[time-nuts] Form factor

Don Latham djl at montana.com
Tue Dec 21 08:05:07 UTC 2010


I use just what you suggest for all my experimental stuff; they're old
(cheap) NIM bin modules. They have power connectors on the back, and can
have bnc's and the like as well, and displays etc. on the front. They fit
into a cage that has a power supply, 24v 12v and 5 v busses (5v requires
an external supply). I've done this for some years now. Unfortunately,
this setup suffers from ebayitis buy it now price creep(s) and I can't
really recommend it for everyone. If the project turns out to have
suitable card(s) I'll surely put them in NIM modules, though.
Don

Chris Albertson
>>> Eurocard has been one suggestion as a form factor. While I personally
>>> love Eurocard, the boards and connectors are expensive.
>>>
>>> Stackble connectors are a pain in assembly.
>>>
>>> Backplanes are inherently evil at high speeds.
>>>
>>> Plugging everything into one main board makes that a critical design
>>> item and that much harder to upgrade.
>
> I agree with all of the above.
>
> I think what we want is simply a mechanical standard.  Something that
> will simply hold everything in place.
>
> What if every module was in it's own metal box?  Each box has a
> forward or "user facing" panel that is tall and narrow and contains
> things like input jacks and status LEDs and a rear facing panel that
> is for power and module to module interconnect.    Many of the
> modules, I assume would work as stand alone gadgets (a trigger is a
> usful device all by it self)  To assemble a system you place all the
> boxes like books on a shelf.  Maybe even some book end so they don't
> fall over.  But you might build a wood cabinet, put a handle on top
> and metal bumpers on the corners.  The wood cabinet would house the
> modules and also the power supply and the rats nest of interconnect
> wiresSo those who like to be neat can make nice wood cases and the
> rest of us can have a working system made of a half dozen boxea and
> cales all over the work bench
>
> Here is an example of a module box
> http://www.hammondmfg.com/pdf/1455L1601.pdf
>
> We would not have to specify a height or length, only the width needs
> to be uniform.  But in our case the width becomes height when you turn
> them on edge.   Some modules might need two PCBs and a wider box.  We
> should make a list of connectors to be used for power and so on for
> the rear pannel
>
> I had previously suggested about the same thing but only to make the
> box the same size as a disk drive so we could use common existing
> racks.  I'd still prefer that but maybe these hammond boxes are more
> popular
>
>
> --
> =====
> Chris Albertson
> Redondo Beach, California
>
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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
POB 134
Huson, MT, 59846
VOX 406-626-4304
www.lightningforensics.com
www.sixmilesystems.com





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