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.c
 
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ag
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PROJECTS AND CIRCUITS 
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Constructional Project

EPE HYBRID
COMPUTER
PETROS KRONIS Part 1

Real-time computation of complex SPECIFICATION

system behaviour is greatly simplified by B Ten analogue amplifiers
B Each amplifier can be operated as an
combining analogue and digital processing Adder or Integrator
B Eight coefficient multipliers
techniques. B Over-voltage indicators on all

om
amplifiers
B Three modes of operation, Compute,
computers employ both those tiny periods of time necessary to per-

H
YBRID
Hold and Reset
major categories of electronic sys- form the iterations add up to considerable B Automatic or Manual mode control

.c
tems, the analogue and the digital. time periods. If anyone is still skeptical, B Offset null on all amplifiers
As is true with every type of system, each visit the following site on the internet: B ATOM microcontroller:
has its advantages and disadvantages. The www.indiana.edu/~rcapub/v21n2/p24 8k Flash program memory
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hybrid system is an attempt to combine the .html 384 bytes of RAM
best of both worlds. There, you will meet Dr Jonathan 15 I/O pins
Many people imagine analogue comput- Wayne Mills, associate professor of com- RS232 serial link
ers to be antique units stored away in puter science at Indiana University,
em

Analogue-to-digital converter
University laboratories. But not many peo- Bloomington, and director of the Adaptive PWM and Timer functions
ple realise that in some cases the analogue Systems Laboratory, whose patented new BASIC compiler programming
computer can solve a problem with analogue computer uses radically simpli- Integrated Development
admirable elegance, ease and simplicity, fied electronic components and “continu- Environment (IDE)
while the solution of the same problem on ous value logic” circuits, that make his
p

the digital computer may be virtually computer able to work incredibly fast and
.e

impossible. process more sensory inputs than a digital difficult to solve manually. Differential
A few analogue amplifiers connected computer can handle. equations describe the behaviour of physi-
together in a few minutes can give the cal systems, such as the suspension system
ANALOGUE
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solution to a complex problem with the of a motor car or the flight of a rocket.
units producing results in real time. A COMPUTER The variables involved in such systems,
similar problem may take months to be An analogue computer uses voltage as such as the stiffness of the springs in the
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programmed on the digital computer, pro- the analogue to represent a physical quan- first example, or the thrust of the engine in
vided the programmer has the skill to solve tity, in the same way that the height of the the second, can be varied by simply turn-
w

the equations. mercury column of an old fashioned mer- ing the dial of a potentiometer. In this way
For the digital computer to execute the cury thermometer represents temperature. the behaviour of the systems can be simu-
program, millions of iterations have to be The analogue computer is designed to lated, and many experiments carried out
performed, and not in real time. Granted solve mathematical equations, in particular without going to the expense of construct-
digital computers are now very fast, but differential equations, which are especially ing and testing real models.
Other advantages of the analogue com-
puter are the speed with which it carries
out the processing, and the relative sim-
plicity with which one can formulate the
problem on the computer. The disadvan-
tage is that the range of voltage variation is
limited and the measurement of that volt-
age is prone to errors. However, engineer-
ing is not an exact science and the ana-
logue computer is a useful tool in the
design of many engineering systems.

DIGITAL COMPUTER
In contrast to its analogue counterpart,
the digital computer works by manipulat-
ing discrete voltage pulses, instead of con-
tinuously varying voltages. It has the
advantage of high accuracy and repeatabil-
ity of results. On the other hand, it is
difficult and time consuming to program a
digital computer to solve differential equa-
tions and, moreover, the programmer must

798 Everyday Practical Electronics, November 2002

 ANALOGUE PERSONAL
MAIN UNITS Coefficient Multiplier
The Coefficient Multiplier (Fig.4) is
COMPUTER
MICROCONTROLLER
COMPUTER The heart of the
analogue computer is used to multiply a voltage by a constant
formed around several number between zero and one. This math-
PATCH high gain d.c. ampli- ematical operation is usually performed
PANEL
PERIPHERALS
fiers, or operational without the use of an op.amp. A poten-
amplifiers (op.amps). tiometer is connected as shown in Fig.4. At
By connecting the one extreme of the slider’s travel Vo = Vin,
Fig.1. Block diagram of EPE Hybrid Computer. i.e. Vin is multiplied by one, whereas at the
op.amps to various
input and feedback other extreme Vo = 0 , i.e. Vin is multiplied
have the mathematical ability to solve the components, certain mathematical opera- by zero.
equations in order to write the program. tions can be performed. These are, addi- Any intermediate value can be set up by
The EPE Hybrid Computer employs an tion (and subtraction), integration, and moving the slider. The dial of the poten-
ATOM microcontroller system, which multiplication by a constant. Differentia- tiometer can be calibrated to facilitate this.
operates in conjunction with the analogue tion can also be performed, but is general- However, because of the effects of load
system and can be programmed to control ly avoided due to problems associated with resistance, it is usual practice to measure
it. Moreover, it can be programmed to noise generated by components. the potentiometer output after the circuit
analyse and transmit information to a PC Addition circuit has been connected and to ignore the scale
for the display of results or for further pro- The diagram in Fig.2 shows the on the dial.
cessing if required. Fig.1 shows a diagram Addition circuit in which resistors are By choosing suitable values for the
of the arrangement. connected to the input and feedback input and feedback components, Adders
The analogue system is programmed by loop of the op.amp to perform input and Integrators can also be arranged to
connecting its modules using wires voltage addition. The output voltage is apply a multiplication factor to the input
through a patch panel. The microcontroller given by: voltages. Fig.5 shows the symbols and the
(MCU) has access to the control circuits of function of each unit used in the EPE
the analogue computer through the patch
panel. Programming of the MCU is carried
R
( R R
Vo = – f V1 + f V2 + f V3 + f V4
R1 R2 R3
R
R4 ) Hybrid Computer.
The circuits just described form the
out in BASIC by means of a BASIC com-

om
Integrator circuit fundamental building blocks of an ana-
piler resident in the PC (see later). With the Integrator circuit (Fig.3), with logue computer. Other specialised cir-
Communication is through a serial link. capacitor Cf in the output voltage is given by: cuits, such as four-quadrant multipliers,
The MCU sends and receives data and various non-linear circuits, can be
through its input and output ports and has Vo = – ( ò
1
V1dt +
1
ò
V2dt + used to simulate effects such as back-

.c
the capability to convert analogue signals R1Cf R2Cf lash, friction, dead space, absolute

ò ò )
to digital by means of the built in ana- 1 1 values, etc., although they are not the
logue-to-digital converter (ADC). V3dt + V4dt subject of this design.
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R3Cf R4Cf

RF
INPUT OUTPUT
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MULTIPLICATION OF A VARIABLE BY A
COEFFICIENT MULTIPLIER POSITIVE CONSTANT COEFFICIENT X
0<k>1 kX
R1 k
V1 A VO

R2
p

V2
INPUT OUTPUT
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SIGN REVERSING, I.E. MULTIPLICATION X

R3 INVERTER
OF A VARIABLE BY -1
V3 X
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R4
V4 INPUTS
X 1
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Fig.2. The Addition circuit. ADDER

ADDITION OF VARIABLES INCLUDING Y 1 OUTPUT
MULTIPLICATION BY 1 OR 10
Z 10
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W 10 (X+Y+10Z+10W)
CF
INPUTS
X 1
SUMMATION OF THE INTEGRALS OF OUTPUT
R1 Y 1
SUMMER INTEGRATOR VARIABLES WITH RESPECT TO TIME
V1 A VO Z 10

W 10 x(X+Y+10Z+10W)
R2
V2

R3
Fig.5. Analogue computer units, their function and symbols.
V3
HOLD RESET
R4
V4 Ric Ric
Vic
Fig.3. The Integrator circuit.

VIN

VR VO

Fig.4. The Coefficient Multiplier Fig.6. Circuit changes for integrators for the Hold and Reset modes.

Everyday Practical Electronics, November 2002 799

 +5V +15V
R7 R6
100k 100k
TR1
COMPUTE/ R8 BFY51
AUTO RESET 82Ω e INITIAL OPEN = ADDER
RESET b S2a
CONDITIONS CLOSED = INTEGRATE
S3A INPUT R5
c S1a ADD 1M

S3B
S1b INTEGRATE
MANUAL
k
RESET D1 RLB
IN4005 1 INTEGRATE C1
a VR1 100n
RLB1
TO
VR10
1 C1 C2
20k
2 10n

x1
R1 8 VOUT
TR2 1M
7 C2
COMPUTE/ R9 BFY51
e 5 6
HOLD AUTO HOLD 82Ω
b NC IC1 TO IC10 VOUT
R2
S4A x1 RLA1 OPA177
1M
c
3
R3
+ 4 VOUT
S4B x10
100k

S2b
MANUAL
k R4
HOLD D2 x10
RLA 100k IC11 TO IC20
IN4005 1 PINS 3 AND 5
a

GND GND

om
15V

Fig.7. Circuit diagram for the Analogue Amplifier. Ten copies of this circuit are required to be built.

ANALOGUE COMPUTER
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precision op.amp,
which gives very +15V
CONTROL good performance at
TO
IC1 TO IC10
ag
PIN 6
Circuits which control the mode of oper- a reasonable cost. VR11
8
ation of the analogue computer are neces- Resistors R1 to R4 22k

sary. The EPE Hybrid Computer can be are the input resistors 3 R10
operated in three modes, Compute, Hold, and R5, plus capaci- + 1k3
D3
em

1 a k
and Reset. In addition, an overload warn- tors C1 and C2, are 2
ing system is included which monitors the the feedback compo- IC11 UNDER
TO
outputs of all amplifiers and gives a warn- nents. The values IC12 TO IC20 R12
TO
ing when they are about to saturate. chosen give a multi- 100k IC20 R11
5 1458
plication factor of ×1 +
p

In the Compute mode the computer car- 7

1k3
k
D4
a
ries out the solution of the problem. Prior and ×10, to signals 6
.e

to this, the computer is placed in the Reset, connected to the

OVER
or initial conditions mode in which the respectively notated
VR12
variables are allowed to take their initial inputs. 22k 4
w

values before computation begins. This Moreover, when

mode of operation is also called “problem the amplifier operates 15V
check”. It is sometimes desirable to stop as an Integrator, the
w

the computation to take some measure- programmer can

choose C1 or C2 to be Fig.8. Overload warning circuit, ten are used.
ments. This is achieved by placing the
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computer into the Hold mode. the feedback capaci-

tor, by connecting leads to the appropriate respectively. In the position shown in the
In the case of Adders, no change in the diagram the amplifiers are operating in the
circuits is necessary for mode control. patch panel sockets. If C2 is selected then
input signals are multiplied by an addition- Compute mode but if the patch panel sock-
However, the Integrators have to be modi- ets are connected to the ATOM I/O
fied as shown in Fig.6. al factor of 10. In computer jargon this is
known as an amplifier with a “nose gain” (input/output) pins, then the ATOM has
ANALOGUE AMPLIFIER of 10. This means that input signals con- control and can place the analogue ampli-
fiers in the Hold or Reset modes under
The circuit diagram for the Analogue nected to resistors R1 or R2 will be multi-
plied by a factor of 10, whereas signals program control.
Amplifier is shown in Fig.7. Ten copies of
connected to R3 or R4 will be multiplied Transistors TR1 and TR2 are necessary
this circuit are required.
by a factor of 100. to amplify the signal, as the 10 relays can
Many op.amp i.c. types can be used to
Switches S1a, S1b, S2a and S2b, and draw a large amount of current. Diodes D1
make an analogue computer circuit, from
relays RLA and RLB enable the amplifiers and D2 protect the transistors from the
the ubiquitous 741, to advanced auto-
to be operated as Adders or Integrators, and back e.m.f. created by the collapsing cur-
zeroed chopper stabilised op.amps such as
additionally allow the selection of the three rent in the coils of the relays as these are
the Microchip TC901. The device selected
modes of operation. Relays are used switched OFF.
for this amplifier is the OPA177 high
instead of solid state
switching to provide OTHER SUB-CIRCUITS
Table 1. The position of switches and relays for mode control. Overload warning system
the total signal isola-
Adder Integrator tion as required. Table The Overload Warning circuit is shown
Switch Compute Hold Reset Compute Hold Reset 1 shows the positions in Fig.8 and is built around the 1458 dual
RLA 1 2 2 1 2 2 of these switches and op.amp. Reference voltages of +13V and
RLB 1 1 2 1 1 2 relays to achieve –13V are produced across resistor R12 as
S1a 1 1 1 2 2 2 these conditions. set by potentiometers VR11 and VR12, and
S1b Closed Open Switches S4 and S3 applied to the inverting inputs of IC11 to
S2a Open Closed IC20. The output of each amplifier (IC1 to
S2b Open Closed
are used to operate
relays RLA and RLB IC10) is applied to the non-inverting inputs

800 Everyday Practical Electronics, November 2002

 To give an example, assume that the solution for those who do not want to build
ME1
VR13 computer has been programmed to simu- their own power supply.
300k
late the landing of an aircraft. As the air-
+
craft descends, the computer is unaware PRINTED CIRCUIT
that the height cannot take a negative value BOARDS
VIN and will continue the flight below ground! To reduce the amount of wiring inside the
ME2
To avoid this, a reference voltage of zero box, the double-sided printed circuit boards
VR14
300k
can be applied to the detection circuit to (p.c.b.s), of which there are two, were
+ produce a signal when the value of zero is designed to accommodate all components,
crossed. This signal can be passed to the including the patch panel sockets and the
microcontroller to take the appropriate mode switches. The exceptions are the
VIN
action when this happens, e.g. to stop the Coefficient Multiplier potentiometers and
computation. the two panel meters with their associated
Fig.9. Analogue voltage monitoring Resistors R16 and R17 limit the current input sockets and sensitivity potentiometers.
circuits. which will flow into the I/O pins of the The fact that the mode switches are sol-
ATOM. dered on the p.c.b. and are also connected
to the front panel, means that the p.c.b. lies
+15V Audio circuit about 15mm behind the front panel. The
8
The Audio circuit, shown in Fig.11, has space between the front panel and the p.c.b.
3 R16 been included to allow the ATOM to pro- is just enough to accommodate the compo-
IN + + 22k
OUT
nents with the switches effectively acting
1 duce audible warning sounds if required.
IN
2 The BASIC commands available allow the as the main support for the board.
programmer to write code to play more The 1mm patch panel sockets used on
IC21 complex sounds, and even music. the prototype were too short but this was
1458
5 R17 easily solved by soldering small bare wire
IN + + 22k
OUT
Coefficient multiplier extensions to the sockets before soldering
7
6 The Coefficient Multiplier is simply a these on the p.c.b. The component layout
IN

om
single potentiometer, VR15, as shown in for the main p.c.b. is shown in Fig.14, and
Fig.12. Eight copies of this circuit are that for the ATOM microcontroller board in
4
required. Fig.17 later.
Track layout details for the boards are
15V
MICROCONTROLLER not shown separately as their size and dou-
CIRCUIT
Fig.10. Reference Voltage Cross-
Detection circuit.
.c
The circuit diagram for the Basic Micro
ATOM microcontroller is shown in Fig.13.
ble-sided requirement make them unsuited
for normal hobbyist manufacture. Full-size
photocopies of the printed circuit board
ag
of the overload op.amps (IC11 to IC20). The ATOM has the advantage of being track master patterns can be supplied to
Light emitting diodes (l.e.d.s) D3 and D4 programmable in BASIC, a simple but readers via the Editorial office on request.
are lit when the amplifier output voltage powerful language. Programs can be writ- Enclose a self-addressed envelope,
exceeds its reference voltage. ten and loaded into the ATOM at will, and stamped to suit four A4 pages.
em

the last program

Analogue display loaded remains resi-
Panel meters ME1 and ME2, as shown dent even if the power
in Fig.9, can be used to display the output is removed.
p

of the analogue amplifiers. Potentiometers As can be observed,

VR13 and VR14 provide sensitivity con- the circuit is simple as
.e

trol. These units are useful when the pro- all the complexity is
grammer wishes to monitor an output with- inside the chip. The
out going to the trouble of transferring the only connections nec-
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results to the PC. essary are the I/O pins

to the patch panel
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Reference voltage cross detection sockets and the serial

The Reference Voltage Cross-Detection link connections to
circuit in Fig.10 also uses the 1458 dual socket SK1. A provi-
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op.amp. It can be used to produce a control sion has been made for
signal when a voltage crosses a predefined connecting a liquid
value. crystal display (l.c.d.)
for those who wish to
R13 R15
use one, writing their
1k 5k6 own program to do so.
POWER
IN

R14
C3
10n
LS1
SUPPLY
design Fig.13. Connections to the Basic Micro ATOM microcontroller.
1k C4
IN
10n This
requires an external
d.c. power supply, with outputs of +15V, The boards are available ready-made
–15V, +5V and 0V. The supplies of +15V from the EPE PCB Service, codes 375
and –15V must be regulated. The +5V sup- (Main) and 376 (ATOM).
Fig.11. Audio circuit. ply does not need to be regulated as the
ATOM microcontroller has an on-board P.C.B. ASSEMBLY
voltage regulator. This is provided to the Solder the components of the main p.c.b.
VIN
ATOM’s Vin pin 24 (with its Vdd pin 21 in the following sequence:
being left unconnected). Power supplies Use double-sided solder pins, suited to
VR15 can be constructed using the appropriate 0·8mm holes, to connect the two sides of
10k VOUT
(P1 TO P8) voltage regulator i.c.s (7815, 7915 and the p.c.b. Resistor off-cut wires will be sat-
7805). isfactory as an alternative.
For the prototype, an old PC computer Because alignment is critical, the mode
power supply was used. These power sup- switches and the l.e.d.s have to be soldered
plies give +12V, –12V, +5V and various while being assembled with the front panel
Fig.12. Coefficient Multiplier. Eight are other output voltages. The voltage range is (shown in Fig.15.). Attach the switches to
used. slightly reduced, but it is a convenient the front panel, position the l.e.d.s in the

Everyday Practical Electronics, November 2002 801

 FIg.14. Component layout for the main p.c.b. The 1mm
sockets are connected to the large pads in the upper
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 ME2 15V
half. P P P P P P P P SPARE
+5V

802
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ME1

W W W W W W W W

R R R R R R R R R R
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

R R R R R R R R R R
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
R R R R R R R R R R
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
w
R R R R R R R R R R
3 R 3 R 3 R 3 R 3 R 3 R 3 R 3 R 3 R 3 R
6 6 6
w 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

R R R R R R R R R R
4 C
1
R
4 C
1
R
4 C
1
R
4 C
1
wR
4 C
1
R
4 C
1
R
4 C
1
R
4 C
1
R
4 C
1
R
4 C
1
R
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

C C C C C C C C C C
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2 2 2 2 p 2 2 2 2 2 2

S1 S2 S1 S2 S1 S2 S1 S2 S1 S2 S1 S2 S1 S2 S1 S2 S1 S2 S1 S2
em
ag
TO S3 TO
ATOM
RLB RLA RLB RLA RLB RLA RLB RLA RLB RLA TO S4 PCB
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IC IC IC IC IC IC IC IC IC IC
VR1 VR2 VR3 VR4 VR5 VR6 VR7 VR8 VR9 VR10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
om
VR11 R R R R R R R R R R
10 IC 10 IC 10 IC 10 IC 10 IC 10 IC 10 IC 10 IC 10 IC 10 IC
D3 D3 D3 D3 D3 D3 D3 D3 D3 D3
k a 11 k a 12 k a 13 k a 14 k a 15 k a 16 k a 17 k a 18 k a 19 k a 20
R11 R11 R11 R11 R11 R11 R11 R11 R11 R11
R9
D4 D4 D4 D4 D4 D4 D4 D4 D4 D4
VR12 a k a k a k a k a k a k a k a k a k a k

15V TO
GND ATOM
+15V PCB

Everyday Practical Electronics, November 2002

 HYBRID COMPUTER MAIN P.C.B.

om
.c
ag
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Care must be taken when assembling that the switches, potentiometers, l.e.d.s and sockets align with the front panel holes.
The sockets need to be mounted last, their extension leads going into the holes just visible in the upper part of the above photo.
A socket functions diagram will be given in Part 2.

COMPONENTS £220
p

Approx. Cost
Guidance Only
.e

excl. case
w

Resistors See D3, D4 red l.e.d., 5mm (20 off)

R1, R2, R5 1M 2% TR1, TR2 BFY51 npn transistor
(30 off) SHOP (2 off)
w

R3, R4, R6,

R7, R12 100k 2% TALK IC1 to IC10 OPA177 dual precision
op.amp (10 off)
(41 off) page
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IC11 to IC21 MC1458 dual op.amp

R8, R9 82W (2 off) (11 off)
R10, R11 1k3 (20 off) IC22 Basic Micro ATOM Edge-on view showing front panel and
R13, R14 1k (2 off) microcontroller p.c.b. relationship.
R15 5k6 (see text)
R16, R17 22k (2 off) correct orientation into the p.c.b. (note that
All 0·25W carbon film, 5% except where Miscellaneous the polarity of l.e.d. D4 is opposite to that
marked. RLA, RLB d.p.c.o. relay, p.c.b. of l.e.d. D3). Carefully press the p.c.b. onto
mounting, 5V coil the switches and then solder as required.
Potentiometers (10 off) Then align the l.e.d.s in position, and
VR1 to S1 to S4 min. d.p.d.t. toggle switch,
VR10 20k (or 22k) lin., p.c.b. solder them.
(22 off)
mounting, vertical, S5 min. s.p.d.t. toggle switch Remove the p.c.b. from the front panel
rotary (10 off) S6 min. s.p.s.t. push-to-make and solder the remaining components, i.e.
VR11, VR12 22k, min. preset, round switch capacitors, relays, potentiometers and
(2 off) ME1, ME2 ±100mA panel meter (2 off) 1mm pin-header strip connectors.
VR13, VR14 300k (or 330k) lin., panel LS1 piezo buzzer Thoroughly check for defects in compo-
mounting, rotary (2 off) SK1 9-way D-type female nent positioning and soldering. If every-
VR15 10k lin., panel mounting, connector thing is satisfactory, attach the p.c.b. back
rotary (8 off)
onto the front panel.
Printed circuits boards, available from the
Capacitors EPE PCB Service, codes 375 (Main), 376
Pass the patch panel sockets into the
C1, C5 100n ceramic, 5mm pitch (ATOM); 1mm patch panel sockets, black (84 front panel holes carefully (and patient-
(11 off) off); red (88 off); power supply sockets (see ly!) pushing their rigid wire extensions
C2, C3, C4 10n ceramic, 5mm pitch text) (4 off); 0·8mm (dia.) solder pins (see through the p.c.b. holes and solder in
(12 off) text); plastic case with sloped panel, (see position.
Fig.16); knobs with skirts marked 1 to 10 (8 Note that it is preferable to use patch
Semiconductors off); small knobs (10 off); medium knobs (2 panel sockets which have the securing nut on
D1, D2 1N4005 rectifier diode off); 1mm pin-header strips, cut to length
(2 off)
top, i.e. on the same side as the switches.
required; connecting wire; solder; etc. Otherwise, if the nuts are on the opposite

Everyday Practical Electronics, November 2002 803

 420
23 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 28 103
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8
RUN 73mm 16
165mm 420mm
37 Fig.15. Dimensions and drilling positions on the front panel. Note that the actual
panel size may vary depending on the source of the case.
PROGRAM 37mm
34
70mm 73
Fig.16.
General case 240mm
dimensions
36
(see text).
RESET
23
12 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 22.5 37.5 20 12.5 26 32 17
10.5 P1 P1w P2 P2w P3 P3w P4 P4w P5 P5w P6 P6w P7 P7w P8 P8w ME1 ME2 +15V 15V 10.5 10.5 9
om
P0 P15 25
10 12.5 39 DIA
AUDIO
P1 P14 25 32
10
12.5
10
.c 12.5

P2
A
P13
MODE
ag
10
P3 P12 46 14
T 35
12.5
10
P4
O P11 MANUAL MANUAL
10
M RESET HOLD 39 DIA
12.5
32
18 ADD m 12.5

P5 P10
COMPUTE/
AUTO RESET
COMPUTE/
AUTO HOLD
163
pe
P6 P9
39.5
12.5
P7 P8 23.5
INTEGRATE
12.5 ME1 VR13
33
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10
.e 10

AX3 AX2
+

AX1 AX0
ME2 VR14
20
22 OFFSET NULL
OVERLOAD
w 10
10
9
+ 10 w +
EPE HYBRID 32.5
10.5
-
18 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25

12.5
32

w
CROSS DETECTION
37.5 61

COMPUTER
31 15.5
side (behind the front panel), then once sol- locations necessary to drill the holes for the socket connects via a suitable lead to the B Power supply sockets to the 1mm p.c.b. or the –15V to supply the bulbs. This is
dered the p.c.b. will not be able to be components. PC’s COM2 serial port. pin-header connectors. useful as the panel meter lights function
removed from the front panel. The general dimensions of the box are Attach the panel meters, potentiometers, B SK1 serial socket to p.c.b. connector. also as power on indicators.
shown in Fig.16, but may vary depending remaining switches and sockets to the front B P.C.B. connectors to coefficient multi- Photographs of some aspects of the case
FRONT AND REAR on the source of the case. The layout of the panel. Drill holes in the back panel to accept plier potentiometers and the return to assembly are in Part 2.
PANELS rear panel is shown in the photograph. The the power supply sockets and the serial link earth.
The computer was housed in a box with four power supply connectors were 4mm socket SK1. Cut ribbon cable to the required B Panel meter wiring. Note that panel ATOM BOARD
a sloping front panel. Fig.15 shows the sockets in the prototype, and should be length and solder the ends to the appropriate meters may have connectors for illumi- The ATOM p.c.b. (Fig.17) is soldered
design of the front panel with all the labelled appropriately. The 9-way D-type connectors. Make cable harness to connect: nation of the dials. Use either the +15V to the front panel sockets in a similar
804 Everyday Practical Electronics, November 2002 Everyday Practical Electronics, November 2002 805
 15V
GND
+15V
+5V S4 NC
NC
R14 e
R13
TR2 b
c
a
S3 NC
NC D2
R15 e k
SPEAKER
TR1
+

b
C C c
4 3 a k
D1

RESET
SWITCH
5
DB9 4
PINS 3 R
2 17

NC * C5 *
R
IC22 16 IC21

L.C.D.
DISPLAY
(PROVISION)

om FROM S3
FROM S4

+15V
15V
GND
.c TO MAIN PCB
ag
Fig.17. Component layout details for the ATOM microcontroller p.c.b.
way to the main board. The ATOM i.c.
used in the prototype had four small pads
em

at the back of it (these are the ADC pins),

which must be connected with four short
wires to the p.c.b. (see photo).
This is a very delicate operation and
must be done with extreme care as the
p

pads are tiny and very close together. Use a

very small soldering iron tip and melt a
.e

small amount of solder onto the wire ends.

Then looking through a magnifying glass
hold the wire end on the pad and touch the
w

tip of the soldering iron on the wire and

pad momentarily to make the connection.
w

Whilst “carrying the solder” on the iron

is not normally recommended, if you do so
with sufficient haste (but with care) the
w

solder quality should not deteriorate

significantly.
Once complete, use a multimeter to
check that a solder bridge has not been
made between the pads. Prototype ATOM p.c.b.

NEXT MONTH
In the concluding part next month, test-
ing the various aspects of the design is
described. Examples are then given illus-
trating how the computer can be used to
simulate real-world engineering problems,
such as encountered when loading a spring,
or demonstrating the take-off and landing
of a Harrier jump jet!

RESOURCES
VB6 software for this project is avail-
able for free download from the EPE ftp
site, or on CD-ROM (for which a charge
applies) from the EPE Editorial office,
see the EPE PCB Service page for
details. Software for the ATOM can be
supplied on CD-ROM when you buy this
microcontroller (see this month’s
Shoptalk page for details) or can be
downloaded from www.basicmicro.com.
806 Everyday Practical Electronics, November 2002