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www.americanradiohistory.com
AmericanRadioHistory.Com
 October 2000, Vol. 1, No. 10
e CS ¡Oar Electronics"

FEATURES
öntronies
Ironies® THE MAGAZINE FOR THE HANDS-ON ELECTRONICS ACTIVIST!

DEPARTMENTS
29 AN FM/TV AUDIO RECEIVER 6 NET WATCH
How many times have you missed a Kick tires, peek under hoods, and 'test" shocks as Joe Black
favorite television program because you shops for a new car on line.
just couldn't get to a screen? Perhaps
you were in the kitchen or garage or 8 SURVEYING THE DIGITAL DOMAIN
working outside. You couldn't (or didn't
want to) stop what you were doing, but
the task was mindless enough to make
-
Before Reid Goldsborough tries out Web -based applications, he
tells you how your PC is out to get you physically.

television a welcome distraction. Now 11 COMPUTER BITS

you no longer need to worry that you Ted Needleman ties every computer in the house together with a
set the VCR properly. This small, bat- "network in a box" kit.
tery-powered receiver can fit in a shirt
pocket with the right case. By changing a few select components, 13 PEAK COMPUTING
you can tune in different TV or FM -radio bands. What better way When Ted Needleman gets tired of crawling around the back of

-
to pass the afternoon than listening to soap operas while weeding
the garden ? Anthony J. Caristi
his computer to access the ports, he brings them "up close and
personal" with some handy port- replication hardware.

37 LOOKING AHEAD TO DTV: PART 2 17 PROTOTYPE

The first part of this technological look behind the scenes of the Telescope mirrors, compressing medical images, rewritable DVDs,
digital- television standard took the video and audio signals, digi- right- and left- handed nanoclusters, software for "designer genes,"
tized them, compressed them, and squeezed them down to a a history of `green" chemistry.
fraction of their original size. This month, we chop them up, pack
them together, and send them out over the airwaves to appear 21 Q &A
soon on a digital television near you. -Geophrey McComis Problems and their solutions from Michael Covington, the
Poptronics 'Answer Man."
45 GETTING INSIDE AN NCO
Numerically- controlled oscillators are usually "unsung heroes" 51 ROBOTICS WORKSHOP
when it comes to generating an accurate waveform over a wide Gordon McComb's position on servomotors in robotics...depends
frequency range. Not only do we tell you all about how NCOs are on the size and accuracy of the unit! After he shows you how to
designed, you get your hands dirty by building an actual NCO work with them, you can choose a position of your own-or make
from discrete parts -a
learning experience much more valuable them free-wheeling.
than buying a single -chip device off the shelf. -Tom Napier
55 AMAZING SCIENCE
John lovine "wrecks a nice beach" with a circuit to "recognize
PRODUCT REVIEWS speech."
3 GIZMO®
"Top -end" CD Player, mood lights, handheld GPS system, flat - 60 SERVICE CLINIC
screen monitor, digital -audio jukebox, wireless GyroMouse, emer- Sam Goldwasser takes control of your VCR's play and record
gency batteries, multi- channel speaker system, TVNCR combina- problems.
tion, Internet privacy software.
63 BASIC CIRCUITRY
Tum off those sirens! Charles Rakes is alerting us about alarm circuits!
AND MORE
2 Editorial 69 Poptronics Shopper
16 Letters 106 Advertising Index
24 New Gear 106A Free Information Card
27 New Literature

Poptronics (ISSN 526 -3681) Published monthly by Gernsback Publications, Inc. 275 -G Marcus Blvd., Hauppauge, NY 1788. Second -Class postage paid
at Hauppauge, NY
1
1

and at additional mailing offices. One-year, twelve issues, subscription rate U.S. and possessions $24.99, Canada $33.15 (includes G.S.T.
Canadian Goods and Services Tax
Registration No. R I25166280), all other countries $33.99. Subscription orders payable in U.S. funds only, International Postal Money Order or check drawn on a
U.S. bank.
U.S. single copy price $4.99. Copyright 2000 by Gernsback Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Hands -on Electronics and Gizmo trademarks
are registered in U.S. and
Canada by Gernsback Publications, Inc. Poptronics trademark is registered in U.S. and Canada by Poptronix, Inc. and is licensed to
Gernsback Publications, Inc. Printed in
U.S.A.
Postmaster: Please send address changes to Poptronics, Subscription Dept., P.O. Box 459, Mount Morris, IL 61054 -7629

A stamped self- addressed envelope must accompany all submitted manuscripts and /or artwork or photographs if their return is desired should they be rejected.
We dis-
claim any responsibility for the loss or damage of manuscripts and /or artwork or photographs while in our possession or otherwise.

As a service to readers, Poptronics publishes available plans or information relating to newsworthy products, techniques, and
scientific and technological developments.
Because of possible variances in the quality and condition of materials and workmanship used by readers, Poptronics disclaims
any responsibility for the safe and proper
functioning of reader -built projects based upon or from plans or information published in this magazine.
1
 Poptronics® Editorial
mailto: popeditor@gernsback.com
Larry Steckler, EHE CET,
editor -in -chief and publisher

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
Whose Copyright Is It, Anyway?
Joseph Suda, managing editor
Evelyn Rose, assistant editor I recently received an interesting e -mail from a Chris Rupert, who said: "From the
Nancy Serenita, editorial assistant August 2000 editorial comment, gather that you have no objection to people taking
I

copyrighted music, converting it to .MP3 format, and making it available free of charge
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
to anyone on the Internet. can only assume, then, that you wouldn't mind if scanned
I I

Joe Black
Michael A. Covington, N4TMI an entire issue of Poptronics and put it on the Internet for all to enjoy."
Reid Goldsborough I thought about that for a while. Not only was it a response to Gary Shapiro's guest
Sam Goldwasser editorial, it was probably a reaction to that day's news concerning the court-ordered
John !ovine shutdown of Napster -a event that will likely be `old news" by the time you read this.
Gordon McComb In my response, pointed out that our guest editor was expressing his frustration
I

Ted Needleman with how the copyright holders are, by holding back technology, preventing wide dis-
Charles D. Rakes semination of public- domain content. Two hundred years ago, the American Founding
Teri Scaduto
Fathers established the ability to copyright a work for the purposes of enriching soci-
ety (the 'We the people" part of the US Constitution). The idea is that all created works
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT
Ken Coren, production director
of art-music, pictures, books, etc. -will become part of the "public domain," but that
Kathy Campbell, production manager the original creator has the chance to profit from his/her work. In that way, the creation
Michele L. Musé, prepress specialist of artistic works is encouraged; artists are able to earn compensation for their effort;
and everyone benefits in the long term.
ART DEPARTMENT For all of the bad taint that the .MP3 format had garnered over the "ripping" of copy-
Russell C.Truelson, art director righted CD-audio tracks, there is also a "good" aspect to it. Many "garage bands" and
individual musicians who aren't signed with a record label have distributed their origi-
CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT nal compositions and performances over the Internet using the .MP3 format. Whether
Gina L. Gallo, circulation manager
they are "good" or "bad" in terms of their song-writing and/or playing ability, their con-
REPRINT DEPARTMENT tributions have enriched society. They shouldn't be lumped together with the "rippers"
Nancy Serenita, Reprint Bookstore and get banned outright.
Our society is in the throes of working out these issues right now. The various sides
are just seen in black and white, while the various shades of gray are being ignored.
BUSINESS AND EDITORIAL OFFICES If history is any sort of teacher, the balance between access and protection will even-
Gernsback Publications, Inc. tually sort itself out. That process, however, is not automatic; as the old saying goes,
275 -G Marcus Blvd. "If good does nothing, evil wins every time."
Hauppauge, NY 1788
In part of his response to my reply, Mr. Rupert agreed with my clarification of Mr.
1

631 -S92 -6720

Fax:631 -592 -6723
Shapiro's position, but pointed out that `There is definitely a `copyright holders are self-
President: Larry Steckler
ish and greedy' under- (over -) tone to the article." He's got a point. The original con-
Vice -President: Adria Coren cept of copyright was meant to protect the creators of the works. Nowadays, it seems
Vice -President: Ken Coren that the copyright holders-at least those in the news who are most vocal about stolen
copyrights-usually have little, if anything, to do with creativity.
SUBSCRIPTION Mr. Rupert further pointed out: "Sites like mp3.com are the wave of the future. This
CUSTOMER SERVICE/ site actually pays the artist by the download, bypassing the recording industry behe-
ORDER ENTRY moth entirely (perhaps this is why record companies are so up in arms over the new
800 -827 -0383
format). Any artist can upload his music here; and if people like it, they download it. If
7:30 AM - 8:30 PM EST
not, they move on. This is a great opportunity for the musician to ply his trade without
Advertising Sales Offices being in debt to record companies or having to be subject to their brand of creativity.
listed on page 106 "I do not fear the new technology; in fact, it's quite the opposite. I'm currently work-
ing on a CD of my own, and can't wait to upload my music in .MP3 format to sites like
mp3.com potentially reaching a wider audience than could have imagined only a few
I

years ago."
Cover by Michele Lyn Musé I know how he feels about reaching an audience, since co-authored one science -
I

fiction novel and have another in the works.The Internet has provided the opportunity
VISIT US ON THE INTERNET AT:
and means to distribute such material.
www.gernsback.com Thanks for the correspondence, Chris. Not only did you make some very good
observations on this complex issue, you helped save us all from what might have been
a dull and boring editorial!

Since some of the equipment and circuitry

described in POPTRONICS may relate to or be
covered by U.S. patents, POPTRONICS disclaims
any liability for the infringement of such patents by
the making, using, or selling of such equipment or
Joseph Suda
circuitry, and suggests that anyone interested in
such projects consult a patent attorney.
Managing Editor
2
 GIZAIQ®
Superlative Super-Audio CD Player
Marantz makes its Super-Audio CD debut with the Reference Series SA -I
o

SACD player ($7500). It uses Direct Stream Digital (DSD) technology and
has a sampling rate of 2.822 MHz (compared to the 44.1 kHz sampling
rate of conventional CDs).The SACD format can deliver both frequen-
cy response -from DC to over 00 kHz -and dynamic range that are
I

greater than 120 dB, resulting in clear, detailed, realistic music reproduction. Azgaisammatmswiximiat
Boasting audiophile -grade design and construction, the SA -1 uses premi-
um optics and digital decoding circuitry for exceptional data- retrieval accuracy and resolution. It also is said to provide
excellent playback quality from standard CDs.The player provides a full complement of CD program and play functions.
Interior components were selected for maximum sonic purity, and copper shielding is used extensively to block
unwanted EMI and RFI. The SA -1 's heavy -duty chassis -with aluminum alloy top, side, and front panels, copper-plated
double -layer steel bottom plate, and shock -absorbing feet -damps unwanted internal vibrations, as well as reducing
mechanically induced jitter.
Marantz America, 440 Medinah Road, Roselle, IL 60172 -2330; 630 -307 -3100; www.marantzamerica.com.

CIRCLE 50 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD

In the Mood
At first glance, it might look like
high -tech light fixture
a -a milky
white globe resting atop a sculpted black base. But twist the knobs pro-
truding from that base, and the LuminArt (about $ 190) changes color.
One knob lets you dial in any color of the spectrum, and another lets
/m ,7 %f you vary the color's intensity-from blush pink to fiery red, for instance.
Based on new age color theory and the psychodynamics of color, the
design of the LuminArt reflects the mood and personality of the user.
Meant to serve as an interactive focal point and to make a design statement, the color- changing light sculpture allows
you to define the atmosphere and set the mood in any room.
LuminArt, 518 Edens Lane, Northfield, IL 60093; 847 -441 -3260; www.luminart.net.
CIRCLE 51 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD

Portable Navigator
Find your way, without finding yourself in the red, with the GPS 310 handheld
satellite navigator, which carries a suggested retail price of $ 9.99. Its data -out-
I 1

put capabilities make it compatible with most popular PC navigation software,

and it comes with a coupon for a free data cable. On land or offshore, the GPS
310 can be used as a primary navigational tool or as a backup. Its "navigation"
screen displays your speed, the direction in which you are traveling, and the dis-
tance remaining to your destination.
The device stores up to 100 of your favorite locations and one reversible
route with up to ten Iegs.The rocker keypad and dedicated GO TO, MARK, MENU,
and NAV buttons make it easy to save, name, and return to landmarks. The "posi-
tion" screen displays location information in latitude/longitude or Universal Transverse
Mercator (UTM) Map Coordinate System coordinates and also displays satellite
status, including elevations. The I2- channel receiver is waterproof -in fact, it
floats.Two AA batteries provide power for up to 20 hours.
Magellan Corp., 960 Overland Court, San Dimas, CA 91773; 909 -394 -5000;
www.magellangps.com.
CIRCLE 52 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
3
 GIZMO®
Low -Cost 17 -Inch TFT Monitor
Prices continue to drop on flat-screen TFT monitors.The SyncMaster 770TFT lists at $1454.
The monitor presents the equivalent viewing area of a traditional 19 -inch CRT display. It offers
a 160- degree viewing angle, Sun Micro and SGI compatibility, and affordable options for USB
and multimedia stereo speakers.The unit is only 2.5- inches thick and 8 inches at its base.The
monitor draws 40 watts and comes with a three -year parts and labor warranty.
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., 105 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660-0511;
800 -SAMSUNG; www.samsungmonitor.com.
CIRCLE 53 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD

Digital Music Deck

What may be the world's first home -networked digital
appliance-the Turtle Beach AudioTron -was recently intro -
duced. The device transmits and receives data via standard
in -wall phone lines and is able to organize and play an unlim-
ited number of digital music files stored on the owner's per-
sonal computer or found on the Internet.
In the process, the PC becomes a huge music jukebox, deliv-
ering music to any room in which the AudioTron resides.Although no definite release date or pricing had been announced
by the time this was written, the AudioTron is expected to be available well before the holiday season.
Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc., 5 Odell Plaza,Yonkers, NY 10701; 800 -233 -9377 or 914- 966 -0600; www.AudioTron.net.
CIRCLE 54 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD

Wireless GyroMouse
This wireless, motion -sensing pointing device, the GyroMouse Pro ($99), is based on a solid -
state gyroscope sensor that precisely controls the cursor on the screen by detecting natur-
al, ordinary hand motions. Advanced radio -control technology gives users the freedom to
roam around the room with no required line -of-sight to their computers. It should be great
for presentations, classrooms, and everyday computer use.
Gyration, 12930 Saratoga Ave., Building C, Saratoga, CA 95070; 800 -316 -5432 or 408-
255 -3016; www.gyration.com.
CIRCLE 55 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD

Roadside Assistance
Keep your portable GPS navigator -or other roadside- assistance or automatic
mayday system -in good working order even under harsh conditions with Pulses Plus
lithium batteries. Most emergency roadside assistance devices are powered by the
vehicle's main battery. In an accident or in extremely cold weather, the car's battery
can be disabled, leaving the driver stranded. A Pulses Plus battery, engineered to with-
stand extreme temperatures, can serve either as backup or as the primary power source.
Pulses Plus batteries are specifically designed to deliver the high voltage, high capac-
ity, and lower self- discharge required by GPS- and RFID -based systems. Combining
lithium- thionyl-chloride chemistry, a hermetically sealed hybrid-layer capacitor (HLC),
and bobbin -type construction, the batteries are said to deliver greater performance
and safety compared to spiral -wound batteries. Pulses Plus batteries come in a vari-
ety of configurations, including cylindrical cells and battery packs, and are available in
sizes and capacity ranges to meet virtually any requirement For information on prices,
contact the company, go to their Web site or check your local store.
Tadiran, 2 Seaview Boulevard., Port Washington, NY 1050; 800 -537 -1368;
1

www.tadiranbat.com.
CIRCLE 56 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD

Gizmo is published by Gernsback Publications, Inc., 275 G Marcus Blvd., Hauppauge, NY I 788. Senior Writers: Christopher Scott
1 and Teri
4 Scaduto. Copyright 2000 by Gernsback Publications, Inc. Gizmo is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.
 GIZMO®
Big Sound, Small Package
The System T 70 delivers high -performance sound from
an ultra- compact home- theater system that's priced just
under $ 000. The system includes center, left and right
1

front, and surround speakers, as well as a 25-watt powered

I

subwoofer The five satellite speakers are all two -way sus-
pension designs in tiny enclosures whose size and MDF con-
struction make them acoustically inert.
Due to their rigid enclosures and tiny baffles, the small front
speakers, T70 LR, are said to deliver both unusually natural
sound and excellent imaging. A proprietary one -inch silk -dome
tweeter provides a smooth, extended frequency response.
The center-channel speaker,T 70 C, features an adjustable
tilting base that lets you aim the speaker up or down to
attain maximum performance. It uses the same tweeter and two of the same woofers as the T 70 LRs, ensuring that all
three front speakers will have the same tonal balance.
The TriVector design of the T 70 SR surround speakers uses a single forward- facing woofer/midrange to deliver a
direct, easily localized sound pattern, coupled with two phase- compensated side -firing tweeters that produce a diffuse
sound field.That combination allows the T 70 SR to be placed almost anywhere in the room.
A special feature of the acoustic -suspension subwoofer,T 70 PBM, is its 125 -watt, custom -built, discrete component
amplifier that is precisely matched to its 10 -inch driver.The powered bass module offers signal- sensing auto -turnoff, an
absolute -phase (polarity) switch, controls for level and crossover frequency, and high- and low -level inputs and through-
puts for easy connection to home -theater electronics.
Atlantic Technology, 343 Vanderbilt Ave., Norwood, MA 02062; 781 -762 -6300; www.atlantictechnologycom.
CIRCLE 57 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD

TV/VCR COMBIPLAYER
We can't imagine our kitchen without a TV /VCR -it allows everyone to peacefully
coexist in the same room, kids happily watching a video while we cook or pay bills. The
20 -inch PV-C2080 ($399.95) adds a few convenience features that our old combiplayer
didn't have. Its four-head, hi -fi VCR is equipped with VCR Plus+ for easy programming.
And the set offers a feature called Wireless Audio that uses a built -in FM trans-
mitter to send the audio signal from the set to the tuner of a separate sound system
or portable stereo. If you tune it to an unused FM station, your seven -year -old can
use a headphone portable and watch Pokemon, for instance, without disturbing his
older siblings' homework sessions or subjecting you to the sound of the "Poké Rap"
while you're prepping dinner. Place the PV-C2080 in a bedroom that's also home to a bookshelf stereo,
and you can listen to "home- theater" sound. For quiet bedroom listening, transmit the TV dialog to your bedside clock radio.
Panasonic USA, One Panasonic Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094 -2999; 800 -21 -PANA; www. panasonic.com.
I

CIRCLE 58 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD

Secure Privacy on the Web

R1V kI11 Consumers take control of their online identity through Privada Proxy, a suite
of fully -private Web -surfing and e-mail services for anyone concerned about pri-
vacy protection. The upgraded 2.0 version allows users to manage "cookies" or
block, unblock and delete them as they wish.
The software certifies the identity of the sender, while protecting that per-
son's identity and personal information from everyone -including Privada. The
cost is $4 per month for both Privada Web and Privada Messaging.
Privada, 3099 N. First St., Second Floor, San Jose, CA 95134; 877 -PRIVADA or
408 -577 -1820; www.privada.com,

CIRCLE 59 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD

5
 JOE BLACK

NET
Wzit1

Buying a new car is an experi-

ence! Rarely is it a good experi- Welcome to Autoweb.cum
ence. For no matter how well we

t-
Autoweb, cot., the interoets premier automotive site, puts you in control of the car-buying procees. Wo

-_D
WIN A
hast deal .e, provide a wealth of unbiased researcn to help aou find and purchase the right car on your own terms, M.rc.d.
shop; no matter how hard we bar- Select a Make sasucN_..461E) RUT
2000
BLIP

gain; no matter how much we 'Acura _71

New Autos New Auto
Pre.Owned Autos PreOwned Auto
compare; when all is said and Free Lemon Check Rebates and Incentives

done, we are never sure that we More

got the right car at the right price. Bu

MCC
ICI aLttssles iel us
NN FM MIMIC IIMI R 'IILMIQ
IIWBIINQ
M1NMTAIN ..n
Often, the only observations we Auctions
Finance
nsurance
Parts and eccentrics
Service Center
can make when we look back on 2000
Plymouth P,nwes Extended Warranty Troubleshooting

the experience is how long it took,

how many dealerships we visited, NILE atuov

and how much it cost. Place Tour Classified Ad

S1000 Guarantee
Autoweb in the Fast Lang
AutoTaik
I'm not in the market for a new Kelley Blue Book
MOTe
Promotions
AAVSUmImWYW fJtltbl
car right now, but Iknew that
somewhere on the Internet, would I
o arena taitocho!

find an easier way to shop -and I

did. I've visited at least ten sites Autoweb has a clean page design where you're just a click away from any type of information tha
that offer a way to buy a new you'd need when researching and buying a car
car-"at the lowest price." Now, I

can't confirm that you will actually cided on a make and model, went I ed, and I do have some-not a
get the lowest price, but can tell
I directly to the "Free Lemon Check" lot -quibbles with myself about shop-
you where to shop and what you to make sure that my choice was not ping for cars at a dealership, decid-
will find there. I've taken the three there. Then i1 was on to "Buy New ing on the make and model, and
most interesting Web sites -most Auto," "Rebates and Incentives," then going home and going online
interesting to me, of course -and "Finance," " hsurance," and finally to buy. Nevertheless, the dollars save I

tried them out. "Extended Warranty." When was I are mine, so wouldn't feel too I

Here is a brief report on what I done, was ready to buy. As said

I I badly about it.
found. believe that they will save
I before, was not really looking for a
I Maybe what the car manufac-
you money. believe that they will
I new car, but sure thought that this
I turers need to do is to set up display
save you time. believe that when
I was one place to check the next rooms in every city so you can look,
you finish shopping and finally buy time was in the market.
I compare, and perhaps even test
that car, you will be a lot happier,
more relaxed, and you will have a NEWCARSLOWEST
HOT SITES
little more money in your bank PRICE.COM
account. Here, the claim at the top of the Automall
opening page is "Buy or Lease Any www.automall.com
AUTOWEB.COM New Car or Truck at the Absolute
I was only interested in buying a LOWEST Price,by Phone or Online, Autoweb
new-not "pre- owned" -car, so I Delivered to Your Door." Sounds www.autoweb.com
only checked out the areas labeled great to me. Of course, really I

New Cars, Lowest Price

"Research," "Buy," and "Finance & needed to have some idea of www. newcarslowestprice. corn
6 Insurance." Since already had de-
I what wanted to buy before start-
I I
 Buy or Lease Any New Car or Truck at the Absolute LOWEST you bargained for. The three sites
Price, by Phone or Online...Delivered To Your Door. that we have covered here, how-
ever, are complete and compre-
hensive. They appear to deliver
what they claim, are easy to navi-
gate, and provide lots of illustrations
and help. One of them, automall.
corn, even makes it possible to
FREE BROCHURE
1-800- complete your deal by telephone if
;::.°7564CAR you need the reassurance of a
... human being.
__
As said at the beginning, have
I I

OOw Serino. CTrwe-tn AoeWeM'i Plei A

not personally used any of these
GO. History CActuN Cham Survey Reeuaa services. If you have any experience
QtgiA. The hey. to
Our 6wvbea
CVentci. Pricing a Order 6niìne with any of them or with any of the
many others not mentioned here,
SAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON YOUR NEW CAR send your comments to me at net
watch@gernsback.com, Let me know
New car buyng has never been easier and more affordable. Serving as your professional new car buyer, we
"Research and Determine" the Absolute LOWEST PRICE for your exact new vehicle from thousands of new car about any other sites that you like
dealers.
or prefer and tell me why.
WEh our professional car buying services, you get the Absolute LCANEST PRICE! Lower than wholesale, Lower
than fleet, Lower than autornakers advertised prices and payments, even hundreds to thousands of dollars BELOW
While we're on the subject of
actual dealer Invoice cost based on hidden factory to dealer rebateu.. Money -Back Guaranteed! cars, I've been told that there are
Avoid All Retail Car Salesman and Avoid Paying that Commissions. This wit save 40110.2111 some Web sites that will arrange to
The award for "slickest-looking Web -page interface" of our three sites would have to go to New have your car painted and turned
Cars, Lowest Price. Just grab that shift lever and grind your gears through everything that they have into a mobile billboard, but have I

to offer. If you want to speak to a human, just be careful not to use that cell phone while driving! not been able to find any of them.
If you have heard of such a site, let
me know. understand that a mobile
I

drive, and then go home to shop repairs, if needed, and that, right billboard can be paid as much as
on your computer screen. Although now, is probably a good thing. One $400 a month for the service, and
I'm sure that the independently-owned of the problems that comes to my that sounds a lot like a free new car
dealerships would love to see that! mind in buying a car over the to me.
Again, did not actually buy a
I Internet is whom do take it to dur- I Till next time. P
car from this site so can't tell you I ing the warranty? Sure, the dealer
anything about the Absolute Lowest gets paid for warranty work, but will
Price or the Money-Back Guarantee, he give an Internet buyer the same
but this sure is a place to look. service as one of his regular cus- MULTIMEDIA
tomers? A thought to ponder.
AUTOMALL.COM on the PC!
was the last stop on my
This DRIVE IT ON HOME What is Multimedia? What car
it do for you? It can do lot:
shopping tour. The major difference There are a lot more new car of nice things! This 184 -pagE
here is that after you go through sites out there. Go to your favorite book helps you create your owr
the selection process, your quote search engine and look for "Buy multimedia presentation. Mul-
timedia applications by people like you car
comes from a dealer in your local New Car," Remember to specify revolutionize educational and business applications as
area. The dealership is probably "search for the exact phrase" or well bring more FUN, FUN, FUN into your leisure
where you will go for warranty

Bur new
Buy User,
Sell Your car
Auto Accessories
on. ..ho, to,w,eve I
you are going to get more than

Welcome to the new car buying page. For a free pnca q.aote from a dealer in your area, select
the make in which you are interested, than click on the 'NEXT STEP' button. Still shopping? Visit
our Research page or go to Autowab Yom's new car page.
;rrrs.n rra
computer activities.

rMail coupon to:

Electronics Technology Today, Inc.
P.O. Box 240

Research
Massapequa Park, NY 11762 -0240
Finance Center Please send me my copy of Multimedia on the PC
r 000,ance Quotes
WArrant,e, follto (PCP120). enclose a check or money order for $18.45 to
I

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penses. NY state residents must add local sales tax.
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IPara Name

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vi Rights ñ.::,9:e
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All orders must be paid in U.S. funds only. Sorry, no
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Your Credo, orders accepted outside of USA and Canada. Please allow
6-8 weeks for delivery.
Auto Mull might not have the fanciest (read: slowest-downloading) graphics on the Internet, but at MÁ02
least your car comes from a local dealership -an important consideration for any possible warranty
work down the road. 7
 SURVEYING THE
REID GOLDSBOROUGH

DIGITAL DD d mailto: digitaldomain@gernsback.com

HMLTh R OF PCS ANd ThE

POWER oF WEb COMpUTiNq
typing Injury FAO Ilume Page Microsoft Interne, Explorer
nless one happens to drop on -

U your head while you're walking

on the sidewalk, personal comput-
ers can't kill you. Nevertheless, they
can hurt you badly. Every year nearly
two million people suffer work-relat-
ed musculoskeletal disorders, including
repetitive -strain injury caused by com-
puter use, according to the U.S. F j

Occupational Safety and Health Typtng_lnjury

The RSI Community's Online Resource
Administration (OSHA). From spend-
ing long hours evaluating hardware, ïoe...Ago

software, and Web sites, reading online Ogriasie

publications, exchanging e-mail, and About TIFAO The Typing Injury FAQ (frequendy asked quesoons) r an educational site, provided by the CFD Resource Network Inc.
contanung a wade stoney of information about repetitive Aram =Junes (1lS1s), resources for dealing weh these aliments, and
participating in online discussions, Site bine
broad descrspbon of assiern products to reduce ogury risk end symptoms. (see About TIFAQ for more mf rnaaon)
a

I've experienced my own fair share We thank our sponsors for thee support Please out them as they make dam whole resource possible.
Syonsarins
of computer -related maladies. RSI Network newsletter
Also see The
OSHA may have flip -flopped
...-'
Awash

recently on whether employers are FeedAark

responsible for the ergonomic health This website a for educatonal pwposes only, does not pentole meäcal alerce, and must not replace the diagnosis and proper
neamnent from [reined health profesnonels familiar RSIS- (see Duclamers)
k
of PC -using employees who work in
home offices-first ruling they were, *cue i e Cy ' _4Odobor20.,I P Microsoft. frI Typing I.,.
and then backing off. Nevertheless, The Web contains much helpful information on Repetitive Strain Injury and other computer - related
the fact remains that if you spend afflictions
any amount of time with a PC,
regardless of where you work (or
play), it behooves you to give some that ergonomic keyboards don't keyboard -trackball combinations.
thought to how you do so. decrease the risk of wrist and other What eventually solved this prob-
"You don't want to find yourself injuries at all, though ergonomic -key- lem was simply puffing three paper-
in a situation where you can't get board manufacturers point to back books in front of a regular
yourself dressed, feed yourself, or other studies that contradict this. mouse, again to prevent upward
hug your children," says Deborah More important than what key- wrist bending, and doing wrist exer-
Quilter, author of The Repetitive Strain board you use is how you use it. The cises every time went to the gym. I

Injury Recovery Book. Good equip- cardinal rule is: Keep your wrists About a year later, developed a I

ment helps, but according to the straight. For years, I've used a key- painful case of thoracic-outlet syn-
advice of experts and my own board -wrist support to prevent my drome in my right shoulder, which was
experience, your work habits are as wrists from bending upward when caused by holding my left arm higher
important. typing. Even so, four years ago I than my right at the computer. solved I

Many people use ergonomic key- developed the beginnings of ten - this by having a custom three -inch-
boards such as Microsoft's Natural dinitis in my left wrist from mousing high keyboard wrist support built at a
Keyboard, but they're no panacea. around too much. local lumber-supply shop, which helps
A study a few years ago by CTD- Isaw an orthopedic -hand spe- keep my right and left shoulders in
News, a publication about cumula- cialist, and tested about a dozen
I balance, and by paying closer atten-
8 tive trauma disorders, concluded ergonomic mice, trackballs, and tion to my posture.
 Personable corn - Application Service Provider - Microsoft Internet Explorer
_
you access these programs, called
Eile view FAvontes
Echt Ti
Web apps, through the Internet.
4 . :.1
tt works this way: Instead of installing
Beck Stop aetrrsh See/ eh Notary
Apdress computer applications or programs
onto the hard disk of your comput-
er, you log onto a Web site and use
personable cam apps that are installed there, which
Ior I RCA I RIAL of Corporate ALT:t ords lur lip ro are password protected. You access
coaccPa-E naouT MELP sITE
some Web apps through your Web
I I

LOGIN
Welcome to the Future of Software! browser and others through a cus-
50F T W APE
Introducing Personable.com's revolutionary software tom interface. You can print and
CORPORATE
service. Personable.com enables you to instantly access your sometimes save data to your own
INDIVIDUAL own Windows 2000 virtual desktop on our servers, offering
Microsoft Office 2000 Suites and other software already hard drive, but the bulk of the pro-
PARTNERS installed and ready to be used. You select and rent the software
ONLINE
you need, when you need it, and for however long you need to cessing occurs at a distant server.
COOPTES use it.' The benefits are that you out -
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Whether it is for personal use or business needs, with source the chore of software main-
HELP Personable.com, you have instant access to your desktop on the
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tenance to others and that you
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and upgrades, systems maintenance, and daily file back -ups.
any computer connected to the
Personable.com offers Individual subscriptions for personal use Internet. The drawbacks are that if
or individuals working horn home, and Corporate subscriptions
to accommodate multiple users in business enterprises. Find out you're not connected, you're not
why this is the wave of the future. Click on Individual or
fnrnnraho Rn Sinn lin far vnr rr Prcnnahla arrnrrnf hnriavl
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Sites like Personable let you "rent" major applications for u monthly j e to use over the Web.
speed penalty.

POINT AND CLICK

Some experts, including Quilter, another area at risk when
Eyes are
feel that the best thing you can do computing. There has never been Excite Planner
for your health around computers is any conclusive evidence that radia- planner excite. corn
to stop using them, though this of tion from computer monitors leads to
course is impractical for most peo- health problems. However, staring Harvard RSI Action
ple. At the least, take frequent breaks at a computer screen can cause www.rsi.deas.harvard.edu
and heed grandma's advice: Posture eyestrain and, because it's a type
NetLedger
counts. Always sit up straight with your of close work, can worsen near- www.netledger.com
shoulders and head back, your feet sightedness. My own glasses have
flat on the floor or a footrest, and your grown considerably thicker since I NetStudio
forearms parallel to the floor. bought my first PC nearly 15 years www.netstudio.com
Mice cause the most injuries, ago. Experts say your most eye -
says Quilter. You can reduce mous- friendly moves are to stay a foot - Personable
www.personable.com
ing by using the keyboard shortcuts and -a -half away from the monitor,
included with most programs or a minimize screen glare by position- Quicken TurboTax for the Web
macro program such as the free ing external lighting to the side, www. turbotax. corn
Typeltln, at www.wavget.com /type and to rest periodically.
itin.html, or the commercial QuicKeys, Computers are great, when QuicKeys
at wwwquickeys.com. Speech- recog- they're not a pain in the neck, the www. quickeys. corn
nition software, though improving, still back. the wrists, the eyes... Check
SmartOnline
hasn't progressed to the point where out the Typing Injury FAQ, at www.smartonline.com
it can efficiently eliminate mousing www.tifaq.com, and Harvard RSI
and typing for most users. Action, at www.rsi.deas.harvard.edu, StarOffice
While sitting, you need to protect for more tips. www.sun.com/staroffice
your assets too. Ergonomic chairs that
are adjustable in multiple ways help COMPUTING FROM Thinter
www. thinter.net
prevent back problems, but still reg- I THE WEB
ularly bruise the discs in my lower What's old is new again. In the Typeltln
back from sitting too long. What old days of computers, you used a www. wavget.com/typeitin.html
works best for me in preventing this is "dumb terminal" and rented pro-
remembering to take breaks and cessing time with a big mainframe Typing Injury FAQ
stretch, keeping my stomach and computer. Today, you can once again www. tifaq.com
back muscles strong through exer- use a computer with minimal pro-
cise, and having my back massaged cessing power and run programs X:Drive
www.xdrive.com
at the end of the day. that reside elsewhere. Only today, 9
 Microsoft Office for fees ranging
from $9.95 to $24.95 per month, plus
access and usage fees charged by
Home Pteduga H Solutions Software Personal Productivity StarOffice
Sian
STAROFFICE" APPLICATION SUITE
the site itself.
ndex
index
. Gm StarOarce Full- featured, integrated dot -co m Office Suite Sun Microsystems is Microsoft's main
.Register
Products competition in online office apps.
Programs GET IT NOW:
Suppod & Training Its StarOffice suite is available as a
StarOfficé"5.2
-

. In the News
FAOs
Contact US
OFTWARE free download at www.sun.com/
n's FREE multbptatform office suite offers
features andenhaoced performance. staroffice. You can also run it as a
Related:
- Developers Web app for $30 per month at the
Datasheeis
- Reweivet s Guide p rrntet_Qugr:s NE application service provider Thinter.
White Papers '',Leading Onu" companies have signed agreements
Presestatruns 'to redrstnbule StarOfftcelimi 5 2 software, a
powerful, fultleatured, muaSplatform office
net, at www,thinter.net,
Customer Quotes
Star06ce 5.2
Ster011ice 5. t
'rondos-Maly sure SUPPORt Office suites are complex pro-
iHave pomVice of
SterPonal Software
StarCMce NOW
I Fermat Seoy,_U_pteesbinv Inouegoun
Announcing StarOltwe 5.2 software.
reimport escortes about
ÍStarce software?
grams, so don't expect stellar per-
program !Sun offers worldwide,
!comprehensive support
formance over the Web. Microsoft
See Mew
Sun Ray t Enterpnse
What cool, new features in SterOfike 52? [Sarricee.
Office was agonizingly slow over a
Appliance
FAOs
Read FAOs on Sun's powerful. crosa'platlorm
56K modem, particularly with Word
software sude
tables and Excel worksheets. also
StáÓffice,.2
I

StorOffiot learning Solutions

'..nom Sun Educatwnd Senricea. Includes accessto
tested it over a cable modem, and
tare FREE Sun Web Learning Center/moll courses
though the speed increased con-
PROUIICiS P
siderably, the going was still slower
than normal. Still, Web productivity
Instead of renting or leasing Web -based applications, fullfeatured office suites like StarOffice from apps are worth considering for indi-
Sun Microsystems install on your local hard drive. Not only does that result in a more responsive viduals with older hardware or
application, the price is right. -free! StarOffice has another advantage over Microsoft Office-it's
-
limited hard -disk space, casual users
available for different operating systems such as Solaris and Linux. who need a program for a short
time, newer or smaller companies
The biggest players in the soft- marketing plan generators, and an who want to use industrial-strength
ware industry are getting involved, incorporation guide. applications without committing sig-
including Microsoft. Bill Gates says Other Web apps are more focused, nificantflnancial or personnel resources,
the reason he recently quit his post performing just a single task. X:Drive, at and larger companies seeking sta-
as Microsoft's chief executive offi- www.xdrive.com, is the best site ble and predictable software costs.
cer was to spend more time devel- providing off-site storage, which is Thus far, Web apps have been
oping the Web versions of Microsoft's convenient for sharing documents more popular with individuals than
products. (Many analysts, however, or backing up a few files. X:Drive companies, though more compa-
believe that another, perhaps over- distinguishes itself by letting you use nies are expected to embrace them
riding, reason was Gates' desire to an interface familiar to you, whether in the future. Application service
influence the U.S. Justice Department it's Windows Explorer or a third -party providers such as Digex are attract-
as it weighs penalties against the utility such as Mijenix's PowerDesk. ing millions of dollars in investments
software behemoth for abusing its NetStudio,com, at wwwnelstudo.com, from big names such as Compaq
alleged monopoly power.) helps you create Web graphics such and Microsoft. P
Today many Web apps are free, as buttons, headings, banners, and
though larger or specialized apps photos. Quicken TurboTax for the ELECTRONIC
can require fees. The first Web apps Web, at www.turbotax.com, pro- SECURITY DEVICES
were e-mail programs such as vides forms and help for complet- A great book for project
F t t.ctfOegiG
builders. It is quite common to
Hotmail. Some of the handiest Web ing your income taxes. Filling out a associate the term "Security
Security
Oeedces
apps today are those that help 1040EZ is free. A more complex return Devices" with burglar alarms of
manage your personal information, costs $9.95, and a state return costs various types. However in fact it
can refer to any piece of equip-
whether you're a home or business another $9.95. NetLedger, at www. ment that helps to protect peo-
user. netledger,com, lets you and your ple or property. The text is divid-
ed into three basic sections:
Excite Planner, at planner,exc coworkers work on the company's Chapter 1 covers switch- activat-
ite.com, is the best Web app of this books from any location. ed burglar alarms and includes
kind that I've found. It tracks your Office suites such as Microsoft exit and entry delays. Chapter 2
discusses other types of burglar
schedule, contacts, to -do items, Office are beginning to become alarms and includes Infra-Red, Ultrasonic and Doppler-
and notes and also synchronizes available on the Web as well, through Shift Systems. Chapter 3 covers other types of security
devices such as Smoke and Gas Detectors; Water,
with Microsoft Outlook and the "application- service pro-viders." But Temperature and Baby Alarms; Doorphones, etc. Most
Palm hand-held devices. SmartOnline. don't expect Microsoft to give away circuits are simple, and stripboard layouts are provided.
corn, at www.smartonline. corn, is its cash cow for free. It derives more
To order Book BP56 and send $5.99 includes shipping
more business oriented. It not only than one -third of its income from and handling in the U.S. and Canada only to
lets you create a calendar and to- Microsoft Office, according to ana- Electronics Technology Today Inc., P.O. Box 240,
Massapequa Park. NY 11762 -0240. Payment in U.S.
do list, but also provides business lysts. At Person -able.com (www. funds by U.S. Bank check or International Money Order.
to letters, legal forms, business and personable,com), you can rent Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. ET09
COMPUTER gyp TED NEEDLEMAN

mailto: eomputerbits@gernsback.com

RML Nrrwoutks, RML Quick

more than a dozen PCs

With at 100- Megabits per second, and
generally residing in my with the right network cards and
house, there's always something hub can run in full -duplex mode,
on one PC that someone in the transmitting and receiving at the
house needs on another system. same time for a whopping 200 -
These PCs are distributed across Mbit /sec throughput. What decid- I

three floors, and from one side of ed to do, until can find someone
I

the house to another. Obviously, in the area who can pull the
my household is a prime candidate cabling through the walls at a rea-
for networking, and indeed, we've sonable cost, was just to run the
been playing with networks of one Two different 10/100BASE -T Networks "in a Ethernet cabling along the walls
kind or another for years. box." The 3Com HomeConnect kit on the left near the baseboards.
The most recent networks that has a 5-port hub, while the LinkSys kit, on the We used a variety of Ethernet
we've installed here have revolved right, offers a switch, rather than a hub. kits here to set up the network.
around the telephone wiring that There are lots of vendors currently
resides within the walls. Back in the aggression out at the keyboard, than marketing 10 /100BASE -T Ethernet
beginning of the year, detailed an
I in a place where it might get them, kits for home and small -office use.
Intel AnyPoint phone -line network. and others, into trouble. That's proba- While the equipment included in
This network ran at 1- Megabit per bly not a politically-correct attitude, these kits is intended to run at 100-
second or about a tenth as fast as but as long as keep track of how
I BASE-T speeds, they are also back-
the slower of the two Ethernet wired they react to computer games and wards compatible with 10BASE -T
networking protocols- 10BASE -T and feel comfortable with it, don't believe
I adapters and hubs, should you
100- BASE -T. In the interim, Intel and that Quake and other games of already have some of this equip-
other vendors, such as 3Com, have this sort really have much of an ment in your home or office. Two of
come out with home phone -line effect on well-adjusted kids. If think I the kits that we used are 3Com's
networks based on the updated things are getting a bit out of hand, HomeConnect Ethernet kit and
Version 2 specifications. These newer the PCs get turned off; and it's then LinkSys' Fast Ethernet Switch kit.
networks run at i0Mbit /sec, or just time to read a book or watch Each kit comes with two network-
about the same speed as 10BASE -T something less exciting on TV. interface cards that go in a PCI slot
Ethernet. The HPA 2 phone -line net- on your PC, 25 cables (also called
working equipment is backward CRANK UP THE BITRATE Ethernet patch cords), and either a
compatible with the slower -Mbit /sec
1 That being said, I've recently suc- hub or a switch.
adapters, though mixing them togeth- cumbed to 100BASE -T network fever.
er on the same network generally Actually, it's been the wiring, rather
slows things down. We had one of than anything else, that's kept me
the faster phone -line networks run- from installing "real" Ethernet here.
ning here for a while, as well. Getting a network up and running,
The truth is, home phone -line especially if you are running Windows -
networks are really good for shar- 98, is pretty much the same whether
ing data, peripherals like printers, you're running it on Category 5
and even an Internet connection, unshielded twisted pair Ethernet
but for head -to -head multiplayer cable or the phone-line cabling in
first -person shooters, like Rouge Spear, your walls (which, by they way, is
the faster the network the better very similar, though not identical to,
the game play. With three teen- Category 5 Ethernet cable.) Each PC needs to bare a network interlace card
age boys, I'd rather they get their "Fast Ethernet," or 100BASE -T, runs (NIC) installed. 11
 WEAVING AN VENDOR INFORMATION
ETHERNET WEB
When setting up an Ethernet 3Com Corp.
800 -NET-3COM
network, each PC receives a net-
www.3com.com
work interface card, or NIC. Physically
installing a NIC into a PC is just like Linksys
installing any other adapter card; if 17401 Armstrong Ave.
you've ever up- graded your sound Irvine, CA 92614
or video card, you're already an 949 -261 -1288
expert in this part of the operation. www.linksys. corn
Laptops can be connected to an
Ethernet network through an The other end of the patch cable needs to be each floor. It's neither pretty nor
plugged into the Ethernet hub.
adapter that uses either a USB port elegant, but it does work.
or a PCMCIA card slot. A cord is One day, we'll probably have
then run from each networked PC necessarily more or less expensive the cables in the walls. Neverthe-
to a central hub. Plug -ging the than the other. The 3Com kit costs less, having "tasted" 100BASE-T, doubt I

cords between NIC and hub is no about $ 180, while the LinkSys kit will that we'll ever go back to network-
more difficult than plugging a tele- set you back about $ 120. ing with anything slower. P
phone into a wall Jack.
THE SOFTWARE SIDE
Once the cards are installed,
setting up the actual network is just
a few minutes work at each PC.
Actually, with the 3Com kit, the
Microsoft HomeClick! networking
software is installed before the hard-
ware. After the drivers are installed,
the software tells you to shut off the
PC, install the NIC, and restart your
computer. When you do, the soft-
sNrt
_ .., "When I said that we were dealing with
ware finishes the install. With the UnkSys 'limited memory,' I wasn't talking about
When the NIC is installed, plug in an Ethernet
kit, you install the NIC first. When the computer, I was talking about you!"
patch cable.
Windows98 finds the new device
The 3Com HomeConnect kit on boot, you install the network dri-
offers a 5 -port hub, so you can plug vers. The 3Com software and kit are
up to 5 patch cords from network
workstations into it. The hub allows
a little easier, especially for absolute
networking novices. Nevertheless, nei-
POPTRONiX°
each PC to connect up to the other ther kit should give the average Online
PCs on the network. The LinkSys kit Poptronics reader much difficulty. Edition
uses a switch, rather than a hub. During the install, you will be
Both are similar, but a switch actu- asked to give the PC that you're We're on the web
ally lets a specific PC workstation
"take over" the network and trans-
mit at full speed. When it is finished,
working on a unique name. However,
you have to remember to give the
same workgroup name on every
FREE
a different workstation can "grab" machine. When you're finished, starting up,
We are
the network. This allows each work- reboot. You should see each PC in
but you can watch us grow!
station to run at the full speed and your network when you double -
bandwidth of the network, but all click on the Network Neighbor-
of the other network users need to hood icon. Projects for beginners
wait their turn. A hub lets everyone to experts!
simultaneously access the network. WATCH THAT CORD!
If a lot of users do this at the same You can also chain hubs or New Product information!
time, the whole network slows down switches together, if you have more Bookstore-discover
somewhat. Therefore, in choosing PCs on a network than there are
what's new!
between a hub and switch, you ports on the hub /switch. We've
need to think of what kinds of actually installed three separate http://www.poptronix.com
applications will run over the net- 100BASE -T networks in the house,
work. Switches work very well when one on each level, and when we
you have orderly access to a net- need to link them, we temporarily WE'RE WITH YOU EVERY DAY
work, while hubs generally are a run a 50 -foot, 75 -foot, or 100 -foot
24 HOURS A DAY! DROP IN!
better choice when you can't pre - patch cord between the hubs that
WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU VISIT!
12 dict network load. Neither type is form the center of the network on
 TED NEEDLEMAN

PEAK 190 mailto: peakcomputing@gernsback.com

Easy AddiTioNAL PORTS

One of the side effects of the decided that we could live without
wide popularity of PCs is that one of the seven USB ports that our
there is a tremendous selection of initial configuration had and substi-
peripherals and accessories that tuted the 10BASE -T Ethernet mod-
you can attach to your computer. ule for the top USB port, lowering
Unfortunately, while it's easy to just our "tower" from five modules to four
plug in a Dymo printer to print out modules high.
electronic postage from e- Stamps A serial module is also available.
or Stamps.com, you still have to move Note also that both the Ethernet
your computer to access the serial and an available SCSI module can
port on the rear panel. Some ven- plug into either a USB port on your
dors, including Compaq, eMachines, PC or on one of the Belkin hubs. The
and Hewlett Packard, have moved SCSI adapter provides a transfer
several ports to the front panel, speed of up to 1.2 megabits per
making it easier to attach acces- second, but comes only with driver
sories and peripherals. The large major- software for the Mac. The Ethernet
ity of computer vendors, how -ever, The IOBASE -T Ethernet module can stack right adapter, on the other hand, comes
have not. on top of Belkin's 7-port BusStation. only with driver software for Windows95
Another device for which you or Windows98. The base USB hub
might need to move or add expan- comes with a small AC -power sup-
sion ports is a laptop. A port repli- RACK 'EM UP ply, and all of the remaining adapters
cator, which moves all of the lap- Both of these are modular devices draw their power through the USB
top's ports to a convenient "break- that plug into one of your PC's USB connection into which they are
out" box, is a convenient accesso- ports and allow you to assemble plugged.
ry when you switch between mobile your own combination of ports. The
and desktop use. Not all laptops, Belkin BusStation builds vertically,
however, provide the special con- pretty much as high as you need to
nector or custom -tailored cable - go to gain the specific ports that
collection unit. you require. Our test unit was assem-
Finally, with printers, scanners, bled from a 7 -port USB hub and a
digital cameras, PDAs, and a myri- 10BASE -T Ethernet module. Belkin
ad of other devices all using USB also provides a variety of different
connectors, you've probably already modules, so you can use only those
run out of USB ports. You could just that meet your immediate require-
add a USB hub, but there is a better ments while still being able to add
solution. additional modules at any time in
Regardless of whether you just the future. In addition to the 7 -port
want to move I/O port connectors USB hub that we used, which is
to a more accessible and conve- actually four modules high, Belkin
nient location or need to add some also offers a single module with four
ports that your PC or laptop did not USB ports. On the multiple- height
originally include, there are several module such as the one we re-
low -cost and easy -to -use devices ceived for testing, you can actual-
that perform exactly that func- ly pop out individual modules from
tion- PortStation from Xircom and the four-high backplane and insert The Ethernet (or other add -on) module plugs
Belkin Components' BusStation. other modules of your choice. We into a USB port on the BusStation's rear panel. 13
 Communications" kit but substitutes a
4 -port USB hub for the 10BASE -T
Ethernet modules and is priced a
bit less at $189.
At the moment, Xircom also
offers slightly more options in mod-
ules -such as a 56Kbps modem -
than Belkin does. In the works for the
Xircom's RealPort is similar to the BusStation,
but expands horizontally between the snap -
PortStation series are ADSL and onlsnap- off end caps.
cable -modem modules, as well as
modules for home networking. per second,so attaching a
100BASE -T Ethernet adapter does-
n't make much sense. If you really
You can also pop out one of the USB ports and
GREAT, BUT NOT QUITE need 100BASE-T capability, bite the
put an add-on module into the BusStation stack. PERFECT bullet and install a NIC (network -
Both of these products are real- interface card) in one of your PC's
Several of the individual modules ly nice. The Xircom PortStation fits a PCI slots or laptop's PCMCIA slots.
targeted for the Macintosh come bit more easily into a laptop carry Another limitation, at least on
with a selection of colored sleeves, case, which makes it a perfect accom- the PC side, is that not all versions
which let you match your iMac's paniment on the road. Belkin's Bus - of Windows provide the same
case for a coordinated look. These Station is easy to stand right next to degree of support for USB. Windows95
modules include USB ports, a serial a tower PC, though the PortStation only implemented USB support in
port, and the SCSI module. fits on top of most towers or side- OSR2.1, the last service release that
Belkin has priced the BusStation ways if you have a lot of modules in was not made available to retail
very affordably. Our 7 -port USB hub your configuration. purchasers. Even in that release, USB
lists for $99, and a 4 -port USB hub is Keep in mind, however, that support, while present, didn't always
only $59; about the same price as while adding an Ethernet module work well. To be sure that either de-
a 4 -port USB hub without the Bus - to either the Belkin or Xircom device vice works properly, you'll need to be
Station's expandability. The 10BASE -T makes it really easy to attach a PC running Windows98 or Windows 2000.
Ethernet module lists at $69, while or notebook to a network running If you are, either vendor's prod-
the serial module is a bit more at the 10BASE -T rate of 10 megabits uct makes a terrific addition to your
expensive at $79. per second, that's the best that computer table. Moreover, neither
you can get from this approach. adapter is overly expensive. P
That's not really a limitation of the
SIMILAR CONCEPT, Belkin or Xircom hardware. Both Co. Deeign.,a
Candruction YOU CAN WIND
DIFFERENT DIRECTION could easily manufacture a mod- YOUR OWN COILS?
Xircom's PortStation is similar to ule with 100BASE -T ( 100 megabits
the BusStation, at least in concept; per second) capability. In fact, There's no trick to it except
the execution's a bit different. With Xircom provides that speed in a PC knowing what you are do-
the PortStation, the different mod- Card network adapter. However, ing. In a unique, 106 -page
ules mount between a set of snap - remember that attaching these book you can become ex-
pert in winding RF, IF,
on /snap off end caps. You can string hubs to your PC or notebook via a
audio and power coils, chokes and trans-
on the exact configuration of mod- USB port is the reason for the limits
formers. Practically every type of coil is dis-
ules you need for your particular to the ultimate speed of any cussed and necessary calculations are given
application, or just order one of the device connected to any of the with the mathematical data simplified for
"Starter" kits, which come in differ- ports in the module. The USB inter- use by anyone. Get your copy today!
ent configurations. We tested two
different "Starter" configurations
the $139 "USB Hub Starter Kit"
-- face itself is currently limited to a
maximum speed of 12 megabits
rMail coupon to:

which provides you with two end Electronics Technology Today, Inc.
VENDOR INFORMATION P.O. Box 240
caps, an AC -power supply, and a
Massapequa Park, NY 11762 -0240
7 -port USB hub module -and the
Belkin Components Please send me my copy of Coil Design and
$229 "Office Communications Starter Construction Manual (8P160). enclose a check or
501 West Walnut St. I

Kit." This kit has the end caps and Compton, CA 90220 money order for $8.99 to cover the book's cost
power supply, and parallel, serial, 800- 2- BELKIN
and shipping- and -handling expenses. NY state
residents must add local sales tax.
PS /2, and 10BASE -T Ethernet mod- www.belkin.com
Name
ules. It makes a perfect replace-
ment for a laptop port replicator, Xircom Address

which is how we generally use it. 2300 Corporate Center Dr. City State ZIP
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
The third packaged "Starter" kit All orders must be paid in U.S. funds only. Sorry,
805 -376 -9300 no orders accepted outside of USA and Canada.
is the "Connection Starter Kit," which
www.Xircom.com LPlease allow 6 -8 weeks for delivery. ET07
14 is almost identical to the "Office
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15
 LETTERS
mailto: letters @gernsback.coni

Call Alert Alert!

8- 11-should be tied to ground as well; umn, four lines from the bottom, change R1
There were several mistakes in my floating inputs on CMOS is a no -no. I and R2 to R8 and R9; TRl should be
"Call Alert" article (Poptronics, July
indicated that on my original schematic, included with other solid-state relay compo-
2000). Two connecting dots were left but it was not redrawn that way. nents. On page 38, third column, eight lines
out of the schematic diagram when Fig. The terminals and terminal identifi- from the top, change IC1 to IC10. On page
cations that are shown on Fig. 8, the pho- 32, first column, I 1 lines from the bottom,
1 was redrawn for publication. On IC5,

pins 4 and 14 should be connected tographs, and mentioned several times in change Rl to R3 (my goof).
together; and the line from J2 to the the text were omitted from Fig. 1, so it The wire connection shown between
center contact on RYI should connect to may be difficult to correlate the two. A VDC( -) and SENS( -) in Fig. 8 is not on
the line going to R2 and BR1. cardinal rule of good tech writing is, the Control Module as shown; it will
The Parts List has three errors as "Maintain consistency." Removing them have to be added externally.
well: R10 should be 68 ohms as shown in
from one figure and not the other gives I'd also like to point out a particular
Fig. 1, not 680 ohms. Additionally, I for- an additional level of confusion, i.e., sentence (page 36, first column, four
got to include C13; it is 0.1 F. Again, "muddies the waters." lines down) that was added by the edi-
this is shown in Fig. 1. What's more, I Some component references were torial staff. An engineering colleague
got the transistors mixed up a bit. changed on Figs. 1 and 2, but weren't read it and laughed so hard, beer came
Transistors Q1 and Q4 should be 2N4401 changed in the text. On page 36, second col- out of his nose. I still can't convince
or 2N3904. Transistors Q2 and Q3 are him that I did not write the sentence. I
MPSA-06; several people told me that the may need a notarized statement to that
MPSA-56 units won't work as a substitute. effect.
KEEP IN TOUCH I do not expect editorial infallibility.
Finally, the typesetters left out one
important keystroke in the instructions for We appreciate letters from our Having been through this process a few
programming the security codes as detailed readers. Comments, suggestions, times, I know I make as many mistakes as
on page 47, column 2. When you pick up questions, bouquets, or brickbats ... anyone; sometimes more. Even the New
we want to hear from you and find York Times lets one slip through occasional-
the telephone handset (ignoring the dial
out what you like and what you dis- ly. I do, however, expect an article to be
tone), you should press the "#" (pound key)
before dialing 1- 2 -3-4-5 to set location 1
with a security code of 2- 3-4-5. The " #"
like. If there are projects you want to
see or articles you want to submit
we want to know about them. And
- better after editing, not worse.
The author accepts no responsibility
for grammatical errors or for muddied
alerts the unit that it should pay attention
to the programming instructions that you now there are more ways than ever or muddled explanations. In spite of all
are dialing. to contact us at Poptronics. this, it is still a potentially fun project!
RAYMOND C. BUCK III You can write via snail mail to: RUSSELL SHUMAKER

[Speaking of telephones, we just discov- Letters

Converting Inverters to
ered another small but aggravating problem Poptronics
with Mr. Buck's article. It seems that in the 275 -G Marcus Blvd. Inverting Converters
time between editing the article and publish- Hauppauge, NY 11788 In the August 2000 issue of Poptronics,
ing it, a new area code for Phoenix-623- "Basic Circuitry" has an error.on page 62.
was implemented; ATC Electronics was part Please note the above address is The article shows a "DC Power Converter,"
of that area -code switch. The new number the snail -mail way to get the quickest which should operate just fine as a DC
(with area code) is 623-516-2926.-Editor] response. Some readers send letters converter. However, the caption below
to our subscription address, and Fig. 6 states that this circuit can be used to
although the mail is forwarded to our "... operate AC devices from a 12 -volt car
And Then The ScatCat Came Back editorial offices, it does increase the battery."
A few errors crept into the "ScatCat" time it takes to answer or publish The device being describes is a
article (Poptronics, August 2000) dur- your letters. "power inverter," which transforms DC
ing editing and redrawing for publica- The e-mail address can be found voltage (usually 12 -volt car power) into
tion. In Fig. 1, the ground connection at the top of the column. an AC output (again, usually 120 volts).
on IC3 should be labeled as pin 7. Of course, e-mail is fast. I just wanted to point this out, as a read-
Ground connections should also be Check your favorite columns, too. er attempting to power an AC product
made to pins 4 and 12 of DISP1. I had All of our columnists can be reached off this circuit may be curious why it will
indicated the wrong pins in my original through the e-mail addresses at the not work (incorrectly suspecting an error
submission; a leftover from an earlier head of each column. in their assembly).
version with a different display. Since And don't forget to visit our Web ALLEN T MAHURIN
we're on the subject of ground connec- site: www.gemsback.com.
via e-mail
16 pions, the unused inputs of IC2 -pins (Continued on page 23)
A LOOK AT TOMORROW'S TECHNOLOGY

type
Mirror of the Future

Shown here is the highly curved piezoelec-

Sandia researcher Tammy Henson examines a new thin -film, ultralight piezoelectric material that
tric thin -film mirror inside a vacuum tube at
may be the future of space telescopes and surveillance satellites. (Photo by Randy Montoya).
the University of Kentucky.

Awhole new approach to space mir- form to within 10 millionths of an inch mation goes into the control algorithm
rors is being developed by re- that is the required accuracy for optical - programmed into the computer, which
searchers at Sandia National Laboratories quality imaging applications." is connected to the gun. The algorithm
and the University of Kentucky (UK). determines the excitation profile neces-
Made out of a "smart" material that How It Works sary to change the mirror surface to its
changes shape when struck by electrons During their initial research, the desired shape using electron gun excita-
fired by a computer -controlled electron Sandia and UK researchers are using the tion. Since the initial mirror shape will
gun, this thin-film ultralight deployable piezoelectric material polyvinylidene be very different from the desired shape,
mirror may be the future of space tele- fluoride because it is inexpensive, readi- the mirror figure sensing method must
scopes and surveillance satellites. ly available, and exhibits the necessary have both large dynamic range and high
"Unlike the Hubble and the upcom- properties. However, for actual space resolution.
ing NASA Next Generation Space applications where the climate is very The gun fires electrons into different
Telescope (NGST), which use the tradi- hostile, piezoelectric polyimide thin - areas of the mirror to make the surface
tional polished glass mirror approach, film material looks very promising. change its shape in either a more convex
this is a light -weight thin film that could The flexible nature of the piezoelec- or concave direction. The new shape
be folded up and carried on a small tric mirror material means it will remains fixed for several hours to days.
booster rocket and opened to its full become misshapen once it is deployed in Then the beam is reactivated to add or
diameter in orbit," says Tammy Henson, space. It will need to be reshaped with remove the charge to make small cor-
principal investigator. "The electron the electron gun. rections to the mirror surface shape.
gun would then be used to correct the Laser optical sensors measure the "An electron gun is the same device
shape of the film mirror to its desired shape of the mirror surface. This info- that draws a picture on your television
17
 screen," team member Jim Redmond flexible primary mirror that will have to "The mirror could be fabricated and
says. "To reshape the film-mirror, the be adjusted after launch. One way to deployed in a matter of months-as
gun distributes a surface charge at a very improve the performance is to use a compared to many years with the
high resolution." small, carefully controlled thin -film mir- Hubble telescope," she says.
ror located at an image of the primary
Lightweight and Easy to Launch mirror to correct its error, and such a
The light-weight, deployable, and
large -aperture aspects of the new mirror
device might even be useful for NGST.
Another way is to make the primary mir-
Dangers of
approach are what make it attractive for ror itself adjustable with an electron Compression
space telescopes and surveillance satel- beam, but this probably will not be ready Apicture's worth a thousand words,
lites. The extremely flexible piezoelec- in time for NGST." but when it comes to digital med-
tric material can be folded into a small ical images, one of those words should
package. When released, it deploys very Sandia /University of Kentucky be "caution." That's the message from
close to its original state. The material Partnership researchers at the University of Florida
weighs less than one kilogram per A partnership was formed between (UF), who have found that even mildly
square meter of mirror area compared to Redmond's adaptive structures group, compressing angiograms for delivery
15 kilograms per square meter for the Henson's satellite imaging group, and over telephone or computer lines can lead
NGST and 250 kilograms per square the university. Under funding from to diagnostic errors. At issue is the
meter for the solid glass Hubble mirror. Sandia's Laboratory Directed Research increasingly common practice of storing
The NGST, tentatively scheduled for and Development (LDRD) program, medical images such as angiograms, X-ray
launch in 20008, may use a mirror con- the researchers have made significant films and CT or magnetic resonance scans
structed from thin glass segments on a progress in the critical areas of mirror - on compact discs and other portable
composite structure, or even beryllium figure sensing, control algorithm devel- media. Because the images contain so
segments, folded to fit into a launch opment, electron gun actuation, and much data, storing them or sending them
vehicle. space -implementation assessments. electronically requires mathematically
"The next step for NASA after the Using electron -gun excitation of manipulating them to shrink their size.
NGST will be larger mirrors- possibly
as large as 20 to 30 meters in diameter
to allow for collection of light from the
- piezoelectric materials was the brain-
child of UK researcher John Main.
"Main was developing electron gun
"Data compression helps with costs
and with speed of transmission- that's
the upside," said Dr. Richard Kerensky,
dimmest and smallest of sources," says technology and was interested in pursu- an associate professor of medicine in the
Redmond. "It would be nearly impossi- ing it for space telescope applications," division of cardiovascular medicine at
ble to do this with traditional materials Redmond says. "The electron gun elim- UF's College of Medicine and medical
because of the expense and the size lim- inates the wires and electrodes used in director of the cardiac catheterization
itations of launch vehicles. The new other `smart structure' approaches that laboratory at Shands at UF Medical
technology would allow extremely large add to the system's complexity." Center. "The downside is you might
mirrors to be launched from small Main and Ph.D. student Jeff Martin start to degrade the image the more you
boosters, saving millions of dollars per are pursuing research on the electron compress it. As you change it, you lose
launch." gun, while Redmond is developing pre- information and add artifacts that
This technology, still in its early cision shape -control algorithms for the weren't present on the original image."
stages, has already captured the interest piezoelectric mirror. Henson is develop- Kerensky and his colleagues pub-
of NASA officials and the community ing optical concepts and mirror- figure- lished findings from one of three related
involved in remote -sensing work. sensing systems for the project. studies involving an international team
"NASA strategic plans call for giant Henson says that besides being light- of scientists in the April issue of the
telescopes many meters across, and it's weight and relatively inexpensive to Journal of the American College of
clear we can't launch large rigid ones," launch, the thin-skin deployable mirror Cardiology (ACC). The goal of the
says John Maher, NGST project scien- has the advantage of being able to be researchers is to set guidelines for cardi-
tist. "Hence we will be making a large, "launched on demand." ologists to follow; after all, most experts
agree it's just a matter of time before
digital imaging completely replaces film
allal111.111 or videotape. The recommendations will
Electron Gun Array
be added to the Digital Imaging and
Active Material
411%ftit 'Primary Mirror Communications Standard for Medicine,

1. Launch 2. Fairing released

revealing furled telescope
primary mirror
, 21*
3 Mirror is deployed
which the international cardiology com-
munity, led by the ACC, established to
standardize the digital file format and
and shape is tuned 4. A low launch cost,
with electron gun array. high performance optical image exchange medium for angiogra-
surveillance system
phy. The trio of studies arrived at the
This diagram illustrates the deployment sequence for a large- aperture electron -gun con-
same conclusion: Image quality was pro-
trolled thin -film mirror. gressively lost with increasing compres-
18
 The gold nanoclusters are believed to
> Rewritable DVDs be the smallest ever prepared. Dr. T
Gregory Schaaff, a former graduate stu-
Next Generation dent in Whetten's lab and now a staff sci-
The French electronics company, MPO
Media /Hi- SPACE, in partnership with CEA/ entist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
LETI, France's Laboratory for Electronics, attached glutathione -a
common sulfur-
Technology, and Instrumentation, recently containing tripeptide -to individual
developed a new generation of dual -layer gold atoms to form a gold -glutathione
rewritable DVD discs with a capacity of 8.5 A new generation of dual -layer polymer in which the gold atoms make
gigabytes, equal to that of pre- recorded rewritable DVD discs with a
discs. This capacity was obtained with opti- capacity of 8.5 gigabytes on a sin-
no direct contact with one another. The
cal components that were also used in the gle side has been developed. This decomposition of this polymer yields the
current generation of DVDs (lasers emitting technology reads the second layer gold clusters, which have glutathione
red light at 650 nm), allowing full compati- through the first, semi -transparent molecules adsorbed to their surface so as
bility with existing DVD Video and DVD -ROM layer. to physically limit the number of metal
drives. atoms that could join together in each
Prerecorded optical DVD discs for video and software can, thanks to cluster.
their dual -layer technology, hold 8.5 gigabytes on a single side. This tech-
nology reads the second layer through the first, semi -transparent layer. While measuring the properties of
For recordable discs, the two layers are therefore quickly accessed from the clusters, Schaaff noted dramatic dif-
the same side without having to be turned over. ferences in the way the smallest clusters
These rewritable DVDs offer a playing time of more than three hours, as absorbed polarized light in the visible
well as direct digital writing and rewriting, a very high- definition image and near -infrared spectra. In one cluster,
(high -speed MPEG -2), high -fidelity sound (Dolby AC -3), and the absence of this circular dichroism effect exceeded
wear. As well as having Internet or CD /DVD- ROM -type interactive func- 300 parts per million (ppm) in the yel-
tions. they may replace the traditional VHS video cassette.
This technology is the result of a research and development partnership low -green region, while in another dus-
within the framework of the European Eureka Remod program, launched ter, the effect exceeded 1000 ppm in the
in 1996. It was a combined French /German effort with both government red and near infra -red.
and industry support. These optical measurements suggest
that the clusters have a helical structure
that Whetten compared to the stripes on
sion. In the OF study, 100 different
angiograms were compressed at varying
Dramatic a candy cane or a barber-shop pole.
"We had to double -check our instru-
degrees. Researchers evaluated observers' Differences ments and repeat the measurements a
ability to detect subtle diagnostic fea- my nanoclusters of metallic gold, number of times because the effect was
tures in the angiograms and discovered which are assemblies containing enormous," he says.
slight changes were introduced when between 20 and 40 gold atoms encapsu- Using gel electrophoresis to separate
the images were reduced 10:1. At 16:1, lated by a common biomolecule, can dis- the clusters by weight, Schaaff found
clinicians interpreting the images began play distinctly chiral properties -they that certain cluster sizes dominated,
to make mistakes; they were less likely to exist in distinct right -handed and left - with 28 -atom assemblies -slightly less
detect common diagnostic features, handed variations. The chiral nature of than one nanometer across -being the
including arterial narrowings or calcifi- the clusters dramatically affects the ways most common. The chiral properties
cations and the presence of stents, wire in which they absorb polarized light.
coils designed to prevent arteries from This optical effect had been predict-
closing. The studies focused on a com-

E.4
ed theoretically to occur in metal nanos-
pression method originally developed tructures, but Georgia Institute of
for still photographyJPEG (Joint Technology researchers were the first to
Photographic Experts Group). measure it in a special class of clusters -8-

Based on the latest findings, the stan- they formulated. Their research was pub- Circular Oichroism

dards committee has decided not to per- lished in the March 30th issue of the Journal e
mit JPEG compression for original of Physical Chemistry.
t!r
image recording and archiving, and it "When clusters are prepared in this Optical Extinction
most likely will prohibit data compres- way, we see that the conduction electrons
1 2 3 4 5 6
sion for network transfer. Other com- in the gold circulate in such a way as to (+) Photon Energy (eV)
pression approaches are under development have the unique optical effect of prefer-
that may someday yield better perfor- ring one direction of circularly polarized Experimental results reveal that tiny clus-
mance. But for now, "we couldn't take light over the other direction," explains ters of gold can have distinctly chiral optical
properties. This figure shows electrophoretic
that risk," Kerensky said. "You can never Dr. Robert L. Whetten, professor in the
separation of gold: glutathione cluster corn -
he sure if a surgeon or another doctor School of Physics and the School of pounds, left; the circular dichroism effect
might not see some subtle characteristic Chemistry and Biochemistry. "The effect observed, upper right; and optical extinction
that they really need to see." was enormous, which was unexpected." of the third separated band, lower right.
19
 varied by size of the cluster, and there- patterns. Its unique chronography feature reduce or eliminate the use and genera-
fore were only observed clearly when tracks the history of any given DNA seg- tion of hazardous substances." Over the
the clusters were separated by weight. ment and maintains alternative views. past several years, international efforts in
Only clusters with 40 or fewer atoms The program can display any generation green chemistry have greatly increased in
displayed the intense optical properties. (view) for any segment of DNA in a con- hopes of combating today's most press-
Whetten believes the effect is related struct-even multiple generations in the ing environmental problems, such as air
to the high level of confinement created same construct. and water pollution, global warming,
in the conduction electrons by forma- Ideal for planning and tracking com- and ozone depletion. Los Alamos National
tion of the small clusters, though plex construction projects, it allows Laboratory, a member of the International
research has not yet confirmed that. A users to view the construct either as a Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
helical geometrical pattern or "tiling" of text sequence or graphically. Restriction and management organization for the
the glutathione adsorption sites (gold - sites can be marked using one or more Green Chemistry Institute, has been
sulfur bonds) could also affect the circu- completely editable and expandable enzyme working with industry and other research
lation of the conduction electrons. ca lists. It provides the option of listing institutions worldwide to help solve these
DNA with either protein sequence or with and many other problems.
restriction enzyme or other sites, or both. Los Alamos' collaborative efforts in
The program can create color illus- green chemistry already have made
Gene Construction trations containing multiple constructs, tremendous impacts on several industri-
Software gels, sequence listings, free text, legends,
and other graphics. Its file- searching mod-
al sectors. One example is the develop-
ment of dense-phase carbon dioxide, a
Designed for biologists, the Gene
Construction Kit 2 (GCK2) from ule offers sophisticated database -like capa- multi-award winning recyclable solvent
Textco, Inc. is an innovative tool for bilities. Further information can be found that cleans everything from plutonium
DNA manipulation, cloning design, and at Textco's Web site: www.textco.com. pits to semiconductor wafers to clothes.
illustration that is now available for Another Los Alamos success story is
Windows operating systems. GCK2 the Advanced Recovery and Integrated
provides a way to manipulate DNA Extraction System, or ARIES, which
sequences with an intuitive graphical Color Me Green allows workers to separate plutonium
interface that presents and assembles the Green chemistry is a philosophy of from other weapon components during
many steps needed in most cloning pro- constantly searching for ways to do dismantlement. As part of the plutonium
jects in a natural and logical fashion. things better and cleaner. Paul Anastas, recovery process, workers use hydrogen
(See figure below.) Industrial Chemistry Branch Chief of instead of nitric acid to convert the
GCK2 allows the user to automatical- the Environmental Protection Agency nuclear pit into plutonium oxide, com-
ly monitor DNA fragment ends during (EPA), first coined the phrase "green pletely eliminating hazardous aqueous
cutting and pasting; define thickness, pat- chemistry" back in 1992. It is defined as waste streams.
tern, shape, direction, and color for each "the invention, design, and application Most recently, Los Alamos and
DNA segment; and examine predicted gel of chemical products and processes to Motorola announced the development
of a fuel cell for cellular phones that lasts
the lifetime of the phone and runs on
1,7x1 methanol. m
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20
 Q &A
mailto: q&a @gernsback.com READERS' QUESTIONS, EDITORS' ANSWERS
CONDUCTED BY MICHAEL A. COVINGTON, N4TMI

"Memory" is a different-and contro- AThanks. For those who tuned in late,

De- whiskering NiCd versial- phenomenon. Supposedly, if we were explaining that "4.7 kilohms"
you repeatedly charge a NiCd battery, is abbreviated "4k7" on European schematic
Batteries then discharge it only slightly before diagrams; likewise 4.7 megohms would
Do you know of a circuit that will "blow" recharging it again, it will "learn" that be "4M7" and 4.7 ohms (4.7) is often
II the "whiskers" off NiCd cells? Will this it's only being used for a shallow cycle, written 4R7.
cure cells that have developed a memory? I and its capacity will diminish. The cure The capacitance units used in America
have a student who wants to fix his cell- is to discharge it thoroughly (down to are microfarads (p,F) and picofarads (pF,
phone battery and save the environment in 80% of the rated voltage and no lower, formerly F), where 1 F = 1,000,000 pF.
-T.
the process. N., Dublin, GA or some of the cells might reverse- In between is the nanofarad (nF), sel-
charge the others). Then charge it again, dom used in America but widely used
A Nickel-cadmium batteries are poiso- and it's as good as new. elsewhere; 1 nF = 1000 pF = 0.001 uF.
n nous, so anything that keeps you from Manufacturers deny that there is such And as you note, 2.7 nF is written 2n7
having to throw one away is good for the a thing as NiCd memory. It's fairly clear, on European schematics.
environment. When a NiCd battery though, that if a cell undergoes a lot of As one who has studied the Greek lan-
does fail, it should be taken to a battery charging and not much discharging, guage, I balk at writing "u" for "µ"; every-
dealer for recycling rather than thrown its voltage will decrease slightly. A body knows that µ (mu) is the Greek letter
out in trash. good discharge and recharge cycle will M. But if we're using m for "milli" we need
"Whiskers" and "memory" are two restore it. a different abbreviation for "micro," and if µ
different problems. Whiskers are small is not on the keyboard, we have to type "u."
filaments of conductive material that
form inside the cell and short it out. If a A Better Function
cell conducts heavily during charging Wrong Answer To
but won't keep a charge, it probably has Generator?
"whiskers." In your ltlarch column, you recommended Scanner Question?
To get rid of them, you can "zap" the 11 the ICL8038 function- generator chip. The letter from T. R. B. in your March
cell as follows. Charge a large (3200 -µF) Sure, it works, but it requires dual high -volt- column was interesting, as was the
capacitor to about 12 volts, and then apply age (>5 volts) power supplies, uses lots ofpower, answer. He needed to build a 16-volt, 900 -
it to across the cell (positive to positive, runs hot, and gives a poor sinewave. Why not mA power supply for a scanner whose origi-
negative to negative). The resulting surge use the Maxim MAX038, which works up to nal power supply had failed.
of current will often clear the whiskers. 20 MHz?-R. K, Portland, OR What you overlooked was the cause of the
You can tell that the cell is fixed by charg- original power- transformer failure. Most small
ing it for a few minutes and checking it A The ICL8038 mainly was the chip power transformers are designed to burn out
with a voltmeter; you should see 1.2 volts used in the articles to which I gave ref- (rather than heat up and start a fire) when
or higher, rather than 0 volts. erence. The MAX038 does have some overloaded.
In a battery where the cells are con- advantages, and as you pointed out in I suspect that both his original power
nected in series, I've had better results your letter, its data sheet is online at supply and the one he built were overloaded
using a different tactic. The usual symp- www.maxim -ic.com. Like the ICL8038, by some fault in the scanner, such as a leaky
tom is that the battery works but its volt- this chip generates sine -, triangle -, and capacitor. He should measure the current
age is low; for example, a 7.2 -volt battery squarewaves. Unlike the ICL8038, it oper- drain when the voltage starts dropping.
gives about 6 volts when partly discharged ates from +5- and 5 -volt supplies and Chances are that it will be more than the
and peaks at 7 volts (not 8.4) when fully covers a wide frequency range with low 900 -mA rating of the original unit-Bob
charged. In that case, it's lost one of its six distortion. You can buy it in small quanti- O'Brien, Los Angeles, CA
1.2 -volt cells. To restore it, you might try ties directly from Maxim as well as other
charging with heavy current (maybe 1 to 2 mail -order suppliers such as Digi -Key. A You're right, of course; thanks for
amps) for a few seconds. This is easy to do your comments.
with a lab -type power supply, where you
can watch the voltage to see if you're get- Don't Forget
ting results. Caution: Some batteries con- Ferrite Rod and RF
tain fuses that will blow if you charge with The Nanotarad
more than 1 amp. Further to your item on "What's a 5M6 Transformers
Neither of these techniques makes the resistor?" in the April column, the Where can I find a 24- inch -long ferrite
battery as good as new, but you can get a European notation for a capacitor of 0.0027
few more weeks of operation out of what p.F is 2n7 and for a 4.7-pF electrolytic, 47
would otherwise be a piece of toxic waste. (4u7). -N. L. L., Patras, Greece
rod to make an AM radio antenna? Also,
where can I buy RF and IF transformers ?
G. K, New York, NY
-
 AThese and other hard -to -find radio HOW TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT ELECTRONICS
parts are available from Ocean State On the Internet: See our Web site at are available from our Claggk, Inc., Reprint
Electronics, P.O. Box 1458, Westerley, www.gemsback.com for information and files Department, P.O Box 12162, Hauppauge,
RI 02891; 401 -596 -3080, www.oselec relating to Poptronics and our former maga- NY 11788; Tel: 631 -592 -6721.
tronics.com. However, their longest fer- zines (Electronics Now and Popular
Electronics) and links to other useful sites. Poptronics and many other magazines are
rite rod measures 7174 inches. I've actual-
To discuss electronics with your fellow indexed in the Reader's Guide to Periodical
ly never seen a 24 -inch rod and don't Literature, available at your public library.
enthusiasts, visit the newsgroups sci.elec
know if they were ever made; you might tronics.repair, sci.electronics.components, Copies of articles in other magazines can
try a wire loop antenna instead. sci.electronics.design, and rec.radio.ama be obtained through your public library's
teurhomebrew. "For sale" messages are per- interlibrary loan service; expect to pay
mitted only in rec.radio.swap and misc. about 30 cents a page.

Grafftech Transmitter industry. electronics. marketplace.

Many electronic component manufac- Service manuals: Manuals for radios, TVs,
QI am looking for a schematic of an FM- turers have Web pages; see the directory VCRs, audio equipment, and some comput-
broadcast-band transmitter called Grafftech at www.hifex.com /chipdir/, or try address- ers are available from Howard W. Sams &
Co., Indianapolis, IN 46214; (800-428- 7267).
FM 3000, which dates from the mid- 1970s.
It appears to have been built from a kit.
. M. (ismullin@sprint.ca), Toronto, Canada
- es such as www.ti.com and www.motoro
la.com (substituting any company's name
or abbreviation as appropriate). Many IC
The free Sams catalog also lists addresses of
manufacturers and parts dealers. Even if an
item isn't listed in the catalog, it pays to call
data sheets can be viewed online:
Sams; they may have a schematic on file
www.questlink.com features IC data
AAn extensive Internet search didn't sheets and gives you the ability to buy
which they can copy for you.
turn up any information on Grafftech, Manuals for older test equipment and
many of the ICs in small quantities using a
ham radio gear are available from Hi
so we're publishing your e-mail address credit card. You can also get detailed IC
Manuals, PO Box 802, Council Bluffs, IA
in the hope that a reader can help. If this information from www.icmaster.com, which
51502, and Manuals Plus, PO Box 549,
is now free of charge although it formerly
was a pirate -radio transmitter, designed Tooele, UT 84074.
required a subscription. Extensive informa-
to be used illegally, the maker may have tion about how to repair consumer elec-
operated in secrecy. Replacement semiconductors: Replace-
tronic devices and computers can be ment transistors, ICs, and other semicon-
found at www.repair faq.org ductors, marketed by Philips ECG, NTE,
and Thomson (SK), are available through
Loop Antennas Books: Several good introductory electron- most parts dealers (including RadioShack
ics books are available at RadioShack, on special order). The ECG, NTE, and SK
Thank you for answering, in your including one on building power supplies. lines contain a few hundred parts that sub-
11 February column, my question about loop An excellent general electronics text- stitute for many thousands of others; a
antennas for direction finding. However, book is The Art of Electronics, by Paul directory (supplied as a large book and on
I'm actually looking for something more. Horowitz and Winfield Hill, available from diskette) tells you which one to use. NTE
I'm familiar with the ARRL Handbook, the publisher (Cambridge University Press, numbers usually match ECG; SK numbers
800 -872 -7423) or on special order through are different.
but need a design for a medium -wave or
any bookstore. Its 1125 pages are full of Remember that the "2S" in a Japanese
long-wave direction finding antenna, not a information on how to build working circuits, type number is usually omitted; a transistor
VHF one. The loops that I'm interested in with a minimum of mathematics. marked D945 is actually a 2SD945.
were used on planes such as Pan American Also indispensable is The ARRL Handbook
Clippers. They operated between 200 kHz for Radio Amateurs, comprising over 1000 Hamfests (swap meets) and local orga-
and 500 kHz. -V. K (vklein @micro.com), pages of theory, radio circuits, and ready-to- nizations: These can be located by writing
build projects, available from the American to the American Radio Relay League,
Kansas City, MO Radio Relay League, Newington, CT 06111, Newington, CT 06111; (www.arrl.org). A
and from ham-radio equipment dealers. hamfest is an excellent place to pick up
AAnother reader, Ken Robbins, W1KNI, used test equipment, older parts, and other
wrote in to say that some information Copies of past articles: Copies of past items at bargain prices, as well as to meet
about such antennas can be found in The articles in Electronics Now, Popular your fellow electronics enthusiasts -both
Electronics (post 1995 only) and Poptronics amateur and professional.
Low and Medium Frequency Radio Scrap
Book, by Ken Cornell, W2IMB, pub-
lished in the 1970s. You might want to AC compilers are available for a wide Don't skip assembly language, or you
track this book down. The best way is to range of microcontrollers; the maker won't have a good mental picture of how
get your public library to look for it via of each chip can tell you what's available a microcontroller works.
interlibrary loan. for it. C ++ is used only on the largest
We're publishing your e-mail address microcontroller systems.
so that any other readers who have One book that gives you the details of Philips Scope
information can write to you directly. microcontroller programming in C is C
Programming for Embedded Systems, by Manual Found
Kirk Zurell, published by R &D Books, QI just noticed the inquiry in the June
C And C++ For Lawrence, KS 66046 (available through 2000 column from a reader in Miami
any bookstore). The book, priced at needing a manual for a Philips PM3305
Microcontrollers $29.95, comes with a working copy of oscilloscope. The Test and Measurement
QCan you suggest a good microcontroller the Byte Craft C compiler for the Division of Philips was acquired by Fluke a
that takes C or C++ and a project to build Motorola MC68705J1A. That's a real few years ago. Manuals for the PM3305, a
that will teach me the basics?M.S.O., bargain. good model number by the way, are still
22 Jamaica Plain, MA Nevertheless, a word to the wise: available from Fluke. Your reader can call
 888-99 -FLUKE (888- 993 -5853) for more LETTERS radio-frequency) receivers of this vin-
information. -Colin Pkstow, Fluke Corporation. (continued from page 16) tage, the filament voltage was changed in
order to control the volume of the
AThanks! The mailing address is Fluke [Chalk that one up to an overworked edi- receiver. That also decreased the gain at
Corporation, PO Box 9090, Everett, tor on deadline whose `fat fingers" were the same time.
WA 98206 USA; in Europe, PO Box aimingfor the "D" key but landed on the "A" Best of luck restoring your radio.
1186, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. key instead. As the old saying goes, "close" L. PIPPEL

LED Flasher
-
only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades,
and nuclear weapons! Editor.]
via e-mail

You Mean You Don't Have One?

Progress Report Less Than Useful Source Code I like your new magazine. As for
The LED flasher described in Fig. 9 of our I would like to point out significant things to make, I would like to suggest
July column successfully flashed a red LED errors in the programs published in the four projects: a 220 -volt inverter; a
for ten weeks using a single N cell (smaller article "LCDs for PCs" by Michael buzzer that will foil those very loud sub -
than an AA cell). Has anyone been able to Chan in the March issue of Poptronics. woofers; a simple fuel cell; and since all
improve on it yet? Please write and let me In spite of the statements in the light and matter are vibrations, a replica -
know your results. remarks, the Basic code in Listing 1 tor as seen on Star Trek.
does not turn off the LEDs. Much AL PURCELL
more significantly, the code in Listing Cleveland, OH
Transformer Safety Note 2 contains (twice) GOSUB 600, although
In last month's column, we said that you there is no line 600. Moreover, both [Those first three projects sound way too
can always use a transformer on a lower listings are in an archaic format, either difficult to do. However, I'm surprised that
voltage than it was designed for. That's GW Basic or BasicA, rather than the you don't have a replication unit; I thought
true as long as it's not also working at a QBasic format used with all recent everyone has them. The manufacturer sent
substantially lower frequency. You can Windows systems; line numbers are me a unit on 30 -day approval. The price was
generally swap 50- and 60-Hz trans- not required (nor recommended), and $700, so I replicated a $1000 bill and sent it
formers without any trouble, but if you procedures are defined in separate to them-keeping the original, of course.
apply 50- or 60 -Hz power to a 400-Hz named subroutines or functions. The The only oddity I noticed was when they sent
transformer (common in military- surplus QBasic format makes the listings much me my change, all three $100 bills had the
equipment), it will saturate and conduct easier to read and would help avoid the exact same serial numbers...
heavily. That's one reason that you should errors that occurred. For those who don't recognize the story
always do your testing with a light bulb in By the way, I searched your Web site I'm referencing, read the collection of "Venus
series with the primary. and could find no source for the code for Equilateral" short stories written by George
If a transformer is labeled "120 volts" either of the Chan articles there. O. Smith back in the 1940s. The trial story
but conducts far too heavily on 120 volts, ED GRENS that takes place in a Buffalo, NY courtroom
60 Hz, it's probably a 400 -Hz trans- via e-mail is particularly priceless!Editor.]
former. Either that or it's shorted.
[We have e- mailed the author for clarifi- Looking For Articles On...
cation and have yet to receive a response. If I would love to see an article on
Writing To Q&A any reader has a solution to this, we'd love to modems that covers things like how it
As always, we welcome your questions. print it. verifies dial tones and busy signals and
The most interesting ones are answered in The reason that you couldn't find the code responds to sent tones. Also, many of us
print. Please be sure to: on our FTP site is because it's not posted hobbyists educate ourselves by using mag-
(1) include plenty of background infor- there; it's printed in the article. If you go to azines as textbooks. "Basic Circuitry" is a
mation (we'll shorten your letter for publi- the author's Web site listed in the article, great idea. Please don't make it too sim-
cation); you'll find a page with the exact same infor- ple, but do progress into more compli-
(2) give your full name and address on mation, errors and all- admittedly not very cated functions.
your letter (not just the envelope); helpful.-Editor.] RANDY HEISSERMAN
(3) type your letter if possible, or write Boulder, CO
very neatly; and
(4) if you are asking about a circuit, Fixing Lester Crosley
include a complete diagram. Lester Haugsdal asked about repair- Haves and Needs
Questions can be sent to Q &A, ing his 1920 Crosley radio ( "Letters," l have a Conar Oscilloscope model
Poptronics Magazine, 275 G Marcus August 2000 Poptronics). The triode - 225 for which I would like the schemat-
Blvd., Hauppauge, NY 11788, or e- mailed receiving tube in the radio is more than ics and any other information. Any help
to qba@gernsback.com, but please do not likely an "OlA." This is a 5 -volt DC fil- ismuch appreciated.
expect an immediate reply in these pages ament tube drawing 250 mA. I would FRANK CLAY
(because of our backlog) and please don't suggest that Lester find a 20 -ohm wire - 5746 Springfield Ave.
send graphics files larger than 100K. Due wound potentiometer that is rated at 5 Bokeelia, FL 33922 -3401
to the volume of mail, we regret that we watts or more to place in the filament fcclay@netzero.net
cannot give personal replies. P line. In the old "regen" and "tri' (tuned- 941- 283 -1533 P 23
 NEW Gbiii
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CLO4
NEW LITERATURE

thought -provoking, easy -to-build circuits- munication between devices connected

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 "WATCH" TV WITH
THIS FM/TV
AUDIO RADIO
RECEIVER
Keep up with your favorite television programs
even ifyou can't watch the screen!

ANTHONY J. CARISTI

Do you, or perhaps someone you out. By following the easy construc-

know, long to listen to a favorite tion details, you can build a prop-
TV program when you can't be near erly operating TV-sound or FM receiv-
a TV set? Maybe you might like the er in just a couple of evenings.
satisfaction of constructing your very
own FM radio instead and listening How R WYodcs. The FM/N Audio Receiver
to your favorite radio station. If so, is built around a TDA7000 FM- receiver
the FM /TV Audio Receiver present- chip (A block diagram of this chip is
ed here is just the project that illustrated in Fig. 1.) Included in it
you're looking for, whether for your- are a mixer, local oscillator, IF ampli-
self or as a unique gift. This minia- fier, limiter, quadrature -FM demod-
ture, portable FM receiver fits into a ulator, and muting control. All those
pocket and can receive either the subsystems tied together on a sin-
standard FM broadcast band gle slab of silicon makes the TDA-
(88 -108 MHz) or the sound carrier 7000 a veritable "radio on a chip."
from TV channels 2 through 6 As mentioned previously, the use
(59.75-87.75 MHz). of a 70 -kHz intermediate frequency
This two-chip, superheterodyne FM instead of the more common 10.7
receiver uses a unique method of MHz is unique to the FM /TV Audio
receiving frequency -modulated broad- Receiver. The advantage of using
cast signals: an intermediate frequency such a low frequency is in eliminat-
(IF) of only 70 kHz. That frequency is ing the need for inductors and /or
low enough to allow fixed -band- ceramic filters. Instead, the IF amplifi-
width -IF tuning using active -RC fil- er consists of on -chip op -amps that
ters. Although that is interesting to a are configured as active fitters using
radio -design expert, it means no internal resistors and external capac-
radio- frequency expertise is needed itors for bandpass tuning.
for the rest of us. What's more,
there's no alignment to worry about Circuit Description. Since it is diffi-
for this project, and it's easy to cult to describe the various func-
build. The receiver is designed to tions of the FM /TV Audio Receiver
drive a built -in loudspeaker; a head- without referring to the actual cir-
phone jack may be installed as an cuit, let's "get our hands dirty" and
option. A common 9 -volt transistor - dig right into the schematic dia-
radio battery powers the circuit. gram. Follow along with Fig. 2 dur-
There is a fine -tuning control for accu- ing the following description.
rate tuning to your favorite station The RF signal from a short wire
as well; and an externally-adjustable antenna is coupled to pin 13 of IC1
volume control may be included as through an LC network composed
another option. of C4, C5, and L1. This broadly
All of the difficult design para- tuned, antenna-bandpass filter circuit
meters of the circuit are taken care feeds the incoming signals directly
of by a suitable printed- circuit lay- into ICI's internal mixer.
 ANTENNA
broadcast FM band. Table illus- 1

trates the frequencies in question.

The tuning components for the
13 12 11
antenna and local- oscillator tank
LIMITER IF FILTER circuits -L1, L2, C4, C5, and D2-
FM will have different values for a stan-
DEMODULATOR dard FM receiver as opposed to a
TV- station receiver. The component
part numbers are specified in the
MUTE MIXER Parts List. Choose only those parts
CONTROL specified in Table 2 for the frequen-
1
cy band of the receiver that you
LOCAL
want to build.
OSCILLATOR
Construction. The FM /TV Audio Re-
ceiver is constructed on a small
AUDIO
2 5
OSC.
r. double -sided printed- circuit board
OUT TANK measuring about Ph by 21/4 inches.
Fig. 1. The TDA7000 "radio-on -a- chip" from Philips is the heart of the FM/TV Audio Receiver. Printed -circuit construction of this pro-
Everything needed for a radio receiver- except audio amplification-has been integrated into this ject is mandatory since it operates
18 -pin chip. with very high gain in the VHF band.
One side of the circuit board con-
sists of a solid- copper ground plane
The frequency of the local oscil- not in one single band. The circuit is in which the ungrounded compo-
lator determines which radio sta- designed so that it may be con- nent lead holes are manually cleared
tion will be received. Inductor L2, in structed to receive the sound carrier of copper. The opposite side of the
conjunction with varactor diode D2, of TV channels 2 through 4, chan- board contains the printed circuit-
forms a parallel -resonant circuit that nels 4 through 6, or the standard ry, as in Fig. 3. If you do not wish to
sets the frequency of the on -chip
local oscillator. Potentiometer R3
adjusts this frequency to fine -tune
the desired RF signal.
To prevent distortion that would
normally occur with a wide -band FM-
transmission signal and a receiver IF
of only 70 kHz, the received signal
deviation is compressed to ± 15 kHz.
This compression is accomplished by
a built -in phase -locked loop that
shifts the local- oscillator frequency IC1
TDA7000N
in reverse proportion to the normal
received - signal deviation, as produced 3 4

by the frequency modulation of the C12

K
transmitted carrier signal. .011.1F
C14 C15
C9
A quadrature FM demodulator is .1µF
C11 150pF .0033µF
.022µF
used to convert the frequency -
modulated IF signal to audio. The C13 C18
R2 ,
monaural audio output appears at 4.7K
.01µF C
100µF
C16 V
pin 2 of IC1; and it is sent to IO2, a .01g D2' Ai +
low -power audio -amplifier chip R3
C21 R6
that has sufficient power to drive a D1 i 100K
TUNE
100µF 100
loudspeaker. Potentiometer R7 sets 1N5232B
the volume level of SPKR1. R4 IC2 S1

Power to operate the circuit is pro- 22K LM386N-1

C20 POWER It
vided by a common 9 -volt transistor- 5
47µF
.n O
radio battery. Current draw is about 15 C221
.1µF
+
0--1:( SPKR1
milliamps, which allows about 25 hours C19 R7 80
C10 .1).1F 50K
of use from a new alkaline battery. VOLUME
¡ R8 B1
.002µF
V
4 1052 9 i7
I
liming Components. The FM/TV Audio *SEE TABLE 2
Receiver is capable of receiving fre- Fig. 2. If you replace a few select components, the FM/TV Audio Receiver can pick up FM radio or
30 quencies from 59.75 to 108 MHz, just TV audio.
 1t

TABLE 1 the board has been prepared,

FREQUENCIES OF TV AND FM gently clean both surfaces of the
BROADCAST STATIONS printed- circuit board with steel
wool and detergent to remove any
TV Channel 2 59.75 MHz possible oxidation or dirt. This pro-
TV Channel 3 65.75 MHz cedure will provide a clean metal
TV Channel 4 71.75 MHz surface that is conducive to good
TV Channel 5 81.75 MHz solder joints. Rinse the board in cold
TV Channel 6 87.75 MHz water and dry thoroughly.
FM broadcast 88-108 MHz Use the parts- placement diagram
in Fig. 4 as a guide when installing
components. The first components
fabricate your own board, you that should be soldered in place 2 -1/4- INCHES

may obtain one from the source are L1, L2, and D2. Those items are
given in the Parts List. surface-mount components that Fig. 3. The PC board for the FM/TV Audio
Although only one foil pattern is are to be soldered on the solder Receiver is a double-sided board that any hob-
shown, the FM /TV Audio Receiver side of the board. Figure 5 illustrates byist can build; the component side is a solid
uses a double -sided board. The corn - the terminal connections of D2. ground plane.
ponent side is simply a ground plane Note that only two of the three ter-
of unetched copper that covers minais are used. ponents must be as short as practi-
the entire board. After etching the The best way to install a surface- cal. Be absolutely sure that no
solder side of the board and drilling mounted component is to gently "tin" component wires touches the
the component holes, you will need the copper pads on the board. Use ground plane unless it is connected
to clear the ground -plane copper solder braid to remove all of the excess to ground on the opposite side of
away from the holes to prevent any solder, leaving a shiny, silver surface. the board. Refer to Fig. 2 if in doubt.
accidental shorts to ground. One Do not use excessive heat. Place the When you install a grounded com-
way to accomplish that is with a component in position directly over ponent, solder that component's
sharp 'h- or 344,-inch drill bit. By hold-
' the pads and apply solder to one pad grounded lead to the ground plane
ing the drill bit in your hand and and terminal only. Inspect the position on the component side of the
spinning it against each hole, a cir- of the component. If it is correct, solder board after soldering it in place.
cular ring free of copper around the remaining connection. See the list of components men-
each hole results. Be careful not to Insert all of the remaining corn - tioned above.
remove too much PC -board mate- ponents. If you want to use an exter- A piece of flexible insulated wire
rial or you' enlarge the holes too much.
Il nal volume control, don't install R7 about 20 inches long may be used
Do not clear copper from those at this time. Pay strict attention to as a temporary antenna for test. The
holes in which the component all polarized components such as final length will be determined later.
leads connect to ground; we'll use the semiconductor and electrolytic Solder this temporary antenna wire
the leads to make connections capacitors. Any such part placed in place as indicated in Fig. 4.
between both sides of the board. backwards in the circuit will render When you are finished soldering
Using Fig. 4 as a guide, leave cop- the receiver inoperative, and it the parts in place, check the con-
per around the following pads: may get damaged itself or dam- nections of all ungrounded corn -
age other components when power ponents to be sure that there are
C10 and R1 that connect to is applied. Double-check before no inadvertent short circuits to
each other only soldering those parts in place. ground. If in doubt, use an ohmme-
The C13 lead next to C12 Note that to conserve "real estate" ter. Carefully examine all of the sol-
The R4 lead nearest the board space on the board, the design der joints; are they shiny and
edge places many parts vertically. However, smooth? Check for short circuits
R7's rightmost lead component height should be con- between closely spaced copper
R8's rightmost lead sidered to assure proper fit of the conductors. Correct any problems
C23's rightmost lead final assembly into the desired enclo- now before proceeding.
sure. Since this is a high-frequency When you are satisfied with your
If you feel ambitious, you can circuit, the lead length of all corn- work, set the board aside.
include the negative leads of C18,
C21, B1, SPKR1, pin to of IC1, and TABLE 2
pins 2 and 4 of IC2. Those addition- TUNING COMPONENTS FOR TV SOUND AND
al leads were not connected to the STANDARD FM BROADCAST RECEPTION
ground plane in the author's proto-
type, but making the additional con- Frequency Band L1 L2 C4 C5 D2
nections shouldn't cause too many 0.1 µH 0.083 µH 68 pF 47 pF 22 pF
Standard FM
problems other than added con- TV channels 2, 3, 4 0.12 µH 0.12 µH 100 pF 68 pF 33 pF
struction work. TV channels 4, 5, 6 0.1 µH 0.083 µH 100 pF 68 pF 33 pF
After the ground -plane side of 31
 Drill or cut out holes in the enclo-
R sure for those parts, taking note of the
location of the printed circuit board
and its components. One more hole,
to be used for the antenna wire, must
be drilled in the enclosure. This hole
should be located near the antenna
connection of the board as illustrated
in Fig. 4.
If you wish, you may secure a
small telescoping antenna to the
side of the cabinet. The length of
the antenna is not critical. For a '/-
wavelength antenna at the oper-
ating frequencies of the FM /TV
Audio Receiver, you will need one
that's about two to four feet, but
the receiver will work with a shorter
antenna.
When the cabinet has been
properly assembled and wired in
accordance with the schematic
diagram, connect the battery clip
to the circuit. Be sure to observe
polarity of the battery clip wires. If
in doubt, use a DC voltmeter and
Fig. 4. Follow this parts-placement diagram when building the FM/TV Audio Receiver. You should
battery to verify polarity of the
clear away the ground -plane copper from the holes of any leads that are not grounded. leads. Just because the battery-
clip leads are red and black doesn't
mean that the particular one you
Cabinet Assembly. The small size of with epoxy or other suitable adhe- have is wired correctly!
the board permits installation in a sive; the result is an air gap between Make the final connections to R3
small enclosure that also houses the the speaker and grille. Once the adhe- and SPKR1 in accordance with Fig.
9 -volt battery, tuning potentiome- sive has cured, the speaker may be 4. Be sure to wire R3 so that clock-
ter, loudspeaker, and on /off switch. glued in place in a similar manner. wise rotation causes the voltage at
The Parts List provides one such Pick a spot for S1 R3, and R7 (if
, its wiper to decrease. This voltage
enclosure that has a built -in battery you want to use a panel- mounted drop will provide increasing received
compartment; but any suitable volume control). The Parts List spec- frequencies with clockwise rotation.
plastic cabinet, obtained from parts ifies a multi -turn tuning potentiome- Before connecting B1 to the bat-
suppliers such as RadioShack, may ter for best resolution and perfor- tery clip, check all wiring thorough-
also be used. mance. This unit is composed of two lyto be sure that it is 100% correct.
The Parts List also suggests a minia- parts: the potentiometer itself and Itis far easier to correct any prob-
ture speaker that is capable of pro- a shaft adapter that lets you attach a lems at this time rather than later if
ducing good quality audio when knob. An ordinary single -turn unit you find that your receiver does not
installed as directed. The audio-power may be used if desired. Although work.
amplifier used in the FM /TV Audio the multi-turn potentiometer gives
Receiver is capable of driving any greater tuning resolution, it does Testing. Before applying power to
8 -ohm speaker. You are certainly not allow the attachment of a tun- the circuit, use an ohmmeter to
free to use a larger speaker-and ing dial. You can draw a simple dial measure the resistance across C21
larger enclosure to house it -if
you for the single-turn potentiometer, to verify that there is no short circuit
so choose. but you'll sacrifice resolution for to ground on the power -supply line.
Choose a suitable location for convenience. Normal indication is 20,000 ohms or
the speaker. Drill a series of '/6 -inch more. Turn Si off and clip a fresh
diameter holes in a square pattern NO alkaline 9 -volt battery onto the
to form a grille in the front of the CONNECTION connector. Set the volume control
cabinet. Perfboard makes a nice halfway.
template for that task. Construct a CATHODE Turn the power on. Slowly rotate
spacer from a piece of '/6 -inch- R3 until you hear audio. Note that
ANODE
thick printed- circuit material, plas- IC1 has an automatic muting cir-
tic, or aluminum to match the size Fig. 5. Varactor diode D2, although a two-lead cuit; no sound will be heard until
and shape shown in Fig. 6. Glue the device, is housed in a three -lead package that the circuit is tuned to a station. If
32 spacer to the inside of the cabinet makes it look like a surface -mount transistor. you have chosen to build an FM-
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 received stations has been made, and check the voltage across B1
you will be able to determine the when the receiver is turned on; it
frequency range of your receiver should deliver at least eight volts to
iiiz by adjusting R3 over its entire range the circuit. Measure the current
and noting what radio stations are draw; normal indication is about 15
heard. There are no other adjust- milliamps at low volume levels.
ments. The components specified Try adjusting the tuning control
t vz -11.1 -- in the Parts List and Table should
1 over its entire range. The muting cir-
vis automatically tune your receiver to cuit of the receiver keeps the loud-
ALL DIMENSIONS the desired frequency band. speaker silent unless a radio station
IN INCHES At this time, you can experiment is tuned in.

Fig. 6. This spacer will keep the speaker from to determine the optimum anten- Check all electrolytic capacitors,
touching the cabinet's grille. na length. Generally, in strong sig- diodes, and ICs to be sure that they
nal areas, a short piece of wire will are properly oriented in the circuit.
suffice. In remote areas, a longer Check all other components for
band receiver, many radio stations antenna will provide better results. proper value. Verify that all of the
will be heard. If you have built a TV If the receiver is working as specified grounded components
receiver, only 2 stations, spaced far described, the unit is ready for use. are properly soldered to the top
apart, may be picked up. Additionally, Otherwise, refer to the following hints side (ground plane) of the board.
when the receiver is tuned past the to locate and correct any faults in Placing a finger on pin 3 of IC2
video- or picture-carrier of a TV sta- the circuit. should result in some buzz or hum in
tion, a hum or buzz will be heard. the speaker. If none is present, check
When the audio from a station is Troubleshooting. If the loudspeaker C20 and the speaker connections.
located, adjust the volume control is silent, set R7 halfway between its Try replacing IC2.
as desired. minimum and maximum rotation. If the loudspeaker circuit is oper-
Once the identification of the Use a digital or analog voltmeter ational, measure the voltage at pin
2 of ICI. Normal indication is about
PARTS LIST FOR THE F M/TV AUDIO RECEIVER 2 volts DC. Measure the voltage at
C7, C15- 0.0033 -pF, 50 -WVDC, pins 5, 13, and 14 of IC1. Normal
SEMICONDUCTORS
IC1-TDA7000N, FM receiver, polyester indication is about 8 volts DC.
integrated circuit (Philips) C10-0.0022 -RF, 50 -WVDC polyester Measure the voltage at pin 16 of
IC2- LM386N -1 audio amplifier, Cli, C23 -O.022 -pF, 50-WVDC, IC 1. Normal indication is zero volts.
integrated circuit If incorrect voltages are encoun-
metal -film
D1- 1N5232B 5.6-volt Zener diode C12, C13, C16-0.01 -µF, 50 -WVDC,
tered, disconnect power and visu-
D2 -22 -pf or 33 -pF varactor diode ceramic-disc ally inspect the wiring for opens,
(see Table 2) shorts, and bad solder connections.
C18,C21- 100-sF, 16 -WVDC,
electrolytic Check all components for proper
RESISTORS C20-47 -pF, 16-WVDC, electrolytic values, especially L1 and L2.
(All resistors are /< -watt, 5% units unless A non -operational local oscilla-
otherwise noted.) ADDITIONAL PARTS AND MATERIALS
tor can also cause an inoperative
R1-22,000-ohm receiver. Thoroughly check L2, C17,
B1-9-volt alkaline transistor-radio battery
R2-4700-ohm R5, Dl, and D2. Measure the volt-
L1 -0.1 -µH or 0.12 -µH inductor
R3- 100,000-ohm potentiometer (see Table 2)
age at the wiper of R3 to be sure
(Mouser 594-43P103 or similar-see that it varies when the tuning con-
text)
L2- 0.083 -1LH or 0.12 -11H inductor trol is rotated.
(see Table 2)
R4-22,000 -ohm S1- Single -pole, single -throw toggle or With the FM /TV Audio Receiver
R5- 10,000-ohm slide switch
at your side, you'll never miss another
R6-100-ohm soap opera or episode of Friends
R7- 50,000-ohm potentiometer, printed - SPKR1 -8 -ohm loudspeaker
again! P
Enclosure (Mouser 616-71980 or simi-
circuit or panel mount (see text)
lar), adapter for R3 (Mouser 594-612
R8 -10 -ohm
or similar -see text), 9-volt battery
clip, tuning knob, optional earphone
CAPACITORS
C1- 220 -pF, 50 -WVDC polyester jack, wire hardware, etc.
C2, C8-330 -pf, 50 -WVDC polyester
C3, C9, C17, C19, C22- 0.1 -0, Note: The following parts are available
ceramic -disc from A. Caristi, 69 White Pond Rd.,
C4 -68 -pF or 100 -pF, NPO ceramic -disc Waldwick, NJ 07463: Etched and
(see Table 2) drilled PC board, $15.75; ICI,
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36
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I could get it to scroll!"
 Looking Ahead to
DTV: Part 2
How digital television combines compressed
video and audio signals and delivers them to a
digital-ready television near you. Second of two parts.

GEOPHREY MCCOMIS

Last month, we looked at the

mechanics of how digital televi-
sion works, including how video (in Li U U U J+
a single high-definition format or
several standard -definition chan-
nels) is compressed, squeezed, and 0100001
otherwise mashed down to fit with-
in a 6 -MHz bandwidth. We also saw
011011
how the same techniques are able
to supply home-theater -quality sur-
round sound in a 5.1 format (four sur- 111
round channels plus a center chan-
nel and subwoofer) with Dolby noise
010
J11
reduction to boot.
Now that we have the two major
components of television (video and
audio) digitized and compressed, let's
see how we put them together. Be
sure to have last month's issue handy;
there will be occasional references
to some of the charts and figures
that were published in the first part
of the article. To avoid confusion over
which figure number belongs to which
section, we're going to continue on
with the numbering scheme as if A very general summary of the MPEG compression often results in
this is one large book -length article. transport subsystem might stop at frames being reordered for trans-
Now that we have all of the dis- that, but there are far more inter- mission, so there is no inherent syn-
claimers out of the way, let's plunge esting issues that lurk just beneath chronism between audio and video
into this month's subjects. We'll start the obvious. information.
with... Consider the synchronization of For DTV, the secret to synchro-
a program's audio and video. In nism lies between the source and
The Service -Multiplex and Transport analog -television systems, audio transport- encoding processes (Fig.
Subsystem. When you look back to and video information is sent simul- 8). Elementary audio and video
Fig 1, the transport subsystem's pri- taneously and in real time -both data are first grouped into Packetized
mary function is obvious: it com- are sent, received, and presented Elementary Stream (PES) packets.
bines the elements from multiple concurrently. A DTV program's audio PES packets are variable- length-
programs with ancillary and control and video are interspersed with data structures that tag audio and
data to form a single transport other data, so even though the over- video frames with packet-start codes
stream. As with video, DTV trans- all bit rate is constant, any one ele- and various other header elements.
port streams conform to standards mentary stream appears in bursts in Among the PES header elements
defined under MPEG -2 and con- a fraction of the time required to are two "time stamps:" the Presentation
strained for DTV. decode and display it. Additionally, Time Stamp (PTS) and Decode Time
 TO SOURCE And Now For a Word From Our Sponsor.
ENCODERS
Where would television be without
commercials? Commercials are promi-
27 MHz
+ 300
33 BIT 9 BIT
MASTER nent examples of local program-
COUNTER COUNTER
CLOCK ming. However, local program
FOR insertion might adversely affect the
FOR
ELEMENTARY AUDIO
PTS /DTS
PCR EXT.
PCR and its representation at the
AND VIDEO STREAMS FOR PCR BASE receiver. Imagine, for example, that
you have just enjoyed six minutes

->
PROGRAM
PES
MAP and twenty -seven seconds of your
PACKETIZATION favorite TV drama; the current PCR
ADAPTATION
HEADER and time stamp values will indicate
INSERTION "6:27:xxxxx." Then the local network
ANCILLARY LINK affiliate cuts to five minutes of com-
DATA HEADER mercials. What happens to the time
INSERTION
values? Must the PCR be yanked
back to 0:00 at the start of each
PROGRAM
TRANSPORT commercial, only to jump back to
STREAM 6:28 when the program resumes?
SYSTEAM
TRANSPORT
STREAM
-0- SYSTEM
LEVEL
MULTIPLEX {
+ OTHER
PROGRAM
MULTIPLEX
How might this affect decoder syn-
chron¢ation across brands of receivers?
STREAMS
The adaptation header's splice -
PROGRAM
countdown field embodies one attempt
ASSOCIATION to provide respectable and consis-
TABLE PKTS. tent answers to those questions.
Fig. 8. Construction of DTV's transport streams is a fairly complex affair, involving multiple programs. All During a normal program, it indicates
of the timing for the transport subsystem is based on a 27 -MHz master clock. A 9 -bit counter provides a the number of packets remaining
high resolution snapshot of the time elapsed from packet to packet, while a phase -locked 90-kHz clock rate
before the occurrence of a splice
drives a 33 -bit counter to place each packet within a large window of time.
point. During inserted programming,
it reflects the anticipated time before
Stamp (DTS). The Presentation Time base (taken from the same 33 -bit resumption of the featured program.
Stamp indicates exactly when a counter used to generate time The discontinuity indicator is another
given packet's contents should be stamps) and the PCR extension (a important adaptation -header field. It
presented. The Decode Time Stamp sampling of a nine -bit counter dri- gives the decoder advance warning
is included whenever frame reorder- ven directly by the master clock). that the PCR is about to change
ing occurs; it notifies the decoder The master clock is also needed (before the start of a new program,
that the DTS- stamped packet will at the receiver to decode the for instance).
be required prior to its presentation incoming signal. The decoder gen- While it is still up to the receiver to
time (usually in order to decode erates a local representation of the track a potentially shifting time base,
intervening B frames). master clock at the receiver, align- the adaptation layer provides the
All of the timing for source encod- ing it with the PCR embedded in additional support required to main-
ing and decoding is based on a 27- the incoming bit stream. In this way, tain reliable performance across the
MHz master clock. Both PTS and DTS it establishes its own program clock, full spectrum of program insertion/
values are snapshots of a 33 -bit which becomes the reference for change scenarios.
counter driven by a 90 -kHz divided - the presentation and decode times The link level is the final stage in
down version of the master clock indicated by the incoming time the assembly of a transport packet.
(Fig. 8). Thus, they provide accurate stamps. That's how audio and video Link headers are fixed in length at
placement information within the are synchronized.
The adaptation layer also pro- 188 BYTES
overall context of a large window (FIXED LENGTH)
of time. vides indicators for random access
One step up from the PES level is and local program- insertion points.
the adaptation layer as shown in Recall that once an MPEG decoder
Figs. 8 and 9. Adaptation headers has acquired a given program stream,
are variable in length- mandatory it must be initialized with an frame. I I
LINK
PAYLOAD
for audio and video and optional Thus, within a particular bit stream, HEADER \
ADAPTATION
for other data. They exist primarily the start of an frame is a valid ran-
I

HEADER
to facilitate the synchronization of dom entry point with respect to the
Fig. 9. Transport packets are the common cur-
program elements. video decoder. Such random entry
rency of the transport subsystem. Most of the
Chief among the adaptation points are flagged by the state of a subsystem's per -program operations relate to
header elements is the Program - special field in the adaptation head- the assembly of transport packets. System -level
Clock Reference (PCR). The PCR is er. This allows for faster redisplay when multiplexing amounts to shuffling them together,
38 comprised of two parts: the PCR switching channels or programs. like cards.
 SYSTEM SELECTED association table for the system -
TRANSPORT PROGRAM
STREAM PACKETS level transport stream. The program
t
association table is like a guide-
SEPARATE
book to the system stream. It identi-
PACKETS OTHER SEPARATE OTHER SEPARATE PACKETS fies the stream's programs and the
W /PID = 0 PACKETS CONTAINING SELECTED
PACKETS PACKETS PID numbers that contain each pro-
(PROGRAM CONTAINING PROGRAM'S ELEMENTARY
ASSOCIATION PROGRAM MAP STREAMS, DUMP OTHERS gram's program -map table. Each
TABLE) program -map table in turn identifies
PROGRAM MAP
PROGRAM the PID numbers belonging to its
PID
PACKETS PACKETS
ELEMENTS' associated program elements.
PIDs
CONTAINING CONTAINING Figure 10 illustrates the process of
P.A.T. PROGRAM MAP unraveling the system -level trans-
FIND PIDs OF PACKETS port stream to get at a particular
FIND PID OF PACKETS
CONTAING APPROPRIATE CONTAINING SELECTED DUMP program. First, packets whose PID is
PROGRAM'S ELEMENTARY OTHER
PROGRAM MAP
STREAMS PACKETS zero are gathered and interpreted
to find the PID of the program map
t for the desired program. Those
INDICATE DESIRED packets are then gathered and inter-
PROGRAM
preted to find the PID numbers of
Fig. 10. De- multiplexing the system-transport stream is like a treasure hunt: several pointers must
be followed to get to any single program's transport packets.
TRANSPORT PACKETS
FROM TRANSPORT
four bytes. As indicated in Fig. 9, value of 9, the decoder will recog- SUBSYSTEM
the primary functions facilitated at nize that data has been lost and
the link level are packet synchro- should take steps to control the
REMOVE
nization and identification, error damage. PACKET-SYNC.
detection, and conditional- access The DTV standard does not spec-
notification. ify a particular method of encrypt-
The first eight bits of every pack- ing data for conditional access (as RANDOMIZE
DATA
et are the link header's sync byte. with pay -per -view or premium ser-
Each sync byte carries the same vices), but it does provide the means
value for all MPEG -2 bit streams. This for program providers to do so. Link FORWARD ERROR
allows ready detection and constant headers must be sent without encryp- CORRECTION
verification of the location of trans- tion, but the balance of a transport
port packet boundaries. packet could easily carry encrypt- CALCULATE/APPEND
The Packet -Identification (PID) ed data. For this reason, the link REED -SOLOMON
ERROR CORRECTION
field occupies 13 bits in the center header's transport- scrambling con-
of the link header. Within a given trol identifies packets bearing scram-
system multiplex, packets that belong bled payloads. INTERLEAVE
to any particular data stream carry Transport packets are the com- DATA

a unique PID value. At the receiver, mon currency of the transport sub-
packets are ultimately sorted out system. They are fixed in length at TRELLIS
according to their PIDs. 188 bytes and are easily multi- ENCODE
Two separate link- header fields plexed. Multiplexing at the program
provide error -handling utilities: the level is simply a matter of alternat-
four -bit continuity counter and the ing a program's audio -, video-, and
one -bit transport-packet-error indi- ancillary-transport packets. Together, ADD F ELD &
cator. The latter is simply a flag that they constitute a program stream. SEGMENT SYNC.
may be set by the modulator or Multiplexing at the system level is
demodulator to indicate that a more complex. Here, transport pack-
given packet is known to be in error ets from multiple program streams INSERT PILOT
& VSB MODULATE
and should not be used. must be interwoven. Still, transport
The continuity counter confirms packets will remain intact and will
the delivery of successive packets merely be placed end-to-end with RF
of each payload-bearing PID. As packets of other programs' various UPCONVERT
the program stream is assembled elements. In that patchwork of pro-
within each set of packets for a par- gram packets, each packet's PID
RF ENVELOPE TO
ticular PID, it cycles from zero through identifies the program and element POWER AMPLIFIER
15. So, for example, if one packet to which it belongs. & ANTENNA

of PIDs carries a continuity -counter PID number zero is reserved for a

value of 7 and the next packet
received for the same PID carries a
special class of transport packets
those containing the program-
- Fig. 11. Error correction is the central facet of
DTV's terrestrial -transmission system. 39
 INPUT erator is a one, the output data also
LSB-0 OUTPUT
LSB -0 appear to be random. In the receiv-
er, the same sequence is XORed with

JD
INPUT
BIT 1 OUTPUT
BIT 1 the recovered randomized data,
magically revealing the original.
INPUT

JD OUTPUT

D
BIT 2
BIT 2
INPUT Fixing Mistakes. Forward -Error Cor-
BIT 3 OUTPUT rection (FEC) refers to the addition
BIT 3
of special error -correction data on
INPUT
BIT 4 OUTPUT the part of the sender in a one -way
BIT 4 digital- communication system. A large
INPUT
BIT 5 OUTPUT part of the transmission subsystem is
BIT 5 devoted to FEC. Without it, ATSC
INPUT
BIT 6

INPUT
MSB-7
IDE: __ OT :::>
_ OUTPUT
BIT 6

UTPU
reception would falter due to inter-
fering signals, multipath distortion,
and adverse atmospheric conditions.
MSB -7 DTV employs three stages of FEC:
Reed -Solomon coding, data inter-
leaving, and trellis coding.
SEQUENCE
START It's difficult to imagine how effec-
PSEUDO- RANDOM- SEQUENCE GENERATOR
(@ FIELD tive DTV's three -part FEC ensemble
START)
is. During evaluation while the sys-

Fig. 12. The randomizer's XOR gates invert the information bits whenever a bit from the sequence tem was in development, it was
generator is a one. In the receiver, the same sequence is xoR -ed with the randomized data, revers- found that the threshold for the vis-
ing the process. ibility of errors occurs at a signal -to-
noise ratio (S /N) of 14.9 dB. From an
the selected program's elementary used to convey three or four bits at analog perspective, this is astound-
streams, which in the end are sep- a time. While 8VSB uses robust -cod- ing. It means that roughly one sixth
arated for decoding, while the ing techniques to move 19.28 Mbps of the signal voltage seen by the
remainder of the system transport across a potentially noisy channel, receiving system must be noise
packets are ignored. 16VSB trades resilience for data -car- before any negative effects are
Program selection may be en- rying capacity, delivering 38.57 Mbps. observable.
hanced by the presence of a mas- The balance of this article will focus Unfortunately, error correction can
ter-program guide. This is one ex -ample on the 8VSB mode. only forestall the inevitable. The slope
of an ancillary data type. While ancil- Figure 11 summarizes the progres- of 8VSB -error probability as a func-
lary data may ultimately include sion of information through the ter- tion of S/N is so sharp that the sys-
anything from stock quotes to soft- restrial transmission subsystem. tem can't function as the S/N
ware, a unique PID (number 8189) First,transport packets are gath- approaches 14 dB. This is the "brick -
has been reserved for it due to the ered and stripped of their sync bytes. wall effect" often associated with
program guide's essential role. These are unnecessary in transmis- DTV reception: you get either a
sion since the RF subsystem creates perfect picture or no picture at all.
The RF/Transmission Subsystem. data frames of its own, and the Reed -Solomon (RS) coding is no
DTV's transport stream is already a positions of data from successive stranger to consumer electronics,
complex entrée of digital informa- transport packets are clearly defined. since it's at the heart of the Compact
tion; serving it up over the open air Packet sync will be restored in the Disc format. Though its mathemati-
is yet another challenge. This is the receiver, at the output of the RF stage. cal underpinnings are inaccessible
province of the RF /transmission sub- Next, incoming data are random- to most mortals, think of it as a sort
system. It reprocesses the contents ized. Randomization gives each bit of multi -dimensional parity. For every
of transport packets to blast them an equal chance of being a zero or randomized packet (187 bytes), 20
across the miles of noisy air, while a one, which optimizes the bit stream RS parity bytes are calculated and
maximizing the likelihood that they for the rest of the RF subsystem. tacked on. The parity bytes allow
will emerge intact at their multiple Figure 12 shows how that is achieved. the reconstruction of up to ten cor-
destinations. The start of every data frame trig- rupted bytes within a packet, even
The ATSC standard actually de- gers the start of an 8 -bit pseudo- if some of the parity bytes are
scribes two transmission modes: 8VSB random sequence, which is XORed damaged. They are therefore very
for terrestrial broadcast (open air) (ExcLusrvE-0aed) with the incoming data effective in the correction of ran-
and 16VSB for use in cable and other bytes. The sequence appears to be dom -bit errors.
delivery systems in which high sig- random, but it actually emerges To achieve partial immunity to
nal -to -noise ratios are easily main- from a mathematical function that longer -burst errors, the data are
tained. VSB stands for vestigial -side- always yields the same result. Since also interleaved. Interleaving refers
band modulation, in which either 8 the XORs invert the data bits any to the systematic scrambling of bytes
40 or 16 discrete -amplitude levels are time a bit from the sequence gen- from adjacent packets. Figure 13
 the state diagrams that demon-
4 BYTE
INPUT BYTE
DELAY strate their formation and decod-
SEQUENCE
ing. Take a peek at Figs. 14 and
f 15 -the diagrams look like trellises.
8 BYTE
They are considered convolutional,
DELAY because at any point in time the
o o output code word depends not
o only on the present input data, but
12 BYTE
DELAY
o
also on the state of the encoder
a function of past input data.
-
Examine Fig. 14 more closely,
and it's easy to see how trellis cod-
A
ing works. The encoder has four
states, labeled "A" through "D." It
EXEMPLARY
INPUT BYTE SEQUENCE
153154155156157158159160161162I631641651661671681691701711721731741 CURRENT CHANNEL NEXT
STATE BITS STATE
CORRESPONDING
OUTPUT BYTE SEQUENCE
1531381231 8 157142127112161146131116165 (501351201691541391241731581
O, 00
O
O,
O
10
B
10

`O
00 01
INTERLEAVED BYTE SEQUENCE SHOWING BURST ERROR AFFECTING FIVE BYTES
O, 11

11
RESULTING DISPERSION OF FIVE BYTE BURST ERROR IN DE- INTERLEAVED SEQUENCE

20 35 39 54 69
O, 01
O
A
C

Fig. 13. From the receiver's viewpoint, interleaving causes burst errors to look like random bit
TRANSITION FROM STATE A OR C:
errors.
UPPER BRANCH
IF CURRENT
provides an example of a simplified segments. One segment contains INFORMATION BIT = 0

interleaver and shows how inter- the data equivalent to 207 inter-
leaving can distribute the effects of leaved bytes, which is precisely the
burst errors over a broad range of amount of data contained in one
non -adjacent bytes. However where packet, plus its associated parity.
the interleaver of Fig. 13 is com- In the next and final stage of
LOWER BRANCH
prised of only four stages with a FEC, each interleaved byte (8 bits) IF CURRENT
maximum delay of 12 bytes, DTV's will be converted to 12 channel bits. INFORMATION BIT = 1

B
interleaver has 52 stages with a Channel bits are the product of
maximum delay of 204 bytes. The channel coding. The NATO alpha-
interleaving sequence is initialized at
the start of every data field, result-
bet-often heard in old war movies
provides a good example of chan-
- TRANSISTION FROM STATE B OR D:

UPPER BRANCH
ing in the mixing of bytes over a nel coding. In a broken or noisy IF CURRENT
range of 52 packets. When the radio transmission, the sequence INFORMATION BIT = 1

data are "de- interleaved" in the "Alpha- Bravo-Charlie" has a better

receiver, burst errors are dispersed, chance of being correctly under-
affecting small portions of several stood -han simply "a -b -c," which
packets rather than a large part of could come out sounding like "a -e-
any one packet. This dispersion e." Digital channel coding usually LOWER BRANCH
allows the use of RS parity to cor- involves adapting a unit of data to IF CURRENT
INFORMATION BIT = 0
rect much larger errors than would a longer code word to enhance its
C
otherwise be possible. intelligibility in a potentially noisy -
After interleaving, the data directly transmission system. Fig. 14. At any moment, the trellis encoder exists
at one offour states. As each information bit is
associated with any one packet
received, the encoder outputs two channel bits
are scrambled. When we look ahead Trellis Coding. Trellis codes belong and moves to the next state. The transition table
to the structure of a VSB data frame, to a family of channel codes that and trellis diagram demonstrate the eight possi-
we see that interleaved data and are called "convolutional." They are bilities associated with the encoding of any
RS parity bytes will be grouped into named after the appearance of information bit. 41
 received in error. This possibility is
A o-0 1-0 O 223-0-47-1-C)
2223-0-47-1-C) also considered. The next two chan-
\ 1 nel bits are 10, suggesting a valid

\
2
B 01 O o 0 1
source bit of and a transition to
1

STATE 0
2 2 state "C." Again, this vector and its
1
3
single -error alternative are traced.
C O O O a 3
Skipping ahead to the fourth pair
of received-channel bits, you will
24-0
RECEIVED BITS
D

- O

00
O

10
0
01 11
5%)

10 01

Fig. 15. Viterbi decoding is probabilistic. Each pair of received channel bits leads to a new vector
10 00
see something interesting. The cur-
rent state is "B," and the received
channel bits are 11. Although 11 is
not a valid channel code from state
"B," the decoder is not bothered
in the trellis. The decoder compares all possible vectors with those suggested by the received data, by this. It simply traces the two pos-
and, over time, selects the path associated with the least number of errors (the most probable). sible vectors from state "B" and
notes the number of requisite bit
errors. The one -error vector would
starts out at "A." As each bit enters 14, and you will see that 00 is a more likely be the intended path
the encoder, two channel bits valid channel code from state "A." than the two-error vector, but the
emerge, and the encoder advances It is associated with a source bit of errors encountered at this point are
up or down to the next state -the 0 and a transition back to state carried through the next several nodes,
example of Fig. 14 is a 6 -rate code. "A." That vector is traced in the and many possible paths are eval-
The most common method of decoder's memory with an indica- uated. As the decoding progress-
unraveling trellis -encoded data has tion to verify that no bit errors were es, improbable paths are closed
been named Viterbi decoding after received if the vector was the out and the path of least error emerges
its originator, Andrew Viterbi. For an actual path intended in the original as the most likely. Viterbi decoding
example of how it works, consider transmission. is probabilistic. It evaluates channel
Fig. 15. The initial state is assumed The only other valid channel code data and recommends the most
to be "A." The decoder receives from state "A" is 10. If 00 had been probable source data.
the first pair of channel bits: 00. falsely detected in place of 10, There's an extra twist hidden in
Check the transition table of Fig. then one bit would have been the trellis encoder. 8VSB uses a 'k-

7
5
3
1

TRELLIS STAGE
BITS 1,3,5,7 1/P
PRECODER #1
BYTES 1/T1
1, 13, 25... BITS 0, 2, 4, 6
TRELLIS #1 1/T2 1
OUT
TRELLIS 8 LEVEL
TRELLIS
INTERLEAVER DE- INTERLEAVER SYMBOL MAPPER
2 -11/P
(DIVIDES (MULTIPLEXES SEGMENT AND
INCOMING TRELLIS STAGES 2 -11/T1
ENCODED FIELD SYNC.
BYTES 2-11 BITS FROM P T1 T2 OUT INSERTION
2 -11/T2
AMONG E TRELLIS
TRELLIS STAGES) o o o -7
STAGES) o o -5
TRELLIS STAGE 12 o o -3
BITS 1, 3, 5, 7 12/P P o -1
PRECODER #12 o o +1 PILOT
BYTES 12/T1 T1
o +3 INSERTION
12 24, 36... BITS 0, 2, 4, 6
TRELLIS #12 12/T2 T2 o +5
1 +7

SIGNAL
i USED TO
P MODULATE
BYTES FROM CARRIER
PRIMARY T1
INTERLEAVE
T2

Fig. 16. DTV's trellis encoding approach is ingeniously wed to its 8VSB symbol mapping. Only half
of the source bits are actually trellis encoded. The other bits determine the sign of the signal creat-
ed by the symbol mapper (they are assigned the greatest bit weight), so they are least likely to be
42 misinterpreted at the receiver.
 FIELD #1 SYNC (or vice versa), except in the case
SEG 1
of +1, and -1, at which point the
SEG 2
two trellis-encoded bits are maxi-
mally differentiated (00 versus 11).
SEG 3
Furthermore, instances of the same
SEG 4
FIELD ONE trellis -coded bits occurring on oppo-
(313 SEGMENTS)
site sides of the polarity divide are
SEG 308
always four levels apart ( +1 and -7,
SEG 309 +3 and -5, +5 and -3, +7 and -1). This
SEG 310 highly efficient approach makes it
SEG 311 possible to reap the benefits of trel-
ONE SEG 312 lis encoding, while only encoding
VSB DATA FRAME
(48.4 mSEC) FIELD #2 SYNC half of the source data.
SEG 1
After symbol mapping is done,
SEG 2 field- and segment-synchronization
SEG 3
signals are added to the train of
8VSB channel symbols. They are bina-
SEG 4
FIELD TWO ry for easy identification; and they
(313 SEGMENTS)
toggle between high and low states,
SE
:

which correspond to 8VSB levels of

SEG 309
+5 and -5. Fig. 17 details the posi-
SEG 310 tions of the sync signals in the over-
SEG 311 all framing structure.
SEG 312 Segment sync consists of the
A four-symbol pattern 1001. It is the only
non -random repeating pattern in the
VSB DATA SEGMENT transmission, occurring at regular 77.3
-microsecond intervals so it stands
INTERLEAVED, RANDOMIZED out clearly.
SEGMENT TRANSPORT DATA + REED -SOLOMON
SYNC ERROR CORRECTION DATA Field sync occupies a complete
segment and occurs once in every
313 segments. Most of it consists of
several repeating pseudo- random
patterns, spanning 700 symbols. Of
4 CHANNEL SYMBOLS - 828 CFIANNEL SYMBOLS -
IN PLACE OF TRANSPORT FROM 207 INTERLEAVED
the remaining 128 symbols, 24 indi-
PACKET SYNC. BYTE TRANSPORT AND R.S. BYTES cate the VSB mode of the transmis-
B sion (currently either 8VSB or 16VSB).
Fig. 17. ATSC transmissions have a framing structure reminiscent of analog video formats. Two The balance is reserved, serving no
fields, each comprised of 313 segments, make up a frame. defined purpose.
The combination of 8VSB chan-
rate trellis code, yet its overall cod- The combination of a precoder nel symbols and sync patterns will
ing rate is That's because only and trellis coder forms a complete be used to modulate the RF carrier,
half of the source bits are trellis trellis stage. Each of the trellis stages but not until a slight adjustment is
coded. As you can see in Fig. 16, at generate three bits for every input made.
the threshold of the encoder, inter- pair, making up the overall rate.
leaved bytes pass through yet The de- interleaver multiplexes the Pumping It Out. Any transmission
another interleaver. Unlike the pri- outputs of the 12 trellis stages into a system is most efficient if it fully uti-
mary interleaver, the second is mere- single three -bit-wide data bus, com- lizes all of its available bandwidth.
ly a "traffic cop," directing the incom- pleting the encoding process. DTV has been designed to use all of
ing bytes to one of 12 trellis stages. When you consider the symbol its 6 -MHz channel bandwidth near-
Each byte is split as it's fed to one mapper, the elegance of the ly all of the time. It is therefore said
of the 12 stages, and only its even approach becomes clear. The sym- to be noise -like; when observing an
bits (0,2,4,6) are trellis coded. bol mapper represents a trio of bits ATSC channel over time, one finds
an equal distribution of energy
The odd bits pass through a pre -
coder, which performs a simple
operation. Starting with an output of
as one of eight discrete DC levels
(a symbol), which will ultimately
correspond to carrier -amplitude
from upper to lower band edge
the defining characteristic of white
-
zero, it generates a transition when levels. From the chart on the sym- noise.
its input is a one and holds its out- bol mapper in Fig. 16, note that the DTV uses an amplitude- modula-
put state when its input is a zero. precoded bit determines the sign tion format that takes advantage
This treatment is easily undone at of the modulating DC level. It is of a technique called carrier sup-
the receiver, and it produces a sin- unlikely that the receiver will con- pression. This eliminates AM's char
gle bit for every bit processed. fuse a positive for a negative level (Continued on page 67) 43
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 Getttn Iylsíáe an NCO
TOM NAPIER

Learn about numerically-con-

trolled oscillators by building one.

0 ne of the things that makes

electronics fun is discovering
the odd chips that have been devel-
oped to solve specific problems. first
I

heard of numerically -controlled oscil-

lator (NCO) chips some ten years ago.
If hadn't, some of my designs, such
I

as the VME bit synchronizer that I

described in "Sifting Signals from

Noise" (Electronics Now, April 1999),
would not have been possible.
Here, I'm going to explain how NCOs
work and how you can learn about
them by building one from a hand-
ful of TTL parts.

What Do NCOs Do? NCOs are very

handy to have in your electronic
"bag of tricks" once you under-
stand their capabilities. For exam-
ple, you can generate very pure
and very accurate sinewaves any-
where from sub -audio frequencies
to around 30 MHz with only a crys-
tal oscillator, an NCO chip, a fast
digital -to- analog converter (DAC),
Ull
and a low -pass filter. The output
can readily be phase- or frequen-
cy- modulated. width of the loop filter, a VCO can The NCO is particularly easy to
The frequency synthesizer in sig- take tens of milliseconds to settle to tune to a specific frequency since
nal generators and in virtually every a new frequency. Although that its output frequency is a linear func-
TV set and FM radio uses a voltage - doesn't sound like much time, it tion of the tuning number that you
controlled oscillator (VCO). Dividing does have an effect. apply. Some NCO chips even accept
itsoutput down and then compar- The NCO, as its name implies, uses a a binary-coded -decimal (BCD) input
ing it with a low- frequency refer- wide binary number to specify its output and can be driven directly from
ence sets its frequency. Any phase frequency. Consequently, an NCO's front -panel thumb -wheel switches.
error between the divided frequen- frequency can be set very accurately The accuracy and stability of the
cy and the reference changes the over a very wide range. Because the output frequency is as good as that
voltage, which drives the oscillator. NCO is an open-loop device, its output of the crystal oscillator that drives
You change the output frequency frequency changes almost instanta- the NCO, and the output sinewave
by changing the division ratio. Un- neously. This makes the NCO ideal for is free of harmonics. (It does contain

fortunately, the extent of the change generating FM- and frequency- shift-key traces of non -harmonically related
is usually limited to about two-to- (FSK)-modulated signals. Without NCOs, "spurious" frequencies, which can be
one by the varactor diode that spread- spectrum transmitters and a nuisance in some applications.)
tunes the LC oscillator. Since the receivers would not be possible. As I'll
rate at which the output frequency explain, tt's also easy to phase modu- How Does An NCO Work? The NCO
can change is limited by the band- late the NCO's output. is based on a simple principle. If 45
 allows one number to set the cen-
CENTER -
FREQUENCY ter frequency and a second num-
REGISTER ber to apply frequency modula-
tion. There is no discontinuity in the
output sinewave when the frequen-
ADDER
cy of an NCO changes. The new
CONTROL ACCUMULATOR
REGISTER REGISTER
frequency starts at the phase and
amplitude where the old one left
off.
A number can also be added to
F,REfIUENCY- the ramp from the phase accumu-
' MOOULATK')N ` lator before it is sine converted. This
REßISTER;
OUTPUT number changes the phase of the
Fig. I. A typical NCO chip contains circuits for phase- or frequency- modulation in addition to the output signal, making it easy to apply
basic phase accumulator and sine converter. phase modulation to the output. In
an important special case, only the
two most significant bits of the ramp
you keep adding the same num- sinewave and converts them into are changed. This applies quadrat-
ber to a fixed -length binary register, numbers that correspond to sam- ic phase -shift modulation (QPSK) to
the rate at which the register wraps ples of a sinewave. When you put the signal. QPSK is widely used for
around is a linear function of the in a linear ramp, you get out num- transmitting digital data, since two
number you add. Of course, it is also bers that, when converted to ana- bits can be sent with each change
a function of how many times a log form, make a perfect sinewave. of the carrier phase. Placing a mul-
second you add it. A complete NCO system consists of tiplier chip between the NCO and
Suppose you had a 16 -bit regis- the digital NCO chip and a 12 -bit the DAC allows the output to be
ter and an adder. Since any carries DAC. The DAC generates a sinu- amplitude modulated. Combining
into the 17th bit are lost, any sum soidal analog output from the num- amplitude and phase modulation
higher than 65,535 takes you back bers supplied by the NCO. generates the QAM signals used in
to the start. Because it takes 65,536 Of course, the sine output still has modems to transmit data down
counts to loop around once, let's little steps in it. Since these occur at telephone lines.
add a number to the register 65,536 the NCO clock rate, they contain What sets the output frequency?
times a second. If that number is 1, frequencies that are usually much The output frequency of the NCO
then every second you will have higher than the desired output fre- depends on three things:
added it 65,536 times and the reg- quency. Filtering them out leaves a
ister will have wrapped around pure sinewave at exactly the spec- the accumulator width
once. If you could connect a 16 -bit ified frequency. the update rate
digital -to- analog converter to the the size of the added number
register, you would see an output What's Inside An NCO Chip? A typi-
voltage that would make 65,536 cal NCO chip is shown in Fig. 1. The The NCO's designer fixes the first,
steps from zero to full -scale and register and adder are generally at the clock that drives the NCO sets
then back to zero. It would repeat least 32 bits wide; the registers of the second, and the user controls
that ramp once per second. some chips go as high as 48 bits. the third. A useful relationship between
Now add 2 every time. The ramp The longer the register, the finer the them is the frequency generated by
will go up in steps of Iwo and repeat frequency resolution. Only the top one unit in the control number. This
twice per second. If you added 1000 14 or so register bits are connected frequency is the resolution with which
every time, the ramp would make to the sine look -up circuit. Additionally, the output frequency can be set; it
65 or 66 big steps. The wrap-around not more than 12 bits are available may be a tiny fraction of a Hz. The
rate would now be kHz even though
1 to be connected to the DAC, unit frequency is given by:
the register wouldn't pass through mainly because fast DACs don't
the same steps each time. As you have more than 12 input bits. clock frequency /2register width
use bigger numbers, the shape of The basic parts of the NCO are
the ramp becomes more irregular, the frequency-control register, the If the clock frequency is 20 MHz
but its repetition rate is still exactly adder register (often called the phase and the register has 32 bits, the unit
proportional to the number you add, accumulator) and the sine converter. frequency is 20,000,000/4,294,967,296,
if that number is less than about However, practical chips often con- or 0.0046566 Hz. With those con-
half the register size. tain other functions. For example, they stants, you can set any frequency
A ragged ramp might not look might have two multiplexed frequen- you want from less than Hz to over
1

like a very useful output, but that's cy- control registers, allowing rapid 5 MHz with an accuracy of better
because we are not finished with it FSK modulation by switching between than 0.005 Hz.
yet. Most NCO chips contain a sine - them. Alternately, two frequency- If you wanted an output of 12,345
conversion section. This treats bina- control registers can be added Hz, you would divide 12,345 by
46 ry numbers as the phase of a together before being used. That 0.0046566 and get a frequency set-
 2223 2 3 4 5 6

+5V A9 A8 A7 A6 AS A4 A3 A2
12 10 13
o
A3 S3 07
15 3 20 24 12
A2 S2
2
Al Si
18

21
CS
IC10
A10 l--
5 0
AO SO A11 2732A
20 8
12
16 IC6 B3 07 0E AO
+5V o- 741.3283 -_ 4 16
06 Al 2-
3 19
B1 05
15 DO D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 06 07
O4
9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17
7
CO 11

4 7 13 8 4 17 3 8

DO D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7
9 10
C4 S3 D3
3 4
A3 52 D2

S1
1 3
01
20 Cl
A2
100
741.5374
4
Al SO DO
5 9
AO B3 03
6 14 5 CO 01 0203 04 05 06 07
+5V 0 B2 02
2 15 6 12 9 5 16 2 19
Bl 3 01
1 7 6
CO BO 00 IC7
IC5
IC4
741.5283
74LS374
r-
1
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74LS86 20

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R9 r--'--' `r
X9 f l s7 f s7 s7 J$ 7 f 12

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IC9
A3
12 16 74LS374
A2 +5V
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Al
5
AO 6 15
05 r 2
BO 04 14
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4 13 8
+500 SO
1

D4 06
1 18 6
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S7
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S2

S3
10 13
D6

D7
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I CO I6 D2 02
15
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74LS283
01 16
18
910
D7 00 1-.
9 11 9
03
12
C4 B3
14 5 _020 L__ -
A3 02 +SV IC8
15 741.586 11 10
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2 6
A1 BO 00
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S1
1 3
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0SC1
-o +SV DO D1 02 D3 04 D5 106 07
13 4 49152 MHz
S2 D2
10 8
S3 D3
ICI IC2
741.5283 74L$374

Fig. 2. The digital section of this NCO demonstrator uses registers, adders, and EXCLUSIVE -OR chips.
The EPROM is only needed if you want to experiment with a sinewave output. 47
 +5V OUTPUT A sharp cut-off filter will generate
00 D1 D2 D3 04 D5 D6 D7 o o
horrible spikes in the output wave-

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5
C4
R4
6.8K
.11
K
C8
.1pF
' form. It may be better to use a filter
with a gentler roll -off and a better
step response, although this limits
lpF
DO D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7
the output frequency to a smaller
VN
R5 fraction of the clock frequency.
L1 L2
IC12 2700
22µH 22µH
DACO600 2 3
101 Making Tunable Squarewaves. Oddly
7
REF+ REF - IC13
enough, a major use of NCOs is to
V+ LC IO V- COMP 4 LM311 generate accurate tunable square -
13 14 4 3 15 16
1
K waves. The filtered sinewave is fed
-- C3
C5
68pF
47pF
C6 R6
2.2K
to a zero -biased comparator chip
R2 .047µF
R3
1.5K
to make a jitter -free squarewave
R1 3.3K whose frequency can be set over
3.3K
many decades. In effect, the sine
C2
-5v conversion and the filter interpo-
Cl .1pF C7
.1 pF
late between the fixed -time inter-
vals set by the NCO clock. That
IC14 C9
7660 5µF
R7 makes a far more versatile and
10001
compact clock for a data- recov-
o C10 ery system than the usual VCO and
+5V 1511F
Cl
+ 15µF adjustable- divider circuits.
l' The problem with NCO chips is
that not many companies make
Fig. 3. This DAC, filter, and comparator circuit converts the ramp -up/ramp-down samples into a
them, and you can't always get
squarewave.
the combination of functions that

ting number of 2,651,068. In this Ifyou want an output of 10 MHz

you want. They also are not cheap
they range from about $15 to $150
-
case, the error in setting the output and your clock is 50 MHz, then each. Thus, users tend to look for
frequency is under 0.5 parts per mil- there is an image frequency in the alternative solutions. For example, it
lion, probably much less than the output at (50-10) or 40 MHz. The is quite easy to implement the phase-
error in the crystal frequency. output filter must reduce the ampli- accumulator part of an NCO in a
The practical upper frequency tude of that unwanted frequency programmable logic chip; the sine -
limit of an NCO is about 25% of the to an insignificant level. This is not conversion part takes up space. That's
clock frequency. With careful filter too hard, but as you increase the what prompted me to find another
design, that can be pushed to output frequency, the image fre- way to interpolate the time intervals.
about 40 %. What limits the clock quency gets lower. At an output of
frequency is how fast the chip can 20 MHz, the image is at 30 MHz. You Doing Without Sine Conversion.
add wide numbers and how fast a would need a rather sharp filter to Some years ago, was using an
I

DAC you can afford. Commercial get rid of it and still pass 20 MHz. NCO whose sine table was in an
NCO chips use tricks such as People often ask me, "Doesn't external PROM. This was a nui-
pipelining the addition to achieve the filter need to be tuned to the sance, so looked for a way around
I

clock rates in the 80 -MHz region. output frequency?" The answer is it. The NCO's output was the raw
With a fast enough DAC, they can "In theory, no. Its job is to filter out ramp samples, but it could be
generate sinewave outputs up to frequencies above half the clock switched to generate a ramp -up/
30 MHz. Very expensive gallium - rate, and that is fixed." In practice, ramp-down waveform. Suppose I

arsenide NCO chips run about ten if the clock rate is much higher fed that NCO output to the DAC?
times faster. than the highest output frequency Provided that the sample rate is
you will ever use, it would pay to greater than four times the output
Why Filter? The filter on the output use a filter that cuts off just above frequency, there will always be a
of the DAC is important because, by your highest output frequency. This line between two adjacent DAC
virtue of the steps generated by the will give you a cleaner output with output levels that crosses zero at
DAC from each sample, the DAC a simpler filter. the same point in each cycle.
output contains "image frequen- Choosing the filter is the one As it happened, was rather famil-
I

cies." The most bothersome of these area of NCO design where you run iar with linear-interpolation fitters. Putting
equal to the clock frequency minus
is into compromises. In general, sharp one of them on the DAC output
the desired output frequency. The cut-off filters ring when you feed generated a waveform whose zero
output also contains further images steps into them. This may not matter crossings were exactly where the
at these two frequencies summed unless you phase modulate. Binary- squarewave transitions should be. I

with multiples of the clock frequency, phase modulation can cause full - tacked on a comparator chip and
48 but they are less important. scale steps in the sinewave output. got squarewaves without using either
 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 +5v PARTS LIST FOR THE
DO D1
C8 NUMERICALLY-CONTROLLED
1pF OSCILLATOR
K-L
R4
04 6.8K SEMICONDUCTORS
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5
lpF IC1, IC3, IC4, IC6- 74LS283 4-bit
DO D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 OUTPUT
adder, integrated circuit
L2
IC2, IC5, IC9, IC 11-74LS374 8 -bit
L1
IC12 220µH 38µH
DAC0800 2 3
IO\ + register, integrated circuit
REF+ REF- C13
IC7, IC8-74LS86 EXCLUSIVE-OR gate,
R3
V+ LC IO V- COMP
1.5K TL082 integrated circuit
13 14 1 4 3
05 IC 10 -2732A 4 -kB EPROM, integrated
C6
150pF circuit (optional -see text)
56pF
C3
R2 047µF
IC12- DAC0800 8-bit digital-to -analog
R1 3.3K converter, integrated circuit
3.3K IC 13 -LM311 comparator or TL082
C2 op-amp, integrated circuit (see text)
Cl .1pF
-5v 1 C7
IC14- ICL7660 DC -DC converter,
1pF
.1pF
integrated circuit
ra IC14 C9
7660 5µF
RESISTORS
o C10
Cl (All resistors are V-watt, 5% units unless
+5V 15pF
+ 15µF otherwise noted.)
R1, R2- 3300 -ohm
R3-1500 -ohm
Fig. 4. Use this filter to get a sinewave output from the EPROM.
R4 -6800 -ohm
R5- 270 -ohm
a sine convertor or a sharp cut-off The 74LS283 four -bit adder chips R6 -2200-ohm
filter. (IC1, IC3, and IC4) and the 74LS374 R7 -100 -ohm
This circuit gives perfect results 8 -bit registers (IC2 and IC5) form R8, R9- 10,000 -ohm, 10 -pin, single -
up to 25% of the clock frequency. the basic phase accumulator. This inline package
The squarewave doesn't become is one application where the pinout
too jittery to be useful until you of the 74LS374 is more convenient CAPACITORS
increase the output frequency than the straight-across pinout of Cl, C2, C7, C8- 0.1 -RF, ceramic -disc
beyond 35% of the clock, which is the 74LS574. All chips have 0.1 -11F C3- 0.047 -RF, ceramic -disc
about where the conventional cir- capacitors between their 5 -volt C4 -1 -pF (see text)
cuit also fails. The interpolation filter lines and ground pins. C5 -68 -pF or 150 -pF, ceramic -disc (see
uses only two capacitors and two I used 8 -bit DIP switches (S1 and text)
inductors, none of which is very crit- S2) with 10k pull -up resistors (R10 C6-56-pF or 47 -pF, ceramic -disc (see
ical. This circuit has another advan- and R11) for the frequency input. text)
tage: it can be easily built from TTL You might want to use a more sophis- C9 -5 -RF, 16 -WVDC, tantalum
parts and standard inductors. ticated input such as register chips electrolytic
linked to a computer's parallel port. C10, C11- 15 -RF, 16 -WVDC, tantalum
A Do- It-Yourself NCO. There are four Commercial NCO chips often use electrolytic
ways to experiment with NCOs. You a computer -compatible byte -wide
can buy an NCO chip and figure input to load the frequency setting ADDITIONAL PARTS AND MATERIALS
out how to drive it. If you have the register a byte at a time. 11-Jumper block
tools, you can program an FPGA to The ramp from the accumulator S 1, S2-Single -pole, single- throw,
emulate an NCO in hardware. You is converted to a ramp -up /ramp- 8- device DIP- switch bank
can even program a microcon- down waveform by two 74L586 OCC1-4.9152 -MHz oscillator (Digi-
troller to emulate a slow NCO in EXCLUSIVE -OR chips (IC7 and IC8). I Key CTX108 -ND or similar)
software. reclocked their output with a fur- L1 -22 -p.H or 220-RH inductor (see
However, while no one would ther 74LS374 (IC9) for two reasons. text)
want to use so much board space One is that the DAC output has L2 -68 -0H or 22 -RH inductor (see text)
in a commercial design, the cheap- smaller glitches when all of the IC sockets, wire -wrap board, wire -wrap
est and easiest way to get started is input bits change synchronously. wire, hardware, etc.
to build an NCO from TTL parts. The other is that by disabling the
Figure 2 shows the digital section of outputs of the LS374, you can con-
a basic 16 -bit NCO made from reg- nect other sources, such as a sine might be easier to find these days.
isters and adders. The EPROM and generator, to the DAC. You don't A 4.9152 -MHz crystal oscillator
its output register (IC10 and IC11) need to use LS parts; HC or HCT (XTAL1) provides the clock. The adders
are optional. series chips will work as well and can run at about three times that 49
 FSK Makers of NCO chips
BINARY-MODULATION OUTPUT
INPUT o
t Intel Corp.
IDAC/FILTER
350 E. Plumeria Dr.
FREQUENCY A i__,
DIP SWITCHES M/S XHP3 -105
16 -BIT BASIC San Jose, CA 95134
TWO -WAY SINE
NCO
MULTIPLEXER CONVERSION 408 -545 -9700
FREQUENCY B CIRCUIT
DIP SWITCHES www. de veloper. intel.com/design/digital/

A
FM Intersil Corp.
OUTPUT
2401 Palm Bay Rd.
t Palm Bay, FL 32905
DAC/FILTER
888-468 -3774

'./
CENTER 321 -724 -7000
FREQUENCY
DIP SWITCHES BASIC www.intersil.corn
16-BIT SINE
NCO
ADDER CONVERSION
CIRCUIT
FREQUENCY
MODULATION
Analog Devices, Inc.
INPUT B Box 9106
Norwood, MA 02062
QPSK
TWO -BIT TWO EXCLUSIVE -OR GATES OUTPUT 781 -329 -4700
BINARY- PHASE- o
MODULATION INPUT t www.analog.com
DAC/FILTER

CARRIER -
FREQUENCY -r BASIC
TOP 2 BITS
-. SINE
of a DIP socket so that could
unplug it and change things.
I

NCO
LOWER 8 BITS CONVERSION
DIP SWITCHES CIRCUIT This was just as well since found I

two problems. One was that the com-

c
parator output chattered at low -out-
PM
OUTPUT put frequencies; had to add about
I

250 mV of hysteresis with R6 and R7.

t
The other was that the "major-carry"
DAC /FILTER
CARRIER - BASIC glitch of the DAC0800 comes just at
FREQUENCY NCO the point where you want the com-
DIP SWITCHES CIRCUIT 10 -BIT
ADDER
-r, SINE
CONVERSION
parator to fire. Glitches can't be fil-
PHASE - tered out, but they can be can-
MODULATION o
INPUT
celled. Capacitor C4 in Fig. 3 is
D about pF. It consists of two pieces
1

Fig. 5. These diagrams show additions to the basic NCO circuit for frequency-shift keying (A), fre- of wire-wrap wire twisted together
quency modulation (B), binary phase -shift keying (C), and phase modulation (D). for about an inch. It couples enough
of the digital input into the analog
rate, but the DAC output gets is a cheap ($2.20) 8 -bit DAC chip output to minimize the effect of the
messy if you go much faster. A 5- that is just fast enough for this appli- glitch.
MHz speed is also about as fast as a cation. It does need a negative
sine -pattern look -up EPROM can supply between -5 volts and -15 Making Sinewaves. This circuit has a
run if you chose to add one. volts. wanted to run this board off
I
squarewave output. If you want a
This clock gives a unit frequency a single 5 -volt supply, so added an
I sinewave output; then, as shown in
of 75 Hz so you can set any fre- ICL7660 inverter chip (IC14) to sup- Fig. 2, you can wire in an EPROM
quency which is a multiple of 75 Hz. ply a few milliamps at -5 volts. This that has been programmed to con-
The maximum useful output frequen- rail also runs the LM311 comparator vert addresses to sinewave samples.
cy is around 1.5 MHz. Using more (10 13). The necessary code is available as
adders and registers will improve The filter shown here will interpo- an Intel hex file from the Poptronics
the resolution by a factor of 16 per late linearly between samples that FTP site (www.gernsback.com/pub/
adder chip. are 200 nS apart. If you change the pop/ sinewave pattern. hex).
Figure 3 shows the DAC, filter, and clock frequency, you should change The sine table is only 1024 bytes
the comparator circuit, which con- the inductance (L) and capaci- long; which EPROM you use depends
verts the ramp-up /ramp -down sam- tance (C) values in proportion. on what you can find and program,
ples first into an analog ramp and Since this circuit is only the start of provided it has an access time of
then into a squarewave. Adjusting an NCO-experimentation system, it 200 nS or better. used a 4 -kB 2732A
I

R4 can equalize the on -off ratio of pays to hook it up with wire -wrap chip from an old computer board,
the squarewave. sockets on a board with room for but these are difficult to find now.
50 National Semiconductor's DAC0800 expansion. wired the filter on top
I (Continued on page 67)
 WORKSHOP
iwaiho: robohcsworkshop@gtrnsback.com GORDON MCCOMB

Working with Servomotors

The typical DC motor is inherently an the potentiometer's shaft indicates the
"open- feedback" system-you give it position of the output shaft of the servo.
juice and it spins. How much the motor When the potentiometer has reached
spins is not always known, not even for a the desired position, the control board
stepper motor, which turns by finite shuts down the motor.
degrees based on the number of pulses it As you can surmise, servomotors are
gets. Should something impede the designed for limited rotation rather than
rotation of the motor, it may not turn at for continuous rotation like a DC or step-
all. There's no easy, built-in way that the per motor. While it is possible to modify
control electronics would know that an R/C servo to rotate continuously, the
something is in the way. Fig. 1. A typical radio- controlled (R/C) servo
primary use of the R/C servo is to achieve
Servomotors, on the other hand, are motor
accurate rotational positioning over a
designed for "closed- feedback" systems. ably affordable. When you see the term range of 90° or 180 °. While this may not
The output of the motor is coupled to a servo in the text that follows, understand sound like much, in actuality such control
control circuit; as the motor turns, its speed that, for simplicity's sake, it specifically can be used to steer a robot, move legs up
and/or position are relayed to the con- means an R/C servomotor, even though and down, rotate a sensor to scan the
trol circuit. If the rotation of the motor there are other types. room, and more. The precise angular rota-
is impeded for whatever reason, the tion of a servo in response to a specific
feedback mechanism senses that the out- How Servos Work digital signal has enormous uses in all
put of the motor is not yet in the desired Figure 1 shows a typical standard - fields of robotics.
location. The control circuit continues to sized R/C servomotor, which is used Positioning the motor shaft of an
correct the error until the motor finally with flyable model airplanes and model R/C servo uses a technique called pulse -
reaches its proper point. racing cars. The size and mounting of a width modulation (PWM). In that sys-
Servos come in various shapes and standard servo is the same regardless of tem, the servo responds to the duration
sizes. Some are smaller than a walnut, the manufacturer, which means that you of a steady stream of digital pulses.
while others are large enough to take up have your pick of a variety of makers. Specifically, the control board responds
their own seat in your car. You can find Inside the servo is a motor, a series of to a digital signal whose pulses vary from
them in everything from the controls for gears to reduce the speed of the motor, a about one millisecond (one thousandth
computer-operated lathes to copy machines, control board, and a potentiometer. The of a second, or mS) to about two mS.
model airplanes, and cars. Those last appli- motor, potentiometer, and control board Those pulses are sent some 50 times per
cations are the ones of most interest to the connect together to form a closed-feed- second. The exact length of the pulse, in
hobby-robot builders: the same servomo- back loop. A constant DC voltage (usu- fractions of a millisecond, determines
tors used with model airplanes and cars can ally between 4.8 and 7.2 volts) powers the position of the servo. Note that it is
readily be used with your robot. both control board and motor. To turn not the number of pulses per second that
These servomotors are designed to the motor, the control board sends out a controls the servo, but the duration of
be operated with a radio -controlled link digital signal. That signal activates the the pulses, that matters. The servo
and so are commonly referred to as motor, which, through a series of gears, requires about 30 to 60 of those pulses
radio- controlled (or R/C) servos. However, turns the potentiometer. The position of every second. This is referred to as the
the servomotor itself is not what is
radio -controlled; it merely connects to a
radio receiver on the plane or car. You Table 1

Typical Servo Specifications

can control a servo with your PC or a
microcontroller such as the Basic Stamp. Servo Type Length Width Height Weight Torque Transit time
This month, we'll review what R/C Standard 1.6 in. 0.8 in. 1.4 in. 1.3 oz 42 oz-ir 0.23 sec /604
servos are and how they can be put to -scale
Y< 2.3 in. 1.1 in. 2.0 in. 3.4 oz 130 oz-:n 0.21 sec /602
use in a robot. We will limit the discus- Mini -micro 0.85 in. 0.4 in. 0.8 in. 0.3 oz 15 oz-in 0.11 sec /602
sion to R/C servos. While there are Low profile 1.6 in. 0.8 in. 1.0 in. 1.6 oz 60 oz-in. 0.16 sec /604
Small Sail winch 1.8 in. 1.0 in. 1.7 in. 2.9 oz 135 oz-in 0.16 sec/60' (1 sec /3604)
other types of servomotors, the R/C
Large Sail winch 2.3 in. 1.1 in. 2.0 in. 3.8 oz 195 oz-in 0.22 sec /602 (1.3 sec /3604)
type is commonly available and reason- 51
 PULSE
PERIOD
ibility. Since you're not likely to use a
radio receiver with the R/C servos in
your robot, you'll need to do some
experimenting to find the best pulse -
( I
width ranges for the servos you use. This
is just part of what makes robot experi-
menting so much fun!
A Servos also vary by the amount of
1.5 mS
rotation they will perform for the 1- to
2 -mS (or whatever) signal. Most stan-
dard servos are designed to rotate back
and forth by 90° to 180 °, given the full
range of timing pulses. You'll find the
majority of servos will be able to turn a SIGNAL GROUND
2.0 mS B full (or very near) 180 °.
Should you attempt to command a +V
servo beyond its mechanical limits, the
Fig. 3. The standard pinout of servos is pin 1 for
output shaft of the motor will hit an inter- signal, pin 2 for +V, and pin 3 for ground. In
nal stop. This causes the gears of the servo this configuration, damage will not usually
to grind or chatter. If left this way for occur if you accidentally reverse the connector
more than a few seconds, the gears of the
C
motor may be permanently damaged. tract the landing gear of medium-
Therefore, when experimenting with ser- and large -sized model airplanes, you
Fig. 2. Pulse -width modulation controls the
position of the output shaft of the servo motor vomotors, exercise care to avoid pushing would use this type of servo. The
them beyond their natural limits. design of the landing gear often
refresh rate; if the refresh rate is too low, While the standard -sized servo is the requires the servo to guarantee at
the accuracy and holding power of the one most commonly used in both robot- least 170° rotation, if not more (i.e.,
servo is reduced. ics and radio -controlled models, other up to and exceeding 360° of motion).
At a duration of one mS, the servo is R/C servo types, styles, and sizes exist as Retraction servos tend to have slim-
commanded to turn all the way in one well. Examples include: mer profiles than the standard vari-
direction (let's say counterclockwise, as
shown in Fig. 2C). At two mS, the servo
is commanded to turn all the way in the
Quarter -scale (or large-scale) servos
These are about twice the size of stan-
- ety because of the limited space on
model airplanes.

other direction. Therefore, the 1.5 -mS dard servos and are significantly more Typical Servo Specifications
length sets the servo to its center (or powerful. Quarter -scale servos are de- R/C servomotors enjoy some stan-
neutral) position. signed for large model airplanes, but dardization. This sameness applies pri-
The power delivered to the motor they also make perfect power motors marily to standard -sized servos, which
inside the servo is also proportional to the for a robot. measure approximately 1.6 inches by 0.8
difference between where the output shaft inch by 1.4 inches. For other servo
is and where it's supposed to be. If the Mini -micro servos -About half the types, the size varies somewhat between
servo has only a little way to move to its size (and smaller!) of standard servos, makers, as these are designed for special-
new location, then the motor is driven at mini-micro servos are designed to be ized tasks.
a low speed. This ensures that the motor used in tight spaces in a model air- Table 1 outlines typical specifications
doesn't "overshoot" its intended position. plane or car. They aren't as strong as for several types of servos, including
But if the servo has a long way to move to standard servos, however. dimensions, weight, torque, and transit
its new location, then the motor's driven time. Of course, except for the size of
at full speed in order to get it there as fast Sail -winch servos -Designed with max- standard servos, these specifications can
as possible. As the output of the servo imum strength in mind, these are pri- vary between brand and model. A few of
approaches its desired new position, the marily intended to move the jib and the terms used in the specs require extra
motor slows. What seems like a compli- mainsail sheets on a model sailboat. discussion; let's start with torque. The
cated process actually happens in a very torque of the motor is the amount of
short period -the average servo can rotate Landing -gear -retraction servos -To re- force it exerts. The standard torque unit
a full 60° in a quarter- to half- second.
The actual length of the pulses varies Table 2
between servo brands and sometimes Connector Pinouts Of Popular Servo Brands
even between different models by the
Brand Pin 1 (Left) Pin 2 (Center) Pin 3 (Right)
same manufacturer. The 1- to 2 -mS range +V Gnd
"New" Airtronics Signal
is typical but is by no means set in stone. Signal Gnd +V
"Old" Airtronics
When you are purchasing a servo for a Futaba Signal +V Gnd
model airplane or car, you should typi- Hitec Signal +V Gnd
cally mate it with a radio receiver made JR Signal +V Gnd
52 by the same company to ensure compat-
 HIMOI1

+V FOR BS11 SOLDER HERE

is just one consideration. The wiring of
+6v DC
o I
the connectors (called the pinout) is also
ANY I/O critical. Fortunately, all but the "old -
PIN
style" Airtronics servos (and the occa-
2 7K RESISTORS
sional oddball four-wire servo) use the
SERVO BASIC
CONNECTED STAMP same pinout, as shown in Fig. 3. With
GROUNDS very few exceptions, R/C servo connec- SOLDER HERE
CONNECTIONS FROM
tors use three wires, providing DC REMOVED POT
I- power, ground, and signal (or control).
GROUND FOR
+6V DC SERVO
Ia GROUND FOR Table 2 lists the pinouts for several pop- Fig. 5. To modify a servo, you must replace the
POWER +V BSI POWER internal potentiometer with two 2.7K resistors,
ular brands of servos. wired as shown here.
Fig. 4. Hookup diagram for connecting a servo Most servos use color coding to indi-
to a Basic Stamp II. cate the function of each connection
wire, but the actual colors used for the more servos. However, the more servos
of measure for R/C servos is expressed wires vary between servo makers. Table being controlled, the more processing
in ounce- inches-or the number of 3 lists the most common colors used in time is required to send pulses to each
ounces the servo can lift when the several popular brands. one (without resorting to some higher -
weight is extended one inch from the level programming, which we'll leave to
shaft of the motor. Servos exhibit very Controlling a Servo the Stamp- specific books).
high torque thanks to their speed- reduc- Unlike a DC motor, which runs if Figure 4 shows the hookup diagram
tion gear trains. you simply attach battery power to its for connecting a standard servo to the
The transit time (also called slew leads, a servomotor requires proper Basic Stamp II. Note that the power to
rate) is the approximate time it takes for interface electronics in order to rotate the servo does not come from the Basic
the servo to rotate the shaft X° (usually its output shaft. While the need for Stamp II or any prototyping board that
specified as 60 °). Small servos turn at interface electronics may somewhat it's on. Servos require more current than
about a quarter of a second per 60 °, complicate your use of servos, the elec- the Stamp provides. A pack of four AA
while larger servos tend to be a bit slow- tronics are actually rather simple. batteries is sufficient to power the servo.
er. The faster the transit time, the "faster Moreover, if you plan to operate your For proper operation, ensure that the
acting" the servo will be. servos with a PC or microcontroller grounds are connected between the
You can calculate equivalent RPM by (such as the Basic Stamp), all you need Stamp and the battery pack. Use a 33- to
multiplying the 60° transit time by 6 (to for the job is a few lines of software. 47 -11F capacitor between +V and ground
get full 360° rotation), and then dividing A DC motor typically needs power of the AA -battery pack to help kill any
the result into 60. For example, if a ser- transistors, MOSFETs, or relays for noise that may be induced into the elec-
vomotor has a 60° transit time of 0.20 computer control. A servo on the other tronics when the servo turns on and off.
seconds, that's one revolution in 1.2 sec- hand can be directly coupled to a PC or Software for operating the servo can be
onds (0.2 x 6 =1.2), or 50 RPM (60/1.2 =50). microcontroller with no additional elec- found on the Basic Stamp Web page at
Bear in mind that there are variations tronics. Saving you the hassle, the con- wunw.parallaxinc.com, among other sources.
on the standard themes for all R/C servo trol board in the servo takes care of all of R/C receivers are designed with a
classes. For example, standard servos are the power -handling needs. This is one maximum of eight servos in mind. The
available in the more expensive high- of the main benefits of using servos with receiver gets a digital pulse train from
speed and high- torque versions. Servo computer -controlled robots. the transmitter, beginning with a long
manufacturers list the specifications for The Basic Stamp II is a popular sync pulse, followed by as many as eight
each model, so you can compare and microcontroller used to interface with servo pulses. Sending pulses to a series
make the best choice based on your par- various robotic parts, including servos. of servos can consume all the computa-
ticular needs. The Stamp can directly control one or tional time of the typical microcon-
Many R/C servos are designed for
use in special applications, and these
Table 3
applications can be adapted to robots. Color Coding Of Popular Servo Brands
For example, a servo engineered for a
model sailboat will be water resistant Servo +V Gnd Signal
and therefore useful on a robot that Airtronics Red Black White
works in or around water. Red stripe Blue White
While many aspects of servos are Brown Blue White
Cirrus Red Brown Orange
standardized, there is great variety in the Daehwah Red Black White
shape and electrical contacts of the con- Fleet Red Black White
nectors used to attach the servo to a Futaba Red Black White
receiver from one manufacturer to anoth- Hitec Red Black Yellow
er. There are three primary connector JR Red Brown Orange
types found on R/C servos: the "J" or KO Red Black Blue
Futaba style, the "A" or Airtronics style, Kraft Red (4.8 v) Black Orange
White (2.4 v) Black Yellow
and the "S" or Hitec/JR style.
Sanwa Red stripe Black (in center) Black
The physical shape of the connector 53
 troller (Basic Stamp, BasicX, OOPic, On the Web Lightweight foam tires, popular with
etc.), leaving little or no "spare" time for model airplanes, can be glued or
other robotic functions. A dedicated Dedicated Servo Controllers screwed to the control disc. The tires
servo controller, available from a num- are available in a variety of diameters.
ber of sources, including Scott Edwards FerretTronics If you wish, you can grind down the
Electronics and NetMedia, off-loads the www. ferrettronics. corn hub of the tire so it fits smoothly
servo control task allowing the micro - against the control disc.
Scott Edwards Electronics
controller to concentrate on other www.seetron.com
things. Dedicated servo controllers can A gear glued or screwed into a con-
operate five, eight, or even more servos Selected Microcontrollers for trol disc can be used as an ersatz
autonomously, which reduces the pro- Amateur Robotics wheel or as a gear that drives a wheel
gram overhead of the microcontroller or Basic Stamp mounted on another shaft.
computer you are using. www.parallaxinc.com
The main benefit of dedicated servo In all of those cases, it's important to
BasicX
controllers is the ability to control a www.basicx.com
maintain access to the screw used to
great number of servos simultaneously, secure the control disc to the servo.
even if your computer, microcontroller, OOPic When you are attaching a wheel or tire,
or other circuitry is not multitasking. www. oopic. corn be sure not to block the screw hole. If
necessary, insert the screw into the con-
Modifying a Servo for Continuous Servos and Amateur Robots trol disc first, and then glue or otherwise
www.robotoid.corn/
Rotation attach the tire. Make sure that the hub of
www.seattlerobotics.org/guide/servo
Many brands and models of R/C ser- hack.html the wheel is large enough to accept the
vos are readily modifiable for continu- diameter of your screwdriver, so you can
ous rotation like a regular DC motor. NetMedia tighten the screw over the output shaft
Such modified servos make great drive www.web-hobbies.com of the servo.
motors for your robot. Modified servos Servos should be securely mounted
can be easier to use than regular DC Reassemble the case. to the robot so that the motors don't fall
motors since they already have the off while the robot is in motion. In my
power -drive electronics built in; they Specific instructions for modifying experience, attaching servos with duct
come already geared down; and they are servos can be found at www.seattlerobot tape, electrical tape, and hook-and loop
easy to mount on your robot. ics.orgiguide/servohack.html. (Velcro) leaves much to be desired
Servo modification varies somewhat because of sticky residue and the inabil-
between makes and models, but the Attaching Servos to Wheels ity to accurately align the motors.
basic steps are the same: and Robots Gluing is a quick and easy way to
Servos reengineered for full rota- mount servos on most any robot -body
Remove the case of the servo to tion are most often used for robot material, including heavy cardboard
expose the gear train, motor, and locomotion and are outfitted with and plastic. Use only strong glue, such
potentiometer. Remove the four wheels. Since servos are best suited for as two -part epoxy or hot-melt glue. I
screws on the back of the servo case small- to medium -sized robots (under prefer hot -melt glue because it doesn't
and separate the top and bottom. about three pounds), the wheels for the emit the fumes that epoxy does, and it
robot should ideally be between two sets much faster (about a minute in
File or cut off the nub on the under- and five inches in diameter. Larger - normal room temperatures versus a
side of the output gear that prevents diameter wheels make the robot travel minimum of five minutes for fast-set-
full rotation. This typically means faster, but they can weigh more. You ting epoxy).
removing one or more gears, so don't won't want extra -large 7- or 10 -inch Another option is the servo mounts
lose any parts. If necessary, make a wheels on your robot if each wheel included in many R/C radio transmit-
drawing of the gear layout so you can weighs 1.5 pounds; that's the three- ters and separately available servo sets.
replace things in their proper location! pound practical limit right there. You can also buy them separately from
The general approach for attaching the better-stocked hobby stores. The
Remove the potentiometer and replace wheels to servos is to use the round servo mount has space for one, two, or
it with two 2.7K, 1% tolerance control disc that comes with the servo. three servos. The mount has addition-
( "precision ") resistors, wired as The underside of the disc fits snugly al mounting holes that you can use to
shown in Fig. 5. That fools the servo over the output shaft of the servo. You secure it to the side or bottom of your
into thinking that it's always in the can glue or screw the wheel to the front robot. Most servo mounts are made of
"center" position. An even better of the disc. Here are some ideas in that plastic, so if you need to make addi-
approach is to relocate the poten- department: tional mounting holes they are easy to
tiometer to the outside of the servo drill.
case, so that you can fine -tune adjust- Large LEGO "balloon" tires have a You'll find more tidbits that are
ments to the center position. Alternatively, recessed hub that exactly fits the con- interesting about using servos with
you can attach a new 5K or 10K trol disc included with Hitec and amateur robots at my Web page at
potentiometer to the circuit board many other servos. You can simply www. robotoid.com. That's all until next
54 outside the servo. glue the disc into the rim of the tire. time. P
AllMAZINprnSiÇIENCE
k.com JOHN !OVINE

"Wrecking Nice Beaches" with Voice

Recognition
Voice- recognition technology has
come a long way from the days where
systems would interpret the phrase
"Recognize Speech" as "Wreck A Nice Spi t+oñ
Beach." Nowadays, computer -based soft-
ware (for control and text dictation) as
well as stand -alone hardware is available
at reasonable prices. This month, we're
going to explore the latter with the
VoiceDirect 364 module from Sensory,
Inc. This module (see Fig. 1) is a great
introduction to the world of speech
recognition. While not as sophisticated as
the HM2007 speech -recognition kit that
we looked at back in December 1999
Kit Cnrtraits;
(Popular Electronics) and January 2000
.1.0410.1.0 ... .t T.. . .. ..
.,..... =u

.
(Poptronics), the module is less expensive ti.... t+4' . oral
akoommileotiOM)
. -

and more flexible. As with the HM2007 - ...w r.r

1.111w.n ...m..... .".-. t. ...t,.
u... tti+.
r.r.u.i.... wik.r
kit, the Voice Direct 364 performs speech
recognition independently in a stand- -4q
alone mode or it can function as a slave a..r
Overview
r.............. .e .....r
under a host processor. The VoiceDirect .+...... Z....
w M
r.-.g.....,....ve .... .r Y
t ......

364 Speech Recognition kit was recently

reviewed in the "New Gear" column
Aw:t roost* it c..go...rtl.a
(Poptronics, June 2000). The sidebar has
updated contact information.
In stand -alone mode, the VD 364 mod-
ule can recognize up to 15 words or phases
lasting up to 2.5 seconds each. Working as Fig. 1. The VoiceDirect 364 speech -recognition kit has a pre -built board that, with the included addi-

a slave under a host CPU, the module can tional components, will have you issuing verbal orders to electronic equipment in no time.
recognize up to 60 words. Communication
between the master CPU and the speech two processing categories: speaker- systems concerns the style of speech that
recognition module takes place over a dependent and speaker- independent. they can recognize. There are three dis-
three -wire serial interface. The person who will use the system tinct styles of speech recognition: isolat-
When the module hears a word that it's trains a speaker -dependent system to ed, connected, and continuous. The three
been trained to recognize, it outputs a dig- recognize his or her individual voice. styles are defined as follows:
ital signal corresponding to the word rec- Speaker -independent systems, on the
ognized. The output line(s) associated with other hand, respond to a word regard- Isolated-These speech -recognition
the word is brought high for one second. less of the speaker. The VoiceDirect 364 systems can only handle words that
That signal can be used to control external Module is speaker- dependent. This is are spoken separately. Ideally, each
devices with a minimum of external hard- the most common approach employed word will be "isolated" by a moment
ware. The module is designed to be in software for personal computers. of silence before and after it is said.
embedded into electrical switches, appli-
ances, and consumer electronics. Recognition Styles Connected -This style allows multi-
Speech -recognition systems fall into Another factor in speech -recognition ple words. The VoiceDirect 364 is 55
 U2

I
C1 R1 VDD
0.1uF 2.7K C2 VDD
470088
22ÓK
n

:ri
R3 47

CB
0.01uF I 220pF
SR'ir1u,i
_ TA 4478

19 Pin Header (F)

VDD RO 1RK
T 100 R9 100
TACKLED
R8 R7 L
LTraln
100K Not Used
C9
D
100uF/i6v
T T0.1uF VDD R13
7.2M
2 Pin Header (F)

VDD Rit
C10 VDD 02
0.1 uF 4.7K
w

--,I
Yt
14.318MHZ RK
vtw
RFSFT

17 Pin Header (F)

I 27pF
C13
O.IUFI 14 Pin Header (F)

C18 C19
100uF

Fig. 2. The VoiceDirect 364 evaluation board has taken care of the "fussy" design requirements for
you; just add power and go! (Schematic courtesy Sensory, Inc.)

such a system and can recognize ver- cuitry. The module's schematic, from running, I added a few other compo-
balizations up to 2.5 seconds long. the Sensory, Inc. documentation, is nents to make experimentation easier.
However, there should not be a shown in Fig. 2. The module contains The kit includes LED9, R9, and R10.
pause or period of silence greater extensive socket headers QP1 JP4) mak- The addition of R1 R8 and
than % second during the verbalization. ing it easy to connect external circuits to LED1 LED8 makes monitoring the
the module. outputs easier.
Continuous -This is the natural, Table 1 details the various module To experiment with the module, I
conversational speech that we are pins that we're going to work with, placed all the external components on a
used to in everyday life. It is extreme- along with their function. solderless breadboard. Figure 4 is a pho-
ly difficult for a speech -recognizer to tograph of that basic circuit. The com-
sift through speech; the words tend Getting Up and Running ponents are connected with 22 -gauge strand-
to merge. For instance, "Hi, how are We can best explore the capabilities ed wire. I mounted the microswitches,
you doing ?" sounds like one long that the VoiceDirect 364 offers by get- resistors, microphone, and LEDs on the
word to a machine: "Hi- how-r -u- ting a module up and running. The breadboard -it
might not be that clear
doing." VoiceDirect 364 Speech Recognition from the photograph.
Kit costs $49.95 and contains the assem- Caution! The schematics shown in
The VoiceDirect 364 bled VoiceDirect 364 module, micro- the VoiceDirect 364 manual detail the
The heart of the VoiceDirect 364 phone, speaker, four microswitches, two board as seen from the top side. The
module is the 364 speech -recognition resistors, an LED, and a set -up guide. header sockets are mounted on the bot-
processor. The VoiceDirect 364 proces- The schematic for connecting the tom side of the board, making the man-
sor is available in a 64-pin quad flat -pack external components to the VoiceDirect ual's diagram a mirror image from the
package for anyone that needs or wants 364 Module is shown in Fig. 3. The actual device in your hand. In contrast,
to build a circuit from scratch. Thankfully, VoiceDirect 364's printed- circuit board Fig. 4 shows the view of the board from
the VoiceDirect 364 module provides measures 2 inches on each side. On one the solder side with the header sockets
much of the preliminary hardware - side of the board are the 0.1 -inch head- facing up as you would actually see
design work, including an AGC (auto- er sockets that make it easy to connect to them. Keep this in mind when compar-
matic- gain-control) audio amplifier, ser- the circuit. While the components sup- ing the Fig. 4 drawing to any of the
56 ial EEPROM memory, and clock cir- plied with the basic kit will get it up and manual drawings.
 TABLE 1
VoiceDirect 364 Pinouts
Name Module Pin Description

JP1 1 -16 Not used

JP2 9 Not used
JP3 1 -9 Not used
Preamp in JP2 1 Microphone Input Connection
Mic Bias JP2 2 Mic Bias (Electret microphone)
AGND JP2 3, 5 Analog Ground -do not connect to digital ground because of noise
+5V JP2 4 Vce
PWM1 JP2 6 Pulse Width Modulator Output 1, connects to 8 -32 -ohm speaker ( +)
PWMO JP2 7 Pulse Width Modulator Output 0, connects to 8 -32 -ohm speaker ( -)
DACOUT JP2 8 Analog Audio Output- Provides better quality sound than PWM output,
requires amplifier
-MHS JP2 9 Stand -Alone Mode: not used (P0.1)
Slave Mode: Master Handshake (MHS)
RECOG JP2 10 Recognition -sensitivity selection and recognition activation
Slave Mode: not used
TRAIN JP2 11 Training sensitivity selection and training activation
Slave Mode: not used
Out1 -Out7 JP2 12 -18 Stand -Alone mode: output lines 1 -7
High /Out8 JP2 19 Stand -Alone mode: output line 8 or higher
Slave Mode: Serial- Interface Data (SID)
JP3 1 -9 Not Used -leave open
ERROR JP3 10 Stand -Alone mode Error Signal
GND JP3 11,12 Digital Ground, CPU core (pins 1 and 33)
Mode JP3 13 Stand -Alone or Slave
Reset JP3 14 V°,
LED JP4 1 Talk LED
Slave Mode: not used
Config JP4 CL Mode

What Did You Say? between two banks of outputs depending Module stays in a continuous- listening
The VoiceDirect 364 module can on the state of output 8. Unfortunately, loop. The listening loop is controlled by
recognize 15 words in stand -alone mode. that page- switching technique would a target word that puts the module in a
When the Voice Direct Module recog- need to take into account the fact that listening mode. This is called the CL
nizes a word, it bring that output associ- Output 8 is also used for (suprisingly) training word. The reason for using a
ated with that word high for one second. Output 8 -as long as Outputs 1 through CL training word is to prevent false
However, it has only eight outputs (con- 7 are not active. For simplicity, I am only triggering. An example should clear up
nector JP2, pins 12 -19). To indicate that using eight outputs (eight words), so I any confusion.
one of words 9 through 15 has been rec- do not need to add a decoding circuit; Suppose you want to control a few
ognized, the VoiceDirect 364 uses an I'll leave that design exercise up to you. home lights and appliances with a few
odd non -binary scheme: voice commands like "lights on" and
Speech- Recognition Mode "lights off." You don't want the circuit
Word 1 Output 1 Selection listening to your normal conversation
Word 2 Output 2 The VoiceDirect 364 Module has because it might interpret some word in
Word 3 Output 3 three operating modes for recognition. the conversation as commands. The
Word 4 Output 4 The first mode, called the SD mode, solution is to choose a "key" word that,
Word 5 Output 5 forces a user to press a button before when the VoiceDirect 364 hears it, puts
Word 6 Output 6 uttering a word for the circuit to recog- it into a listening mode. You must there-
Word 7 Output 7 nize. This is a counterintuitive operation fore begin any command with the CL
Word 8 Output 8 for any speech-recognition function. If a word that you chose. If you chose the
Word 9 Outputs 8 and 1 user is forced to press a button each time word "computer," the command might
Word 10 Outputs 8 and 2 the circuit needs to recognize a word, be "Computer...lights on." Simply say-
Word 11 Outputs 8 and 3 why not just control the functions with ing, "lights on" would do nothing.
Word 12 Outputs 8 and 4 buttons in the first place? Okay, so we'll That control technique was also
Word 13 Outputs 8 and 5 forget about the SD mode and chalk it demonstrated in the television series
Word 14 Outputs 8 and 6 up to an obsolete mode held over from Star Trek: The Next Generation. In the
Word 15 Outputs 8 and 7 previous generations of speech- recogni- Enterprise's Holodeck, speaking the
tion circuits from Sensory. command word "Arch" would allow
In order to access the individual out- The operating mode that we shall access to a control panel for the room.
puts for all 15 words, you would need to use is the continuous-listening (CL) Choosing a command word is not a
devise a decoding circuit that switches mode, where the VoiceDirect 364 trivial task. You must take into account 57
 `'N LED1

LED2

LED3
3300

3300

R3
R10'
47K

--o

*-O
i
T
o

O
81"
CL TRAIN

S2'
RESET __1:( SPEAKER'
word, repeat it when asked, and wait for
the VoiceDirect 364 to say, "Accepted."
A typical training session might go
like this (the VoiceDirect 364 responses
are in SMALL CAPS):
33053
S3' Press the train button
OLED4 RECOGNIZE o GND "SAY WORD ONE"
3300 8-O O
"Lights on"
©LED5
N1
3 052
/ S4*
o +5V
"REPEAT"
TRAIN "Lights on"
F-0 O MICROPHONE'
"ACCEPTED"
LED6
33UII

0 0 Press the train button

LED7
\ \ \ \ \ \ \\
Q w.- 3300

19181716151413121 10 9 8 76 543 2
"SAY WORD
"Lights off"
TWO"

LED8 "REPEAT"
330f2
Ìu1 i JP2 "Lights off"
14 "ACCEPTED"
13
12
11
Press the train button
o 10 "SAY WORD THREE"
o 9
VOICE DIRECT MODULE* "Fan on"
o 8 JP3
"REPEAT"
o 7
o 6
"Fan on"
o 5 "ACCEPTED"
o 4
JP4
3 Press the train button
2
"SAY WORD FOUR"
1
JP1 1
"Fan off"
'INCLUDED
WITH KIT 1716 1514 13 12 11'109 8 7 6 5 4 3;2 1
"REPEAT"
"Fan off"
"ACCEPTED"
R9'
11111111111111111
+5V o
3300
VN 4 LED9'

Fig. 3. Connecting the VoiceDirect 364 evaluation board to a handful of external components is sim-
and so on.
Please notice that when training
words, we are pressing the "train" but-
ple. You can add a set of resistors (R1 R8) and LEDs (LEDI LED8) to monitor the outputs. ton and not the "CL train" button. Each
time a word is trained, the module cre-
your normal, everyday speech patterns. The word or phrase may be up to 2.5 ates a word template. The two templates
Nothing is more embarrassing to a seconds long, but may not contain silences for each target word are compared and,
Poptronics reader than chatting with a longer than 0.5 second. For example, let's if they are similar enough, are averaged
friend about their new voice -recognition use the word "computer." After the user together and stored into memory.
system: says the word "computer," the Voice - If the templates are too far apart, an
Direct 364 will ask that it be repeated a error is generated and the module asks
"...And if I say the words, second time with the phrase, "Repeat." you to repeat the word starting with the
'Computer...lights out,' the system Repeat the word. If the VoiceDirect 364 initial template.
will...Hey! What happened to the is happy with what it heard, it will say, Before storing any new word tem-
lights ?" "Accepted." plates, the module compares it is com-
Once the CL word has been trained, pared to the word templates already
Don't let that happen to you. we continue training of our command stored in memory. If the new template is
words. The sequence is the same: Press too close to an existing template, the
Training The VoiceDirect 364's CL the training button, wait for the Voice - word will not be accepted.
Mode Direct 364 to say that it's ready, say the
When the CL Train pin is pulled to Training Features
ground for at least 100 mS, training ADDITIONAL PARTS FOR TIE The VoiceDirect 364 Module has
begins. Press the momentary contact VOIOEDIRECT 384 KIT automatic gain control over the audio
switch marked "CL Train." The amplifier to provide optimum signal
VoiceDirect 364 begins by first prompt-
ing the user verbally, "Say Word One."
-
LED1 LED8 Light -emitting diode,
any color
strength. It also monitors the back-
ground noise in an environment and
Say the word that you want the cir- R1-R8-330 -ohm, i4-watt, 5% resistors gives a warning if the noise level is too
58 cuit to recognize into the microphone. high for recognition. A steady background
 schematic shown in Fig. 4 is configured
for relaxed CL training, relaxed train-
ing, and relaxed recognition. Upon
power up or reset, the train and recog-
nize pins control the selectivity.
Bridging a 100,000 -ohm resistor
across the train switch-essentially
pulling the train pin to ground through
the resistor-puts the module in a strict-
training mode. The module becomes hard-
er to train, rejecting more similar-sounding
words. The result is better recognition
for the words accepted.
If we pull the "recognize" pin to
ground with a 100,000 -ohm resistor, it
Fig. 4. My VoiceDirect kit was set up on a solderless breadboard.
places the module in strict- recognition
mode. The module recognizes fewer words
noise (such as a fan) has less impact on initiate a verbal response like "Spoke and may reject trained words; fewer sub-
recognition than background noise that too soon," "Please talk louder," stitutions are allowed during recognition.
is not steady (like a radio). "Please talk softer," etc. If we replace R10 with a 680,000 -
The best recognition will obviously ohm resistor, the CL training becomes
occur in low-noise environments. Increasing Selectivity harder still, rejecting even more similar -
Other aspects of the VoiceDirect The VoiceDirect 364 module has the sounding words.
364's training features include: ability to increase its selectivity. The In the schematic, both the "train" and
"recognize" pins are left floating (open
-
End Training Training can be inter-
rupted or stopped at any time simply
ENVIRONMENTAL
MATCHING TIPS
circuit), which places the module in the
Relaxed Mode. The CL- training switch
by not pressing the train button for is bridged with a 47,000 -ohm resistor
the next word. A sucessful application of the VoiceDirect for relaxed CL Training.
364 depends on the proper match between
Resume -
Training Training may be
resumed at any time by pressing the train
environnent and hardware. Here are a few
pointers in that regard:

button. The module automatically Microphone -The type of microphone

begins training new words at the end of should be the same exact device used for
the words already trained. For instance, if both training and recognition.
you trained six words and then stopped,
the module automatically begins training Distance-Keep the microphone the
same distance from your mouth during
at word seven when you resume.
training and use.

Erasing Templates-You can't erase or Stress-The voice changes under stress

redo individual words and phrases. or excitement. For instance, if you are cre-
However, the entire set of words can be ating a voice-controlled joystick to fly your
deleted at any time by pressing the TRAIN favorite military-flight simulator, your
and RECOGNIZE button simultaneously voice, when engaged in a dogfight yelling
"Fire! F re! Bank left," will be quite different Fig. 5. You can turn the VoiceDirect 364 outputs
for at least 100mS. The VoiceDirect 364
when s tting at your desk calmly program- into "push-on, push -off' controls with this sim-
will say "Memory Erased." ming your voice into the chip. In that case, ple add -on circuit.
you must try to emulate the stress and excite-
Recognition Errors-There are two ment you feel playing the game when pro-
common errors associated with gramming the voice commands. Improving Recognition
speech recognition: rejection and Different techniques can improve or
substitution. Rejection is when the Exertion -Physical stress is another fac- optimize recognition. Number one on
tor. If you are programming exercise equip- the list is word selection. Avoid homonyms-
system fails to recognize a target ment, rich as a Stairmaster or a stationary
word; substitution recognizes a non - words that sound alike -such as red,
bicycle to respond to voice, you might
target word or gets confused between want to record people who are a little out bed, said, dead, etc. To optimize recog-
two target words (the "wreck a nice of breath. nition, use dissimilar sounding words.
beach" situation mentioned at the Replace a word with a synonym or an
beginning of this column). Depending Background Noise-Background noise approximate synonym. For instance, use
upon the application, the impact of
those errors will vary.
is always a problem. A steady background
noise -like an air conditioner or a fan
has less impact on speech -recognition
- "crimson" or "scarlet" in place of "red."
For "bed," try using "bunk," "mattress,"
"berth," or "cot." For "said," one may use
accuracy than a non -steady background
Other Errors-The VoiceDirect 364 noise (TV or radio). "spoke," `voiced," or "uttered." For "dead,"
can detect some errors. Errors will (Continued on page 62) 59
 manto: serviceclinic @gernsback.com SAM GOLDWASSER

Play and Record Control Problems

When it comes to VCR problems the tape path alignment is off or rubber it and the tape. Other related symptoms
related to playing or recording a parts (probably the pinch roller) need include:
tape, we can neatly divide the types of replacing. The tape is wandering up and
problems into two camps: those that are down as a result of unequal pull from the Sound does not always appear at full
not directly related to video quality, and capstan due to a glazed or worn pinch volume or normal quality for a few
those that screw up your tapes and roller. There could also be other aspects seconds after the VCR starts playing.
screen royally. This month, we're going of tape -path alignment like roller -guide It might vary in loudness during play
to "divide and conquer" the non-video- tilt (which is probably not adjustable), as well. Slightly changing the back -
related problems and finish off the sur- A/C head tilt, dirt, roller -guide height tension may make a big difference in
vivors next month. problems (don't mess with it), etc. audio.
We have a bit of ground to cover We'll be covering tape -path align-
until the battle is won, so let us go (to ment in a future "Service Clinic." If your VCR has autotracking, its
quote Shakespeare) "Once more unto It could also be worn feet on the indicator might be flickering as the
the breach, dear friends, once more!" roller-guide assemblies, which would cause logic attempts to solve an impossible
the guides to be misaligned. Replacement problem.
Problems With Randomly Switching of those parts may be the only cure.
Speeds, Tracking Problems, And Other much less likely possibilities include On a "HiFi" VCR, there will likely
Muddy Sound excessive or varying backtension, a tight be no high -fidelity sound, as its
First, don't ignore the possibility that idler clutch, or electronic problems. tracking is even more critical than
you are attempting to play an old, worn, For a VCR with very high mileage, it video tracking.
or defective tape. This is especially true is also possible that there has been a
of rental tapes that have been through ridge worn in the surface of the control Tape speed may be changing result-
who-knows -what kind of VCR hell. The head, preventing consistent contact between ing in the sound wavering or even
control and audio tracks-along the
edges of the tape-are the first to wear. Losing Lock
Weak, muddy sound and erratic tracking
are also common symptoms caused by There are probably so many ways for a VCR to lose lock on the tape signal, it's some-
old, worn tapes. There have even been times amazing that the system works as reliably as it does. If you've got a lock -loss prob-
lem, here are some of the main causes and how to test for them:
instances of new name -brand tapes that
were cut too wide, though that would be Dirt or bits of tape or oxide on control head -Clean and inspect the control head.
extremely rare.
To confirm that it is your VCR doing Defective control head-Try making a recording. If recording plays normally on anoth-
the dastardly deed, play or record for at er VCR, then the control head is probably OK.
least a minute on a tape known to be in
good condition. Rewind the tape back Tape wandering up and down -lf this is bad enough, the control track will not be
sensed properly. How is the sound? The sound will fluctuate or miss as the tape wanders.
about 15 seconds. Eject the tape, open
the cassette's door by releasing the latch, No firm tape-control -head contact-This could be a mechanical fault such as a stuck
and inspect for edge crinkling. Any rip- movable -guide post.
pling along either edge of the tape is a
symptom of a possible problem. It isn't No firm capstan -pinch roller contact- Again, this could be mechanical or a mode -
only that the tape does not make good switch problem. Under certain conditions -possibly at the beginning of a tape when
contact with the audio or control head the take -up tension is greatest -the take -up reel might have enough torque to pull the
tape past the video heads without the capstan controlling the speed as it should.
(depending on which edge is damaged),
but it could also be an indication that the Servo or control circuitry -The defect could be in the circuit or possibly in the power
tape may not be precisely positioned supply, especially if the voltage is out of tolerance.
when moving through the transport.
If there is the same problem on mul- Bad tape-Don't overlook this possibility, especially if it is an old or rental tape. The
tiple tapes and known good (new) tapes control track might have gotten erased or worn off; it is at the edge of the tape. Try
60 are also damaged, then it is possible that another tape.
 running (usually) faster than normal. VCR Plays, But At Fast Forward need to try it at various sections of tape.
This might be due to the control Speed (Or Beyond) Record a few minutes and then back it
head not reading the control track Normally, speed is controlled by up a bit and inspect for damage by open-
reliably. phase locking the capstan to the 30 -Hz ing the cassette door (press the release
control pulses read off the tape through on the side). I've already detailed that
If you look carefully, you should be the stationary audio /control head. On a test at the beginning of this column.
able to see the tape wandering slightly, VCR with autotracking, the autotrack- Both edges should be perfectly flat and
producing the muddy sound and erratic ing light might be flickering as well. smooth. If you get similar playback
tracking. The tape might not be perfect- Possible causes for loss of lock are symptoms with this cassette and/or find
ly smooth in passing over the various listed in the sidebar. that the tape is being creased along one
guides and rollers. Normally, you will Inspect the tape path really, really or both edges, then it is your VCR doing
hardly be able to tell that the tape is carefully to determine if there is some the dirty work.
moving at all except by examining the obstruction preventing tape-control head When the bottom of the tape is
reel rotation -it is that mirror smooth. contact or if there is other mechanical creased, the control head may no longer
First, clean the tape path properly, problems. Try cleaning the tape path align with the control track and servo
especially the capstan and pinch roller, and checking the rubber parts. Check lock on the sync signal is lost. The audio
tape guides, and A/C head. Inspect the the power- supply voltages if you can may be fluctuating in intensity as well
pinch roller for glazing, cracking, etc. determine what they should be. If these since the audio track is wandering also,
and replace if necessary. Perform a gen- procedures do not reveal anything amiss, and the tape may be intermittently
eral cleaning and rubber parts replace- you will need a service manual to pursue going in and out of correct tracking and/
ment (if necessary). We've discussed the electronic faults. or changing speeds. Since the tape can
cleaning and rubber -parts- replacement no longer seat stably on the lower drum -
dance in earlier "Service Clinic" install- Tape Edge Creases And/Or guide ridge, there could be other prob-
ments; refer to them for details, or go to Randomly Switches Speeds lems such as noise bars along the top or
my Web site at www.repairfag.org. As always, rule out the possibility bottom of the picture, jumping, and so on.
Possibly, the control portion of the that this is just a bad tape. As I've men- The problem could be the guide posts
A/C head stack is dirty or defective, or tioned before, there have even been or other tape path components, but before
there are problems in the wiring or its instances of new name -brand tapes that you turn every screw you can find and make
circuitry. Double -check that the tape is were cut too wide -though that is it hopelessly worse, replace all of the
in solid contact with the bottom of the extremely rare. It could have been creased rubber parts-including the belts, idler
A/C head stack (where the control track by someone else's VCR. Try a tape that tire, and pinch roller. While you are at
is located), that the head is clean, and its you can afford to sacrifice (though it will it, give the machine a good cleaning.
connector is clean and seated properly. still be safely usable) and run it through A dirty, worn, hard, dried -out pinch
Also, look for any broken wires or bad the VCR. Sometimes, there will be a roller in particular can result in the tape
connections. problem only near one end, so you will wandering up and down causing track-
ing problems and creasing the tape in
"The VCR That Ate My Tape" And Other Horror Shows the process. This is probably the most
common cause of tape damage-assum-
Nothing can be more frustrating than having a VCR merrily chew up and spit out a gar- ing that the VCR itself has not been
bled wad of Mylar that used to be one of your prized tapes. Before picking up the poor abused by removing a jammed cassette
VCR and giving it the old "heave -ho" out the second -story window, you might consider
with a pair of Vice -Grips!
some of the more common causes (as well as possible cures) for that malady:
With a thorough cleaning of every-
Worn feet on the roller guides -If
this happens, i- could be because they are not pre- thing before buying the new rubber (which,
cisely vertical. Sometimes there are adjustments for tilt; usually there are none. by the way, should not be more than a total
Sometimes replacements are readily available (especially if this is a common problem of $10 to $15 from a place like MCM
with your model). Electronics), you might at least see a tern-
porary improvement in performance-and
Cassette not seating properly-Press down on the cassette while playing a known
confirmation of the diagnosis.
good tape. If it moves, check for obstructions or foreign objects such as toys or grilled -
cheese sandwiches! A dirty, oily, or just tired belt might not grip well enough for the
You really need to determine exactly
mechanism to complete the cassette -load cycle. where the tape is being creased. Once
you do that, you might be able to deter-
Oil- seal washer on bottom of capstan -If
this item has worked its way up out of place, mine the cause and visually verify whether
carefully push it back down and then clean the capstan shaft. the problem is affected by any of your
adjustments or probing.
Various guides too high or too low-This is pretty unlikely unless they have loosened
I've listed a few other possible causes
somehow. Don't adjust them unless you have a service manual or are absolutely sure
that they have changed height.
and remedies in the sidebar.

Backtension misadjusted (usually too great)-The tape should not pass around the Recording Stops At Random Times
backtension lever at too straight of an angle. If t does, the lever won't bend enough. On Previously Used Tapes
In addition, it might simply not seat properly when passing around the subsequent Symptoms might be that the tape
guidepost or impedance roller (that white plastic wheel that doesn't seem to serve any counter stops moving and/or the VCR
purpose). One or more guide posts or roller guides might be binding as well.
enters its stop mode and shuts down. 61
Assuming that this is not a mechanical proper record button. Most VCRs have For real -time counters, this might mean
problem-bad idler, belt, etc., make sure an OTR (One -Time Record) or "quick- a problem deep in the electronics, requir-
that you don't accidentally have an insert record" feature that starts just like a nor- ing a service manual. However, if you are
editing mode enabled. Insert editing uses mal record but stops after a multiple of attempting to play a tape that has noth-
the previously laid-down control track as (usually) 15 minutes, depending on how ing on it, the real -time counter will not
the timing reference. This provides clean many times you press the button. The change. This is normal as there are no
glitch-free transitions between scenes. (normally) red button should be used for control pulses on the tape.
Insert editing will not work at all on a new unrestricted, untimed recordings. For non -real-time counters, if the dis-
or bulk -erased tape for the obvious reason Some VCRs also have other timed play skips counts or "free runs" (counts
that the control track has never been modes-sort of like the timed -off func- very quickly at certain times), this could
recorded or is wiped to oblivion. tion of a clock radio. Pressing the "Off- be due to a defective sensor or hysteresis
If you routinely use your cassettes T" button adds time to record or play in circuit. If it counts in the wrong direc-
repeatedly, there will be varying amounts 15- minute increments and then shuts off tion, a logic problem is indicated as direc-
of previously recorded material-with the VCR. tion is determined by the microcontroller
control tracks -on the tapes. At some being aware of what mode the VCR is
point, your recording might start to use Tape Counter Is Erratic in-there is likely no actual direction
tape beyond the recorded sections and... The result can be the inconsistent posi- sensing on the reel.
presto! No more control track. The poor tioning of the tape if you use the counter That about wraps it up in terms of
VCR is confused and aborts. to locate programs. It might also result this month's "Battle of the Balky VCR."
in the VCR aborting its PLAY, REC, FF, Next month, we'll get into the causes of
Record (Or Play) Stops After 15
Minutes, 30 Minutes, etc.
Make sure that you are using the
REW, or search modes if it thinks that the
counter is not changing as expected
missing pulses or skipped counts.
- video- related problems. In the mean-
time, just keep those e-mails coming,
folks! 0
AMAZING SCIENCE WHERE TO GET IT
(continued from page 59)
until the command associated with
The VoiceDirect 364 Module is available Word One is given a second time, which
for $49.95 plus shipping from the follow- resets the flip -flop and turns off the tran-
there's "deceased," "expired," or "late." ing sources: sistor. In that way, the same command
A little thought will solve any word may be used to turn on and off
homonym dilemma. Images Company appliances. That action is similar to a
Another important consideration is P. O. Box 140742
push -on, push -off switch. That way,
Staten Island, NY 10314
in matching the environment and equip- other commands can be given without
718- 698 -8305
ment where the VoiceDirect 364 will be www. imagesco. corn affecting any existing commands.
used. See the sidebar for some thoughts You could also use a pair of outputs
on this subject. Jameco Electronics to set and reset a flip -flop. Be sure to dou-
1355 Shoreway Rd. ble- check the pulse polarities needed by
Interfacing Circuit Belmont, CA 94002 the flip -flop; you might need to use invert-
Depending upon the application, the 650 -592 -8097
ers on the outputs.
www. jameco. corn
experimenter could design a variety of
interfacing circuits. Although you might JDR Electronics Going Further
need a design that only you can create, 1850 South 10 St. The VoiceDirect 364 module is a
we can still provide a generic circuit. San Jose, CA 95112 wonderful introduction to speech recog-
Since the output lines (Outl Out8) only 800 -538 -5000 nition. The VoiceDirect 364 module is
remain high for one second, some type www.jdr. corn also capable of running as a slave under a
of latching circuit would be handy. For host CPU through a three -wire serial -
our latch, we will press into service one Sensory, Inc.
521 East Weddell Dr.
communication link. If you would like to
half of a CD4013 dual -D flip-flop as Sunnyvale, CA 94089 see another article on this module,
shown in Fig. 5. 408-744 -9000 please write to me. For a detailed data
The flip -flop turns the transistor on www.sensoryinc.com book that includes more technical speci-
and off each time a command is given. fications and programming information,
For instance, let's connect the OUT1 visit Sensory's Web site at www.sensory-
QP2, pin 12) from the VoiceDirect 364 Word One is given, the flip-flop is set, inc.com. An Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) file
module to pin 3 of the flip -flop. The first turning on the TIP120 transistor that on this speech processor is available for
time that the command associated with lights the LED. The LED will remain lit download. P

SEE WHAT TAKES SHAPE. EXERCISE. American Heart Association

c 1992, American Heart Association
I,
BA;IC,ÇgIRÇUITRY IIA
CHARLES D. RAKES

Devislead Thew
eirsells Frew
Warning! Danger! asidelarollemlem
lbessftesse
WM.
Alarming Circuits Ahead! Veival

time around, get ready for some PARTS LIST FOR next month we can follow up with some
alarming fun! We're going to look at
TThis THE PERIMETER LOOPS choices for a control system.
a number of basic burglar-alarm- sensor (FIG. lA and 1B)
circuits that you can put together with a Basic Perimeter Loops
control system. Hopefully, you'll out- RESISTORS
In the simplest of alarm systems,
smart the next burglar that might come (All fixed resistors are %-watt, 5% units.) there are two basic types of sensors: the
your way. A seasoned burglar usually knows Rl, R2, R5, R6 -1000 -ohm normally -open circuit and the normally-
the basics about simple alarm systems and R3, R4- 10,000 -ohm closed circuit. In either case, an alarm
how to breach them; but if you design R7 -3 300 -ohm output only occurs when the sensor's
your own system and build it to look and normal circuit condition reverses. The
operate differently from the typical store - ADDITIONAL PARTS AND MATERIALS very basic alarm sensor would be a
bought unit, you'll have a very good Cl, C2-0.1 -µF, ceramic-disc capacitor switch that is set in either a normally -
chance of sending the burglar on his way Ql, Q2- 2N2222 NPN transistor open or normally-dosed condition. Opening
without any loss to you. a door or window or any similar move-
ment that would cause it to switch from
6 -15 VOLTS A savvy burglar probably won't spend its normal set condition could activate
DC too much time trying to figure out an the switch. A single switch properly hid-
ALARM
SIGNAL
OUT -
unorthodox alarm system, and a dumb
burglar will likely set it off possibly get-
ting caught in the process or at least leav-
den can be a very effective sensor and
will fool most intruders.
Our first normally- closed sensor cir-
ing without taking anything. cuit, see Fig 1A, is a transistor- buffered
Alarm sensors are usually placed at the circuit that outputs a high (positive)
perimeter of the area where protection is voltage in the set condition. As long as
needed. How the sensors are selected and the sensor's element is closed, the tran-
installed will determine the success or fail- sistor's bias is zero; and its collector volt-
ure of an alarm system. In addition, we'll age is at the positive supply level. Opening
A look at various methods in locating sensors, the sensor element allows the voltage at
placing "red herrings" in just the right the transistor's base to rise and turn on
6 -15 VOLTS
DC
places, and other schemes that can help the transistor. The transistor's collector
ALARM confuse a would -be burglar. Hopefully, operates like a turned-on switch, taking
SIGNAL the output voltage to near ground level.
OUT
+6-15 VOLTS
That sends out a low-voltage alarm sig-
DC nal to the control unit. Components Rl
A and C1 make up a low -pass filter that
INVERTED
OUTPUT helps keep stray RF signals and noise
R1
1K

PARTS LIST FOR

I

ALARM R2
SIGNAL 15K 01 THE OUTPUT INVERTER
B OUT ---W 2N2222 (FIG. 2)
(FROM
Fig. 1. A simple transistor switch can be used as FIG. 1)
an alarm circuit. By placing the sensor switch Q l-2N2222 NPN transistor
in the right part of the circuit, you can use a Fig. 2. If you need to invert the output signal R1 -1000-ohm, VI-watt, 5% resistor
normally- closed (A) or normally-open (B) switch from Fig. 1, an additional transistor stage will R2- 10,000- ohm, /< -watt, 5% resistor 63
with the same circuit. do the trick.
 +6 -15 VOLTS +6 -15 VOLTS
DC DC

R2 $ R4
4.7K 1 4.7K

R3 ICI -a
R3 R5
10K 14 1/4 CD4011
4.7K 10K
2 ICI -a
14 1/2 CD4002
3
1 NORMALLY -
4
HIGH OUTPUT
R6
ALARM 10K
SIGNAL 4/N-
OUTPUT

R7
10K
14
3 NORMALLY -

Fig. 3. More than one sensor switch can be han- S LOW OUTPUT
IC2 -a
dled by this CMOS-based alarm circuit. 7 1/4 CD4011

ICI-b
PARTS LIST FOR C3
13
1/2 CD4002
S4 PC
THE NAND -GATE ALARM .01
C4
(FIG. 3) C2
.01
.01

IC 1- CD4011 quad 2 -input NAND gate, 9110 11 12

integrated circuit TO DUPLICATE

R1 -R4- 10,000 -ohm, 'A-watt, 5% CIRCUIT
(SEE TEXT)
resistor
CI, C2- 0.01 -p.F, ceramic -disc Fig. 4. With a 4 -input NOR gate, there can be up to eight sensors to trigger the alarm.
capacitor
PARTS LIST FOR TO
+6-15 VOLTS ALARM
THE NoR -GATE ALARM DC INPUT
from causing a false -alarm output. The
(FIG. 4) R4
sensor element may be made up of any D4
2.2K 1N914
number of normally closed circuits wired SEMICONDUCTORS
in series, as long as the total series resis- IC I-CD4002 dual 4 -input Non gate,
tance is less than a hundred ohms. integrated circuit
The other type of sensor, see Fig. 1B, IC2-CD4011 quad 2 -input NAND gate,
is a normally open circuit. The transistor-
integrated circuit
buffered sensor input circuit is very simi-
lar to Fig. 1A. The normal alarm output
RESISTORS
signal is also positive and only goes low
(All resistors are % -watt, 5% units.)
when the input sensor changes state from
R1 -R4 1700 -ohm
open to closed. Any number of normally
R5- R8- 10,000 -ohm
open sensors may be used and wired in
parallel. All it takes is one sensor closing CAPACITORS
to send out the low alarm signal.
CI -C4 0.01 -p.F, ceramic -disc
One of the easiest ways to confuse a
burglar is to intermix the two types of
alarm sensors. Mixing them up makes it high -input signal to trigger the alarm;
more difficult to determine which sen- others operate with a low-input signal. If Fig. 5. You don't need sophisticated transistor-
sors to jump and which to cut to disable a normally high-output signal is fed to or IC-based circuits for a reliable alarm. This
the system. Throwing in a few false sen- the input of the inverter circuit, the out- simple diode -steering circuit will do the job just
sors increases the frustration factor, put will be low; and a low input produces as well.
probably causing the burglar to make a a high output. These circuits may seem
mistake- setting off the alarm in the
process of trying to bypass it.
extremely elementary-and they are
but a good alarm system is made up of
- PARTS LIST FOR
many simple circuits. -- - THE DIODE -LOGIC ALARM
Flip It Around (FIG. 5)
The circuit in Fig. 2 inverts the alarm- Pass It Along
output signal from a high to low or a low The next two circuits show several D1-D4 -1N914 silicon signal diode
to high, allowing the sensors to operate ways that CMOS ICs can be used as R1 -R4-2200 -ohm, V -watt, 5% resistor
with about any type of alarm- control interfacing devices for various alarm R5- 10,000 -ohm, V -watt, 5% resistor
64 system. Some control systems require a sensors. The circuit in Fig. 3 is a two-
 OUTPUT TO NORMALLY -
+6-15 VOLTS NORMALLY -LOW
OUTPUT OPEN CIRCUIT
DC INPUT
R4
2.2K

R2 R3 PIVOT
10K 10K
2N3904

Q1
LJ LJ L J
1 2 3
PHOTOTRANSISTOR'

OPAQUE Fig. 7. Mechanical devices such as reed switch-

BLOCK es can be replaced by solid-state Hall- effect
sensors.
R1
1K
STRING PARTS LIST FOR
TRIP
WIRE
THE HALL -EFFECT ALARM
(FIG. 7)
*(SEE TEXT)
Fig. 6. An updated trip-wire circuit uses an IC1 -HAL 115UA -C Hall- effect sensor,
infrared switch to detect if the wire was broken. integrated circuit (Digi -Key HAL115UA-
C -ND or similar)
PARTS LIST FOR R1 -4700 -ohm, % -watt, 5% resistor
THE TRIP -WIRE ALARM Permanent magnet
(FIG. 6) COPPER RING CUT
FROM COPPER PIPE

RESISTORS low to produce a high output. If just one COPPER WIRE OR ROD

(All resistors are 'A-watt, 5% units.) input gate goes high, the output will Fig. 8. A simple form of tilt sensor can be made
R1-1000-ohm switch low. A single gate of IC2 is used from a ring of copper tubing and a piece of cop-
R2, R3- 10,000 -ohm to combine the outputs of ICI -a and per rod or wire suspendedfrom a pivot point. If
IC1 -b into a single alarm output. If either the system is tilted far enough, the rod touches
R4 -2200 -ohm
input of IC2 -a goes low, its output will the ring, completing the circuit.

ADDITIONAL PARTS AND MATERIALS switch high-producing a positive alarm -

Q I-Slotted-optical sensor switch output signal. PARTS LIST FOR
(Mouser 512 -H21 A2 or similar) THE TILT SENSOR
"Intelligent" Diodes (FIG. 8)
Q2- 2N3904 NPN transistor
LED 1 -(part of Q1) The sensor-interface circuit shown
Trip string, opaque material, etc. in Fig. 5 allows any number of normally Copper ring, copper wire or rod
closed input sensors to be connected
together to produce a positive alarm
sensor input circuit designed for nor- output if any one of the sensor circuits Our electronic version uses an infrared
mally closed sensors and has a low non - open. The voltage at the anode of each interrupter switch, which is actually an
alarm output. Both inputs to ICI -a are diode is at ground level when the sensors IR-emitter LED and a phototransistor
held high through the two sensors and are in their normally closed condition. mounted together in a single package.
10K resistors. With both inputs high, When any one of the sensors open, the The one used in the circuit is a Mouser
the gate's output is low. If either or both voltage climbs to the supply level and 512-H2 1A2, but just about any similar IR
input sensors open, the gate's output will passes the positive signal through the interrupter switch will work.
switch from low to high, giving out a isolation diode to the output. An opaque object is placed in the slot
positive alarm signal. Resistors RI and between the IR- emitting diode and the
R2 guarantee that the inputs go low Who Goes There? phototransistor to block the light path. A
when either sensor is opened; a NAND Now that we've looked at several string or wire is tied to the opaque object
gate's output will only go high if one or methods of interfacing sensors to the and to a fixed object across from and in
more of its inputs go low. Simple low - alarm's control system, it is time to look front of the protected area. All an intruder
pass filters, consisting of C 1 , C2, R3, over a few different types of sensors. has to do is to catch on the trip cord, pull
and R4, keep RF and high -level noises Our first sensor, see Fig. 6, is a solid - the opaque object from between the solid -
from producing a false -alarm output. state replacement for the old trip -wire state pair, and watch the fun begin. Cats,
The IC package has a total of four gates type of sensor that operated when an dogs, and other animals have been known
in it, so you can use the remaining three intruder actually broke a fine wire posi- to set these types of alarms off more often
gates for sensor interfacing by duplicat- tioned around the protected area. The than an actual burglar or trespasser, so be
ing the Fig. 3 circuit. wire loop operated just like any of the prepared for some false alarms.
Our next entry (Fig. 4) turns a dual normally- closed input sensors used in
4 -input NOR gate into an eight- input, our previous interface circuits. When Magnetic Personalities
normally closed, sensor-interfacing cir- the wire breaks, the sensor circuit opens Our next entry, see Fig. 7, replaces
cuit. All inputs of a NOR gate must be and the alarm goes off. the common magnetically- operated reed- 65
 NORMALLY-
+6 -15 VOLTS LOW OUTPUT
one, including how they are built and
used.
Looks like this is a good place to
R2 R1 wind down. At our next meeting, we'll
1K 10K continue with another sensor or two and
then get into the control- system circuit-
ry. Good -bye and good circuitry until
Q1 next time. P
512 -BPW37
LEDI
512 -LED55B (MOUSER)
(MOUSER)
THE COLLECTED WORKS OF
MOHAMMED ULLYSES FIPS
Fig. 10. The scheniatic diagram of the infrared
BLACK tilt sensor is simplicity personified. #166-By Hugo Gernsback.
35MM Here is a collection of 21 April
FILM Fools Articles, reprinted from
CASE the pages of the magazines
Lots of Shaking they appeared in, as a 74-
page, 814 x 11 -inch book. The
A simple tilt- or movement -alarm
stories were written between
sensor is shown in Fig. 8. This sensor has a 1933 and 1964. Some of the
normally open output and can connect devices actually exist today.
Others are just around the corner. All are fun and
PHOTOTRANSISTOR to one of the interface circuits designed almost possible. Stories include the Cordless
9. An infrared version of the tilt sensor uses
Fig.
for normally open circuits. This type of Radio Iron, The Visi-Talkie, Electronic Razor, 30-

a phototransistor and an IR LED that is sus- mechanical tilt switch has been around Day LP Record, Teleyeglasses and even Elec-
tronic Brain Servicing. Get your copy today. Ask
pended so that it can swing to and fro like a for many years and can still be found in for book #166 and include $9.99 (includes ship-
chandelier. some equipment One place that I believe ping and handling) in the US (First Class), Cana-
it is still being used is in pinball machines. da and Overseas (surface mail), and order from
CLAGGK Inc., P.O. Box 12162, Hauppauge,
PARTS UST POR A few years ago, it was used in an auto- NY 11788. Payment in US funds by US bank
THE IR TILT ALARM mobile to detect motion if someone check or International Money Order. Allow 6 -8
weeks for delivery.
(FIGS. 9 and 10) tried to move the car without first deac- MA05

tivating the alarm.

R 1 -1000- ohm, '4-watt, 5% resistor This type of sensor could be mount- ELECTRONIC GAMES
R2- 10000 -ohm, % -watt, 5% resistor ed on anything that opens with a forward
-A
LED1- Infrared light -emitting. diode or backward motion, such as a door, a BP89 number of interest-
ing electronic game projects
(Mouser 512-LED55B or similar) ,. desk drawer, or anything else that can be using IC's are presented.In-
Ql-Infrared-sensing phototransistor moved horizontally. cludes 19 different projects
ranging from a simple coin flip-
(Mouser 512-BPW37 or similar) An electronic version of the tilt per, to a competitive reaction
35 -mm film tare (black), fine wire for alarm is shown in Fig. 9. An IR LED is game, to electronic roulette, a
LED leads, etc. supported in an opaque 35 -mm film combination lock game, a
game timer and more. To
case. A pivot arrangement with fine wire order BP69 send $4.99 clear-
leading out the top connects to the cir- ance (Includes s&h) in the
switch sensor with a solid -state CMOS US arxi Canada to Electronic
cuitry in Fig. 10. An IR phototransistor Technology Today Inc., P.O. Box 240, Mass-
Hall- effect sensor. These interesting is mounted in the bottom of the film apequa Park, NY 11782 -0240. US funds only.
and useful Hall- effect ICs are available case with its leads coming out the bot- Use US bank check or International Money
from Digi -Key (part number HAL115UA- Order. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. MA07
tom. With the spacing between the two
C-ND) for less than a buck in single solid -state devices being so close, just
quantities. The Hall- effect's output is about any IR pair will work with the Fig.
high when a magnet is in close proximi- 10 circuit. Yours for only
ty but when the magnet is moved away With the two devices properly 83
from the device, the output changes to a aligned, the voltage at the collector of
low state. The sensor's output can tie Q1 will be at its lowest value. As the Price Includes
directly to the alarm's control circuitry container is tipped, the voltage should shipping!
or go through one of the interface cir- begin to increase and rise to the positive
cuits. This combination could be used to supply level. If the IR -light beam is too HAVE A THOUSAND YUCKS FOR ONLY
detect when an intruder opens a door or broad, a small section of shrink tubing THREE AND A HALF BUCKS! That comes
window. The Hall- effect IC is very small can be placed around either the emitter to one -third of a cent per laugh. Electronics
Comics is a compilation of over 125 riotous,
and can be mounted in the door or win- or detector. Actually, for the best possi- outrageous and phenomenal cartoons that
dow facing, and the magnet can be ble sensitivity, shrink tubing can be appeared in Popular Electronics and Elec-
mounted inside the door or window. placed around each device. tronics Now. Only $3.99-price includes
These components should be carefully The drawing in Fig. 9 is just to get shipping. Claggk, Inc., Reprint Bookstore,
P.O. Box 4099, Farmingdale, NY 11735-
installed where they cannot be seen or you going. Like many of the sensors that 0793. All payments in U.S. funds. Sorry, no
easily discovered by an intruder. Proper we've been looking at, they can be built orders outside U.S.A. and Canada. Check or
installation is the key to a successful in your own unique style. That way, only money order only -send no cash. NY state
66 alarm system. you will know the secrets behind each residents add applicable tax. MA04
 OPMNIel

DTV: PART 2 are sent to the modulator, a DC quency with an average power level
(continued from page 43) level that corresponds to exactly 12 dB lower than NTSC's peak sync
1.25 8VSB level divisions positively power (where the bulk of NTSC's sig-
acteristic power spike at the carrier biases them. All of the 8VSB and sync nal power is concentrated).
frequency, leaving all the available levels are raised by that amount.
transmitter power for the informa- Adjusting the modulating signal in Additional Resources. So now you
tion-rich sidebands. In vestigial -side- this way called pilot insertion.
is know a thing or two about DN.
band formats, one of the sidebands Although the modulator performs Nevertheless, if you plan to remain
is also suppressed. Since the side- carrier suppression, the added DC a videophile or hope to become a
bands are mirror images, one of content of the modulating signal guru, you'll probably want to know
them is superfluous. In DTV's case, preserves the carrier as part of the more.
only the upper sideband and a slight modulated information. While suffi- The Internet is a great resource
vestige of the lower sideband are cient to aid the receiver, the power for information on DTV. You might
actually transmitted. level of the pilot signal is slight, start with a visit to the ATSC's Web
Carrier suppression makes the remaining 11.3 dB below the aver- site: www.atsc.org. There you can
receiver's job a little trickier, since it age data -signal power. freely download the DN standard
must essentially regenerate the With the pilot level in place, the and an excellent companion refer-
missing carrier in order to recover 8VSB signal is modulated on an ence, Guide to the Use of the ATSC
the information from the side - intermediate -frequency carrier, then Digital Television Standard. Another
band(s). This would be especially upconverted to the transmitter's great Web site is the National Assoc-
difficult in DTV's case, since its use specified operating frequency. iation of Broadcasters (NAB): ww..nab.
of channel spectrum is basically flat, Statistical analysis of DTV's 8VSB org. They maintain links to a variety
looking like noise. mode has shown that 99.9% of the of broadcast-related information re-
To help the receiver identify the time, the peak transmitter power is sources, including a page dedicated
carrier, a small "pilot" is added to within 6.3 dB of the average power. to DN off their "Current Issues" page.
the transmission at the carrier fre- From a practical standpoint, the As the countdown to 2006 con-
quency. In other words, a little bit of average- to peak -power relation- tinues, it will be fascinating to watch
the carrier is preserved for the ben- ship allows an ATSC transmitter to the changes in television broad-
efit of the receiver. Before the com- achieve the same coverage as an casting unfold. May your vantage
bined channel symbols and sync NTSC transmitter at the same fre- point be an enlightened one. P

GETTING INSIDE AN NCO More Information About you have set.

(continued from page 50) NCO Generators Quadratic-phase modulation is also
easy. All it takes is two more EXCLU-
You can use a 4 -kB CMOS chip
the 27C32 (Digi -Key NM27 C32BQ200-
- "Digital = requency Synthesis," Circuit Cellar
Ink, October 1998 (www.circuitcellar.com).
SIVE-OR gates between the adder
and the existing EXCLUSIVE -OR bank.
This article discusses how to generate
ND) or the cheaper and faster 8k accurate, modulated audio -frequency sig- The EPROM can also be programmed
part-the 27C64 (Digi-Key NM27C64Q- nals with a cheap microcontroller. to generate QPSK modulation from
150-ND). The latter part has 28 pins; a signal applied to its address inputs.
its unused address pins should be "Making Waves with NCOs," Circuit Cellar If you want to experiment with con-
tied to ground. Ink, December 1997-January 1998. A sig- tinuous-frequency modulation, you
nal-genarator construction project using a need to digitize the analog signal
Since the EPROM generates glitches
Harris (now Intersil) NCO chip to generate
every time the address inputs change, both sinewave and squarewave output
and add it to the DIP -switch input.
it needs an output latch (IC11) to from 1 Hz to 10 MHz. You can generate narrow -band FM
get good results. Jumper J1 allows without adders by using the bottom
quick swapping from ramp to sine "Push Numerically- Controlled Oscillators bits of the frequency -control num-
outputs. Wire pin of IC9 to ground
1 Beyond Their Limits," EDN, September 12, ber as the modulation input and
if you don't use a sine converter. 1997 (www.ednmag.com). An introduction the top bits as the carrier -setting
to NCOs and some ideas for extending
For best results, you should change number. Putting adders between
their frequency range. This article includes
the filter to the one shown in Fig. 4. more dstail on generating a squarewave
the ramp output and the EXCLUSIVE-
Modulating The Output. Figure 5 without a sine conversion. OR gates implements continuous-
shows how different types of mod- phase modulation.
ulation can be applied to the With a little experimentation, you
basic NCO. Adding frequency - bank of two -way multiplexer will soon learn the value of these
shift modulation is simple; just add chips. Driving the multiplexer with unique devices and will be ready
a second frequency source (more a binary signal switches the out- to use an NCO chip in your own
DIP switches, for instance) and a put between the two frequencies designs. P

VISIT US ON THE WEB: WWW. popTRONICS. COM 67

 I ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY TODAY INC.
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www. web -tronics. corn
High Performance Auto Ranging DMM
www. web -tronics. corn
New to our DMM line-up end possibly (probably) the best DMM value r www.web- tronicsecorn
Removable Hard Drive Rack
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ctides: Analog fiat Graph! Auto-Ranging!
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anging Dota Hold! Temperature Probe! Frequency Test! ContinuityY Test! AND MORE.'

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rane
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DC Volts: up to 1000V
AC Volts: up to 750V
{
NOW IN ñ.;._
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off Continuity Check: vath audible signal
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4 Jack Plug -ins: Safety design with different capacities for different
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Diode, Continuity Check Push -Button: For toggling between
diode check and continuity check.
ohms. Display reads actual resistance).
Frequency: (IKHz to 300KHz) displays
both digital and bar graph reading Specifications
#0519903
Atisio
sensitive hard drive data, take your
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Transistor hie Test: Display shows they physically insets every time they use a PC. Other models available
Low Battery Indicator: Advises you when its time to change Accurac from C.S.I. include RH l O series and RH2O series, which are
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approximate hie value based on test Vdc y ±1.0% reading +5 ditis
condition of IOuA base current and Vice of Vac interchangeable within the same interface design (IDE or SCSI). Other
Extra Long 44" Test Leads: Helps get to hard to reach places ±I8% reading +8 digits Models are Available. See www.web- honics.com under "hard
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approx. 3V.
Temperature Test: Measures from 0° to Aac
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18% reading t
+5
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digits
digits
`drive and accessories" for more details and pictures. J
(probe supplied!)
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storage clips and hanging tab Helps protect the DMM from damage if Input Impedance: 10Mohm (VdcNac). Requires two AAA ONLY
ccidentall dro ed over 100Mohm on 300 mVdc range batteries sold separately . J Auto door on the outer frame
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to bookmark
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I ONLY this site Coating iron bottom cover
Band FM (WFM), AM and Single
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J1589 For IDE interface
For I" high 3 5" HOD
May Be Measured Dont forget Not compatible with our RH 10 & RH20
\ if MR-27
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LED Backlight LCD (192x192 dots s LO
IJOVI$e ¡tie
Eo Y Search En S
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Hand -Held and Battery Operated
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RS232C for PC Interface and That Reo
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dded Conston
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on the Web
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Black & White Versions Only 25mm x
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Available in Standard Lens or Pinhole
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12V Regulated Power Supply Required (120mA typical
VM1030PA-B 30mmx3Ommx25mm, Pinhole lens, I2V 539.00 any qty. power consumption)
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feature 549.00 any qty. VMCW-H12A 32mmx32mmxl9mm, Color CCD with pinhole lens, pre-wired
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Bullet CCD CamerasB& W and Co /or VMPS -718A 25mmx25mmx3Omm, B/W CCD with standard lens, pre-
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Low Power Consumption wired cabling, I 2V DC Power Input 159.4 /549 .5 or more
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VM3010PA 33mmx33mmxl8mm, Pinhole lens 599.40 any qty.
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frder ' power consumption: 275w max.Auto cooling fea-
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I Year C.S.I. Warranty!
Manufactured for CSI by a leading
vice life of heating elements and handle.One year
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Directional Antenna Design Comes with QFP Nozzle (0.68" x 0.68 ") \website for detailed specifications!
optimizes performance
Use with remote cameras or any
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Performance through walls varies CSIHTR2400TX Extra
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High stability digital read -out bench power supply
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Short -circuit protection and current limiting
$89

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supply for the transmitter & receiver. protection is provided. Highly accurate LED
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See more detailed specifications at
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CCD camera setcion.
the) accuracy and stable line regulation make the 3000
series the perfect choice for lab and educational use.
Line Regulation: WO'O' + ma
Our Most Sophisticated DMM We Sold Over 700 Last Year! Now I

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429
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 Doppler Direction Finder GHz RF Signal Generator
Elf Track down jammers and hidden transmitters with ease! This is the
famous WA2EBY DF'er featured in April 99 DST. Shows direct bearing to
1
A super price on a full fea-
tured RF signal generator!
Covers 100 KHz to

i
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transmitter on compass style LED display, easy to hook up to any FM receiver. The .

transmitter - the object of your DF'ing - need not be FM, it can be AM, FM or CW.
c pe
999.99999 MHz in 10 Hz
Easily connects to receivers speaker jack and antenna, unit runs on 12 VDC. We steps. Tons of features;
even include 4 handy home- brew 'mag mount' antennas and cable for quick set calibrated AM and FM
up and operation! Whips can be cut and optimized for any frequency from 130- modulation, 90 front panel
1000 MHz. Track down that jammer, win that fox hunt, zero in on that downed memories, built-in RS -232
Cessna - this is an easy to build, reliable kit that compares most favorably to com- interface, +10 to -130
mercial units costing upwards of $1000.00! This is a neat kit!! dBm output and more!
Fast and easy to use, its
DDF-1, Doppler Direction Finder Kit $149.95
big bright vacuum florescent display can be ead from anywhere on the
bench and the handy 'smart-knob' has great analog feel and is intelli-
Wireless RF Data Link Modules gently enabled when entering or changing parameters in any field -a
real time saver! All functions can be continuously varied without the
RF link boards are perfect for any wireless control application; alarms, data need for a shift or second function key. In short, this is the generator
transmission, electronic monitoring...you name it. Very stable SAW resonator you'll want on your bench, you won't find a harder working RF signal
transmitter, crystal controlled receiver - no frequency dritt! Range up to 600 11m-+.v ..mar . n..ader generator - and you'll save almost $3,000 over competitive units!
feet, license free 433 MHz band. Encoder /decoder units have 12 bit Hottek
RSG -10008 RF Signal Generator $1995.00
HT-12 series chips allowing multiple units all individually addressable, see
web site for full details. Super small size - that's a quarter in the picture! Run
on 3 -12 VDC. Fully wired and tested, ready to go and easy to use!
T,..mi_.
Super Pro FM
Stereo
INIF 413 Eyeadir
RX-433 Data Receiver $16.95 TX -433 Data Transmitter $14.95
RXD-433 Receiver/Decoder $21.95 TXE -433 Transmitter/Encoder $19.95
Transmitter
World's Smallest TV Transmitters Professional synthesized FM Stereo station in easy to use, handsome
cabinet. Most radio stations require a who e equipment rack to hold all
We call them the 'Cubes'.... Perfect video transmission from a trans- the features we've packed into the FM -100. Set freq with Up/Down
mitter you can hide under a quarter and only as thick as a stack of buttons, big LED display. Input low pass fifer gives great sound (no
four pennies - that's a nickel in the picture! Transmits color or B &W more squeals or swishing from cheap CD inputs!) Limiters for max
with fantastic quality - almost like a direct wired connection to any 'punch' in audio - without over mod, LED meters to easily set audio
TV tuned to cable channel 59. Crystal controlled for no frequency levels, built -in mixer with mike, line level inputs. Churches, drive -ins,
drift with performance that equals models that cost hundreds more! Basic 20 mW model transmits up to 300' while schools, colleges find the FM -100 the answer to their transmitting
the high power 100 mW unit goes up to 1/4 m'le. Their very light weight and size make them ideal for balloon and needs, you will too. Great features, great price! Kit includes cabinet,
ocket launches, R/C models, robots - you name it! Units run on 9 volts and hook -up to most any CCD camera or whip antenna, 120 VAC supply. We also offer a high power export
standard video source. In fact, all of our cameras have been tested to mate perfectly with our Cubes and work great. version of the FM-100 fully assembled with one watt of RF power, for

C
Fully assembled - just hook -up power and you're on the air! One customer even put one on his dog! miles of program coverage. The export version can only be shipped if
C -2000, Basic Video Transmitter $89.95 C- 2001, High Power VideoTransmitte ...$179.95 accompanied by a signed statement that the unit will be exported.
FM -100, Pro FM Stereo Transmitter Kit $249.95
CCD Video AM Radio FM- 100WT, Fully Wired High Power FM-100 $399.95

Cameras Transmitter FM Stereo Radio

Top quality Japanese Class 'A'
CCD array, over 440 line line resolution, not the off-spec
Operates in standard AM broad-
cast band. Pro version, AM -25, is synthesized for sta-
ble, no-drift frequency and is setable for high power
Transmitters
arrays that are found on many other cameras. Don't be No drift, microprocessor synthesized! Great audio
fooled by the cheap CMOS single chip cameras which have output where regulations allow, typical range of -2
1

quality, connect to CD player, tape deck or mike

1/2 the resolution, 1/4 the light sensitivity and draw over miles. Entry-level AM -1 is tunable, runs FCC maximum
mixer and you're on -the -air. Strapable for high or low power! Runs on
twice the current! The black & white models are also super 100 mW, range 1/4 mile. Both accept line -level inputs
12 VDC or 120 VAC. Kit includes snazzy case, whip antenna, 120 VAC
IR (Infra -Red) sensitive. Add our invisible to the eye, IR -1 from tape decks, CD players or mike mixers, run on 12
power adapter - easy one evening assembly.
illuminator kit to see in the dark! Color camera has Auto volts DC. Pro AM -25 includes AC power adapter,
matching case and bottom loaded wire antenna. Entry- FM -25, Synthesized Stereo Transmitter Kit $129.95
gain, white balance, Back Light Compensation and DSPI
Available with Wide-angle (802) or super slim Pin -hole style level AM -1 has an available matching case and knob Lower cost alternative to our high performance trans-
lens. Run on 9 VDC, standard 1 volt p -p video. Use our set that dresses up the unit. Great sound, easy to build mitters. Great value, easily tunable, fun to build. Manual
transmitters for wireless transmission to TV set, or add our - you can be on the air in an evening! goes into great detail about antennas, range and FCC
IB -1 Interface board kit for super easy direct wire hook -up to AM -25, Professional AM Transmitter Kit $129.95 rules. Handy for sending music thru house and yard,
any Video monitor, VCR or TV with AN input. Fully assem- AM -1, Entry level AM Radio Transmitter Kit... $29.95 ideal for school projects too - you'll be amazed at the
bled, with pre -wired connector. CAM, Matching Case Set for AM -1 $14.95 exceptional audio quality! Runs on 9V battery or 5 to
15 VDC. Add matching case and whip antenna set for nice 'pro' look.
CCDWA-2, B &W CCD Camera, wide -angle lens $69.95
CCDPH-2, B &W CCD Camera, slim fit pin -hole lens $69.95
CCDCC -1, Color CCD Camera, wide -angle lens ....
$129.95
Mini Radio FM -10A, Tunable FM Stereo Transmitter Kit
CFM, Matching Case and Antenna Set
$34.95
$14.95
IR -1, IR Illuminator Kit for B&W cameras $24.95 Receivers FMAC, 12 Volt DC Wall Plug Adapter $9.95
IB -1, Interface Board Kit $14.95

Imagine the fun of tuning into aircraft a hundred miles away, the local police/fire department, ham operators, or how RF Power Booster
about Radio Moscow or the BBC in London? Now imagine doing this on a little radio you built yourself - in just an
evening! These popular little receivers are the nuts for catching all the action on the local ham, aircraft, standard FM Add muscle to your signal, boost power up to 1 watt
broadcast radio, shortwave or WWV National Time Standard radio bands. Pick the receiver of your choice, each easy over a freq range of 100 KHz to over 1000 MHz! Use
to build, sensitive receiver has plenty of crystal clear audio to drive any speaker or earphone. Easy one evening as a lab amp for signal generators, plus many foreign users employ the
assembly, run on 9 volt battery, all have squelch except for shortwave and FM broadcast receiver which has subcarri- LPA -1 to boost the power of their FM transmitters, providing radio ser-
er output for hook -up to our SCA adapter. The SCA -1 will tune in commercial -free music and other 'hidden' special vice through an entire town. Runs on 12 VDC. For a neat finished look,
services when connected to FM receiver. Add our snazzy matching case and knob set for that smart finished look! add the nice matching case set. Outdoor unit attaches right at the
AR -1, Airband 108-136 MHz Kit FR -6, 6 Meter FM Ham Band Kit $34.95 antenna for best signal - receiving or transmitting, weatherproof, too!
$29.95
FR -10, 10 Meter FM Ham Band Kit
LPA -1, Power Booster Amplifier Kit $39.95
HFRC -1, WWV 10 MHz (crystal controlled) Kit $34.95 $34.95
FR -146, 2 Meter FM Ham Band Kit CLPA, Matching Case Set for LPA -1 Kit $14.95
FR -1, FM Broadcast Band 88-108 MHz Kit $24.95 $34.95
FR -220, 220 M;,lz FM Ham Band Kit LPA -1WT, Fully Wired LPA -1 with Case $99.95
SR -1, Shortwave 4.11 MHz Band Kit $29.95 $34.95
FMBA -1, Outdoor Mast Mount Version of LPA -1 $59.95
SCA -1 SCA Subcarrier Adapter kit for FM radio.... $27.95 Matching Case Set (specify for which kit) $14.95

PIC -Pro Pic Chip Programmer FM Station Antennas

For maximum performance, a good antenna is needed.
Easy to use programmer for the PIC16C84, 16F84, 16F83 microcontrollers by Microchip. All software Choose our very popular dipole kit or the Comet, a factory
- editor, assembler, run and program - as well as free updates available on Ramsey download site!
made 5/8 wave colinear model with 3.4 dB gain. Both
This is the popular unit designed by Michael Covington and featured in Electronics Now, September work great with any FM receiver or transmitter.
1998. Connects to your parallel port and includes the great looking matching case, knob set and AC TM-100, FM Antenna Kit $39.95
power supply. Start programming those really neat microcontrollers now...order your PICPRO today! FMA -200, Vertical Antenna $114.95
PIC-1, PICPRO PIC Chip Programmer Kit $59.95
RAMSEY ELECTRONICS, INC. VISA
DIJCOVER

Order Toll -free: 800 -446 -2295 793 Canning Parkway Victor, NY 14564 11M
ORDERING INFO: Satisfaction Guaranteed. Examine for 10 days, if
Sorry. no tech info. or order status at 800 number See our complete catalog and order not pleased, return in original form for refund. Add $6.95 for ship-
ping, handling and insurance. Orders under $20, add $3.00. NY resi-
For Technical Info. Order Status on -line with our secure server at:
dents add 7% sales tax. Sorry, no CODs. Foreign orders, add 20%
Call Factory direct: 716 - 924 -4560 www.ramseyelectronics.com for surface mail or use credit card and specify shipping method.
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 Your Source for All 1

Your Electronic Needs

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TiePieScope HS801 PORTABLE MOST MEMBRANE

SWITCHES
50 MHz ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATOR -

100 MHz STORAGE OSCILLOSCOPE -

50 MHz SPECTRUM ANALYZER -
6 DISPLAY MULTIMETER -
200 DAYS TRANSIENT RECORDER-

A
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zp Eliminate tooling costs...
The HS801: the first 100 Mega
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* *From 2 to 128 keys **
instrument that consists of a
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generate every signal you want. complete kits, with bezel, connector

14 A user defined toolbar with

which over 50 instrument set-
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 Build your own robot Make it go Look into the future

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Merl K. Miller, Nelson B. Wrinkless III,
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 Callbacks up here can be a matter of life and death.
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- Midwest Laser Products 94
Adria Coren
295 AVEN Tools 93 Credit Manager (ext. 208)
311 Berkeley Nucleonics Corp. Modern Electronics 96
80
- Big Bang Electronics 75 Mondo- tronics 78 For Advertising ONLY
319 Beige Bag Software 220 Mouser Electronics 72
EAST /SOUTHEAST
87
290 C &S Sales, Inc. 84 - MSC Electronics 101
Marie Falcon
275 -G Marcus Blvd.
- CCTV Outlet 103 257 Parts Express 89 Hauppauge, NY 11788
133 CircuitMaker CV2 Tel. 631 -592 -6720 x206
- PC Boards 96
Fax: 631 -592 -6723
233 Circuit Specialists 71
- Pioneer Hill Software 102 e -mail: mfalcon @gernsback.com
CLAGGK, Inc 15, 26
300 Polaris Industries 69 MI DWEST/Texas /Arkansas/
- Cleveland Inst. of Electronics ....35 Oklahoma
219 Prairie Digital 98
231 Command Productions 70 Ralph Bergen
232 Command Productions Print Products Int 70 One Northfield Plaza, Suite 300
90
Computer Monitor Maintenance 100 - RC Distributing Co Northfield, IL 60093 -1214
100
Tel. 847 -559 -0555
- Conitec Data Systems 78 263 Ramsey Electronics 73 Fax: 847 -559 -0562
- EDE Spy Outlet 72 246 Resources Unlimited 88
e -mail: bergenrj@aol.com
210 Electronic Design Specialists 98 Rigel Corporation
PACIFIC COAST
100
130 Electronic Workbench CV4 Megan Mitchell
RobotiKits Direct 87
- Electronic Tech. Today 44
9072 Lawton Pine Avenue
308 Roger's Systems Specialist 72 Las Vegas, NV 89129 -7044
205 Electronix Express 82 Tel. 702 -240 -0184
Securetek 90
EMAC Inc 98 Fax: 702 -838 -6924
Engineering Express Scott Edwards Electronics 96 e -mail: mmitchell@gernsback.com
90
318 Foley -Belsaw Sil Walker 74
79 Subscription/
Fort777.com 81 Smarthome.com 94 Customer Service/
Future Horizons Order Entry
76 Smithy Company 101 Tel. 800 -827 -0383
Gateway Products 101 Square Electronics 7:30 AM - 8:30 PM CST
1 92
- Globaltech Distributors 101
Suburban Electronics 82
Grantham College of Eng 86
- Techniks 101
237 Howard Electronics 91
- Technological Arts 86
225 Information Unlimited 83
313 Test Equipment Depot 94
- Intec Automation 100
- Intronics 88 217 Tie Pie Engineering 74

309 IVEX Design 77 242 Timeline 80

J &M Microtek 101 - UCANDO Videos 76

139 Jameco CV3 Vision Electronics 78
- Jensen RooIs Co. 74 World Star Technologies 100

106 - KNS Instruments 88 World Wyde 100,.101, 102

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