On 19/06/2011 20:20, Tony Duell wrote:
What does it use as the frequency reference? Does
it use a crystal (and
if so, how does it handle the frequency change). What is the mark-space
ratio of the otuput (I found a narrow flash with a logner dark perid gave
a much clearier indication than a 1:1 ratio).
It uses a common crystal. You pick either a 3.2768MHz crystal for 50Hz
or a 3.93216MHz for 60Hz; it's assumed that you need one or the other
Right. My design does both simply because it took just one more resistor
and a switch contact to do it. I have found that useful, occasionally
you find strobe patterns for one type of mains and not the other.
Mine uses 4 DIL packages :
1) The master clock is a 4.9152MHz oscilalotr module. This is a standard
one, used as the buad rate clock on some RS232 interfaces. 2.4576MHz is
also useable, just change one conenction on the next stage.
2) A 74HCT393 dual 4-bit ripple counter. The 2 sctions are cascaded to
give a /256 circuit, which is fed from the oscilaltor. This gives
19200Hz. Ifyou use the 2.45..MHz oscillator, just make this a /128 circuit.
3) A /12 or /10 counter/ I built this from a 74HCT163. Thr RCO ouput is
inverted (I used a 2N3904 and 3 reistots for this to avod another IC
package) and fed to the LD/ input. The parallel load inputs are jammed to
0100 or 0110 respectively (this is easy to arrange, D and A are grounded,
C is tied high, B goes to a pull up resistor and the selector swithc to
ground). Thus the counter counts up the appropriate number of times, then
the RCO output is asserted, it reloads, and reperats. The D output of
this counter is thus a clock at 16 times the required strobe frequncy.
4) Another 74HCT163, clocked from the D output of (3). The RCO outptu of
that is this a 11:15 mark-space ratio signal at the required frequency
(100 or 120 Hz). That drives another 2N3904 via suitable resistors, the
collector load of that transistor is 4 white LEDs arranged as 2 parallel
sets of 2 series-conencted LEDs with approrpaite limiting resistors.
The onyl cotnrol is a 3 position rotary switch. -- the positions being
off, 100 flashses/sec, 120 flashes/sec. One pole odf the swtich switches
the +ve supply line to the rest of the circuit, anoterhpole controls the
B input od that counter.
-tony