maximum attenuation when the
ET' requires. input and output resistances are set at
CECADE
- 7TENUATOR
There are three common types of 600 ohms is 59dB. There are ten 1dB
attenuator configuration, Pi, T or L. steps from OdB to 9dB, via a 10
The latter is mainly employed where position rotary witch, and a further
the output impedance is not required six 10dB steps from OdB to 50dB via
to be constant. a six position rotary switch, giving a

59dB
1dB
±
-0.3dB

dc to 100kHz
600 S-2nominal
10k switched (+ 30dB attenuation)
600 SZ nominal
15 volt
termination resistor for use with high

108
 total of 60 steps from OdB to 59dB.
PARTS LIST ETI 112
This range of attenuation is adequate
R1 Resistor 10k,, 2% /
2 W
1 for most purposes. Although further
6201L
AVAILABLE FROM
le e•
R2
R3 682 O. P. sections could be added, noise
R4 10k
ell,

99
99

9.
becomes a limiting factor in a simple ELECTRONICS TODAY
R5 2.2k
attenuator such as this.
R6 150P.
.•
eft
INTERNATIONAL
R7 5.6k
R8 22e2 09 Ye

ve
R9 3.6k
CONSTRUCTION
P.

ye
R10 270S2
R11 2.7k Ile

It is advisable to employ separate

R12 360£2
R13 2.2k wafers for each switch pole. If the
430.Q
R14 type of switch that has two poles on
R15 1.8k
R16 561:42 one wafer is employed, there may be
R17 1.6k problems at the high frequency end
R18 620S-2
R19 22k due to stray capacitance. This would
R20 1.5k be evident as spikes on the leading
R21 7502
R22 1.3k
edges of high frequency square waves.
R23 10k The common rail for each switch is a
R24 5.6k length of 18 gauge tinned copper wire
R25 3.6k
R26 2.7k formed into a ring to allow
R27 2.2k termination of the shunt resistors ( R4,
R28 1.8k
R29 1.6k R23, R7 and so on). The series
R30 22k resistors are connected directly
R31 1.5k
/PO
1.3k
between the relevant switch contacts.
R32
R33 820S2 Layout of the unit may be séen by the
R34 1.1k ELECTRONICS IT'S EASY
accompanying photographs. •
R35 3k VOLS 1/2/3/
R36 75 0ç
R37 20k Volumes 1 & 2 are now reprinted as a
R38 18k revised second edition.
R39 lk
Volume 1 takes the reader from basic
R40 1.8k NED
electronics to operational amplifiers.
R41 30k
R42
ee
620S-2
Volume 2 covers power supplies,
R43 100 waveforms, filters, logic systems etc.
R44 620SZ Volume 3 Includes digital displays and
R45 1.1k systems, instrumentation and power
R46 750n control.
R47 1k $3.00 per volume - from most
1.8k
OD
R48 DIE COST NON •@I. DIMENSIONS
newsagents or $3.40 per volume ( incl
ARE IN INCOES
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SW1 Single pole change over NOLES DIA.
Rushcutters Bay, NSW 2011.
minature toggle switch .J
SW2 2 pole 11 position rotary switch
SW3 2 pole 11 position rotary switch
SW4 Single pole change over
minature toggle switch 512 50

Diecast box 43/ x 33/4 x 2

4
4 Terminals type L1568/1S or similar
2 Knobs
Fig. 2. Drilling details for the die cast box.

International
3600 and 4600
Synthesizers

1 0 o
COMMON
INPUT OUTPUT
4 5 20 3
10
MODERN MAGAZINES publication
3\ \ 10

2-- 0 0 ---50 INTERNATIONAL 3600

AND 4600 SYNTHESIZERS

A totally 'evised and updated reprint of

ETI's phenomenally successful music
ETI synthesizer book.
DECADE Beautifully printed on heavy art paper
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o
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TERM.
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Fig. 3. Lettering and front panel artwork - full size.

109
Project 540

Universal timer
One tenth of asecond to 99 hours. Both on and off times programmable. Manual
or automatic operation resettable at any time.

0•1-9•9 mu,

1-99 / --- O 1 Q ghr,

1— 4.9 sec

THE TIMING OF EVENTS range is from 0.1 seconds to 99 hours. synchronized with local time if so
and processes is becoming an ever- Both 'on' and 'off' times can be desi red.
increasing necessity particularly in programmed ( for example 12 hours Clearly not all users will need all the
applications involving automation. on and 47 hours off). It can be facilities provided — so if the unit is
Unfortunately most timers are manually started, stopped, or reset required for aspecific permanent
either specifically made for a at any time, can be set for automatic use it is asimple matter just to leave
particular application — and difficult cycling or for single cycle operation. out those ICs not required — several
to adapt to others — or have It may be triggered by an external variations are described at the end of
restricted timing range, accuracy and source ( light, sound or pressure this project.
facilities. transducer etc). Finally, as the unit
The ETI Universal Timer described is digital — the 50 Hz mains is used CONSTRUCTION
in this project is free of most such as the reference — timing accuracy is We strongly recommend that this
constraints. It is extremely flexible, very high indeed, and amanual reset unit be assembled using the printed
accurate and versatile. Its timing facility enables the timer to be circuit board shown.

110
 Begin construction by fitting the links
to the board as shown on the component SPECIFICATION ETI 540
overlay. Note that there are two points
MODES
labelled 'a' and two points labelled 'b'.
Link 'a' to 'a' and 'b' to ' b' using Freerun
insulated hook-up wire routed on the On/off ( note 1)
copper side of the board. One shot
Mount the resistors to the board Manual override ( note 2)
followed by the diodes, transistors,
capacitors and finally the ICs. Take TIMING RANGE
particular care to ensure that all the al seconds to 99 hours ( note 3)
polarized components are orientated
correctly — especially the integrated ACCURACY
circuits.
Mains synchronized
Wires should now be attached to the
board for later connection to the front
OUTPUT
panel switches. We used rainbow cable
for the connections to the thumb-wheel 240 volts ac relay switched
switches as this makes the wiring easier
Note 1. Both on and off times are variable independently.
and also helps to keep the wiring tidy.
Note 2. Unit may be stopped or started at any time. If the appropriate
Mount the printed-circuit board into
button is pressed whilst in the same mode the timing is recommenced.
the case and mount the power outlet
Note 3. Timing is adjustable by acommon coarse control which gives
socket. Assemble the switches to the
ranges having afull scale of 9.9 seconds, 9.9 minutes, 99 minutes, 9.9
front panel and then interconnect the
hours and 99 hours. Each range is adjustable from 1to 99 that is one
printed-circuit board, front panel and
second on and 99 seconds off is possible whereas one second on and
power socket in accordance with the
two minutes off is not ( different coarse range is required).
interconnection diagram.
Finally after wiring the 240 Vac
power circuitry insulate all 240 V The main consideration when making to ground or to + 12 volts to prevent
terminals with tape to ensure that there any changes is that the logic is CMOS damage to the IC (which may overheat
is no risk of personal contact when fault and any unused inputs must be connected with unconnected inputs).
finding is required at any later date.

CUSTOMIZING
The unit need not necessarily be built
in its complete form and many different
modifications are possible to lessen
the cost of the unit when it is to be
used for one particular application
only. The modifications required for a
number of specific applications are
described below.

Specific fixed time — delete selector

switches SW3 to SW6, and replace
by wiring links from the appropriate
outputs of IC4 and IC5 to the inputs
of IC6/1 and IC6/2 respectively. The
range switch may also be omitted by
installing alink between the appropriate
output of ICI to IC3 and pin 13 of IC4.

Single shot operation — connect both in-

puts of IC6/2 to ground and omit switches
SW5 and SW6.

Timing 99 hours or less — omit IC3 and

connect inputs of IC7/3 and IC7/4 to
ground.

Timing 99 seconds or less — omit IC2,

IC3 and IC7.

External triggering — simplest way is a

relay contact in parallel with start or
stop button.
Universal timer
,12V

1 D 11 — [
111)111111 , C3
• SW1 1220, F Rh
Cl R4 1 4 13
OE
240V -•-• 0 1.. F 47k
C111--•
INPUT • Id7 IC7/c
o IC? d
KZ, R2 R3 R5
D2 12
o 10k 10k 1i 10k 6 5 11 9 8
I
Cold
RL1 Ti
240V 18V 13 15
PL 18/5 VA 01 15 1 7 7 4 15
C2 BC548 6 10 14
RI
0 1,F IC 1,a IC / h --•--10 icra 13 •-•- •2 IC2/6 6 2 IC3/a 5 --4-10 IC3/6 14
lk
10 10 9 6
1 10 1 6 9 10
240V
OUTPUT

0 1sec lsec 0.1rnm 0.1hr lhr

9.9sec G

99sec

0 9.9mi
o
SW2 99rInn

RANGE Q 9.9hr
SWITCH o
13 99hr
3-00
2 01 SVV3 N
004 0 12V
4
4 02 10 ON

R1ei
7 —.03 20 TIME CIO
6 R7 R8 5 0 01 F
30 1M 1M )1,
L .

8 1C4 10 04 40
C4
..001 F 4
IC6 c
ii ç IC8 ,a
1 05 50
60 C9 R14
6-06 70 STARTS PB oooi 100k
04 F
6 07 80 PB1 STOP
RESET
90 >I
9 08 C6
10.. F
11.-09 000
12 100 C5
200 10 01 F 105
300 R10
SWISW6 400 P 1 10k
ARE CONNECTED 500-1 • 0 6
IC6 a
TO OUTPUTS 600
OF IC4 and IC5 7002 5 12V

800 —ALA
900 Cl All
001 Fm 100k LED 1 z_.
+12V 00
000
10
2 -010 20
R12 R15
4 020 30 OFF 100k 2 10k
40 SW5 0 TIME 12 02
10 IC8/c
030 5174 • IC617 BC548
60 R13
10 040 13
ICS 70 SW7
050 80 MODE
I :01 10k
90 SWITCH ONE
5 060 SHOT IC1,2,3 ARE 4518
RESET 000 FREE 1C4,5 ARE 4017
15 6 070 IC6 IS 4023
160 RUN
9 080 D1 03 ARE EM401 IC7,8 ARE 4011
200
04 AND D5 ARE 1N914
11 090 300.0
400 POWER RAILS NOT SHOWN
500 IC1,2,3,4,5 PIN 8 IS OV AND PIN 16 IS + 12V
600 IC6,7,8 PIN 7 IS OV,PIN 14 IS + 12V
700
800
900
Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the complete
timer.
 •••

ACTIVE TO
SOCKET
HOW IT WORKS -- ETI 540 high. This occurs only when the number
THE 240 Vac is reduced to 12 Vdc by selected by SW3 and SW4 ( for IC6/1) \e

o
>
Ti
transformer Ti and diodes D1 to 03. and SW5 and SW6 ( for IC6/2) is held by
the counters IC4 and IC5 and the third
Diode D3 isolates the smoothing
input from the flip-flop is used to ensure
1 IC3
capacitor C3 from the rectifiers and 14 1G.
therefore 100 Hz ripple appears across that the off- time of the relay is cr
•
R1. This waveform is used for the basic controlled only by the off- time selector 99m •99h
timing reference for the timer. To switches. A small time delay is
C9
operate the counting ICs reliably avery incorporated in the signal back from the eten. RL1
fast rise- time waveform is required at the flip-flop to avoid the ambiguity that
,
,.
clock input. This is obtained by feeding could arise with equal times. IC2
IC7

the 100 Hz to a Séhmitt formed by If the output of either IC6/1 or IC6/2 99s 9.9rn 9.9h
IC8/1 and 01. Capacitor C2 is included goes low the monostable formed by
,I
, rit • e99s • •
1117

u
)".

to prevent the control tones IC6/3 and IC6/4 is triggered and its a CS 1
C. Cl

superimposed on the mains for the resultant output is used to reset all the •-... Lk i • F... LED 1
• • Lk1 c
control of hot-water services from counters to zero. This roset also occurs if
either of the manual push buttons is
I 1
e -...,,, T c4 icb \n/
?ï
o
V
upsetting the timing accuracy. ‹, C2 e
The 100 Hz from the Schmitt trigger is pressed. The push buttons are coupled 4- RES
--k. '
divided by 10 by Id/1 to give a 10 Hz into the logic by capacitors so that only
... . C5 ------ 4 1C8 raTi-
or 0.1 second output - the first the initial part of the press actuates the R12
required. Note that due to the low
frequencies involved from now on the
logic and there is therefore
dependency on the length of time for
no
C
e
1 R -J» o
ic.7 1iI i‘
--
Y
3

outputs will be referred to as time which the button is pressed. IC4 ( L

F
periods not as frequencies. A second The sequence of events is as follows C3 -- 1

divide by ten stage is used to give a one assuming that initially the switches are 1 I- c6
- 1
second output. A division by six is then set for 25 seconds on and 14 seconds • ••••••• • • •• • e • • • • • •
• . 5s1.. •• • • •• • • • • • e • •
performed by 1C2/1 with IC7/1 and off.
IC7/2 being used to decode the six count On first switch- on C6 ensures that the 01 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 00 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
and reset the counter. This gives the one flip-flop is toggled into the off state and
minute ( or sixty second) period also that the counters are all reset to
required. Further divisions of 10,6 and zero. The control inputs from the
10 are used to provide the six outputs flip-flop to IC6/1 and IC6/2 are low and
required to select periods from 0.1 high respectively. Therefore until the
seconds to one hour. flip-flop changes state only IC6/2 can PARTS LIST - ETI 540
have the three high inputs necessary to Transistors
One of these six outputs is selected by
provide a low at the output. Meanwhile Resistors 01,02 BC548 or similar
the range switch SW2 and is fed to a
4017 IC - the first of a pair of decade the counters IC4 and IC5 are counting R1 1k • 1A1
up at the rate of one count per second. R2,3 10 k Integrated Circuits
counters which have ten decoded
After 14 seconds all three inputs to R4 47 k IC1-1C3 -- 4518
outputs. The ten outputs of each IC go
IC6/2 are high and the output goes low R5 10 k IC4,5 4017
high in turn for one clock period each. IC6 4023
As the two 4017 ICs are in series, a total toggling the flip-flop. The monostable is R6 1k
then triggered and all counters are reset R7- R9 1M IC7,8 4011
division of 100 is obtainable. We have
labelled the outputs of IC4 and IC5 as 0 to zero. This removes the three high R10 - 10 k
inputs to IC6/2 and the output goes high R11.12 - 100 k Transformer 240 V/18 V CT PL18/5 VA
to 9 and 00 to 90 respectively. IC4 is
triggered by the clock enable as negative again. The pulse output of IC6/2 is very R13 10 k pc Board ETI 540
edge triggering is required. The second narrow and is about amicrosecond long. R14 100 k Relay, single pole 280 coil 240 V 5A n
As the flip-flop has now changed state R15 10 k " contact
IC is clocked normally by the carry
output from IC4. the relay has been closed and IC6/1 has
been enabled ( control input to pin 2 Capacitors Switches
We pause at this point to go straight to
now high). After 25 seconds all the Cl 0.1 µF 50 V disc ceramic SW' double pole toggle switch
the control output which is via a relay
inputs to IC6/1 are high and the same C2 0.1 ¡.IF polyester SW2 single pole 6 position rotary
RL1, this in turn being controlled by the
procedure as before resets the counters C3 220 I /F 16 V electro SW3-6 single pole 10 position •
flip-flop made up of IC8/2 and IC8/3.
and changes the state of the flip-flop. C4,5 0.01 j.IF polyester SW7 single pole toggle
This flip-flop can be controlled either
In the one-shot mode of operation one C6 10 µF 16 V electro PB1,2 single pole - make - push buttons
manually by PB1 ( manual on) and PB2
(manual off) or automatically by 106/1 input of the off timer is grounded and C7,8 0.01 µF polyester
the off time procedure is effectively C9 0.001 le " • C&K 321100000 is a2section
and IC6/2. To toggle the flip-flop
disabled. The only way that the timer C10 0.01 ¡IF " Thumbwheel switch forming SW3 + 4 and
automatically the output of either IC6/1
can now start is for the manual start Diodes SW5 + 6 ( 2 required)
or IC6/2 must be low and for the output
button to be pressed. Dl- D3 EM401 or similar Case plastic 196 x 113 x60 mm
to be low the three inputs must all be
D4, 5 IN914 or similar power cord, plug and clamp
LED 1 RL4850 or similar 3 pin power outlet socket
Universal timer
Fig. 4. Printed- Circuit board layout for the timer. Full size
153 x 100 mm.

GR. SHOULD EQUAL LDR RESISTANCE

AT OPERATING POINT ( COULD BE VARIABLE)

Fig. 6. For triggering timer from a

change in light level this circuit will
be found suitable.

Fig. 3. Interconnection diagram.

Scotchcal front panels for the

Universal Timer are available from
Electronics Today for $4.00 — plus
a self-addressed stamped envelope
at least 120 mm x 200 mm. The
panels are 109 mm x 190 mm.
Please make cheques payable to
'Scotchcal Offer', Electronics
Today International, 15 Boundary
Street, Rushcutters Bay, NSW, 2011.

114
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