[time-nuts] Frequency counter recommendation

Thu Dec 16 20:49:02 UTC 2010

Hi Chris,

Yea, modularity is surely a good way_
I think the most problematic component is the FPGA-eventually memories for
that as a host "CPU", the rest can be relative similar, basically good
documented interfacing for some other PCBs...

Karesz

2010/12/16 Chris Albertson <albertson.chris at gmail.com>

> Here is an example of doing something like this as a open source
> design by a group of HAMs
> http://www.tapr.org/kits_janus.html
> This is a software defined radio but is close to the complexity we are
> talking about here. It has a d/a converter and fpga and lots of
> surface mount parts.  TAPR is able to have these made and sell them
> for $180.
>
> While this is a proof by example that such a project can be done I'd
> not go this route.     Better I think to design a modular system where
> the modules  have easy and well defined interfaces and where each  can
> have whatever quality specs are desired.   There is a danger with
> these group project that you run into a requirements "race" to the top
> and end up with a hard to manufacture and maintain part.  I think the
> HPSDR project did this
>
> On Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 11:20 AM, Bob Camp <lists at rtty.us> wrote:
> > Hi
> >
> > Yes indeed, been there done that. Not very hard at all.
> >
> > All you need is the six layer pc board (can be bought), the FPGA (Digikey
> > has them), a few of these and a couple of those. Spend less than $100 and
> > you are in business if the PC board volume is high enough.
> >
> > In this case the next step in the business is to solder the 256 ball 1 mm
> > spacing BGA package down on the pc board. Not so easy without the right
> > tools...
> >
> > Bob
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
> > Behalf Of Don Latham
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 3:48 PM
> > To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
> > Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Frequency counter recommendation
> >
> > OK, time-nuts, here's the gauntlet. can't "we" generate a design for a
> > PC-based FPGA or chip setup that would be generally useful as a counter?
> > We've seen thorough discussions about trigger jitter, which IMHO is the
> > fundamental problem. And isn't the PIC2 Time base from 10 MHz standard,
> > all else should be straightforward.
> > I'm not a designer, just a messer-arounder, or I'd give it a shot. Robot
> > Basic is a nice PC software maybe.
> > Don
> >
> > J. L. Trantham, M. D.
> >> I suspect that this question will lead to a discussion of Dual Mixers
> but
> >> as
> >> far as the counter question goes, I would recommend you consider an HP
> >> 5370B.
> >>
> >> Joe
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com]On
> >> Behalf Of Dave M
> >> Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 1:55 PM
> >> To: TimeNuts
> >> Subject: [time-nuts] Frequency counter recommendation
> >>
> >> I'm a retired electronics tech and computer programmer.  I have a pretty
> >> decently equipped shop for almost all of my projects and experiments.
> >> However, my time and frequency equipment is a bit long in the tooth.  I
> >> have
> >> a couple old HP 5328A counters (commercial version; not the military
> >> version), one with a 10544, the other with a 10811 oscillator.
> >> I have an HP Z3801A that has been operating well for several years, and
> >> recently acquired a TBolt to keep the counters in tune.  I also have a
> >> good
> >> distribution amp and  couple of old Montronics (Fluke) frequency
> >> comparators.
> >> What I'm looking for now, is a recommendation for a good low-cost
> (<$400)
> >> counter that will get me on the way to performing some of the "down in
> the
> >> grass" noise, jitter and deviation tests that the more learned members
> of
> >> the group discuss.  I know that new equipment is far out of my budget,
> but
> >> I'm also aware that some of the older, now obsolete (also cheaper)
> >> equipment
> >> is quite capable of doing what I want to do. I prefer HP equipment since
> >> manuals are much easier to find than most other brands.
> >> I'd also like recommendation for a good low-cost GPIB controller that
> >> allows
> >> me to write software to control some of my instruments.  I have
> experience
> >> writing software in BASIC on a Fluke 1722A controller.  I've seen these
> >> controllers on the Bay and other online vendors, but I've not located
> the
> >> BASIC discs for them.  Any advice?
> >> I realize that a counter is not the only piece that I need, but it's
> first
> >> on my list.  Other, more applicable equipment is on my want list, but
> will
> >> have to wait for a bit.
> >>
> >> Thanks for advice,
> >> David
> >> dgminala at mediacombb dot net
> >>
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> >
> >
> > --
> > "Neither the voice of authority nor the weight of reason and argument are
> > as significant as experiment, for thence comes quiet to the mind."
> > R. Bacon
> > "If you don't know what it is, don't poke it."
> > Ghost in the Shell
> >
> >
> > Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL
> > Six Mile Systems LLP
> > 17850 Six Mile Road
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>
> --
> =====
> Chris Albertson
> Redondo Beach, California
>
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