circuit solutions

[nbucska]

There are circuit solutions some of us are not aware of:
(Numbers are first approximation )

1.)For a few inputs and outputs with millisec. response
time: embedded processor e.g. PIC, 8045 etc.

2.) For 8-14 inputs and 8 outputs, simple combinatorial
and/or up to 8 FF and microsec response: GAL ( see Lattice )

3.) For tens to low hundreds of in/outputs and microsec. or
faster response: FPGA

1.) and 2.) may be $2.- to $10.- and 3.) may be $12.- to
$500.- in singles.

<nbucska@pcperipherals DOT com> subj: eng-tips

 

[richs]

Hi-

You might also include some of the following:

DSP- microseconds

Bit Slice- Remember those? I don't think that anybody uses
these any more.

SSI/MSI- Small scale integration/Medium Scale integration
...........Of course, most of us are familiar
with this.......

ROM sparse state machines. These critters, used with
a counter and a few flip flops can be used
in some applications where very quick
state changes, along with some simple logic
(maybe a GAL) can incorporate inputs and
outputs. In essense, you create a register
to register transfer language with the ROM
acting as the next transition state. Can
be tricky to program though. Think of a
very primitive controller.

Then there are the cross breeds. One can buy "cores"
for the FPGAs and create processors with them. Fairly
expensive for the pre-designed cores.

Hope that this addition to the list will help!

Cheers,

Rich S.

 

[nbucska]

You are right Rich I had in mind people who need a few
circuits ASAP.

<nbucska@pcperipherals DOT com> subj: eng-tips

 

[IRstuff]

Perhaps a good subject for a FAQ, given as there are none for this forum


TTFN

 

[richs]

Hi-

Yes, an FAQ for this would be great. However, no doubt,just
like you two guys, I'm up to my rear end in alligators.

And we haven't even talked about analog design!

But, maybe some helpfull links might be the ticket too.

nbucska, I assume that this should be geared to the
newcomer, and we shouldn't get into ASICs.

Maybe something where they can get an evaluation board and
something to play with? I know *I* can't do fine pitch
ball grid array PC boards at home........ ;-)

But there are even some DSP evaluation boards around that
can be used. ***HOWEVER*** I ain't 'gonna shell out
my hard earned schekles to do a review of these evaluation
boards, so I suggest "Caveat Emptor" (let the buyer beware).
And go from there.

'Course, this also begs the question of the target audience,
do they have the test equipment and stuff to delve into
these. I consider myself lucky that I have a 250MHz scope
at home.

IMHO, a lot of the posts are quite specific that I've seen
here. Most of the time we either get some specific question
like replacing an obsolete counter IC, or something quite
vague (which means we have to "pry" the design goal out
of them). In the later case, at least to my cynical eye,
most of those posts are from folks who would, quite frankly,
have a pretty steep learning curve in the first place.
So, would an FAQ be "preaching to the choir" or too deep
for the other half?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be apprecated! I might
not be back to this board for a couple of days, but I
think that this is definitely a worth while discussion!

Cheers,

Rich S.

 

[nbucska]

IRSTUFF and richs: The forum's Fuhrers disagree with us
richs: See FAQ 240-1032.


<nbucska@pcperipherals DOT com> subj: eng-tips