So... after years of plans, but lack of motivation, I've finally gotten around to building and programming some (hopefully useful) tools for myself. First of all, I've had a portable 32 channel USB logic analyzer (Bugblat X34 - http://www.bugblat.com/products/x34.html ) for a while, which claimed to have a programming API, but no real documentation on using it. So I finally decided to sit down and figure it out.
Once I figured out how to use it, I decided to make a 32 channel logic probe. This allows me to connect it to an IC clip, then see the activity of all pins on the chip at once. Much quicker and easier than probing each pin with a normal logic probe.
The next logical step was to add some intelligence... actually verifying that the pins are valid for the type of chip being probed. Essentially, a simple logic comparator (though it only works for chips without memory or states).
Mostly because I'm lazy, these apps are all simple console apps. Maybe someday I'll actually make something better... but I really just wanted something quick that works.
And then I had another project idea... after blowing lots of fuses working on stuff (especially monitors), I thought it'd be nice to just use circuit breakers. But finding circuit breakers for every size fuse would be tough, and expensive... so I drew up schematics for a programmable one. I realized that it wouldn't really be that tough, so I went ahead and built it.
Basically, it's got a current sensor, ADC, and relay connected to a microcontroller with controls/display. Just connect it in place of the fuse, set the desired current, enable it, then see what happens. It shows the current draw in real time (basically an ammeter)... and I put a fuse holder in line, so you can fuse it with the proper fuse, in case something fails. But the "breaker" should save the fuse.
And while I had the microcontroller in a convenient portable enclosure, there was very little effort needed to also create a monitor signal generator. So, I used a 3-way switch to either run in circuit breaker mode, or monitor mode. As a signal generator, it can create CGA, EGA, or VGA signals with seperate or composite sync. It'll soon be able to do positive or negative sync, once I tweak the code.
I'm also working on adding XY to the monitor tester... hopefully my chips will arrive soon.
The whole thing runs off a 9V battery. I'll probably work to optimize the battery consumption once I get everything finalized.
Anyway, there's a quick rundown of my new tools. They're not completely finished... I mostly have some testing to make sure they all work as well as I want them to... as well as more coding, and refining things a bit. But I just thought I'd share what I've been up to lately... hopefully some of you find it interesting.
DogP
Once I figured out how to use it, I decided to make a 32 channel logic probe. This allows me to connect it to an IC clip, then see the activity of all pins on the chip at once. Much quicker and easier than probing each pin with a normal logic probe.
The next logical step was to add some intelligence... actually verifying that the pins are valid for the type of chip being probed. Essentially, a simple logic comparator (though it only works for chips without memory or states).
Mostly because I'm lazy, these apps are all simple console apps. Maybe someday I'll actually make something better... but I really just wanted something quick that works.
And then I had another project idea... after blowing lots of fuses working on stuff (especially monitors), I thought it'd be nice to just use circuit breakers. But finding circuit breakers for every size fuse would be tough, and expensive... so I drew up schematics for a programmable one. I realized that it wouldn't really be that tough, so I went ahead and built it.
Basically, it's got a current sensor, ADC, and relay connected to a microcontroller with controls/display. Just connect it in place of the fuse, set the desired current, enable it, then see what happens. It shows the current draw in real time (basically an ammeter)... and I put a fuse holder in line, so you can fuse it with the proper fuse, in case something fails. But the "breaker" should save the fuse.
And while I had the microcontroller in a convenient portable enclosure, there was very little effort needed to also create a monitor signal generator. So, I used a 3-way switch to either run in circuit breaker mode, or monitor mode. As a signal generator, it can create CGA, EGA, or VGA signals with seperate or composite sync. It'll soon be able to do positive or negative sync, once I tweak the code.
I'm also working on adding XY to the monitor tester... hopefully my chips will arrive soon.
Anyway, there's a quick rundown of my new tools. They're not completely finished... I mostly have some testing to make sure they all work as well as I want them to... as well as more coding, and refining things a bit. But I just thought I'd share what I've been up to lately... hopefully some of you find it interesting.
DogP
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