design

Edited by Bill Travis and Anne Watson Swager

ideas

Circuit forms low-frequency circulator

Richard Kurzrok, Queens Village, NY
100 he electronic circula15V tor made its debut ten PORT 1 0.1 F 100 years ago (Reference 1). 324 It functioned at VHF as a 324 OP AMP three-port unit using a Com(FOUR PLACES) 100 IC1 linear (now part of National 0.1 F PORT 2 + Semiconductor, www.nsc. 100 com) CLC 406 operational 324 324 15V amplifier. The circuit in Fig100 100 ure 1 extends the circulators IC2 PORT 3 performance to four-port + 100 operation at low frequencies, 100 using the readily available 324 324 941 (equivalent to the Figure 1 ubiquitous 741) and 100 IC3 LM318 op amps. Table 1 PORT 4 + 100 shows the measured data for 324 the 741-equivalent op amp. 100 324 Table 2 shows the measured COMPONENT QUANTITY data for the LM318 op amp. IC FOUR IC4 100 R 100 12 The four-port circulators in + R 324 EIGHT Figure 1 use 50 impedance levels. The circuit can readily accommodate other impedance levels, such as 75 and An electronic circulator is useful for isolation and equalization. 600 . You can see that for typical circulator operation at frequenTABLE 2MEASURED DATA TABLE 1MEASURED DATA FOR cies below 50 kHz, you can use the 741-

741-EQUIVALENT OP AMP
Forward loss (dB) 0.5 0.5 1 4.1

FOR LM318 OP AMP

Circuit forms low-frequency circulator ............................107 Use printer port as programmable frequency generator ..................................108 Trace voltage-current curves on your PC ....................................................112 Circuit makes simple FSK modulator..............................................116

Frequency (kHz) 2 20 50 100

Reverse isolation (dB) 50.2 44.1 38 33

equivalent op amp. For typical operation at speeds as high as 1 MHz, you would use the LM318 op amp. The resistors in Figure 1 are metal-film units with 1% tolerances. The circulator breadboards use open (not shielded) construction,

Forward Reverse Frequency loss (dB) isolation (dB) 10 Hz to 100 kHz 0 Greater than 56 100 kHz 0.1 Greater than 56 500 kHz 0.5 45 1 MHz 0.9 34 1.6 MHz 0 29.5 3.3 MHz 3 25.5

and the components are soldered to the vector board. The ICs use commercially available sockets soldered to the vector board.
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cost version of the circulator using surface-mount pc-board techniques. References 1. Wenzel, C,Low Frequency Circulator/Isolator Uses No Ferrite or Magnet, RF Design, July 1991. 2. Kurzrok, R, Amplitude Equalizer is Circulator Coupled, Microwaves, Volume 10, September 1971, pg 50. 3. Kurzrok, R, Circulator-Coupled Equalizers Applicable to High-Speed Data Links, Applied Microwave & Wireless, June 2001, pg 86.

You can use the electronic four-port circulators in various applications with the fourth port terminated. You can configure baseband-amplitude and groupdelay equalizers using the electronic circulator (references 2 and 3). You can also use the circuit as a low-frequency returnloss bridge or as an electronic isolator. Low-frequency op amps are available as quads with four independent op amps. You can configure a miniaturized, low-

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Use printer port as programmable frequency generator

K Kanniappan, IGCAR, Tamil Nadu, India

simple and inexpensive circuit (Figure 1) and a simple C program (Listing 1) are all you need to turn your PCs printer port into a programmable frequency generator. Using a few low-cost and readily available components, the circuit occupies little space and is easily attachable to the printer port. The circuit has advantages over a 555-based

astable multivibrator in that it eliminates the tedious task of adjusting a potentiometer while you watch a frequency counter or oscilloscope. With the circuit in Figure 1, you need only enter the desired frequency, and the PC does the rest. The circuit uses a MAX5130 low-power, programmable, 13-bit DAC, IC1; an OP07 buffer; and an AD537 VFC (voltage-to-

frequency converter). The PC controls the DAC using a three-wire serial interface. It also uses the data lines D0 to D2 of the data port (0 378h) of the printer interface to send the CS (chip-select), data, and CLK (clock) signals to the DAC. Depending on the data it receives from the PC, the DAC produces a voltage output of 0 to 4.0955V in 8192 steps with a step resolu-

Figure 1
5V 9 10k 2 3 PRINTER PORT 4 10k 7 (DIN) 10k 8 (SCLK) 12 (PD) 4 (PDL) 9 (DGND) 3 (RSTVAL) 1 (OS) 13 (AGND) 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 D25 CONNECTOR + (REF ADJ) 0.33 F 15 R1 * 3.3k R2 1k 6 (CS) IC1 MAX5130 2 (OUT) VOUT VDD 5 (CLR) _ IC2 OP07 + 10k 5 + 10 F 3 4 11

20k

10 13 IC3 AD537 330 14 1 8 12 FOUT 5V

** C1 0.001 F * 0.1% MFR ** POLYSTYRENE

Turn your PCs printer port into a programmable frequency generator with this simple circuit.

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These values ensure good linearity (typically 0.01%) between VOUT and fOUT. Potentiometers P1 and P2 adjust fOUT at the lower and higher ends of the frequency range, respectively. The C program in Listing 1 obtains the desired frequency from the user and calculates the required output from the DAC to apply to the VFC. It then works out the ACTUALDATA to send to the DAC for mode control. The d2b routine converts the ACTUALDATA into 16-bit binary data. The program enables the DAC (CS) low and then serially clocks the binary equivalent of ACTUALDATA, starting one bit at a time from the MSB to the LSB, to the data pin of the DAC. With the LSB set at the data pin, the low-to-high transition of the clock latches the ACTUALDATA completely into the DAC and sets fOUT to the desired value. You can download Listing 1 from the Web version of this article at EDNs Web site, www.ednmag.com. You can easily change the frequency range by changing the value of C. For example, with R1 and R2 unchanged, you can extend the frequency to 100 kHz by changing C to 0.001 F instead of 0.01 F. You can also increase the frequency range by using a VFC with a higher frequency capability.

tion of 0.5 mV. Thus, a data word of 0 000h produces a DAC output of 0V, and a data word of 0 1fffh produces a DAC output of 4.0955V. Using the 2.5V internal reference, the DAC output and the data input follow the equation VOUT 2.5(DATA/8192) GAIN. After IC2 buffers it, the DAC output drives the VFC and sets its frequency output according to the following equation: fOUT VOUT/(10(R1 R2)C1) Hz. For the values of R1, R2, and C in Figure 1 and the cited DAC-output range, the output of the VFC and hence the frequency of the programmable-frequency generator varies from 0 to 10 kHz in 8192 steps with a frequency resolution of 1.22 Hz. You choose and trim the values of R1 and R2 to produce a current range of 0 to 1 mA for a DAC output of 0 to 4.0955V.

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LISTING 1PROGRAMMABLE FREQUENCY GENERATOR

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Trace voltage-current curves on your PC

Clayton Grantham, National Semiconductor, Tucson, AZ

ome years ago, one of the fundamental electronic instruments was the laboratory curve tracer. A CRT display would sweep out terminal behavior (current versus voltage) from which you could derive mathematical models. Classic presentations of diodes, transistors, and other devices enlightened designers about linear and nonlinear operation. From the displays, you could determine the bias points for optimum design performance. Today, however, you rarely find the classic curve tracers in the lab. Instead, you find design-simulation

software, such as Spice, thats removed from hands-on, empirical analysis. Spice models now exist for almost all electronic components. Characterization analyzers still make the voltage-current measurements but not at the design-engineer level. Rather, departments are dedicated to characterizing processes and components and incorporating these characteristics into the simulated models. The lowcost circuit in Figure 1 allows you to return to the hands-on approach by using your PC as a limited curve tracer. The curve tracer sweeps out seven log-

arithmic-scaled currents from 1 A to 1 mA while measuring the voltage, 0 to 5V (3.3V on some PCs), at each step. The circuit uses a programmable current source to force increasing discrete current values and samples the voltage at the IOUT terminal at each step. A classic curve tracer continuously sweeps a voltage while measuring the sourced current. The program control resides in Excel (running in Office 2000) macros that perform I/O operations through the LPT1 port of the PC. You can download the Excel program from EDNs Web site, www.ednmag.com.

Figure 1
LPT1 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 GND C0 D0 C2 D1 D2 D3 1 2 RN1 10 3 4 5 6 IC2 LM4130 2.048V VIN GND 2 VREF 5 1 3 5 5 VCC R3 2.16M 3 4 5 6 10 11 12 13 IC5 74HC05 R4 1M R5 316k R6 100k R7 31.6k R9 3.16k + + 47 F 0.1 F DAC Q2A R1 100 R2 100 Q2B XN2401 POWER

GND D4 7 GND D5 8 21 D6 GND 9 D7 22 GND 10 23 GND S6 11 24 GND 12 S5 25 GND 13

1000 pF IC3 LPV321 4 2

Q1 2SD601 IOUT=1 A TO 1 mA 5V COMPLIANCE

S1

IC1 LM3724 4.63V 3 4 RESET MR GND 1 AND 2

IC4 74HC164 Q0 9 MR Q1 Q2 8 Q3 CLK A B Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7

R8 10k

10k 10k

12 pF

1 2

100 IC6 ADCV0831 CLK 3 VIN 5 DO 1 V+ 6 CS 2 GND 4 0.1 F R10 1k C5 1000 pF

3 1 2 5 IC7 LMC7111 + 4

100

100 10k

ADC

Remember the classic Tek curve tracers? You can easily configure something similar on your PC.

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The program uses the free file Input32.dll to bit-wise control Figure 2 the parallel ports digital I/O. The author of the .dll file is Jonathan Titus, editorial director of Test and Measurement World.You load CurveTracer.xls with its macros, connect the circuit of Figure 1 to the parallel port, and then run a macro called ControlPanel. A user form pops up in the spreadsheet and connects the curve-tracer force and measurement actions with the electronics (Figure 2). The possible operations are a single voltage measurement, a single forced-current output, or a sweep of current steps lasting 2.8 msec each and a voltage measurement at each step. The voltage measurements go into cells B4 to B10 in the spreadsheet. The resulting graph shows an x-y scatter plot of the data in cells A4 to B10. With this use of macros within Excel, all the graphing, This curve-tracer user form, which floats in front of an Excel spreadsheet, controls the curve tracanalysis, and data storage common to Ex- ers electronics. cel are still available to use. You can test the terminal behavior of many electron- ed by the parallel combination of R3 to ing contain the basic interface features for ic components with this simple curve R9. For the lowest current, 1 A, only R3 changing the current-output values and tracer. Resistors yield a linear plot whose connects (2.048V/2.16 M ). For the measuring the voltage input. Within slope is the resistor value (R V/I). highest current (1 mA), all the resistors module 1, the declaration of Input32.dll connect in parallel (2.048V/2.16 k ). must include its directory path. To minDiodes exhibit a nonlinear plot (ID ISeqVD/kT). You can also plot a diodes terYou select resistor values for a cumula- imize the effects of differing PC-clock minal behavior on a logarithmic current tive half-decade change in IOUT. IOUT steps and LPT1-bus speeds in different PCs, the scale with a simple click within Excels by the square root of 10 in value. With user form performs a 10-sec timing calicharting capabilities. Some other appli- only these seven resistors, the circuit cov- bration at initialization. This calibration cation examples are forward-biased tran- ers three decades of current range. The attempts to set the IOUT steps during a pnp pair, Q2A and Q2B, mirrors Q1s col- sweep to 2.8 msec. The software uses this sistor junctions, LEDs, and relay coils. The components in Figure 1 provide lector current to the terminal IOUT. Emit- time-delay coefficient throughout the operation as low as 3V and low power ter-degeneration resistors R1 and R2 im- program. Also, software-calibration coconsumption (low quiescent current). In prove the mirrors output resistance. Shift efficients within the code minimize voltthe PWR block, resistor network RN1 iso- register IC4 and open-drain inverter IC5 age-measurement gain and offset errors. lates and combines eight LPT1 outputs at select which of the resistors to connect via The spreadsheet maintains these coeffiD0 to D7 to power the circuit. The su- program control. IC4s input and clock cients for ease of changing. Use a voltpervisory circuit, IC1, monitors the volt- connect the parallel port at C0 and C2 for meter and a resistor of known value to age from the LPT1 port. Use the LM3724 serial shift-in operation. IC5s on-resist- calibrate. The initial gain coefficient in 4.63V option for 5V PCs and the 3.08V ance is lower than 40 . IC6 and IC7 per- the spreadsheet for a 5V PC is 5V dividoption for 3.3V PCs. The reset output of form voltage measurements (the ADC ed by 28 1 (5/255 0.0196). The initial IC1 goes back to the parallel port at ter- block). IC7, a rail-to-rail op amp buffers offset coefficient is zero. You can also calminal S5 for software-error checking and the lowpass filter comprising R10 and C5. ibrate the IOUT current values in the clears IC4 at start-up. IC1 also has a man- The serial output of IC6, D0, connects to spreadsheet. The user-form references ual reset that provides direct user control. the parallel port at S6. IC6s clock input these spreadsheet values. With external If you press momentary switch SW1, the provides timing control. When IC6s chip- calibration, you can attain better than 1% output current resets to 1 A. IC2 select input goes low, a conversion starts. error. through IC5, Q1, Q2, and associated resis- Pulling IOUT above the PCs 5V level or betors R1 through R9 form a current-output low ground could result in circuit and PC D/A converter. Servoamplifier IC3 sets damage. To be safe, operate this curve Is this the best Design Idea in this Q1s collector current. This current is a tracer with unpowered components. function of IC2s reference voltage dividThe macros in the downloadable list- issue? Vote at www.ednmag.com.

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Circuit makes simple FSK modulator

Shyam Tiwari, Sensors Technology Ltd, Gwalior, India
he need for a compact with R1). When the input 5V IC1 DC telemetry system assumes a high level, the NL27WZ14 Figure 1 poses a challenge oscillators frequency re5 1 6 FSK OUTPUT for designing a small, light, duces by one- half with the 2 low-component-count sysintroduction of a capaciC1 0.01 F tem. Interfacing serial data tor in the timing circuit via 470 Q1 R1 from the microprocessor is Q1. The inverter IC can ac2N2222 10k 5k TTL commodate an operating also difficult because most INPUT C2 frequency of approximatelow-cost RF transmitters do 0.01 F ly 80 kHz. You can easily not accept dc levels at the inoperate the FSK modulaput. Commercial FSK (freINPUT tor at higher frequencies, quency-shift-keying) modulaFSK OUTPUT such as 4800 and 9600 Hz, tors are bulky and need many by reducing the values of passive components. The cirthe timing capacitors C1 cuit in Figure 1 uses a single An FSK modulator uses a single inverter with minimal added components. and C2. NOT gate (inverter), an On Semiconductor NL27WZ14 in a surface- with available transmitters. When the mount package, to generate continuous TTL input has a low level, the circuit is a FSK data from TTL-level signals. The continuously running oscillator, produc- Is this the best Design Idea in this outputs from this circuit are compatible ing approximately 2400 Hz (adjustable issue? Vote at www.ednmag.com.

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