THE Noll MAGAZINE FOR ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY & COMPUTER PROJECTS

£3.10

C
WARS
Inexpensive "fighting"
without destruction

UNIVERSAL SERIAL
INTERFACE
PIC di Windows
compatible

SPOOKY BUG
Halloween
under a termer'
project
IBM PLUS
PIC BREA111(P0111111
Free debuggin • tware explained
http://vvvvvv.ep
1
770
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 Colour CCTV camera, 8mm Small transmitter designed to transmit THE TIDE CLOCK. These clocks
lens, 12V d.c. 200mA audio and video signals on 2.4GHz. Unit indicate the state of the tide. Most
582x628 Resolution 380 measures 45 x 35 x 10mm. Ideal for areas in the world have two high
lines Automatic aperture assembly into covert CCTV systems tides and two low tides a day. so
lens Mirror function PAL Easy connect leads Audio and video the tide clock has been specially
Back Light Compensation input 12V d.c. Complete with aerial des,gned to rotate twice each
MLR, 100x40x4Omm. Selectable channel switch £30. Ref EE19 lunar day ( every 12 hours and 25
Ref EE2 £69 minutes) giving you a quick and
2.4GHz wireless receiver Fully cased easy indication of high and low
audio and video 2.4GHz wireless water. The Quartz tide clock will
Built-in Audio . 15Iux CCD camera 12V receiver 190x140x3Omm, metal case. 4 always stay calibrated to the
d.c. 200mA 480 lires s/n ratio >48db channel, 12V d.c. Adjustable time moon. £21 REF TIDEC

o
1V P- Poutput 110mm x60mm x50mm. delay. 4s. 8s. 12s. 16s. £ 45. Ref EE20
Ref EEI £99
Mai
The smallest PMR446 radios currently
available ( 54x87x37mm).These tiny
handheld PMR radios not only look great.
Metal CCTV camera but they are user friendly & packed with
housings for internal or features including VOX. Scan & Dual Watch.
external use. Made from Priced at £ 59.99 PER PAIR they are
aluminium and plastic they excellent value for money. Our new favourite
are suitable for mounting PMR radios! Standby: - 35 hours Includes: - LINEAR ACTUATORS 12-36V D.C. BUILT-IN ADJUSTABLE LIMIT
body cameras in. Available 2 xRadios. 2 xBelt Clips & 2 xCarry Strap SWITCHES. POWER COATED 18in. THROW LIP TO 1.00016.
in two sizes 1 - 100 x70 x £59.95 Ref ALANI Or supplied with 2sets of THRUST ( 4001b. RECOMMENDED LOAD). SUPPLIED WITH
170mm and 2 - 100 x70 x rechargeable batteries and two mains MOUNTING BRACKETS DESIGNED FOR OUTDOOR USE.
280mm. Ref EE6 £22 EE7 chargers £84.99. Ref Alan2 These brackets originally made for moving very large satellite
£26 multi- position brackets. dishes are possibly more suitable for closing gates. mechanical
Ref EE8 £8 Beltronics BEL550 Euro radar and machinery, robot wars etc. Our first sale was to acompany building
Excellent quality multi- GATSO detector Claimed Detection solar panels that track the sun! Two sizes available, 12m, and 18in.
purposeTV/TFT screen, works Range: GATSO up to 400m. Radar throw. £ 29 95 REF ACTI 2. £ 34 95 REF ACT18.
as just a LCD colour monitor & Laser guns up to 3miles. Detects
• I
with any of our CCTV cameras GATSO speed cameras at least 200
or as a conventional TV. Ideal metres away, plenty of time to adjust IIIMINIII
for use in boats and caravans your speed £319. Ref BEL550
49.7MHz-91.75MHz VHF
channels 1-5.168.25MHz- TheTENS mini Microprocessors offer Al I.,st Drug F•er 0.tgognr.E
222.75MHz VHF channels 6- six types of automatic programme for p.ou Rellel
12. 471.25MHz-869.75MHz. shoulder pain, back/neck pain, aching
Cable channels 112.325MHz- joints. Rheumatic pain, migraines
166.75MHz Z1- Z7. Cable headaches, sports injuries, period pain. T1.
channels 224.25MHz- In fact all over body treatment. Will not
446.75MHz Z8-Z35 5" colour interfere with existing medication. Not •
screen. Audio output 150mW. suitable for anyone with a heart
Connections, extemal aerial, pacemaker. Batteries supplied. £ 19.95 POWERSAFE DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES
earphone jack, audio/video Ref TEN327 Spare pack of electrodes £ 5.99. Ref TEN327X 12V 51AH. NOW ONLY £29.95 EACH
input. 12V d.c. or mains. YUASA 6V 100AH NOW ONLY £19 EACH
Accessories suppled Power Dummy CCTV cameras These motorised
Self- cocking pistol plcr002
supply. Remote control. Cigar cameras will work either on 2AA batteries or BRAND NEW MILITARY ISSUE
crossbow with metal body.
lead power supply. Headphone Self- cocking for precise string with a standard DC adapter ( not supplied) DOSE METERS ( radiation
Stand/bracket. 5" model £ 139 alignment Aluminium alloy They have a built-in movement detector that detectors). Current NATO issue.
Ref EE9. 6" model £ 149. Ref will activate the camera it movement is Standard emergency services unit.
construction High tec fibre
EE10 detected causing the camera to ' pan' Good Used by most of the world's
glass limbs Automatic safety
catch Supplied with three deterrent. Camera measures 20cm high. military personnel. New and boxed.
bolts Track style for greater supplied with fixing screws. Camera also has a £69. REF SIEM69
Fully cased IR light source flashing red l.e.d, built in. £ 9.95. Ref
accuracy. Adjustable rear
suitable for CCTV applications. CAME RAB NIGHT VISION SYSTEM.
sight 50Ib drawweight 1505
The unit measures 10 x 10 x INFRA- RED FILM 6" square piece of flexible Superb hunting rifle sight to fit
sec velocity Break action 17'
150mm. is mains operated and string 30m range £ 21 65 Ref infra- red film that will only allow IR light most rifles, grooved for a
contains 54 infra- red LEDs. through. Perfect for converting ordinary telescopic sight. Complete
PLCR002
Designed to mount on a torches, lights, headlights etc to infra- red with infra- red illuminator.
standard CCTV camera bracket. The output only using standard light bulbs Easily Magnification 2.7e. Complete
unit also contains a daylight sensor cut to shape. 6" square £ 15. Ref IRF2 or a 12" with rubber eye shield and
that will only activate the infra- red sq for £ 29 IRF2A case. Opens up a whole new
lamp when the light level drops below world! Russian made. Can be
a preset level. The infra- red lamp is GASTON SEALED LEAD-ACID BATTERIES usec as a hand held or
suitable for indoor or exterior use. mounted on a rifle. £ 99. REF
typical useage would be to provide 13AH 12V £ 5 REF GT1213 PN I
additional IR illumination for CCTV 3.4AH 12V £ 8REF GT1234 These Samarium magnets
cameras. £49. Ref EE11 7AH 12V 02 £8 REG FT127 measure 57mm x 20mm and
I7AH 12V £ 18 REF GT1217 have a threaded hole ( 5/16th
Mains operated and designed to be used
with any CCTV camera causirg it to scan. UNF) in the centre and magnetic
strength of 2•2 gauss We have
The clips can be moved to adjust the
All new and boxed, bargain prices. tested these on a steel beam
span angle. the motor reversing when it
Good quality sealed lead- acid running through the offices and
detects aclip. With the clips removed the
batteries found that they will take more
scanner will rotate constantly at approx
than 170Ib. ( 77kg) in weight
2.3rpm. 75 x75 x80mm £23. Ref EE12
SOLAR PANEL 10 watt silicon solar before being pulled off. With
panel, at least 10 year life, 365 x keeper. £ 19.95. REF MAG77.
26mm, waterproof, ideal for fixing to
Colour CCTV Camera measures
caravans, boat. motorhomes etc. Peltier Effect heat pump.
60x45mm and has a built-in light level
Nicely made unit with fixing holes for Sem conductor thermo-
detector and 12 IR LEDs 0.2 lux 12 IR
secure fittings. Complete with leads electric device which works
LEDs 12V d.c. Bracket Easy connect
and connectors. Anodised frame. on the Peltier effect. When
leads £69. Ref EE15
Supplied with two leads, one 3M lead supplied with a suitable
is used for the o/p with two croc clips, electric current, can either
the other lead is used to connect extra cool or heat. Also when
A high quality external colour
panels. Panels do NOT require ablocking subject to an externally
CCTV camera with built-in infra.
diode, they can be left connected at all applied temperature gradient
red LEDs measuring 60 x60 x
times without discharging the battery. can produce an electric
60mm Easy connect leads
£84.99. REF PAN current. Ideal for cooling or
colour Waterproof PAL 114m.
8A solar regulator 12V. 96 watt. controlling the temperature of
CCD 542 x588 pixels 420 lines
0.05 lux 3.6mm F2 78 deg lens
150mm x 100mm x 25mm. £28. REF illtUng15 sub assemblies. Each module
SOLREG2 ,s supplied with acomprehensive 18- page Peltier design manual
12V d.c. 400mA Built-in light
level sensor. £ 99. Ref EE13 featu•ing circuit designs. design information etc., etc. The Peltier
High- power modules (80W+) using 125mm square manual is also available separately. Maximum watts 56.2 40 x
multi-crystal silicon solar cells with bypass diode. Ant:- 40mm Iman. 5.5A Vmax, 16.7 Tmax ( c-dry N2). 72. £ 29.95 ( inc.
reflection coating and BSF structure to improve cell manual. REF PELT I . Just manual £ 4 REF PELT2.
Colour pinhole CCTV camera module
conversion efficiency: 14%. Using white tempered New transmitter, receiver and
with audio. Compact, just
glass. EVA resin, and aweatherproof film along with camera kit. £69. Kit contains four
20x20x2Omm, built-in audio and easy
an aluminium frame for extended outdoor use. system channel switchade camera with built-
connect leads PAL CMOS sensor 6-9V
Lead wire with waterproof connector. Four sizes. 80W in audio, six IR I.e.d.s and transmitter,
d.c. Effective Pixels 628x582
12V dc, 1200 x530 x35mm. £287. REF NE80. 123W four channel switched° receiver. 2
Illumination 2 lux Definition > 240
12V d.c.. 1499 x 662 x 46mm, £439. REF NDL3. power supplies, cables, connectors
Signal/noise ratio > 40db Power
125W 24V, 1190 x792 x46mm. £439. REF NEL5 and and mounting bracket. £69. Wireless
consumption 200mW £35. Ref EE21
165W 24V, 157 x826 x46mm. £593. Transmitter. Black and white camera
75 x50 x55.1m). Built-in 4channel
A small colour CCTV camera
transmitter ( switchable). Audio built-in
measuring just 35 x28 x30mm.
Supplied complete with bracket.
microphone and easy connect
BULL GROUP LTD 6 IR led s Bracket stand Power supply 30m range Wireless
Receiver 4channel Iswitchable). Audio/video leads and scarf adapter.
Power supply and manual. £69. REF COP24
leads. Built-in audio. Colour 380 UNIT D, HENFIELD BUSINESS PARK,
line resolution PAL 0.2 lux + 18db This miniature Stirling Cycle Engine
sensitivity. Effective pixels 628 x HENFIELD, SUSSEX BN5 9SL measures 7in. x 41 4 in.
/ and comes
582 Power source 6-12V d.c. TERMS: CASH, PO, CHEQUE PRICES + VAT complete with built-in alcohol burner. Red
Power consumption 200mW £ 36. WITH ORDER PLUS £5.50 P&P ( UK) PLUS VAT, flywheels and chassis mounted on agreen
Ref EE16 base, these all- metal beauties silently
Complete wireless CCTV sytem 24 HOUR SERVICE £7.50 ( UK) PLUS VAT. running at speeds in excess of 1.000 r.p.m.
with video. Kit comprises pinhole OVERSEAS ORDERS AT COST PLUS £3.50 attract atention and create awe wherever
colour camera with simple battery displayed. This model comes completely
connection and a receiver with Tel: 0870 7707520 Fax 01273 491813 assembled and ready to run. £97. REF
video output. 380 lines colour SOL!
2.4GHz 3 lux 6-12V d.c manual
tuning Available in two versions,
[email protected]
pinhole and standard. £79 ( pinhole) SHOP ONLINE
www.bullnet.co.uk
Ref EE17. £ 79 ( standard;. Ref EE18
WWW.BULLNET.CO.UK
 ISSN 0262 3617
PROJECTS ... THEORY . NEWS ...
erica]
ELECTRONICS
COMMENTS ... POPULAR FEATURES ...

VOL. 32. No. 10 OCTOBER 2003 INCORPOIRATIPIO ELECTRONICS TODAY INTERNATIONAL

Cover illustration by jgr22
www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk
EPE Online: www.epemag.com

7»otecis an? Cbscalis

RC CAR WARS by John Lanigan 668
It's a bit like Robot Wars without the expense or destruction!
SERIAL INTERFACE FOR PICS AND VB6 by Joe Farr 678
Serial 'hardware plus stand-alone licence-free OCX software
INGENUITY UNLIMITED - Sharing your Ideas with others 684
Robo-
Voice; Stereo Image Enhancer
SPOOKY BUG by Owen Bishop 690
Hocus-pocus, get your Hallowe'en party off to ashriek! Another in our
occas'onal Top Tenner series of simple low-cost circuits
PRACTICAL RADIO CIRCUITS - Part 5. Super-regeneration 700
by Raymond Haigh
A highly sensitive receiving system, plus buffer amplifier, for the set
builder and experimenter

Seaga are e e.aisoie.1

TECHNO TALK by Andy Emmerson 672
How new is new - especially in the mobile phones arena?
NEW TECHNOLOGY UPDATE by Ian Poole 674
Improved current monitoring devices
INTERFACE by Robert Penfold 698
PC parallel port interfacing with VB and the new universal
INPOUT32.DLL for Windows
NET WORK - THE INTERNET PAGE surfed by Alan Winstanley 711
ADSL broadband alternatives
CIRCUIT SURGERY by Alan Winstanley and Ian Bell 713
Concluding our introduction to SPICE simulation software
PIC BREAKPOINT by Richard Hinckley 716
An excellent debugging tool offering realtime PC display of
all PIC registers

Xeustlaets aos Sotolees

EDITORIAL 667
NEWS - Barry Fox highlights technology's leading edge 675
Plus everyday news from the world of electronics
SHOPTALK with David Barrington 683
The essential guide to component buying for EPE projects
READOUT John Becker addresses general points arising 687
BACK ISSUES Did you miss these? Many now on CD-ROM! 695
CD-ROMS FOR ELECTRONICS 708
A wide range of CD-ROMs for hobbyists, students and engineers
DIRECT BOOK SERVICE 720
A wide range of technical books available by mail order, plus more CD-ROMs
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND SOFTWARE SERVICE 723
Wimborne Publishing Ltd 2003. Copyright in al PCBs for EPE projects. Plus EPE project software
drawings, photographs and articles published in ELECTRONIC MANUALS 724
EVERYDAY PRACTICAL ELECTRONICS is fully
Essential reference works for hobbyists, students and service engineers
protected, and reproduction or imitations in whole or
in part are expressly forbidden. ADVERTISERS INDEX 728

Our November 2003 issue will be published on Readers Services • Editorial and Advertisement Departments 667
Thursday, 9October 2003. See page 659 for details

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 657

Visit our website I
www.distel.co.uk
THE ORIGINAL SURPLUS WONDERLAND! Surplus always il
wanted for cash!
THIS MONTH'S SELECTION FROM OUR VAST EVER CHANGING STOCKS
GIANT 10" 7-SEGMENT DISPLAYS IC's - TRANSISTORS - DIODES 19" RACK CABINETS
A bulk purchase enabies us to bnng to you these OBSOLETE - SHORT SUPPLY - BULK Nie Europe's Largest Stocks of
GIANT 7-segment digital displays at anow affordable
price!! The 10" character size pues exceptional read- 10,000,000 items EX STOCK
For MAJOR SAVINGS
e quality rack cabinets.
ability at long ástances and enables ahost of applica-
bons induding, score boards. digital clocks, counters,
enclosures and accessories.
CALL or see web site www.distel.co.uk
event timers etc. As the units are a simple electro- Over 1000 Racks from stock
mechancal devise and operate from 12V DC. smote COMPUTER MONITOR SPECIALS
switching via switches. retays. PIC or PC may be used
to control ffingle or multiple doges. Units feature integral Legacy products This month's special
'Zeno Power memory which greatly simplifies desg).
For an excellent DIY practical article, see the May Krsue of Everyday
High spec genuine multysync. 33 / 42 / 47 U - High Quality
Practical Electronics' magazine. Ideal School / College construction proj- CGA, EGA, VGA, SVGA
ect Supplied in good RFE condition, complete with data sheet. Mitsubishi FA3415ETKL le SVGA Multisync colour manila with fine 0.28 All steel Rack Cabinets
LESS than 30% Only £29.95(s) or 4 / £99.00(o) dot pitch tube and resolution of 1024 a768. A vanely of Made by Eurocratt Enclosures Ltd to the highest possible
of makers price ordej.
pw44 Order PH26 inputs allows connection to ahost °Iambi:leis inducing spec, rack features all steel construction with
IBM PC's in CGA, EGA, VGA & SVGA modes, BBC, removable side, front and back doors. Front and
THE AMAZING TELEBOX COMMODORE (including Amiga
ARCHRAEDES and APPLE. Many features. Etched
1200), back doors are hinged for easy access and all "...2e".
lockable with five secure 5 lever barrel locks.
faceplate, text welching and LOW RADIATION MPR The front door is constructed of double walled
TV SOUND & specification Fully guaranteed, in EXCELLENT lie steel with a' designer style smoked acrylic front
used oscdrtion Tilt & Swivel Base £4.75 panel to enable status indicators to be seen
VIDEO TUNER VGA cabie for IBM PC included. Only £129 (
E) O 3
55 through the panel, yet remain unobtrusive.
CABLE COMPATIBLE e Internally the rack features fully slotted reinforced
- ..... -" External cables for other of computers available - CALL vertical fixing members to take the heaviest of
Converts your colour monitor into aQUALITY COLOUR TV!! 19" rack equipment. The two movable vertical
The TELEBOX is an attractive fuly cased mains powered unit. containing all Generic LOW COST SVGA Monitors fixing struts (extras available) are pre punched for
standard 'cage nuts'. A mains distribution
electronics ready to plug into ahost of video monitors or AV equiPment which We choose the make, which includes Compaq,
panel internally mounted to the bottom rear, pro-
are fitted with acomposite video or SCART inCut The composite video output Mitsubishi, IBM, e c. Supplied ready o run with all vides 8xIEC 3pin Euro sockets and 1x13 amp 3
wealso plug árectty into most video recorders, aloWing reception of TV chan- cables, Standard RTB 90 day guarantee. pin switched utility socket. Overall ventilation is pro-
nels not normally receivable on most television receivers' (TELEBOX
vided by fully louvered back door and double skinned tap section with
MB). Push button controls on the front panel allow reixption of 8furry tuneable
'off air' UHF colour television channels. TELEBOX MB covers virtually al tele-
14" 15" 17" top and side louvres. The top panel may be removed for fitting of
integral fans to the sub plate etc. Other features include: fitted cas-
vn frequencies VHF and UHF including the HYPERBAND as used by
most cable TV operators. Ideal for desktop computer video systems d
£59.00 £69.00 £79.00 tors and floor levelers, prepunched utility panel at lower rear for cable
PIP (picture in picture) setups. For complete compatbdity -- even for monitors /connector access etc. Supplied in excellent, slightly used condi-
Supplied in good used condition. Shipping code (D) tion with keys. Colour Royal blue, some grey available - CALL - Can
without sand - an integral 4watt audio amplffier and low level Hi Fr audio out-
be supplied in many other configurations.
put are provided as standard. Brand new - fully guaranteed.
VIDEO MONITORS
TELEBOX ST for composite video input type monitors £36.95
TELEBOX STL as ST but fined with integral speaker £39.50 PHILIPS HCS35 ( same style as CM8833) attractively styled 14" 33U 42U 47U
TELEBOX MB Multiband VHF/UHF/Cable/Hyperband tuner £69.95 colour monitor with ' nth RGB and standard composite 15.625 Order as BC44 Order as DT20 Order as RV36
For overseas PAL versions state 5.5 or 6mHz sound specification. Khz video inputs via SCART socket and separate phono jacks. External dimensions External dimensions External dimensions
"For cable / hyperband signal reception Telebox MB should be con- Integral audio power amp and speaker for all audio visual uses. mm=1625H x6350 x mm=2019H x63.50 x mm=2019H s6350 x
nected to acable type service. Shipping on all Telebox's, code ( B) Will connect direct to Amiga and Atari BBC computers. Ideal for all 603 W. ( se H s25" D 603 W. (79.5" H x25" 603 W. (88" H x25" D
video monitoring/security applications with direct connection to x23W W ) D x23 3 4 "W )
/ x23 3e W
most colour cameras. High quality with many features such as

igeO>
State of the art PAL ( UK spec) UHF TV tuner module Only Only Only
with composite It/pp video & NICAM hi fi stereo sound front concealed flap controls, VCR correction button etc. Good used
outputs. Micro electronics all on one small PCB only 73 x160
x52 mm enable full tuning control via asimple 3wire link to an IBM
condition - fully tested - guaranteed
Dimensions: W14" xH12 3 /"x15 1
4 /"D.
2
Only £99.00 , , E £245 £345 £410
pc type computer. Supplied complete with simple working program
and documentation. Requires + 12V & + 5V DC to operate.
PHILIPS HCS31 Ultra compact 9" colour video monitor with stan- Call for shipping quotation
dard composite 15.625 Khz video input via SCART socket. Ideal
BRAND NEW - Order as MY00. Only £ 9.95 code (B) for all monitoring / security applications. High quality, ex-equipment
See www.distel.co.uk/data_my00.htm for picture + full details fully tested & guaranteed ( possible minor screen burns). In attractive COLOUR CCD CAMERAS
square black plastic case measuring W10' xH10* x13W D. 240 V
HARD DISK DRIVES 21
/2" - 14" AC mains powered. Only £79.00 (D) Undoubtedly amiracle of modern technology & our
special buying power ! A quality product featuring
21
2 "TOSHIBA MK1002MAV 1.1Gb laptop(12.5 mm H) New £
/ S9.95 afully cased COLOUR CCD camera at agive away
21
/"TOSHIBA MK4313MAT 4.3Gb laptop (8.2 mm H) New£105.00
2 INDUSTRIAL COMPUTERS price ! Unit features full autolight sensing for use in low
214' TOSHIBAMK6409MAV 6.1Gb laptop ( 12.7 mm I-I) New £98.00 light 8 high light applications.
2W TOSHIBA MK1614GAV 18 Gb laptop ( 12 mm I-I) New£149.95 Tiny shoebox sized industrial 40 Mhz 386 PC system measuring A 10 mm fixed focus wide angle lers
21
/"to 31
2 /"conversion kit for Pc's, complete with connectors £ 15.95
2
only (mm) 266 w X 88 hX 272 d. Ideal for dedicated control gives excellent focus and resolution
3W COMPAQ 313706-B21 (IBM) 9gb ULT/SCSI3 New £199.00 applications running DOS, Linux or even Windows! Steel case from close up to long range. The com-
31
/"FUJI FK-309-26 20mb MFM I/F FIFE
2 £59.95 contains 85 to 265 V AC 50 / 60 hz 70 Watt PSU, a3slot ISA posite video output will connect to any
3W CONNER CP3024 20 mb IDE I/F (or equiv.) RFE £59.95 passive backplane and aRocky 318 ( PC104) standard, single composite monitor or TV (via SCART
31
/"CONNER CP3044 40 mb IDE I/F (or equiv.) RFE £69.00
2
board computer with 8MByte NON VOLATILE solid state Disk socket) and most video recorders. Unit
3W QUANTUM 40S Prodri ve 42mb SCSI I/F, New RFE £49.00 On Chip' RAMDISK. System comprises: Rocky 318 ( PC104) SBC runs from 12V DC so ideal for security &
53
/"MINISCRIBE 3425 20mb MFM I/F (or equiv.) RFE £49.95
4
ISA card with 40MHz ALi 386SX CPU, 72 pin SIMM slot with 16 portable applications where mains
53
/"SEAGATE ST-238R 30 mb RLL I/F Refurb £69.95
4
Mbyte SIMM, AMI BIOS, battery backed up real time clock. 2x9 power not available. Overal dimensions
5W CDC 94205-51 40mb HH MFM I/F RFE tested £69.95 pin D 16550 senal ports. EPP/ECP printer port, mini DIN key- 66 mm wide x 117 deep x43 high. Supplied BRAND NEW & fully
5W HP 97548 850 Mb SCSI RFE tested £99.00 board connector, floppy port, IDE port for hard drives up to 528 guaranteed with user data, 100's of applications including Security,
514" HP C3010 2Gbyte SCSI differential FIFE tested £ 195.00 MByte capacity, watchdog timer and PC/104 bus socket. The 8 Home Video, Web TV, Web Cams etc. etc.
8" NEC 02246 85 Mb SMD interface. New £99.00 MByte solid state disk on achip' has its own BIOS, and can be
8" FUJITSU M2322K 160Mb SMD I/F RFE tested £ 195.00 fdisked, formatted & booted. Supplied BRAND NEW fully tested Order as LK33 ONLY £79.00 or 2 for £149.00 go
8' FUJITSU M2392K 2Gb SMD I/F RFE tested £345.00 and guaranteed. For full data see featured item on website. Order
Many other floppy & H drives, ICE, SCSI. ESDI etc from stock, as 0G36,
TUU s of applications inc:
Only £99.00 (o)
SOFTWARE SPECIALS
see website for full stock list. Shipping on all drives is code firewa(l, routers, robotics etc
NT4 WorkStation, complete with service pack 3
TEST EQUIPMENT & SPECIAL INTEREST ITEMS Ut
h
n i
l
esss
seceorkn
m eadre
NepW
re o'
w
ten
med
s
in and licence - OEM packaged. ONLY £89.00 ;le
ENCARTA 95 - CDROM, Not the latest - but at this puce I £7.95
MITSUBISHI FA3445ETKL 14 Intl. spec SVGA monitors £245 HP6030A 0-200V DC @ 17 Amps bench power supply £1950 DOS 5.0 on 3Y2' disks with concise books c/w QBase . £14.95
FARNELL 0-60V DC E 50 Amps, bench Power Supplies £995 Intel SBC 486/125C08 Enhanced Multibus (MSA) New £1150 Windows for Workgroups 3.11+ Dos 6.22 on 3.5" disks £55.00
FARNELL AP3080 0-30V DC E 80 Amps, bench Suppy £1850 Nikon HEX- Il ( Ephiphot) exposure control unit £1450 Windows 95 CDROM Only - No Licence - t19.95
KINGSHILL CZ403/1 0-50V E DC 200 Amps - NEW £3950 PHILIPS PM5518 pro. TV signal generator £1250
1kW to 400 kllif - 400 Hz 3phew power sources - ex stock EPOA Motorola VME Bus Boards & Components List. SAE / CALL Wordperfect 6for DOS supplied on 3W disks with manual £
24.95
IBM 8230 Type 1, Token ring base unit driver £760 £P0A
Wayne Kerr RA200 Audio frequency response analyser £2500 Trio 0-18 vdc linear, metered 30 amp bench PSU. New £550
INFODEC 1U, 24 port, RJ45 network patchpanels. #71-193 £49 Fujitsu M3041R 600 LPM high speed band printer £ 1950 SOLID STATE LASERS
3COM 16670 12 Port Ethernet hub - RJ45 connectors # LD97 £69 Fujitsu M3041D 600 LPM pnnter with network interface £1250 Visible red, 670nm laser diode assembly. Unit runs from 5V DC at
3COM 16671 24 Pod Ethemet hub - RJ45 connectors £89 Siemens K4400 64Kb to 140Mb demux analyser £2950 approx 50 mA. Orginally made for continuous use in industrial bar-
3COM 16700 8 Port Ethernet hub - RJ45 connectors NEW £39 Perkin Elmer 2998 Infrared spectrophotometer £500 code scanners, the laser is mounted in aremovable solid alumini-
IBM 53F5501 Token Ring ICS 20 port lobe modules EPOA Perkin Elmer 597 Infrared spectrophotometer £3500 um block, which functions as aheatsink and rigid opticai mount
IBM MAU Token ring distribution panel 8228-23-5050N £45 VG Electronics 1035 TELETEXT Decoding Margin Meter £3250 Dims of block are 50 w s50 dx15 hmm. Integral features include
AIM 501 Low distortion Oscillator 9Hz to 330Khz, IEEE I/O £550 LightBand 60 output high spec 2u rack mount Video VDA's £495 over temperature shutdown, current control, laser OK aloe arid
ALLGON 8360.11805-1880 MHz hybrid power combiners £250 Sekonic SD 150H 18 channel digital Hybrid chart recorder £1995 gated TTL ON / OFF. Many uses for experimental optics, comms &
Trend OSA 274 Data Analyser with G703(2M) 64 i/o £P0A B8,K 2633 Microphone pre amp £300 lightshows etc. Supplied complete with data sheet.
Marconi 6310 Programmable 2to 22 GHz sweep generator £4500 Taylor Hobson Tallysurf amplifier / recorder £750
Marconi 2022C 10KHz-1GHz RF signal generator £ 1550 ADC SS200 Carbon dioxide gas detector / monitor £1450
Order as 1091 ONLY £24.95 IA)
HP1650B Logic Analyser £3750 BBC AM20/3 PPM Meter (Ernest Tumer) + drive electronics £75
HP3781A Pattern generator & HP3782A Error Detector EPOA ANRITSU 9654A Optical DC-2.5G/b waveform monitor £5650 DC POWER SUPPLIES
HP6621A Dual Programmable GPIB PSU 0-7 V 160 watts £ 1800 ANRITSU ML93A optical power meter £990
HP6264 Rack mount variable 0-20V 0 20A metered PSU £475 ANRITSU Fibre optic characteristic test set EPOA Virtually every type of power supply you
HP54121A DC to 22 GHz four channel test set £ P0A R&S FTDZ Dual sound unit £650 can imagine. Over 10,000 Power Supplies
HP8130A opt 020 300 MHz pulse generator, GPIB etc £7900 R&S SBUF-E1 Vision modulator £775 Ex Stock - Call or see our web site.
HP Al AO 8pen HPGL high speed drum plotters - from £550 WILTRON 6630B 12.4 / 20GHz RF sweep generator £5750
HP DRAFTMASTER 18pen high speed plotter £750
EG+G Brookdeal 95035C Precision lock in amp £ 1800
TEK 2445 150 MHz 4trace oscilloscope £ 1250
TEK 2465 300 Mhz 300 MHz oscilloscope rack mount £1955
RELAYS - 200,000 FROM STOCK
Keithley 590 CV capacitor / voltage analyser £ P0A TEK TDS380 400Mhz digital realtime + disk drive, FFT etc £2900 Save £11T's by choosing your next relay from our Massive Stocks
Racal CR40 dual 40 channel voice recorder system £3750 TEK TDS524A 500Mhz digital realtime + colour display etc £5100 covering types such as Military, Octal, Cradle, Hermetically Sealed,
Makers 45KVA 3ph On Une UPS - New batteries £4500 HP3585A Opt 907 20Hz to 40 Mhz spectrum analyser £3950 Continental, Contactors, Time Delay, Reed, Mercury Wetted, Solid
Emerson AP130 2.5KVA industrial spec.UPS £ 1499 PHILIPS PW1730/10 60KV XRAY generator & accessories £P0A State, Printed Circuit Mounting etc., CALL or see ow* web aka
Mann Tally MT645 High speed line printer £2200 VARIACS - Large range from stock - call or see our website wunv.dIsteLco.uk for more information. Many obsolete types from
Intel SBC 486/133SE Multibus 486 system. 8Mb Ram £ 945 CLAUDE LYONS 12A 240V single phase auto volt regs £325 stock Save EnT'S

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 NEXT MONTH
eS TEACH-IN 2004
eve "How to apply electronics meaningfully" could be the sub-title given to
our new 10-part educational series Teach- In 2004. Many of you already
know what electronic components do in the general sense - it's what you
then do with that knowledge is where the puzzlement can come.
This series aims to correct this situation - it explains in practical detail
how the main categories of component actually function in electronic
systems, giving life to circuit diagram concepts you may have studied in
fascination but not fully understood.
The series is written by Max Horsey, Head of Electronics at Radley
College, Oxford, who has great experience at inspiring his students in
the art of practical electronics, enabling them to achieve success in
national competitions, and in their subsequent careers.
In Part 1next month, Max recaps on the nature of the main component
families and illustrates experimentally some of their attributes. In the
following parts he examines specific topics such as transistors,
operational amplifiers and logic gates, and demonstrates how you can
achieve some useful fully-functioning electronic designs.

PIC RANDOM CARDBOARD CLOCK

L.E.D. FLASHER The Cardboard Clock uses a
We present this design in plenty of simple battery-powered circuit to
time for Christmas when it can be control apendulum and thus turn
put to good use as aparty dress three gear wheels to show the
enhancement or Christmas tree time. There are just five moving
decoration etc. Employing just a parts, including the gear wheels,
handful of components plus the and you can watch them at work.
Le.d.s, this project is inexpensive The clock is unusual, inexpensive
and easy to build. In addition to and will keep time to within 15
random flashing, various flashing seconds per day. It is easy and
sequences are included in the fascinating to build using only
software, which, as usual, will be normal home tools.
available free from our website.

POS PRACTICAL RADIO CIRCUITS PART 6

NO ONE DOES IT BETTER

EVERYDAY
1 DON'T MISS AN

Rl
ISSUE — PLACE YOUR
ORDER NOW!
Demand is bound to be high

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 65v)

 _pee; Add £ 2.00 P&P to all UK orders. 1st Class Recorded - £4.
Quasar Electronics Limited VISA
PO Box 6935, Bishops Stortford, Next day ( insured £ 250) - £ 7. Europe - £ 5. Rest of World - £ 10.
We accept all major credit/debit cards. Make cheques/PO's

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Prices include 17.5% VAT. MAIL ORDER ONLY.
Fax: 0870 460 1045 Call now for our FREE CATALOGUE with details of over 300
E-mail: [email protected] high quality kits, projects, modules and publications.

QUASAR 0117 1 CRrplîr D 7 17 7 lee

elect ni,
Helphg mu mks the right oomectIonel

ABC Mini Microcontroller Board NEW! DTMF Telephone Relay Switcher

PIC 8, ATMEL Programmers Currently learning
Call your phone number
using a DTMF phone from
We have awide range of low cost PIC and about microcontrol-
anywhere in the world and
ATMEL Programmers. Complete range and lers? Need to do more
than flash a LED or remotely turn on/off any of
documentation available from our web site.
the 4 relays as desired.
sound abuzzer?
Programmer Accessories: User settable Security Password, Anti-
The ABC Mini Starter
40- pin Wide ZIF socket ( ZIF4OW) £ 15.00 Tamper, Rings to Answer, Auto Hang-up and
Kit is based on AT-
18VDC Power supply ( PSU201) £ 5.95 MELs AVR 8535 RISC Lockout. Includes plastic case. 130 x110 x
ABC Alni Starter Pack
Leads: Parallel ( LEAD108) £ 4.95 / Serial technology and will 30mm. Power: 12VDC.
(LEAD76) £4.95 / USB ( LEADUAA) £ 4.95 interest both the beginner and expert alike. Kit Order Code: 3140KT - £39.95
Beginners will find that they can write and Assembled Order Code: AS3140 - £59.95
NEW! USB ' All-Flash' PIC Programmer test asimple program, using the BASIC
USB PIC programmer for all programming language, within an hour or Serial Port Isolated Module
ql Computer controlled 8
'Flash devices. No external two of connecting it up. Experts will like the
channel relay board.
power supply making it truly power and flexibility of the ATMEL micro-
5A mains rated relay
portable. Supplied complete controller, as well as the ease with which
the board can be "designed - in" to aproject. outputs and 4opto-
with 40- pin wide-
slot ZIF socket,
The ABC Mini STARTER PACK includes isolated digital inputs
box and Windows Software.
(for monitoring switch
Kit Order Code: 3128KT - £49.95 everything you need to get up and experi-
Assembled Order Code: AS3128 - £54.95 menting right away. On the hardware side, states, etc). Useful in avariety of control and
there's apre-assembled ABC Mini Board sensing applications. Programmed via serial
port ( use our new Windows interface, termi-
Enhanced " PICALL" ISP PIC Programmer with parallel and serial cables for connec-
Will program virtually ALL 8 tion to your PC. Windows software included nal emulator or batch files). Serial cable can
to 40 pin PICs plus certain on CD-ROM features an Assembler, BASIC be up to 35m long. Once programmed, unit
can operate without PC. Includes plastic case
ATMEL AVR, SCENIX SX compiler and in-system programmer.
and EEPROM 24C devices. 130x100x3Omm. Power: 12VDC/500mA.
Order Code ABCMINISP - £54.95
Also supports In System The ABC Mini boards only can also be pur- Kit Order Code: 3108KT - £54.95
Programming ( ISP) for PIC and ATMEL Assembled Order Code: AS3108 - £64.95
chased separately at £34.95 each.
AVRs. Free software. Blank chip auto detect
for super fast bulk programming. Requires a Infrared RC 12-Channel Relay Board
Control 12 onboard relays
40 -pin wide ZIF socket ( not included) Controllers 8, Loggers with included infrared remote
Kit Order Code: 3144KT - £54.95
Here are just afew of the controller and control unit. Toggle or mo-
Assembled Order Code: AS3144 - £59.95
data acquisition and control units we have. mentary. 15m+ range. 112 x
See website for full details. Suitable PSU 122mm. Supply: 12VDC/0.5A
ATMEL 89xxxx Programmer
Uses serial port and any for all units: Order Code PSU203 £9.95 Kit Order Code: 3142KT - £41.95
standard terminal comms Assembled Order Code: AS3142 - £59.95
program. 4 LED's display Rolling Code 4-Channel UHF Remote
the status. ZIF sockets not State-of-the-Art. High secu- PC Data Acquisition & Control Unit
rity. 4channels. Momentary Monitor and log a ved
included. Supply: 16VDC.
or latching relay output. mixture of analogue
Kit Order Code: 3123KT - £29.95
Range up to 40m. Up to 15 and digital inputs and
Assembled Order Code: AS3123 - £34.95
Tx's can be learnt by one Rx control external de-
(kit includes one Tx but more vices via the ana-
NEW! USB & Serial Port PIC Programmer
available separately). 4 indicator LED ' s. logue and digital
USB/Serial connection. Ideal for
field use. Header cable for ICSP. Rx: PCB 77x85mm, 12VDC/6mA (standby). outputs. Monitor pressure, temperature, light
Free Windows software. Call or Two & Ten Channel versions also available. intensity, weight, switch state, movement,

te
see website for PICs supported. Kit Order Code: 3180KT - £41.95 relays, etc. with the appropriate sensors ( not
Ç( - ZIF socket not incl. 18VDC. Assembled Order Code: AS3180 - £49.95 supplied). Data can be processed, stored and
the results used to control devices such as
Kit Order Code: 3149KT - £29.95
Computer Temperature Data Logger motors, sirens, relays, servo motors ( up to
Assembled Order Code: AS3149 - £44.95
11) and two stepper motors.
Serial port 4-channel tem-
Introduction to PIC Programming / perature logger. ° C or ° F.
t Features
Go from acomplete PIC • Continuously logs up to 4 • 11 Analogue Inputs - 0-5V, 10 bit ( 5mV/step)
beginner to burning your ,-« separate sensors located • 16 Digital Inputs - 20V max. Protection 1K in
first PIC and writing your • cg 200m+ from board. Wide series, 5.1V Zener
own code in no time! • "" range of free software • 1Analogue Output - 0-2.5V or 0-10V. 8bit
Includes a49 page step- • applications for storing/using data. PCB just (20mV/step)
by- step Tutorial Manual, Programming Hard- 38x38mm. Powered by PC. Includes one • 8digital Outputs - Open collector, 500mA, 33V
ware (with LED bench testing section), Win DS1820 sensor and four header cables. max
3.11 - XP Programming Software (will Pro- Kit Order Code: 3145KT - £22.95 • Custom box ( 140x110x35mm) with printed front &
gram, Read, Verify & Erase), and a rewritable Assembled Order Code: AS3145 - £29.95 rear panels.
PIC16F84A that you can use with different Additional DS1820 Sensors - £3.95 each •Windows software utilities ( 3.1 to XP) and pro-
code (4 detailed examples provided for you to gramming examples.
learn from). Connects to PC parallel port. • Supply: 12V DC (Order Code PSU203).
Most items are available in kit form ( KT suffix)
Kit Order Code: 3081KT - £14.95
or pre-assembled and ready for use (AS prefix). Kit Order Code: 3093KT - £69.95
Assembled Order Code: AS3081 - £24.95 Assembled Order Code: AS3093 - £99.95
 Hot New Kits This Summer! FM Bugs & Transmitters
Here are a few of the most recent kits
Our extensive range goes from discreet
added to our range. See website or join oJr
surveillance bugs to powerful FM broadcast
email Newsletter for all the latest news.
transmitters. Here are afew examples. All
can be received on astandard FM radio
and have adjustable transmitting frequency.
NEV' EPE Ultrasonic Wind Speed Meter
•br: Solid-state design
wind speed meter

QUASAR
MMTX' Micro- Miniature 9V FM Room Bug
(anemometer) that Our best selling bug! Good
uses ultrasonic tech- performance. Just 25x15mm.
niques and has no - Sold to de*.ective agencies
electronics
nelPhg you make the dye comedians!
moving parts and worldwide. Small enough to
does not need calibrating. It is intended for
sports-type activities, such as track events,
2hide just about anywhere. Electronic Project Labs
Operates at the ' less busy' top
sailing, hang-gliding, kites and model aircraft end of the commercial FM waveband and Great introduction to the world of electron-
flying, to name but afew. It can even be used also up into the more private Air band. ics. Ideal gift for budding electronics expert!
to monitor conditions in your garden. The Range: 500m. Supply: PP3 battery.
probe is pointed in the direction from which Kit Order Code: 3051KT - £8.95
the wind is blowing and the speed is dis- 500-in- 1 Electronic Project Lab
Assembled Order Code: AS3051 - £14.95
played on an LCD disp;ay. This is the top of the
range and is a complete
Specifications HPTX' High Power FM Room Bug electronics course taking
• Units of display metres per second, feet per Our most power- you from beginner to A
second, kilometres per hour and miles per hour ful room bug. level standard and be-
• Resolution: Nearest tenth of ametre
Very impressive yond! It contains all the
. Range: Zero to 50mph approx.
performance. Clear and stable output signal parts and instructions to
Based on the project published in Everyday thanks to the extra circuitry employed. assemble 500 projects.
Practical Electronics, Jan 2003. We have Range: 1000m 9V. Supply: 6-12V DC ( 9V You get three comprehensive course books
made afew minor design changes ( see web - PP3 battery clip supplied). 70x15mm. (total 368 pages) - Hardware Entry Course,
site for full detai s). Power: 9VDC ( PP3 bat- Kit Order Code: 3032KT - £9.95 Hardware Advanced Course and amicro-
tery or Order Code PSU203). Main PCB: Assembled Order Code: AS3032 - £17.95 computer based Software Programming
50x83mm. Course. Each book has individual circuit ex-
Kit Order Code: 3168KT - £34.95 MTTX' Miniature Telephone Transmitter planations, schematic and assembly dia-
Attach anywhere grams. Suitable for age 12 and above.
NEW' Audio DTMF Decoder and Display along phone line. Order Code EPL500 - £ 149.95
Detects DTMF Tune a radio into the 30. 130 - 200 and 300- in- 1project labs 'uso
tones via an on- signa and hear exactly what both parties are available - see website for details.
board electret m - saying. Transmits only when phone is used.
crophone or direct Clear, stable signal. Powered from phone line
from the phone lines so completely maintenance free once in- Number 1 for Kits!
through an audio stalled. Requires no aerial wire - uses phone With over 300 projects in our range we are
transformer. The line as antenna. Suitable for any phone sys- the UK's number 1electronic kit specialist.
numbers are displayed on a 16 character, tem worldwide. Range: 300m. 20x45mm. Here are a few other kits from our range.
single line display as they are received. Up to Kit Order Code: 3016KT - £7.95
32 numbers can be displayed by scrolling the Assembled Order Code: AS3016 - £13.95 1046KT-25W Stereo Car Booster £ 26.95
display left and right. There is also a serial 3087KT-1W Stereo Amplifier £ 4.95
output for sending the detected tones to a PC 4 Watt FM Transmitter 3105KT-18W BTL Mono Amplifier £9.95
via the serial port. The unit will not detect Small, powerful FM 3106KT-50W Mono Hi-fi Amplifier £ 19.95
numbers dialled using pulse dialling. Circuit is transmitter. Audio 3143KT-10W Stereo Amplifier £9.95
microcontroller based. Supply: 9-12V DC preamp stage and 1011KT-Motorbike Alarm £ 11.95
(Order Code PSU203). Main PCB: 55x95mm. three RF stages 1019KT-Car Alarm System £ 10.95
Kit Order Code: 3153KT - £17.95 deliver 4 watts of RF 1048KT-Electronic Thermostat £ 9.95
Assembled Order Code: AS3153 - £29.95 power. Can be used 1080KT-Liquid Level Sensor £5.95
with the electret microphone supplied or any 3005KT-LED Dice with Box £ 7.95
line level audio source ( e.g. CD or tape OUT, 3006KT-LED Roulette Wheel £8.95
NEW EPE PIC Controlled LED Flasher
mixer, sound card, etc). Aerial can be an 3074KT-8-Ch PC Relay Board £29.95
This versatile PIC
open dipole or Ground Plane. Ideal project for 3082KT-2-Ch UHF Relay £26.95
based LED or the novice wishing to get started in the fasci- 3126KT-Sound Activated Relay £ 7.95
filament bulb nating world of FM broadcasting 45x145mm. 3063KT-One Chip AM Radio £ 10.95
flasher can be Kit Order Code: 1028KT - £22.95 3102KT-4-Ch Servo Motor Driver £ 15.95
used to flash from
Assembled Order Code: AS1028 - £34.95 3160KT-PIC16F62x Experimenter £8.95
1to 160 LEDs. The user arranges the LEDs
1096KT-3-30V, 5A Stabilised PSU £ 30.95
in any pattern they wish. The kit comes with 8
25 Watt FM Transmitter 3029KT-Combination Lock £6.95
super bright red LEDs and 8 green LEDs. Four transistor based stages with a Philips 3049KT-Ultrasonic Detector £ 13.95
Based on the Versatile PIC Flasher by Steve
BLY89 ( or equivalent) ir the final stage. De- 3130KT-Infrared Security Beam £ 12.95
Challinor, EPE Magazine Dec 02. See web- livers a mighty 25 Watts of RF power. Ac- SGO1MKT-Train Sounds £ 6.95
site for full details. Board Supply: 9-12VDC. cepts any line level audio source ( input sensi- SG10MKT-Animal Sounds £5.95
LED supply: 9-45VDC ( depending on number tivity is adjustable). Antenna can be an open 1131KT-Robot Voice Effect £ 8.95
of LED used). PCB: 43x54mm.
dipole, ground plane, 5/5, J, or YAGI configu- 3007KT-3V FM Room Bug £6.95
Kit Order Code: 3169KT - £10.95 ration. Supply 12-14V DC, 5A. Supplied 3028KT-Voice Activated FM Bug £ 12.95
fully assembled and alicned - just connect the 3033K1-Telephone Recording Adpt £9.95
aerial, power and audio input. 70x220mm. 3112KT-PC Data Logger/sampler £ 18.95
Most items are available in kit form ( KT suffix)
Order Code: 1031M - £124.95 3118KT-12-bit Data Acquisition Unit £52.95
or assembled and ready for use (AS prefix).
3101KT-20MHz Function Generator £ 59.95

www.quasarelectronics.com
Secure Onli le Ordering Facilities Full Product Listing. Descriptions & Photos Kit Documentation & Software Downloads
 EPE PIC
RESOURCES
CD-ROM
This CD-ROM The sofhvare
requires should auto- run.
Adobe Acrobat , If not, double-click
Reader, on: My Computer,
Acrobat Reader v5.05 your CD drive and
is included then on the file
on the CD-ROM. ndex.pdf
i

A companion to the EPE PIC

Tutorial V2 series of Supplements ONLY PIC RESOURCES
CWirabome Publishing Ltd 2003

(EPE April, May, June 2003) vnvvr.epemag.wimborne.co.uk

Contains the following Tutorial- related

£14.45
INCLUDING
software and texts: VAT and P&P

• EPE PIC Tutorial V2 complete demonstration software, Order on-line from

John Becker, April, May, June ' 03 www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/shopdoor.htm
or www.epemag.com ( USA S prices)
• PIC Toolkit Mk3 (TK3 hardware construction details),
or by Phone, Fax, Email or Post.
John Becker, Oct ' 01
• PIC Toolkit TK3 for Windows (software details), John
Becker, Nov '01
EPE PIC RESOURCES CD-ROM
Plus these useful texts to help you get the most out of your
PIC programming:
ORDER FORM
Please send me (quantity) EPE PIC RESOURCES CD-ROM
• How to Use Intelligent L.C.D.s, Julyan Ilett, Feb/Mar ' 97
• PIC16F87x Microcontrollers ( Review), John Becker, Price £ 14.45 each — includes postage to anywhere in the world
April '99
Name
• PIC16F87x Mini Tutorial, John Becker, Oct ' 99
• Using PICs and Keypads, John Becker, Jan ' 01 Address
• How to Use Graphics L.C.D.s with PICs, John Becker, •
Feb ' 01
• PIC16F87x Extended Memory (how to use it),
John Becker, June ' 01
• PIC to Printer Interfacing (dot-matrix), John Becker,
Post Code
July ' 01
• PIC Magick Musick ( use of 40kHz transducers), Ej Ienclose cheque/P.O./bank draft to the value of £
John Becker, Jan '02
• Programming PIC Interrupts, Malcolm Wiles, Mar/Apr ' 02 IE Please charge my Visa/Mastercard/Amex/Diners Club/Switch
• Using the PIC's PCLATH Command, John Waller,
July ' 02 i£ i
• EPE StyloPIC ( precision tuning musical notes),
II Card No.
John Becker, July ' 02
• Using Square Roots with PICs, Peter Hemsley, Aug '02 1 Card Security Code (The last 3digits on or just under j
• Using TK3 with Windows XP and 2000, Mark Jones, i the signature strip) I
Oct ' 02 i
• PIC Macros and Computed GOT0s, Malcolm Wiles, :Expiry Date Switch Issue No.
Jan '03
1
• Asynchronous Serial Communications ( RS-232),
SEND TO: Everyday Fractical Electronics,
John Waller, unpublished
Wimborne Publishing Ltd.,
• Using I
2C Facilities in the PIC16F877, John Waller,
408 Wimborne Road Eas:, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9ND.
unpublished Tel: 01202 873872. Fax: 01202 874562.
• Using Serial EEPROMs, Gary Moulton, unpublished Email: [email protected]
• Additional text for EPE PIC Tutorial V2, Payments must be by card or in £ Sterling — cheque or bank
John Becker, unpublished draft drawn on a UK bank.
Normally supplied within seven days of receipt of order.
NOTE: The PDF files on this CD-ROM are suitable to ISend acopy of this form, or order by letter if you do not wish to cut your issue
use on any PC with aCD-ROM drive. They require
Adobe Acrobat Reader — included on the CD-ROM I.

BECOME A PIC WIZARD WITH THE HELP OF EPE.

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 SQUIRES
FRUSTRATED •

Looking for ICs TRANSISTORs?

A phone call to us could get aresult. We
offer an extensive range and with aworld-
wide database at our fingertips, we are
able to source even more. We specialise in
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A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF MINIATURE HAND AND
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BRX BRY BS BSS BSV BSW BSX HT BTA BTB BRW BU BUK BUT BUV
FEATURED IN A FULLY ILLUSTRATED BJW BUX BUY BUZ CA CD CX CXA DAC DG DM DS DTA DTC GL GM HA
HCF HD LIEF ICL ICM IRFi KA KIA L LA LB LC LO I.F LM M M5M MA
624 PAGE MAIL ORDER CATALOGUE MAB MAX MB MC MDAJ MJE Me MM MN MPS MPSA MPSH MPSU MRE
NIM NE OM OP PA PAL PIC PN RC SSAA SAB SAD SA) SAS SDA SG SI SL
SN SO STA SIX STR STRD STRM SIRS SV ITTA TAA TAG TBA TC TCA

2003 ISSUE
IDA TDB TEA TIC TIP TIPL TEA TL TLC IMP TMS TPU U UA UAA UDN
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SPECIAL OFFERS JUST IN

FARNELL DTV12-14 OSCILLOSCOPE
Dual trace, 12MHz TV. couptIng ONLY
Q H.P. 60638 DC Electraic Lout 3-24076-10A, 250W
H.P. 66312A PSU, 0.20802A
POA
£405
TEKTRONIX 2445A H.P. 8460A 5,gnal Generator, ALUM, 5031tHz-512MHz£30 M.P. 66311B PSU, 0-150/0-3A £ 400
4-ce, 150MHz delay, £IMIW000 CS4025 Oscilloscope dual trace, 20MHz. £125 M.P. 6630912 PSU Duel. 0.15, 0-340-12 ,I /A f750
cursors etc. Supplied LEADER LB0523 Oscilloscope, dual trace, 35MHz £ 140 FARRELL LF1 SINEJSO OSCILLATOR. H.P. 66329 PSU, 0.200/0-56 £500
with 2 Tektronix probes. GOULD 05300 Oscilloscope. dual trace. 20MHz . . £95 10Hz-1MHz. ONLY H.P. 6623A PSU, Inple output missing Ire 0-A/ 0.5A
NATIONAL PANASONIC VP7705A Distortion Analyse, 0-205 046 £350
ONLY CD £125 H.P/AGILENT 34401A DIM es dget .. . . [401[4.53
OSCILLOSCOPES
H.P. 34784 DMM 55 digs £275
KEN WOOD 91179 Millivoltmeter 2-cannel £50 1110RONIX TIMMS eau trace. 200MHz, 1GIS .. Unused £1500 FLUKE 45 OMM dual display rue
TEKTRONIX 2232 Digital Storage Scope. KENWOOD F1.140 Wow 8 Flutter Meter £50 TEICIROMX T10320 dal trace, 100Mhtz, 500146 £ 1200 KEITHLEY 2010 OMM Al Age....... £950
Dual Trace, 10018Hz, 100M/S with probes . .£525 Kt:14000D FL180A Wow 8 Flutter Meter . Usel £75 TEKTRONIX TDS310 meal trece, 50Mhz. 2001.1G £950 KEMILEY 617 Programrnade Electrormer. £1150
CIRRUS CRL254 Sodnd Level Meter Unused £125 LECROY MOM WE Moe 175MHz. 5G/S H.P. 433813 MIlahnirneter £ 1500
with Calibrator 80-12003. LEO £95 BIRD 43 Wan Meter £75
HITACHI VC6523, dIrace.201.1117, 201,15, delay etc ACAL Counter type 1469 2.66147 £500
BECKMAN HD110 Handheld 31 / digit OMM, 28 ESyments for the above £ 95
2 PHILPS P10092 2.2.ch.. 2[01Hz, delay et Counter type 531314 36Hz £ 350
ranges, with battery, leads and carrying case .£30 PHIL PS P143082 . 103MHz. .P.,AGILENT 33120A Func Gen/ARB IDIX,Hz.15MH
WAYNE KERR 9424 C,omponeet Bridge EEO MARCONI 893C AF Power Meter. Errad Measurement booni006
TEKTRONIX 750465 ' cal va 1
RACAL 9300 True RMS Voltmeter, 5Hz-20MHz Unused £100, Used OR SONY/TEKTRONIX APG320 Arbrtary FIX. Gen 01250
TEKTRONIX 24650 4.
usable to 60MHz. 10%6316V £50 ALARCON 893B No Used £30 P. MOM Syn Fonder Gen. DC-60001z £ 1000[1200
TEKTRONIX 1
RACAL 93008, as above £75 MARCOM 2610 True FIKIS Voltmeter. Autorangng, KSTAR JUPfTOR 2010 Pixie. Gen 02112-21[Hz
51,-25MHz £191, TEKT
crueler £ 140
GOULD J315 Sine/Sq Osc, 10Hz-1001diz, 1
H.P. 3312A Function Gen. 0.1Hz-13MHz, 16A Pulse Serrerais. 101.50MP £ 1950
low distortion £ 75 512!. 350M11 .86578 Syn Sag Gen. 0.1.2060Ahlz [2500
AM/FM Sweep/Tri/Gate/Brst etc £300
AVO 8Mk 6 in Every Ready case, with Hails etc T5 tam 200MH eec CO- AXIAL SWITCH, 1.501z [ 40
FARNELL AMM255 Automatic Mo
0-ner AVOs from .. 465B Cui 5a IEEE CABLES £ 10
Meter. 1.5MHz-2GHz. unused £300
FARNELL 0501 Low Frequency Syn Sig Gen., GOODWILL GVT427 Dual Ch AC Mt TE ONIX 2215 0..2 050
PHILIPS PM a relay ,tose1 £ 37
SPECTRUM ANALYSERS
0.001Hz-99.99kHz low distortion, TTIJ 10mV-30CW in 12 ranges. FreoJ H
Square/Pulse Outputs etc £95 SOLARTRON 7150 COMA PHILIPS PIA lelay 0.1ose .
FLUKE 8060A Handheld True RMS, OMM. irs RUS-ELE £95-05, PM32 race etT'ay
464 digit As new £150, used £95 SOLARTRON 7 £2013 0S1100 , ace 301/1Hz de ai 125
H.P. 85618 50Hz.6 51310 £5000
H.P. 3310A Function Gen.. 0.005Hz-5MHz HA 111,1303.6 ca trace 35MI-It
H.P. 85606 504-17.2 9GHz syntlsessed £5000
Sine/Seri/Ramp/Pulse £ 125 RACAL COUNT to H.P. 8594E 3kHz.2.9GHz £4500
FARNELL LEANS Sine/S(1 Oscillator, 10Hz 1MH 9 Jrtve ounter. 50 AMES MA303 ,n.a H.P. 13591E IMHz.1.8GHz. 75 Ohm 0750
low distortion. UL output, Amplitude Meter Co e Hz-520MHz Ilan , other M.P. 8.630 rAth 88656 1011142.216612 £1750
H.P. 545A Logic Probe with 545,6 L ler MHz.560
H.P. 8558E1 wile Alain Freine. 1011tHz.1 Hz . . I7E0
Pulser and 547A Current Tracer . YNE KERR B424 Co H.P. 15856 10H14014112 f15C0
Gen
FLUKE 77 Multimeter, ACALJAIM 9 LCR H.P 35806 51-1z.5014.1z 0600
cso,ay etc ...... £525-£750
FLUKE 77 Series 11 Ogital A. torned r- en . Q ADVANTEST R41311110kHz-3.5Gliz 0750
1, ' K. , 1-100-17.10406AH1 £2000
HEME 1000 L.C.D. Clamp M Hr IRA r 11000 EATOWAILTECH 157 0.001-22GHz £750
S> elg Jet' 100kH7-990MH, £1350
in carrying case £60 A 5 ? A True R. MARCONI 2382 100Hz4ODIAStr. hiça,molsbcn £2000
A Sc? s4ce. , 1. .151,Hc
1 £995
35 DIglt 100 MARCONI 2370 3061,110MHz Me £500
HAS APH62 Syrth.. 111,•260•11, sIg 'cer
BLACK STAR ORION PAUTV Colo 0 A 3-5 [IV 102 mit 8557 10kHz-3561Alt £ 500
Generator ho Saraoced'unbaanced output. I
cd. display £415
H.P. 141T SYSTEMS
A i PHILIPS 1
7115328 eg gen, 100Hz.1601.017 mitt
THURLBYTIANDER TG210 Function rtable ste 8553 IkHz.1101.4617 £500
0.002Hz-2MHz, TTL etc £95 Megger ONLY 2COMM, Ired counter. IEEE £550 8554 SOP:W.1150MHz £ 750
THURLBY THANDAR P.S.U. P._32006A0 -32V RACAL 9081 Synth AMFM sg gen. 5MHz.520MIU £250 8555 10M1-1,18GHz £ 1000
0A- 2A Twice ( late colours/ . £200 HP V 0-50A, 1000W £ 1000 3,125A Synth hincoon gen. 21MHz £600 H.P. 8443 Tradung Gen/Counter, 11018 £150
FAR IKW Autoranging £ 1000 MARCONI 6500 Amp' tocie Anslyser £1500 H.P. 8444 OPT 059 . ....... .£ 750
FAR 50 0E0V 0-50A £250 4191A Impedance Analyser [5000 BAS 203311 Sisnal Analyser . £650
Datron 1061A 42754 LCR Meet. 10kHz-10MHz £
2750 H.P. 8754A Network Anuyser. AMHz.13601411z . £ 1150
FAR L H60/25 0-60V, 0.25A £.00
High Quality 61
2 digit Bench
/ H.P. 09034 D.storoce Analyser £ 10110 H.P. 3657A Network Analyser. 5Hz-20011.17 ..... . [3000
Power Supply HPS3010, 0-30V, 0-10A .... £ 140
Multimeter H.P. 53310A Mod Dorton Analyser Opt 001.803 £5000
FARNELL Dual PSU XA35-27, 0-35V, 0-2A. Twce WAYNE KERR 3245 Inductance Analyser £
2000
True RMS/4 wire/Current Conos ! ter ONO SOKKI CF300 Porable APT Analrer £1500
OMDt.cd Display £' 80 H.P. 11126 Pulse Generator. 5061Hz . £ 1250
H.P. 87200 Merowne Network Analyse 5CMIN.EGH2 £12500
FARNELL L30-2 0-30V, 0-2A EEO MARCONI 2440 Freaency Canter. 1901-1, £ 1000
Racal Receiver RA1772 £50 FARNELL L30-1 0-30V, 0-1A LEO rl.P 53508 Prectuency C,ounrer. 20GHz £2000 RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TEST SETS
50kHz.30MHz
Many other Power Supplles available H.P. 53426 10H1.16GHz Frequency Counter £800 MARCONI 2955[2955R Fron £ 000
M.P. 16508 Loge Analyser. 80-crtannel £ 1000 ROHDE 8SCHWARZ CNT 0.1-100011117 £ 500

STEWART of READING MARCONI 2035 Mod Mete, SCOM117.2GH, £

750 SCHLUMBERGER 4040 £750

110 WYKEHAAI ROAD, READING, BERKS. RG6 1PL Used Equipment — GUARANTEED. Manuals supplied
M e£M111 Telephone: (0118) 9268041. Fax (0118) 9351696 "am VERY SMALL SAMPLE OF STOCK. SAE or Telephone for lists.
This is a
www.stewart-of-readIng.co.uk Please check availability before ordering.
Callers welcome 9am-5 30pm Monday to Fr day ( other holes by arrangement) CARRIAGE all units £16. VAT to be added to Total of Goods and Carriage

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 663

 GENT
EE254 135 Hunter Street, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs. DE14 2ST VISA
Tel 01283 565435 Fax 546932
http://www.magenta2000.co.uk rxasie
E-mail: [email protected]
ELECTRONICS LTD All Prices include V.A.T. ADD £3.00 PER ORDER P&P. £6.99 next day

MAIL ORDER ONLY • CALLERS BY APPOINTMENT

PIC PIPE DESCALER

EPE PROJECT PICS
Programmed PICs for EPE Projects
• SIMPLE TO BUILD • SWEPT
• HIGH POWER OUTPUT FREQUENCY
EPE
12C508/9 - £3.90; 16F627/8 - £4.90
16C84/16F84/16C71 - £5.90
16F876/877 - £ 10.00
• AUDIO & VISUAL MONITORING
An affordable circuit which sweeps
the incoming water supply with
TEACH-IN
All inc. VAT and Postage
(*Some prolects are copyright)
variable frequency electromagnetic
signals. May reduce scale formation,
dissolve existing scale and improve
lathering ability by altering the way
2000
salts in the water behave. Full set of top quality NEW
EPE MICROCONTROLLER Kit includes case, P.C.B., coupling components for this educa-
coil and all components. tional series. All parts as
P.I. TREASURE HUNTER High coil current ensures maximum
specified by EPE. Kit includes
The latest MAGENTA DESIGN - highly effect. L.E.D. monitor.
stable & sensitive - with I.C. control of all breadboard, wire, croc clips,
timing functions and advanced pulse KIT 868 £22.95 POWER UNIT £3.99 pins and all components for
separation techniques. experiments, as listed in
•High stability
drift cancelling MICRO PEsT introduction to Part 1.
'Batteries and tools not included.
•Easy to build
& use
SCARER
Our latest design - The ultimate TEACH-IN 2000 -
•No ground
effect, works scarer for the garden. Uses
in seawater
special microchip to give random KIT 879£44.95
delay and pulse time. Easy to
build reliable circuit. Keeps pets/ MULTIMETER £ 14.45
pests away from newly sown areas,
play areas, etc. uses power source
from 9to 24 volts.
• RANDOM PULSES SPACEWRITER 91.
•Detects gold, An innovative and exciting project.
silver, ferrous & • HIGH POWER
Wave the wand through the air and Se.
non-ferrous • DUAL OPTION Plug-in power supply £4.99 your message appears. Programmable sr i",),
metals to hold any message up to 16 digits tong.
KIT 867 £ 19.99 Comes pre- loaded with " MERRY XMAS". Kit ,>
• Efficient quartz controlled includes PCB, all components & tube plus "Pe
microcontroller pulse generation. KIT + SLAVE UNIT £32.50 instructions for message loading.
• Full kit with headphones & all KIT 849 £ 16.99
hardware WINDICATOR
A novel wind speed indicator with LED readout. Kit comes
KIT 847 £63.95 complete with sensor cups, and weatherproof sensing head.
Mains power unit £5.99 extra
12V EPROM ERASER
A safe low cost eraser for up to 4 EPROMS at a
KIT 856 £28.00
68000 TRAINING
time in less than 20 minutes. Operates from a
DEVELOPMENT 12V supply ( 400mA). Used extensively for mobile
KIT
•NEW PCB DESIGN * TENS UNIT * work - updating equipment in the field etc. Also in
educational situations where mains supplies are
not allowed. Safety interlock prevents contact
• 8MHz 68000 16- BIT BUS with UV.
• MANUAL AND SOFTWARE
• 2 SERIAL PORTS DUAL OUTPUT TENS UNIT Set of KIT 790 £29.90
• PIT AND I/O PORT OPTIONS
As featured in March ' 97 issue. 4spare
• 12C PORT OPTIONS electrodes
Magenta have prepared a FULL KIT for this. £6.50 SUPER BAT
excellent new project. All components, PCB,
hardware and electrodes are included. DETECTOR
KIT 621 Designed for simple assembly and testing and
providing high level dual output drive. 1WATT 0/P, BUILT IN
-, £99.95 KIT 866.. Full kit Including four electrodes £32.90 SPEAKER, COMPACT CASE
•ON BOARD 20kHz-140kHz
5V REGULATOR NEW DESIGN WITH 40kHz MIC.
•PSU £6.99 1000V & 500V INSULATION A new circuit using a
•SERIAL LEAD £3.99
TESTER 'full-bridge' audio
amplifier i.c., internal
Superb new design. Regulated speaker, and
headphone/tape socket.
output, efficient circuit. Dual- scale The latest sensitive
meter, compact case. Reads up to transducer, and 'double
200 Megohms. balanced mixer' give a
Kit includes wound coil, cut-out stable, high perfor-
case, meter scale, PCB & ALL mance superheterodyne design.
components. KIT 861 £24.99
KIT 848 £32.95 ALSO AVAILABLE Built & Tested... £39.99

ULTRASONIC PEsT SCARER

MOSFET MkIIVARIABLE BENCH SIMPLE PIC
Keep pets/pests away from newly
POWER SUPPLY 0-25V 2-5A sown areas, fruit, vegetable and PROGRAMMER
pu
Based on our Mk1 design and flower beds, children's play areas, L
w r
preserving all the features, but
now with switching pre-
patios etc. This project produces E R
R KIT 857... £12.99
intense pulses of ultrasound which
regulator for much higher effi- • o
deter visiting animals. PEsT
ciency. Panel meters indicate Includes PIC16F84 chip
[SCARER c
Volts and Amps. Fully variable • KIT INCLUDES ALL disk, lead, plug, p.c.b.,
down to zero. Toroidal mains COMPONENTS, PCB & CASE
transformer. Kit includes all components and
• EFFICIENT 100V • UP TO 4 METRES
punched and printed case and TRANSDUCER OUTPUT RANGE instructions
all parts. As featured in April • COMPLETELY INAUDIBLE • LOW CURRENT
1994 EPE. An essential piece Extra 16F84 chips £3.84
TO HUMANS DRAIN
of equipment. Power Supply £3.99
Klt No. 845 £64.95 KIT 812 £ 15.00

664 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 MAGENTA BRAINIBOT I & II EPE PIC TOOLKIT 3
• THE LATEST TOOLKIT BOARD - 8, 18, 28 AND 40- PIN CHIPS
• Full kit with ALL hardware
and electronics
NEW • MAGENTA DESIGNED P.C.B. WITH COMPONENT LAYOUT AND EXTRAS
• L.C.D., BREADBOARD AND PIC CHIP INCLUDED
• As featured in EPE Feb'03 -
• ALL TOP QUALITY COMPONENTS AND SOFTWARE SUPPLIED
KIT 910
• Seeks light, beeps, avoids KIT 880 ... £34.99 with 16F84 ... £39.99 with 16F877
obstacles
• Spirs and reverses when
'cornered'
• Uses 8-pin PIC
• ALSO KIT 911 - As 91C
PIC TOOLKIT V2
PLUS programmable from PC • SUPER UPGRADE FROM V1 • 18, 28 AND 40- PIN CHIPS
serial port - leads and soft- • READ, WRITE, ASSEMBLE & DISASSEMBLE PICS
ware CD provided • SIMPLE POWER SUPPLY OPTIONS 5V-20V
• ALL SWITCHING UNDER SOFTWARE CONTROL
KIT 910 £16.99 KIT 911 £24.99 • MAGENTA DESIGNED PCB HAS TERMINAL PINS AND
OSCILLATOR CONNECTIONS FOR ALL CHIPS
• INCLUDES SOFTWARE AND PIC CHIP
PIC 16F84 MAINS POWER 4-CHANNEL
KIT 878 ... £22.99 with 16F84 ... £29.99 with 16F877
CONTROLLER 8( LIGHT CHASER
• ZERO VOLT SWITCHING • HARD-FIRED TRIACS

EPE PIC Tutorial

• OPTO ISOLATED 5Amp • WITH SOURCE CODE
• 12 KEYPAD CONTROL • SPEED & DIMMING POT.
• EASILY PROGRAMMED

Kit 855 £39.95 At A Real, Practical, Hands-On Series

• Learn Programming from scratch using PIC16F84
PIC 16F84 LCD DISPLAY DRIVER • Start by lighting I.e.d.s and do 30 tutorials to
Sound Generation. Data Display. and a Security
INCLUDES 1-PIC16F84 WITH DEMO Kit 860 £19.99 System.
PROGRAM SOFTWARE DISK, PCB,
INSTRUCTIONS AND 16-CHARAC- Power Supply £3.99 • PIC TUTOR Board with Switches. le.d.s. and on
TER 2-LINE board programmer
.11L_ PROGRAM SOURCE CODE
LCD DISPLAY SUPPLIED - DEVELOP
YOUR OWN APPLICATION!

Another super PIC project from Magenta. Supplied with PCB, industry standard 2-LINE
PIC TUTOR BOARD KIT
16-character display, data, all components, and software :o include in your own programs.
Includes: PIC16F84 Chip, TOP Quality PCB printed with
Ideal development base for meters, terminals, calculators, counters, timers - Just waiting Component Layout and all components* (* not ZIF Socket or
for your application! Displays). Included with the Magenta Kit is a disk with Test
and Demonstration routines.
8-CHANNEL DATA LOGGER KIT 870 .... £27.95, Built & Tested .... £42.95
Power Supply - £3.99, ZIF Socket - £9.99
Optional:
As featured in Aug./Sept. '99 EPE. Full kit with Magenta
redesigned PCB - LCD fis directly on board. Use as Data LCD Display £7.99 LED Display £6.99
Logger or as atest bed fcr many other 16F877 projects. Kit Reprints Mar/Apr/May 98 — £3.00 set 3
includes programmed chip. 8 EEPROMs, PCB. case and all components.

KIT 877 £49.95 inc. 8x256K EEPROMS

SUPER PIC PROGRAMMER
ICEBREAKER • READS, PROGRAMS, AND VERIFIES
• WINDOWS Q* SOFTWARE
• PIC16C AND 16F — 6X, 7X, AND 8X
1301:1131301:11:11:11:1 • USES ANY PC PARALLEL PORT
• USES STANDARD MICROCHIP • HEX FILES
• OPTIONAL DISASSEMBLER SOFTWARE ( EXTRA)
• PCB, LEAD, ALL COMPONENTS, TURNED- PIN
SOCKETS FOR 18, 28, AND 40 PIN ICs

• SEND FOR DETAILED Kit 862 £29.99

INFORMATION — A
SUPERB PRODUCT AT Power Supply £3.99
AN UNBEATABLE LOW DISASSEMBLER
PRICE. SOFTWARE £11.75

PIC STEPPING MOTOR DRIVER

£18.99
PIC Real Time INCLUDES PCB,
PIC16F84 WITH
DEMO PROGRAM,
Kit 863
FULL SOURCE CODE SUPPLIED
In-Circuit Emulator
SOFTWARE DISC,
INSTRUCTIONS ALSO USE FOR DRIVING OTHER
AND MOTOR. POWER DEVICES e.g. SOLENOIDS
• Icebreaker uses PIC16F877 in circuit debugger
• Links to Standard PC Serial Port (lead supplied)
Another Magenta PIC project. Drives any 4-phase unipolar motor - up to
• Winclowe (95+) Software included
24V and 1A. Kit includes all components and 48 step motor. Chip is
• Works with MPASM and MFI_AB Microchip software
pre-programmed with demo software, then write your own, and re-program
• 16 x2 LCD., Breadboard, Relay, I/O devices and patch leads supplied
the same chip! Circuit accepts inputs from switches etc and drives motor in
As featured in March '00 EPE. Ideal for beginners AND advanced users. response. Also runs standard demo sequence from memory.
Programs can be written, assembled, downloaded into the microcontroller and run at full
speed (up to 20MHz), or one step at a time.
Full emJiation means that all I/O ports respond exactly and immed'ately, reading and
driving external hardware.
Features include: Reset; Halt on external pulse; Set Breakpoint; Examine and change
registers, EEPROM and program memory; Load program, Single Step with display of
Status, W register, Program counter, and user selected Watch Window' registers.

KIT 900 ... £ 4.99

POWER SUPPLY £3.99 STEPPING MOTOR 100 STEP £9.99
All prices include VAT. Add £3.00 p&p. Next day £6.99

Tel: 01283 565435 Fax: 01283 546932 E-mail: [email protected]

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 665
 Push Switches Boxes & Cases 3.579545MHz £0.41
Many more sizes available 3.6864MHz £0.41
4.0MHz £0.45
4.194304MHz £0.41
4.433619MHz £0.41
BNC Plug 500 Solder £0.99 Miniature Round 4.9152MHz £0.41
BNC Plug 500 Crimp £0.68 250mA 125V 28 x10mm 6.0MHz £0.41
BNC Plug 750 Solder £1.08 7mm 0 Mounting Hole 6.144MHz
BNC Plug 750 Crimp £0.69 Non Latching Push to Make General Purge Myth 7.3728MHz
BNC Chassis Socket £0.76 Black, Red, Yellow, Green, 75 x56 x25mm £0.99 8.0MHz £0.49
FPlug - Twist £0.20 Blue or White £ 0.23 75 x51 x22mm £0.99 8.867238MHz £0.39
FPlug - Crimp £0.20 Non Latching Push to Break 111 x57 222mm £1.12 10.0MHz £0.38
Station Road, Cullercoats, VISA
TNC Plug 500 Solder £1.08 Black PTB £0.24 79 x61 x40mm £1.70 11.0MHz£0.40
TNC Plug 500 Crimp £1.04 Standard Square 100276241mm £1.79 11.0592MHz £0.41
Tyne & Wear, NE30 4P0 TNC Plug 750 Solder £1.17 118 x98 x45mm £2.08 12.0MHz £ 0.41
TNC Plug 750 Crimp £0.96 150 x100 x60mm £2.77 14.7456MHz £ 141
Prices Exclude Val 017%,%. UHF Plug 5mm Cable £0.63 lA 250V 150 x80 x5Omm £2.72 16.0MHz £0.41
UK Carriage £ 1.50 (less than lkg) UHF Plug llmm Cable £0.72 39 x15MM Mooed Numinium 20.0MHz £0.42
UHF Chassis Ski- Sqr £0.54 12mm 0 Mounting Hole 50250231mm £2.67
£3.50 greater than lkg UHF Chassis Skt- Rnd £0.75 Non Latching Pue to Make 100 x50 x25mm £3.50 Also in stock
Cheques / Postal orders payable lo Extensive range of RF con- Black, Red, Blue 112 x62 x31mm £4.18 Low Profile Crystals,
ESR Electronic Components. nectors in stock, inc.FME, or White £
0.60 120 x65 x40mm £4.61 2 & 3 Pin Ceramic R•s-
Pt EASE ADD CARRIAGE5 VAT TO ALL ORDERS SMA, Mini UHF & N Ty Latching - push On push Off 150 x80 x50mm £6.56 onators
Teeednallo Black, Red, Blue 121 x95 x61mm £7.06 Details on our web site
DIL Sockets Transistion Headers or White £
0.65
10 Way Transistion £0.42
Ker belk
i Ceitle peso Electronics
Rooker Switches Cable Lain Web t
14 Way Transistion £0.42 Miniature
00,

Skimped Pin 16 Way Transistion £0.48 Price per 305mm (lft) 3mm White 900mcd £2.13
Colours Red, Black, Green, 13 x19mm Mounting Hole 10 Way Grey Ribbon £0.10 3mm Red Led £0.07
6Pin DIL 0.3" £0.07 20 Way Transistion £0.48 Blue, White or Yellow SPST 4A 250V £0.57 16 Way Grey Ribbon £13.17 3mm Green Led £0.09
8Pin DIL 0.3' £0.06 26 Way Transistion £0.52 2mm Solder Plugs 0.23 £ SPST 6A Red Neon £1.65 20 Way Grey Ribbon £0.24 3mm Yelow Led £0.09
14 Pin DIL 0.3" £0.11 34 Way Transistion £0.56 2mm Chassis Sockets £0.28 SPST 3A Red LED £1.92 26 Way Grey Ribbon £0.29 3mm Orange Led £0.10
16 Pin DIL 0.3' £0.11 40 Way Transistion £0.63 4mm Plugs - Solder £0.34 SPOT 6A 250V £0.75 34 Way Grey Ribbon £0.38 3mm Blue 461mcd £13.78
18 Pin DIL 0.3" 0.12
£ 50 Way Transistion £0.84 4mm Plugs - Screw £0.38 DPST 4A 250V £0.81 40 Way Grey Ribbon £0.49 3mm Blue 60mcd 0.78
20 Pin DIL 0.3' £0.12 Large Range ot Connectors £
4mm Stackable Plugs £0.40 DPST 4A Red Neon £1.10 50 Way Grey Ribbon £0.52 3mm Blue 550mcd 096 £
24 Pin DIL 0.3" £0.12 in Stock - New Connectors 4mm Shrouded Plugs £0.74 DPST 3A Amber Neon£1.40 40 Way reiy Ribbon _£Q.64 5mm White 300mcd £0.69
24 Pin DIL 0.6' £0.12 Catalogue now available 4mm Chassis Sockets £0.21 DPST 3A Green Neon £1.32 inunieDed Copper WU. 5mm White 1100mcd £2.05
28 Pin DIL 0.3' £0.13 see our web site for details. 4mm Binding Posts £0.48 Measure
28 Pin DIL 0.6' £0.13 Per 5139 (2oz) Reel 3mm Bi - Colour £0.15
D Type Connecters 33mm Crocodile Clips £0.10 101SP),22(DPI x 30mm 500p reels available 3mm Tri - Colour 0.24 £
32 Pin DIL 0.6' £0.13 Mounting Hole
40£0
m UlL0.6" . 19 Fewer Connecters 14 W/G Enamelled £1.03 5mm Red Led £0.07
- - SPST 10A 250V £0.60 16 SWG Enamelled £1.03 5mm Green Led £0.08
DC Lew Voltage SPST 16A 250V £0.75 18 SWG Enamelled £1.03 5mm Yelow Led £0.08
8Pin DIL 0.3" £0.11 SPST 15A Red Neon £0.90 20 SWG Enamelled £1.03 5mm Orange Led £0.10
14 Pin DIL 0.3' £0.20 SPOT 16A 250V £0.75 22 SWG Enamel led £1.06 5mm Blue 60mcd 078
16 Pin DIL 0.3' £0.23 Solder Duaket £
9Way Male Plu_g £ 0. 20 DC Plug 0.710 2.350D £0.47
DPST 10A 250V £ 0.90 24 SWG Enamelled £1.18 5mm Blue 80mcd £0.78
18 Pin DIL 0.3' £0.25 DPST 15A Red Neon £1.18 26 SWG Enamelled £1.20 5mm Blue 100mcd 0.78
20 Pin DIL 0.3' £0.28 9Way Female Socket £0.20 DC Plug 1.310 3.4013 £0.17 £
15 Way Male Plu_g £0.27 D C Plug 1.7113 4.000 £0.44 DPST Amber Neon £1.25 28 SWG Enamelled El .29 5mm Blue 450mcd £1.12
24 Pin DIL 0.3' £0.35 DPST Green Neon £1.25 30 SWG Enamelled £1.31 5mm Blue 1000mcd £1.12
24 Pin DIL 0.6' £0.35 15 Way Female Socket £0.29 DC Plug 1.710 4.7500 £0.50
15 Way H.D. Plug £0.42 DC Plug 2.110 5.00D £0.24 DPDT 10A 250V 0 £.90 32 SWG Enamelled £. 5mm Red Flashing £0.37
28 Pin DIL 0.3' £0.39
28 Pin DIL 0.6" £0.39 15 Way H.D. Socket £0.45 DC Plug 2.510 5.0013 024 £ Relays 34 SWG Enamelled £1.35 5mm Green Flashing £0.37
32 Pin DIL 0.6' £0.43 23 Way Male Plu_q £ 0. 60 DC Plug 3.110 6.30D £0.53 PCB Mounting 36 SWG Enamelled £1.37 5mm Yellow Flashing £0.37
40 Pin DIL 0.6' £0.64 23 Way Female S-ocket £0.66 DC Line Socket 2.1mm £0.66 IA 24Vdc DPDT 5V £1.38 38 SWG Enamelled £1.63 5mm Bi- Colour Led 0.15 £
£9,..?.? DC Line Socket 2.5mm £
0.68 IA 24Vdc DPDT 12V £1.35 40 SWQ Enamelled £1.96 5mm Tri-Coloin Lind £0.15
ZiP Seakets
25 Way Male Plu_g
FemaleCoî Chassis , Skt 2.1mm g:11 £ 3A 110V _PDT ey £115/3 Tinned Copper Wire 7 Segment Megdays
Universal ZIF DIL Sockets
24 Way 0.3-0.6' £5.85
28 Way 0.3-0.6' £6.60
9Way Male Plug C.08 Ric
- UM, geong« ,
3A 110V SPDT 12V £0.60 Per 50g (2oz) Reel
5A 110V SPDT 6V £0.72 500_g reels available
0.56' Red C.Cathode £0.65
0.56' Red C.Anode £0.65
9Way Female Socket £0.93 5A 110V SPOT 12V £0.72 14 SWG Tinned £1.03 0.3' Red C.Cathode £0.65
32 Way 0.3-0.6' £7.50 15 Way Male Plu_g £1.30 5A 110V DPDT 6V £0.93 16 SWG Tinned £1.03 0.3_" Ree.l C.Mode £0.65
40 Way 0.3-0.6' £8.93 15 Way Female S ocket£1.32
- 5A 110V DPDT 12V £0.93 18 SWG Tinned £1.03 Infra Rod Devises
Transistor Sockets 25 Way Male Plua £1.10 SA 240V DPDT 6V £1.76 20 SWG Tinned £1.06 3mm IR Emitter £0.15
TO18-4 Base Socket £0.24 25 Way Female ocket£1.13 5A 240V DPDT 12V £1.50 22 SWG Tinned £1.06 5mm IR Emitter £ 130
TO5 Base Socket £0.24 IQC Crimp I041 £11.80 3Pin IEC Line Socket £1.08 10A 240V SPDT 6V £1.20 24 SWG Tinned £ 1.08 3mm Photo-Transistor £0.15
UDC Celle Sockets
Right Angl PCP 3Pin IEC Line Pluf £189 10A 240V SPOT 12V £1.44 26 SWG Tinned £1.08 5mm Photo-Transistor £0.52
3Pin Chassis Soc et £0.55 10A 240V SPOT 24V £ 1.44 àquipasent Wire Photo Diode £0.76
3Pin Chassis Plug £0.56 canape... Aece sserl es Black, Brown, Red, Orange, 4N25 Opto- Coupler £0.25
Yellow, Green, Blue Purple, 4N26 Opto- Coupler £ 0.36
II Way Sulgin Adapters Grey & White. Per lbOm 4N32 Opto- Coupler £0.36
10 Way Socket £0.26 Solid I/0.6mm £2.67 6N135 Opto- Coupler £0.96
14 Way Socket £0.35 9Way Male Plu_g £0.33 îtzire
inded 7/0.2rem £2.44 6N136 Opto- Coupler £0.85
16 Way Socket £0.38 9Way Female Sacket £0.33 Mx Cane 6N137 Opto- Coupler £0.90
20 Way Socket £0.37 15 Way Male Plug £0.39 Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, 6N138 Opto- Coupler £0.84
26 Way Socket £0.36 15 Way Female Sbcket£0.32 Green Blue & White. 6N139 Opto- Coupler £0.90
34 Way Socket £0.39 8Pin Line Plug P551 £3.58 9M Gender Changer £1.73 25m 5/0.1mrn Cable £2.16 CNY17-1 0PI-Çoupler0.38
15 Way H.13, Socket £0.58 8Pin Chassis Skt P552 £1.27 £
40 Way Socket £0.55 25 Way Mal Plug £0.43 9F Gender Changer £1.73 Black & Red 20A lkV Dou- CNY17-2 0-Coupler 0.32 £
50 Way Socket £0.80 25 Way Female Socket £0.50 25M Gender Changer £2.20 ble Insulated.
25F Gender Changer £2.43 10m 260/0.07mm £7.20 IS-74 Opto-
CNY17-3 0-Coupler £0.48
UDC Cable Plugs MastiaD Covers Coupler 0.40£
9Way Cover - Grey £0.27 9Male - 25 Female £1.73 ISD-74 Opto- Coupler £1.02
10 Way Plug
14 Way Plug
£0.52
£0.58 9Way Cover - Black 0.30£ 9Female - 25 Male £1.73 %meals ISQ-74 Opto- Coupler £1.41
9M - 6Mini Din Male £2.48 DT-311 Small Can
16 Way Plug £0.62 15 Way Cover - Grey £0.30 £39 MOC3020 Opto-Triac£0.49
20 Way Plug £0.66 23 Way Cover - Grey £0.40 Sub-Minio r. 9F- 6Mini Din Female£2.23 32,7411KHz MOC3041 Opto-Triac£0.70
26 Way Plug £0.70 23 Way Cover - Black £038 3A 125V lA 250V 5M Din - 6F Mini Din £1.73 Iff.-4H/f/ Case
25 Way Cover - Grey £0.34 5mm 0 Mounting Hole 5F Din - 6M Mini. Din £1.73 1.8432MHZ £1.08 OR
M u niP1
2
LDL R
RO £1.10
£0.45
34 Way Plug £0.80 SPST 5xlOmm £0.47 Testers / Patch Boxes 2.0MHZ £1.46
40 Way Plug £0.92 25 Way Cover - Black £0.37
50 Way Plug £ 1.12 9to 9Cover / Case £0:80 SPOT 5xlOmm £0.53 Mini Tester 7 LEDs £4.72 2.4576MHz £0.84
25 to 25 Cover / Cose £0.84 SPOT C/Off 5xlOmm £1.01 Check Tester 18 LEDs £6.32 3.2768MHz £0.51
PC3 Sox 9to 25 Covet / Case £0.80 12,410mm £0.63 Enhanced+ Switches £15.18
Headers
Audio Connecters
Miniul
6A 125V 3A 250V
250 Patch Box M-F £2.64
Anti- Static Wrist Strap£4.76 Technical Books at
CD ROMs
csiDEW1»
6.2mm 0 Mounting Hole 5A Surge Protector £5.20
SPST 8x13mm £0.58 13A Surge Protector £10.00 Data Table & Equivalent charts from
10 Way Straight £0.22 SPOT 8x13mm £0.55 4Gana SUfnek £10.50 ICA. Characteristics, pin outs, equiva-
14 Way Straight £0.33 2.5mm Jack Flug £0.25 SPDT c/off 8x13mm £0.65 Lomeli& R't
2.5mm Line Socket £0.24 lents & selector tables for semiconduc-
16 Way Straight £0.32 SPOT do Biased 2way£0.84 tors. Demo version of the CO ROMs & full details of the
20 Way Straight £0.41 2.5mm Chassis Socket £0.12 SPOT do Biased 1way£1.15
3.5mm Mono Plug £0.24 complete range are available from our web site.
26 Way Straight £0.52 DPDT 12 x 13mm £0.65
34 Way Straight 3.5mm Mono Line Skt £0.24 DPDT c/off 12 x13mm 0.88
£
£0.68
3.5mm Mono Chassis 014 £ Semiconductors Equivalents & Reference
40 Way Straight £0.68 DPDT c/o Biased 2W £1.20
Win e/o,I3iased 1W £1.28
3.5mm Stereo Plug £0.35 Covering Transistors, Diodes, Thyristors, Triacs & ICs.
50 Way Straight £1.03 These reference books series covers more than 115,000
10 Way 90' £0.32 3.5mm Stereo Line Skt £0.36 stemma 1.5m Pronte Lea 2.55
3.5mm Stereo Chassis £0.22 types with more than 200,000 equivalent types. Each type
14 Way 90° £0.39 10A 250V Push on terminals 2m BD Printer Lead £2.98 is provided with information as to device family, short-
16 Way 90° /
1 4"Mono Plug £0.30 12mm 0 Mounting Hole 5m BD Printer Lead £4.98
£0.42 5:" Mono Line Socket £0.36 form description and the salient electrical data, along with
20 Way 90' £0.63 SPST 18 x30mm £1.05 10m BD Printer Lead £9.88 the dimensioned outline drawing and pin assignments.
'h' Mono Chassis Skt £0.46 SPOT 18 x30mm £1.18 2m 1EEE1284 Printer L £4.38
26 Way 90' £0.68 Si" Stereo Plug £0.34 Split into two paper volumesor available on one CDROM.
34 Way 90' £0.81 SPOT c/off 18 x30mm £1.18 5rn IEEE1284 Printer L 8.90
£
V." Stereo Line Socket £0.32 vet volume 11 A...Z Device Codes £14.34
40 Way 90° £1.17 DPDT 21 x30mm £1.78 10m IEEEI 284 Printer £16.13
50 Way 90' £1.14 'I,..' Stereo Chassis Skt £0.38
w ei ftzSidaricem Plug £2.83
DPDT doff 21 x30mm £1.78 Seri_al Pruner 25M- 25F£4.38
Nun Median Loads vet
ISBN3881090339, 1184 Pages, 14th Update 2002
volume 2 1N...60 000...0 Device Codes £14.34
ISBN3881090355, 720 Pages, 13th Update 2002
PCB Lat‘h Side Switches 9Female - 9 Female £4.38
Headers These books are zero vat rated, carriage
25 Female- 25 Female£6.48 for one OR both £3.50+vat
9Female - 25 Female £4.38
9,25.F to 28.25f £4.88
Red Line Plug £0.20 AIN•11111 »me "eired
•oi
10 Way Straight £0.39 Black Line Plug £0.20 Miniature 25Male to 9Female £4.08
14 Way Straight £0.45 Yellow Line Plug £0.20 300mA 125V pcitlei.tg 25Fp male £3.78
16 Way Straight 051
£ White Line Plug £0.20
el
7x15mm Mounting Hole MC MUMS
20 Way Straight £0.55 Red Line Socket £0.20 DPDndard
T 7x,23mm £0.17 Interlink 25M to 25M £3.88
26 Way Straight £0.73 Black Line Socket £0.20 Sta Patch Leal
34 Way Straight 0.88
£ Yellow Line Socket £0.20 IA 125V 25Male to 25Male £3.60
40 Way Straight £0.92 White Line Socket £0.20 5.5 x12mm Mounting Hole 36Mole t9t, 36M2 le £2.60 Eil DOS
50 Way Straight £1.27 Red Chassis Socket £0.20 DPDT 12 x35mm £0.27 Warne , lAmiel
y £0.46 Black Chassis Socket £0.20 £2.28 vet-dIdc 2003 CO ROM, £30.55-rvat
DPDT c/o 12 x35mm £0.25 Floppy Cable A/B ISBN3881090703 Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP
14 Way 90 £0.48 Gold Plated Plug Red £0.68 Hard 2xIDE £1.65
16 Way 90* £0.54 Gold Plated Plug Black£0.68 Rotary Switches Hard Disk
Disk 2xATA66 £3.38 The software version of the two vrt books. In addition to
20 Way 90° £0.59 XLISeries nietai Power 3'/2-2 x £1.88 pin assignments of all discrete semi-
26 Way 90 ° £0.81 Power 54'-2 x5% £1.50 conductors this CD-ROM version con- wt.
34 Way 90' £1.03 Power 5%-2 x3>i £1.88 tens the pin assignments for all dosic
40 Way 90' £ 1.23 Power 54-3S5,5% £1.88 standard CMOS «0/7400, Tfl. 7400 '
,etoete..,
50 Way 90' £1.41 Netweridng circuits, many operational amplifiers
3Pin Line Plug £0.96 BNC TPiece FMF £1.71 and some Audio- and Video IC's. Ex- ' BY
DIL Headers 4Illtrei
l
l. tensive search facility, Manufacturers
3Pin Line SocKet £0.96 150mA 250V Make before BNC Coupler F £0.81
3Pin Chassis Plug £1.23 Break 22mm 0 BNC Ratchet Crimper£15.68 Details, a " Note- Function" to add your
3Pin Chassis Socket £1.22 9.8mm 0 Mounting Hole 500 BNC Terminator 0.98
£ own data for each device.
14 Way DIL £0.51 Neutrik Line Plug £1.80 IPole 12 Way £084 Thinnet Cable perm £038 Carriage for CD only £ 1.50+vat
16 Way DIL £0.53 Neutrik Line Socket £2.10 2 Pole 6Way £0.84
24 Way DIL £0.90 Neutrik Chassis Plug £2.24 3Pole 4Way £0.84 Full details of UK, European or Worldwide
40 Way DIL £1.37 Neutrik Chassis Socket£2.40 4 Pole 3Way £0.84 Order information on our web site.

Tah 0191 2314363 Fax: 0191 2322296 Email: [email protected] htlp: //www.esr.co.uk

666 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

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Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 667

Constructional Project

PC
CAR WARS
JOHN LANIGAN
are arranged as aflip-flop with capacitor
It's a bit like Robot Wars without the CI and resistor RI providing a 100/4s

expense or final destruction! delay to mask contact bounce in the

switches. Hit counting is performed by
IC2, a4017 CMOS decade counter, some-
times called aJohnson Counter. Transistor

U
NLESS you are a dedicated radio CAR POWER TR 1 handles the power switching. Base
control enthusiast the fun soon goes Radio Cuntrolied cars from High current into TR 1is limited by resistor R5.
out of driving a radio controlled Street stores come with 2, 4or 6size AA Light-emitting diodes, DI to D3, are
(RC) model car around the patio. The cir- battery compartments. This gives 3V or optional and indicate the current "life"
cuit described here will put back some of 6V operation and the 6-cell versions use state of the Robo- car. They make use of
the fun into what is otherwise a solitary two of the cells to run the electronics the first three outputs (QO, Q1, Q2) on pins
amusement and turn it into abattle for life exclusively. 3, 2and 4of IC2 as it counts up.
or death. The circuit to be described here will When three counts have been reached,
At least two RC cars are required oper- work with either of the 4or 6battery mod- IC2 pin 7 (Q3) goes high. This is inverted
ating on different frequencies. The object els. The 3V, 2-battery types
of the "new" game is to avoid being hit
have some interesting sur-
yourself whilst scoring three hits on your face mount electronics on
opponent's car. This is alittle like the pop- the underside of the
ular TV game of Robot Wars.
double-sided Rx
Unlike Robot Wars, simply pressing a board. Briefly,
reset button returns you to the next game this part of
with another three lives — no extensive
the board
repair work necessary. Warning! You may boosts the
find yourself spending too much time speed per-
playing and being unable to do the dishes,
formance of
wash the car, mow the lawn, clean the the motor.
windows ... etc.
The author
used a TIP121
UNDER THE BONNET Darlington
The simplest way to disable Radio power transistor
Control model cars is to turn off the power successfully with all the models
to the Receiver Board. Interrupting the
used in the preparation of this article.
supply to the motor itself is complicated a The maximum voltage for the circuit is
little by the model's need for the motor to
determined by the 18V upper limit for
be reversible. This can, of course, be done the 4017 counter chip. Lowest recom-
but is not necessary for this project.
mended operating voltage is quoted at 3V
At the budget end of the range (you can
but the prototype circuit operated well by ICI d so turning off Darlington transis-
do this with the really super and expensive below this, leaving plenty of room for tor TRI. As the transistor no longer con-
models but the author has found that Dads
battery run down. ducts it effectively disconnects the ground
want to kill you if you do), asingle board
(or negative supply) lead from the Rx
handles all of the signal processing, motor
HOW IT WORKS board that we have re-routed to the transis-
control and steering functions. Interrupting
tor's collector (c).
the negative connection from this board to This is the section read by die-hard
enthusiasts or when things go wrong — the When the Reset pushbutton S3 is oper-
the battery box means asimple transistor
author always reads this section. ated it momentarily pulls the reset pin ( 15)
switch can be used.
The full circuit diagram for the RC Car of IC2 high, which is the condition
A digital counter i.c. will make sure a
required to reset the counter to zero. Dead
fixed number of "hits" produces the dis- Wars is shown in Fig. 1 . This is, of
course, for a single car and is repeated simple!
able signal. Hit signals can be generated
using cheap and simple push-to-make, for each "contestant's" car. It breaks
non-latching switches and some de-bounc- down into three sections: a switch and OUT FOR THE COUNT
ing circuitry. Mount the switches so their de-bounce circuit (IC 1 a to IC1c), fol- On each clock input at pin 14 of IC2,
"collision buttons" are in exposed areas on lowed by an i.c. counter (IC2) with it puts a "high" on one of its output
the outside of the model car, and fit the dis- optional I.e.d. state indicators, and a pins. Any existing count output is
able circuit into the receiver (Rx) board's power "switch" (TRI). turned- off. So the "active" output rip-
negative supply line and we have ameans The "hit" switches, SI and S2, are con- ples up from 1 to 10. It is convenient
to inflict "virtual" damage — and have abit nected in parallel and so a hit on either that each output remains high only for
more fun. switch counts. Three NAND gates of ICI one clock cycle.

668 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 Only one load is driven by the outputs at the outputs can be connected to it. So con- wiring one of the trial circuits did generate
any time thus reducing the battery drain — necting IC2 pin 7 (the count 3 output) to enough heat to make the transistor uncom-
very important for RC models. A lot of pin 13 (the clock inhibit input) effectively fortable to hold. But it survived!
batteries were recharged playing with the latches pin 7high, stopping the count at 3
prototypes! as required. CONSTRUCTION
In this circuit we only need acount to 3 As IC2 pin 7 is also connected to both The RC Car Wars "hit counter" circuit is
but, as stated earlier, the Johnson Counter input pins of IC Id, this makes IC Id gate built on asmall piece of stripboard just 12
will count to 10, therefore, counting must act as an inverter, therefore, its output will strips by 22 holes. You will probably need
be stopped at three as afourth hit would re- be "low" when the count reaches three. The to cut apiece from alarger board. The top-
enable the car. Fortunately, aclock inhibit output of ICId (pin 11) is taken to the base side component layout, interwiring and
pin is provided, at IC2 pin 13, and any of of transistor TR 1so a "low" will turn-off details of breaks required in the copper
the transistor. The counter electronics are tracks are shown in Fig.2.
independently connected to the battery Commence construction by first making
supply so operating the Reset pushbutton the breaks ( 26) in the copper tracks. You

COMPONENTS S3 restores power to the model's receiver

(Rx) board.
can use a5mm dia. drill, or aspecial hand-
held tool which is available for this. Next,

See
emep
PER CAR
Resistors
R1 to R3 10k (3off)
R4 630Q TALK
R5 lk
All 0.25W 5% carbon film

Capacitors
Cl 100n plate ceramic
C2 100n polyester
C3 100µ axial elect. 35V

Semiconductors
D1 3mm I.e.d., green
D2 3mm I.e.d., yellow
D3 3mm I.e.d., red
TR1 TIP121 npn Darlington
transistor
IC1 4011 CMOS quad Partially completed prototype "hit/counter" board showing most of the link wires in
2-input NAND gate position.

+V
o

o
RESE:U
C2
100n .
T C3

+VE D1 GREEN'

>1

IvEu.ovel
1C2
emk
02
14
4017
14
R4
CK
63Cq.
15 4 a
RS —
13
DM 1C1a R„ BOARD OV
4011
03
TR1 o
ONO
IC1 d T1P121

7 IC1C
4011 RS
12 lk
4011 R2 It
10k 13
CD

ov
o

IC2 4017 CMOS decade Fig.1. Complete circuit diagram for the RC Car Wars.
counter/divider
POWER NEEDS
Miscellaneous The power switching
S1, S2 sub-min. pushswitch, Darlington transistor TR 1is a
push-to-make (red — fairly heavy current carri-
2off) er as transistors go. It
S3 sub-min. pushswitch, needs to be because it
push-to-make (black) will be passing the full
Stripboard, size 12 strips x22 holes;
load current of the
model RC car; 14-pin low-profile di].
motor plus alittle over-
socket; 16-pin low-profile d.i.l. socket;
head for the Receiver
multistrand connecting wire; piece of
board.
double-sided adhesive tape or pad;
Starting and worse,
solder etc.
rapidly switching the motor
into reverse, can pull up to 2A from the
£6
Approx. Cost
Guidance Only per car batteries momentarily. In practice, the tran-
excl. RC car & batts. sistor was easily able to cope in the proto-
type although a slight mishap or two in

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 669

the inter-track links should be carefully
inserted and soldered in position. Note the
two diagonal dashed links can be inserted RED
below the low-profile i.c. sockets or sol-
dered on the copper track side when insert-
ing the sockets.
Having double-checked the link wires,
the rest of the components can be mounted
on the board. Start with the i.c. sockets
then the resistors, some of which are
mounted upright (vertically).
The power transistor is mounted at one
end of the board, with the metal tab
towards the centre, see Fig.2. A small croc-
odile clip attached to each pin as it is
inserted will act as agood heatsinIc while
soldering the lead in position. Make sure
the transistor pins are inserted correctly
before soldering. The i.c.s should not be
plugged into their sockets until all wiring TO R, BOARD TO B1 + V
(VIA ON/OFF SWITCH)
has been completed and double-checked. ONO ( 0V)

Board lead-off wires to the switches and 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 2 .22

1.e.d.s should be made long enough to

Fig.2. Stripboard com-
allow comfortable assembly and disassem-
ponent layout, inter-
bly of the model. Depending upon avail-
wiring to off-board com-
able space within the model car, it may be
ponents and details of
necessary to sleeve the legs of the 1.e.d.s.
breaks required in the
The board interwiring is also included in
underside copper tracks.
Fig.2

TEST RUN
To test the completed circuit board a
load must be connected with its negative
lead going to the collector of transistor
TR 1 . A small motor or 6V lamp is suitable
but if amotor is used make sure it has a board, on/off switch, the battery box and
ceramic "suppression" capacitor and diode new "collision" board is shown in Fig.4. +V

(cathode on positive side) across the input The battery box is usually accessed from
terminals. underneath the model car by acover. The THIS LEAD REPLACES
THE -VE CONNECTION
All of the RC model motors have this batteries should be removed before any FOR THE Rx BOARD
suppression capacitor and as well as reduc- disassembly work is undertaken. Several
ing radio interference it absorbs some of screws will hold the body moulding to the
the spikes generated by the motor commu- model base and the aerial wire will be fixed COUNTER
V BOARD
tation. That is it will offer alittle protection to the Rx board with a screw that also
R. BOARD
to the power transistor during testing. secures the Rx board.
All of the prototypes performed perfect- The aerial wire passes through the body
ly well with their original, unmodified moulding of some models and will/should -V ( OVI
motors. The receiver (Rx) board will have have aplastic bobble on the end or more REMOVE THIS
CONNECTION
been designed to cope with adirty — digi- likely be tightly wound into acoil. This is
tally speaking, electro- mechanical compo- a safety feature and should not be
nent like the motor. removed. Without such protection the
sharp end of the wire could very easily
INSTALLATION cause injury — particularly to the eyes.
It helps to think of the new board as sim- It is not necessary to completely remove
ply aswitch operating in the negative bat- the aerial as unscrewing it from the Rx board Fig.3. Re-routing the receiver (Rx)
tery lead of the Rx board, see Fig.3. The will allow removal of both the body mould- negative supply lead to the hit/counter
final interwiring between the receiver (Rx) ing and the aerial together. Cheaper and new board.

One of the prototype cars with its

body- shell removed to reveal the The "collision/counter" board fixed above the receiver board using double-sided
receiver board and aerial. tape. The board should just squeeze below the aerial "loop".

670 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

models have an aerial that is enclosed within Solder the remaining lead from the of glue or 1.e.d. clips will hold them in
the body moulding. These may present a counter board into the Rx board in the place, but a3nun hole was found to give a
challenge when fitting the new board. same position from which the original neg- reasonably snug fit — the prototypes did not
Tracing the leads from the board to the ative lead came — you made a note of it need glue.
battery connections should be straightfor- when you took it out didn't you? Many of The Hit switches should be mounted on
ward. Release the wires from the nooks these mass produced boards are generic to the side panels between the front and rear
and crannies the manufacturer tucks them arange of models and may have anumber wheels — so that they are exposed enough
into so that you can turn the receiver board of unused component positions making it to be "hit". The Reset switch can be
over. De-solder the negative lead from the easy to forget which one you need to use. mounted anywhere convenient. For the
board end and re-solder it to the counter original prototypes the switch solder tags
board — see Fig.3. PARKING SPACE had to be bent at right angles as there was
The positive lead from the counter or With the body mouldings separated you too little space behind the body moulding.
"hit" board should now be connected to the will be able to see how much space you The models used for this article were a
switched contact of the model's on/off have in which to fit the new parts. If you little more accommodating.
switch. That is the one already connected are using the 1.e.d.s then somewhere on the
to the Rx board, (see Fig. 4). roof or bonnet of the car is suitable. A spot THROTTLE TIME
Fixing the Hit counter board is best done
with astrip of double-sided foam tape or
[To moroa
TO STEERING
SOLENOID Fig.4 (left) Final self-adhesive pads on the copper side. This
interwiring between gives a good fix and insulates the board
the counter board, connections.
ONL OFF
BI receiver (Rx) board, Test that everything works before re-
battery box and assembly and then go and have some
receiver's on/off fun!
switch.

TYPICAL
BOARD

COUNTER
BOARD

op-
WCN Supplies • Dept EPE • The Old Grain Store • Rear Of 62 Rumbridge Street • Totton • Southampton • S040 9DS
Telephone or Fa( On Southampton 023 8066 0700 • Email: [email protected]

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 671

 TALK ANDY EMMERSON
It's New . Or is It?
How new is new? Some of the latest ideas in electronics are
positively old hat, as Andy Emmerson reveals.

I
N the mobile phone arena there's abat- if the called party is within range of acell normal radio range, but conversations
tle royal going on currently. Front-run- site. But, if the called party is not, the cost nothing once you had the equipment
ner in the third generation stakes, 3, direct connect salter is not shunted into —and a £ 10 CB licence.
has discovered the best way of winning voicemail. Instead,. the caller just leaves an Operation was extremely simple. All
new recruits to its network is by dropping alert that is sent when the called party is you did was key in the five-digit call
prices. The tactic is certainly proving suc- reachable once more. This beats leaving number of the person you want and then
cessful, with most new customers moti- unnecessary voicemails that need atten- press the PTT switch briefly.
vated more by attractive tariff options tion when the called party is back in range. If the rig belonging to the person you
than the system's live video transmission If you're worried this will mean we want was switched on and was on stand-
capabilities and other multimedia gizmos. shall all be saying "Over" and "Roger" by, the set responded automatically and a
Across the Atlantic another new-breed like CB users, have no fear. It doesn't spare channel found without any further
operator has a different USP or unique work like that... The Nextel bleeps to let action on your part. Your set then bleeped
sales proposition. The winning feature of you know when it's ready for you to talk and you could speak. If you wanted to
its cellphones is an additional "walkie- and makes an unhappy-sounding note make an "All Stations" or CQ call you
talkie" mode that allows users to talk when you step on the other party's trans- punched in five zeros and anyone in radio
directly to another user on the network, mission. So you know instantly when not range tuned to the calling channel would
just like using awalkie-talkie or business to talk. hear you.
radio handset. Dead clever, highly effective and
OVER AND OUT extremely popular — in Japan, where the
PUSH TO TALK It's aclever novelty and certainly has system originated. In Switzerland it
It's called PTT mode (push-to-talk) and its applications, even though in many sit- appealed to business and private users
these phone-to-phone calls are included uations a conventional full-duplex call alike and was also launched briefly in
in the cost of users' monthly calling plan. (one in which you can both talk at the Holland.
Users love it and consider it atotal novel- same time without waiting for "Over") is However, it attracted only ahandful of
ty, even though from aboring technology superior, both in quality and in ease. users on the 934MHz band in Britain
viewpoint it's nothing more than akind of Direct-connect is avery poor system for (which was later withdrawn) and although
abbreviated code dialling, in which the conducting anormal conversation. It is a the concept was re-launched twice, once
network memorises the person(s) to good system for quickly exchanging brief as short range radio (SRR) using ana-
whom you want an instant hotline facility. factual information and its format dis- logue technology and then with the title
Nevertheless, to users it seems like magic. courages the time-consuming social over- private advanced radio system (PARS)
Each Nextel phone is assigned aunique head of "small talk" and traditional tele- using the same digital technology as GSM
5-digit number which identifies it on the phone courtesies. cellular radio.
direct connect network. The phones are Adding this facility to an existing cel- Nothing serious came of either scheme,
easily programmed with "talk groups" lular network is not easy. In Britain, however. Sometimes a good idea fails
which are assigned groups of numbers — Orange demonstrated it to the press a simply because it's ahead of its time.
for example, within asingle company or while back but then dropped the idea,
shared between acompany and its prima- mainly because it required special hand- AND EARLIER STILL!
ry suppliers, etc. — and you just select a sets with an extra push-to-talk button. Speaking of which, take alook at this
name from the phone's display and press There were pricing problems too; if cut- quotation and have aguess when it was
the push-to-talk button to connect. price hotline calls became too popular, written...
If the other phone is turned on and this would not be good for call revenue Maybe it will sound afar-fetched idea
within the coverage area, it issues aloud overall. today, but the time is surely approaching
beep and one can immediately talk ("Hey, There is a network called Dolphin, when everyone will be able to carry about
George, swing by the plant and pick up which combines the benefits of cellular with him a small radio telephone. War-
some items before you go to the cus- technology with instant press-to-talk con- time development of apparatus to work on
tomer's site."). If the target Nextel is not nections that Dolphin calls Express very short wavelengths has opened up
available, you can press an "alert" button Connect. Dolphin is targeted at business many entrancing possibilities.
and when the target phone is back on the users, however, with tariffs that would not Hundred of thousands of "radio-tele-
network, it will immediately be alerted attract casual users. phone channels" can be used over short
with aloud tone and display text that your distances without interference; and the
phone is trying to reach it. ORIGINS IN CH installation of a network of automatic
Of course, the Nextel also works as a None of this hotline radio stuff is new. telephone exchanges might well be uti-
typical digital cellphone and as an In fact the same technique, right down to lized for handling the calls from amulti-
alphanumeric pager. It can be enabled for 5-digit numbers, talk groups and instant tude of pedestrian or automobile tele-
Internet email and the Web for an addi- connections, was on offer in the late 1980s, phone subscribers, to sort them out and
tional monthly fee. when the late lamented UHF personal pass them by line or by radio link to main
radio service provide the self-same facility. exchanges. Certainly it is but amatter of
SYSTEM ADVANTAGES PRS, if you recall, was an ingenious time before the railway traveller is able to
One of the advantages of the direct cross between citizens' band and cellular pick up the phone and dial his office or
connect system is that you know it's an radio, providing private communication his home.
internal call coming in and the subscriber between two radio users using automatic It comes from aBritish book of 1946,
placing the call does not have to wait for selective calling. It didn't use an The Miracle of Wireless by Miles
dial switching and for the usual cellular exchange or anything like that and you Henslow. Cellular radio was introduced
delay as the cell system tries to determine could link up only with people within here in 1985 by the way.

672 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

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 ow Technology
Update A new approach to an old technology
promises improved current monitoring facilities,
reports Ian Poole.

Mproblems underof acurrent

EASUREMENT can present
number of circum-
the coil acts basically as a current
transformer.
To overcome this problem, LEM have
introduced a second slightly larger coil
stances. The traditional method to make a In construction the coils are wound even- around the sensing coil. By careful
measurement is to place ameter in series ly spaced in atoroidal shape and the output design of the geometry it can be wound
with the circuit in which the current needs is largely independent of the distortions in such that the two-coil arrangement will
to be measured. the shape of the toroid. This means that the be virtually immune to external fields
This is usually possible for many small coil can be made flexible so that it can whilst still remaining able to accurately
current applications such as those found in quickly wrap around the conductor to be measure the current in the conductor
electronics circuit design. However, it may measured. A further advantage is that under test.
not be feasible where the service cannot be being air-spaced the coils do not suffer A further development simplifies the
interrupted or where it may not be feasible from the saturation effects experienced by construction. Wound components of any
to break into the circuit. coils with cores. sort are notoriously expensive to manufac-
In many cases these problems occur in The coils are produced by anumber of ture because they are time consuming and
instances where high currents are involved, manufacturers and for anumber of differ- often require techniques that do not lend
possibly on power lines or other similar ent applications. Current measuring capa- themselves to modern day automatic man-
applications. Here it is not possible to bilities range from full-scale ranges ufacturing techniques.
break the circuit, yet it is still necessary to extending from around 30A up to 100kA.
be able to measure the current flow. The frequency range is also important. ADiscrete Fix
To overcome this problem there are a Being an inductive component this is As a result of this, LEM have used a
number of solutions that can be adopted. naturally limited, but this is not of great series of discrete fixed coils on printed cir-
One is to use aHall effect device that mea- importance to many users as the coils are cuit boards. The arrangement is to have a
sures the magnetic effect around the con- generally used for power applications that main circular circuit board with alarge slot
ductor and in this way the current can be are normally limited to around 50Hz or cut in one side to accommodate the con-
determined. A variety of forms of coil may 60Hz. Nevertheless, bandwidths range ductor under test. Then small boards with
be used, although a less well known between 1 kHz right up to 1.5MHz. two coils side by side are mounted perpen-
approach is to use a coil known as a dicular to the main board. In this way the
Rogowski coil. turns are effectively distributed in lumped
elements around the circle.
Rogowski Coil The printed circuit boards for the small
Rogowski coils are air-cored coils that coils have eight layers and these are sol-
have been used since 1912 as current sen- dered to the main board making construc-
sors. The very early applications were lim- tion particularly easy. In addition to this
ited because the output from the coils was the use of printed circuits makes the
very low. design far more repeatable as it is not
Also, the measuring instruments of the dependent upon the tolerances of coil
day were not very sensitive and this meant winding.
that any measurements that were taken As a result, the new sensor is able to
tended to be inaccurate. However, in more offer tolerances of better than 8%. This is a
recent years, with the improvements in great improvement over coils made using
electronics technology, the low output has traditional wound techniques. The band-
not been aproblem and this has enabled width has also been tailored to suit the
their use to grow. main requirements for these coils and
Many current sensors require that either extends from 10Hz to lkHz and it can
an electric or magnetic circuit is made operate within the temperature range
Fig. 1. Traditional Rogowski coil.
around the wire carrying the current to be —20°C to +60°C.
measured. This introduces a number of The new sensors include afamily of 12
mechanical and electrical problems as the One of the major problems with the devices covering the 10A to 400A range.
circuits need to be made very efficiently. Rogowski coil is its sensitivity. However, They incorporate their own conversion
Also it introduces anumber of mechanical with the capabilities of modem electronics electronics circuitry providing aOV to 5V
problems and these can considerably this can be overcome to alarge degree. The or OV to 10V output and they require an
increase the complexity and cost of any coil itself can be designed to maximise the external 24V power source
sensor. output by increasing the number of turns to
The Rogowski coil, it is claimed, over- increase the level of flux linkage. In some Summary
comes these problems. It consists of a cases two or more layers of windings can This new development provides avery
coil as shown in Fig. 1 . Here it can be be used. useful and fascinating insight into the
seen that there is a break in the circle, possibilities of a technology that has
and this enables it to be placed over or ROW ROVOIONROli been around for many years. Despite its
around the conductor in which the cur- In anew development, aSwiss sensor age there are many applications, particu-
rent is to be measured. Whilst care has to maker named LEM has developed a larly in the area of high power current
be taken to ensure that there is sufficient novel coil design. One of the problems measurement.
compensation for the interruption in with the Rogowski coils is that they are Further information about radio and
turns at the end of the coil, this can be susceptible to interference caused by electronics technology can be found at
achieved relatively easily. In operation external fields. www.radio-electronics.com.

674 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

News
roundup of the latest Everyday
News from the world of
electronics

DETER THE ARTFUL DODGER!

The world of fine arts should act to prevent high tech piracy that is crippling the
music and movie industries. Barry Fox reports.

MEW schemes unveiled recently by the

\National Gallery in London may earn
Robson confirms that the National Gallery
system uses no watermark in the prints, THUMP AND
extra revenue, but risk making life easier
for art pirates who sell unauthorised copies
either visible or invisible.
The International Federation of the
SNAP!
of famous paintings. Phonographic Industry, world trade body Barry Fox
The National Gallery, and project partner for the record companies, recently warned CARCAMS are coming. Digital cameras
Hewlett Packard, said that they want to that lack of effective music copy control and Webcams are now so cheap that cars
model the future of fine arts on the music and the proliferation of PC burners lets will soon come with half adozen factory-
industry. This comes as the music industry music pirates sell a billion discs a year, mounted to tell the owner who bumped and
warns that poor security in the CD system worth $4.6bn. scratched the car while it was in the street
means that one in three music CDs is now Said Jay Berman, Chairman and CEO of or car park. Philips has filed apatent on the
apirate copy. the IFPI: "If we had ever envisaged CD-R plan to catch culprits red-handed (WO
The National Gallery has been working we would have pressed for greater protec- 03/012746).
with HP for eight years on a scheme to tion in the CD system. We tried to talk to Pressure sensors are buried in the front
digitise all its 2300 paintings. The images the computer industry about copy control. and rear bumper fenders, and decorative
have been captured with adigital camera No way, they said. Nothing. We were trim down the sides. The sensors respond
that steps backwards and forwards over the desperate but there was no level of to any jolts by triggering one of four wide
painting to achieve a resolution of 100 co-operation". angle cameras hidden in the front wind-
megapixels, twenty times that of the best screen, rear and side windows. The camera
consumer camera. Each image, of around Think Tactically snaps a quick series of shots which are
0-5 gigabytes, is stored on the Gallery's stored in memory as evidence. The cam-
After the National Gallery launch
main computer. A six-colour printer in the eras can use the new cellphone picture sys-
Berman added: "The music industry was
Gallery's shop prints out very high quality tem to send an alarm call and image to the
the first to learn just what a huge threat
copies on demand from the public, in just driver's mobile, for double quick return to
interne piracy poses, and just how critical
five minutes. the scene of the crime.
it is to protect your product in digital for-
Says Huw Robson, Manager of HP's
mat. The film industry is now learning the
Digital Media Systems Lab: "Quality is
same thing, and it would not surprise me if
unsurpassed. Automatic calibration of the
colour means that the difference between
this will eventually be abig issue for the
fine art world too".
Luxury Lighting
the print and the original is imperceptible. VOS PAD has been launched as a "blue-
Michael Kuhn helped Polygram and
We plan to have accredited print shops in print for future living" and is the world's
Philips launch CD twenty years ago, and
other cities and other countries". first apartment to be lit solely by 1.e.d.s.
then went on to run the highly successful
Says Vyomesh Joshi, Executive VP HP Polygram Filmed Entertainment company It is the brainchild of Marcel Jean Vos
Imaging and Printing Group, said: "The and is the first in a series of interior
which made Four Weddings and aFuneral.
music industry has gone digital, end-to- environments that integrate the latest
"Looking back," he says. "top management
end. Distribution can be on the Internet. technologies.
at record companies should have spent
We want to see the same process in the The apartment is completely lit by RGB
9am to noon every day thinking about pira-
world of Fine Arts. This is the first baby colour-changing 1.e.d.s., supplied by British
cy and the Internet and nothing else. Film
step to becoming just like the music company ACDC Lighting, all of which are
studio brass should be doing that now. So
industry. A whole new revolution has fully dimmable with complete chromatic
too the Fine Art bosses."
happened". control. The ambience is controlled by a
Reassures Clare Gough of the National Lutron custom-built computerised system
Gallery: "We own the paintings and the
copyright in the digital scans." KEMPTON that operates the lighting and other features.
The level and colour of the 1.e.d.s in differ-
ent areas can be changed instantly. Vos Pad
Superior Scans Help Forgers SHOW is also the first property in the world to fea-
The quality of home PC scanners, colour THE autumn 2003 Kempton Radio and ture anew high-end range of "screw-free"
copiers and printers is now so good that the Electronics Show will be held at Kempton sockets and switches from leading UK
US and UK governments are changing the Park Racecourse on 26 October. The manufacturer MK Electric.
design of bank notes and identity cards to organisers tell us that they are aiming to To quote the information on the Vos Pad
try and make them harder to copy. So is the have alarge number of young people at the website, www.thevospad.com, "colours
National Gallery worried about people rally so, as usual, they will be issuing free and moods may be changed by using intel-
buying and scanning one of the Gallery's tickets to anyone under 16. They are also ligent lighting systems and design features,
high quality prints, for posting on the offering free entry to anyone who takes the rather than by repainting or papering
Internet or selling prints in street markets Morse proficiency certificate. walls . . . working in this way saves
and picture frame shops? The site offers easy access and free park- resources, energy and money".
Says Gallery spokeswoman Jennifer Lea: ing and "there will be great catering, live Vos Pad has many more novel technolog-
"There is nothing we can do about it." music, lots of marketing and big crowds". ical features apart from I.e.d. lighting. For
The video industry is already using Browse www.kemptonrally.co.uk for more information browse the above URL
watermarks to identify pirate copies. Huw more information. and www.vossolutions.com.

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 675

 HULL STUDENTS'
COMPETITION SUCCESS
YOU WON'T
GET YOUR
FINGERS
BURNT
It may surprise you but buying an Antex soldering
Hull's Team Random: Phil Price, Andrew Sterland, iron costs less than you think in the long run. British made
David Waby and Will Johnson. to exacting standards, they last significantly longer
than imported brands. And with a wide range of
THE first-ever Microsoft Imagine Cup was hela at Microsoft
TechEd 2003 Europe in Barcelona, Spain, with the awards being thermally balanced soldering irons, you can pick
made on 1July. This year's theme was: " Imagine a world where up a " fixed temperature" or " in-handle" temperature
technology connects people, information, systems, and devices."
Teams selected from universities around the globe demonstrated model that will suit your needs perfectly.
their ent ,ies to a panel of judges from academia and the tech- None of which will burn a hole in your pocket.
nology industry in this prestigious showcase event
Of paricu ar interest to EPE is that ateam of four first year stu- If your hobby demands the best iron for the ¡ ob
dents from : he Department of Computer Science, University of
but you don't want to get your fingers burnt by the
Hull, came joint-third out of fifteen teams in a competition that
had over 20.000 entries from around the world. The teams' over- cost, visit our website or your electronics retailer for
seeing lecturer in this department is Rob Miles, who regular
readers will recall was a co-author of our Teach-1n 2002 series.
the coolest models around.
The team, who call themselves Team Random, consists of
Pick up an in n n
Andrew Sterland, Will Johnson, Phil Price and David Waby.
Having taught themselves to program in . NET, they initially won
ANT EX
an internal competition within the Computer Science Department
at Hun. They then took their project to Microsoft in Reading and A
Not just any old iron.
came away as winners of the UK heat. Their prize included ar all
expenses paid trip to Barcelona and a chance to pitch for the
worldwide piize.
Rob Miles says "It is a wonderful experience for such a young
team. They built their product from scratch in bess than three
months and then presented it in a thoroughly professional way."
The judges were impressed with the flair of the presentation and
the way that the students had thought through al' the aspects of
their product.
Their procbct is Mercury — The Traveller's Assistant, which is
designed to make travel as convenient as possible. Mercury pro-
vides capab lities such as currency and language conversion,
restaurant recommendations and directions, news and reviews,
A
and tailored partnering opportunities for third parties. It won the
team a cheque for $ 10,000 dollars.
First place in the competition went to a one-man team, Tu 11 111•111,e,
4
Nguyen, from Nebraska. He wowed the judges with a virtual
presentation of his Point of Delivery System ( iPODS), amulti- lan-
guage wireless application that allows a waiter using a PDA to
take orders in one language and transmit them immediately to a
server for translation into the chef's native language.
Second place went to Team India Bombay University students
-4
Tejas Shah, Abhijit Akhawe and Yash Doshi designed Sanjeevani
to unleash the true potential of computers in the medical field.
The solution integrates different mobile devices and helps to
increase collaboration between health organizations, thereby
empowering these organizations to provide mission-critical care
and treatment.
Team Singapore tied with Hull's Team Random for third place.
Kapil Vaidyanathan, Anumeha Bisaria, Harishankar Vijayarajan,
and K...nal Talwar competed with Smart Cart, the world's f Vst
.NET- savvy shopping cart. Smart Cart allows shoppers to navi-
gate through aisles to find a particular product, provides access
to a customer's virtual shopping lis:, and displays product infor-
mation and promotions.
You can find out more about the competition itself from
www.lmaginecup.com/default.htm, and take apeek at the Hall
contender at www.mercury-mobile.co.uk. www.antex.co.uk
Our congratulations to all this year's Imagine Cup winners! 2 Westbridge Industrial Estate Tavistock
Devon PL19 8DE Tel 01822 613565

676 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 8S2- IC BS2-SX ES2E-IC 1 BS2P/24 BS2P/40

Parallax BASIC Stamps - still the easy way to get your project up and running!
***** • • • •-r• or •

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serial interface

Serial Alphanumeric and Graphic Displays,

Mini-Terminals and Bezel kits

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3-Axis Machine Six- Legged Walkers

Robotic models for both the beginner and the advanced hobbyist

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Animatronics and Specialist Interface- Control Modules

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• PIC BASIC Compilers

Development Tools

Milford Instruments Limited Tel 01977 683665, Fax 01977 681465, [email protected]
 Constructional Project

SERIAL INTERFA
FOR PICS AND
JOE FARR

Serial hardware plus stand-alone licence-free OCX software for

VB6 on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000 and XP.

M
ANY PIC project developers would transmitted as a series of negative and instead of just + V and OV helps remove
like to be able to interface their positive voltages representing binary the possibility of decoding errors intro-
designs with aPC's serial port, but ones and zeros respectively. Using apos- duced by resistance and pickup noise in
encounter several difficulties. itive voltage to represent logic 0 and a long cable runs.
The principal one for those readers negative voltage to represent logic 1 ( the The signal voltages on aserial port vary
using Visual Basic on their PC is that not opposite to what one might expect) from manufacturer to manufacturer, but
all versions of VB allow access to the
voltages from —2.5V to + 12V or higher
MSCOMM Active-X serial communica- could be present. These negative/positive
tions control function. Whilst there are 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
voltages need to be translated into TTL
"work-arounds" to this problem, they have 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0j voltage levels (OV to +5V) that are suitable
varying degrees of success. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0/ ,-,
for use by aPIC and in this interface it is
The other problem is that serial port 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14
done with the aid of a MAX232 serial
voltages can vary considerably from PC to A) 25-PIN FEMALE interface i.c.
PC, and these voltages need to be convert- From asingle 5V supply, the MAX232
ed to standard TTL voltage levels to enable 1 2 3 4 5
is capable of converting incoming signals
connection to aPIC. to TTL voltage levels and outgoing TTL
0 0 0 0)
The project described here provides a 0000
signals to serial line voltages.
two-fold solution to this problem. B) 6 7 8 9 When used with PCs and PICs, RS232
Firstly, asmall circuit board is described 9- PIN MALE communication is asynchronous. That
that allows safe interfacing between aPC means that an external clock signal is not
and aPIC, or other digital design.
provided or required. Instead, the devices
Secondly, and importantly, a freeware Fig. 1. Pin numbering of 25-pin female
at each end of the cable are responsible for
Active-X (OCX control) software compo- and 9-pin male connectors.
generating their own internal clock signals
nent suitable for use with all versions of
to control timing.
Visual Basic 6 is provided and its use Table 1. Pin usage for a 9-pin male connector on a PC
Each frame transmit-
described. This software allows the devel- Pin Use Direction Description ted is synchronised
oper complete access to the serial port and 1 DCD IN Data Carrier Detect (also called CD — using a start bit, see
its pins and is compatible with all current Fig.2.
Carrier Detect)
versions of Microsoft Windows, namely 2 RX IN When there is no
Receive data
95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000 and XP. It can be 3 TX OUT Transmit data activity, the line is in
used with other designs without the inter- 4 DTR OUT the Mark state ( logic
Data Terminal Ready
face board described here. 5 GND Ground connection 1). The start of atrans-
6 DSR IN Data Set Ready mission is indicated
HOW SERIAL COMMS
7 RTS OUT Request To Send by a Start bit being
WORK 8 CTS IN Clear To Send sent (logic 0). Each bit
For those readers who require detailed 9 RI IN Ring Indicator of the frame is then
information on how serial communications
sent down the line
work, there are many excellent books and Table 2. Pin usage for a25-pin male connector on aPC (only sequentially, starting
texts available, and an Internet search turns common pins) with the LSB (least
up literally hundreds of pages of informa-
Pin Use Direction Description significant bit) of the
tion. However, it is worth covering some of data word and then
the basics here just to get you started. 1 PGND Protective signal ground
2 TX OUT being followed by one
Serial ports commonly come in two Transmit data
3 RX IN or two Stop bits.
flavours, using 9-pin and 25-pin D-type Receive data
4 RTS OUT The waveform in
connectors. Most PCs now ship with at Ready To Send
5 CTS IN Fig.2 shows that
least one 9-pin connector. Fig.! and Tables Clear To Send
instead of the line
1 and 2 show the pin arrangement and 6 DSR IN Data Set Ready
7 SG returning to logic 1
functions. Note that the RI signal is not Ground connection
after the Stop bit has
always available on all PCs, so using this 8 DCD IN Data Carrier Detect (also called CD —
been sent, it remains
signal should be avoided if possible. Carrier Detect)
20 DTR OUT at logic 0. This indi-
To help make serial communications Data Terminal Ready
22 RI IN cates that another
as reliable as possible, serial data is Ring Indicator
frame of data is

678 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 - OV

+V
START 0 2 3 4 6 7 STOP
BIT BIT
LSB 8DATA BITS MOB

Fig.2. Expected waveform for an 8N1 frame of data (8data bits, No parity, 1stop bit)

expected and this is the next frame's Stan not supplied from an external source, such
bit. If the line status returns to logic 1after as abattery.
aframe has been sent, this indicates that no Because of this, the unit may actually
more data is expected. interfere with the serial ports being moni-
It is important that both ends operate at tored in some cases, especially with lap-top
the same data rate, word length parity and type PCs that do not have large amounts of
use the same number of stop bits, other- voltage or current availab:e on their serial
wise data errors will arise. ports. When using any type of serial moni-
tor, cable lengths should be kept as short as
SERIAL MONITORING possible
Because serial data is transmitted as a
series of positive and negative pulses SERIAL INTERFACE
instead of the positive and OV (ground) CIRCUIT
pulses that are more common in digital The complete circuit diagram for the
electronic circuits, there is asimple way of Serial Interface is shown in Fig.3.
monitoring activity on aserial port. When power is supplied to the board, it
By connecting abicolour 1.e.d. (actually first passes through bridge rectifier REC1.
two separate 1.e.d.s wired in parallel but If the input is a.c., the rectifier converts it
one being the opposite polarity to the to d.c. If the input is already d.c. the recti-
other) and asuitable current limiting resis- fier ensures that the polarity is correct for Fig.4. Functional diagram for the
tor, say 470e, between aserial port pin and regulator IC1, which regulates the voltage MAX232 device.
the GND pin, it is possible to see the cur- down to +5V. A power-on indication is pro-
rent logic state of the pin being monitored. vided by 1.e.d. D1, buffered by resistor RI.
This technique often forms the basis of Capacitors C1to C6 provide smoothing.
an "RS232 Break-out box". This device is The RS232 to TTL level conversion is The TTL logic level signals to and from
extremely useful when attempting to con- performed by IC2, a MAX232 device, the MAX232 are fed via four quad 2-input
nect different serial devices together and whose functional drawing is shown in XOR gates, IC3a to IC3d, that allow each
the exact serial connection pin assignment Fig.4. Capacitors C7 to C10 are used by of the four signals to be inverted by setting
is unknown, or there is aneed to monitor IC2's internal circuitry to raise the supplied the appropriate setting of the quad dual-in-
the signal levels on each pin — useful when voltage from 5V to the required ± 10V line (d.i.1.) switch SI. This feature will be
debugging software that uses the serial port needed for serial data transmission. of use with PICs which do not have serial
for example. ( Such abox is planned for a Note that on the p.c.b., capacitor C5 is interface support built in (e.g. PIC16F84).
future issue. Ed.) positioned as close as possible to the Connector TB4 provides for input/out-
This type of unit is classed as unpow- MAX232 to provide additional smoothing put connections to be made to the gates,
ered, which means that the current required to it during peak power demands, in accor- forming the "ITL Interface Port".
to light the bicolour 1.e.d.s is actually taken dance with the manufacturer's (Maxim) Connection to the PC is via a 9-pin
from the serial port being monitored and datasheet. female D-type connector, SKI.

Fig.3. Complete circuit digram for the Serial Interface for PICs and V86.

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 679

 COMPONENTS
Resistors See
eme
R1 220Q
R2 to R5 2k2 (4off)

Capacitors TALK
C4 220p radial Pag•
elect. 25V (2off)
C2, C3,
C6, 100n ceramic disc ( 3off)
C5, C7
to, C10 1/4 radial elect. 63V
(5 off)

Semiconductors
Di green led., 5mm
REC1 WO1 50V 1A bridge
rectifier
ICI 7805 + 5V 1A voltage
regulator
IC2 MAX232 RS232
interface
IC3 74LS86 quad XOR gate

Miscellaneous
Si 4-way DIP switch
Ski 9-pin female right-
angled Cannon
D-type connector,
p.c.b. mounting
SK2 2.5mm d.c. power
socket, p.c.b.
mounting

Printed circuit board, available from

the EPE PCB Service, code 416;
heatsink, TO220 drilled ( see text);
turned- pin sockets as required; con-
necting wire; solder, etc.

£17
Approx. Cost Fig.5. Component positioning and full size copper foil master track pattern for the
Guidance Only Serial Interface for PICs and VB6.

POWER SUPPLY
It is expected that when in service, the
interface will be powered from a sealed
plug-in mains power supply unit. Either an
a.c. or d.c. supply can be used and the con-
nections to the p.c.b. are not polarity sensi-
tive. A unit capable of supplying at least
50mA at between 7V to 12V should be ideal.
The prototype draws approximately
40mA when in use, but the exact current
drawn will depend on whether the regulated
5V supply is used to drive external circuitry.
In the later case, or if the input voltage
exceeds I2V, then it will be necessary to fit
aTO220 heatsink to regulator ICI.
EPE Serial to PIC Interface Board
CONSTRUCTION
The Interface is constructed on asingle-
sided p.c.b. whose component positioning
and track layout details are shown in Fig.5. assembled using two strips of turned- pin FIRST TESTS
This board is available from the EPE PCB sockets to allow single core wire or resis- Once construction is completed, re-
Service, code 416. tors to be used as jumpers ( more on this check that all components haw been ori-
Assemble the board in order of ascend- later). The p.c.b. layout will accommodate ented correctly and look for any solder
ing component size, and being careful to a standard 18 pin d.i.l. turned- pin socket splashes or bridges that might have
observe the correct polarity of the semi- that can perform the same job if required. occurred during assembly. Using a multi-
conductors and electrolytic capacitors. It is Turned- pin sockets should also be used for meter set to ohms, check the resistance
recommended that good quality di.!. sock- the external connection points marked TB3 across capacitor C4 10 ensure that there is
ets are used for IC2 and IC3, but do not fit to TB5. no short circuit. A brief reading may be
IC2 or IC3 until the correct operation of the Rigidity can be provided for regulator obtained whilst CI to C5 charge.
power supply has been verified. IC 1by bolting it to the p.c.b. The D- type If all is OK continue, otherwise do not
The " patch connections" area on the connector should also be bolted to the
attempt to apply power until the short has
board, notated TB1 and TB2, should be hoard.

680 Everyday Practical Electronics. October 2003

 Components
STRAIGHT SERIAL CABLE - PIN2 TO PIN2 ETC.
X2 XI
Controls Designers IInsertable Objects I
o o
9 O- 4
9. CITB - Custom Text Box
8 3 3 o 7
CITB - Phoenix Function Bar Control
7 o o
6 oo
4
oo ComSnap 1.0 Type Library
ctv OLE Control module
o o
DfrgUI 1.0 Type Library
191 152
DI-ITML Edit Control for 1E5
9 o 09
8 o 08 DirectAnimation Library
7 o 07 Disk Management Snap- 1n Object Library
6 o 06
5 • • 5
4 o 04 FlUpl Control Library
3 • • 3 FPDTC 1.0 TYPE LIBRARY
2 • • 2
FTI Device Digita Infrared ActiveX Control mock
O 0 1 Browse.., I
Li FTI Device Digita Serial ActiveX Control module
4
5elected Items Only
CROSSED SERIAL CABLE - PIN2 TO PN3 ETC.
X4 X3 EPE - Serial Port Control
o o Location: C: ... \ A.. \
R5232\CompOLE\EPESeralI0.0 ,1/.
5
9 o 4
8 o 3 o
o 4
o
o o 9
Cancel Apply
o
o o
TB2 Fig. 7. Visual Basic 6 Components window showing the EPE Serial Control selected.
9 o 09
8 o 08
7 o 07 SWITCH SETTINGS This was traced to an incorrect cable being
6 o 06
used that was feeding TX power form the
5 e • 5 The four slide switches that form SI PC, to the TX pin on the board and thus to
4 o 04 allow for the signals presented at the "TTL an output on the MAX232.
3 • 3 Interface Port" pins (via TB4) to be logi- Whilst the MAX232 seemed more than
2 2
cally inverted. This feature will be of use to able to cope with this error, it might be
O 01
those developers who use PICs that do not advisable to replace the Patch jumpers with
support serial communications natively, or 47Q resistors, for example, to provide
for use in none- PIC applications. some additional protection when using
Fig.6. 9-pin serial cables and associat- The MAX232 contains four buffers, two unproven cables and configurations. The
ed interface board patch area settings. transmit and two receive. One pair is GND jumper should always be used and
accessed by the TD (transmit) and RD nor replaced by aresistor.
(receive) connections at TB4, the other pair
been removed as IC I, the bridge rectifier or
is accessed via TB4's A and B connections.
SOFTWARE
the power supply unit may be damaged.
Making sure that the board is not resting For most applications it is expected that the INSTALLATION
TD and RD signals will nearly always be Software for this project is available for
on anything conductive, connect asuitable
used, leaving one transmit (A) and one free download from the EPE ftp site,
power supply unit. Switch on the power
receive buffer (B) available for use as accessible via the home page
and 1.e.d. D1 should illuminate. Switching
required. www.epemag.wimbome.co.uk. in folder
the multimeter to d.c. volts, measure the
So, if for example you also required use Serial OCX. It is also available on CD
voltage on pins 14 (+VE) and 7 (GND) of
of the DTR signal from the PC, and since ROM from the Editorial office, for which a
the socket for IC3. A reading of approxi-
this is an output signal from the PC, it nominal handling charge applies. See the
mately 5V, within afew percent, should be
could be patched to "B". Likewise, if it is EPE PCB Service page for details.
present.
required to send an additional signal to the The PC software has been written in
Switch off the power supply unit and
PC from the PIC, "A" could be patched to Visual Basic 6 (VB6) and should run on
disconnect it from the mains supply. If the
DSR or any other input pin on the serial any Microsoft 32-bit operating system
5V rail is not present or I.e.d. D1 did not
port. including Windows 95, 98. ME, NT4, 2000
illuminate, carefully check around ICI for
You should never connect any PIC/TTL, and XP, providing it has VB6 installed.
short circuits or dry joints and the polarity
etc., circuits to any of the pins in the Patch The installation set consists of three
of the I.e.d.
area (TB1 and TB2) or directly to aserial files, Setup.exe which is the installation
Once everything seems to be in order,
port unless you are sure your circuit can program, Setup.Ist which provides setup
insert IC2 and IC3, ensuring their correct
handle the +VE/—VE voltages that might control parameters to Setup.exe, and the
orientation and that none of their pins bend
be present. For normal operation, only con- EPESerialIO.cab which contains the EPE
under the body whilst being inserted.
nect to the TB4 pins. Serial Active-X control, VB6 runtime files
Next, jumper links must be inserted into
and aHelp file.
the "Patch" area next to the serial port con-
nector (TB Iand TB2). The links required
PATCH JUMPERS Also, afolder containing Sample appli-
As already explained, the TB1/TB2 cations is supplied. All the sample pro-
depend on the type of cable being used to
Patch area allows control signals to be grams were written for VB6 and
connect the board to your PC ( see Fig.6). If
routed to and from the four buffers con- Microchip's MPASM PIC assembler.
you are plugging the board directly into the
tained in the MAX232 chip. Under normal Unzip the downloaded or CD ROM file
PC or using astraight through cable (pin I
conditions, the MAX232 is a very hardy into a hard-drive directory called, for
to pin I, pin 2to pin 2etc.) then Patch pins
chip and should be able to cope with short example. CŒPESerial, and then run the
2, 3and 5should be linked ("patched") to
circuits and incorrectly wired cables etc. Setup.exe either by entering
their respective counterparts. If using a
With the board in service, however, it CAEPESerial\Setup.exe in the Windows
crossed serial cable, then pin 2 should be
was noted that with the PSU disconnected Run dialogue window or by double click-
patched to pin 3, pin 3to pin 2and pin 5to
from it, 1.e.d. D1 sometimes remained lit. ing the Setup.exe in the file explorer.
pin 5.

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 Once the setup has begun, most users
should be able to accept the default set-
LISTING 1 - program Samplel
tings. During the installation process, you Private Sub Commandl_Click0
may be asked to restart your computer if Listl.Clear
you have not previously installed the VB6 With EPESeriall
runtime components or they are out of .ComPort = 1 'Change this to your required COM port number ( 1or 2)
date. Reboot the computer and restart the .Speed = sio 19200 'Sets speed to 19200 baud
setup process as required. .WordLength = sio8Bits '8bits per word
.StopBits = siolBit '1stop bit
CREATING A TEST .Parity = sioNoParity 'No Parity
PROGRAM .PortStatus = sioPortopen 'open the serial port
Whilst aVB tutorial is beyond the scope .PerfonnLoopBackTest 10 'perform loopback test 10 times
of this article, it is possible to create avery .PortStatus = sioPortClosed 'Close the serial port when done
simple test program to prove correct oper- End With
ation of the hardware and software.
First start anew Standard EXE project in End Sub
VB6.
Select Project and Components from Private Sub EPESeriall_LoopBack(TestNumber As Integer, TestPass As Boolean,
the VB main menu and scroll down the list BufferContents As String)
until EPE Serial Port Control is found.
See Fig.7. Select it by placing atick in the 'This event fires each time aloop-back test has been performed.'
box on the left, then click OK. This adds 'TestNumber counts from 1to n
the EPE — Serial Port Control to the stan- 'TestPass indicates if the loop-back test completed correctly
dard VB toolbox window. 'BufferContents contains any characters that were received from the serial port
Place the control icon (EPE symbol) on
aform and add aCommand button and a Listl.AddItem Format$(TestNumber) &", " & Format$(TestPass, "Yes/No") & ", " &
List Box, see Fig.8. BufferContents

End Sub
Sample" - PerformLoopBackTes

between RD and TD.

EPE
'v. Sample. I- PerformLooptiackiest
Start Connect a suitable
power supply unit to
the board and switch
Listl
on. 1,Yes,QWER TY LoopBacis Test Message 0123456789
2,Yes,QWER TY LocpBack Test Message 0123456789
Run the program in 3.Yes,QWERTY LoopBeck Test Message 0123456789
4,Yes,CIWERTY LoopBack Test Message 0123456789
Listing 1 and the 5,Yes,OWER TY LoopBack Test Message 0123456789
screen shown in Fig.9 6,Yea,QWER TY LoopBack Test Message 0123456789
7,No,
should be seen. ELNo.
You will see that 9,No,
10.No.
half way through the
test, at line 7, it start-
ed to fail. This was
because the jumper
wire that had been Fig. 9. Test results from Loopback test program.
Fig.8. Section of VB Form showing the
placed between the
EPE Serial Control icon in the top left
RD and TD pins in the 1TL Interface Port value of the ASCII character sent. The
corner, plus a command button and a
had been removed to prove that the signals green line shows characters received and
list box control.
were in fact travelling from the PC's serial below that the decimal value of each char-
port, through the cable and into the acter received.
Next, add the code in Listing 1 (be sure Interface, then through the jumper wire and The Control frame shows the status of
to include the decimal point that precedes back along the same path the serial port's control signals. As can be
the commands between With EPESeriall seen, for each character entered the PIC
and End With. ( The VB and PIC source EXAMPLE CIRCUIT responded with the binary representation
codes for these demos are located within The schematic diagram in Fig.I0 shows of each character it received, followed by
the Samples directories to save you typing atest circuit using aPIC16F877-20 and its OK. The black vertical bars are characters
it in.) connections to the Interface board. The that the VB ListBox cannot display. In this
The comments in Listing 1should make Toolkit TK3 p.c.b. (Oct '01) makes an ideal case, looking at the data-monitor window
the code self-explanatory, however, abrief host for this simple circuit, and its software tells us that these characters are CR
explanation of the PerformLoopBackTest (Nov ' 01) can be used to program the PIC. (Carriage Return — ASCII 13) and LF (Line
function is in order: The Sample2 directory contains the nec- Feed — ASCII 10) characters.
This function sends a predefined essary VB source code and PIC Source Note that some PCs, and the author's
sequence of characters out of the serial port Code/Assembled code for a PIC16F877- Sony lap-top included, send odd character
selected on the TD pin, and checks that the 20. (Note that TK3 software since V1.5 now sequences when the serial port is first
same sequence is received back on the RD includes aBaud rate calculation facility to opened. This can be seen in the first response
pin. This can be useful for checking cables simplify setting PICs for serial communi- sent from the PIC. Notice it has four black
and the interface board. cations in respect of different oscillator bar characters at the start of the line instead
rates. Ed.) of two. This has been checked on various
TESTING THE With TK3 connected to the Interface PCs and has occurred on several of them.
INTERFACE board and the PIC programmed with its For this reason, it is best to get the PIC
To test the Interface, first make sure that Sample2 code, run the VB Sample2 appli- to send amessage, "Ready" followed by
the four slide switches of S1 are in the ON cation. Click the Start button and type CR+LF when it first starts up and then get
position (non-inverting). some text into the TextBox (see Fig.11). the Visual Basic program to wait for this
Next, connect the Interface board to The upper window shows the EPESerial message — ignoring all leading characters
your PC using a suitable cable. Set the control's built-in data monitor. It will show that are not recognised.
jumper links in the TB1/TB2 Patch area exactly what data was sent to and from the
according to the cable being used (see PC's serial port. The red line at the top DOCUMENTATION
Fig.6). On the "TTL Interface Port" pins shows characters sent by the serial port. The documentation for the EPESerial
section (TB4), place a jumper wire The three digits underneath are the decimal control is too large to reproduce here, so

682 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 •EPE Serial Port :/0 Control -
rMonte( Senal Buffet
+5V 0
e

DI R1 +VE +VE
IN41.18 1x OV 111010o/1[H( 1101 I 1
a 00000001000000 0 0 0 0 JC
MCLR Vpp 1 1 7 7 4 1 1 1 1 4 4 4
PGDA/RB7 o DATA 99909883095630 300930/
39
RAS/ANO PGCLK/RB6 o CLK
3
RAI /AN1 RB5
4 37
RA2JAN2NREF RB4
5 38 —Code Deploy
6
RA3/AN3NREF+

RA4/TOCK1
PGM/RB3

RB2
35 min nu , Decimal
7
RA5/AN4/SS RI31
35
C HEX
'Cl
8 33
REO/AN5/FID PIC16F877-20P INT/RBO
9
RE1/AN6/WR
10
RE2/AN7/CS PSP7/RD7
29
PSP6/RD6
35
OSCI 'CLKIN PSP5/RD5
27
OSCVCLKOUT PSP4/FID4
r.7 Show DataMonitor
TIOSO/ITCK/RCO RX/DT/RC7
Type characters into here: Clear I
TIOSI/CCP20:1C1 TX/CK/RC6

CCP1/FIC2 SDO/RC5 qwedy

23
SCK/SCIJRC3 SDI/SDA/RC4
22
PSP0,13D0 PSP3/FID3 Response from PIC is shown heft:
;I
PSP1'RD1 PSP2/1102

GND GND

12

0V/ONO 0

RD 0
TO

Fg. 12. Section of the serial control

Fig 10. Example PIC16F877-20P test circuit
data monitor window and the main
it has been provided in a compiled sample programs to get you going, there is form from the Sample 2 program.
HTML Help file ( EPESera110.chm) light at the end of the tunnel.
which can be found in the installation Happy interfaciag. USEFUL WEB SITES
folder and contains a wealth of Maxim's web site is available at
information. EDITORIAL NOTE www.maxim-ic.com for information on
The Samples folder referred to earlier Joe's EPESerial control was used in the the MAX232 i.e.
includes other small VB/PIC programs to VB source code for the EPE Earth Two good resource sites for RS232
demonstrate some of the features of the Resistivity Logger ( Apr/May ' 03) and EPE
information are:
software. PIC Met Office ( Aug/Sept ' 03) Readers www.lammertbies.nl/comm/info/RS-
who wish to modify the VB source code
232.html. and www.beyondlogic.org/
CONCLUSION for these designs can now do so once they serial/serial.htm#2
Serial port programming under Visual have installed Joe's facility. There are other Datasheets and related software down-
Basic can be a little tricky, however, with VB projects in the pipeline that also use
loads for PICs can be found at
some care. the EPESerial control and the Joe's highly- useful OCX www.microchip.com. Li

capacitor used in the prototype models was obtained from Maplin

le 0870 264 6000 or www.maplin.co.uk), code AB11M. Only one
gang (5pF to 25pF) is used here.
All the printed circuit boards are available from the EPE PCB
Service: code 419 ( Super-Regen.); 406 (T/Cap — optional); 420
(Buffer Amp.) and 415 ( Crystal). Ample alternative transistors are
given nthe article, so no sourcing problems should arise but check
RC Car Wars pinatas before inserting on the p.c.b.
The circuit for the RC Car Wars project is aimed at the cheap
"high street" stores type radio control cars and is not geared for the Serial Interface for PICs and VB6
more sophisticated models. The only component fiat could possibly give local sourcing prob-
All of the semiconductor devices, inciuding the TIP121 power lems for the Serial Interface for PiCs and VB6 project is the Max,rn
Darlington, should be readily available from most of our components MAX232 RS232 interface driver chip. The one in the model came
advertisers. They should also stock low- profile i.c. sockets. You can, from RS Components, code 655-290 You can order direct ( credit
if you wsh, like the author, solder tie i.c.s directly on the circuit card only) from RS on ft 01536 444079 or rswww.com. A handling
board and solder the diagonal link wires to their relevant pins on the charge will be made.
board trackside. Software for this project is available for free download from the
With the space inside the car at a premium, the "collision" push- EPE ftp site, easily accessed via the click- link on the home page
switches must be the sub- miniature, push-to- make, release-lo- when you enter the main web site at www.epemag.wimborne.
break, type. We see that Rapid Electronics ( le 01206 851166 or co.uk, in folder Serial OCX. It is also available on a CD-Rom from
www.rapidelectroMcs.co.uk) list a micro- miniature pushswitch the Editorial Office, for which a nominal admin. charge is made, see
which they claim is just 12mm long, 7mm diameter ( but only a red EPE PCB Service, page 723.
actuator), code 78-0090. Tne Serial Interface printed circuit board can be obtained from the
EPE PCB Service, code 416 ( see page 723).
Practice" Radio Circuits-5
All the coils and r.f. choke called for in the Super- Regenerative Spooky Bug (Top Tenner)
Receiver, this month's main project in the Practical Radio Circuits Only the Siemens SFH2030 photodiode used in Spooky Bug, this
series, are hand•wound. As previously, the enamelled copper wire month's Top Tenner project, could prove troublesome to find. The
came from JAB Electronic Components ( ID 0121 682 7045 cr one in the prototype 'bug" was purchased from Maplin ( e 0870
www.jabdog.com). They only supply by mail order. 264 6000 or www.maplin.co.uk), code CY90X.
The author claims almost any polyvaricon ( polythene dielectric) It you encounter any difficulties in obtaining the BUZ71 n-channel
variable capacitor designed for a.m./f.m. portable radios will work in power MOSFET, try Cricklewood Electronics ( e 020 8452 0161).
these circuits. They consist of an antenna and oscillator section, Rectangular I.e.d.s (for his/her eyes) do appear to be widely
plus trimmers. They are currently stocked by ESA Components ter stocked.
0191 251 4363 or www.esr.co.uk), code 896-110 and Sherwood The printed circuit board is available from the EPE PCB Service,
Electronics ( see page 728), code CT9. The a.m./f.m. varicon code 409 (see page 723).

Everydar Practical Electronics, October 2003 683

 Our regular round- up of readers' own circuits. We pay between
£10 and £50 for all material published, depending on length
and technical merit. We're looking for novel applications and
circuit designs, not simply mechanical, electrical or software WIN APICO PC BASED
ideas. Ideas must be the reader's own work and must not
OSCILLOSCOPE WORTH £586
have been submitted for publication elsewhere. The •100MS/s Dual Channel Storage Oscilloscope
circuits shown have NOT been proven by us. Ingenuity •50MHz Spectrum Analyser
Unlimited is open to ALL abilities, but items for consideration in •Multimeter • Frequency Meter
this column should be typed or word- processed, with a brief • Signal Generator
circuit description ( between 100 and 500 words maximum) and If you have anovel circuit idea which would be
full circuit diagram showing all relevant component values. of use to other readers then aPico Technology
Please draw all circuit schematics as clearly as possible. PC based oscilloscope could be yours.
Every 12 months, Pico Technology will be
Send your circuit ideas to: Ingenuity Unlimited, Wimborne
awarding an ADC200-100 digital storage
Publishing Ltd., 408 Wimborne Road East, Ferndown Dorset
oscilloscope for the best Ill submission. In
BH22 9ND. (We do not accept submissions for / Li via E-mail.) addition, aDrDAQ Data Logger/Scope worth
Your ideas could earn you some cash and a prize! £69 will be presented to the runner up.

ROBO-
VOICE +3V TO + 15V
O
- _ IC1d
14 4016BCN
.! of the easiest sound effects to imple- RI R3
10 10k
ment electronically is the "robotic 10k

voice", which chops up the voice to create the

"robotic" effect, similar to the Dalek voice.
The circuit of Fig.1 possibly represents the VR1 R2

Ci,l. T
simplest possible implementation of this, 20k 1k

using astandard transmission gate oscillator

AA
Y V ‘ér — Vv
A A

to do so, employing any CMOS 4016 i.c. This

particular i.c. is very sensitive to static, and
requires antistatic precautions (discharge your ICla IC1 b ICI C
body to earth before handling). 13 4016BCN 5 4016BCN 6 4016BCN

The timing components of the oscillator IN

2 4 8 9
are preset VR1, resistor R2, and capacitor
Cl. The oscillator works by continually
reversing the polarity across C1 through
* SEE TEXT
bilateral switches IC1b and !Mc. Note,
therefore, that Cl must be a non-polarised OV

type. As the polarity reverses, so bilateral

switches IC1b and 'Cie alternately open and
Fig. 1. Circuit diagram for producing the Robo-Voice.
close, thus sustaining the oscillation. The
charge on Cl is further used to switch IC 1 a Preset VR Iserves to change the frequency Since the "robotic" effect might be too
at control pin 13, which modulates the voice of the "chopping", and its mid- position exaggerated, resistor Rx ( between about
presented at input pin 1. should be about ideal. A particular advantage 220Q and SkQ) may be inserted across ICI
The frequency of the oscillator may be of the circuit of Fig.1 is that it will admit pins 1and 2to reduce the effect. Strangely,
roughly calculated as follows: almost any input, from afew millivolts up to the circuit has amore marked effect on the
the full supply line voltage, provided the out- female voice.
f= 1/(2.2 x(VRI -I- R2) xC1) put current does not exceed 25mA. Thomas Scarborough, South Africa

STEREO IMAGE ENHANCER

-enwth% gen,nre
0 +12V

oftlE circuit diagram shown in Fig.2 improves the separation of an audio

I signal by enhancing the "leftness" or "rightness" of the stereo image.
If the signal is of the same amplitude in both channels, i.e. it is lourC0-4-11:1
mono, the signal voltage across potentiometer VR1 is zero, so the sig-
nal remains unchanged. If, however, the signal is stronger in one chan-
nel than the other, there will be asignal voltage developed across VR1.
This produces a current through VR1, which also flows through
op.amp feedback resistors RI and R2.
This current is produced by both op.amps, ICla and IC lb, and their 00
bk
output voltage therefore changes in order to compensate for the volt-
ages developed across the feedback resistors. These output voltage o OV
changes result in the "loud" channel getting louder, and the "quiet"
channel getting quieter.
The amount of increase in separation produced by the circuit is a
function of the ratio R1NR1, although this can be taken too far. If this Fig.2. Circuit diagram for a Stereo Images Enhancer.
happens, an antiphase signal is generated in the "quiet" channel and
the "over- separated" image sounds louder than it should. The overall circuit has avoltage gain of one. It can be fed directly
In order to reduce the risk of this happening, aresistor of equal from aCD player, the output feeding the CD input of astereo amplifier.
value to RIis placed in series with VR1. A value for VR1 of 10 xRI An LM833 dual op.amp was used in the prototype, though any dual
seems about right, because with VR1 at maximum there is virtually no op.amp should do.
increase in stereo separation. P.A. Tomlinson, Hull

684 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

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Learn About Microcontrollers NEW 32 bit PC Assembler
Experimenting with PC Computers with its kit is the
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understand the English language and you can operate
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• 1 111,1.1 1
background knowledge. Flashing LEDs, digital to
,1 11111111 I analogue converters, simple oscilloscope, charging
curves, temperature graphs and audio digitising.
•' • • ice Kit now supplied with our 32 bit assembler with 84
11{1 •—• -
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*
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Book + made up kit la + software £73.50
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Book + unmade kit lu + software £66.50
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........ • • • • • • • • .....
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Experimenting with C & C++ Programmes teaches us to
programme by using C to drive the simple hardware
circuits built using the materials supplied in the kit. The
circuits build up to a storage oscilloscope using
relatively simple C techniques to construct a
programme that is by no means simple. When
approached in this way C is only marginally more
difficult than BASIC and infinitely more powerful. C
PIC Training & Development System programmers are always in demand. Ideal for absolute
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The best place to start learning about microcontrollers is the F”C16F84. This is
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using the more sophistcated PIC16F877 family. Book + unmade kit 2u + software £51.50
The heart of our system is a real bock which lies open on your desk while you Book + top up kit 2t + software £37.98
use your computer to type in the programme and control the hardware. Start with (PP UK £4, Europe £ 10, Rest of world £ 14)
four very simple programmes. Run the simulator to see how they work. Test them
with real hardware. Follow on with a little theory The Kits
Our complete PIC training and develcpment system consists of our universal
The assembler and C & C++ kits contain the prototyping
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book introducing the PIC16F877 family and a suite of programmes to run on a
PC. The module is an advanced design using a 28 pin PIC16F872 to nandle the software to do all the experiments. The ' made up' kits
timing, programming and voltage switching requirements. The module has two are supplied ready to start. The lop up' kit is for readers
ZIF sockets and an 8pin socket which between them allow most mid range 8, 18, who have already purchased kit la or lu.
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The software is an integrated system comprising a text editor, assembler Assembler and C & C++
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Experimenting with PIC Microcontrollers

This book introduces the PIC16F84 and PIC16C711, and is the easy way
to get started for anyone who is new to PIC programming We begin with
four simple exper ments, the first of which is explained over ten and half
a pages assuming no starting knowledge except the abilky to operate a
PC. Then having gained some practical experience we study the basic
principles of PIC programming, learn about the 8 bit timer, how to dnve
the liquid crystal display, create a real time clock, experiment with the
watchdog timer, sleep mode, beeps and music, including a rendition of
Beethoven's Für Elise. einally there are two projects to work through,
using the PIC16F84 to create asinewave generator and investigating the
power taken by domestic appliances. In the space of 24 experiments, two Experimenting with the PIC16F877
projects and 56 exercises the bock works through from absolute
The second PIC book starts with the simplest of experiments to
beginner to experienced engineer level.
give us a basic understanding of the PIC16F877 family. Then we
look at the 16 bit timer, efficient storage and display of text
Hardware & Ordering Information messages, simple frequency counter, use akeypad for numbers,
letters and security codes, and examine the 10 bit AID converter.
Our PIC software is suppliec as a self installing programme which wul
The 2nd edition has two new chapters. The PIC16F627 is
operate on any modern PC whichever operating system is used. For kill
information click onto ' Using PIC Software' on our web site. introduced as a low cost PIC16F84. We use the PIC16F627 as
Telephone with Visa, Mastercard or Switch, or send cheque/PO for a step up switching regulator, and to control the speed of a DC
immediate despatch All prices include VA— if applicable. motor with maximum torque still available. Then we study how to
use a PIC to switch mains power using an optoisolated triac
Web site:- www.brunningsoftware.co.uk driving a high current triac.

Mail order address:

Brutnning Software 138 The Street, Little Clacton, Clacton-on-sea,

Essex, C016 9LS. Tel 01255 862308

686 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 READOUT WIN AN ATLAS LCR ANALYSER
WORTH £79
Email: [email protected] An Atlas LCR Passive Component
Analyser, kindly donated by Peak Electronic
John Becker addresses some Design Ltd., will be awarded to the author
of the general points readers of the Letter Of The Month each month.
have raised. Have you anything The Atlas LCR automatically measures
interesting to say? inductance from 1,idH to 10H, capacitance
from 1pF to 10,000µF and resistance from
Drop us a line! 1S2 to 2MQ with abasic accuracy of 1%.
All letters quoted here have prewously been replied to directly.

SERIAL L.C.D. CONTROL

* LETTER OF THE MONTH * Dear EPE.
Since starting to program PICs back in 1998,
PCB TRACK COPYING clothes iron to "No steam", "Cotton/Linen". I've developed a habit of writing my code in
I >ear EPE, Put on apair of rubber gloves and clean the reusable modules, the first of which is for astan-
I've been playing with my p.c.b. etching kit p.c.b. with a green scouring pad and some dard alphanumeric (HD44780) 1.c.d. display
and Ithink I've come up with anear-foolproof washing-up liquid. When properly cleaned, controller module. It currently supports 4-bit
method for transferring ap.c.b. master from an the board will be abright copper colour with mode and 2-wire serial mode.
issue of EPE onto acopper-plated p.c.b. blank no signs of dirt or grime on it. Water should Serial mode involves connecting a74LS164
using Press-n-Peel (PnP), though the method form asolid "sheet" on the board instead of or 74HC164 parallel output shift register, a
could probably be adapted for other "toner beading up. I N4148 diode and a10k resistor. It uses two I/O
transfer" p.c.b. etching systems. Make sure the surface of the PnP is clean lines ( shift reg data, shift reg clock and 1.c.d. E-
First of all, scan the p.c.b. image into (no dust) and place it on the p.c.b. blank. Heat line). Basically, adata nibble is loaded into the
IrfanView (from www.irfanview.com), making one comer of the PnP for around five seconds shift register (bits 5to 2), bit 6is the RS bit and
sure it's as straight as possible. Scan it in "256 to melt the toner and stick the PnP down. bit 7 is used to gate the I.c.d.'s E-line
Greyscales" mode at either 300dpi or 600dpi. Place asheet of paper on top of the PnP and (enable/clock). After adata byte has been loaded
When IrfanView has finished loading the start ironing down the transfer. This should (with reg pin 13 high), the diode and resistor act
scanned image, zoom out until all of the p.c.b. take around 30 seconds — make sure you don't like an AND gate.
pattern is visible. Open the Image menu, then stay in one place for too long and don't apply If reg pin 13 is low, 1.c.d. pin E is pulled low
select Enhance Colours. Move the Contrast slid- too much pressure. Ideally the weight of the through the diode. If reg pins 1, 2 and 13 are
er all the way to the right and click OK. iron should be doing most of the work. high, E is high and the 1.c.d. clocks in the data
This should have left you with anear-flawless After the 30 seconds are up, remove the iron nibble.
black and white image. Save it to disk and edit and the sheet of paper and put the board and The connections required are:
it in Paintshop Pro, Paint or whatever graphics PnP under cold running water for afew sec-
editing program you usually use. The objective onds to "set" the toner. Dry the board and use 74xx164 L.C.D.
in this case is to get ap.c.b. image in black and acraft knife to lift the corner of the PnP sheet. PIC RB7 1and 2 E, via 10k resistor
white with no filled in pads or short-circuited Keep pulling the PnP back carefully. If some PIC RB6 8
tracks. Save the image and load it into of the PnP hasn't fused to the board, put the -' 5 D4
IrfanView again. sheet of paper back on top and iron that area 6 D5
Next, select Print from the File menu. Select for an additional 30 seconds. 10 D6
your printer and set its resolution to match the Cool the board and remove the PnP again. 11 D7
resolution of the scanned image ( 300 or 600 Generally, if the PO didn't fuse the second 12 RS
dpi). Click OK. In the next window, select time, either the iron isn't hot enough or there's 13 E, via 1N4148 diode *
"Original size ( from image DPI)". Make sure some dirt on the PnP or the board. Touch up Vcc 9and 14 Vcc
your printer is loaded with blank paper, then with asharp tool ( such as acraft knife) and an Vss 7 Vss
click the Print button. When the image has etch-resist pen.
printed, cut apiece of PnP toner-transfer mater- Etch the board as normal ( around 20 min- *Connect the 1N4148's cathode to 74xx164
ial to match the image, but oversize it by half an utes in ferric chloride at around 25°C), then pin 13, and its anode to I.c.d. pin E (which also
inch ( 13nun) on each side. clean off the PnP and toner with ascouring has the 10k resistor connected to it).
Remove alabel from asheet of laser printer pad and washing up liquid. If you want, you Icould have used aCMOS or 1TE AND gate,
labels (or tear abit off). Use the label to stick can use acetone (it's abit quicker) but that's up but that would have unnecessarily increased the
down the Pill). Make sure the label is affixed to to you. chip count and adiode/resistor AND gate works
the leading edge — the side the printer starts Philip Pemberton, just as well.
loading from. Reload the paper. If your printer via email Run MPASM to compile one of the test files,
uses an oiled cleaning pad or roller to keep the program into a PIC16F874 (or PIC16F877),
fuser pads clean, remove it temporarily. Print Thank you Philip, that sounds extremely connect up an I.c.d. and power up. I've tested the
the image again using the same settings as useful. I'll put your advice into our PIC Tricks code on aPIC16F84 and aPIC16F628 as well.
before. folder on our ftp site (even though it's not But the standard disclaimer applies — it works
When the transfer has printed, cut it off of the strictly speaking "PICing"!). for me, your mileage may vary.
paper sheet with asharp pair of scissors (or a Doing a Google search showed about 1200 Ihave to say that a 16 x 11.c.d. connected
craft knife). Cut a piece of p.c.b. laminate to entries for PrIP, of which the first two are: over atwo-wire interface is one of the most use-
size, leaving a5nun or so border. Set anormal www.techniks.cons and www.cibs.co.uk. ful PIC code debugging tools I've got.
Philip Pemberton,
via email

BIOPIC UPGRADE RESOURCEFUL That seems nice and simple Philip, and very
Dear EPE, Dear EPE, useful, thank you. The test files you refer to have
I'd like to suggest three possible enhance- Iwould like to express appreciation for your been put into the PIC Tricks folder on our ftp
ment ideas for your Biopic Heartbeat Monitor PIC Tutorial %'2, TK3 software and PIC Resources site.
of Jun ' 02: a plug-in memory card ( usual CD-ROM. They form, without doubt, the finest
photo memory card), so as to be able to cap- combination of articles and software Ihave seen SPURIOUS PIC RESETS
ture the heart activity on the move and to on this topic for those starting out on PIC pro- Dear EPE,
analyse it on aPC later; an 1.c.d. display (with gramming. I would also commend Magenta Your PIC Met Office project was worth wait-
good resolution) for two pulses maximum; an Electronics for the excellent quality and value for ing for. My own weather station, PIC 16F877
ST deviation measurement/calculation with money of their version of the TK3 board. based, runs from a mains PSU 24n, but it's
displayed result. Ihope other readers thinking of starting PIC always suffered from the occasional spurious
Cristian, via email programming will be encouraged to have ago reset due to mains borne noise, usually when
through this route. All we need now is acheap nearby equipment, often my PC printer, is
Thanks for the suggestions Cristian. The first source of ZIF sockets! switched on or off.
two Icould probably implement should Iever do Brian George, Orpington, via email I've tried loads of capacitance and ferrites on
another Biopic, but Idon't know what ST stands the power rails near the PIC, but they never com-
for and http://labsl.google.cosn/glossary does- Thanks for your kind comments Brian! Yes, pletely cured the problem. Imostly fixed it in
n't either in this context — enlighten me! ZIFs do seem wickedly priced. software by writing startup code to detect these

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 687

spurious resets — they fortunately usually leave capable of programming many of the PIC fami- WELL RECEIVED!
the PIC's data and EEPROM memory (where the ly. It came with aVisual Basic software routine Dear EPE,
accumulated weather data are stored) intact, so if which worked well with Windows 98. However, Iwas really pleased to see the Regenerative
consistency checks on this memory are OK at upgrading to alaptop supporting Windows XP, Radio article in the August ' 03 issue. Iwell
startup Iignore the reset. the programmer would not work. remember building acircuit exactly like the one
Recently, however, browsing the Microchip Ieventually stumbled across http:/www.ic- shown in Fig.3.1 from an article in Practical
disk in the knowledge base, Ifound an FAQ that prog.com/ which is agem of asite for this very Wireless ( circa 1968). If Iremember correctly
seemed to apply to my case. This was: "My pro- problem. If one can trace out the inner workings the author was F. G. Royer. All the hardware was
gram works fine, but sometimes resets mysteri- and PC interface signals of their programming bought from Home Radio, sadly no longer in
ously. How can Iprevent this?" The reply says: unit, as Idid, this site provides a free down- business.
"In the current architecture, a master clear loadable software package with sufficient At the end of the 60s — having just graduated
reset is completely asynchronous (sic) and has details to configure the software to run many and being short of money — I was teaching
very little pulse width requirement. It is usually types of programmer. myself to build circuits so that Icould make my
a good idea to put a capacitor on this pin to This appears to include serial interfaced own hifi amplifier (Idid — several times!). My
decouple this noise away. A 0.01,uF capacitor units, and details of several programmer types ambition was to have something comparable to
may be enough, but if there is noise of ahigh fre- which are directly supported and are given in the Quad 33/303 system which was way beyond
quency nature, like RFI or ESD, it may be nec- the form of schematics and links to appropriate my pocket. Practical Electronics in the early 70s
essary to add a0-001µF capacitor as well." sites. It is not too difficult to compare these actually produced a design which, while not
I put a 100nF polyester directly between with the programmer you own, and get amatch- being an exact copy, drew heavily on the Quad
MCLR and OV, and since doing this several ing order of signals for PC interfacing. At worst system's design even down to having triple
weeks ago I've had no further instances of the one could electrically re-jig a programmer to Darlington output stages. Why Inever built this
spurious reset. It's anegative test, of course, but appear like one of the examples. one Ido not know.
I'm getting cautiously optimistic that it might One particularly nice feature of this software Ialso purchased other (cheaper) kits but was
have fixed the problem completely. It has cer- is aHardware Check which allows the individual never fully satisfied each time. Do today's con-
tainly substantially reduced the incidence. So if signals sent to the programmer to be exercised in structors know the exquisite agony of switching
anyone else suffers mysterious resets, particular- real-time. This enables DVM measurement of on an amplifier for the first time and seeing ( and
ly in mains powered PIC projects, they might the various signals arriving at the programmer to hearing!) the output transistors fry? ( Yes 1did —
care to see if this simple fix works for them too. check that they are in the correct order and state my first effort is best forgotten!). Another time I
Malcolm Wiles, of inversion. What is more, there is XP support, inadvertently put 45V across aBC169: there was
via email so save yourself afew quid and check it out. asharp crack and all that was left of the poor
If any readers want basic help with this, Iam transistor were three wires standing proud of the
Glad you like my Met, Male. Writing the soft- willing to reply to emails, provided they are dis- p.c.b.
ware for it was amarathon, but Ienjoyed doing cernable from spam. Another cause of an amplifier not working
it and am pleased with the results. Paul Bryce; via email, first time was not easy to find but Ikicked myself
Regarding spurious resets, I've never know- [email protected] when Idid! Ihad wired the DIN plugs to pins 1,
ingly suffered from them, but your comments 2and 3and the sockets to pins 3, 4and 5! Come
could prove useful to other PIC addicts, thank Thanks Paul, that could prove useful to read- on, own up, we've all done it or something
YOU. ers who are upgrading. As far as TK3 is con- similar.
cerned, of course, we seem to have got a really Ihadn't seen EPE for some time because not
PICtutor V-
1PSF FILES simple solution through reader Ian Stedman 's all branches of W H Smith's stock it, and those
Reader Ashley Preston-Rowen emailed us to discovery of the new "universal" version of that do tend to put it in adifferent place every
ask "Please could you send me the user docu- Inpout32.d11, which is in the TK3 and Interface month so it is sometimes difficult to find. Ihave
mentation for the PICtutor Version Iby John folders on our ftp site and just replaces the pre- now treated myself to the back numbers with the
Becker because we are having problems down- vious version. radio circuits and the audio circuits from last
loading the Virtual PIC programmer to the PIC Robert Penfold is covering it in his Interface year; it's nice to see some circuits that Ican iden-
on the project board. How do we convert aPSF this month, and in afuture issue. tify with.
file to an ASM?" Istopped making my own amplifiers many
AVR PROGRAMMING years ago when the price of off-the-shelf items
The PSF files Ashley refers to were only used Dear EPE, became so low that it was hardly worth the both-
with the original PICtutor V!. They are not used I read the letter from Davis ( aka Techy er making one. And when PIC circuits came on
by the current version, now called Assembly for Fellow) in the August ' 03 Readout, and Iagree! the scene Ireally could not understand them so
PICmicro V2, which only uses ASM files in the Us Intel MCS-51 fellows are left in the dark my interest in building circuits waned. Now that
MPASM format. With PICtutor VI, there was no when it comes to microcontrollers. As one of you have rekindled my interest, perhaps Iwill
facility provided for translating PSF to ASM. the oldest microcontrollers around, it is a reconsider my dream of making something like
However, when I wrote the software for shame what little support there is for develop- the Quad 33/303.
Toolkit TK3 ( Oct/Nov '01) Ialso wrote afacili- ers and hobbyists alike, apart from expensive Thanks for an interesting read.
ty that would do this translation. Itold Ashley development tools available from third party Alan Jones, London,
about it and that the TK3 software can be down- vendors. Ialso wish that we could have similar via email
loaded free from our ftp site (accessible via our support for these versatile workhorses ( Ionly
home page at www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk). use the MCS-5 I code for programming, Glad you're pleased with our series Alan.
He replied later: particularly the Atmel 89Cx range of Raymond's really good! So too was Rayer, aper-
microcontrollers). son whose designs Ilearned from in those far
Thank you very much John for letting me Development tools like the ones available for gone days. Best wishes for Quadding-up!
know about your TK3. It was very useful and PICs ( TK3, etc.) would certainly come in handy.
saved alot of work. Iwould like to thank you on Ihave drooled over the prospect of being able to CLONING RAYMOND
behalf of the whole two years of ND students use graphics 1.c.d.s on the 8051 controllers, with Reader John North recently posted athread
who would not have passed without it. The prob- very little information available on the Net. The on our Chat Zone entitled " Is Raymond Haigh
lem was that the only lecturer who knew what to same goes for the AVR range. Iwas shocked at a synonym for Sony?", continuing within the
do was taken ill and Iwas the only other person how few people actually know how to write pro- text:
(and I'm only an ND1 student!) who knew how grams for these. I've recently had to change the
to use PICtutor and the assembler, but Icouldn't software code for one project and battled to find Iask because Iam astounded by the quality
convert to an ASM file. With your facility Iwas someone who could assist me, to no avail! So of construction manifest in photos of the gear
able to download everyone's program to the PIC please EPE, help us! he designs for EPE. Ithink it is the best I've
from PICtutor so that their work could be Isometimes have to convert some of the inter- ever seen in any electronics magazine in the
marked. So thank you very much again, esting projects for PICs into code for the Atmel thirty-odd years I've been reading them. Does
Ashley Preston-Rowen, 89C2051 controller, like the Virus Zapper in the he make it himself? If so EPE should despatch
via email March ' 02 issue. Iwent alittle further and added astaffer to interview him about his skills and
an I.c.d. display to the project to indicate the facilities and ascertain whether his clones are
That's great to know. Ashley, well done. It's a treatment periods and count down the 20 minute available in pill form!
facility that Ifelt would be useful for TK3, but intervals.
you are the only person who has told me they Herman Beukes, To which Ireplied that we are very proud that
actually used it. South Africa, via email Raymond shares his excellent skills with us all. I
don't know his origins but judging by the quality
MORE ON PICS AND XP Well Herman, that's two of you with an inter- and style of the illustrations he sends us he's
Dear EPE, est in AVRs! Sadly, though, commercial interests probably been trained as an engineer of "the old
A few years ago Ipurchased a cheap pro- require that far more than two readers will be school".
grooming unit for use on aPC parallel port, con- interested in something before we can commit If pills were available that would imbue us
sisting of a circuit board with a 40-pin ZIF time and space to it. Let's see if alot more read- with his skills ¡for one would want them - on the
socket, some buffers/transistors and I.e.d.s ers feel as you do. NHS of course!

688 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

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 Top Tanners

SPOOKY
BUG
OWEN BISHOP
This short collection of projects, some useful, some
instructive and some amusing, can be made for around
the ten pounds mark. The estimated cost does not
include an enclosure,

Hocus-Pocus - Get your Hallowe'en party off to a shriek!

T
HIS is one of those novelty projects of op.amp ICI. The voltage at the non- place of resistor R2 (flashing 1.e.d.s have
that leave the constructor with full inverting input (+) is set by adjusting pre- their own built-in current limiter).
scope to use their imagination and set VR1. While TRI is on, the astable circuit
skill. The essential idea is that the circuit is In the light, leakage current through D1 based on IC2 oscillates. Its frequency is
made to look like afearsome (or perhaps is relatively large and so is the voltage determined by the capacitor C1and the
foolish) bug. In the light, the bug just across RI. The voltage at the inverting current flowing into it.
stands there looking fearsome (or foolish). input is higher than that at the non-invert- Each cycle takes about 1.7 seconds. Of
As soon as the light level falls below the ing input and the output of the op.amp (pin this, the output of IC2 is high for about
preset level, the eyes of the bug start to 6) swings low, turning off transistor TR 1 . 0.2s and low for about I .5s. Normally the
glow and it emits aweird wailing sound. In the dark, the voltage at the inverting high period of a555 timer is longer than
This continues until the light is switched input swings low, the output rises and TR 1 the low period, but diodes D4 and D5 in
on again. is turned on. the timing chain cause the reverse effect.
This is only one of several possible When TR 1is on, it has adrain-source The values of C2 and R6 are chosen so
applications for this circuit, some bug- resistance of about 0.12Q. Current imme- that, with the timing fixed by R3 and R4, a
related, some not. diately begins to flow through the remain- sawtooth waveform passes to IC3. It rises
der of the circuit. In other words, TR 1 sharply, then falls slowly, reaching its min-
HOW IT WORKS behaves as an on/off switch in the OV line imum before rising sharply again.
Referring to the full circuit diagram for of that part of the circuit.
the Spooky Bug shown in Fig.1, light level SOUNDS
is detected by the photodiode DI. This is BUG-EYED SPOOKY
reverse-biased so that asmall leakage cur- Light emitting diodes (1.e.d.$) D2 and Device IC3 is con-
rent flows through it and on through resis- D3 begin to glow. These are the eyes of the nected as a voltage
tor RI. The current through RI produces a bug. If you prefer, you can use flashing controlled oscillator
positive voltage at the inverting input (—) 1.e.d.s, in which case connect awire link in

+9V
o

16

8 +VE

RST + VE
04 11 D6
D2!.. D3 104148.nm 104148 IC3 C3
Dó 05 4046 10n
S TRIG 104148 15k
IC2 a k 9
04 OUT CO IN C1
7555
470E 6 4
THRESH RI VCO OUT
LSI
DIS INN GND
GND C2 07
100k 5 8
Cl 09
DI R8 *
4E7
330O
SFH2030 10011

TR2
80639

R1 Vol
* SEE TEXT
330k 100k
Fig. 1. Complete circuit diagram for Spooky Bug.
OV
o
 (v.c.o.). Its output at pin 4 drives TR2,
Approx. Cost
which switches current through the loud-
speaker LS1. The basic frequency of the COMPONENTS Guidance Only £10
excl. case. batt. & speaker
sound is fixed by the values of R7 and C3.
As the input voltage at pin 9varies with
a sawtooth waveform, the pitch of the Resistors
sound rises sharply and falls slowly, R1, R6 330k (2et)
repeating every two seconds. The effect is R2 150Q
aspooky, wailing sound. R3 68k
This circuit can be tailored to produce a R4 470k
R5 15k
range of sounds. You can alter:
R7 100k
• The repetition rate (R3 and R4) R8 100Q ( see text)
• The length of the high output pulse (R3) R9 330Q
All 0.25W, 5% carbon film or better.
• The length of the low output pulse (R4)
• The rate of rise of pitch (C2 and RS) Potentiometer
• The rate of fall of pitch (C2 and R6) VR1 100k min. horiz. preset

• The basic frequency of the sound (R7 Capacitors

and C3) Cl 4µ7 tantalum bead or radial elect. 16V
There is plenty of scope for the ambi- C2 10µ tantalum bead or radial elect. 16V
tious experimenter! C3 10n ceramic disc

CONSTRUCTION Semiconductors
D1 SFH2030 photodiode, or similar
Apart from the battery, miniature loud-
02. D3 red I.e.d. rectangular (see text) (2off)
speaker and an on/off switch (not shown),
D4 D5, 06 1N4148 signal diode (3off)
all other Spooky Bug components are
IC 1 TL081 f.e.t. op.amp, or similar
mounted on aprinted circuit board (p.c.b.).
1C2 7555 CMOS low power timer
This board is available from the EFE PCB 1C3 4046 phase-lock loop See
Service, code 409. TR1 BUZ71 n-channel power MOSFET, or similar
The component layout, full-size coppe:- TR2 BC639 npn medium power transistor
foil master and four lead-off wires to off- TALK
board components are shown in Fig.2. The Miscellaneous Page
on/off switch goes in the battery positive LS1 min. loudspeaker (see text)
lead. Rectangular 1.e.d.s were used for the
eyes in the prototype, slanting these slight- Printed circuit board, available from the EPE PCB Service, code 409; 1mm solder
ly to give ademonical expression. terminal pins (4off); 8-pin d.i.l. socket (2off); 16-pin d.i.l. socket; PP3 battery and clip;
The circuit diagram shows an 8Q materials for making model (see text); connecting wire; solder etc.
speaker with a100Q resistor (R8) in series
with it. You can try reducing the resistor
value to obtain alouder sound, though this If you have aspare 64Q speaker, per- model. Instead of mounting the battery in
may cause feedback troubles and prevent haps cannibalised from adefunct radio set, or on the model, use asmall box to hold the
the circuit from working properly. you could use this instead. A suitable value battery and to act as aplinth on which to
In tests, it was found that the arrange- for R8 would be 33Q. stand the model. To adjust VR1, place the
ment shown gave a sound that is plenty The position of the battery and speaker bug in amoderately dark place and turn
loud enough. depend on how you have constructed the VR Iuntil the bug just becomes inactive.

1
D.3 131 02

kt3/I1i a

firomre

4
ICI .41)4
1 IC2

+9V

TRI

•—f R3 )--•

g k..• — • 4 {114

eF 4l
e'{lje

LS1

•-(

TR2
•—.1 R9 )-11
é

2.94M ( 72mm)

Pig.2. Spooky Bug printed circuit board component layout, wiring ano full-size copper foil master. Note an on/off switch should
be inserted in the battery positive lead.

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 69 1

 Any further decrease in light intensity
turns it on.

TESTING
Following thorough checking, the
completed circuit is easily tested in
stages. Insert IC1 in its socket (right way
round!) and apply power. The 1.e.d.s
should come on when light sen-
sor DI is shaded. The light level
at which they switch on is
adjustable by altering
preset VR1. If this sec-
tion of the circuit fails to
work, check the polarity
of diodes DI, D2 and D3,
noting that D2 has its anode on the right.
Next insert IC2 (other way round to
ICI) and apply power, then shade DI
to switch on TR 1and so apply power
to IC2. Check the rise and fall of the
output from IC2 pin 3. Finally, insert
IC3. A wailing sound from the speaker The real fun begins when you dress up
Completed Spooky board.
should be heard when you shade DI. the circuit to look like abug!

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692 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

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Interfacing to L.C.D. and L.E.D. Displays; Interfacing
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I.

694- Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 BACK ISSUES
We can supply back issues of EPE by post, most issues from the past three years are available An EPE index for the last five years is also available at
www.epemag.wimbome.co.uk or see order form below. Alternatively, indexes are published in the December issue for that year. Where we are unable to
provide a back issue a photocopy of any one article (
or one part of a series) can be purchased for the same price. Issues from Nov. 98 are available on CD-
ROM - see next page - aid issues from the last six months are also available to download from www.epemag.com.

DID YOU MISS THESE?

JUNE '02 e747-.ezr
-
JUNE '03
PROJECTS • Biopic Heartbeat Monitor • ÉLECTRONICS PROJECTS • Ado Pedomete- • PICronos LED.
Frequency Standard Generator • Simple Audio Wall Clock-Part 1 • Back-To- Basics-5 ( Mini
Circuits - 2 • World Lamp. AruwiSPEEÇ m llele
UM »
Theremin, Twilight Switch) • Radio Circuits-1 (Crystal
FEATURES •Teach-In 2002 - Part 8 • Interface • Set, MK484 TRF Receiver, Headphone Amplifier).
New Technology Update • Circuit Surgery • FEATURES • Ingenuity Unlimited • Techno Talk •
Ingenuity Unlimited • Net Work - The Internet Interface • Circuit Surgery • New Technology
Page. l
rliella
a 1 Update • Net Work - The Internet Page • SPECIAL
SUPPLEMENT- EPE PIC Tutorial V2 - Part 3.
JULY '02
PROJECTS • EPE StyloPIC • Infra- Red
Mt. Acid JULY'03
Autoswitch • Simple Audio Circuits - 3 • Rotary NMI PROJECTS • EPE Mini Metal Detector • Low
Combination Lock. Range Ohmmeter Adaptor MlQ • Radio Circuits-2
FEATURES •Teach- In 2002 - Part 9 • Practically (0-Multiplier, MW Reflex Radio, Speaker Amplifier)
• Ultimata Egg Timer • PICronos LED. Wall Clock
Speaking • Using The PIC's PCLATH Command FEB '03 - Part 2.
• Ingenuity Unlimited • Circuit Surgery • New
Technology Update • Net Work-The Internet Page. PROJECTS • Wind Tunnel • Brainibot Buggy • FEATURES • Ingenuity Unlimited • Circuit Surgery
Back To Basics- 1 ( Hearing Aid, Audio Power •Techno Talk • Practically Speakiig • Flowlog Lite
Amplifier) • Tesla High Voltage Transformer.
AUG '02 Photoco•ies onl FEATURES • In The Bag • Techno Talk • Circuit
Review • Net Work-The Internet Page.
PROJECTS • PIC World Clock • Pickpocket Alarm Surgery • New Technology Update • Interface •
• Big- Ears Buggy • Simple Audio Circuits - 4. Ingenuity Unlimited • Net Work - The Internet
FEATURES • Teach- In 2002 - Part 10 • Using Page. ÉL.CTRONICS ÉLECTRONICS
-
Square Roots with PICs • Ingenuity Unlimited • le elEPE
Evolutionary Electronics • Interface • Circuit MAR '03
Surgery • Net Work - The Internet Page. PROJECTS • Wind- Up Torch Mk II • 200kHz
Function Generator • Driver Alert • Back-To- irr'Z
SEPT '02 Photoco•ies onl Basics-2 (Metal Detector, Simple Timer).
PROJECTS • Freebird aider Control • Portable FEATURES • Ingenuity Unlimited • Practically
Telephone Tester • EPE Morse Code Reader • Speaking • Techno Talk • New Technology Update
Vinyl to CD Preamplifier. •Circuit Surgery • Peak LCR Component Analyser knoinalua
map
FEATURES • Circuit Surgery • New Technology Review • Net Work - The Internet Page
Update • Practically Speaking • Net Work •
Flowcode for PlCmicro • Logic Gate Inverter APR '03
Oscillators • Net Work - The Internet Page. PROJECTS • Atmospherics Monitor • Intelligent AUG '03
Garden Lights Controller • Back- To- Basics-3
OCT '02 Photoco • ies onl (Touch Light, Plant Watering Reminder) • Earth
PROJECTS • EPE PIC Met Office- 1 • Alarm
System Fault Finder • Master/Slave Intercom •
logurdimuorraamuntwou.aemun•an
Resistivity Logger-Part 1. Electronic Two- Up • Radio Circuits-3 ( Regenerative
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 INTER
Robert Pen fold
INTERFACING VISUAL BASIC WITH THE NEW INPOUT32.DLL
INTERFACING via the PC parallel and serial Using Inpout32.dll seems to have given Start Visual BASIC in the normal way
ports port using Inpout32.dll has been some readers afew problems, so it is per- and opt to produce astandard EXE pro-
covered in previous Interface articles, and haps agood idea to go over the basics once gram file. Once the program has loaded,
in conjunction with Visual BASIC it repre- again. It is very easy to use, but Visual choose Add File from the Project menu.
sents what is probably the easiest means BASIC does need acertain amount of help This is correct for Visual BASIC 6, but the
of using aPC with your own circuits. As in order to find and utilise any . dll file. Add File command might be under adif-
regular readers will be aware, it does have It is simplicity itself to use if you are just ferent menu with other versions.
amajor flaw in that this add-on does not running an EPE program that requires The usual file browser will appear, and
work with Windows NT4, 2000 or XP this file. Provided Inpout32.dll is in the this is used to locate and load the BAS file,
With Windows ME to be phased out in same directory as the executable program which will be called something like
due course and many PC users having file (the *.exe file), the program should INPOUT32.BAS or INPOUTV4.BAS. The
already changed to Windows XP, this is an work properly. The alternative is to place hip and Out commands are then ready for
increasing important failing. Fortunately, it in the C:\windowesystem folder, use, and they operate in the same way as
there is now an easy solution to the prob- where there will probably be afew thou- the QBASIC equivalents. Note that the
lem. sand other . dll files. BAS file must be loaded each time that
The advantage of this method is that you start work on aprogram that uses the
Chat Line you can use the same copy of the file with hip and Out instructions.
Iam grateful to John Becker ( Tech. Ed) several programs. Regardless of the loca-
for pointing out an item in the EPE Chat tion of the program, Windows will look in Proof of the Pudding
Zone that gives the source of anew ver- the system folder for Inpout32.dll and It is agood idea to try asimple test pro-
sion of Inpout32.dll that will work with use the copy it finds in that location. gram to ensure that everything is work-
any version of Windows from 95 through ing properly. For those new to
to XF! In the original item Ian Stedman A Bit More To Do Inpout32.dll a test program or two can
explained that it could be used to make There is abit more to do if you wish to also serve to demonstrate how the two
the EPE PIC Toolkit TK3 run under write your own programs that utilise new commands are used.
Windows NT/2000/XP, but the new ver- Inpout32.dll. This file must be available to Enlarge the form slightly and equip it
sion seems to have the same effect with Visual BASIC, and the easiest way of with a label, a timer, and a horizontal
any program designed for use with the achieving this is to place it in the C:\ scrollbar. Select the timer component and
original Inpout32411. windows\system folder. Next you have to using the Properties window set its inter-
This means that these earlier programs give Visual BASIC the information it val at 50 milliseconds.
should now work with Windows needs in order to use the added com- Next, select the scrollbar and use the
NT/2000/XP provided the new version of mands provided by the . d11 file. There is a Properties window to set its maximum
Inpout32.dll is used. It also means that file with a. BAS extension that is provid- value at 255. The minimum value must be
users of these operating systems can now ed with both versions of Inpout32.dll, 0, but it should have this setting by
directly access the serial and parallel ports and this must be loaded into Visual default. Make the label quite large and set
under Visual BASIC with aminimum of BASIC. alarge font size (about 48 or 72 points).
fuss. The idea of the program is to
output to a printer port the
Recap values produced via the scroll-
The original Inpout32.dll was bar. In order to do this it is nec-
written by Jan Axelson to General Device Manager Hardware Profiles jPerformance I
essary to know the base
accompany her books on inter- address of the printer port.
facing PCs, but she kindly made Printer Port (I_RT1) Properties These days most PCs only
it available as freeware. It works have one printer port, and it is
fine with Windows 95, 98, and General IDriver Resources I usually at a base address of
ME, but not with Windows NT, &H378. However, a few PCs
etc., which do not permit pro- Printer Port (LPT1) use &H3BC as the base
grams to directly access ports. address. If there is a second
The new version is also free- printer port it is usually at
R Vse automatic settinisi
ware, and it is available from the &H238, but it will be at &H378
Logix4U website: http://www. if the first port has &H3BC as
logix4u.net/inpout32.htm
Sethng it000', on lbasic configurabon 000 ,1
_11 its base address.
This version accesses the The certain way of determin-
ports via the operating sys-
Resource type Seeing 1 ing the base address of aport is
0378 - 037F
tem's approved channels, and to go into the Windows
nput/Output Range 0778 - 07713
it will therefore work with any Control Panel, double-click the
nterrupt Request 07
32-bit version of Windows. System icon, and then launch
Although it operates in arather Device Manager. Expand the
different fashion, it is used in Ports (COM and LET) section,
exactly the same way as the select the appropriate port,
original. Conflicting device list and then operate the
The purpose of both versions No conflicts Properties button. In Windows
is to add the hip and Out com- XP either double-click the
mands to Visual BASIC. These entry for the appropriate port
commands are present in QBA- or select it and then choose
SIC and some other BASIC lan- Properties from the Action
guages, but have never been a menu.
feature of Visual BASIC. They OK Cancel In the Properties window
enable bytes of data to be writ- operate the Resources tab, and
ten to or read from aspecified the address range of the port
port. Fig. 1. Device Manager can be used to locate port addresses. will then be shown in the main

698 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

panel of the window (see Fig.1). It is the Inputting an EPE program that uses Inpout32.dll,
first figure in the entry at the top that Inputting data from a port is equally make sure that you also download this
provides the base address, and note that straightforward. The same basic setup .dll file. Also make sure that it is available
the values are in hexadecimal. can be used for aprogram to read aport, to the system.
but the scrollbar is not required. Double- Place it in the same folder as the pro-
It's aScroll dick on the form and add this line of code gam file or move it into the Windows
In order to get the program to work it is into its subroutine: System folder. If you wish to produce
merely necessary to double-click on the your own Visual BASIC programs using
timer component to bring up the Code Out &H37A, 32 the Inp and Out commands, copy
window, and then add these two lines of Inpout32.dll to the Windows System
code into the timer's subroutine: This will write avalue of 32 to acontrol folder.
register of the printer port, which sets its Do not forget to load the Inpout32.BAS
Out &H378, HScrolltValue data lines to operate as inputs. The input file into Visual BASIC before you start
Labell.Caption = HScrolll.Value mode requires a bidirectional printer using the hip and Out commands. This
port, but any PC built within the last seems to be a common error, but Visual
The first line outputs the current value seven years or so should have asuitable BASIC will definitely not recognise the Inp
of the scrollbar to the port at address port. and Out instructions until the file with the
&H378, which is the base address for Return to the form and double-click on BAS extension has been loaded, even if
printer port 1on my PC. This address is the timer component. It is assumed here Inpout32.dll is in the System folder.
used to write data to the port, so setting a that the printer port's base address is The BAS file must be loaded each time
value using the scrollbar should result in &H378. The control register is at &H27A if aprogram that uses Inpout32.dll is start-
the corresponding bit pattern appearing the base address is &H278, or at &H3BE if ed. There is no need to load it when you
on the data outputs. Of course, if the the base address is &H3BC. return to one of these programs, as it
printer port has adifferent base address Next add this line of code to the timer's should be automatically loaded along
in your PC, this address must be used in subroutine: with the rest of the project. Do not move
the Out instruction. or remove the BAS file, or Visual BASIC
The second line of code simply writes Labell.Caption = Inp(&H378) will not be able to find it and an error
the scrollbar's value to the label. This message will be produced. Remember to
enables the scrollbar to be adjusted to The Imp instruction reads the data lines distribute Inpout32.dll with the programs
produce the required value. The program and the returned value is used as the cap- that you produce. The programs will not
in operation is shown in Fig.2. tion for the label. Like QBASIC, Visual function without it.
BASIC does not require any sting con-
1=11111111B11111•11111111ffl"'''- Jcii2q versions in order to get the returned Forml ?rj

value to display properly. The returned

value will be automatically converted to
the corresponding character string and

143 displayed properly on the label.

The port reading program in operation
under Windows XP is shown in Fig.3.
Floating data lines are normally taken 239
high by internal pull-up resistors, so a
value of 255 will probably be returned if
no input signals are applied to the port. In
Fig.3 the D4 data line has been connected
to ground and the display is reading the
correct value of 239. Fig.3. Operating under Windows XP,
Fig.2. The output program in operation. the port reading program also worked
It worked perfectly when tried with Easy VB perfectly.
Windows XP The original Inpout32.dll was a really
excellent add-on for PC interfacing, and
with its Windows XP compatibility the Using Inpout32.dll should be adoddle
When using the original version of new version is even better. There are provided you stick to these simple guide-
Inpout32.dll it was not unusual for pro- numerous add-ons to permit Visual BASIC lines. Although it has been used here to
grams to give the outward appearance of to communicate with the outside world, access aprinter port, it can also be used
normality. However, there could be error but most of them are difficult to use, or for directly accessing the built-in serial
messages or other problems, but more expensive, or unreliable, or all three! Using ports. In fact any port can be accessed, but
usually the program ran and looked Inpout.32.dll with aproject tends to bring as few PCs have an ISA expansion port
plausible, but did not actually read or in enquiries from readers having difficul- these days, the built-in serial and parallel
write any data. Using the new ties, but Visual BASIC add-ons do not ports are probably the only ones that can
Inpout32.dll the program ran properly come any simpler than this one. be usefully accessed.
under Windows XP with the correct bit Remember that any program requiring Accessing the serial port using the
patterns appearing on the printer port's this file can only work if the file is new Inpout32.dll will be discussed in a
eight data lines. available to the system. If you download future Interface article.

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Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 699

 Constructional Project

PRACTICAL
RADIO CIRCUITS
RAYMOND HA/CH
Part 5: Super-regeneration: A highly sensitive receiving system

Circuits for the set builder and experimenter follow the signal modulation. Because of
this, the circuit combines detection with
signal amplification, delivering an audio

T
ins month we consider the technique 1000 times the quench frequency, and this output that has a logarithmic relationship
known as super- regeneration. No confines the circuit to the radio spectrum to the applied signal.
other radio circuit, it is claimed, pro- above 20MHz. This condition introduces noticeable
duces more gain from a single valve or distortion on a.m. (amplitude modulation),
transistor. SENSITIVITY but the drawback is not so pronounced
Readers who have access to aFrequency Oscillations in the super-regenerator with f.m. ( frequency modulation).
Counter may wish to use it as a digital build up from a signal voltage developed Logarithmic operation imposes a limiting
readout dial for the Regenerative across the tuned circuit. In the absence of action on noise spikes and strong signals,
Receivers covered in Parts Three and Four, an external signal, the random movement and the inherent a.g.c. (automatic gain
and the Direct Conversion receiver to be of electrons, or "noise", triggers the action. control) is very apparent.
described later in the series. Details of a During the build-up, the amplitude of In the case of separately quenched
simple buffer amplifier for linking receiver the oscillations can exceed that of the sig- receivers, they can be made to operate in
to counter are given this month. nal by as much as amillion times. These either mode. Self-quenching receivers,
Before we tune-in to the subject of phenomena give rise to the enormous sen- which are, in effect, squegging oscillators,
super-regeneration, readers Inay care to sitivity of the circuit and the loud hiss operate logarithmically.
build the simple low-cost Crystal Marker emitted by the speaker under no-signal Whatever the mode, the enormous
calibration aid shown opposite. This is conditions. increase in selectivity afforded by regener-
aimed particularly at last month's amateur It is important that Q - multiplier ation or Q multiplication is lost when the
bands receiver. oscillations die away during quench circuit is re-configured as asuper-regener-
cycles or they will build up again ator. Moreover, the quenched oscillator
SUPER- from fading oscillations instead of the radiates hash at signal frequencies and,
REGENERATION signal. Some means of controlling unless precautions are taken, interferes
Regeneration, whereby positive feed- quench amplitude must, therefore, be with other receivers.
back from an amplifier is used to cancel provided.
out losses in atuned circuit and increase its
Q factor, was covered at length in Part QUENCHING
Three. For the greatest increase in sensitiv- Signal frequency oscil-
ity and selectivity, the feedback has to be lations can be
sufficient to almost completely overcome "quenched" before they
the losses. A little more and the circuit reach their maximum
oscillates and becomes unsuitable for pro- amplitude. The peak
cessing signals (other than single-sideband amplitude of the oscilla-
transmissions). tions is then proportional
In practice it is impossible to set and to signal voltage and the
hold aQ-multiplier on the very threshold receiver is said to operate
of oscillation when a signal is being in the linear mode.
received, and the ultimate sensitivity If the quenching action
which regeneration can offer is never fully is such that the oscilla-
realised. tions reach, or even
The super-regenerative receiver over- momentarily rest at, their
comes this by imposing an oscillating volt- maximum value, the cir-
age on the Q-multiplier to repeatedly cuit is said to be in loga-
sweep it across the critical threshold. This rithmic mode. Signals
"quench oscillation", as it is called, can be across the tuned circuit
provided by aseparate stage or the multi- then speed up the rate at
plier itself can be made to perform adual which the oscillations
function. rise to, and decay from,
Quenching must be at asupersonic fre- their maximum value.
quency or it will be heard as atone in the Operation in logarith-
headphones or loudspeaker. In practice, mic mode causes Q-mul-
the signal frequency is usually more than tiplier current drain to

700 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 COMPONENTS
CRYSTAL CRYSTAL MARKER
MARKER Resistors
R1 100k See
R2 120k
R3 68052
R4 1k2 TALK
All 0.25W 5% carbon film page

Calibration aid Capacitors

Cl 27p polystyrene or
The amateur bands receiver described TV receivers. It is widely available at low ceramic "low k"
last month presents particular calibration cost. Its fundamental lies within the 80 C2 03 220p polystyrene or
problems. Signals can be weak and diffi- metre band, the second harmonic within ceramic "low k" (2off)
cult to resolve; sometimes the bands are the 40 metre band (just outside the UK C4 10p disc ceramic
dead. allocation), and the third harmonic within C5 100n disc ceramic
Constructors who do not have access to the 20 metre band.
a calibrated receiver with a b.f.o. need Semiconductors
some means of locating them. This can IN USE TR1 BC549C npn silicon
take the form of asimple and inexpensive If the marker unit is placed very close to transistor
crystal marker and, as the bands have ahar- the receiver, the coil cores can be adjusted X1 3.579545MHz crystal
monic relationship, one crystal will pin- until the relevant harmonic beats with the (American TV colour
point them all. oscillating Q-multiplier to produce an sub -carrier)
A circuit diagram for a simple amateur audible tone. Band allocations, marker
bands Crystal Marker is given in Fig.5.1, Miscellaneous
frequencies and harmonic numbers were
Si s.p.s.t. toggle switch
where transistor TRI and crystal X1 are listed last month in Table 4.1.
configured in Clapp's version of aColpitt's This particular circuit will oscillate
Printed circuit board available from
oscillator. The crystal acts as atuned circuit with 1MHz to 15MHz crystals. and units
the EPE PCB Service, code 415
with high inductance, very low capacitance, cut to convenient round-figure frequen- (Crystal); plastic case, size 111mm x
extremely high Q, and exceptional stability. cies can be used to calibrate the general 57mm x 22mm approx.; 4mm
Feedback from TR 1emitter is applied coverage receiver's shortwave ranges. A terminal/socket ( 2 off); 2- pin crystal
to the capacitance tap provided by C2 and IMHz crystal will inject signals at rea- holder, cut from i.c. socket (3-pins, see
C3. Crystal loading capacitor C1is usual- sonably close intervals. It is easy to lose text); 9V battery and holder; connecting
ly a 5pF to 60pF variable used to set the track of the higher harmonics, and an wire; solder pins; solder etc.
crystal frequency to its stated value against 8MHz or 10MHz crystal is needed to
a known standard. The simpler circuit provide unambiguous markers at higher
£9
Approx. Cost
given here is accurate enough for our pur- frequencies. Guidance Only
poses. excl. case & batt.
Base bias is fixed by resistors RI and ASSEMBLY
R2, and TRI emitter bias is developed The Crystal Marker unit is assembled on
across R4. Collector load resistor R3 must the printed circuit board illustrated in
not be greater than R4 or oscillation will be Fig.5.2, together with the p.c.b. foil master The lead spacing on common HC-49/U
inhibited. The signal output is taken from and wiring. This board is also available from and the lower profile U4 crystals is
TR 1collector, via capacitor C4. Capacitor the EPE PCB Service, code 415 (Marker). If 4.88mm. This spans three pins on an i.c.
C5 avoids the possibility of erratic opera- it is to be used for general calibration pur- holder, from which asocket can be cut.
tion with ageing batteries. poses, a socket
The marker crystal used in this circuit is should be fitted so
a 3.579545MHz component used in the that the crystal can
colour sub-carrier circuitry of American be changed easily. OUTPUT
- ERMINALS

74, ON/OFF

0
4elo
1, t
I.3M (33.0mm)

i
Fig.5.1. Circuit diagram for an amateur
bands Crystal Marker.

ocr•zro
Fig.5.2 (right). Crystal Marker printed
circuit board component layout, inter-
wiring and full-size copper foil master.
Also shown is the completed prototype;
note the spare crystal compartment.

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 701

 SUPER-REGENERATIVE
RECEIVER

A low-cost super sensitive three-band

(85MHz to 150MHz) regenerative receiver
Stray capacitances with this simple receiv-
er are comparatively low, and the swing is
consequently too great for the required tun-
PRACTICAL CIRCUIT The output from the r.f. stage is lightly ing range ( 88MHz to 108MHz). Moreover,
coupled by LI to the tuned circuit formed if the tuning capacitance is too high, the
A practical, semiconductor interpreta- by coil L2 and tuning capacitor VCI. super-regenerator will behave erratically or
tion of a Super-Regenerative V.H.F. Increasing coupling to maximize signal not function at all. Accordingly, fixed
Receiver is shown in the circuit diagram of transfer is likely to result in the erratic capacitor C6 reduces the maximum capac-
Fig.5.3. Originality is not claimed: the operation of the detector. itance to suit the tuning range, and alterna-
design is typical of many produced during tive values for different bands are given in
the late sixties and seventies. RECEN. OSCILLATOR Fig.5.5. Winding and construction details
Grounded base signal amplifier TR1 iso- Super-regenerative detector, TR2, is of the coils, including r.f. choke L3, are
lates the regenerative detector TR2 from configured as aColpitts oscillator. Colpitt's also depicted in Fig.5.5.
the aerial circuit. The audio preamplifier capacitor tapping is a little obscure with
stage 1R3 boosts the demodulated signal this v.h.f. version of his circuit. The inter- AUDIO OUTPUT
so that adecent loudspeaker output can be nal gate-source capacitance of TR2 forms An audio signal is developed across TR2
delivered by the simple audio power ampli- one element and trimmer capacitor VC2 source resistor R7; and C7, R8 and C10
fier described in Part Two. the other. The trimmer presets the feedback remove residual radio and quench frequen-
Emitter resistor RI and bias resistors R2 that makes the transistor oscillate at the cies. The signal is then applied to the base
and R3 fix the operating conditions of tran- signal frequency. (b) of audio preamplifier TR3 by d.c.
siistor TRI. Incoming signals from the aer- The source (s) of TR2 is held at r.f. blocking capacitor C9.
ial are applied to TR 1emitter via capacitor potential by r.f. choke L3 and C5 is ad.c. The preamplifier stage is biased by R9
Cl, and coupling coil LIacts as the collec- blocking capacitor. Quenching action is and emitter resistor R12. Resistor R11
tor load. The stage is decoupled from the adjusted by potentiometer VR1, the range forms TR3's collector (c) load which is
supply by R4 and C3, and C2 grounds TR 1 of control being confined to the critical shunted by capacitor C8 in order to attenu-
base (b) at radio frequencies. region by resistor R6. Supply line decou- ate the higher audio frequencies.
Input impedance is of the order of 50 piing is provided by R5 and C4, and this Decoupling is effected by R10 and C14.
ohms: areasonable match to coaxial aerial capacitor also eliminates potentiometer Blocking capacitor C15 couples the output
cables. Quite short whip aerials are aquar- noise. to Volume control potentiometer VR2.
ter wavelength long at v.h.f., and they, too, The tuning capacitor VC1 is one of the Audio and radio frequency bypass
can be adjusted to present adecent match. 5pF to 25pF f.m. gangs of apolyvaricon. capacitors. C12 and C13, ensure the

Fig.5.3. Full circuit diagram for a Super-Regenerative V.H.F. Receiver. Successful alternative semiconductors are shown inset.
The other half of switch S1(b) controls the power supply to the simple Power Amp module from Part 2.

702 Evetyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 Fig.5.4. Printed circuit board component layout.
interwiring to off-board components and full-size
underside copper foil master for the Super-
Regenerative Receiver. The small tuning capaci-
tor p.c.b. first appeared in Part 3. code 406.

stability of the circuit, and resistor R13 iso-

lates the battery and its supply leads at
radio frequencies (signal pick-up by off-
board wiring can make simple v.h.f.
receivers behave erratically). The other
half of the On/Off switch SI ( SI b) controls
the supply to the audio power amplifier
module, see Part Two.
As with the Regenerative Radio (Part 3),
separate battery supplies for the receiver
and audio power amplifier are strongly rec-
ommended. Even low power audio ampli-
fiers can cause significant voltage swings Completed Super-Regen. circuit board.
on the supply rail and this will disturb the
operation of receivers of this kind, even
however, function on the v.h.f. f.m. band. and the off-board wiring details are illus-
when decoupling is generous.
Any small- signal npn transistor should trated in Fig.5.4. This board is available
SEMICONDUCTORS work in the TR3 position, but alow-noise from the EPE PCB Service, code 419,
device with an hfe of 500 or more is to be together with the small variable tuning
Transistor types are not critical, and base
preferred. capacitor p.c.b., code 406.
connections for a number of alternative
Begin construction by inserting solder
devices are included in Fig.5.3. The r.f.
stage transistor, TR 1, should have a high
CONSTRUCTION pins at the lead-out and coil mounting
All of the components, with the excep- points, then solder the resistors and capac-
fT, preferably not less than 500MHz.
tion of tuning capacitor VC1, swing limit- itors in position. Mount the semiconduc-
Of all the devices tested in the TR2
ing capacitor C6 and potentiometers VR1 tors last. The leads of TR1 and TR2 should
position, only the 2N3819 would oscillate
and VR2, are mounted on a single-sided be kept quite short: just leave sufficient to
up to 150MHz, and available samples of
printed circuit board. The topside compo- attach aminiature crocodile clip to act as a
J310 did not work well in this circuit. The
nent layout, full-size copper foil master heat shunt during soldering.
suggested alternative transistors will,

Everyday Practical Electronics. October 2003 703

 RANGE 1 4- 10mrr

85MHz 120MHz
(C6 = 15p)
LI L2
3TURNS TJRNS

PCE SOLDER PINS

I RANGE 2
2TURNS
108MHz - 140MHz
(C6 = 10p)

RANGE 3 L1 .4- 14 rm
1TURN
130MHz - 150MHz
(C6 = 6.8p)

Completed receiver board with alternative bands coils.

ALL TUNING COILS WOUND WITH 18 S.W.G. 16 AWG ENAMELLED COPPER WIRE

L3
20mm LENGTH
6mm DIA. PLASTIC
POTENTIOMETER
SPINDLE

R.F. CHOKE L3. 40 TURNS OF 36 S.W.G. ( 32 A.W.G.) ENAMELLED COPPER WIRE

Fig.5.5. Individual coils and rf choke details for the three

tuning ranges. Tuning coils Li and L2 both have a lOmm
internal diameter. Wind around the shank of a 10mm drill

COILS TESTING ADJUST TAPPING FOR BEST RESULTS. START WITH 1TURN JP
FROM OV RAIL. SET VC3 FOR BEST RESULTS ACROSS BAND
The simple coils are hand-wound and Check the printed
full details are given in Fig.5.5. Coupling circuit board for poor
and tuning coils, LI and L2, are formed by soldered joints and Fig.5.6. Circuit diagram for a simple front-end modification
winding them around the shank of alOmm bridged tracks. Check for tuning the input to the receiver Note that L4 and L5 are
drill bit. Wind the turns on tightly, and the semiconductors identical to LI and L2.
bend the ends as shown in the diagram, and electrolytic capa-
before withdrawing the drill from the coil. citors are correctly orientated. If all is in Despite the fairly broad selectivity of the
Radio frequency choke L3 is wound on order, the board can be tested on the work- super-regenerative detector, tuning at these
a short length of 6mm diameter plastic bench before being mounted on achassis frequencies is quite critical. Demodulation
potentiometer spindle (you could use a or in an enclosure. of the f.m. signal is achieved by tuning the
piece of wood dowelling). Holes, drilled Connect variable capacitor VC Ito the receiver onto the carrier's side skirts. There
close to the ends, secure the-turns of wire. receiver p.c.b. using the leads of capacitor are thus two, closely spaced, points on the
Scrape the enamel from the wire until C6 as the "hot" connection, and wire up dial where each station can be heard com-
bright metal is exposed, then thoroughly controls VR1 and VR2, see Fig.5.4. Use paratively free from distortion.
"solder tin" the ends of the windings. screened audio/coaxial leads to comect the After tuning the receiver, refine the
Failure to make aperfect connection will receiver to the audio power amplifier adjustment of Quench control VR1: best
prevent the receiver functioning at these described in Part Two. Set the vanes of results will usually be obtained with it set
frequencies. trimmer capacitor VC2 to quarter-mesh as low as possible.
Coupling and tuning coils are mounted and connect the batteries, via SI. Current
on solder pins. The short, horizontal exten- consumption should be in the region of ASSEMBLY
sion to the tuned winding permits the coil 3mA. The printed circuit board and tuning
to be squeezed or extended to adjust its Advance Quench control VR I until a capacitor must be rigidly mounted and
inductance and frequency coverage. loud hiss is heard in the speaker, indicat- located so that the wiring between the two
Quite small changes in coil dimen- ing that TR2 is oscillating and quenching is as short as possible. Indeed, the bark of
sions, wiring and components have a or squegging. If the set seems dead, or if the capacitor should almost touch the
significant effect on coverage at these fre- the hiss dies away at the maximum or receiver p.c.b. Tuning will be considerably
quencies. lf, however, the receiver is minimum setting of the tuning capacitor, eased if tuning capacitor VC1 is fitted with
constructed as described, the coils depict- adjust trimmer VC2. The setting of VC2 some form of slow-motion drive.
ed in Fig.5.5. should be within gentle is fairly critical and varies from transistor The accompanying photographs show
"squeezing and pulling" range of the to transistor. It should, however, lie the board and VC1 mounted on the metal
specified bands. between 10 percent and 50 percent of full chassis and front panel used to evaluate
The Range 1coils, which span the v.h.f. mesh. other receivers in the series. The arrange-
f.m. band, should be soldered in place first. Now connect a short length of flex ment works well and the printed circuit
Broadcast signals on these frequencies are (about 600mm or 24in.) to act as an aerial, board is reasonably accessible for coil
strong and reliable, and this is of great and rotate tuning capacitor VC1 very slow- changing.
assistance during the setting-up process. ly. Broadcast transmissions should be If an aluminium box is used as an enclo-
The Range 2coils cover the v.h.f. Aircraft heard. When they have been identified, coil sure, make sure it is big enough for the
Band, and Range 3the Two Metre Amateur L2 can be compressed or expanded until coupling and tuning coils to be spaced at
band. the entire band is covered. least 25mm ( 1 in.) from its metal sides.

704 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 Approx. Cost

COMPONENTS Guidance Only £14

excl. case, batt, wire, slow-motion drive & whip aerial

SUPER-REGEN. RECEIVER VC2 2p to 10p min. film dielectric trimmer

Resistors capacitor
R1, R10, R12 470Q (3 off) VC3 2p to 25p min. film dielectric trimmer
R2 47k (optional — see text)
R3, R6, R7, R11 10k (4 off)
R4 180Q Semiconductors
R5 1k
See TR1 2N2369 npn small signal, high frequency
-151
R8 15k transistor
R9 1M8 TR2 2N3819 n-channel field effect transistor
R13 47Q TALK TR3 BC549C npn low power general purpose
All 0-25W 5% carbon fikri Pegs transistor

Potentiometers Miscellaneous
VR1 10k rotary carbon, lin. Ll, L2,
VR2 4k7 rotary carbon, log. (L4, L5) hand-wound with 18s.w.g. ( 16a.w.g.)
enamelled copper wire — see text and
Capacitors Fig.5.5)
Cl 82p disc ceramic L3 r.f. choke, hand-wound with 36s.w.g.
C2, C3, C12 100n disc ceramic ( 3off) (32a.w.g.) — see Fig.5.5
C4 224/ radial elect. 16V Si d.p.s.t. toggle switch
C5 in disc ceramic Ski coaxial aerial socket
C6 ( Range 1) 15p ceramic low k"
(Range 2) 10p ceramic " low k" Printed circuit board available from the EPE PCB Service,
(Range 3) 6p8 ceramic low k" code 419 ( Super-Regen.) and optional 406 (T/Cap); 50g (2oz)
C7 4n7 polyester reel 18s.w.g. ( 16a.w.g.) enamelled copper wire for coils; 50g
C8, C10 10n disc ceramic (2 off) (2oz) 36s.w.g. (32a.w.g.) enamelled copper wire for r.f. choke;
C9, c15 4p7 radial elect. 16V (2 off) 20mm approx. length, 6mm dia., plastic rod for r.f. choke former;
Cl 1 47/Iradial elect. 16V one large and two small control knobs; telescopic whip aerial
C13, C14 100p radial elect. 16V (2 off) (optional); tagstrip ( see text); batteryholder, with clips; slow-
C16 10n disc ceramic (optional — see text) motion drive, spindle extender and/or coupler (optional — see
VC1 5o to 25p polythene dielectric variable text); multistrand connecting wire; solder pins; solder etc.
capacitor ( see text)

The varicap diode bias supply can be capacitor with ceramic insulation. A
ALTERNATIVE TUNING
taken from the battery used to power the Jackson C804 with a 3pF to 10pF swing
The electronic tuning ( Varicap Tuner) receiver. When this arrangement is adopt- would be suitable, and series capacitor C6
system, described last month, can be used ed, it is imperative that the audio power would only be required on Range 3. The
with this receiver; at least on the v.h.f. f.m. amplifier be connected to a separate slightly higher Q of the air- spaced compo-
band. The fine-tuning version, incorporat- battery. nent should help to maximize the operating
ing aBB105 varicap diode, should be built, Readers who wish to carry out serious frequency of the circuit.
and the connections between the boards experiments with super- regenerative
must be as short as possible. receivers should fit an air- spaced variable R.F. STAGE TUNING
The grounded-base r.f. stage (TR 1) iso-
lates the super-regenerative detector from
the aerial, helps to reduce the radiation of
oscillator "hash", and makes the perfor-
mance of the receiver more predictable.
However, the simple arrangement adopted
here provides little or no signal gain, and
readers may wish to try an additional tuned
circuit at the input in an attempt to improve
performance.
The circuit diagram for a simple front-
end modification is given in Fig.5.6. Aerial
coupling coil LA and the additional tuned
winding L5 are duplicates of LI and L2. A
2pF to 22pF trimmer capacitor, VC3, tunes
L5 to the centre of the band.
Emitter resistor RI is connected to the
OV rail via atapping on L5. One turn above
the OV rail is agood starting point, but the
position which gives the best signal-to-
noise ratio should be found by trial and
error. The emitter resistor RI must be
bypassed by additional capacitor C16.
Increasing TR1's collector current may
improve performance. To do this, connect
resistors ranging in value from 100
kilohms to 22 lcilohms in parallel with
R2 ( the lower the value the greater the
current).
The additional coils and trimmer capac-
itor can be mounted on a short solder
Super-Regen. Receiver board mounted on the metal chassis, via stand-off pillars, tagstrip, and L4 and L5 must be orientated
and wired to the tuning capacitor. at right angles to LI and L2. If the

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 705

 HISTORY During the twenties and thirties the circuit was used exten-
sively by the police and emergency services. The Second World
The discovery of super- regeneration is attributed to that great War saw the technique adopted for I.F.F ( identification-friend-or-
American radio pioneer, Howard H. Armstrong. In presenting his foe) responders. These devices received a radar pulse and
paper on the technique to the American Institute of Radio responded, with aminimum of delay, by transmitting an identify-
Engineers in 1922, he paid tribute to the earlier work of Turner ing signal.
and Bolitho. L. B. Turner had used critical biasing to hold avalve German air interception radar systems also relied upon the
on the threshold of oscillation and make asignal-activated relay circuit. Perhaps the best known of these war-time applications
more sensitive. Bolitho patented arefinement of Turner's design was the American "walky-talky", in which the super- regenerative
in which the mechanical relay was replaced by avalve. detector doubled as the transmitter valve.
RCA purchased Armstrong's patents and various experi- The post-war years saw the establishment of high-quality fre-
menters made attempts to apply the technique to medium wave quency modulation broadcasting systems in Europe and
reception which, by that time, had growing commercial impor- America. In 1947, B. D. Loughlin developed adesign for adou-
tance in the USA. Designs usually incorporated a small frame ble-triode ( 12AT7) super- regenerative f.m. tuner, one valve being
aerial to overcome shortcomings in selectivity, and crude audio used as afrequency changer, the other as the detector. Known
filtering to reduce the whistle from quenching oscillations. as the "Fremodyne", the circuit was licensed by the American
For reasons already outlined in the main text, the circuit is Hezeltine Electronics Corporation. Whilst the Fremodyne suf-
unsuited to amplitude modulated broadcast reception, particu- fered all of the defects super-regenerators are prone to, it did
larly on medium waves. Not surprisingly, therefore, the concept have the advantages of simplicity and low cost.
was not taken up by domestic receiver manufacturers, and own- At the present time, super- regeneration is still used for simple
ership of the patent rights failed to produce much income for toy and model control receivers, car central locking and garage
RCA ( Radio Corporation of America). door opening systems.

modification causes instability, fix ametal control is smooth and effective. Automatic author) found, performance falls short of a
screen between the tagstrip and the printed gain control action (a.g.c.) is very evident, conventional superheterodyne receiver
circuit board. and the loud hissing which characterizes with aratio detector or Foster- Seeley dis-
circuits of this kind is completely sup- criminator as the signal demodulator.
PERFORMANCE pressed by astrong signal. Domestic f.m. superhets have seven or
This simple Super Regen. circuit effec- On the v.h.f. f.m. band, careful adjust- more tuned circuits and perhaps five tran-
tively demonstrates the extremely high ment of the tuning and super- regeneration sistors amplifying at radio frequencies. A
sensitivity of Armstrong's super-regenera- controls enables an acceptable compromise basic super-regenerator has only one tuned
tive system. Frequency stability is remark- to be struck between audio output and dis- circuit and one valve or transistor provid-
ably good, hand-capacitance effects are not tortion. However, as constructors of the ing gain at radio frequencies. Armstrong's
too pronounced and the super-regeneration Hazeltine Fremodyne ( including the genius continues to inspire.

BUFFER
AMPLIFIER

fix the operating conditions, and the signal

Adding tuned frequency digital readout is applied to TR2 base via capacitor C3.
The output signal is taken from TR2 col-
Some readers who have built one of the The circuit output stage consists of an r.f. lector to the Frequency Counter, via capac-
versions of the regenerative radios transistor, TR2, configured as acommon- itor C6. The collector load resistor is R7,
described in Parts Three and Four will emitter amplifier. Bias resistors R4 and R5 and R6 and C5 decouple the output stage.
have access to a Digital Frequency
Counter, and they may wish to use it to
give adigital readout of receiver tuning.
Damping of the receiver's tuned circuit
must be kept to an absolute minimum,
and the signal levels across it are usually
too low to reliably trigger most frequen-
cy counters. Direct connection is, there-
fore, out of the question, and a buffer
amplifier must be placed between the two
units.

BUFFER CIRCUIT
The circuit diagram for asuitable Buffer
Amplifier is given in Fig.5.7.
Field-effect transistor TR 1 is arranged
as a common drain or source follower
stage. Its high input impedance, together
with the low value of coupling capacitor
Cl minimises disturbance and damping to
the receiver's tuned circuit. The d.c. poten-
tial on TRI gate is held at OV by resistor
RI and TR1's output is developed across Fig.5.7. Circuit diagram for a Buffer Amplifier for a Digital Frequency Counter. A fre-
source load resistor R3. Supply rail decou- quency counter, connected to the tuned circuit via this buffer, will give a digital dis-
pling is provided by R2 and C2. play of the receiver tuning. This arrangement is NOT suitable for the Super-Regen.
Receiver — see text.

706 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 COMPONENTS
BUFFER AMP.
Resistors
R1 1nn See
R2, R6 150Q (2off)
R3, R7 470Q ( 2off) -r L_-?)
-
R4
R5
33k
10k TALK
R8 120Q Peel"
All 0-25W 5% carbon film

Capacitors
Ci 2p2 disc ceramic
C2, 04
to C6 100n disc ceramic (4off)
C3 in disc ceramic

Semiconductors
TR1 2N3819 n-channel field
effect transistor
TR2 BF241 npn small signal,
high frequency
transistor
Fig.5.8. Buffer Amplifier printed circuit board component layout, wring details and
full-size copper foil master. Miscellaneous
Printed circuit board available from the
Most n-channel field-effect transistors Make avery short connection, certainly EPE PCB Service, code 420; input con-
will prove suitable for TR1. The BF199, no more than 75mm (3in.), between the nector, to suit frequency counter; single-
BF494 and 2N222A were in-circuit tested buffer amplifier's input and the "hot" end core screened audio cable; multistrand
in the TR2 position and they all worked of the receiver's tuned circuit. Connect the connecting wire; solder pins; solder etc.
well. Base connections vary and should be amplifier's OV rail to the ground or OV tag
checked. on the tuning capacitor. Power for the Approx. Cost

CONSTRUCTION
amplifier can be taken from the receiver
battery.
Guidance Only £8
All of the Buffer Amp. components are Connect the output from the buffer
mounted on asmall printed circuit board amplifier to the Frequency Counter via a
and the component layout, copper foil mas- short (no more than 600min or 24in.)
ter and wiring detils are shown in Fig.5.8. length of screened cable. counter cannot distinguish between signal
This board is available from the EPE PCB and quenching frequencies. Moreover,
Service, code 420. OPERATION buffer amplifier loading, although extreme-
Solder pins at the lead-out points simpli- Set the counter's input controls, tune in a ly light, makes detector operation erratic.
fy the off-board wiring, and they should be station and advance the regeneration con- The arrangement is also unsuitable for
inserted into the p.c.b. first. Follow these trol, turning down the receiver's input superhet receivers ( to be offered in alater
with the resistors, then the capacitors and, attenuator, as necessary. When tuning is issue) in which the oscillator runs at ahigh-
finally, the transistors. As before, keep the correct and the regeneration setting has er frequency than the reception frequency.
transistor leads just long enough to permit been optimized, the counter should display Additional circuitry is required to accom-
the use of aminiature crocodile clip as a the "tuned" frequency. modate the difference.
heat shunt during soldering. The counter will normally only give a Direct conversion receivers incorporate
frequency reading when astation is tuned an oscillator that operates at signal fre-
TESTING in. To check tuning on aquiet part of the quency. The Buffer Amplifier and counter
Check the printed circuit board for poor dial, advance the regeneration control until set-up will, therefore, form an accurate
soldered joints and bridged tracks, and check the Q-multiplier is oscillating. The counter digital tuning display. Widely used by ama-
the positioning of the transistors. Connect will then display the operating frequency. teur radio enthusiasts for the reception of
the unit to a9V supply. Current consumption When receiving single-sideband signals single-sideband transmissions, this receiv-
should be in the region of 7mA. the regeneration control has to be advanced ing system will be covered next month.
until the Q- multiplier
is oscillating in order
to replace the carrier
suppressed at the
transmitter. The
counter will, there-
fore, give a continu-
ous frequency readout
as the receiver is
tuned across the ama-
teur bands.

OTHER
RECEIVERS
The Buffer
Amplifier and
Frequency Counter
combination cannot
be used with the
Super-Regen. A frequency counter wired, via the
Receiver. Here the Buffer Amplifier, to the Regenerative
The Buffer Amplifier wired to the Regenerative Radio oscillating stage is Radio and showing an amateur band
(Part 3) and the tuning capacitor p.c.b.s. "squegging" and the frequency readout.

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 707

 EPE IS PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO OFFER YOU THESE

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The projects on the CD-ROM are: Logic Probe; Light, Heat and Moisture Sensor;
NE555 Timer; Egg Timer; Dice Machine; Bike Alarm; Stereo Mixer; Power
:.t•Ar Amplifier; Sound Activated Switch; Reaction Tester. Full parts lists, schematics
and p.c.b. layouts are included on the CD-ROM.
Logic Probe testing

ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS & COMPONENTS V2.0 PCB Layout

Provides an introduction to the principles and application of the most common types of
Electronics CADPACK allows users to
electronic components and shows how they are used to form complete circuits. The
design complex circuit schematics, to view
virtual laboratories, worked examples and pre-designed circuits allow students to
circuit animations using a unique SPICE-
learn, experiment and check their understanding. Version 2 has been considerably
based simulation tool, and to design
expanded in almost every area following a review of major syllabuses (GCSE, GNVO,
printed circuit boards. CADPACK is made
A level and HNC). It also contains both European and American circuit symbols.
up of three separate software modules.
Sections include: Fundamentals: units & multiples, electricity, electric circuits,
(These are restricted versions o' the full
alternating circuits. Passive Components: resistors, capacitors, inductors,
Labcenter software.) ISIS Lite which
transformers. Semiconductors: diodes, transistors, op.amps, logic gates. Passive
provides full schematic drawing features
Circuits. Active Circuits. The Parts Gallery will help students to recognise common
including full control of drawing
electronic components and their corresponding symbols in circuit diagrams.
appearance, automatic wire routing, and
Included in the Institutional Versions are multiple choice questions, exam style
over 6,000 parts. PROSPICE Lite
Circuit simulation screen questions, fault finding virtual laboratories and investigations/worksheets.
(integrated into ISIS Lite) which uses
unique animation to show the operation of
any circuit with mouse-operated switches,
pots. etc. The animation is compiled using
ANALOGUE ELECTRONICS afull mixed mode SPICE simulator ARES
Analogue Electronics is a complete learning resource for this most difficult Lite PCB layout software allows
—413 Inipyiera
branch of electronics. The CD-ROM includes a host of virtual laboratories, professional quality PCBs to be designed
animations, diagrams, photographs and text as well as a SPICE electronic and includes advanced features such as
circuit simulator with over 50 pre-designed circuits. 16- layer boards, SMT components, and
an autorouter operating on user generated
Sections on the CD-ROM include: Fundamentals — Analogue Signals ( 5
Net Lists.
sections),Transistors (4 sections), Waveshaping Circuits (6 sections). Op.Amps
— 17 sections covering everything from Symbols and Signal Connections to
Differentiators. Amplifiers — Single Stage Amplifiers ( 8 sections), Multi-stage
Amplifiers (3 sections). Filters — Passive Filters ( 10 sections), Phase Shifting
Networks (4 sections), Active Filters (6 sections). Oscillators — 6 sections from ROBOTICS &
Positive Feedback to Crystal Oscillators. Systems — 12 sections from Audio
MECHATRONICS
»MU

d •
Pre-Amplifiers to 8- Bit ADC plus a gallery showing representative p.c.b. photos.
Complimentary output stage
bizcztiamottlilill1111111111r
DIGITAL ELECTRONICS V2.0
Digital Electronics builds on the knowledge of logic gates covered in Electronic
Circuits & Components ( opposite), and takes users through the subject of digital
electronics up to the operation and architecture of microprocessors. The virtual
laboratories allow users to operate many circuits on screen.
Covers binary and hexadecimal numbering systems, ASCII, basic logic gates,
monostable action and circuits, and bistables — including JK and D-type flip-flops.
Multiple gate circuits, equivalent logic functions and specialised logic functions.
Introduces sequential logic including clocks and clock circuitry, counters, binary
coded decimal and shift registers. ND and D/A converters, traffic light controllers, Case study of the Milford
memories and microprocessors — architecture, bus systems and their arithmetic logic
Instruments Spider
units. Sections on Boolean Logic and Venn diagrams, displays and chip types have
been expanded in Version 2and new sections include shift registers, digital fault
finding, programmable logic controllers, and microcontrollers and microprocessors. Robotics and Mechatronics is designed to
The Institutional versions now also include several types of assessment for enable hobbyists/students with little
supervisors, including worksheets, multiple choice tests, fault finding exercises and previous experience of electronics to
Virtual laboratory — Traffic Lights examination questions. design and build electromechanical
systems. The CD-ROM deals with all
aspects of robotics from the control
FILTERS systems used, the transducers available,
motors/actuators and the circuits to drnie
Filters is a complete course in designing active and passive filters that makes them. Case study material (including too
use of highly interactive virtual laboratories and simulations to explain how filters NASA Mars Rover, the Milford Spider and
are designed. It is split into five chapters: Revision which provides underpinning the Furby) is used to show how practical
knowledge required for those who need to design filters. Filter Basics which is a robotic systems are designed. The result
is a highly stimulating resource that will
course in terminology and filter characterization, important classes of filter, filter
make learning, and building robotics and
order, filter impedance and impedance matching, and effects of different filter
mechatronic systems easier. The
types. Advanced Theory which covers the use of filter tables, mathematics
Institutional versions have additional
behind filter design, and an explanation of the design of active filters. Passive
worksheets and multiple choice questions.
Filter Design which includes an expert system and filter synthesis tool for the • Interactive Virtual Laboratories
design of low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-stop Bessel, Butterworth • Little previous knowledge required
and Chebyshev ladder filters. Active Filter Design which includes an expert • Mathematics is kept to a minimum and
system and filter synthesis tool for the design of low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, all calculations are explained
Filter synthesis and band-stop Besse!, Butterworth and Chebyshev op.amp filters. • Clear circuit simulations

PRICES Hobbyist/Student £ 45 inc VAT

Institutional ( Schools/HE/FE/Industry) £ 99 plus VAT
Prices for each of the CD-ROMs above are:
Institutional 10 user ( Network Licence) £ 199 plus VAT
(Order form on third page) Site Licence £ 499 plus VAT
(UK and EU customers add VAT at 17.5% to "
plus VAT" prices)
711S Everyday Practical Electronics, October 200_,'
PlCmicro TUTORIALS AND PROGRAMMING
HARDWARE
VERSION 2 PlCmicro MCU
DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Suitable for use with the three software packages
listed below.
This flexible development board allows students to learn
both how to program PlCmicro microcontrollers as well as
program a range of 8, 18, 28 and 40- pin devices. For
experienced programmers all programming software is
included in the PPP utility that comes with the development
board. For those who want to learn, choose one or all of the
packages below to use with the Development Board.
• Makes it easier to develop PlCmicro projects
• Supports low cost Flash-p-ogrammable PlCmicro
devices
• Fully featured integrated displays — 13 individual I.e.d.s,
quad 7-segment display and alphanumeric I.c.d. display
• Supports PlCmicro microcontrollers with AID converters
£145 including VAT and postage
• Fully protected expansion bus for project work
• All inputs and outputs available on screw terminal 12V 500mA plug-top PSU ( UK plug) £7
connectors for easy connection
25-way D' type connecting cable £5
SOFTWARE
Suitable for use with the Development Board shown above.

ASSEMBLY FOR PlCmicro V2 'C' FOR PlCmicro FLOWCODE FOR PlCmicro

(Formerly PICtutor) VERSION 2 Flowcode is a very high level language
Assembly for PlCmicro microcontrollers V2.0 The C for PlCmicro microcontrollers CD- programming system for PlCmicro
(previously known as PICtutor) by John ROM is designed for students and microcontrollers based on flowcharts.
Becker contains a complete course in professionals who need to learn how to Flowcode allows you to design and simulate
programming the PIC16F84 PlCmicro program embedded microcontrollers in C. compiex robotics and control systems in a
microcontroller from Arizona Microchip. It The CD contains acourse as well as all the matter of minutes.
starts with fundamental concepts and software tools needed to create Hex ccde Flowcode is a powerful language that uses
extends up to complex programs including for a wide range of PlCmicro devices — macros to facilitate the control of complex
watchdog timers, interrupts and sleep modes. including a full C compiler for a wide range devices like 7- segment displays, motor
The CD makes use of the latest simulation of PlCmicro devices. controllers and I.c.d. displays. The use of
techniques which provide a superb tool for Although the course focuses on the use of macros allows you to control these
learning: the Virtual PlCmicro micro- the PlCmicro microcontrollers, this CD- electronic devices without getting bogged
controller. This is a simulatioi tool that ROM will provide a good gounding in C down in understanding the programming
allows users to write and execute MPASM programming for any microcontroller. involved.
assembler code for the PIC16F84 • Complete course in C as we'l as C Flowcode produces MPASM code which is
microcontroller on- screen. Using this you programming for PlCmicro microcontroliers compatible with virtually all PlCmicro
can actually see what happens inside the • Highly interactive course • V.rtual C programmers. When used in conjunction
PlCmicro MCU as each instruction is PlCmicro improves understanding with the Version 2 development board this
executed which enhances understanding. Includes a C compiler for a wide range of prov .des a seamless solution that allows
• Comprehensive instruction through 39 PlCmicro devices • Includes full Integrated you to program chips in minutes.
tutorial sections • Includes Vlab, a Virtual Development Environment S Includes • Requires no programming experience •
PlCmicro microcontroller: afully functioning MPLAB software • Compatible with most Allows complex PlCmicro applications to be
simulator • Tests, exercises and projects PlCmicro programmers I Includes a designed quickly • Uses international
covering a wide range of PlCmicro MCU compiler for all the PlCmicro devices. standard flow chart symbols ( IS05807) •
applications • Includes MPLAB assembler Full on-screen simulatioi allows debugging
• Visual representation of a PlCmicro
showing architecture and functions •
•• •••
eee •e 7 Prri ,Tree`
.•
E •
o and speeds up the development process
• Facilitates learning via a full suite of
Expert system for code entry helps first time demonstration tutorials • Produces ASM
users • Shows data flow and fetch execute SWee....114.«.01, • L
code for a range of 8, 18, 28 and 40- pin
cycle and has challenges ( washing devices • Institutional versions include
machine, lift, crossroads etc.) • Imports virtual systems ( burglar alarms, car parks
MPASM files. amee.••• etc.).

=rd
..•••••

111'11

«eV:

== =

ee •••••,*

811.1

lallanalaUfiliMaganIM ,110.0.11111

Minimum system requirements for these

items: Pentium PC running Windows 98,
NT, 2000, ME, XP; CD-ROM drive:
64MB RAM; 10MB hard disk space. •
Virtual PlCmicro Burglar Alarm Simulation

Hobbyist/Student £45 Inc VAT

PRICES Institut onal (Schools/HE/FE/Industry) £99 plus VAT
Prices for each of the CD-ROMs above are: Flowcode Institutional £70 plus VAT
Institutional 13 user ( Network Licence) £249 plus VAT
(Order form on next page) Site Licence £599 plus VAT
(UK and EU customers add VAT at 17.5% to "plus VAT" prices)

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 709

TEACH-IN 2000 — LEARN ELECTRONICS WITH EPE DIGITAL WORKS 3.0
EPE's own Teach-In CD-ROM, contains
the full 12- part Teach-In series by John • FREE BOOK
Becker in PDF form plus the Teach-In
interactive software covering all aspects WITH TEACH- IN Counter
of the series. We have also added Alan
Winstanley's highly acclaimed Basic
2000 CD-ROM project
yo•
Soldering Guide which is fully illustrated
.

and which also includes Desoldering. JaPNIN

firn/t,

The Teach- In series covers: Colour mad

Codes and Resistors, Capacitors, ,n•r „4,
• El cc tronic s
Potentiometers, Sensor Resistors, Ohm's , MEMEM •.• Hobbyist Digital Works Version 3.0 is a graphical
Law, Diodes and L.E.D.s, Waveforms, a I. .‘ • • . J.
re.
Compendium design tool that enables you to construct
Frequency and Time, Logic Gates, /Ai digital logic circuits and analyze their
Binary and Hex Logic, Op.amps, behaviour. It is so simple to use that it will
Comparators, Mixers, Audio and Sensor Sine wave relationship values take you less than 10 minutes to make your
Amplifiers, Transistors, Transformers and first digital design. It is so powerful that you
Rectifiers, Voltage Regulation, Integration, Differentiation, 7- segment Displays, L.C.D.s, Component Teatmo
will never outgrow its capability • Software
Digital-to-Analogue. 0,colluscner for simulating digital logic circuits • Create
Each part has an associated practical section and the series includes a s:mple PC your own macros - highly scalable • Create
interface so you can use your PC as a basic oscilloscope with the various circuits. your own circuits, components, and i.c.s •
A hands-on approach to electronics with numerous breadboard circuits to try out. Easy-to-use digital interface • Animation
£12.45 including VAT and postage. Requires Adobe Acrobat (availadle tree from brings circuits to life • Vast library of logic
the Internet - www.adobe.com/acrobat). macros and 74 series i.c.s with data sheets
FREE WITH EACH TEACH-IN CD-ROM - Electronics Hobbyist Compendium 80-page • Powerful tool for designing and learning.
book by Robert Penfold. Covers Tools For The Job; Component Testing: Oscilloscope Hobbyist/Student £45 inc. VAT.
Basics Institutional £99 plus VAT.
Institutional 10 user £ 199 plus VAT.
Site Licence £499 plus VAT.

ELECTRONICS IN CONTROL
Two colourful animated courses for students on one CD-ROM. These cover Key Stage 3 and GCSE syllabuses. Key ELECTRONIC
Stage 3: A pictorial look at the Electronics section featuring animations and video clips. Provides an ideal introduction COMPONENTS PHOTOS
or revision guide, including multi-choice questions with feedback. GCSE: Aimed at the Electronics in many Design &
Technology courses, it covers many sections of GCSE Electronics. Provides an ideal revision guide with Homework A high quality selection of over 200 JPG
images of electronic
Questions on each chapter. Worked answers with an access code are provided on a special website.
components. This
Single User £29 Inc. VAT. Multiple User £39 plus VAT selection of high
Student copies ( available only with a multiple use copy) £6 plus VAT resolution photos can be
(UK and EU customers add VAT at 17.5% to "plus VAT' prices) used to enhance
projects and
-*clew 4wi
presentations or to help
MODULAR CIRCUIT DESIGN with training and
:ARP"
educational material.
Contains a range of tried and tested analogue and digital circuit modules, togetner with the They are royalty free for
knowledge to use and interface them. Thus allowing anyone with a basic understanding of circuit symbols to use in commercial or
design and build their own projects. Version 3 includes data and circuit modules for a range of popular PICs; includes personal printed projects, and can also be
PICAXE circuits, the system which enables a PIC to be programmed without a programmer, and without removing it used royalty free in books, catalogues,
from the circuit. Shows where to obtain free software downloads to enable BASIC programming. magazine articles as well as worldwide web
Essential information for anyone undertaking GCSE or " A" level electronics or technology ana for hobbyists who want pages ( subject to restrictions - see licence for
to get to grips with project design. Over seventy different Input, Processor and Output modules are illustrated and fully full details).
described, together with detailed information on construction, fault finding and components, including circuit symbols,
Also contains a FREE 30-day evaluation of
pinouts, power supplies, decoupling etc. Paint Shop Pro 6 - Paint Shop Pro image
Single User £ 19.95 inc. VAT. Multiple User £34 plus VAT editing tips and on-line help included!
(UK and EU customers add VAT at 17.5% to "plus VAT" prices)
Price £19.95 inc. VAT

Minimum system requirements for these CD-ROMs: Pentium PC, CD-ROM drve, 32MB RAM, 10MB hard disk space. Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP, mouse, sound card, web browser.

Please send me: CD-ROM ORDER FORM ORDERING

Electronic Projects
Electronic Circuits & Components V2.0 ALL PRICES INCLUDE UK
Analogue Electronics Version required: POSTAGE
Digital Electronics V2.0 • Hobbyist/Student
Filters El Institutional
Student/Single User/Standard Version
Electronics CAD Pack • Institutional 10 user

•
Robotics & Mechatronics [1] Site licence price includes postage to most
Assembler for PlCmicro countries in the world
'C' for PlCmicro EU residents outside the UK add £ 5 for
Flowcode for PlCmicro airmail postage per order
Digital Works 3.0

PlCmicro Development Board ( hardware)

Development Board UK plugtop power supply Institutional, Multiple User and Deluxe
Development Board 25-way connecting lead Versions -- overseas readers add £ 5 to the
basic price of each order for airmail postage
Teach- In 2000 + FREE BOOK (do not add VAT unless you live in an EU
Electronic Components Photos (European Union) country, then add 17 1 2 %
/
Electronics In Control - Single User VAT or provide your official VAT registration
Electronics In Control - Multiple User number).
Note: The software on each version is
Modular Circuit Design - Single User the same, only the licence for use varies.
Modular Circuit Design - Multiple User Send your order to:
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 r ,
efitt

SURFING THE INTERNET

e ye: e.Ce.N ,

NET WORK
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net/gee:leek
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*

ALAN WINSTANLEY
Mphone lines, much to the chagrin of the rest of us in non-urban
ANY urban regions now enjoy ADSL broadband through their The proposed costings are extremely attractive and are built on a
PAYG (pay-as-you-go) structure, so customers just buy achunk
or rural areas — the ones who could probably benefit the most from of gigabytes of Internet traffic and do what they like with it.
having broadband Internet access. Some readers who emailed me The cheapest service will be £ 10.00 per month, for 1Gb of traffic
are doubly frustrated, living in large "progressive" towns where + 0-014 per extra MB. An attractive range of rates for home and
broadband ADSL isn't available to them either. business is quoted on their web site.
British Telecom dangles atantalising carrot in the form of "trig- WRBB's CEO "TI" or "Titch" is extremely enthusiastic and
ger levels" for each telephone exchange. A spokeswoman for BT highly skilful, clearly appearing to have considered all the technical
Wholesale told me that the targets reflect the actual costs of upgrad- and commercial implications of building awireless network from
ing an exchange, in the sense that they are set at 50% of the amount scratch. A live demonstration of IEEE 802.11g highlighted its
of customers they need to return the investment on that exchange remarkable transmission rate over aLAN — which anyone can actu-
within a reasonable time. They are not set as percentage of the ally demonstrate with suitable bits of 54Mbps wireless kit — but, of
amount of connections on that exchange. course, the actual rollout of this Internet service is still tantalising-
If narrowband dial-up exasperates you and ADSL is never likely ly distant.
to arrive, then it's time to start
thinking about other emerg-
Sunshine from WIII3B
On Trial
ing technologies. As usual, I Trials are under way in
take a general-interest view CDay Sunbtoned
deliberately "difficult" places
dt^ .• PEII be launched n the Aube., of 2003. Meese for the
without dwelling on systems — and indeed the terrain is
,

latest news.. The «nee ml be *nod, steely, 01 busness aseos in the retie phase but
that relate more to industrial of reedentral subscribers .411 be welcome and catered for.
likely to be one of the biggest
or commercial applications. Residential and Ste tees ml deliver item* access at Fe speeds of Le to Webs whist
T' the Vrtual Leased Line see*. can celiver nmulti:des of 541elbs, potentraly provicIng
.
hurdles to overcome: 802.11g
comer:bon speeds ceders of rreirelhede seer than ADA. needs "line-of-sight" between
Look, No Wires! \si
penr,
erdahn 3months of laure, Sunshine ml be evadable to busnesses and corrimumbes wthniCisn
of the foaming Points of Pesence (subect to terrain),
aerials. Trees, hills or even
A number of wireless solu- Innoharn. Hatt exlc d, Bourne, Elton, St afford, South WIthans, Stamford, and ferrous strata in the earth may
5_efYlee_Msee
tions are starting to roll out Upprcutharn.
badly affect the service.
which on the surface appear to nitdielte farm Ponts of Presence ( Pons) se teng blamed Cambridgeshine, Essex, Lecesterdere,
Lnconstee, butai, Norte Lncolnshire, Nobinghenedere, boated, Surf*, and are expected to Computer simulations of
be just localised services. -frsheral be eve between Autumn 2003 and Spring 2034.
the geography help to deter-
Invisible Net-works (http:// See our Coverage maps for flanc recreation. Sershre bbuilding • nabonal service that rod be
available by the end cif 2005. mine the best sites for aerials,
www.invisible.uk.net) is one bexe. A051 Exchanges and in some places you take
such supplier, but they have if you loe n*, area that 1,35 reached its trigger level for 5051,M ' waled be to use 50% poor on 802.11g "at your own risk"
nesettrà Sunshne gong Kenya, comminty, you cen nun Lee for WRE18 and re-one an 5051serve,
recently slashed the numbers that can be switched to r. nee no penaeses,
for Oitequipment.
and provides for abarien of yore helped by online computer
iirka - 505,

on the workforce. Another maps. Critically, the target

company is WRBB (Wireless Partners range will be 101cm line-of-
*Rea aims to stimulate the neateconomy by providing the opportunity for local agents to
Rural Broadband) at Wm.> eneed sales • the senrice. The Partner Referral Selmer, we pay 5% of
eel . 4,Pcrt sight of apoint of presence,
revenues (re VAT) for earls directly Introdixed ebscription customer to, the feat 6monde' of
http://wrbb.net — asmall but tber contact. An additional rate of 2.5% we be peed to CorrirmorAy Advocates that breed using asuitable antenna.
dynamic Lincolnshire-based to acorrenunly .(Alocal agent is not apre-reep.isite for coverage).
WRBB has started aregis-
The sr:erne offers/reeds rare of tuffs to sue the needs of re:Centel, SOHO and
company that is planning bures, customers. The .Ariffs start et El 0per month we a month contract tarn for the h'y tration process (which didn't
some highly attractive ser- domestic serves. here are no connection fees for the domestic and SPIE services.
cope with the initial vol-
vices to rural users all around umes), gathering figures just
the country, deliberately avoiding urban or ADSL/cable enabled as BT did, but 'TV is adamant that unlike BT broadband, meeting a
regions. WRBB promises to bring us "Sunshine" and is dedicated to trigger level is not a prerequisite before the service could be
providing rural users with broadband solutions using wireless installed. Although they will target business users initially, residen-
technologies. tial clients will be catered for as well. Refreshingly, "TT accuses
As always, the problem is that trying to nail down new technolo- BT of adversely conditioning users' expectations into accepting
gy is like trying to pour cement on shifting sands: many users will "trigger levels" as the de facto criterion for activating abroadband
remember what dial-up was like, moving from 9.6kbps then 14.4, service. Ultimately, WRBB will just build it anyway, and you can
28.8, 33.6 and finally V.92 56k. Then came serial, ISA, PCI and sign up if you want.
USB modems, not to mention US Robotics' own standard X2. The "Sunshine" that WRBB promises to deliver has however suf-
Modems and racks were being thrown away almost annually. fered from afalse dawn, because there aren't yet enough 802.11g
Wireless technology is no different with anumber of standards certified broadband routers available to them for re-distribution. So
having evolved, with the attendant risk that they can be superseded the rollout date has already been postponed, the company being
almost overnight. There is the on-going problem of customers buy- clearly very nervous about selling non-certified equipment.
ing the wrong or obsolete equipment. Keeping one's powder dry until afully compatible wireless net-
In considering the IEEE 802.11 standard, WRBB chose to delay work is ready for launch is admirably brave. However, one risk is
and wait until the newest 802.11g standard was finally ratified in that further methods of deploying wireless networks will come
2003. This operates on arate of 54Mbps maximum, which is not the along, leading to amyriad of confused customers with wrong or
"surfing speed" as such: we're told to expect up to five or ten times obsolete equipment.
faster broadband services than BT 512k ADSL. Just twice as fast The older protocol 802.11b runs at 11Mbps maximum, although
(1Mbps) would be good .. . 802.11g is retro- compatible with it. More new wireless standards
are in the pipeline that could overcome "line-of-sight" problems
Neighbourhood Watch altogether, but that's some time ahead yet.
WRBB also highlights other benefits of working wirelessly — for We need the likes of WRBB with its young and enthusiastic
example, anetwork could be provided locally so that you could play team, and its refreshingly customer-focused approach deserves to
games or network with friends across the road, and this would be free. be highly successful. Fingers crossed . . . You can email comments
Only when users reach out onto the Internet would costs be incurred. to [email protected].

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 711

 J
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External sensors: Humidity

Temperature
• Low bstde
and sound 02 In Air
• Built in sensors
Reed Switch
(level and waveforms)
• Use DrDAQ to capture fast signals
• Outputs for control experiments
• Supplied with both PicoSZ5fie (gscilloscope
u d
PicoLog ( data logging) software

For more information on DrDAQ, please visit:

www.picotech.com/d

PC Oscillosco
• Scope and spectrum analyser functions
• A fraction of theicostM benchtop scope
a,
....
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a a
• Save multiplètietup, for ease of use
an

• Save, print and e-ritail your traces

• FREE technical support for
cc-
• FREE software and upgrades
jpjçc)
• Automated measurements

• Are- 2/ 2
Virtual Instrument

rm.

O
For more information on our scopes,

www.picoteeti elipcope121

Tel: 01480 396395 Fax: 01480 396296 E-mail: [email protected]

Regular Clinic

CIRCUIT
SURGERY
ALAN WINSTANLEY
and IAN BELL
Concluding our introduction to SPICE simulation software, creating
anetlist and running the various simulator functions.
Click on the schematic to
Lthe
'' r month we highlighted
student version of PSpice
Ile V•b•

uituJJ II
Ea Om« .raa. He

LO.I11J-_1J
place the transistor symbol on
circuit simulator software that is 9; the schematic and then hit the
available as a free download I CS ESC key. If you click the
from Cadence Design Systems Hewer schematic again before pressing
ESC you will finish up with two
-
Inc. (www.cadencepcb.com/ , db,

n
products/downloads/ tn
or more transistors. To delete
Pspicestudent). The software Admeneed Prclects one, click on it near the centre to
weighs in at amighty 28MB and select it and hit the Delete key.
the documentation adds a beet. lionier
You can also use the Edit
further 13MB, and a 10-te
->Undo menu item to undo
free utility such as Leechget unwanted schematic drawing
(www.leechget.de) may help operations.
dialup users with this mammoth Fig.l. The initial windows that open with a new project. Now add the five resistors in a
download. similar way. Place->Part... then
This month we continue with click on ANALOG in library
instructions for running a PSpice Note that the schematic includes avolt- list, scroll down part and click on R (for
Simulation using the Demo Version, to age source to create the input signal, and resistor). Click OK and move cursor over
show some of the software's powerful sim- a load resistor for the output. This is the schematic window. Hit the R key to
ulation functions that are available. usual when simulating — you must rotate the resistor to the required orienta-
include the input signals and load condi- tion. Click to place the four resistors sym-
Start the Capture Program tions in order to have ameaningful simu- bols by clicking on the schematic and then
Run the Capture program (Start lation, although these items would not hit the ESC key.
->Programs->PSpice Student->Capture normally be shown on a schematic used Try to place the resistors exactly where
Student). When the program opens use the for construction purposes. During simu- they should go to form aneat schematic, if
iconbar or select File->New->Project... lation work, be prepared to edit the you end up with one in the wrong place
from the menu. Type your project name schematic to change the input signals for you can click on it and the drag it with the
into the Name box. Select 'Analog or different types of analysis. mouse to the desired location. Don't worry
Mixed A/D' from the list of project types. about what resistor values are shown at the
Browse to create atarget location to file Adding Components moment, we will set these later. Leave
the project: it is best to use anew directo- Select Place->Part... from the menu then space between the components for the
ry. Then select 'Create ablank project' and click the Add Library... button in the Place wires we will be adding later.
click OK. Part window which opens. Select Add the capacitors like the resistors (they
Expand the OrCAD window to full analog.olb, eval.olb and source.olb (hold are called C and are in the ANALOG
screen. You will see three sub-windows, re- down the Ctrl key and click on them in library). Add input and output capacitors
size them as desired, see Fig. 1 . As usual, turn). Then click
when entering data into an application, you on the OPEN but-
should save your work regularly (File ton. The libraries
->Save or CTRL + S). will appear in the
Libraries: list in
Example Circuit the Place Part
The example circuit we are going to sim- window.
ulate is the one shown in Fig.1 last month Select Place
(page 622), and also repeated here in Fig.6 INSo
->Part... from the
with "voltage labels", which was captured menu again.
from the PSpice schematic editor. The cir- Click on EVAL
cuit is a single stage transistor amplifier VDFF •
in Libraries: list, \OWL •
with bias stabilisation feedback provided then scroll down FREO •
by resistor R4. This is bypassed at a.c. by the Part List:
capacitor C3 to give plenty of gain. The and click on
circuit is awell-known standard configura- Q2N2222. Click
tion. The 2N2222 is used simply because it OK and move the
is one of the transistor models available in cursor over sche- Fig.2. All components added and labelled. Note the Ground V'
the demo version. matic window. element, bottom right.

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 713

 Font Alias OK
Name Part Reference
Arid 7 (default)
Cancel I
Value:
Change... I Use Default I
Help
Displa FDrmat
Color Cob Rotation
C Do Not Display
Default SO` r 180' r 270'
• Value Only L.I
✓ Name and Value rFont
-Rotation - ----
✓ Name Only (e 0° ✓ 180* Mane.. I Use Delault I Mal 7 (Mae)
r Both if Value Eristis r 90' ✓ 270'
L_
Fig.4. Naming a wire by giving it an Alias.
OK Cancel Help

move the cursor to as 0, VAMPL as 10m, and FREQ as 1k.

Fig.3. Naming apart by giving i
ta value.
a point that would You can edit the document information at
(Cl and C2), then hit the R key to rotate create an error if the bottom right hand corner of the
the symbol for adding the feedback bypass you put the wire there, then awarning sym- schematic in asimilar way to the compo-
capacitor (C3). Also place the VDC ele- bol appears instead. nent values.
ment for supply voltage and the VSIN ele- The wires automatically form one right-
ment for the input signal from the angle bend as you move the cursor around. Name the Wires
SOURCE library. If you need amore complicated wire path To label wires: Select Place->Net
We also have to add the correct ground to (i.e. one with more bends), simply click at Alias.., from the menu. This will open the
get the "node zero" which must be present the point where you need acorner. Each Place Net Alias window. Type the wire
in all SPICE circuits. Not doing this is a time you click you add anew segment to name you want into the Alias: box and
common cause of mysterious problems for the wire. Hit the ESC key to stop drawing click on OK, see Fig.4.
novice SPICE users! the wire. You can start and finish awire in A small box will move over the schemat-
To place the ground connections, first "mid-air" if you wish, this point will then ic with the cursor, place this right next to
click on the Ground button in the tool get alittle grey box indicating it is an open the wire you want to name. Hit ESC to
palette on the right hand side of the main connection. cancel the command. Repeat for each wire
OrCAD Capture window (you can also use If you make mistakes with the wiring name and save your schematic. Eventually
this tool palette for other actions such as you can use Edit->Undo from the menu or your schematic should look like Fig.6,
placing components). It is marked with a click the undo button. You can also click on without voltage labels.
Ground symbol and "GND". When a wire segment to select it (it changes
clicked, a window will appear similar to colour) and hit the Delete key to remove it. Netlisting
the Place Part window. Click on Add Make sure you hit ESC to edit wiring It is useful to netlist the schematic as this
Library... and add source.olb from the before doing some other operation. will tell you if there are any errors in the
PSpice library as you did before. Select the drawing. Select PSpice->Create Netlist. If
source library and the 0element from the All Change there are errors amessage dialogue will
Parts List. Place the ground symbol on the To change the component names from appear, if not nothing much will happen.
schematic. Make sure there is aZero next the defaults created when you placed them To see the netlist go to the project hierar-
to your ground symbol on the schematic, double-click directly on the naine (not on chy window, expand the outputs section if
see Fig.2. the component symbol). A window will necessary (click on +) and then double
open titled Display Properties in which you click on the schematic 1 .net item. Our
Add the wires will see the text "Name: Part Reference". netlist is given below, yours may be alittle
Having placed the parts and ground, you Change the text in the Value box to the different, but it should contain the same
are now ready to add the wires to the name you require for your component, see items.
schematic. Select Place- >Wire from the Fig.3.
menu. A crossttair cursor will appear over To change component values double- source CIRCUIT1
the schematic. Click on the start point of a click directly on the value text (again not R_R4 0EMITTER 1k
wire — the ends of the wire stubs on the on the circuit symbol). This will also open Q_Q1 COLLECTOR BASE
components, which will have little grey a Display Properties window, this time EMITTER Q2N2222
boxes around them. with "Name: Value". Change the Value text R_R3 COLLECTOR VCC 4.7k
If you move the cursor over avalid point to what you require. R_R2 0BASE 10k
for wiring to — another wire or component Note the voltage source for the input sig- R_R1 BASE VCC 47k
pin — then ared blob appears. Clicking at nal has three values to set. Double click C_Cl INP BASE lu
this point will make the connection. If you these in turn to set the three values, VOFF C_C2 COLLECTOR OUT R 1u

Simulation - .711.0ir" 2_ci

Geneial Antis lIrdLede Fdes Lèven Shmulus IOplmns IDale Collection IRobe Window I

Mee (pc Jutptv OpPons

122111ill — Include detailed bias point intonation lor nanineai controled

bouices and sevrecorductois [ OP)

MiGtrered Setlégs
r Perfiirm Sensitivity arelyus ISENS)
Temperature Sweep)
Save- Bias Pant
Load Be, Pon r Calculate smal.signal DC gde TF)

Fig.5. Checking the circuit bias conditions using Bias Point

analysis type. Fig. 6. PSpice displays the bias voltages in the circuit.

714 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 . :
. .

.
. . . :

. .
. .
.
.

. .
.
.
• . .
. . .
.
. .
.
. .
.
... .. ...... 1 .......

. :

eu es 5.8u
1.eas 2. ens 8.eirs e. ern
a u(inp) -• U(outp) es 1.11us 2.soss 3. 11. 41. OM
time o U(lop) oereutp)
Tine
I...also I
cocur1401

Fig.8. The simulated output sinewave, appprox. 1.3V peak

Fig.9. Simulating distortion of the sinewave, due to amplifier
C_C3 0 EMITTER 50u
R_Rload O OUTP 50k
V_Vsupply VCC C. 9Vdc long, but if it is too high the results will not Analysis Type: AC Sweep/Noise
V Vsig INP be accurate. Logarithmic
+SIN 0 10m 1k0 00 Select PSpice->Run to start the simula- Decade
tion. Again the output window will appear Start Frequency: 10
Simulation and after awhile you will get ablank wave- End Frequency: 100Meg
We can run the simulator using the fol- form display. Select Trace->Add Trace... In Points/Decade: 5
lowing method, starting by checking the the Add Traces window scroll down the list
circuit's bias conditions. Select PSpice- of signals and click once on V(inp) and once Leave the noise analysis enabled box
>New Simulation Profile. Type Bias into on V(outp). These names will appear in the unchecked. Click OK and select PSpice
the Name: box and leave Inherit From: as Trace Expression: box at the base of the ->Run to start the simulation.
None. Click Create. A window titled window. Click on OK to display the wave- When the blank results display appears in
Simulation Settings — Bias will open. form. You should see that the output is a the simulation window select Trace->Add
Change Analysis Type: to Bias Point and clean sinewave of much larger amplitude Trace... as before. This time, however, do
click OK, see Fig.5. than the input (around 1.3V peak), see Fig.8. not click on any signals, simply type the
Now select PSpice->Run to start the sim- Close the simulation window and go to following into the Trace Expression: box
ulation. A simulation output window will the schematic. Double click on the VAMPL (make sure you get it exactly right)
appear and report progress of the simula- text next to the Vsig input signal voltage
tion. If you get any error messages check source. This will open the Display DB(V(outp)N(inp))
that your schematic was drawn correctly Properties window. Change the Value to
and that it matches Fig.1 last month. 100mV. We now have a 100mV input sig- This calculates the gain V(outp)N(inp)
No waveforms will be displayed at this nal, rather than 10mV. and converts it to decibel format. Click on
point as we are only looking at the bias Run the simulation again and display the OK to display the frequency response of
conditions. The bias voltages will be dis- input and output waveform as before. You the circuit. Note this result is fairly ide-
played on the schematic, see Fig.6. If you will now see that the output is distorted due alised. We have not included stray capaci-
built the circuit you should be able to mea- to saturation of the amplifier, see Fig.9. tances in the simulation, which would
sure d.c. voltages similar to this with zero Close the simulation window. reduce the high frequency gain.
input applied. Now we can look at the frequency This concludes our simulation example
Now we can simulate the circuit to see response. Go to the schematic, click on the which we hope is sufficient to give you
how it responds to the 10mV input sine Vsig source symbol and hit the Delete key the confidence to try creating your own
wave. Select PSpice->New Simulation to remove it. Add aVAC element from the projects in PSpice. For more examples,
Profile. Type Transient into the Name: box SOURCE library in place of Vsig. This has read Chapter 2of the pspug.pdf file (user
and leave Inherit From: as None. Click two values to set, change ACMAG to guide) supplied in documentation
Create. In the Simulation Settings window 10mVac and leave DC as OV d.c. download.
set the following (see Fig.7). Select PSpice->New Simulation Next month, we will answer a reader's
Profile. Type the label Frequency into the query on op.amps, by simulating it in
Analysis Type: Time Domain (Transient) Name: box and leave Inherit From: as PSpice. I.M.B.
Run to Time: 10ms None. Click Create.
Maximum Step Size: lOus In the Simulation r 'rp

Note that the maximum time step con- Settings window set Generd IInclude Files ILibrares IStimulus IOptions IData Collection IPic& Wndow
trols the time accuracy of the simulation. If the following (see
Analysis type:
this is too low the simulation will take too Fig.10). AC Sweep Type

1
— :=1,11z1 r Linear Sled Requency. IT=
Logattinic End Freq.nricy. n00e.g
1
Ginstal MOW. ' Include Fies j Lberries IStimulus I' Options Data Collection IProbe Wedow I aerrer al ,:, etiing; rnDecad Points/Decedec
Monte Cado/Worst Case
Anabois bp«
Rial to time 14n, seconds ( TSTOP) Parametric Sweep
—Noise Anelpir
NM==• 11:_l Tempaature (Sweep)
Start saving data afte lo seconds pSave Bias Poirg rEnabled Ou:puf VoPaot
Load 8:as Point
Transient optons Sovicei
nOenesal Ssains
Monte Carlo/Worst Case Maximum stop size 10•. -- seconds Inriesnl
; Parametric Sweep
- Temperature (Sweep) E Skip the Will transient bias point Mutation (SKIMP)
Save Bias Pont
Load Bias Poet
Output Fie Options...
rinclude detailed ties point information for nodes'«
canboled sources end serniconducton ( UP)

Fig. 7. Enter the parameters required for running a transient Fig. 10. Simulating the amplifier's Frequency Response in the
analysis. AC Sweep dialogue box.

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 715

Special Feature

PIC
BREAKPOINT
RICHARD HINCKLEY
A PIC debugging tool that allows your PC to display all register
contents at selected stages of aprogram's operation.

A
FTER aparticularly frustrating after- SOFTWARE Unzip the file PB1.zip into any folder of
noon trying to debug a PIC- con- your choice. The files contained are:
Install TK3 V5.0 ( or later). Version 5.0
trolled transmitter circuit, which README.TXT. This gives a brief
was released onto the EPE ftp site (access
had no 1.c.d. or 1.e.d.s attached to help, the summary of PB1, and may contain other
via the EPE home page at www.epemag.
author decided that a breakpoint debug- wimborne.co.uk) in early August 2003 information that was too late for the publi-
ging aid would be auseful addition to the cation date of this article.
(via path PUB/PICs/Toolkit3). Ensure
EPE Toolkit TK3 assembly and program- that verification is enabled. PBM.1NC. This is an INCLUDE file
ming aid (Oct/Nov ' 01). So aVisual Basic If you are installing TK3 for the first which contains PIC PB1 code that will be
program was written to upload the whole inserted into the program to be debugged.
time you also need the published text. This
of the PIC data memory to aPC at various is available as back issues from the TUT26TEST.ASM. This is aversion of
points in the program. the PIC Tutorial VI demo program
Editorial Office, and on the PIC Resources
In summary, PIC Breakpoint (PB1) runs TUT26.ASM modified to demonstrate the
CD ROM. See elsewhere in this issue for
as part of TK3 on any PC that will run TK3 features of PB1.
ordering details. The CD ROM also holds
and has a bi-directional parallel port for Four .HEX starting with PB_CAL_,
the software for TK3, but it as an earlier
verification. Either the EPE or the version than V5.0 and will not work with whose purpose is described next.
Magenta version of the TK3 board may be
PIC Breakpoint.
used, but both require the addition of an
You also need the suite of files for PIC CALIBRATING 1
2131
extra link and a10k52 resistor, as described A calibration program must be run to
Breakpoint. These are obtainable from the
in amoment. Editorial office on 3.5in disk, for which a match the frequency of aPIC's oscillator
To use PB1 the program to be debugged to the speed of the PB1 program being run
nominal handling charge applies ( see the
is simply edited to include temporary EPE PCB Service page for ordering on the PC.
breakpoint commands at positions of inter- details). They are also available free from First insert any of the PIC devices that
est. When the program reaches a break- are supported by TK3 into the appropriate
the EPE ftp site ( via path
point the whole of the data memory, socket on its board. Load TK3, select the
PUB/PICs/Breakpoint).
including the special registers, is uploaded
to the PC for display and analysis. PB1 is
written for 800 x600 displays. It will work
IA« 0.110.8« OP •OPIID

on larger ones and on 640 x480 displays —

in the latter case the screen layout is slight- CP CP CP CP
r . IC4
• 0
ly different from that shown in the photos. 44 • •
TFI2 TR3 TR4TR5 "M tc.t"

DDr3e:6:66:6a615:e.
TP2 TflW 1PS TP6
ov
• • • • • •

PREPARING TK3 P.C.B.

Two straightforward modifications are 8gg8egettme
7 0 5

Il
• 1 1 0
01 çr,,
required to the TK3 board. The layout of • • • •

the EPE board together with the modifica- 0.0 GP CD ca

tions is shown in Fig. 1 . The Magenta

board is slightly different, but the equiva-
lent needs should be obvious.
Modification 1. An insulated wire link
is required between the RB6 external
input/output terminal pin at the righthand
side of the board (which derives from pin
5of IC3, the 4053 i.c.) and pin 31 (INIT) PC7
RG6

of the Centronics connector. The link •

PG5
1AL4

should be made on the underside of the AllOrTIONAL

.14ESISLOP

board. (Note that the RB6 I/O pin is not the C•19 rm. cir
•
RB6 pin used for in-circuit programming.)
Modification 2. A 101S2 resistor needs
to be soldered on the component side of
the board as shown. (Circuit-wise this
resistor is connected between OV and the
RB7 pin used for in-circuit programming). Fig.1. Amendment to TK3 p.c.b. (see text).

716 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

PIC type and configure the PIC ( POR on, frequency of the PIC oscillator. At frequen- program are indicated by the comment
WDT off, oscillator type as appropriate). cies above about 1-5MHz only one itera- ;*************PB1. Ignore the state-
On the TK3 screen use the DIR button in tion of the progress bar will be seen, very ments within the "<>" chevron brackets for
the Programming main screen area to briefly, for less than asecond (though the the moment.
select the folder containing PBI. Four period may vary according to the speed of For timing accuracy the PIC oscillator
.HEX files will be shown: the PC), followed by a message advising frequency should be 3-2768MHz, but if a
that calibration is complete. different frequency is being used it does
PB_CAL_16F62x.HEX For frequencies between about 60kHz not matter for the purposes of this demon-
PB_CAL_16F83.HEX and 1-5MHz the progress bar will iterate, stration. The 1.e.d. display is not required.
PB_CAL_16F84x.HEX getting gradually slower, until PB1 decides Returning to TK3's main screen, from
PB_CAL_16F87x.HEX that the calibration is satisfactory. Follow within the Assembly section use DIR to
any messages output during the process. select TUT26TEST.ASM from whatever
Select the hex file applicable for the PIC Note that PBI will not work with PIC folder it was unzipped to, and then click
type that is being used ( e.g. oscillator frequencies of 60kHz and below, the Edit ASM button to load it into the edi-
PB_CAL_16F84x.HEX for a PIC16F84) and will give up quickly if tried. tor. It might be helpful to print off the file
and SEND it to the PIC. Assuming The final message announces that cali- (and the assembly listing file later).
Verification is OK, the TK3 Send Program bration is complete, and also advises that The first line following the introductory
Code to PIC screen will be seen to have an PBI should be re-calibrated if the PIC comments lines is an assembler directive:
extra button on it, TEST HEX ( see Fig.2). oscillator frequency is changed. This is
Click it. important as otherwise incorrect results LIST p = PIC16F877, r = dec
might be obtained. It is NOT necessary to
recalibrate if the PIC is changed to adif- This tells the TK3 assembler that the
ferent type, but the frequency remains the program is to be assembled for a
liet=1:3231111111111111L
same. If it is necessary to recalibrate, just PIC16F877, and that the radix to be used is
s.'enfying FIC1SF877 with
click the SETUP button. decimal. (For a more detailed explanation
iodate.' If the calibration process iterates to the of the radix directive see John Becker's
EPE PIC Tutorial V2 Part 3, June 2003).
C \F1C\TUT26TEST HEX
point where it gives up using aPIC oscil-
LIST
lator frequency that should be accept- This directive is essential for PB I to
able, then it is possible that the PIC has a work correctly. It must be edited to specify
byte of duff memory (dead register loca- the appropriate PIC device if a PIC other
tion). The author found one such PIC in than a PIC16F877 is being used. For
Tea his collection. instance if you are using aPIC I 6F84, the
HEX
Ignore the other buttons visible on the line should be edited to read:
El«
VERIFY OK! screen, and the temptation to click one.
Although no harm will occur, it is better to LIST p = PIC16F84, r = dec
use the TUT26TEST program to under-
Artà I Oh, I Jult stand what PB 1can do. Instead, click the Having edited the line, resave the file. Note
OK message and then click the Return to that this directive over-rides that previously
Fig.2. Programming sub-screen show-
TK3 button. specified via the Select PIC Type option.
ing new TEXT HEX button.
The LIST directive is followed by:
PIC BREAKPOINT
The PBI screen will appear (Fig.3) with DEMONSTRATION INCLUDE PBM.INC
amessage explaining that calibration is to The original TUT26 program uses the
take place. If amistake has been made and TMRO counter to measure one- second This causes the PBI macro code to be
the wrong calibration program for the PIC intervals, at which point asecond count is loaded when the program is assembled.
device has been sent, an error message will incremented and output to an 1.e.d. display Further down the listing the next addi-
be given. In this case click the Return to via PORTB. TUT26TEST has been modi- tional PBI lines are:
TK3 button and send the right one. fied to show how PBI is used.
Clicking OK to the message will cause Referring to the full TUT26TEST. clrf PORTB
calibration to start and a progress bar to ASM file listing supplied with the clrf TRISB
appear. What happens next depends on the software, the extra PB1 lines used in the bsf TRISB,6
bsf TRISB,7
11111111111111111111•11111111111111111Mdatal
.
Testing CMPROJECTMNPB_CALT6F87X HÉ.0 on RC These instructions clear the pins used by
PB1 (RB6 and RB7 of PORTB) to zero and
E3,ea;:prlint
set them to inputs (there are other ways to
do this, but the bsf instructions have been
shown for clarity). If might seem a little
strange to set both pins to inputs. This is
done to prevent premature triggering of the
PC PB1 program by an error in the PIC
Matching PC speed to PIC speed program. The PB1 code will set RB7 to
Before you car use Pr Iheakpont the speed ot }cu. PC must be matched output before being used.
to the speed of the PIC OXIIII01 being used
Following label OUTPUT, these extra
Please ensue th( the coned calbation Csogamme . bided no yeta PIC lines appear:
When you press OK Pc Breaker,' .4 cycle, admen es rung loops und
IInds the hates' dine that el pee corred results
setc
You •IUST Peto the Setup button each tore y.
CHANESE the speed of the PIC oscdatot
bkpt
elm

The setc and elm instructions have been

inserted only to demonstrate one of PB 1 's
features.
The bkpt instruction is amacro call, which
will cause part of the PB1 code to be inserted
into the program when assembled. (Macros
Serup I I Stan Run I I PNun, lo 0,
.3 I __J were discussed in Malcolm Wiles' PIC
SIotIj .
ï_. " féTr.3 EPE PIC At.SEM8L I rT PIC BREAKPOINT D eieZ4) lt44
Macros and Computed GOT0s, Jan ' 03). A
further bkpt macro call has been made three
Fig. 3. PIC Breakpoint's calibration sub-screen superimposed on its main screen. instructions from the end of the program.

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 717

 The final additional line is just:
STATUS: MP.° FIP1/0.00 Not(T0).1 Moen./ Z.0 DC.0 C.1
PIC
pb BANK 0 Bre Breakpoint
VeREG .) 0001 1001 40 15 OF 0000 1111 60 15 OF 0000 1111
TMR0 1 01 0000 0001 41 240 FO 1111 0000 61 240 FO 1111 0000
This is another macro call that causes PG. 43 28 22 85 55 0101 0101 42 85 55 0101 0101 62 85 55 0101 0101
STATLTS 25 19 23 170 AA 1010 1010 43 170 AA 1010 1010 63 170 AA 1010 1010
the bulk of the PB1 code to be inserted into FER ; 248 F8 24 15 OF 0000 1111 44 15 OF 0000 1111 64 15 CF 0000 1111
the program when it is assembled. PORTA 05 0 00 25 240 FO 1111 0000 45 240 FO 1111 0003 65 240 FO 1111 moo
PORTE 06 0 00 26 es 55 0101 0101 46 85 55 0101 0101 66 as 55 0101 0101
DOM 07 0 00 27 170 AA 1010 1010 47 170 AA 1010 1010 67 170 AA 1010 1010
ASSEMBLING AND 08
09
28
29
15
240
tf
FO
0000
1111
1111
0000
48
49
15
240
Cf
FO
0000
1111
1111
0000
68
69
15
240
CF
FO
0000
1111
1111
0000
TESTING PCLATM
INTCCN
GA 0
4
00
04
26
28
es
170
55
AA
0101
1010
0101
1010
49
48
85
170
55
AA
0101
1010
0101
1010
6A
68
es
170
55
AA
0101
1010
0101
1010
Assemble the TUT26TEST.ASM pro- MR1 OC 0 on 2C 15 CF 0000 1111 4C 15 OF 0000 1111 6C 15 or 0000 1111
PIP2 OD 0 on 2D 240 FO 1111 0000 40 240 FO 1111 0000 60 240 FO 1111 0000
gram. If you examine the assembly listing ThIRD. OE 255 FF 2E 85 55 0101 0101 4E 85 55 0101 0101 6E es 55 0101 0101
via the LIST button you will see where the TP491Ità OF 255 FF 2F 170 AA 1010 1010 4F 170 AA 1010 1010 6F 170 AA 1010 1010
PB 1statements and instructions have been T1CC*4 10 0 00 0000 0000 30 15 OF 50 15 oF MOO 1111 70 15 CF 0000 1111

inserted during assembly, corresponding to reu II 0 00 0000 0000 31 240 FO 51 240 FO 1111 0000 71 240 FO 1111 0000
121081 12 0 00 0000 0000 32 85 55 52 85 55 0101 0101 72 85 55 0101 0101
where the text in "<>" chevron brackets 13 33 170 AA 53 170 AA 1010 1010 73 170 AA 1010 1010
11 34 15 OF 54 15 OF 0000 1111 74 15 CF 0070 1111
occurs in the ASM file. CCPR1L 255 FF 1111 1111 35 240 FO 55 240 FO 1111 0000 75 240 FO 1111 0000
85 55 56 85 55 0101 0101 76 85 55 0101 0101
Now, finally, it is time to try out PB1. CCPRIFI
1CP1CON
IC
17
255
0
FF
00
1111
0000
1111
0000
36
37 170 AA 57 170 AA 1010 1010 77 170 AA 1010 1010
Click the new TEST HEX button on the RCSTA 18 0 00 0000 0000 38 15 OF 58 15 OF 0000 1111 78 72 48 0100 1000
TXREG 19 0 00 0000 0030 39 240 FO 59 240 FO 1111 0000 79 135 87 1000 0111
Programming sub-screen, or in the RCREG IA 0 00 0000 0000 3A 85 55 5A 85 55 0101 0101 7A 0 00 0000 0000
Programming section on the main screen. 18
IC
39
3C
170
15
AA
OF
58
5C
170
15
AA
OF
1010
0000
1010
1111
79
7C
128
248
80
F8
1000
1111
0000
1000
ID 30 240 FO 50 240 FO 1111 0000 7D 43 28 0010 1011
AORESH IE 0 00 0000 0000 3E 85 55 5E 85 55 0101 0101 7E 25 19 0001 1001
na SF 11 l. InIn Ino 73 1 01 (1831
r
, Verity PROGRAMMING NOTES ea/3 IF 0 00 0000 0000 IF 11X2)

.4. ContimeRWRI pmrtBank EndRum I Retun Tr31 .161 -2-1 .:

PbAAMI
Send
0
" U %
Input: PEI_CAL,16F87XHEX
HEX
Bytes. 1002 View Heat I DIR I âtistant ez.-4 4,‘ TK3.E.0 FTC ASSEK181 In MC BREAKPOINT DEBU I degro) 1122
Ted HEX Commands . 171
Input None Yet
Send OBJ Commands ? View OIDI I DIR Fig.5. Example of PIC Breakpoint's display of Bank 0registers as they occurred at
one breakpoint interruption.

Fig.4. TK3's Programming zone on the

main screen, showing new TEST HEX
value of 25. This checks with the first few clicked the data memory as it stands at the
button
program instructions where CLKCNT is second breakpoint is uploaded. The
decrernented according to the TOIF flag in expanded STATUS line now shows C as 0,
The PB1 screen will appear. Note that INTCON, when it falls through the loop matching the cire in the program.
the top line of the screen shows the full and is reset to 25. The breakpoint address now reflects the
path of the program being tested and the CLKSEC at address 21h has been incre- second bkpt statement in the program.
PIC type. mented to 1, and just before the bkpt state- Most of the display has turned to blue
Now click Start Run. A message ment it is loaded into the W register. Most numbers, which indicates that they have
WAITING FOR PIC BREAKPOINT will of the rest of the data memory addresses not changed since the previous breakpoint
appear briefly, followed by aprogress bar. are binary patterns left over from the cali- —this is to help show what is going on.
When this has finished (usually in less than bration process. Examination of the assembly listing
one second) Bank 0 ( 128 bytes) of user Clicking the Next Bank button will shows that atable call has been made to
memory data plus other information now show Bank 1of data memory. Depending convert CLKSEC into an output for the
appears on the screen (see Fig.5). on whether the PIC type has two or four 1.e.d. display, which is returned in register
The top line of the screen is now banks, further clicks of the Next Bank but- W and output via PORTB. Examination of
replaced by an expansion of the STATUS ton will display either Bank 0again, or go the PB1 display indeed shows that W con-
byte. The next line shows the number of on to show Banks 2and 3. tains the expected value. binary 11111001,
the breakpoint and the program address, in The last eight or nine bytes of data mem- but PORTB contains 00111001. This is
hex, at which it occurred. Reference to the ory are reserved for PB 1use, depending on because PB1 uses RB6 and RB7, and over-
listing will show that the address points to whether the PIC has more than 2K words writes any data there.
the first instance of the bkpt statement. As of program memory. For PIC16F62x and Further clicking of the Continue Run
this was immediately preceded by asetc PIC16F87x devices the last 16 bytes of allows TUT26TEST to cycle, and the
(Set Carry) instruction, the STATUS data memory are the same in all banks — increasing count in CLKSEC and the con-
expansion shows C as 1. see Table 1for a summary of resources version in the W register can be viewed on
On the left hand side of the screen the used by PB1. the PC screen.
special registers relating to the particular The caption on Start Run button has Finally, clicking the Save button will
PIC device being used are displayed, now changed to Continue Run. If this is append the current screen of uploaded
except for INDF. As this register always
reads as whatever FSR is pointing at, it has
been replaced in the display by the con-
Table 1. Resources used by PIC Breakpoint
tents of the W register. Apart from RB6 and
RB7 of PORTB, the contents of all the reg- Pic Type Program Data Instructions Instructions PBI Reserved
Memory Memory per bkpt in pb Addresses
isters are shown as they were at the point of
the bkpt statement. PIC16F627 1K 224 10 69 78 — 7F*
Each line in the boxes (yellow on PIC16F628 2K 224 10 69 78 — 7F*
screen) shows the contents of abyte of data PIC16F83 512 36 10 69 28 — 2F
memory in the format: PIC16C84 1K 36 10 69 48 — 4F
Hex Address, Decimal Contents, Hex PIC16F84 1K 68 10 69 48 — 4F
Contents, Binary Contents shown as two PIC16F84A 1K 68 10 69 48 — 4F
nibbles. PIC16F870 2K 128 10 69 78 — 7F*
The contents of some lines may be PIC16F871 2K 128 10 69 78 — 7F*
shown blank — this is because this address PIC16F872 2K 128 10 69 78 — 7F*
is not available for this particular PIC type. PIC16F873 4K 192 16 72 77 — 7F*
Zero contents are shown in black, and non- PIC16F874 4K 192 16 72 77 — 7F*
zero contents are shown in red at this stage. PIC16F876 8K 368 16 72 77 — 7F*
From the assembly listing (access via PIC16F877 8K 368 16 72 77 — 7F*
the LIST button) address 20h (hex) is *On these PICs equivalent addresses in Banks 1, 2 and 3 are also reserved
known to hold CLKCNT, and shows the

718 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

data to afile and clicking List will send statements into the code at as many points • Because PICs can respond to interrupts,
the file to the editor specified in TK3, as required (subject to program memory PB1 does not actually halt the PIC pro-
where it can be saved to a named file space). Insert the pb statement anywhere a gram after it has uploaded data — instead
and/or printed off for later analysis. The subroutine can be inserted, but it is usually the program is allowed to continue and
editor should use a fixed font such as convenient to place it at the end of the pro- can process interrupts in the usual way.
Courier New or FixedSys for correct spac- gram. Note that pb can be placed in any The program will stop when the next
ing. Any number of screens can be saved. program memory segment. breakpoint is reached, where it will wait
The Delete button deletes the file of saved There are afew other items to be taken until the Continue Run button is
screens. into account: pressed
If are-run of the program is required, • PB1 will display amessage if the Start
click End Run followed by Start Run. • Pins RB6 and RB7 should not have cir- or Continue Run button is clicked and
Otherwise click Return to TK3. cuitry attached to them no breakpoint is reached within five sec-
• The program should avoid writing to onds. PB1 cannot determine whether the
USING PIC RB6 and RB7 program is operating correctly and no
BREAKPOINT • Do not let your program use the eight or breakpoint should have been reached
Using PIC Breakpoint with your own nine bytes reserved for PB1 use yet, or has hung up because of apro-
programs requires exactly the same tech- • PB1 disables all interrupts during its gram bug. If you suspect the latter,
nique as shown for TUT26TEST — you processing by clearing the GIE bit in insert afew more breakpoints earlier in
simple place the breakpoints at the places INTCON. If G1E was set prior to the the program to see what is going on.
in your program where you wish to know bkpt statement being encountered, it Happy Debugging!
the register details. will be set again on return
Note that the PBM.INC file must be • Although PB1 clears the RBIF flag in ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
copied into the folder that holds the .ASM INTCON to prevent false interrupts Ihe author thanks some "guinea pigs"
source of the program you want to test. arising from PB1 use, using the port — John Becker, Andrew Jarvis, John
Ensure that TK3's verification is change interrupt feature may prove dif- Waller and Malcolm Wiles — for making
enabled. Run the calibration program if the ficult — the author has not tried it many invaluable suggestions during
PIC oscillator frequency has been changed. • bkpt statements can be placed in inter- "field testing" of PIC Breakpoint. Special
Insert the LIST and INCLUDE directives. rupt routines. However, the relevant thanks to John for implementing some
Remember to specify the correct PIC type interrupt flag should be reset after the elements of MPASM macros, and for
in the LIST directive. bkpt call rather than before it, otherwise enabling the integration of PIC
Clear RB6 and RB7 of PORTB to zero the program under test may interrupt Breakpoint into TK3.
and define them as inputs. Insert bkpt continuously

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Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 719

 FREE Electronics Hobbyist Compendium
book with Teach- In 2000 CD-ROM

DIRECT BOOK SERVICE

NOTE: ALL PRICES INCLUDE UK POSTAGE

The books listed have been selected by Everyday Practical Electronics

editorial staff as being of special interest to everyone involved in elec-
tronics and computing. They are supplied by mail order to your door.
Full ordering details are given on the last book page.

EPE TEACH-IN For afurther selection of books see the next two issues of EPE.

2000 CD-ROM
Radio
The whole of the 12-part Teach-In 2000 series by John
Becker (published in EPE Nov '99 to Oct 2000) is now
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Alan Winstanley's Basic Soldering Guide ( including
BASIC RADIO PRINCIPLES AND TECHNOLOGY AN INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR RADIO
illustrations and Desoldering).
Ian Poole I. D. Poole
Teach-In 2000 covers all the basic principles of elec- Radio technology is becoming increasingly important in Amateur radio is a unique and fascinating hobby which
tronics from Ohm's Law to Displays, including Op.Amps, today's high technology society. There are the traditional has attracted thousands of people since it began at the
Logic Gates etc. Each part has its own section on the inter- uses of radio which include broadcasting and point to turn of the century. This book gives the newcomer acom-
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values in the various on-screen demonstration circuits. and cellular phones. All of these developments mean subject so that the reader can gain the most from the
The series gives a hands-on approach to electronics there is a growing need for radio engineers at all levels. hobby. It then remains an essential reference volume to
with numerous breadboard circuits to try out, plus asim- Assuming a basic knowledge of electronics, this book be used time and again. Topics covered include the basic
ple computer interface which allows a PC to be used as provides an easy to understand grounding in the topic. aspects of the hobby, such as operating procedures, jar-
a basic oscilloscope. Chapters in the book: Radio Today, Yesterday, and gon and setting up a station. Technical topics covered
Tomorrow; Radio Waves and Propagation; Capacitors, include propagation, receivers, transmitters and aerials
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Order code Teach- In CD-ROM Personal Communications; Appendix - Basic

LRobotics
Calculations.
VALVE RADIO AND AUDIO REPAIR HANDBOOK
263 pages Order code NE30 £17.99 (Second Edition) Chas Miller
This book is not only an essential read for every profes-
sional working with antique radio and gramophone
PROJECTS FOR RADIO AMATEURS AND S.W.L.S. equipment, but also dealers, collectors and valve tech-
R. A. Penfold nology enthusiasts the world over. The emphasis is firm-
INTRODUCING ROBOTICS WITH LEGO MINDSTORMS
This book describes a number of electronic circuits, most ly on the practicalities of repairing and restoring, so
Robert Penfold
of which are quite simple, which can be used to enhance technical content is kept to a minimum, and always
Shows the reader how to build avariety of increasingly sophis-
the performance of most short wave radio systems. explained in a way that can be followed by readers with
ticated computer controlled robots using the bnlliant Lego
The circuits covered include: An aerial tuning unit; A no background in electronics. Those who have a good
Mindstorms Robotic Invention System (RIS). Initially covers
simple active aerial; An add-on b.f.o. for portable sets; grounding in electronics, but wish to learn more about
fundamental building techniques and mechanics needed to
construct strong and efficient robots using the vanouti drrk- A wavetrap to combat signals on spurious responses; An the practical aspects, will benefit from the emphasis
together" components supplied in the basic RIS kit. Then audio notch filter; A parametric equaliser; C.W. and S.S.B. given to hands-on repair work, covering mechanical as
explains in simple terms how the 'brain' of the robot may be audio filters; Simple noise limiters; A speech processor; A well as electrical aspects of servicing. Repair techniques
programmed on screen using a PC and "zapped" to the robot volume expander. are also illustrated throughout.
over an infra-red frik. Also, shows how a more sophiCicated Other useful circuits include a crystal oscillator, and A large reference section provides a range of infor-
Windows programming language such as Visual BASIS may RTTY/C.W. tone decoder, and a RTTY serial to parallel mation compiled from many contemporary sources, and
be used to control the robots converter. A full range of interesting and useful circuits for includes specialist dealers for valves, components and
Details building and programming instructions provided, short wave enthusiasts. complete receivers.
including numerous step-by-step photographs.
92 pages Order code BP304 £4.45 270 pages Order code NE34 £20.99
288 pages - large format Order code BP901 £14.99

MORE ADVANCED ROBOTICS WITH LEGO

MINDSTORMS - Robert Penfold
Covers the Vision Command System
Computers and Computing
Shows the reader how to extend the capabilities of
the brilliant Lego Mindstorms Robotic Invention System
THE INTERNET FOR THE OLDER GENERATION PIC YOUR PERSONAL INTRODUCTORY COURSE
(RIS) by using Legos own accessories and some sim- SECOND EDMON John Morton
ple home constructed units. You will be able to build Jim Gatenby
Especially written for the over 50s. Uses only clear and Discover the potential of the PIC micro-
robots that can provide you with 'waiter service' when controller through graded projects - this book could
you clap your hands, perform tricks, 'see' and avoid easy-to-understand language. Larger type size for easy
reading. Provides basic knowledge to give you confi- revolutionise your electronics construction work!
objects by using 'bats radar', or accurately follow a line A uniquely concise and practical guide to getting up
marked on the floor. Learn to use additional types of dence to join the local computer class.
and running with the PIC Microcontroller, The PIC is
sensors including rotation, light, temperature, sound This book explains how to use your PC on the Internet one of the most popular of the microcontrollers that are
and ultrasonic and also explore the possibilities provid- and covers amongst other things: Choosing and setting transforming electronic project work and product
ed by using an additional (third) motor. For the less up your computer for the Internet. Getting connected to design.
experienced, RCX code programs accompany most of the Internet. Sending and receiving emails, pho- Assuming no prior knowledge of microcontrollers
the featured robots. However, the more adventwous tographs, etc., so that you can keep in touch with fam- and introducing the PIC's capabilities through simple
reader is also shown how to write programs using ily and friends all over the world. Searching for and projects, this book is ideal for use in schools and col-
Microsoft's VisualBASIC running with the ActiveX con- saving information on any subject. On-line shopping leges. It is the ideal introduction for students, teachers,
trol (Spirit.00X) that is provided with the RIS kit. and home banking. Setting up your own simple web technicians and electronics enthusiasts. The step-by-
Detailed building instructions are provided for the fea- site. step explanations make it ideal for self-study too: this
tured robots, including numerous step-by-step pho- is not a reference book - you start work with the PIC
tographs. The designs include rover vehicles, a virtual 228 pages Order code BP600 £8.99 straight away.
pet, a robot arm, an ' intelligent' sweet dispenser and a The revised second edition covers the popular repro-
colour conscious robot that will try to grab objects of a grammable EEPROM PICs: P16C84/16F84 as well as
specific colour. the P54 and P71 families.
HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN PC -
298 pages Order code BP902 f14.99 Third Edition 270 pages Order code NE36 £13.99
Morris Rosenthal
ANDROIDS, ROBOTS AND ANIMATRONS - Second More and more people are building the own PCs. They
Edition - John 'ovine get more value for their money, they create exactly the UNDERSTANDING PC SPECIFICATIONS
Build your own working robot or android using both off- machine they want, and the work is highly satisfying R. A. Penfold ( Revised Edition)
the- shelf and workshop constructed materials and and actually fun. That is, if they have a unique begin- PCs range from simple systems of limited capabilities
devices. Computer control gives these robots and ner's guide like this one, which visually demonstrates up to complex systems that can happily run applica-
androids two types of artificial intelligence (an expert ws- how to construct a state-of-the-art computer from start tions that would have been considered beyond the abil-
tem and a neural network). A lifelike android hand can be to finish. ities of a microcomputer not so long ago. It would be
built and programmed to function doing repetitive tasks. A Through 150 crisp photographs and clear but minimal very easy to choose a PC system that is inadequate to
fully animated robot or android can also be built and pro- text, readers will confidently absorb the concepts of run your applications efficiently, or one which goes
grammed to perform awide variety of functions. beyond your needs and consequently represents poor
computer building. The extra-big format makes it easy
The contents include an Overview of State-of-the-Art value for money.
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Robots; Robotic Locomotion; Motors and Power This book explains PC specifications in detail, and
ists, there's even a graphical glossary that clearly
Controllers; All Types of Sensors; Tilt; Bump; Road and
illustrates technical terms. The author goes "under the the subjects covered include the following: Differences
Wall Detection; Light; Speech and Sound Recognition;
hood" and shows step-by-step how to create asocket 7 between types of PC ( XT, AT, 80386, etc); Maths co-
Robotic Intelligence ( Expert Type) Using a Single- Board
(Pentium and non-intel chipsets) and a Slot 1 ( Pentium processors; Input devices (keyboards, mice, and digitis-
Computer Programmed in BASIC; Robotic Intelligence
II) computer, covering: What first-time builders need to ers); Memory, including both expanded ( EMS) and
(Neutral Type) Using Simple Neural Networks ( Insect
know; How to select and purchase parts; How to extended RAM; RAM disks and disk caches; Floppy
Intelligence); Making a Lifelike Android Hand; A
Computer-Controlled Robotic Insect Programmed in assemble the PC; How to install Windows 98. The few disk drive formats and compatibility; Hard disk drives
BASIC; Telepresence Robots With Actual Arcade arid existing books on this subject, although badly outdated, (including interleave factors and access times); Display
Virtual Reality Applications; A Computer-Controlled are in steady demand. This one delivers the expertise adaptors, including all standard PC types (CGA,
Robotic Arm; Animated Robots and Androids; Real-World and new technology that fledgling computer builders Hercules, Super VGA, etc); Contains everything you
Robotic Applications. are eagerly looking for. need to know if you can't tell your EMS from your EGA!

224 pages Order code MGH1 £16.99 128 pages Order code BP282 £5.45
224 pages - large format Order code MGH2 £20.99

720 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 Theory and Reference
Bebop Tp The
Boolean Boogie
Rtgop and you'll have a few chuckles, if not belly laughs, along
the way. In addition to over 200 megabytes of mega-cool
years ago, it has helped many thousands of readers to
become familiar with the principles of radio and electronics.
multimedia, the CD-ROM contains aindual microcomput- The original author Sowerby was succeeded by Scroggie in
By Clive (call me
Max) Maxfield ROOte er, simulating the motherboard and standard computer
peripherals in an extremely realistic manner. In addition to
the 1940s, whose name became synonymous with this
classic primer for practitioners and students alike. Stan
Specially imported
by EPE - Excellent
RPOC'E a wealth of technical information, my:lad nuggets of triv-
ia, and hundreds of carefully drawn illustrations, the CD-
Amos, one of the fathers of modern electronics and the
author of many well-known books in the area, took over the
value ROM contains a set of lab experiments for the virtual revision of this book in the 1980s and tis he, with his son,
An Unconventional microcomputer that let you recreate the experiences of who have produced this latest version.
Guide to early computer pioneers. If you're the slightest bit inter-
Electronics ested in the inner workings of computers, then don't dare 400 pages Order code NE27 £21.99
Fundamentals, to miss this!
Components and Over 800 pages in Adobe Acrobat format
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR MULTIMETER
Processes £21.95 including VAT and p&p
R. A. Penfold
This book gives the Sr\
Order code BEB2 CD-ROM This book is primarily aimed at beginners and those of
"big picture" of digital limited experience of electronics. Chapter 1 covers the
electronics. This basics of analogue and digital multimeters, discussing the
ELECTRONICS MADE SIMPLE
indepth, highly readable, up-to-the-minute guide snows you relative merits and the limitations of the two types. In
how electronic devices work and how they're made. You'll Ian Sinclair
Assuming no prior knowledge, Electronics Made Simple Chapter 2 various methods of component checking are
discover how transistors operate, how printed circuit
presents an outline of modern electonics with an empha- described, including tests for transistors, thyristors, resis-
boards are fabricated, and what the innards of memory ICs
sis on understanding how systems work rather than on tors, capacitors and diodes. Circuit testing is covered in
look like. You'll also gain a working knowledge of Boolean
details of circuit diagrams and calculations. It is ideal for Chapter 3, with subjects such as voltage, current and
Algebra and Karnaugh Mapa, and understand what Reed-
Muller logic is and how it's used. And there's much, MUCH students on a range of courses in electronics. including continuity checks being discussed.
more (including a recipe for a truly great seafood gumbo!). GCSE, C&G and GNVQ, and for students of other In the main little or no previous knowledge or experi-
Hundreds of carefully drawn illustrations clearly show the subjects who will be using electronic instruments and ence is assumed. Using these simple component and cir-
important points of each topic. The author's tongue-in- methods. cuit testing techniques the reader should be able to con-
cheek British humor makes it adelight to read, but this is a Contents: waves and pulses, passive components, fidently tackle servicing of most electronic projects.
REAL technical book, extremely detailed and accurate. A active components and ICs, linear circuits, block and
great reference for your own shelf, and also an ideal gift for circuit diagrams, how radio works, disc and tape record- 96 pages Temporarily out of print
afriend or family member IRMO wants to understand what it ing, elements of TV and radar, digital signals, gating
is you do all day.... and logic circuits, counting and correcting, micro- DIGITAL GATES AND FLIP-FLOPS
processors, calculators and computers, miscellaneous Ian R. Sinclair
470 pgs - large format Order code BEB1 £26.95 systems. This book, intended for enthusiasts, students and techni-
cians, seeks to establish a firm foundation in digital elec-
199 pages Order code NE23 £13.99
tronics by treating the topics of gates and flip-flops thor-
BEBOP BYTES BACK (and the oughly and from the beginning.
Beboputer Computer Simulator) Topics such as Boolean algebra and Karnaugh map-
SCROGGIE'S FOUNDATIONS OF WIRELESS ping are explained, demonstrated and used extensively,
CD-ROM
Clive (Max) Maxfield and Alvin AND ELECTRONICS - ELEVENTH EDITION and more attention is paid to the subject of synchronous
Brown S.W. Amos and Roger Amos counters than to the simple but less important ripple
Scroggie's Foundations S a classic text for anyone work- counters.
This follow-on to Bebop to the ing with electronics, who needs to know the art and craft No background other than a basic knowledge of elec-
Boolean Boogie is a multimedia of the subject. It covers both the theory and practical tronics is assumed, and the more theoretical topics are
extravaganza of information explained from the beginning, as also are many working
aspects of a huge range of topics from valve and tube
about how computers work. lt technology, and the application of cathode ray tubes to practices. The book concludes with an explanation of
picks up where "Bebop I" left o. microprocessor techniques as applied to digital logic.
radar, to digital tape systems and optical recording
guiding you through the fascinat-
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ing world of computer design . . .
Since Foundations of Wireless was first published over 60 200 pages Order code PC106 £9.95

Music, Audio and Video

QUICK GUIDE TO ANALOGUE SYNTHESIS ELECTRONIC MUSIC AND MIDI PROJECTS VIDEO PROJECTS FOR THE
Ian Waugh R. A. Penfold ELECTRONICS CONSTRUCTOR
Even though music production has moved into the cfigi- Whether you wish to save money, boldly go where no R. A. Penfold
tal domain, modern synthesisers invariably tse ana- musician has gone before, rekindle the pioneering spirit, or Written by highly respected author R. A. Penfold, this book
logue synthesis techniques. The reason is simple - simply have fun building some electronic music gadgets, contains acollection of electronic projects specially designed
analogue synthesis is flexible and versatile, and it's rel- the designs featured in this box should suit your needs. for video enthusiasts. PM the projects can be simply con-
atively easy for us to understand. The basics are the The projects are all easy to build, and some are so simple structed, and most are suitable for the newcomer to project
same for all analogue 'synths, and you'll quickly be able that even complete beginners at electronic project con- construction, as they are assembled on shipboard.
to adapt the principias to any instrument. to edit exist- struction can tackle them with ease. Stripboard layouts are There are faders, wipers and effects units which will
ing sounds and create exciting new ones. This book provided for every project, together with a wiring diagram. add sparkle and originality to your video recordings, an
describes: How analogue synthesis works; The essen- The mechanical side of construction has largely been left audio mixer and noise reducer to enhance your sound-
tial modules every synthesiser has; The three steps to to individual constructors to sort out, simply because the tracks and a basic computer control interface. Also,
synthesis; How to create phat bass sounds; How to vast majority of project builders prefer to do their own thing there's a useful selection on basic video production
generate filter sweeps. Advanced synth modules; '-low in this respect. techniques to get you started.
to create simple and complex synth patches; Where to None of the designs requires the use of any test equip- Complete with explanations of how the circuit works, shop-
find soft synths on the Web. ment in order to get them set up properly. Where any set- ping lists of components, advice on construction, and guid-
If you want to take your synthesiser - of the hardware ting up is required, the procedures are very straightforward, ance on setting up and using the projects, this invaluable
or software variety - past the presets, and program and they are described in detai'. book will save you asmall fortune.
your own sounds and effects, this practical and well- Projects covered: Simple MIIDI tester, Message grabber, Circuits include: video enhancer, improved video
illustrated book telle you what you need to know. Byte grabber, THRU box, MIDI auto switcher, Auto/manual enhancer, video fader, horizontal wiper, improved video
switcher, Manual switcher, MIDI patchbay, MIDI controlled wiper, negative video unit, fade to grey unit, black and white
switcher, MIDI lead tester, Program change pedal. keyer, vertical wiper, audio mixer, stereo headphone
60 pages Order code PC118 £7.45
Improved program change pedal, Basic mixer, Stereo amplifier, dynamic noise reducer, automatic fader, pushbut-
mixer, Electronic swell pedal, Metronome, Analogue echo ton fader, computer control interface, 12 volt mains power
QUICK GUIDE TO MP3 AND DIGITAL MUSIC
unit. supply.
Ian Waugh
MP3 files, the latest rtgital music format, have taken the 124 pages Order code PC116 S,11195- £4.95 124 pages Order code PC115 glee- £4.95
music industry by storm. What are they? Where do you
get them? How do you use them? Why have they thrown
THE INVENTOR OF STEREO - THE LIFE AND WORKS
record companies into a panic? Will they make music PC MUSIC - THE EASY GUIDE
OF ALAN DOWER BLUMLEIN
easier to buy? And cheaper? Is this the future of music? Robin Vincent
Robert Charles Alexander
All these questions ano more are answered èrt this How do Imake music on my PC? Can Irecord music onto
This book is the definitive study of the life and works of
concise and practical book which explains everything my PC? What's asequencer? How can Iget my PC to print
one of Britain's most important inventors who, due to a
you need to know about MP3s in a simple and easy-to- a music score? What sort of a soundcard do Ineed? What
cruel set of circumstances, has all but been overlooked by
understand manner, it explains: hardware and software do Ineed? How do Iconnect akey-
history.
How to play MP3s on your computer; How to use board to my PC?:
Alan Dower Blumlein led an extraordinary life in which his
MP3s with handheld MP3 players; Where to find MP3s .Just a few of the questions you've probably asked. Well,
inventive output rate easily sJrpassed that of Edison, but
on the Web; How MP3s work; How to tune into Internet you'll find the answers to all these questions, and many
whose early death during the darkest days of World War
radio stations: How to create your own MP3s; How to more, in this book. It will show you what can be done, what
Two led to a shroud of secrecy which has covered his life
record your own CDs from MP3 files; Other digital audio it all means, and what you will need to start creating your
and achievements ever since
music formats. own music on your PC. It's an easy read, it's fully illustrated
His 1931 Patent for a Binaural Recording System was
Whether you want to stay bang up to date with the lat- and it will help you understand how acomputer can be used
so revolutionary that most of his contemporaries regard-
est music or create your own MP3s and join the on-line as acreative music tool
ed it as more than 20 years ahead of its time. Even years
digital music revolution, this book will show you how. It covers soundcards, sequencers, hard disk digital audio
after his death, the full magnitude of its detail had not
60 pages Onde- code PC119 £7.45 recording and editing, plug-ins, printing scores with notation
been fully utilized. Among his 128 patents are the princi-
software, using your PC as asynthesiser, getting music onto
pal electronic circuits critical to the development of the
and off the Internet, using Windows, sample PC music set-
world's first elecronic television system. During his short
ups, FA0s, a glossary, advice on hardware and software,
working life, Blumlein produced patent after patent
ALL PRICES breaking entirely new groJnd in electronic and audio
engineering. 116 pages Order code PC117 £11.95
INCLUDE UK POST During the Second World War, Alan Blumlein was deeply
and alist of industry contacts.
AND PACKING engaged in the very secret work of radar development and
contributed enormously to the system eventually to become HIGH POWER AUDIO AMPUFIER CONSTRUCTION
CD-ROM prices include VAT 'N25' - blind-bombing radar. Tragically, dunng an experi- R. A. Penfold
mental H2S flight in June 1942, the Halifax bomber in which Practical construction details of how to build a number of
and/or postage to anywhere Blumlein and several colleagues were flying, crashed and audio power amplifiers ranging from about 50 to 300/400
all aboard were killed. He was just days short of his thirty- watts r.m.s. includes MOSFET and bipolar transistor
4n the world ninth birthday. designs.
420 pages Order code NE32 £16.99 96 pages Order code BP277 £4.49

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 721

 Circuits, Project Building & Testing
Data and ELECTRONIC PROJECTS FOR EXPERIMENTERS
R. A. Penfold
The projects include:- Simple audio links, F.M. audio
link, P.W.M. audio links, Simple d.c. links, P.W.M. d.c. link.

Design
Many electronic hobbyists who have been pursuing their P.W.M. motor speed control, RS232C data links, MIDI
hobby for a number of years seem to suffer from the link, Loop alarms, R.P.M. meter.
dreaded "seen it all before" syndrome. This book is fairly All the components used in these designs are readily
and squarely aimed at sufferers of this complaint, plus available, none of them require the constructor to take out
any other electronics enthusiasts who yearn to try some- asecond mortgage.
PRACTICAL ELECTRONIC FILTERS thing a bit different. No doubt many of the projects fea-
Owen Bishop tured here have practical applications, but they are all 132 pages Order code BP374 £5.45
This book deals with the subject in a non-mathematical worth a try for their interest value alone.
way. It reviews the main types of filter, explaining in sim- The subjects covered include:- Magnetic field detector,
ple terms how each type works and how it is used. Basic Hall effect compass, Hall effect audio isolator. Voice
The book also presents a dozen filter-based projects
scrambler/descrambler, Bat detector, Bat style echo loca-
with applications in and around the home or in the
constructor's workshop. These include a number of audio
tion, Noise cancelling, LED stroboscope, Infra-red "torch",
Electronic breeze detector, Class D power amplifier,
RADIO BYGONES
projects such as a rythm sequencer and a multi-voiced
Strain gauge amplifier. Super hearing aid.
We also carry a selection of books
electronic organ.
aimed at readers of EPEs sister maga-
Concluding the book is apractical step-by-step guide to 138 pages Order code BP371 £5.45
designing simple filters for awide range of purposes, with zine on vintage radio Radio Bygones.
circuit diagrams and worked examples.
FAULT-FINDING ELECTRONIC PROJECTS
These books include the Comprehensive
88 pages Order code BP299 £5.49 R. A. Noted Radio Valve Guides ( five books with a
Starting with mechanical faults such as dry joints, short-circuits Free copy of the Master Index) for just
DIGITAL ELECTRONICS -
etc, coverage includes linear circuits, using a meter to make
A PRACTICAL APPROACH
FREE voltage checks, signal tracing techniques and fault finding on £15. Also Jonathan Hill's excellent Radio
With FREE Software: Number One SOFTWARE
Systems - EASY-PC
logic circuits. The final chapter covers ways of testing a wide Radio, a comprehensive book with hun-
range of electronic components, such as resistors, capacitors,
Professional XM and Pulsar ( Limited Functionality) operational amplifiers, diodes, transistors, SCRs and lilacs,
dreds of photos depicting the develop-
Richard Monk with the aid of only alimited amount of test equipment. ment of the British wireless set up to the
Covers binary arithmetic, Boolean algebra and logic
gates, combination logic, sequential logic including the
The construction and use of aTristate Continuity Tester, a late 1960s.
Signal Tracer, a Logic Probe and a ailrOS Tester are also
design and construction of asynchronous and synchro- included. The three volumes of our own Wireless
nous circuits and register circuits. Together with aconsid- For the Warrior by Louis Meulstee are
erable practical content plus the additional attraction of its 136 pages Order code BP391 £5.49
close association with computer aided design including
also available. These are a technical his-
PRACTICAL FIBRE-OPTIC PROJECTS
the FREE software. tory of radio communication equipment in
There is a 'blow-by-blow' guide to the use of EASY-PC R. A. Penfold
While fibre-optic cables may have potential advantages
the British Army from pre-war through to
Professional XM (aschematic drawing and printed circuit
board design computer package). The guide also con- over ordinary electric cables, for the electronics the 1960s.
ducts the reader through logic circuit simulation using enthusiast it is probably their novelty value that makes For details see the shop on our UK web
Pulsar software. Chapters on p.c.b. physics and p.c.b. them worthy of exploration. Fibre-optic cables provide an
site at www.epemag.wlmborne.co.uk or
production techniques make the book unique, and with innovative interesting alternative to electric cables, but in
its host of project ideas make it an ideal companion for most cases they also represent a practical approach to contact us for a list of Radio Bygones
the integrative assignment and common skills compo- the problem. This book provides a number of tried and books.
nents required by BTEC and the key skills demanded by tested circuits for projects that utilize fibre-optic cables.
GNVO. The principal aim of the book is to provide a
straightforward approach to the understanding of digital
electronics.
Those who prefer the 'Teach-In' approach or would
rather experiment with some simple circuits should find
the book's final chapters on printed circuit board produc- BOOK ORDERING DETAILS
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250 pages (large format) Order code NE28 £19.99 please add £2 per book. For the rest of the world airmail add £3 per book. CD-ROM prices
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A BEGINNER'S GUIDETOTTL DIGITAL ICs
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This book first covers the basics of simple logic circuits in Amex, Diners Club or Switch to:
general, and then progresses to specific TTL logic DIRECT BOOK SERVICE, WIMBORNE PUBLISHING LTD.,
integrated circuits. The devices covered include gates, 408 WIMBORNE ROAD EAST, FERNDOWN, DORSET BH22 9ND.
oscillators, timers, flip/flops, dividers, and decoder cir-
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142 pages Order code BP332 £5.45
Everyday Practical Electronics) before ordering from old lists.
For afurther selection of books see the next two issues of EPE.
DOMESTIC SECURITY SYSTEMS Tel 01202 873872 Fax 01202 874562. Email: [email protected]
A. L Brown Order from our online shop at: www.epemag.wimborne.co.uldshopdoor.htm
This book shows you how, with common sense and
basic do-it-yourself skills, you can protect your home. It
also gives tips and ideas which will help you to maintain
and improve your home security, even if you already
have an alarm. Every circuit in this book is clearly
described and illustrated, and contains components
that are easy to source. Advice and guidance are based
BOOK ORDER FORM
on the real experience of the author who is an alarm
installer, and the designs themselves have been rigor- Full name*
ously put to use on some of the most crime-ridden
streets in the world.
Address:
The designs include all elements, including sensors,
detectors, alarms, controls, lights, video and door entry
systems. Chapters cover installation, testing, mainte-
nance and upgrading.

192 pages Temporarily out of print

MICROCONTROLLER COOKBOOK
Mike James
Post code: Telephone No:
The practical solutions to real problems shown in this cook-
book provide the basis to make PIC and 8051 devices real- Signature:
ly work. Capabilities of the variants are examined, and
ways to enhance these are shown. A survey of common
interface devices, and a description of programming Ienclose cheque/PO payable to DIRECT BOOK SERVICE for £
models, lead on to a section on development techniques.
The cookbook offers an introduction that will allow any Eli Please charge my card £ Card expiry date
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722 Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003

 PCB SERVICE
PROJECT TITLE Order Code Cost
Tesla Transformer FEB 03 382 £5.07
*Brainibot Buggy 383 £3.00
*Wind Tunnel 384 £6.02
200kHz Function Generator MAR 03 385 £6.34
Printed circuit boards for most recent EPE constructional projects are available from Wind- Up Torch Mk II 386 £4.75
the PCB Service, see list. These are fabricated in glass fibre, and are fully drilled and *Driver Alert 387 £6.35
roller tinned. All prices include VAT and postage and packing. Add £ 1 per board for *Earth Resistivity Logger APR 03 388 £6.02
airmail outside of Europe. Remittances should be sent to The PCB Service, *Intelligent Garden Lights Controller 389 £3.96
Everyday Practical Electronics, Wimborne Publishing Ltd., 408 Wimborne Road
East, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9ND. Tel: 01202 873872; Fax 01202 874562; *PIC Tutorial V2 - Software only -
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wimborne.co.uk/shopdoor.htm. Cheques should be crossed and made payable to Super Motion Sensor 391 £5.55
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seven days of receipt of order, please allow a maximum of 28 days for delivery Headphone Amp. 393 £4.28
- overseas readers allow extra if ordered by surface mail. *Fido Pedometer 394 £4.91
Back numbers or photostats of articles are available if required - see the Back *PICronos L.E.D. Wall Clock 395 £14.65
Issues page for details. We do not supply kits or components for our projects. EPE Mini Metal Detector JULY 03 396 £4.28
Please check price and availability in the latest issue. Radio Circuits - 2 Q- Multiplier 397 £4.28
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Speaker Amplifier 400 £4.44
PROJECT TITLE Order Code Cost Ohmmeter Adaptor Mk11 401 £4.60
Camcorder Power Supply OCT ' 01 318 £5.94 Ultimate Egg Timer (Top Tenner) 403 £4.91
PIC Toolkit Mk3 319 *EPE PIC Met Office AUG .03 402 £10.46
£8.24
Perpetual Projects Uniboaro-4. Gate Sentinel. Solar- 305 £3.00 Alarm System Fault Finder 404 £4.44
powered Bird Scarer and Solar- Powered Re. ister Radio Circuits-3 Regen. Radio 405 £5.07
Teach- 1n 2002 Power Supply NOV 01 320 £4.28 Tuning Capacitor Board 406 £4.28
Lights Needed Alert 321 Master/Slave Intercom (Top Tenner) 407 £4.75
£5.39
Pitch Switch 322 £5.87 Two- Up (Top Tenner) 408 £4.91
**PIC Toolkit TK3 - Software only Priority Referee (Top Tenner) SEPT 03 410 £5.07
4- Channel Twinkling Lights DEC 01 325 £6.82 Vibration Alarm (Top Tenner) 411 £5.39
Ghost Buster - Mic Radio Circuits-4 Varicap Tuner 412 £4.44
326 } Set
£5.78 Coil Pack - General Coverage 413
- Main 327 £5.07
*PIC Polywhatsit - Digital Coil Pack - Amateur Bands 414 £4.75
328} Set £7.61
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Time Delay Touch Switch 331 £4.60 Radio Circuits-5 Crystal Marker 415 £4.44
*PIC Magick Musick 332 £5.87 Super Regen. Receiver 419 £5.07
Versatile Bench Power Supply 333 £5.71 Buffer Amplifier 420 £4.44
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Versatile Current Monitor 335 £4.75 **PIC Breakpoint - Software only
Guitar Practice Amp 336 £5.39
*PIC Virus Zapper MAR 02 337 £4.75
RH Meter
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338
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£4.28
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EPE SOFTWARE
*Programming PIC Interrupts - Software ont -
Software programs for EPE projects marked with a single asterisk * are
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Washing Ready Indicator 342 £4.75
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Audio Circuits- 1 - LM386N-1 343 £4.28
(2001); EPE Disk 5 ( 2002); EPE Disk 6 ( Jan 2003 issue to current cover
-TDA7352 344 £4.12
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£4.44
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Input Impedance Preamplifiers ( Single Trans.) 349 £4.60 EPE PCB Service. All files can be downloaded free from our Internet FTP
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367
368
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OCT '
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370
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*Wind Speed Monitor 380 £5.08 http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/shopdoor.htm

Everyday Practical Electronics, October 2003 723

 WHETHER ELECTRONICS IS YOUR HOBBY
OR YOUR LIVELIHOOD. .
YOU NEED THE MODERN ELECTRONICS MANUAL
and the ELECTRONICS SERVICE MANUAL

THE MODERN ELECTRONICS MANUAL (CD-ROM VERSION ONLY)

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work for everyone
studying electronics
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET
STARTED AND GO FURTHER IN ELECTRONICS!
The revised CD-ROM edition of the Modern Electronics Base a computer interface, measuring instruments, workshop
Manual ( MEM) contains practical, easy-to-tollow information on the equipment, security systems, medical and musical circuits, etc.
following subjects: The Base Manual describes 12 projects including aTheremin
and a Simple TENS Unit.
BASIC PRINCIPLES: Electronic Components and their
Characteristics ( 16 sections from Resistors and Potentiometers to ESSENTIAL DATA: Extensive tables on diodes, transistors,
Crystals, Crystal Modules and Resonators); Circuits Using Passive thyristors and triacs, digital and linear i.cs.
Components ( 10 sections); Power Supplies The Amateur
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Electronics (6 sections); Operational Amplifiers; Introduction to word, phrase or abbreviation you're not familiar with, simply look
Physics, including practical experiments; Semiconductors up the glossary included in the Manual and you'll find a
(5 sections) and Digital Instruments ( 3sections). comprehensive definition in plain English.

CIRCUITS TO BUILD: There's nothing to beat the satisfaction of The Manual also covers Safety and provides web links to
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and making printed circuit boards, to the tools needed for The most comprehensive reference work ever produced at a price
circuit-building, the Modern Electronics Manual and its you can afford, the CD-ROM edition of THE MODERN
Supplements describe clearly, with appropriate dagrams, how to ELECTRONICS MANUAL provides you with all the essential
assemble a radio, loudspeaker circuits, amplifiers, car projects, information you need.

THE MODERN ELECTRONICS MANUAL (

MEM - CD-ROM version only)
Revised CD-ROM Edition of Basic Work: Contains over 800 pages of information in Adobe Acrobat format. Edited by John Becker.
Regular Supplements: Additional CD-ROMs each containing approximately 500 pages of additional information on specific areas of
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 ELECTRONICS SERVICE MANUAL
(PRINTED VERSION ONLY)

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MOW TO GET STARTED IN The essential work for
REPAIRING AND SERVICING ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
servicing and repairing
SAFETY: Be knowledgeable about Safety Regulations, Electrical Safety and First Aid.
electronic equipment
UNDERPINNING KNOWLEDGE: Specific sections enable you to Understand Electrical
and Electronic Principles, Active and Passive Components, Circuit Diagrams. Circuit
•Around 900 pages
Measurements, Radio, Computers, Valves and Manufacturers' Data, etc. • Fundamental principles
• Troubleshooting techniques
PRACTICAL SKILLS: Learn how to identify Electronic Components, Avoid Static
Hazards, Carry Out Soldering and Wiring, Remove and Replace Components. • Servicing techniques

TEST EQUIPMENT: How to Choose and Use Test Equipment, Assemble aToolkit, Set • Choosing and using test
equipment
Up aWorkshop, and Get the Most from Your Multimeter and Oscilloscope, etc.
• Reference data
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TECHNICAL NOTES: Commencing with the IBM PC, this section and the regular
Supplements deal with avery wide range of specific types of equipment — radios, TVs, • Professionally written
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REFERENCE DATA: Detailing vital parameters for Diodes, Small- Signal Transistors, • Sturdy gold blocked ring-binder
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ELECTRONICS SERVICE MANUAL

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Regular Supplements: Unlike abook or encyclopedia, this Manual is aliving work —
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tmemr,6 uaraut uroseeenum crararararienuarmannwc.ouraraoranumempuerffereeowerur

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Everyday Practical Electronics. October 2003 727

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top hats for optional loudspeaker stands. The FC15-300 incorporates alarge 16 X 6inch horn. All
10,000's cabinets are fitted with the latest Speakon connectors for your convenience and safety.
SOLD Five models to choose from.
TO PRO
USERS E
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THE RENOWNED MXF SERIES OF POWER AMPLIFERS
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FOUR MODELS:- MXF200 ( 100W + 100W) MXF400 (200W + 200W)
MXF600 (300W + 300W) MXF900 ( 450W + 450W) PLEASE NOTE:- POWER RATINGS
ALL POWER RATINGS ARE R.M.S. INTO 4OHMS, WITH BOTH CHANNELS DRIVEN QUOTED ARE IN WATTS R.M.S. FOR
FEATURES:- • Independent power supplies with two toroidal transformers EACH INDIVIDUAL CABINET ALL
Twin L.E.D. Vu Meters • Level controls • Illuminated on/off switch • Jack XLR inputs • ENCLOSURES ARE 8OHMS
Speakon Outputs * Standard 775mv inputs Open and Short circuit proof • Latest Mos-Fets 15.15 Inch speaker
for stress free delivery into virtually any load • High slew rate • Very low distortion ' Aluminium 12=12 Inch speaker
cases • MXF600 8i -MXF900 fan cooled with -D.C. Loudspeaker and thermal protection. 1bl FC15-300 WATTS Freq Range 35Hz-20kHz Sens 101dB, Size H695 W502 D415mm
USED THE WORLD OVER IN CLUBS, PUBS, CINEMAS, DISCOS ETC Price: - £299.00 per pair
MXF200 W19" D11" Hah" i 2U) ibl FC12-300 WATTS Freq Range 45Hz-20kHz. Sens 96dB. Size H600 W405 D300mm
MXF400 W19" D12" H5'/-" 3U` Price: - £249.00 per pair
SIZES: - MXF600 W19" D13" H5 1/2' 3U ibl FC12-200 WATTS Freq Range 40Hz-20kHz, Sens 97dB, Size H600 W405 D300mm
MXF900 W19" D14" H57 , 3U
Price: - £199.00 per pair
PRICES:- MXF200 £ 175.00 MXF400 £ 233.85 ibl FC12-100 WATTS Freq Range 45Hz-20kHz, Sens 100dB, Size H546 W380 D300mm
MXF600 £ 329.00 MXF900 £ 449.15 Price: - £179.00 per pair
SPECIALIST CARRIER DEL £ 12.50 Each ibl WM12-200 WATTS Freq Range 40Hz-20kHz, Sens 97dB, Sze H418 W600 D385mm

CATALOGUE 2001-2002 Price: - £125.00 Each

AMOY
Robots SPECIALIST CARRIER DEL:- £12.50 per pair, wedge monitor £7.00 each
Optional Metal Stands PRICE: - £49.00 per pair Deliver:- £6.00
IF • :

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CONFIGURED 3 WAY 2WAY BASS/MID COMBINED 2 WAY MID/TOP COMBINED

FEATURES: -
Advanced 3-Way Stereo Active Cross-Over (Switchable two way), housed ins 19" x1U case. Each
channel has three level controls: Bass, Mid & Top. The removable front facia allows access to the
programmable
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X03 Bass- Mid 250/500/800Hz. Mid- Top 1.8/3/5kHz, all at 24 dB per Octave.
Please make sure you ask for the correct model when ordering. The 2/3 way selector switches are
also accessed by removing the front facia. Each stereo channel can be configured separately. Bass
Invert Switches are incorporated on each channel. Nominal 775mV input/output. Fully compatible
with the OMP Rack Amplifier and Modules.
BOTH MODELS PRICED AT : -£ 117.44 + £ 5.00 P&P
MP MOS-FET POWER AMPLIFIER MODULES BUILT AND TESTED
These modules now enjoy aworld-wide reputation for quality, reliability and performance at arealistic pece. Fou
models are available to suit the needs of the professional and hobby market je. Industry, Leisure. Instrumenta
and Hi- Fi etc. When companng prices. NOTE that all models include toroidal power supply, integral heatsink,
glass fibre PCB and drive circuits to power acompatible Vu meter. All models are open and short circurt proof
THOUSANDS OF MODULES PURCHASED BY PROFESSIONAL USERS
OMP/MF 100 Mos-Fet Output Power 110 watts
Co munica' 'e The Prow R.M.S into 4 ohms,freq_uency response 1Hz -
100kHz - 3dB, Damping Factor > 300, Slew Rate
)ctronics • V. e..11 IT
45V/uS. T.H.D. typical 0.002%, Input Sensitivity
500mV, S.N.R. 110dB. Size 300 x 123 x 60mm.
Untt 1, Comet Way, ISOJIrsir 1. Price: -£42.85 + £4.00 P&P
Essex. ••;:a e • ..rt
Tar- 017(12-.1-1,7f* Fax:- 017117-420243 OMP/MF 200 Mos-Fet Output Power 200 watts
FREllçay R.M.S. into 4 ohms.freq_uency response 1Hz -
over 3 100kHz - 3dB, Damping Factor > 300, Slew Rate
50V/uS. T.H.D. typical 0.001%, Input Sensitivity
500mV. S.N.R. 110dB. Size 300 x 155 x 100mm.
an Price:- £66.35 + £4.00 P&P
OMP/MF 300 Mos-Fet Output Power 300 watts
100 WATT ACTIVE SUB BASS AMPLIFIER PANEL R M.S. into 4 ohms.treq_uency response 1Hz -
100kHz - 3dB„ Damping Factor > 300, Slew Rate
60V/uS, T.H.D. typical 0.001%, Input Sensitivity
AN ACTIVE SUB BASS AMPLIFIER WITH A TRUE 100W 500mV. S.N.R. 110dB. Size 330 x 175 x 100mm.
RMS OUTPUT. SUPERB CONSTRUCTION WITH THE Price: -£83.75 + £5.00 P&P
FACILITIES TO INTEGRATE SEEMLESSLY INTO MOST
HI-FI OR HOME CINEMA SETUPS. USE THIS PANEL OMP/MF 450 Mos-Fet Output Power 450 watts
PLUS ONE OF OUR LOUDSPEAKERS TO MAKE YOUR R.M.S. into 4 ohms,freq_uency response 1Hz -
OWN SUB WOOFER THAT WILL MATCH OR BEAT MOST 100kHz - 3dB, Damping Factor >300, Slew Rate
COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SUB WOOFERS. 75V/uS, T.H.D. typical 0.001%, Input Sensitivity
500mV, S.N.R. 110dB Fan Cooled, D.C.
FEATURES:- • 100W RMS INTO 8 OHMS • H'GH AND Loudspeaker Protection. 2 Second Anti Thump
LOW LEVEL INPUTS • TOROIDAL TRANSFORMER Delay. Size 385 x210 x 105mm.
• SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION • D.C. SPEAKER Price:- £ 135.85 + £6.00 P&P
PROTECTION • FREQUENCY ROLL OFF, LOWER
10Hz, UPPER 60Hz TO 240Hz ( FULLY ADJUSTABLE) OMP/MF 1000 Mos-Fet Output Power 1000 watts
• AC3 COMPATIBLE FILTER CAN BE BYPASSED R.M.S into 2 ohms, frequency response 1Hz -
FOR 5-1 FORMATS. • AIRTIGHT CONSTRUCTION 100kHz - 3dB„ Damping Factor > 300, Slew Rate
•TENS OF THOUSANDS OF OUR PANELS ALREADY 75V1uS. T.H.D. typical 0.001%. Input Sensitivity
IN USE. • COMPLETE WITH LEADS 500mV, S.N.R. 110dB. Fan Cooled, D.C.
Loudspeaker Protection, 2 Second Anti Thump
SPECIFICATIONS:-* POWER 100W RMS 8 OHMS * FRED RESP. 10Hz 15K1-Iz Delay Size 422 x300 x 125mm.
-3dB DAMPING FACTOR >200 DISTORTION 0.05% • S/N A WEIGH — ED Price:- £261.00 . £ 12.00 P&P
>100dB • SUPPLY 230V A.C. *WEIGHT 2.7Kg • SIZE H254 X W254 X D94mm NOTE MOS-FET MODULES ARE MAILABLE IN TWO VERSIONS
STANDARD - INPUT SENS 500mVEANDWDTH 1001.1-tz OR PEG
THERE ARE 2 VERSIONS OF THE ABOVE PANEL AVAILABLE :- BSB100-'8 (PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT COMPATIBLE) - INPUT SENS
8 OHM VERSION BSB100/4 4 OHM VERSION BOTH PANELS ARE PRICED AT 775mV BANDWDTH5LAZ-tz ORDER STANDAFC) OR PEC

B.K. ELECTRONICS
£117.44 + £ 5.00 P&P INCL. V.A.T. CHECK WEBSITE FOR PANELS UP TO 5GOW
REF D5
DELIVERY CHARGES:- PLEASE INCLUDE AS ABOVE, UNIT 1 COMET WAY, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, ESSEX. SS2 6TR.
TO A MAXIMUM AMOUNT £ 30.00. OFFICIAL ORDERS
InSALI FROM SCHOOL, COLLEGES, GOVT.,_PLCs ETC. PRICES TEL.: 01702-527572 FAX.: 01702-420243
INCLUSIVE OF V.A.T. SALES COUNTER. CREDIT CARD Web:- http://www.bkelec.com E- Mail [email protected]
ORDERS ACCEPTED BY POST PHONE OR FAX.