New Bipolar Boost TX and Front End

[KingJL]

JL, is the A7 module going to be plugged into a socket on the IF board?
I assumed it was and designed enclosure accordingly but thought I would get a sanity check on that one...

Yes, you assumed correctly. Looking good!

[KingJL]

Not really, I allowed 1 mm clearance around the board edges and when I did the extrude then the opening cuts, it has picked up one of the construction lines in the drawing, I will fix that up along with a few other bits and pieces.
Let me know if you spot anything else that looks odd or you would like to change

I like the way it is turning out... I especially like the way it is working out with the A7 plugin. I populated the I/F board with the 48 pin IC socket and was not pleased with the gap between the socket and the A7 board, so I populated an I/F board with two 24 pin singe row header sockets. It gave protection to the 48 pins, but stands a little high by my standards. The sub-enclosure that you designed takes care of that problem and I can use the 48 pin IC socket as planned.

I plan on using 2 pin female, 100 mil pitch, connectors on each of the coil wire sets (TX and RX) and a 3 pin female (again 100 mil pitch) for the 5V, 20V, and GND. That way it will be easy to attach extensions if needed when having to lay the unit out for troubleshooting. A hole, to facilitate ref voltage adjustment, will be required on the bottom (or top depending on your perspective).

[Mdtoday]

JL, is the A7 module going to be plugged into a socket on the IF board?
I assumed it was and designed enclosure accordingly but thought I would get a sanity check on that one.

Also, I have removed those offsets in the side walls.

[Mdtoday]

I do not...

Ok, not a problem, I'll run some units off once you are happy with the design and get some to you.

[Mdtoday]

Are the offsets under the Pmod openings needed? I think that they could interfere with getting good Pmod connection.

Not required, I allowed 1 mm clearance around the board edges and when I did the extrude then the opening cuts, it has picked up one of the construction lines in the drawing, I will fix that up tonight along with a few other bits and pieces.
Once I get the PMOD modules I will double check on fitment and clearance to be sure its all good.
Let me know if you spot anything else that looks odd or you would like to change

[Mdtoday]

I like it... I like it! Last year I picked this kit up for my projects... in fact I am using them now to provide support the board assembly for testing. You might be able to use one of the 6mm spacers from the kit. I forgot to add them when I did the PCB layout, but I had intended to put 3 through hole pads (2 on the opposite edge from the connector and 1 on the connector edge but away from the connector) on both boards so that solid wire could be soldered between the boards, providing support for the two boards... again somewhat like the Vallon. I hate to keep referring to the Vallon, but they did a lot of things right!

That's a good kit, thanks for the heads up, great value.
Yes, the Vallon is a well thought out detector, I rebuilt my unit so had the chance to check everything out as I went.
The angle of the the main enclosure/arm I have been working on was based on the Vallon as I found it quite comfortable.

[KingJL]

Added 6 mm pillars to lid and base, another 4 x 6 mm hex spacers will be required between IF and TX boards.
Finished height of enclosure can be adjusted to suit the 4 inductors which I have yet to check, may require another 2 mm but its a easy adjustment

[ATTACH]47041[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]47042[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]47043[/ATTACH]

Last picture shows cut-away view
[ATTACH]47044[/ATTACH]

cheers

Mdtoday

Are the offsets under the Pmod openings needed? I think that they could interfere with getting good Pmod connection.

[KingJL]

Do you have a 3D printer JL ?

I do not...

[KingJL]

... another 4 x 6 mm hex spacers will be required between IF and TX boards...

I like it... I like it! Last year I picked this kit up for my projects... in fact I am using them now to provide support the board assembly for testing. You might be able to use one of the 6mm spacers from the kit. I forgot to add them when I did the PCB layout, but I had intended to put 3 through hole pads (2 on the opposite edge from the connector and 1 on the connector edge but away from the connector) on both boards so that solid wire could be soldered between the boards, providing support for the two boards... again somewhat like the Vallon. I hate to keep referring to the Vallon, but they did a lot of things right!

[Mdtoday]

Looking good! I think I would prefer the nickel sprayed on the outside. That way I can use fabric emi tape to seal edges and easily attach grounding wire... but that is minor. It doesn't affect the sub-enclosure, but when I get the parts in, I will fabricate the probe switch sub board, to get an idea of the location issues.

Thanks and yes, that's a good point about spraying the nickel on the outside.
What I have to do is locate the holes for power and signal wires from TX board, they can be drilled but its better to add in if we can, when its gets close to that time just let me know preferences and I'll finish it off.
Do you have a 3D printer JL ? If not I'll print some off and send when required.

[KingJL]

JL, is this the sort of sub-enclosure you were thinking of?

[ATTACH]47038[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]47039[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]47040[/ATTACH]

3D printing/nickel sprayed on inside for shielding

It is designed with small flanges which will slide into ribs on side wall of main enclosure.
PCBs held in place with spacers and screws through bottom of sub-enclosure then into small pillars on lid.
Not sure if you wanted A7 inside enclosure, this can be adjusted easily.

Bits and pieces like supports for power supply boards can be added if required.

cheers

Mdtoday

Looking good! I think I would prefer the nickel sprayed on the outside. That way I can use fabric emi tape to seal edges and easily attach grounding wire... but that is minor. It doesn't affect the sub-enclosure, but when I get the parts in, I will fabricate the probe switch sub board, to get an idea of the location issues.

[Mdtoday]

Added 6 mm pillars to lid and base, another 4 x 6 mm hex spacers will be required between IF and TX boards.
Finished height of enclosure can be adjusted to suit the 4 inductors which I have yet to check, may require another 2 mm but its a easy adjustment





Last picture shows cut-away view


cheers

Mdtoday

[Mdtoday]

JL, is this the sort of sub-enclosure you were thinking of?



3D printing/nickel sprayed on inside for shielding

It is designed with small flanges which will slide into ribs on side wall of main enclosure.
PCBs held in place with spacers and screws through bottom of sub-enclosure then into small pillars on lid.
Not sure if you wanted A7 inside enclosure, this can be adjusted easily.

Bits and pieces like supports for power supply boards can be added if required.

cheers

Mdtoday

[Mdtoday]

Getting to the pointy end now, great work

[KingJL]

Userinput module modified to support probe switch

I just modified the userinput module so that we can control the probe switch. Added the AXI4 bus that is needed to communicate from the embedded processor to the userinput module; removed the GB switch input as we will be using the menu system to initiate GB; added an output port to control the probe switch.

An updated project archive and block design will be posted later in the week. I have initiated a "Change Log" that will be posted with the project archive that will summarize changes that occurred in each archive version going forward (it will also be included in the archive).

The plan is to start programming the system now that all of the interfaces have been proven.