UK £1.

50
IR £2.20
(incl. VAT)

MMICS REVOLUTIONIZE WIDEBAND

RF AMPLIFIER DESIGN
DCF77 Receiver and Frequency Standard
Portrait ol Sir Clive Sinclair
European Education Software

01

9 770268 451012
111 EE
January 1988

BBC Micro Computer System EPSON

PRINTERS
KP915 i156 coil (369 (a)
BBC MASTER SERIES: WORD PROCESSOR ROMs:
LX800 £189 fa) BROTHER HR20 £349 (al
Ah1B15 BBC MASTER 128K E380 (a) VIEW 2.1 £35 (d) VIEW 3.0 £48 (e) FX800 £299 fa) STAR NL10 (Parallel Place) £190 fa)
ADCO6 Turbo (65C102) Card 199 (dl Seel/master E49 (dl VIEW INDEX £12 (dl FX1000 £405 (a) STAR NLIO (Serial . £219 (a)
ADC08 512 Processor E189 WORDWISE E24 (dl WORDWISE÷ £38 EX800 £409 la) JUIU 6100 (Daisy Wheel) _ £295 fa)
ADF14 Rom Cartridge ... £12.75 (dl SPELLCHECK III EX 1000 E549 (a) INTEGREX (Colour) £549 (a)
ADF10 Econet Card £41 (dl MM.* ÷ £21 (dl £31 (dl L0800 (80 ad) £399 la) NAT PANASONIC KX P 1081 £149 (a)
ADJ22 Ref. Manual I £14 (c) INTERWORD £46 (dl EDWORD II £43 fa) LQ1000 (135 col) E529 fa) NAT PANASONIC KX P 3131 _ £249 (a)
ADJ23 Ref. Manual Part 11 . £14 (c) TAXAN KP815 (80 col) ..... E269 fa)
ADJ24 Adv Ref Manual £18 (c) LANGUAGE ROMS: We bat/ in stock a large variety of printer attachments. interfaces and consumables.
Micro Prolog £62 (Cl hOcrotext - £52 (el Pf,-.= write or phone for details.
BBC ARCHIMEDES ISO PASCAL £51 (c) LOGOTRON _ £55 (c(
Please enquire about avaAaty and LOGO E46 (c) MACROM E33 (dl
details of the stem. LISP E39 (dl COMAL 143 (di ACCESSORIES
UPGRADE KITS: Oxford Pascal £36 (e) BUFFALO 32K Buffer for Epson printers £75 (dl; FX80 plus sheet feeder E129
1_2 OS ROM E15 (dl
EPSON Serial Interface: 8143 £30 (01; 8148 with 2K buffer £65 (b).
COMMUNICATIONS ROMS:
DNFS ROM E17.50 (dl TERMULATOR £25 (dl EPSON Paper Roll HoMer £17 lbl; FX80`80485 Tractor Attach £37 RXFX80
BASIC II ROM (BBC £22.50 (d) MASTER TERMULATOR £34.75 (dl Dust Cover £4.50 (dl; 1X80 Tractor Unit £20 (c); 10800 Tractor Feed £47 lb).
ADFS ROM £26 (dl COMMUNICATOR £49 (dl EPSON Ribbons: MKRX/FX80 £5; MXI1VFX100 E10 (dl LX80 E4.50 Idl;
1770 DES Kit £43.50 (dl COMMSTAR II E28 (dl
Econet Kit (B&B+l £55 Id)
JUKI: Serial Interface £65 (dl; Tractor AtrsciL E149 (a): Sheet Fccdcr £219 la):
MODEM MASTER £11 (dl Ribbon E2.50 (a); Spare Daisy Wheel £14 td).
ACORN ADD-ON PRODUCTS: COMMAND £34 (dl
Torch ZEP 100 E229 (a) BROTHER HR20: Sheet Feed £229; Ribbons - Carbon or Nylon £3: Tractor Feed
512 2nd Processor UTRITY ROMs: 1116 (a): 2000 Sheets Fanfold with extra fine perf. 9.5" -113.50: 15" E17.50 (b).
£195 Ibl DOTPRINT PLUS for FX/RX compatibles BBC Parallel Lead £6; Serial Lead E6 (d); IBM Parallel Lead (2m) £12 (d).
IEEE Interface £265 Ib) DOTPRINT DUAL for MX range
Teletext Adapter (95 lb) Acorn Graphics Extension Rom ... £28 (dl MONITORS
Acorn 65CO2 Turbo E99 lb) Merin with 57 disc utikty commands
100 page manual MICROVITEC 14" RG8 TAXAN K12SV620 12" £279 (a)
Ask for (IA details on our full range. of software £37.50 (c) 1431 Standard Resolution...£179 (al TAXAN K12SV625 12" .... £329 fa)
1451 Medium Resolution £225 (al 12" MONOCHROME MONITORS:
1441 Hi Res E365 lal TAXAN:
MULTIFORM Z80 2nd Processor for the BBC MICROVITEC 14" RGIAPAL & Audio Taro," KX 117 12- Green P31 E 85 (al
This unique 280 2nd Processor r-_-- OSM wig allow use of almost any standard CP/M soft- 1431 AP Standard Resolution E199 (a) Taxan KX 118 12" Green P39 E 95 (a)
ware on the BSC micro. It is supy with a ntariber of different CPIM formats and includes a 1451 AP Medium Resolution £259 Ia) Taxan KX 119 12' Amber .. E 95 (a)
utility to configure it to read other f ormats. This is particularly useful in environments where com- MICROVITEC 20" RGBfPAIJAudio PHILIPS:
puters with different CP/hi formats are used and the data cannot be easily exchanged between 2030 CS std Res 7502 Green Screen E 75 (al
E380 (a) 7522 Amber Screen 1 79 (al
them. Mains powered (includes Pocket Words -tar & MSDOS RAY vary) £249 (b) 2040 CS Hi Res E685 (a)
MSDOS Read/Write £49 Icl 7542 White Screen E 79 la)
Mitsubishi 14" RGB Med Res, (138C11BM) All Mims Monitors supplied with swivel
META Version 3 ASSEMBLER £219 (a) stand
Assembles 17 of the popular processors. Over 70K long postern on two corns and a disc and
provides complete Editing and Assembly fealties. It uses appropriate mnemonics for different BOOKS
processors. Fully nestable macros, nestable conditional assembly OF/FISF/ENDIFI: modular
source code, true local and global labels, 32 bit labels and arithmetic. 30 ways to send object No VAT on books; Carriage (c)
code and 50 directives. . 3.0 User Guide E9.00
A powerful editor with many features. Send for dented leaflet. LANGUAGES: £9.00
£145 lb) 6502 Assy Lang Prog £19.95 £9.00
BBC DISC DRIVES 8086 Book £23.95 Wordwrse Plus E9.95
5.25" Single Drive: Acorn BCPL User Guide E15.00
1 a 400K 40'80T DS: TS400 E99 lo) PS400 with psu £109 lb) Acorn FORTH 17.50 SOUND & GRAPHICS:
5.25" Dual Drive: Acorn LISP £7.50 Mastering Music £6.95
2 a 400K 40130T DS: TD800 . . E179 la) PD800 with psu £199 lel Acorn ISO Pascal Ref Manual .110.00
2 x 400K 401307 DS with psu and built in monitor stand PD800P £209 lal Intro to COMAL £10.00 DISC DRIVE SYSTEMS:
3.5" Drives: Intro to LOGO £7.50 Advanced Disc User Guide ....114.95
a 400K 80T DS TS35 1 E75 (b) PS35 1 with psu £99 110
Micro Prolog Ref Manual £10.00 Disc Book £3.50
Introduction to Turbo Pascal.. E14.95 Disc Programming Techniques 17.95
1

x 400K 80T DS with psu TD35 2 E129 (b) P035 2 with psu £169 lb) Prog the Micro with Pascal _ . .£8.50 Disc Systems £6.95
1

The UNIX Book E7.50 on the BBC £6.95

3M FLOPPY DISCS Unix User Guide C19.95 APPLICATIONS:
Industry standard floppy discs with a life time guarantee. Discs in packs of 10: Understanding Unix £18.45 Interfacing Proj for BBC £6.95
5Y4 DISCS 3% DISCS 813C MICRO GUIDE BOOKS BBC and Small Business £5.75
40T SS DD £8.50 (d) 40T DS DD £10.50 (dl 80T SS DO £15.00 (d) BBC User Guide Acorn £15.00 PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE
BBC Plus User Guide 115.00
80T SS DD£11.50 (dl 80T DS DD E13.25 (dl SOT DS DD £19.50 (d) Drawing your Own BBC PrograrnsE6.95 Wordstar made easy £16.95
Introduction to Wc--rrar £17.95
DISC ACCESSORIES Math Prog in BBC Basic E7-95
Wordstar Handle:, -.. £11.95
Toolbox 2 £10.95 nBase rfor the 'we user 116.95
Engle Disc Cable E6 (di Dual Disc C:.- = £8.50 (dl VIA 6522 Book 450 - =: £22.95
10 Disc Library Case £1.80 (c) 30 Disc Stc,:= Sox E6 (el £18.95
40 Disc Lockable Box E8.50 (c) 100 Disc Lockable Box E13 (c) PROGRAMh1INGILIT1UTY £16.95
Repoidene Drivehead Cleaning r.. : ,. :1 20 disposable cleaning kits 51!," £14.50 (d): 33" £16 (dl Advanced Sideways Barn User - - '23 E17.45
Guide E9.95 £16.95
BT APPROVED MODEMS Advanced User Guide (BBC! £12.50 AtIv T, = , aBase 11111 £22.95
Applied Ass.,Lang on the BBC £9.95 Maste, - £17.95
MIRACLE TECHNOLOGY WS Range B3C Micro Sideways ROM's RAM'sE9.95 CPA( - £16.50
Guide to the BBC ROM £9.95 Introducing CP/M on BBC & 280 £9.95
WS4000 V21;23. WS2000 V21.1/23 Beginners le to £7.95 Ms Pc DOS E10.95
(Hayes Compatible. Intelligent, Auto Dial, Manual Modem £92 lb)
Auto Answer) £135 lb) WS 2000 Auto Dial Card £27 Id/ PROGRAMMED ROMS FOR ELEKTOR
WS3000 V21/23 Professional WS 2000 Auto Answer £27 (dl PROJECTS
As WS4E00 and with BELL standards and WS 2000 SKI Kit ES (d) Dice 2716 E 7.30
battery back up for memory £244 (b) WS 2000 User Port Lead 503-N Jilt. Computer Monitor ='
E5 (dl 2708E 4.80 )=. _ & Video Routine for DOS
WS3000 V22 Professional *

As WS3000 V21/23 but with 1200 baud full 504 Disco fights 2708 E 4.80
duplex 505 Chess Intelekt . 2 x 2716 £14.60 522 C-arGen & video; Routine for ex-
£409 (a) 506 J C Tape Monitor . 2716E 7.30 tended junior 2732 a 2.2716 124.00
WS3000 V22 Ms Professional (Offer /inked to current crocks! 523 Char. Generator . _ 2732 £ 9.00
As V22 and 2400 baud IL' E537 (al 50714 J C Printer Mon & PME
WS30001B8C Data Lead - E7 (d) 2716 £ 7.30 524 Ouantisizer 2732 E 9.00
508 J C Bus Control 82523 E 4.80 525 Universal Term 2732 E 9.00
510 150 MHz Freq Meter 2.82523 526 Wind Dir Ind 2716E 7.30
SPECIAL OFFER PROJECTS: £ 9.60 527 Elabyrinth 2716 E 7.30
514 Dark Room Computer 2716 £ 7.30 530 Daisywheel Iface 2 2716 £11.00
EPROMs/RAMS Junior Computer Kit £86 (b)
2764-25 £2.80 Id)
Housekeeper kit £58 (b) ALL PRICES TECHNOLINE
Elekterminal Kit 11980) £50 (b) VIEWDATA SYSTEM
27128-25 £3.60 Id) ASCII Keyboard kit £75 (b) EXCLUDE VAT TeL 01-450 9764
27256 £5.00 Id) J C Books 1. 2, 3, & 4E6.90 (c) ea Please add carnage 50p unless Using Treste type protocols.
27512 £9.90 (d) Universal Terminal (6502) Kit £75 (b) indicated as follows: For information and orders
6264LP-15 Elekterminal Kit (1983) £70 (b/
£2.60 (d) fa1f8 1102.50 (clE1.50) fillf 1.00
available 24 hours. 7 days
a week.

SEE OUR PAGE 5 ADVERTISEMENT FOR COMPONENT PRICES

PLEASE ADD CARRIAGE AS PER CODE & 15% VAT
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305 EDGWARE ROAD, LONDON W2, Tel: 01 723 0233
13 Editorial
Electronics news
ELECTRONICS In next month's
14 issue:
16 Computer news TECHNOLOGY The main theme is
18 Telecommunications news 34 Synchrotron X-rays reveal how ice flows:
nev./ laboratory equipment reveals details of Telecommunications
50 Letters
the flow mechanism of ice. and a number of
articles will deal .vith
38 MMICs revolutionize wideband RF amplifier this important topic.
design: Avantek's new devices make some Further,
of the dreams of RF designers come true. The flat dish aerial
43 Application notes: a newly developed opto- Pre -scaler for
triac enables automatic mains voltage multi -function fre-
selection. quency meter
44 Sir Clive Sinclair: portrait of a super elec- Intelligent time
standard for
tronics entrepreneur.
DCF77 receiver
45 The rise and rise of the micro: a short Telecom 87: ISDN
A new approach to effective history of the development of the micropro- and all that
learning cessor and the microcomputer. 80C186: industry
p. 48
48 European education software: a nevi ap- is moving to
proach to effective learning. CHMOS
Active loudspeaker
51 Test & measuring equipment: Julian Nolan
continues his series with a revie'.v of the
Gould 0S300 and Grundig cv1020
oscilloscopes.
56 Telecom 87: a preliminary report from the
ITU's quadrennial telecomms exposition.
59 Science mobilizes to combat murder in the
air: new equipment for the detection of ter-
Science mobilizes to combat rorist material at airports.
murder in the air
p. 59 see pages 8 and 9
PROJECTS for our special
22 Software update for EPROM emulator. offer of three Crotech
24 DCF77 receiver and locked frequency stan- oscilloscopes
dard: the highly stable signal from Federal
Germany's DCF77 is eminently suitable for
controlling a locked frequency standard.
30 Switch -mode power supply: a compact
SMPSU rated for 2.5 A.
32 Double -trace extension for VLF add-on unit.
33 Software update for microprocessor -
controlled frequency -meter.
55 Front end for short-wave receiver: a fresh
Light -powered thermometer
approach to high-level front-end design. Front cover
p. 64 57 Stereo limiter: a quality unit for use in tape A computer -
recorders, transmitters, PA systems, and controlled test
INFORMATION discotheques. system from SIRA
measures the op-
23 New literature; 37 Events; 64 Light -powered thermometer: an accurate, tical transfer function
50 People; 61 & 73 New digital thermometer that operates from and the modulation
Products; 70 Readers' solar cells. transfer function of
services; 71 Subscriptions; 63 Noise blanker: an indispensable unit for im- lens systems to give
72 Terms of business. proving reception of very weak signals in an indication of the
the SW bands. quality and the
Wideband aerial booster and splitter: this ability to resolve fine
66
GUIDE LINES single -transistor unit provides a means of details in the image
feeding several radio or TV sets without with adequate
75 Switchboard; 76 Buyers' contrast.
guide; 78 Small ads; loss of quality.
Photograph CROWN
78 Index of advertisers. 69 Front-end for FM receiver. COPYRIGHT RESERVED
 EE
January 1988

MATMOS LTD. 1 Church Street, Cuckfield, West Sussex, RH17 5JZ

8052 -BASIC Tel: 104441 414484 454377

COMPUTER APPRECIATION, 111 Northgate, Canterbury, Kent.
CT1 18H. Te': 102271 470512

MICROCONTROLLER-KIT ITT SCRIBE III WORKSTATION. Compact monitor sized unit with high quality high resolution
2- Green screen monitor (separated video & sincL 5V & 12V cased switchmode power
.pply. processor electronics incorporating TEXAS 9995 & 280H processors with
"28 kbytes & associated support chips. all BRAND NEW but with only monitor & power
supply guaranteed working. Original cost at least £2500.
I/O CONNECTIONS £39.95 (cam £5.00)
DATA GENERAL microNOVA Model MPTI100 SYSTEM with the following features: terminal
J iced desktop unit. mN602 processor with 64kbytes RAM. 2 x RS232 interfaces. connec-
!,:r for microNOVA 1.0 bus. dual D5013 5`.." floppy disc drives. 83 key keyboard, green
r5UFFERS ,,creen 12" monitor, 25 r 80
RS232 £165.00 lean. £10.001
CONVERTERS ?.1ATMOS TERMINAL MATMOS PC with terminal emulation. With set-up menu & with data
e. up to 9600 8.ad. Machine is easily modified for split Baud rate operation. 75:1200a
=ROAISpluos into ROM socket accessible from exterior. Emulation is VT -52 compatible for
TI142,40 / P1i1.1 PT - PRINTER :rsor addressing. MICROSOFTBASIC is available from the keyboard. BRAND NEW.

5052 -BASIC
-4' DUPLEX
PORT
£69.00 (can. (5.001
TRANSDATA MODEL 307 ACOUSTIC COUPLER. Low cost self contained modem unit allow -
micro or terminal connection to BT lines via telephone handset. V.24 interface. up to 300
Saud, originatetanswer modes. etc. BRAND NEW
CONTROLLER (19.95 (caw. £3.00)
EPROM PROGRAMMER DUPLEX Model 100 green screen high resolution monitor with composite video input. With
tilt & swivel stand. BRAND NEW. (can. £5.001
f 39.50
PLESSEY Model T24 V22,1/22 bis 2400 Baud MODEM. Compact. automatic modem offer -
^g both V22 & V22 bis comparability, 1200'2400 Baud duplex operation with auto bit rate
recognition, auto call and auto answer. BRAND NEW. NEW LOW PRICE.
32K BY £169.00 (cam £5.001
EPROM PANASONIC Model JU-363 3W' floppy disc drives. Double Sided Double Density 80 track
1 megabyte capacity unformatted. Latest low component 1,3 height design. SHUGART in-
MEMORY terface using 34 way IOC connector. Will interface to just about anything. BRAND NEW. Cur
rent model.
£59.50 tcarr. £3.001
HITACHI Model 305S,SX 3" disc drives. W,th SHUGART interface. Uncased. Single sided
250K (double density,: 40 track; 100 ipi: soft sector: 3rns track to track time: standard 34
...ay edge connector: 12V & 511 powered (standard connector) overall 3.7W. Suitable far BBC
AD CABB with DFS. AMSTRAD 6128. TATUNG EINSTEIN. AMSTRAD 664 & as a second drive for the

DATA
I\ 32K BY 8
STATIC
AMSTRAD 464. BRAND NEW. Data cables are available from us for the AMSTRAD 6128 &
FiRC at £7.50. and with data & power cables for TATUNG Einstein at £12.00.
£24.95 (can. £3.001
MEMORY FUJITSU Model M2230AS WINCHESTER disc drive. 6.66mbyte capacity unformatted.
CONTPOL. '5 32 sectors. 320 cy:',,ders. MIti ST508 interface. BRAND NEW.
£75.00 (care. £3.00)
DRIVETEC Model 320 high capacity 514" disc drives. 3.3Mbyte capacity drive 160 track.
gradab!e to 48 No further info at present. BRAND NEW.
BUFFERS POWER £45 00 (care. £3.00)
SUPPLY
X00
SHUGART Model 405R 5';;" disc drives. Full height. single sided. 40 track. untested vnth-
: :
66.95 Icon. (3.001
T ASTEC SWITCH MODE PSU. 5V f=8 A: 12V # 3A; -12V e0.3A - to a total 65W. Com-
= BCI cased Lni. BRAND NEW.
EXPANSION B TO 15V £14.50 (care. (3.001
CONNECTOR SUPPLY =,-ease note.- ' V/S4 :3; ACCESS 3CCe;7!:, VAT must be added to all prices quoted.

FEATURES INCLUDE
* Pov..,erful Enhanced Basic Interpreter,
* On Board EPROivl Programmer,
* Program Development from a VDU,
* 32K Bytes of CiviOS Static RAM,
1-1 Happy ernories
* 32K Bytes of CMOS EPROM (expandable to 56K Part type 1 off 25-99 100 up
Bytes), 4116 (Pulls) 1 00 .90 .85
4164 15Ons Not Texas 1 20 1.05 .97
* Two RS232 Ports, 41256 150ns 3.40 3.15 2.95
* Single Unregulated Supply Requirements, 41256 120ns 3.50 3.25 3.05
41464 12Ons 3 45 3.20 2.99
* Small Physical Size (80 by 100mm), 2114 200ns Low Power 1 75 1.60 1.55
* Expansion with range of Compatible Circuit 6116 150ns Low Power 1 40 1.25 1.20
6264 150ns Low Power 2.75 2.55 2.40
Boards. 62256 120ns Low Power 10.95 10.25 9.65
2716 450ns 5 volt 3 20 Call Call
KIT including all components, full instructions and 2532 450ns 5.40 Call Call
2732 450ns 3.20 Call Call
operating manual -E129 2732A 250ns 3.95 Call Call
Manufactured and Fully Tested Circuit Board - 2764 250ns Suit BBC 2 85 Call Call
27128 250ns Suit BBC 3.95 Call Call
£244. 27256 250ns 4.55 Call Call
27512 250ns 8.45 Call Call
"All prices exclude VAT.
Packaging and Postage FREE (UK onlyo. Low profile IC sockets: Pins 8 14 16 18 20 24 28 40
Pence 5 9 10 11 12 15 17 24
Overseas P&P : -- Europe £2.75
Please ask for quote on higher quantities or items not shown.
Elsewhere £6.50." Data free on memories purchased. Enquire cost for other.
Write or 'phone for list of other items including our 74LS series
For full details please contact and a DISCOUNT ORDER FORM.
Please add 50p post & packing to orders under £15 and VAT to
total. Access orders by 'phone or mail welcome.
Li Non -Military Government & Educational orders welcome
for minimum invoice value of £15 net.
11 electronics ltd
Happy Memories (EL), FREEPOST, Kington,
Herefordshire HR5 3BR. Tel: (054 422) 618
MONIFIETH BUSINESS CENTRE (No stamp required)
DUNDEE DD5 4PJ Telephone: 0382 534944
 -9:11
NO REAL SOLUTIONS
IN THE HAGUE
A Wolters Kluwer Company
Managing Editor: Len Seymour As was expected, at the end of their two-day meeting in The Hague last
Personal Assistant: L. Vousden
Technical Editor: J Suiting November, 12 of the 13 members of the European Space Agency -ESA -
Advertisement executive: gave their cautious approval to a toned -down multi -billion dollar plan that
P. O'Rourke will decide Europe's role in space for the rest of this century. Britain did not
Editorial offices: - and for very good reasons.
1 Harlequin Avenue
BRENTFORD TVi./8 9EW
England The three major projects on which a decision had to be made were: (a)
Telephone: 01-847 2618 (National) Ariane V, French -led and estimated to cost close to $4 billion; (b) the
or -44 1847 2618 (International) French -designed Hermes mini space -shuttle, estimated to cost almost $5
Telex: 917490 lelektr g)
billion; and (c) Columbus, Europe's contribution to the manned American
European offices: space station (EE, December 1987) and estimated to cost just over $4
Postbus 75
6190 AB BEEK IL) billion. ESA's total budget for the next 13 years is a staggering $37 billion. If
The Netherlands history is anything to go by, this figure may well be exceeded by an ap-
Telephone: 4-31 4490 89444 preciable amount.
Telex: 56617 letekt all
Fax: +31 4402 70161
Overseas editions: Ariane V, formulated ten years ago, is already out of date. The main reason
Publitron Publicacoes Tecnicas Ltda for this is that, in spite of what was thought then, satellites have not be-
Av Ipiranga 1100, 9° andar come much heavier in the intervening years, and are unlikely to do so in
CEP 01040 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Editor: Juliano Sarsali the foreseeable future. There is, therefore, no need for a heavy -lift rocket
Elektor sari
like Ariane V. Arianespace, which is responsible for the Ariane launches,
Route Nationale; Le Seau; B.P. 53 has said that the more powerful version of Ariane IV, which can lift over 4
59270 Bailleul - France tonnes into geosynchronous orbit, is more than adequate for its needs.
Editors: D R S Meyer;
G C P Raedersdorf
According to many experts, Hermes is likely to cost well in excess of its
Elektor Verlag GmbH estimated $4.9 billion. Mr Kenneth Clarke, Minister of State for Trade and In-
Sitsterfetd-Stralle 25
5100 Aachen - West Germany dustry, said at the meeting that the British Government believed the
Editor: E J A Krempelsauer Hermes was not justified on commercial, industrial, and scientific grounds,
Elektor EPE since it simply imitates what the Americans and Russians did in the 1960s.
Karaiskaki 14 Federal Germany, and some other members, have also expressed serious
16673 \Joule - Athens - Greece doubts about the viability of Hermes.
Editor: E Xanthoulis
Elektor Electronics PVT Ltd.
Chhotani Building Britain also believes that the ESA's policy as regards the development of
52 C, Proctor Road, Grant Road (El commercial products is a serious impediment to much of the European in-
Bombay 400 007 - India dustry. Compared with NASA's technology utilization programme, that of the
Editor: Surendra lyer
ESA is embryonic. There is also a feeling among British space contractors
Elektuur B.V.
Peter Treckpoelstraat 2-4
that the influence of the ESA is already on the wane, because satellite
6191 VK Beek - the Netherlands operators have begun to order satellites direct rather than through the ESA.
Editor: P E L Kersemakers Eutelsat, for instance, whose first generation of satellites was supplied by
Ferreira & Bento Lda. the ESA, has itself awarded the contract for four second generation Eutelsat
R.D. Estefania, 32-1° II satellites to Aerospatiale.
1000 Lisboa - Portugal
Editor: Jorge GongaIves
Ingelek S.A.
None the less, the meeting decided to go ahead with the development of
Plaza Reptiblica Ecuador Ariane V; a three-year further study, costing close to $600 million, of
2-28016 Madrid - Spain Hermes; and a three-year further study of Columbus, costing well over
Editor: A M Ferrer $700 million.
Electronic Press AB
Box 63
182 11 Danderyd - Sweden
Equally grave problems, such as the liberalization and deregulation of sat-
Editor: Bill Cedrum ellite broadcasting and telecommunications were not seriously discussed.
International co-ordinating The main obstacles to a deregulation programme remain the national tele-
& technical manager: communications agencies and their monopolies. Such monopolies
K S M Walraven threaten the economic success of telecommunications and direct broad-
International editorial secretariat:
GWPv Linden; M Pardo casting satellites.
Distribution:
SEYMOUR It is to be hoped that the liberalization of satellites, as put forward in the
334 Brixton Road EEC's green paper on telecommunications (EE, September 1987), which is
LONDON SW9 7AG. essential for the development of a strong European satellite manufacturing
Typeset & composed in the industry will be undertaken in the very near future.
Netherlands by GBS, Beek ILL
Printed in the Netherlands by
NDB, Zoeterwoude. Hasn't the time come for the other western European countries to follow the
Copyright 1988 Elektuur B.V.
example of Britain and Luxembourg, and America, and stop putting huge
amounts of taxpayers' money into satellite systems and leave it to com-
mercial (non -government) organizations to provide telecommunication
ABC links and direct -broadcasting satellite TV services? That way, we might even
see a pan-European standard for high -definition TV services in the not too
.1/1WAR G ME
MM./LI c CPCL,LATV5 distant future.
 14' EE
January 1988

ELECTRONICS NEWS ELECTRONICS NEWS

Paris Air Show last June. The go-ahead National Semiconductor's
for full-scale development is expected to purchase of Fairchild
be given within a few months.
Expected EFA ordefs stand at 250 each completed
for Britian and Federal Germany, 165 for National Semiconductor's president and
Italy, and 100 for Spain. Chief Executive Officer, Charles E.
Sporck, announced recently that his
company's purchase from Schlumberger
of Fairchild Semiconductor Corpor-
ation's worldwide semiconductor
business had been completed. He went
Advanced CMOS 4 -bit binary on to say that this cleared the way to
adder combine the two businesses into one
Continuing to build up its advanced company.
CMOS logic (ACL) line, GE Solid State Experts feel that the National -Fairchild
has added a 4 -bit binary full adder with combination will create America's best
fast carry. Called the CD54/74AC/ technologically balanced semiconductor
ACT283, the device adds two 4 -bit supplier. National's advanced CMOS
binary numbers and generates their sum technology should fit in well with Fair-
plus a carry output if the sum exceeds child's strong position in advanced
The MM -20 twenty -watt multiple output 15. ACL is GE's advanced CMOS logic bipolar technologies.
power supply measures only 69 x 114 x family whose switching speed is compar-
37 mm and is available from Intelligence able to that of high-speed bipolar logic
Power Technology Foredown Drive such as Schottky (S), Advanced Schot-
PORTSLADE BN4 2BB Telephone (0273)
420196. tky (AS), and FAST. Because of its BR contract for Westinghouse
CMOS design, ACL consumes far less Westinghouse Signals, a Hawker Sid-
power than bipolar logic. deley subsidiary, has been awarded a
THE LOGIC FAMILY
signalling equipment contract by British
SPEED - POWER SPECTRUM Rail worth £1 million. The contract calls
Benefits for Scottish for the company to supply, install, and
electronics plants? test, solid-state interlocking (SSI) equip-
Marconi and Hughes Aircraft Company ment for the resignalling of the area
are determined that the companies' from London's Liverpool Street Station
Scottish plants will benefit substantially LST,t to Bethnal Green.
should a four -nation contract for strC5 NCTS Solid-state interlocking is a computer -
manufacture of the radar for the new a-. raLcn rAS,
s 10
based safety system using "redundancy
AS

European Fighter Aircraft (EFA) go to a ECL management" techniques for optimum

. 700 J efficiency, reliability, and operational
European consortium, in which Marconi EC L

Defence Systems is a prime partner. 0 3 1'0

1.1,
20 safety. It is designed to replace conven-
The plants, all located in Fife, are Mar-
vERAGE CC MWERDISS7PAT/01,10.,W5 tional electro-mechanical relay in-
coni Command and Control Systems a nen 54/74AC/ACT283 terlockings. The central SSI com-
and Marconi Instruments, with a total Full information from GE Solid State municates serially with lineside pro-
workforce of over 2,000, and Hughes Beech House 373-399 London Road cessors over a data link cable to control
Glenrothes with 900 employees. CAMBERLY GU15 3HR Tele- trackside signalling functions.
These plants are in the forefront of tech- phone (0276) 685911.
nology, with Marconi involved in
manufacturing support equipment,
while Hughes in Glenrothes specializes
in a wide range of components and
assemblies.
The MSD radar proposed for the EFA is RCCB becomes RCD
based on the Hughes AN/APG-65 in- The Electrical Installation Equipment
stalled in the F/A-18 Hornet. This Air- Manufacturers' Association-
craft is being operated or supplied to the EIEMA-Working Group is to en-
Canadian Armed Forces, The Royal courage industry to adopt the term
Australian Air Force, the Spanish Air "RCD"(Residual Current Device) in
Force, and the US Marines as well as the place of "RCCB (Residual Current
US Navy. The Federal German Air Force Circuit Breaker).
has also selected the Hughes radar as The present use of different names for
part of the Luftwaffe's F-4 Improved the same device was highlighted in a re-
Combat Efficiency programme. The ad- cent BBC TV "On the House" pro-
vanced radar represents business worth gramme. The use of the term RCD will
more than £1 billion, one third of which bring the industry into line with the The Philips PM6665 Timer/Counter is
will be carried out in the UK. references used within the IEE Wiring available from Electronic Brokers 140-146
Design of the EFA has been frozen. A Regulations. Camden Street LONDON NW1 9PB
full-scale model was displayed at the Telephone 01-267 7070.
 EE
January 1988

ELECTRONICS NEWS ELECTRONICS NEWS

Cossor wins CAAFU project proved surveillance of products; and (d) mentation, video, and hi-fi equipment.
management contract public sector purchasing. It operates from a 9 -volt battery.
Sir William said that any national The Thermoprobe is available at $21.95
Cossor Electronics Air Traffic Control company within the EC should be able from Metrifast 51 South Denton
Systems has been awarded the contract to purchase equity or take over other EC Avenue New Hyde Park New York
to project -manage the programme to companies. There should be completely 11040 USA.
refit the Civil Aviation Authority's cali- free movement of investment capital and
bration flight, based at Stansted Air- EC member national financial insti-
port. tutions should be required to trade and
to finance freely within.the EC. Revolutionary electron beam
He continued to say that there was a tester
need for further development of
reciprocal agreements involving the An innovative new system for testing
mutual acceptance of national stan- VLSI chips has been introduced by
dards, of national test and quality Schlumberger Technologies Automatic
assurance reports. Test Equipment. Combining scanning
Sir William called for the termination of electron microscope (SEM) technology
the "automatic and chauvinistic actions with CAD/CAE tools within a familiar
of local officials and inspectors, and of workstation environment, the
purchasing officers, which preclude con- company's Integrated Diagnostic System
sideration and supply of other EC (IDS) 5000 Workstation brings un-
countries' alternative products. Im- precedented efficiency and accuracy to
In the photograph, Mike Shadwell (2nd proved surveillance should be aimed at the field of VLSI diagnosis and
from left), General Manager Operations, preventing the abuses of counterfeiting, characterization, yet remains easy for
Cossor Air Traffic Control Systems Div- of wrongful claims of compliance, of engineers to use. The system was
ision, presents a framed photograph of a quota and sanction breaking, and of launched at the recent Productronica
CAA Flight Calibration Unit aircraft to avoidance of commitments and laws. trade fair in Munich.
CAAFU Manager, Dave Reiffer (far This activity must be greatly Full details from Schlumberger
right). Also shown are (from left, strengthened. It must be organized, co- Technologies, Automatic Test Equip-
clockwise): Neil Munro, Cossor Project ordinated, well -funded, and better -led ment Ferndown Industrial Estate
Manager - CAAFU; Richard Barber, and directed". WIMBORNE. B1121 7PP Telephone
Cossor Regional Sales Manager, ATC (0202) 893535:
System Devision; and Anne Rangeley,
Cossor Public Relations Officer.

Thermoprobe replaces Flash EEPROMs from SEEQ

voltmeter Technology/National Semi-
A new, low-cost electronic test instru- conductor
Much work needed for free ment called Thermoprobe quickly ident- Seeq Technology and National Semicon-
EC market by 1992 ifies dead active components on PCBs ductor have concluded a four-year ex-
At a meeting of Presidents of European without direct contact. clusive technology licensing and
electrical and mechanical trade manufacturing agreement whereby the
organizations in Berlin, the European two companies will together market a
Commission was told that there were new family of high -density, competi-
mixed views in Britain about the goal of tively priced CMOS Flash EEPROMs.
free trade within the EEC by 1992. Flash .EEPROMs have several advan-
"Our instincts and our logic still take us tages over standard UVEPROMs. The
towards free trade, but that must be fair Flash can be erased electrically and
trade - and on this there is a firm need reprogrammed in less than one minute,
for us to be convinced," said Sir William compared with the 20 minutes required
Barlow, who was representing the UK, for the UVEPROM. This erase/repro-
and especially the electrical and elec- gram process can be achieved in a single
tronic manufacturers' trade federation, step with one piece of equipment for the
BEAMA. The solid-state device consists of a ther- Flash. For the UVEPROM, the erase/
Sir Williams, who is chairman of BICC mistor probe connected to a modified reprogram process is a two step cycle, re-
PLC, was replying to Dr. Karl -Heinz Wheatstone bridge circuit. It is designed quiring several pieces of equipment. As
Narjes, Vice President of the European to measure minute temperature changes a result, field service costs can be re-
Commission, who gave a survey of EEC of 0.02 °C. Since defunct resistors, duced, since the Flash devices do not
industrial policy and the completion of transformers, diodes, or ICs, do not have to be removed for reprogramming
the EC internal market in 1992. emit heat they can be quickly identified and can be reprogrammed through a
Sir William outlined the areas which on the unit's built-in S -meter as the down -line load operation.
would need attention to support a free probe is moved in close proximity to Seeq International Ltd Dammas
internal market. These were: (a) owner- them. House Dammas Lane o Old Town
ship of companies and movement of Its small size makes the Thetmoprobe SWINDON SN1 3EF o Telephone
capital; (b) labelling and origin marking, particularly useful in field service appli- (0793) 694999.
quality assurance, and standards; (c) im- cations for computers, electronic instru-
 EE
16
January 1988

COMPUTER NEWS COMPUTER NEWS . CO

New MC68HC11 development CMOS version of 80186 40 ms access time on the 20 and 40
system Intel has recently introduced a Mbyte hard disk models, and 28 ms on
Ashling Microsystems, which designs CHMOS* version of its 80186, a highly the optional 60 Mbyte model. This
and manufactures microprocessor devel- integrated microprocessor for embedded makes the M280 one of the fastest 286 -
opment systems, has introduced a com- control applications in industrial auto- based PCs on the market.
plete development system for the mation, communications, and office In readiness for OS -2, and to provide
Motorola MC68HC11 8 -bit microcom- automation. It is type -coded 80C186 and sufficient resource for multi-user
puter range. Called the CT68HCII, the is currently available for 12.5 MHz oper- XENIX or network file server configur-
system supports all current versions of ation; a 16 MHz version will become ations, the M280 is equipped as standard
the Motorola device. The CT68HC11 available shortly. with 1 Mbyte of RAM mounted on the
supports software development in high- The 80C186 in compatible mode is pin- motherboard. This is expandable up to 7
level language and in assembler. All for -pin compatible with HMOS* 80186 Mbyte via the system's expansion bus.
three operating modes of the Motorola systems, but it has been enhanced to Recommended prices of the M280 range
part can be emulated up to full chip support Intel's next -generation numerics from £3,011 for the 20 Mbyte hard -disk
speed and activity of the
on all co -processors. version (1.2 Mbyte 5.25 inch diskette or
microcomputer's I/O ports is traced in It is claimed that, under normal 1.44 Mbyte 3.5 inch diskette; OGC dis-
real time. operating conditions, the 80C186 needs play controller; monochrome display;
only 20% of the power the HMOS 80186 102 -key keyboard) to £3,600 for the 40
requires. Mbyte hard -disk model with EGA
*CHMOS and HMOS are patented pro- colour graphics. A large number of op-
cesses of Intel Corp. tional components is also available.

New VME-bus from Emulation of PLCC devices

Compcontrol Pentica has introduced a more reliable
Incorporating a unique combination of method of connecting a PLCC-based
features, Compcontrol's new Type CC - target system to an in -circuit emulator
97 VME-bus replaces four separate probe.
boards in 16 -bit systems: SCI interface, The header is. made of fibreglass rein-
processor, 2 Mbyte dual -ported dynamic forced material, similar to that used for
Further information from Ashling RAM, and 384 kbyte static RAM - PCBs. The contacts undergo a thick
Microsystems Ltd Plassey Techno- EPROM. The board works as an in- plating process before they are finished
logical Park Limerick Ireland telligent SCSI and serial communi- in hard nickel gold. Connection to the
Telephone + 353 61 334466. cations controller, a single -board com- probe is completed with a flat, mylar-
puter, or a CPU board in multiprocessor based, flexible ribbon cable.
systems. It is particularly suited to
Euromicro 88 - Call for multiprocessing, since it generates and
accepts seven levels of interrupt, can re-
papers quest the VME-bus to use any of four
Euromicro 88 is the fourteenth annual priority levels, and has a mailbox for
symposium on microprocessing and message passing.
microprogramming to be held at Zurich Further information from Compcontrol
from 29 August to 1 September this year. BV Stratumsedijk 31 P.O. Box 193
The purpose of the symposium is to 5600 AD Eindhoven The
bring together people from business, in- Netherlands.
dustry, government, and academic in-
stitutions, who are interested in all prob-
lems related to the underlying tech-
nology and use of microcomputer sys-
tems. Olivetti launches new range
Authors are invited to submit original of PCs
papers on recent applications, develop- British Olivetti has just announced the The new connector system offers two
ments, and research associated with prices and availability of the new range significant advantages: the solid block
microcomputers. Abstracts of the papers of 80286 -based PCs, the M280. These construction prevents the contacts from
should reach the Programme Chairman new machines combine high perform- being bent or broken and the printed rib-
no later than 15 January. Full details on ance with an open architecture allowing bon cable allows the track pattern, in-
how to submit papers and short notes for the widest choice of data storage cluding guard tracks, to be optimized for
may be obtained from the Programme media, including 3.5 inch diskettes, and the microprocessor, which reduces noise
Chairman, Stephen Winter graphic display standard, including EGA and cross -talk and improves the re-
Polytechnic of Central London Fac- compatibility. liability of the connection.
ulty of Engineering and Science 115 The M280s use the Intel 80286 processor Further information from Pentica
New Cavendish Street LONDON running at 12 MHz and have sockets for Systems Ltd Oaklands Park WOK-
W1M 8JS Telephone +44 1631 4263 an optional 80287 numerical co- INGHAM RG11 2FE Telephone
Telex 25964. processor built into the motherboard. (0734) 792101.
The processor speed is matched by the
 EE
January 1988

COMPUTER NEWS ® ©NViIPB 7:31/ NEWS CI:1

Real-time solids modeller low cost real-time clock that can keep tromagnetic pulses (EMP) and radio -
The Real-time Solids Modeller from Sili- track of hundredths of a second through frequency interference (RFI).
con Vision provides a sophisticated days and months to years, with leap year Rendar Ltd Durban Road South
design tool for creating 3-D solid or correction. The built-in crystal keeps it Bersted BOGNOR REGIS P022 9RL
wireframe objects of any complexity. accurate to within one minute per Telephone (0243) 825811.
month, and the two built-in lithium cells
maintain non -volatility of data for more
than 10 years in the absence of power.
Software supplied with the Timekeeper* 8052 -based STEbus
allows the user both set time and read Arcom's SC52 STEbus board contains
time and either display it or update the an 8 -bit 8052 CPU with built-in BASIC,
MS-DOS software clock. Programming four memory sockets, EPROM pro-
support can be given for using the grammer, and serial I/O. It offers
Timekeeper* on PCs that are not com- designers all the facilities necessary to
patible with the IBM PC/AT/AXT. implement a simple control system with
unlimited expansion potential via the
STEbus interface for more sophisticated
applications.
SC52 is based on Intel's 8052AH-
BASIC, a maskprogrammed version of
the 8052 single -chip microcomputer with
an 8 K BASIC interpreter. This chip also
offers 256 bytes of RAM, three counter -
times, a UART, and interrupt inputs.
Further details from Arcom Control
Unlike other packages, this system can Systems Unit 8 Clifton Road
perform full colour hidden -surface CAMBRIDGE CBI 4WH Telephone
removal for any solid object at high (0223) 411200.
speed. Colour hard copy of the designs * Timekeeper is a trademark of Pinna
can then be produced on a range of Electronics Ltd.
popular pen plotters or printers for pro-
Further information from Pinna Elec-
fessional results. Further information
tronics Ltd S22 APL Centre World's fastest 8 -inch
from Silicon Vision Ltd 47 Dudley Stevenson Ind. Est Ayrshire KA20 Winchester disc drive
Gardens HARROW HA2 ODQ 3RL Telephone (0294) 605296.
Telephone 01-422 2274. A new family of 8 -inch Winchester disc
drives that combine the world's fastest
seek performance with a very high level
of reliability has been announced by Ver-
mont Research.
OS -2 available at last No problems when lightning The first product in the new Ascutney
IBM has commenced deliveries of the strikes family, the model 7030, is a 600 Mbyte
next generation PC operating system, Rendar's Spikebloc protects all sensitive unit with extremely fast seek times: a
OS -2, it has developed in conjunction electronic equipment against damage mere 22 ms for full stroke seek, which is
with Microsoft. The basic version of the resulting from lightning strikes and nearlv -10% faster than most 8 -inch disc
new system will cost just under £250; an power supply glitches, such as elec- drives. A rigorous testing programme
extended version will become available has established a predicted MTBF of
later in the year. over 30,000 hours.
The new system will allow users to run
multiple concurrent applications and to
gain access to greater amounts of
memory. It can address 16 Mbyte of
memory, which is more than 25 times
that accessible by MS-DOS, the current
operating system. According to IBM.
OS -2 will work on virtually any PC
based on Intel's 80286 or 80386
microprocessors.
Microsoft hopes to introduce a more
powerful version of the system to take
full advantage of the 80386.

Timekeeper Full details from Vermont Research Ltd

A new Timekeeper* for the IBM Cleeve Road LEATHERHEAD
PC/AT/XT and compatibles provides a KT22 7NB Telephone (0372) 376221.
 EE
18
January 1988

TELECOMMUNICATIONS NEWS TELECOMM

Norwegian Air Force order for Control-SAC-it is the first British -
Cossor designed software program that bills
Airmatcomnor, the Material Command
customers and monitors maintenance
needs. It gives automatically an ef-
of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, has ficient, speedy service for both clients
ordered three precision approach radar and cable companies. Costing £1.5
systems, valued at £3.2 million, from million to develop, SAC can be adapted
Cossor.
easily to the requirements of world cable
The systems, known as CR62, consist of TV networks.
a transportable cabin situated by the SAC software, currently running on
runway with both an azimuth and an VAX and PDP computers from DEC,
elevation antenna, and a dual display not only introduces a highly efficient
system situated in the air traffic control billing and administrative control
tower. The display of both azimuth and to increase the range, repeaters can be set
up with digital optical modules (50 MBd system, but provides on-line diagnostics,
elevation positions of the aircraft gives statistical reporting, and analysis
the controller the visual information re- system). Thus, without appreciable loss
of quality a distance of up to 8 km (3 facilities. Besides ensuring up-to-the-
quired to "talk down" an aircraft in bad minute maintenance, it also covers
visibility or in an emergency. repeaters, 4 x 2 km route) can be
covered. The supply voltage is 5 V. The videotex, video library, the Prestel
The equipment is exactly the same as viewdata service, up to 30 TV channels,
that provided to the Royal Air Force, signal bandwidth of typically 7 MHz
and the output voltage of 1 V p -p into satellite transmission, and FM radio.
who have now completed installation of
46 systems at all RAF airfields in the 75 Q permits connection of a color Full details from British Telecom Vision
UK. Gibraltar, Cyprus, monitor. British Telecom Centre 81 Newgate
Federal Street LONDON EC1A 7AJ Tele-
Germany, and the Falkland Islands. Siemens AG Postfach 103 D-8000
MUNCHEN 1 Federal Republic of phone 01 356 5369.
Similar equipment has been installed at
the Air Force of Zimbabwe's Thornhill Germain Telephone 089 2340.
Base.
World's most powerful satellite
$2 million contract for TV receiver
New optical waveguide Cincinnati Electronics Multipoint's Type M1400 ultra -low -
Cincinnati Electronics has been awarded threshold receiver operates at 5 dB
transmission system for video contracts by the McDonnell Douglas carrier -to -noise ratio, which affords a
signals Corporation to manufacture and test 30% reduction in the size of dish anten-
Television cameras are today used for a range safety receivers for two important na required. It contains three inter-
variety of surveillance applications, e.g. US space launch vehicle programmes; nationally patented methods of
for tunnels, outdoor premises and the USAF Medium Launch Vehicle threshold extension and was developed
buildings, and also for monitoring traf- (MLV/Delta II), and the McDonnell for use with the European Ku band
fic flow at busy intersections. In all these Douglas Commercial Delta. The satellites. In response to considerable in-
cases, the analog signals from the video agreements call for Cincinnati Elec- ternational demand, a C -band version is
cameras must be transmitted over com- tronics to provide 70 range safety now also available. This means that the
paratively short distances to the receivers. The combined value of these M1400 can be used in the USA, Central
monitors. In contrast to the coaxial contracts is S2 million. America, Caribbean, Pacific, Africa,
cables used up to now, optical cables of- A range safety receiver is a device used to and the Middle East, as well as in
fer the advantage of practically terminate the flight of a space launch ve- Europe.
unlimited immunity to interference from hicle should it veer off course and
stray electromagnetic radiation and high threaten range personnel or buildings.
security against interception. In the 860- The Delta programmes reflect renewed
nm wavelength range, Siemens has now American interest in unmanned satellite
developed a video transmitter module launch vehicles to complement the Space
for optical waveguides that provides a Shuttle fleet.
low-cost means of realizing video trans- The primary use of the MLV will be to
mission systems. carry global positioning satellites into
The transmitters and receivers are en- orbit. These satellites are used as ultra-
cased in plastic packages. Their elec- reliable reference points for terrestrial
trical connections follow the 2.54 -mm navigation.
pitch DIL pattern. For the optical con-
nections either DIN (2.5 mm plug pin)
or SMA 3.175 -mm plug pin) connectors The receiver, which is in current use by
are provided. Optical cables with fibres Streamlining cable TV control many organizations, including British
of 50 pm/62 pm or 100 pm core A computerized system to streamline ad- Telecom and France's TDF, operates
diameter can be used. ministration of cable television networks with PAL, SECAM, and NTSC.
The maximum transmission distance is has been developed by British Telecom in Full details from Multipoint Communi-
2 km when using 50 pm graded -index collaboration with the Digital Equip- cations Ltd Satellite House
fibre with a maximum route attenuation ment Company-DEC-and Business Eastways Industrial Park WITHAM
of 9 dB. The optical transmission uses a Management Systems-BMS. CM8 3YQ Telephone (0376) 510881.
frequency modulation method. In order Called System Administration and
 EE
19
January 1988

TELECOMMUNICATIONS NEWS TELECOMM

BT bids for major IT defence Papers are invited on a multitude of Videophone represents the prototype of
contract topics: those wishing to offer a contri- the cost-effective desk -to -desk business
bution should submit a synopsis of not video communications system that will
A consortium of Information
Technology-IT-specialists, led by more than 1,000 words to The Con-
ference Services Department LEE
be commonplace in the 1990s.
The IRIS comprises a desk -top -terminal
British Telecom, has been chosen to bid Savoy Place LONDON WC2R OBL incorporating a CCD camera and colour
for a 10 -year multi -million pound office Telephone 01-240 1871.
monitor together with a separate com-
automation contract from the Ministry pact video codec (coder/decoder).
of Defence. Other member of the con- IRIS is available in 525 -line 60 Hz and
sortium are Systems Designers PLC, 625 -line 50 Hz versions, which in-
Honeywell Bull Ltd, and Nixdorf Com- teroperate automatically without the
puter Ltd. need of additional standard conversion
To be installed during the 1990s, the In -car telephone answering devices.
Corporate Headquarters Office Tech- machine Full details from GEC Video Systems
nology System-CHOTS-will serve The in -car telephone answering machine 79 Silver Street READING RGI 2SZ
24,000 users in more than 40 MoD developed by Vanderhoff is aimed at Telephone (0734) 864490.
buildings throughout the UK. keeping the executive in touch at all
The British Telecom consortium is one times, and thus provides a vital link in
of four selected by the MoD to bid for the communication chain.
the provision of prototype schemes. The The Knight machine will automatically
final choice will be made between two answer calls and take messages whenever
suppliers, each of whom will provide two the car is unoccupied or conditions re-
World first for Teli
different prototype systems. Each proto- quire the driver's full attention. It can be A telefax, photo copier, and computer
type system will support about 500 set to answer calls at intervals of between printer all rolled into one-the first
users. three and 15 seconds, giving the driver machine of this kind in the world-has
Eventually, the system will comprise a the option of taking the call personally if been introduced by Swedish Telecom and
large number of UNIX -based com- required. Teli. Omega, as the machine is called,
puters, supporting 12,000 terminals and The Knight can also be used as an in -car made its debut at the recent Telecom 87.
3,000 printers. It will provide secure of- dictation machine, taking standard mini In ISDNs, the telefax operates at Group
fice automation facilities with a single cassettes compatible with many office 4 transmission speed, but for trans-
"terminal on the desk" which can be desk -top machines. Even more con- mission to conventional telefax
used to access other MoD systems. venient, a secretary equipped with a machines, it operates at Group 2 or
UNIX is a standard operating system duplicate access device can save valuable Group 3 speed.
that offers full portability of software time by retrieving the dictated material
across different hardware. Its flexibility over the telephone instead of waiting for
and extensive communications facilities the executive to return to the office.
ensure that UNIX -based systems are Further details from Vanderhoff PLC
ideal for multi-user, multi -task, multi - Station Approach Fleet ALDER-
location applications. SHOT GI113 8QY

Fourth international Plessey telephone exchanges

conference on satellite for Scandinavia
systems for mobile communi- Integrated Services Digital Exchanges-
cations and navigation ISDX-made by Plessey Business
Papers are now requested for the Fourth Systems are to be distributed exclusively
International Conference on Satellite in Scandinavia by Nokia, the Finnish
Systems for Mobile Communications telecommunications and electronics
and Navigation. The conference is being group. This follows an agreement signed
organized by the Institution of Electrical between Plessey and Nokia, which the
Engineers (IEE) and will be held at the British firm hopes could eventually lead
TEE, Savoy Place, London, from 17 to 19 to sales to the Soviet Union and Eastern
October 1988. Europe, where its Finnish partner is a
The conference aims to provide an inter- major supplier of equipment.
national forum to review the current
state of development and application of
satellite systems for aeronautical, The internal memory of 10 Mbyte holds
maritime, land mobile and personal up to 200 A4 -size pages and trans-
communications and navigation via Debut for Videophone mission can take place automatically to
satellites. This will include consider- The world's first true videophone for a maximum of 100 different recipients.
ations of the space segment, earth seg- use on ISDNs or switched 56-64 Kbps Full details from TELL AB P.O. Box
ment, propagation and spectrum utiliz- digital networks made its debut al the re- 1001 S-149 01 NYNASHAMN
ation. cent Telecom 87 exhibition. Sweden Telephone 0752 63962.
Papers are invited on a multitude of Developed by British Telecom, the IRIS
 EE
20 JanuE.r,, 1988

TELECOMMUNICATIONS NEWS TELECOMM

TV SAT -1 OFF TO A FLYING TV SAT -1 has 5 channels installed, 4 of
START which can be operated simultaneously.
There are 6 TWTAs (travelling wave tube
One night in the middle of last amplifier) each with' an adjustable RF
November, Arianespace and ESA
reported the successful launch of TV output power of 230-250 W. The
SAT -1, Federal Germany's first high -
transponder output frequencies lie in the
power direct broadcasting satellite 12 GHz DBS band, in accordance with
(DBS), from the ESA launch site at those assigned to Germany by the
Kourou, French Guyana. The launch ve- WARC (World Administrative Radio
hicle deployed was Ariane 2. Almost 25 Committee). The boresight EIRP of
years after its conception, and con- TV SAT -1 is claimed as 65.6 dBW
siderably delayed by launch failures of (3,500,000 W)
other satellites, TV SAT -1 is expected to Functionally, TV SAT -1 consists of the
be taken into service next month. payload and the platform.
TV SAT -I was developed and manufac- The platform is a product from
tured alongside TDF-1, the French Aerospatiale and MBB/Erno, and controlled items in TC and TM.
national DB satellite, under a joint designated Spacebus 300. This com- attitude 8: orbit control -3 -axis
German -French governmental pro- prises the following subsystems: body stabilization throughout all
gramme. The industrial contractor is II power conditioning-this provides flight phases, including the transfer orbit
Eurosatellite, whose shareholders in- the 3 electrical bus systems with 50 V period. The satellite body positioning
clude Aerospatiale, Alcatel Space, regulated (payload and platform), and accuracy obtained with momentum
AEG/Telefunken, ANT, MBB and ET- 26-50 V unregulated (platform) wheels is about 0.2°. A beam precision
CA/ECEC. The Eurosatellite group has oriented solar array-this has a total of 0.05° is ensured by an RF sensor and
participated in more than 50 national weight of 157 kg, and is dimensioned control circuits.
and international satellite ventures, and for an "end of life/summer solstice" unified propulsion-on board is
has acquired its know-how from suc- power output of 3,215 W. There are 1,050 kg of liquid propellants (MMH
cessful operational communication 43,000 cells on 8 panels, and each panel and N204). The apogee kick motor has
satellites including Symphonie, ECS, measures 1.6 x 3.6 m.. Each wing on the a thrust of 400 N. There are 14 thrusters
Marecs, MeteoSat, Intelsat 4, 4A, 5, 5A spacecraft is composed of 4 panels. of 10 N each for attitude and orbit cor-
and 6, Telecom 1, Arabsat and DFS telemetry (TM) and telecommand rection manoeuvres.
Kopernikus. It is also involved in the (TC) -this subsystem weighs 40 kg. structure subassembly-this weighs
technical and commercial co-ordination The satellite position is controlled via a 181 kg, and is a modular combi-
for the future satellites in the Eutelsat 2 17/18 GHz TC link, while TM is beamed nation of a communications unit, a ser-
series. The French DB satellite, TDF-1, down via 11/12 GHz. S band (2 GHz) vice module, and a propulsion module
will be launched in a few months' time. equipment is on board for TC and TM in thermal control-this part of the
Both satellites will be positioned in the transfer orbit, and for back-up. Spacebus 300 platform utilizesabout
geosynchronous orbit at 19 °W. There are approximately 500 measured 110 m of heat pipe with a dissipation ca-
pacity of 1,400 \V to ensure an even
operating temperature of the TWTs.
65
ANTENNA DIAMETER FOR TV-SAT ( INDIV. RECEPTION)
,f 4 The footprint of TV SAT -1 covers a
large part of central Europe, so that
r-'''"Ttrr- small dishes may be used for individual
GO
and/or community reception:
4

V Dish
Location EIRP diameter
-.
Germany 64.0 dBW 35-40 cm
Vienna 61.5 dBW 45 cm
Paris, Lyon 60.0 dBW 50 cm
London, Rome 57.0 dBW 70 cm

\ 1t .1...n
rig 81111111..
Alesituaililli Stockholm,

0/
50
Warsaw 57.0 dBW 70 cm
1 I1 I o v g_I i 411/4 Reference: ECS-1 boresight EIRP is
"API 42.5 dBW.

imaivitil. 1.4.0e
45

The above figures are based on:

I. TV picture grade 4.0, corresponding
111,
to C/N =13 dB
2. LNB noise figure: 3.0 dB
,...:N._,_
t 3. additional atmospheric attenuation:
" 111
r\-
4144( 1.5 dB
rs--i--,..
4. satellite pointing error: 0.05°.
3218 -5 8 5 10 15 28 25 30
Copyright EUROSATELLITE PrD:-101.4/-183.5,-185.6,-107 7.e.-111.8,-113.5 P.E. Sept.87
The positioning and testing of TV SAT -1
 EE
January 1988

TELECOMMUNICATIONS NEWS TELECOMM

TY-SAT f TDF SATELLITES BASYS outstrips competition Space system now has
eurosatetkle
Sixteen television and radio stations in 20 coast earth stations
OYERALLIWIANICAL PROPERTIES the USA and Canada, fourteen The new coast earth station at Maadi,
OlY MASS WITMMIT if, ADAPTEX) 1025 t: European, and three Australian news op- which came into service last October, is
Nis =a:4W erations have purchased BASYS news-
MASS INCE FUEL
Wing Naszio)
2077
2133
ts
KZ the 20th to provide maritime communi-
LIFETIME (BIEL SW ETT 9 TEARS room computer systems since last year's cations through the satellite network of
SOW GENERATOR on or urrfss V
annual Radio & Television News Direc-
FEMiT Of SATELLITE
3215
INMARSAT.
5724 OF SATELLITE (Tr, ro zrm)
6.35 s
19 m
tors Association convention. In ad- The Maadi station, owned and operated
MYTH POTENTIAL (IF POYEN) SO 1 dition, Jefferson Data Systems-JDS- by the Egyptian National Telecommuni-
MORT LAMM VEHICLE 211211 2/3 of the USA, which markets BASYS cations Organizat ion-ARE NTO-is
!M.', IT.,1-1S,TI sastsis
,111111. ,E3ettO4 I IT1314 'WI/IT 1U1
newsroom under licence, has contracted the first on the African continent. It is
for nine other installations throughout located on the outskirts of Cairo and
TY-SAT / TDF SATELLITES the USA. was officially opened by the Prime
COMMUNICATIONS PAYLOAD eurosatalite This sales performance has secured Minister of Egypt, Mr Arta Sedky.
LIHK CHARACTERISTICS BASYS's position as market leader in With its 13 -metre diameter antenna
Is 14.440 OPERATIONS
newsroom computer systems with a total focused on INMARSAT's satellite
VP -LINK 1730 TV.SAT 17.7 - 18.1 GRz
of more than 120 installations in tele- stationed over the Atlantic Ocean,
CCIA-LIAR EAND
TDF
1018
17.3 - 17.7
11.7 -12.1
Olt
GHz
vision and radio newsrooms worldwide. Maadi is capable of providing high -
MAVIS (DOA - MANZ) TV -SAT V6/10114/18 Moreover, the appeal of BASYS equip- quality, reliable telephone and telex ser-
Ili/ Gr soasszcmz/
TOP

TV -SAT
1/519/13117
65.6 cal WAtt
1HC

65.6)
ment is broad -based: radio and tele- vices for shipping in the Atlantic,
TDF 63.4 sal OlitZE63.8) vision new brooms regardless of market Mediterranean, and Persian Gulf areas.
0.05 IX4tEE OM
11.41 POIMTING PRECISION 7 1E115
size have chosen BASYS as the most per- For the provision of distress and safety
TE04.104. I P.%5 fectly suited to their needs. services, it will be interconnected with
BASYS International Ltd 45 Mor- the Middle East Rescue Co-ordination
TY-SAT / TDF SATELLITES timer Street LONDON W1V 1PF Centre near Cairo.
COMMUNICATIONS PAYLOAD eurosateide Telephone 01-631 0286. Consideration is also being given to
equipping Maadi for satellite communi-
TRANSPONDER TRANSFER CHARACTERISTICS
cations services to aircraft, which will
TTANSPAIENT TEASSPONDEILS (PALJSECARIDMAC COHPATIELE)
become available via INMARSAT later
27/61z GAVYAIDTH PIM IPAASPONDEE
fliCaleCT HODULATIOR Marconi equipment for Hong this year.
MIME REMO CONVEISION Kong International Maritime Satellite Organ-
TIANSLATION FLEW:KIES TV -SAT AP,221 6 Gdz ization 40 Melton Street LON-
TOP 5.6 Oft An export order valued in excess of £1 DON NW1 2EQ.
oulfiff MAR
410 LEVEL CONTROL OF (433SITARLE)
million has been awarded to Marconi
Communication Systems by Cable &
,1-SII suns sow Isde mut Ssmuzz
Wireless (Hong Kong) for the upgrading
of the Hong Kong 4 satellite ground
is expected to be completed next month. station. Four -nation collaboration on
The Deutsche Bundespost has an- Under the terms of the contract, Mar- optical fibre systems
nounced that all transmissions via coni will upgrade the transmit system of Four European companies are col-
TV SAT -1 will be in the D2 -MAC for- the terminal, thereby facilitating the laborating in the development of
mat, so that earlier rumours of tests in transmission of Intermediate Data 2.5 Gbit/s optical fibre systems that can
PAL are false. Meanwhile, the German Rate-IDR-carriers. This international carry vast quantities of data, video traf-
TV industry is busily engaged in pro- digital satellite communication service, and telephone conversations. In
fic,
viding equipment for direct reception of recently introduced by INTELSAT, pro- simple terms, this represents 40,000 tele-
TV SAT -1. Notably set -top converters vides for the transmission of data at phone calls over two hair -thin glas
and transcoders for the new D2 -MAC rates of up to 8.44 Mbps. fibres. With the development of broad-
standard pose problems, since ITT band integrated services digital networks
Semiconductors have only recently (B-ISDNs) and managed local and
started the production of a suitable national optical networks, such very
decoder chip Type DMA2270. 6,000 INMARSAT users high capacity optical fibre systems will
A new Polish cargo vessel, m.v. find widespread application in the tele-
Wladislass, Gomulka, has become the communications networks of the 1990s.
Many and technical
abbreviations 6,000th user commissioned into the IN- The firms are GEC Network Systems of
denotations used in this report are ex- MARSAT global mobile satellite com- Britain, ANT Nachrichtentechnik
plained in: munication system. GmbH of Federal Germany, Societe
INMARSAT is the 48 member -country Anonyme de Telecommunications (SAT)
Satellite TV reception. Elektor Elec- co-operative that operates a system of of France, and Telettra, Telefonia Elet-
tronics, September 1986. nine geostationary satellites to provide tronica e Radio SpA, of Italy. The pro-
The MAC system. Elektor Electronics, maritime, and soon aeronautical, mobile ject has been given EUREKA status,
July/August 1987. satellite communications. Services of- which is a framework for promoting col-
fered on the INMARSAT system include laborative, advanced -technology pro-
Note: just before this issue was sent to telephone and voice communications, jects and exploiting research among 18
the printers, the control centre at Ober- telex, data, facsimile, and slow -scan tele- European countries and the European
pfaffenhofen reported difficulties un- vision. Commission.
folding one of the wings of the satellite.
 SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR
UNIVERSAL EPROM EMULATOR
Judging from the reactions of a great E000H in the target system, the the special formats with the highest ad-
many of our readers, the universal assembler generates a data block to the dress of the EPROM in question, count-
EPROM emulator (reference "9 is a Intel format that looks like this: ing up from 0.
well -liked construction project for ad-
vanced microcomputer enthusiasts. Un- :02 E0 10 00 A9 IF 26 ... The update described here is not strictly
fortunately, a transcription error was required for the standard binary format.
made on the suggested layout for the Consequently, the EPROM emulator This mode of the EPROM emulator
front panel shown in Fig. 6. The follow- will not load this file, because it com- continues to be usable alongside the
ing switch indications on the front panel prises EPROM addresses higher than special formats used in conjuction with
should be interchanged: SI and S3; S4 7FFFH. an assembler that provides for an auto-
and S5; S6 and S7. The correct switch matic offset.
denotation is shown in the accompany- This, admittedly serious, shortcoming in
ing layout of the front panel. Please note the simulator software can be traced All 8748Hs supplied by us after
that the front panel foil is not available down to the use of the 2 assemblers used 1 November 1987 contain the update de-
ready-made through the Readers Ser- for developing and testing the EPROM scribed here (ESS 558-A).
vices. simulator in our design department. The Users wishing to avail themselves of the
assemblers offer the possibility of speci- free update service may send in their
As to the 8748H resident control fying an offset which is automatically 8748H, duly packed, with a stamped and
program for the emulator, it was found added to the originate (ORG) addresses addressed return enevelope, to
that an update may be required for the in the assembled object code. The above
special data transfer formats of Intel, problems in loading files with starting Elektor Electronics Software Service
Tektronix and Motorola. In the examples addresses higher than 7FFFH were 1 Harlequin Avenue Great West
given in Fig. 4, the addresses at the be- simply not encountered because Road Brent ford Middlesex TW8
ginning of each line are always con- assembled data blocks with an ORG ad- 9EW.
sidered as absolute for a simulated dress of, say, E000H were automatically
EPROM addressed from 0000H on- assigned an offset of 2000H during the Microcontrollers Type 8748H without an
wards. This means that the simulator ig- conversion to the Intel format. The original adhesive from Elektor Elec-
nores the actual address in the target result is that the blocks sent by the host tronics are not accepted for updating.Th
system. In other words, it does not take start invariably at 0000, since E000H +
into account that a simulated 2764 can 2000n = 0000H.
be adressed at, for example, 6000n to To help those users wishing to use the In-
7FFFH, but equally well at E000H to tel, Motorola or Tektronix formats in
FFFFH in the target system. The conjunction with an assembler that does
EPROM simulator considers the not feature the previously described off-
simulated memory block invariably set facility, a special updating service is
located between 0000H and IFFFu. available for programmed 8748Hs sup-
Likewise, a 2732 is invariably addressed plied by Elektor Electronics. Interested
between 0000H and OFFFH. The users are advised that the corrections
EPROM emulator, therefore, reports an and additions to the contents of the
error upon receipt of an address higher 8748H are effected without replacing or
than 7FFFH from the host system, erasing the device: the relevant bit lo- Reference:
because 7FFFH is the highest available cations reading 0 are simply changed
location in the 32 Kbyte RAM, corre- (programmed) to 1. In short, the up- ") Universal EPROM emulator. Elektor
sponding to the capacity of a Type 27256 dated software masks the addresses in Electronics, September 1987, p. 54 ff.
EPROM (see Fig. 3). Thus, when there
are adrresses higher than 7FFFH in, say,
a file to the Intel format, the simulator
refuses to load these although there is
sv RoT
essentially nothing wrong with the data I
or the format. In general, therefore, the 0
lowest address in the simulated EPROM ELEKTOR EPROM EMULATOR
must always be 0000H when either one
of the special transfer formats is used. S3 S2 51 EPROM SS 54 FORMAT S7 S6 BAU0FLATE
RE:.: - -0
Consider the following example relevant o o 0 2708 o o INTEL o o 1200

to the Intel file format: oo- 2716 o - BINARY o - 2400

o -o 2732 -o MOTOROLA - o 400
o-- 2764 - - TEKTRONIX -- 9600 RESET 0
-0 o
:02 00 10 00 A9 IF 26 ... -o-
27126
27256
:00 00 00 01 FF RS 232-
o = OPEN -=CLOSED 58 = NC

In the simulated EPROM, the databyte CENTRerCCS

A9H is at address 0010H, and the

databyte 1FH at address 0011H. If this
EPROM, regardless of its capacity, is
addressed starting at, for example,
 EE
January 1988

NEW LITERATURE NEW LITERATURE NEW

Electrical and Electronic Readers should note that each County in
.y.621/ lnputlOutput Modules
Engineering Principles the UK has at least one or two large
by J.O. Bird Libraries that keep complete reference
ISBN 0 582 41399 0 sets of British Standards for general con-
sultation.
134 pages - 185 x 122 mm
Price f2.95 (soft cover)
Few, if any, of us can remember more
than the most often used formulae and CATALOGUES
graphical symbols connected with elec- THE 1988 GREEN 'VELD ELEC-
trical and electronics technology. Elec- TRONICS COMPONENT AND
trical and Electronic Engineering Prin- EQUIPMENT C47:4 LOGUE is
ciples should, therefore, be of interest to available at £1.00 from Greenweld
all involved in electronics, more particu- 443E Millbrook Road SOUTHAMP-
larly students and staff in colleges, TON SOl OHX.
polytechnics and universities, but also
technicians and engineers in industries
involved in electrical and electronic
engineering.
The aim of the booklet is to present a
ready reference guide to the most :com-
mon quantities, units, symbols, defi-
nitions, formulae and circuit diagram Grayhill's Input/Output Modules
symbols used in electrical and electronic catalogue is available free from Grayhill
engineering. In my opinion, the author Inc. 561 Hillgrove Avenue P.O. Box
has succeeded in meeting this aim. 10373 LaGrange Illinois 60525
A useful, inexpensive book that will, no USA.
doubt, be welcomed by anyone with an
interest in electronics.
Microelectronic Systems & Instrumen-
Longman Scientific & Technical tation, a 44 -page full -colour catalogue,
Longman is available free from Flight Electronics
Burnt Mill Ltd Flight House Ascupart Street
HARLOW CM20 2JE SOUTHAMPTON SOl 11,11.
A six -page, full -colour guide to one of
BRITISH STANDARDS the world's largest continuous operation
BS9000:Part 3:1987 flowmeter and valve calibration facilities
This new part of the General re- is available from Kent Industrial
quirements for a system for electronic Measurements Ltd Oldends Lane
components of assessed quality details Cirkit's electronic constructor's STONEHOUSE GLIO 3TA.
the implementation in the UK of the catalogue (Winter 1987/8) is available at
IEC quality assessment system for elec- £1.20 from Cirkit Holdings PLC Park
tronic components (IECQ) by showing Lane BROXBOURNE EN10 7NQ. A semiconductor dice selection guide
how the IECQ rules of procedure, containing full and abbreviated data on
clauses 10 to 16, are implemented in Electroplan's Rental Catalogue 1987/88, the Ferranti range of planar, discrete,
BS9000:Part 1. It came into effect on 31 detailing an expanded range of equip- and integrated semiconductors in unen-
July 1987. ment available on short- or long-term capsulated dice and wafer form is
hire is available free from Electroplan available free of charge from Ferranti
BS6600:Part 1:1987 Rental P.O. Box 19 Orchard Road Electronics Ltd Fields New Road
This part of the new Outline dimensions ROYSTON SG8 5HH. Chadderton OLDHAM OL9 8NP.
of transformers and inductors for use in
telecommunication and electronic
equipment specifies the outline dimen- Norway Exports - Telecom- A new and expanded European Region
sions of transformers and inductors munications Technology Software Directory, listing some of the
using E and I laminations, built for the thousands of commercial applications
four most commonly used forms of This new survey details high perform- written in Micro Focus COBOL is
mounting style, namely bracket mount- ance products and systems designed to
available from Micro Focus Ltd 26
ing, U -clamp mounting, printed wiring meet the advanced communication West Street NEWBURY RG13 1JT.
board (p.w.b) mounting, and frame needs of modern industrial societies and
mounting. It came into effect on 31 July highlights the impact being made by
1987. Norwegian companies internationally in
this field.
British standards may be ordered from The 16 -page full -colour booklet is
The Sales Department available free of charge from The Export
BSI Council of Norway Norway Trade
Linford Wood Centre 20 Pall Mall LONDON
MILTON KEYNES MK14 6LE SW1Y 5NE.
 24 EE

DCF77 RECEIVER AND LOCKED

FREQUENCY STANDARD
The extremely stable signal from the VLF time standard transmitter DCF77 in Ivlainflingen, West
Germany, can be received in most European countries, and is eminently suitable for controlling an
advanced, locked frequency standard offering a stability of 0.5 ppm.

DCF77 is an AM, 25 kW (ERP), VLF ner to facilitate fitting it in a location The circuit diagram of the receiver in
time signal transmitter operating on well away from noise sources. The con- Fig. 2b shows that the VLF signal from
77.5 kHz. The station is located in nection to the receiver is made in the active aerial is filtered in network
Mainflingen, near Frankfurt am Main, screened or thin coaxial wire. The VLF Li -C3 -C4 and then applied to gate 1 of
in West Germany (co-ordinates: 50° 01' N, aerial itself is a parallel tuned circuit, dual gate MOSFET Ti, which functions
09° 00' E). The station is operated by the Ls -C34, resonating at 7-7.5 kHz. The RF as a mixer. The transistor is switched
Deutsche Bundespost, but the Physika- signal induced in the tuned circuit is hard at 78.125 kHz because the signal at
lisch-Technischen Bundesanstalt (PTB) magnified in a source follower, T13, and output Q7 of divider IC3 is applied to
in Braunschweich is responsible for the a further amplifier, Tis. FET Tit func- gate 2. The resultant heterodyned
stability of the carrier and the time tions as a current source to achieve opti- frequency -625 Hz-available at the
signals, which are used in many labora- mum bias for T13. Preset Pa enables drain is fed to a gyrator, T2 -Cs -C9,
tories and scientific institutions for ac- suppressing oscillation of the sensitive which ensures high local amplification.
curate timekeeping purposes. The range amplifier. It forms part of a damping re- The DC setting of Ti is controlled by
of DCF77 is claimed as 800 kilometres. sistance across Ls -C-14, and hence deter- the (negative) AGC potential applied to
The stability of the carrier is derived mines the quality (Q) factor of this gate 1. The 625 Hz signal is filtered in a
from a caesium atomic clock with an tuned circuit. The active aerial is fed by 700 Hz low-pass section Rs-Cio-R9-C12-
average deviation of 2 x 10-u over a the supply in the receiver via the core of Rio-Cii-T3 and a 550 Hz high-pass sec-
period of 100 days. The time signals the downlead cable. tion C13-Rn-C14-R12-05-R13-Ts. Transis-
from DCF77 are not the main concern An optional 77.5 kHz hand -pass filter tors 14 and T6, and resistors Rua and
here, however, and a detailed may be inserted between the active aerial Rio, provide the bias for the active
of their structure will be given in a forth- and the receiver input to limit the overall filters. Alternating voltage amplifier ICI
coming article in Elektor Electronics. bandwidth and thus cope with signal im- is dimensioned for an amplification of
DCF77 transmits in AM at a modulation pairment caused by interference. The about 100.
depth of 75%. This is in contrast to the band-pass is discussed further on in this The signal provided by ICI is fed to 4
Rugby MSF on 60 kHz-in this station, article. sections of the circuit.
the carrier is switched off completely
during pulse modulation. This unfortu-
nate fact makes Rugby unsuitable for
building a locked frequency standard as
described here. In addition to the AM
time signals, DCF77 transmits a number
of phase modulated services.
The block diagram of Fig. 1 shows how
the 77.5 kHz carrier is used for keeping
a crystal oscillator stable at 10.000 MHz
with the aid of a phase locked loop
(PLL). The oscillator signal can be used
as an accurate clock for a wide range of
equipment. The 10 MHz oscillator signal
is divided by 128 to give 78.125 kHz.
This signal is heterodyned with the
77.5 kHz carrier from DCF77 to give an
intermediate frequency of 625 Hz. The
oscillator signal is also divided down to
625 Hz through subsequent division by
32, 125 and 4. The two 625 Hz signals
are applied to a phase comparator,
which provides an error signal for con-
trolling the frequency of the 10 MHz os-
cillator.

Circuit description
The circuit diagram of the active aerial is
given in Fig. 2a. Fig. 1. Block schematic diagram of the DCF77 receiver and locked 10 MHz frequency stan-
This small unit is constructed in a man- dard.
 EE
January 1988

a (>2-3V
0.1-3-2-3V
Cal I
(>11-4--13" 6F255C
TA

35124.1.24

TP
41/7 2x 15'1
4000M BC5ECC

BC RTC
73 550C

BC
T5 550C

4700 10n 100 100

I I

IC2
504ZP
1

RIS 1116 11" R22

TR RIR
47

I CIS 03
mpl
11e1
70 tsa
BF256A BF256A AA119

TP313

AA119
c331 07
mit= A
2[ fir
UR APE SPE
112
so
i

0
n1
MX
91
0
R32 C30
711
BCSSOC

0 -0c a
IC3 IC4 220.,
4024 -C" 40103 CO ri FF1 FF2
BC a . es ed 0
434
ulir lit .71=
R S

770,
04
474
O
7E1 T
LP C31 55 7
ff

AA119
C35 I CIS R46
7PI
220n 2201

Rai

FF1,FF2=105=4013
Bz 1 Hi-M=1M = mna

15V

bbbb
IC3 - ICI- IC5 ICEI

S5124-1-26

Fig. 2. Circuit diagram of the active aerial (a), the receiver plus PIA, based 10 MHz frequency standard (b), and the power supply (c).
 26 EE
January 1988
Symmetrical mixer IC2 is set up as an
analogue PLL. This circuit has the dis-
advantage of reducing the bandwidth
along with the signal-to-noise (S/N)
ratio of the input signal, but this
presents no problems as long as the PLL
remains locked. This feature is in con-
trast to a digital PLL, which would lose
lock as a result of strong spurious pulses
and a reduced S/N ratio. The 625 Hz
signal obtained from ICI is limited by a
"soft" clipper, Di -D2, and its phase is
compared to the complementary signals
Q and Q from FF1, applied to the sym-
metrical inputs of the S042P. The phase
error signal at pin 2 of the mixer is
filtered in low-pass R22 -Cm, and forms
the control voltage on varactor set D4.
The output of the 10 MHz oscillator is
thus corrected for minimum-theoreti-
cally, zero-phase difference between
the heterodyned 625 Hz signal and the
625 Hz reference from the timebase: in
other words, the central clock circuit is
forced to oscillate at 10.000 MI-lz pre-
cisely.
The output of ICI is also rectified by D3
to obtain an AGC (automatic gain con-
trol) signal which is fed to gate of 1

mixer Ti via voltage limiter Rai -D5.

Next, the output of ICI is fed to recti-
fier D --C22, which provides the reference
at the ± input of comparator IC6.
Sample and hold transistor TH drives
the - input, and toggles along with the
625 Hz reference for the phase compara-
tor. The time signal from DCF77 is
available for a clock circuit at output T.
The 4th circuit driven by the output of
ICI is an acoustic and digital error indi-
cator. The output signal of N2 and the
reference signal of the phase comparator
are applied to the inputs of XOR gate
M, whose function is best compared to
that of a digital mixer. The amplitude of
the signal obtained from filter R39 -C36 is
a measure of the phase difference be-
tween the heterodyned and the reference
625 Hz signals. The inputs of gate N4
are at different logic levels when the
phase difference is such that the PLL
loses lock. Piezo buzzer Bzi gives an
audible warning of this condition, and
IC7 arranges for Ti: to short-circuit the
10 MHz output signal. The digital error
signal at output E can be used for
switching to the internal, free -running,
timebase of a frequency meter when the
10 MHz standard loses lock owing to im-
paired reception of DCF77. It should be
noted that the buzzer is not an absolute
indication of the quality of the received
signal; it may, therefore, produce inter-
mittent sounds to give an early warning
of increasing interference.
At the heart of the circuit is the varactor
& crystal controlled 10MHz oscillator.
MOSFET Tio functions as a buffer and
level adaptor for driving divider 1C3.
The 15 Vpp, rectangular, 10 MHz signal
is unsuitable for putting on a long coax
cable to the timebase input of external Fig. 3. Component mounting plan ()I' the doubleided. ready-made PCB.
 EE
January 1988.
test equipment. It is, therefore, first at- 1. The construction and alignment of unsuitable for beginners.
tenuated and then filtered. Terminated in the DCF77 receiver and frequency stan- 5. DCF77 is normally operated on a 24
50 Q, the 10 MI-lz output of the circuit dard requires accuracy in soldering, and hour basis, but the station is switched
supplies a sinusoidal signal of 750 mVpp. considerable experience in dealing with off during transmitter or aerial
The stability of this signal is approxi- RF circuits. maintenance work, and also during
mately 0.5 ppm. 2. A sensitive oscilloscope, a digital thunderstorms.
The divider cascade for the reference multimeter and a function generator are 6. Forthcoming articles in Elektor Elec-
signal is of conventional design. The necessary for alignment and, if required, tronics will discuss these advanced pro-
Type CD4024BE in position ICs can troubleshooting. jects that require the present re-
easily handle a rectangular input signal 3. Before ordering the ready-made PCB ceiver/frequency standard:
of 10 MHz, and the Type 40103 pro- for this project, it is strongly rec- a 8052AH-BASIC based, menu
grammable counter in position IC4 is ommended to check whether DCF77 can driven, central clock unit with an in-
hard wired for division by 125. be copied locally on a good quality VLF telligent LC display and a serial time and
The power supply for the receiver/fre- receiver. Alternatively, experienced con- date output;
quency standard is shown in Fig. 2c. structors should have little difficulty a 8748H based slave indication unit.
This simple circuit merits no further dis- building the active aerial experimentally 7. A divider cascade which accepts the
cussion. on a piece of veroboard, and measuring 10 MHz reference signal, and outputs
the output signal with the aid of an os- standard timebase frequencies, is pub-
Construction and alignment cilloscope. The RF output amplitude is lished in the new Elektor Electronics
of the order of 5 to 50 !Winn book 303 Circuits.
Before embarking on this project, con- 4. A number of try -outs have shown
sider the following important points: beyond doubt that the present project is The track layout and the component
mounting plan of the double -sided, but
Parts list C37;C38;C42;C43= 100n
not through -plated, PCB for the re-
C40= 1000p; 40 V ceiver/frequency standard is shown in
Resistors (±5%): C44= 2n2 Fig. 3.
RI;R2;R4s= 68R C46= 1000p;16 V Commence the construction with cut-
1,13;R5;R7;Rte;Rz5;R2e;Rze;Rao;R31 =220K ting off the section of the board in-
R4= 1M0 Inductors: tended for the active aerial. Inductor L5
R6 =680K Li =33 mH radial choke Toko Type 181LY-333: is wound on a 50 mm long, round card-
Rc;Re;Rto;R47 = 100K Cirkit stock no. 34-33302. board or paxolin former and a diameter
RT i;RIE;R19;R33;R34= 22K 1_2;1_4=2pH7 of about 10 mm to enable sliding it on a
Rtz=10K L3 = 3pH9 12 cm long ferrite rod. The former and
Ri3;R14=330K L5= home made inductor: see text
815= 2K2
the rod may be cannibalized from a
1317=470R Semiconductors:
discarded MW radio. The inductor is
Rzo;1121;1324;R32;R4o:R41;R46=1K0 Dt;D2=1N4148
wound as 200 turns of 0.2 mm dia.
F122=22OR 133;D6.. _De incl. = AA119
(SWG36) enamelled copper wire. Tem-
1323;1139=47K D4=136212 porarily secure the winding with
R27= 56R Ds= zenerdiode 4V7; 0.4 W Sellotape, but do not secure the former
R26=5608 Dm... 013 incl.= 11'44001 on the rod as yet. The completed active
R35;R36= 10M TI;Tio=BF981 aerial is shown in Fig. 4. The PCB-not
R36= 3K3
R37= 1K2
T2;T3:Ts:T1i;Tts=BC5.50C the ferrite rod! -may be fitted in a
T 4 = 6F256A metal enclosure.
R42:R43= 12K 1-7; T5 = 6C560C
R44 = 6K8
Many components on the receiver board
Te;T12=E1F494
R45= 2K7 are fitted upright, and require soldering
113 = 8F256C
R.:9=150R ICI =15356
at the track side and the component
R50 = 220K 1C2=S1342P
side to effect through -contacting. The
Pt =10M preset H 1C3=4024BE or HEF4O24B unetched copper surface on the compo-
P2=2M5 or 2M2 preset H IC4=40103 nent side funtions as a large ground
IC5=4013 area. Populating the board with the aid
Capacitors: 1C6;IC7=CA3130E of the parts list and the indications on
Ci:Ca=471x; 16 V ICe=4030 the component overlay is fairly straight-
C2= 5n6 ICs= 7815 forward, with the possible exception of
C3=80 p trimmer
these points:
C4=56 p Miscellaneous:
Ce;C7:C13;C14;C1e= iOn St = DPDT mains switch.
Cs= 560n Ft = fast acting 50 mA fuse plus panel mount 1. Ascertain the position of MOSFETs
Ce;C t7:C26;Ca4 = 47n holder. Ti and Tie with the aid of the pin -outs
Cto=3n3 Int = mains transformer: 18 V; 100 mA. diagrams shown in the circuit diagram.
CII:C23:C24 = 470p X1= 10 MHz quartz crystal (CL=30 pF; parallel Depending on the make of these devices,
Ctz=8n2 resonance; HC18 enclosure). it may happen that the type indication
Ci6;C1s;C45=4p7; 16 V Bzt = passive piezo buzzer. must face the board surface!
Cle=47p; 10 V
Czo=470p; 16 V
PCB Type 8612-A (available through the 2. The short lead of vertically mounted
Readers Services). resistors R3= and R50 is soldered at the
C21;C22 = 150n 10 cm long ferrite rod (010 mm).
C25= 100p Paxolin or cardboard former 012 mm.
component side also.
C27;C31= 1n0 Enamelled copper wire 30.2 mm 1S1NG36).
3. Regulator IC9 is fitted without a
C28;C29 = 220p heat -sink.
C30;C35;C36;C39= 220n Parts and veroboard for the optional 40 Hz 4. All ICs should be fitted in sockets.
C32= 22n bandpass (not on ready-made PCB).
C33;C41 = 14; 16 V
Do not yet connect the completed re-
ceiver board to the active aerial. Connect
the secondary of the mains transformer
to the AC input on the board, and con-
 28 EE
January 1988
4 of about 40 Hz ( -40 dB: 1400 Hz) and
a gain of 10 dB. This circuit may be in-
serted between the output of the active
aerial and the receiver input as shown in
Fig. 1. The selectivity of the bandfilter is
obtained from 2 L -C networks, LI-CI-Cs
and L2 -C2 -C4, with capacitive top coup-
ling (C3). The loaded Q (quality) factor
of this filter is ensured by the use of dar-
lington transistor Ti. Negative feedback
is provided by T2 and R -C network R5 -
PI -C6. The bandwidth of the filter is set
by Pi. The feedback circuit causes a re-
duced input impedance for frequencies
outside the pass -band, and so improves
the dynamic range of the active aerial.
The add-on circuit is readily constructed
on a small piece of veroboard. It is rec-
ommended to use 5% or 2.5% poly-
styrene (styroflex) capacitors as indi-
Fig. 4. The ferrite rod is secured to the active aerial board with plastic cable ties. cated in the circuit diagram. Inductors
Li and L2 are formed by as 102 and
nect an AF amplifier or headphones to Ti). Carefully advance P2 until the 105 turns of 00.2 mm (SWG36) enam-
TP1. Set the trimmers and presets to the amplifier in the active aerial is observed elled copper wire, respectively. The
centre of their travel. Apply power: the to start oscillating. Turn the wiper back potted cores are Siemens Type
piezo buzzer should then produce an ir- until oscillation just stops: this setting B 65541 N400 A48 (ElectroValue: Tele-
regular, crackling sound, and the AF ensures maximum sensitivity. It should phone (0784) 33603 or (061 432) 4945).
amplifier soft, steady noise. Check the be noted that oscillation may not occur The inductance span of these adjustable
presence of the supply voltage on all the at all cases. Check the selectivity of the potcores is fairly small, and the stated
relevent points, and use an oscilloscope active aerial by monitoring its output number of turns may have to be altered
for finding the rectangular signals in the signal on the scope and tuning the gener- slightly to ensure resonance of the tuned
divider chain. ator a few kilohertz around 77.5 kHz. circuits at 77.5 kHz.
Connect the active aerial to the receiver Switch off the function generator, and The adjustment of the bandfilter is car-
with about 1 metre of screened wire or rotate the ferrite rod in the horizontal ried out with a correctly functioning and
thin coaxial cable (RG174/U). Preset P2 plane until the piezo buzzer gradually fully operational DCF77 receiver. Set Pi
on the active aerial board is turned fully stops crackling. This indicates that the for maximum resistance, and fit the cir-
towards R47. Check the voltages on PLL locks onto DCF77. Optimize the cuit in the downlead cable between the
points A, B and C. inductor position, and once more peak receiver and the active aerial. Check the
Set a function generator to 77.5 kHz, C3 and P2 for the highest negative AGC voltages on the test points in the active
sine -wave, 1 Vpp out, and fit a 1 kg re- voltage on the anode of D3. The ampli- aerial. Use a sensitive oscilloscope to
sistor in series with a test lead connected tude of the 625 Hz signal at the output peak Li and L2 for resonance at
to the generator output. Wind the test of ICI should be greater than 1 Vpp. 77.5 kHz. Then carefully adjust Pi up
lead loosely onto one end of the ferrite Secure Ls on the former, and the former to a point where the circuit starts clip-
rod, and slide the paxolin former with on the ferrite rod. ping the time pulses.
the inductor on it across the rod to find Connect the oscilloscope to output T,
a point where a voltmeter connected to and rotate the aerial horizontally until
TP2 (AGC) reads a minimum (i.e., maxi- the buzzer indicates that the PLL is on An application
mum negative) voltage. It is, of course, the verge of losing lock. Reception can The circuit diagram of Fig. 7 shows the
also possible to look for the 77.5 kHz also be disturbed by touching gate 1 of new, DCF77 based, 10 MHz clock source
signal at the output of the active aerial MOSFET Ti. Adjust the trigger for the microprocessor controlled fre-
with the aid of the oscilloscope, but the threshold of comparator IC6 with the quency meter discussed in reference (".
amplitude of the signal on the downlead aid of Pi for minimum noise pulses on The circuit is essentially a discrete PLL
is still quite small (5-50 mVpp). Reduce the scope. Check the amplitude of the constructed on a PCB that replaces the
the output amplitude on the function 10 MHz sinewave at the output of the
generator, and peak C3. Reduce the circuit-see Fig. 5.
coupling of the test lead by moving this The buzzer normally produces a soft
away from the inductor on the ferrite regular hiss, and the time signals are also
rod. Reposition the inductor for opti- audible. The phase modulation
mum "reception" of the induced employed on DCF77 is clearly visible on
77.5 kHz signal. The best results are ob- a scope connected to TP1. Listen to the
tained when the inductor is approxi- modulated 625 Hz signal at this point to
mately central on the rod. Should opti- note the fairly strong background hiss
mum reception occur when the inductor caused by the PM services. In general,
is partly off one end of the rod, it is the more noise from the buzzer, the
necessary to reduce the number of turns worse reception.
on a trial and error basis. Keep reducing
the RF input to the receiver by adjusting
the generator output and/or increasing
the distance between the test lead and An add-on bandfilter for
the ferrite rod. Find the optimum pos- difficult cases Fig. 5. The 10 MHz signal at CMOS level
(lower curve; 15 Vpp), and at the output of
ition of the inductor, and re -adjust C3 Figure 6 shows the circuit diagram of a the frequency standard (upper curve;
(measure the received signal on gate 1 of band-pass filter with a -3 dB bandwith 750 mVpp in 50 4).
 EE
29
January 1988
existing 10 MHz clock board in the in-
strument. The PCB for building this
useful extension of the instrument is
shown in Fig. 8. With reference to Fig. 7,
the 750 mVpp 10 MHz reference signal
from the frequency standard is applied
to amplifier/digital converter Ti.
Bistable FF1 divides the signal by 2, and
drives phase detector N2, which forms
part of a PLL. A tuneable 10 MHz
crystal oscillator is set up around T2, Xi
and varactors Di -D2. Components Rs -
R9 -C4 form a loop filter at the output of
the phase detector, and provide the error
signal, i.e., the tuning voltage for the
varactors. Gate N3 buffers the oscillator
output, and N4 drives the logic circuitry
on the main board in the frequency
meter. The function of FF2 is similar to
that of FF1.
Fig. 6. Cicuit diagram of the optional add-on In the absence of an input signal from
handfilter. the frequency standard, FF1 stops tog-
gling, and remains in its previous logic
state. Bistable FF1 is still active, how-
Fig. 8 The PCB for building the new 10 MHz
frequency meter (not available ready-made). ever, so that N2 continues to supply a
symmetrical rectangular signal, and the
PLL control voltage on Cr rises to
about half the supply potential. In order
Parts list
to ensure minimum PLL action in the
Resistors (±5%):
absence of the DCF77 signal, trimmer
R1=68K
Ci is used for adjusting the VCO fre-
R2= 1K2 quency such that the tuning voltage has
R3;R4;Re=270K a small control span centred around
R5=47K + 2.5 V.
Rs = 1K5 The following adjustment procedure as-
R7 = 390R sumes a correctly operating receiver/fre-
Rs=22K quency standard, and loud and clear
reception of DCF77. Switch on all units
Capacitors: and allow a few minutes for warming up.
Ci =20p trimmer Use a high impedance DMM to measure
Cz;Ca =470p the voltage on C4 (TP). Slowly adjust
C4 =39n
C5=100n
Ci until the meter reads +2.5 V. Wait
10 minutes or so to observe the trend of
Semiconductors: the reading, and redo the adjustment if
01:D2=138105B
required.
TI;Tt =8F494
ICI = 74HC86
1C2 = 74HC74

Miscellaneous:
X 1 =10 MHz quartz crystal la =30 pF; parallel
resonance).
Fig. 7. Circuit diagram of the PLL based PCB Type 87105 (not available through the
10 MHz clock circuit for the microprocessor Readers Services).
controlled frequency meter.

404'
x:
L
fiti
- 41k_,
)! '
11'

c '
r -
=-",
1-c
--

Reference:

The fully assembled receiver plus frequency standard. Details on fitting it in an enclosure will "' Microprocessor controlled frequency
be given next month. meter. Elektor Electronics January 1985.
 30 EL.

SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLY

Following the general introductions into the operation and application of switch mode power supplies in
reference (1) and (2), this article discusses a practical design of a versatile, compact and highly efficient
SMPSU rated at 2.5 A.

The circuit described here is based circuit composed of two 3 A diodes Type L4960
around the integrated switch mode 1N5404, Dl -D2, and an electrolytic
power supply controller Type L4960 reservoir capacitor, Ct. Network RI -C3 - OUTPUT

from SGS. Briefly recapitulating the C4 defines the gain of the closed regu- SOFT Slam
OSCP.Lt04
general introduction in reference (2), this lation loop. A second network, C2 -R2, u NO

IC has the following features: is dimensioned for an oscillator fre- raEci COMP
a FEEDBACK INPUT
quency of about 100 kHz. The function INPUT

Input voltage range: 9-50 VDC of capacitor Cs is twofold: it defines the

Z.- Tao emanacted to pin I.
it
O Output voltage adjustable between 5 period of the soft start ramp (see Fig.
and 40 V. 2a), as well as the average short-circuit L4962
Maximum output current: 2.5 A. current. The feedback input of the regu-
IN Maximum output power: 100 W. lator is connected to the junction of out- C NC

Built-in soft start circuitry. put voltage divider R3 -R4. OUTPUT S SOFT START
111 Stability of internal reference: ±4%. The output voltage, U0, of the L4960 is
NC
Requires very few external compo- calculated from rea,PLATOR

nents. NO 3 DUD

Duty factor: 0-1. U.=5.1[(R 3 + R4)/R3] assuming that ONO DUO

II High efficiency: ri up to 90%. U.-U.a.-3 V.
Built-in thermal overload protection. C MEC& COMP

El Built-in current limiter for short- Remember that the minimum value of !I Put 1: FEEDBAG,.

circuit protection. U1 is 9 V. A fixed output voltage of T. c [ C

5.1 V (±4%) is obtained when R3 is

The pinning of the 3 regulators in SGS's omitted, and R4 replaced with a wire L4964
L496X series of switch mode regulators link. When R3 has the fixed value of
is shown in Fig. 1. The Type L4964 is 5K6, R4 alone determines the output PC
C
.CS(
T
CtaiaarNT
MSIT

housed in a special 15 -pin enclosure, and voltage: mist! P.RIT

OSCa.L.C.1
can supply up to 4 A. The Type L4962 ,ICCaleaca Pour
FalturlaCa CCP.SaSaT,Ca
G.Ova9
is the least powerful version (1.5 A), U0=9 V: R4 = 4K28 t say: MTV,
Vv..T
housed in a 16 -pin DIL package. U0=12 V: R4 = 7K58 SCVTSTaPT
C
The internal organization of the Type U0=15 V: R4 = 10K87 CPTKit
C
L4960 has been discussed with reference U0=18 V: R4 = 14K16
to Fig. 1 in 0). The operation of the on - U0=24 V: R4 = 20K75 Tsn ce.-Tltra <x
880001 - 1
chip soft start circuitry, and the current
limiter, is illustrated by the waveform These resistor values are, of course, Fig. I. Pin -outs of the integrated switch
diagrams in Fig. 2a and 2b, respectively. theoretical, and require ascertaining in mode regulators in the L496X series from
The thermal shutdown circuit in the practice. The output voltage is readily SGS Ales.
L4960 is activated when the chip junc-
tion temperature exceeds 150 °C.
For the sake of safety, the proposed
SMPSU is a transformer based design.
The alternating input voltage to the
board is obtained from the secondary of
a mains transformer, which ensures that
the DC input to the regulator is at least
3 V higher than the required output
voltage at the maximum output current.
It goes without saying that the trans-
former is preferably a toroidal type.

Circuit description
Figures 3a and 3b show the circuit
diagram of the mains section, and the
DC power supply, respectively. The alter-
nating voltage from the secondary
winding is applied to the respective in-
puts on the supply board, while the
centre tap is connected to ground. The
unregulated input voltage, U., for the A prototype of the switch mode power supply. Note that this is set up for U°=5.1 V, since
L4960 is supplied by a full -wave rectifier R4 is a wire link, and R3 is omitted.
 EE
January 1988

2a C5 =Wei.
wit
cral,pea cow
amp. output

norrmat error
current
arrrp. cutout Irriter

ouut
Calera soft start
ar

580001.2a

Fig. 2. Operation of the soft start (a) and current limit (b) circuits in the L4960.

3a 51
2x
R4

1N5404
F1
IDI

IC
7

L 4960
ti 02

03 *
* see text Cl C2
ami
R2
C3
C4
Nam
R3
* A at
==
C7 C6

2.
10005 2n2 21,2 60.a SOOn
40V 40V 2205
0 40V
8R05 0

860001-3a

Fig. 3. Circuit diagram of the mains section (a) and the switch mode power supply (b).

Parts fist

Resistors ( 5%):
RI =15K
R2=4K3
R3;84= dimension as required for Uo; see text

Capacitors:
C t =1000p; 40 V; radial (pitch 7.5 mm)
C2= 2n2
C3= 33n
C4= 390p
C5= 2p2; 40 V; radial (pitch 2.54 mm)
Ce;C7=220,u; 40 V; radial (pitch 5 mm)
Ca= 100n

Semiconductors:
DI;D2=1N5404
D3=8R05. (SGS-Ates) or BYV28 (Bullard)
ICI =L4960. (SGS-Ates)

SGS-Ales (UK) Limited Planar House

Walton Street Aylesbury HP21 7()J. UK
based distributors are listed on Infocard 508:
EE May 1987.

inductor:
1_1=150...300pH toroid suppressor, e.g.
Newport 1400)11/3 or Siemens 882500-B- Fig. 4. The printed circuit board for the compact SNIPSU.
410 (axial). Home made: approx. 60 turns of
1 mm. enamelled copper wire on a suitably made variable by fitting R3=6K8 and and ripple suppression at the output of
rated 015-20 mm ferrite core. replacing R3 with a 25K potentiometer. the supply.
Power diode D3 is included as a safety
Miscellaneous: measure. This fast rectifier limits the
T0220 style heat -sink. negative potential at the input of choke Construction
T0220 style mica washer and bush. Li to a safe -0.6 to -1 V when the The compact primed circuit board for
In = toroidal mains transformer with centre output transistor in the reeulator is the SNWSLI is shown in Fie. 4. The com-
tap; ratings as required (see text). E.g. (LP pletion is extremely straight -forward.
series: Jaytee Electronic Services 143
switched off. In the absence of D3, the
Rcculver Road Beltinge Herne Bay voltage at pin 7 would increase Start off by selecting resistors R3 and R4
Kent CT6 6PL. Telephone: (0227) 375254. dangerously to several volts Below the as explained above. Fit the components
PCB Type 880001 (see Readers Services page). eround potential. Choke Li is an essen- in the centre, RI... R4 inclusive and
tial part in the L -C network for noise C2. . Cs inclusive. Prior to soldering
111 EE
January 1988
onto the board, regulator ICI and til the heat -sink rests securely onto the all times for proper operation. When the
power diode Di are bolted back to back board surface. Solder the leads and cut SMPSU is fed with 30 VAC, and loaded
onto a common heat -sink as shown on off their excess lengths. Now fit the re- with 2 A at an output voltage of 5 V, the
the component overlay. Do not forget to maining components, Li, CI, C6, C7, Cs, temperature of the heat -sink should not
keep the heat -sink electrically insulated Di and D2. Be sure to observe correct exceed about 60 °C at room tempera-
from the metal tab of D3 with the aid of polarization of the diodes and the elec- ture. The efficiency of the supply under
a thick mica washer and a plastic bush. trolytic capacitors. Great care should be these conditions is approximately 68%.
It is possible to use the Type BYV28 taken to avoid any likelihood of a short- With a load of 2 A, the efficiency in-
diode in position D3. This device is circuit between the winding on the choke creases from 80% at U0=10 V, 85% at
housed in an axial SOD64 enclosure, core and the heat -sink for the regulator. Uo =15 V, to 87% at at U0=25 V. Gb
however, and requires a different mount- It is recommended to secure Li with the
ing method than the TO220 style 8R05 aid of a central nylon bolt and nut.
from SGS. The BYV28 is mounted up-
right, but the anode lead is not bent
down until is has been soldered to a References:
cable eye. The eye is then insulated and Testing
fitted onto the heat -sink as detailed Check the position, insulation and ") Switch mode power supplies, Elektor
above. Whatever diode or mounting orientation of all the parts on the board Electronics October 1987, p. 49 ff.
system is used, check the insulation with before connecting this to the secondary ", High -current switching regulator IC
a continuity tester! Push the leads of of the mains transformer. It should be simplifies supply design, Elektor Elec-
ICI and D3 into the respective holes un- noted that the supply requires a load at tronics October 1987, p. 22 ff.

DOUBLE TRACE EXTENSION FOR

VLF ADD-ON UNIT
by E Fano
A handful of components and some minor alterations to the VLF add-on unit for oscilloscopes enable
this popular unit to be used for two -channel measurements.

Thanks to its versatility, low cost, and put channel. The input signal for opamp
ease of construction and use, the VLF ICI is, of course, multiplexed according-
add-on unit for oscilloscopes published ly.
in reference In has become one of the
most popular construction projects
featured in Elektor Electronics. The fol- The modifications
lowing description shows that the circuit The bold lines and the shaded area in
is readily modified to achieve two -
Fig. 2 give all the necessary details on the
channel operation on a single -beam os- modifications and the extension circuit.
cilloscope. The required modification It is recommended to cut the connection
and the extension circuit are useful for between pins 23 and 22 of the socket that
many applications involving the simul- holds RAM IC2. This modification is
taneous analysis of 2 slowly varying performed at the track side of the board,
quantities. and effectively insulates pin 23-address
line A8 -of the RAM. Solder a wire to
Input multiplexing and 256 the insulated area that connects to socket
pin 23, and run it to pin 3 of 'Goo ( =
bytes more output 1QA). Construct the input
In the original design of the VLF storage multiplexing circuit in the shaded area
unit, address lines A8 to A10 incl. of on a small piece of prototyping board.
RAM IC2 are kept permanently logic and connect it to the VLF storage unit as
low. This means that only the first 256 of indicated by the bold, lines. The elec-
the available 2048 programmable lo- tronic switches in the 4066 toggle on
cations in the RAM are used for storage each pulse from output 1QA. This ar-
of converted data. The idea behind the rangement ensures that the correct data,
present extension is to drive address line i.e., the measurement values for each
A8 with a signal that creates an ad- channel, are stored in the relevant 256
ditional data block of 256 bytes. This byte area in the RAM. Zener diodes DA
block is written to during every second and Da protect the inputs of the 4066 Fig. 1 Output %uveform of the 2 -channel
display-conversion cycle, and can thus against overvoltages. To prevent distor- storage unit using incorrect (a) and correct
hold the digitized data for a second in- tion of the displayed image, the signal (b) trigger settings on the oscilloscope.
 EE
January 1988

271V/ilia
CI 5
7.6Ctra
EE2fititA

iil
NU.
a C2 a JeaCT:a
a 71.CTS-11
105.-10 a 0a MCI 16/
CIS .7114CTI1/9

Fig. 2 Circuit diagram of the complete 2 -channel unit. The modifications are shol% n in bold lines. the extension in the shaded area.

applied to input B may not go negative. parasitic capacitance blocking the Reference:
Figures la and lb illustrate the effect ob- decimal counter, and may be remedied
tained with the modified and extended by fitting a 33 k52 series resistor on the (" VLF add-on unit for oscilloscopes.
VLF storage unit. TRIGGER output line to the oscilloscope. Elektor ElectrOnics, February 1987 p. 38
Finally, some constructors have reported This resistor also protects the output of ff.
the absence of count pulses on pin 7 of FF2 against short-circuits on the TRIGGER
1Cio on selecting display range b output. Th
(12.5 s). This effect is probably due to

SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR pP

CONTROLLED FREQUENCY METER
The software for the Elektor micropro-
cessor controlled frequency meter (see
reference")) can be updated as shown
here to enable selecting triggering on the
leading or trailing edge of pulses when $E578 JSR SEE90 20 90 EE SEEB3 LDAIM $40 A9 40
the meter is set to the event count mode. $EEB5 AND $84 25 B4
The addition to the existing program en- $E593 JSR SEE90 20 90 LE $EEB7 EORIM $40 49 40
sures a stable readout when a sawtooth- $£E89 ASLA OA
$E5DC JSR $EEAO 20 A0 EE SEEBA ORA $0700 OD 00 07
like input signal is applied to the meter, $EEBD RTS 60
because triggering can take place on the $EE90 JSR SEEBO 20 BO EE
fast rising edge. $EE93 JSR $E528 20 28 ES
$EE96 RTS 60 Checksum:
As from now, the EPROM for the pro-
ject, ESS536N, contains the update. $EEA0 JSR SEEBO 20 BO EE for EPROM ESS831N:
SEEA3 JSR $E547 20 47 ES $E811 15
Reference: SEEA6 RTS 60
for EPROM ESS536N:
SEEBO STA $0700 8D,00 07 $E811 1A
") Microprocessor controlled frequency
meter. Elektor Electronics, January
1985.
 EE
34
January 1988

SYNCHROTRON X-RAYS
REVEAL HOW ICE FLOWS
by Dr Robert Whitworth, Department of Physics, Birmingham University

Ice covers a great deal of the Earth's surface. Understanding the way it flows is important for many
practical purposes such as exploiting oil reserves and helping the engineer in an ice -bound environment.
An ice physics group at Birmingham University is employing a powerful research tool, the synchrotron
source of X-radiation at the UK Science and Engineering Research Council's Daresbury Laboratory, to
reveal detail of the flow mechanism of ice in a way not previously possible. Ice has been found to be
an especially suitable material for study by this means and the group's findings promise to yield new
insights into crystalline materials.
Everyday experience tells us that pieces
of ice are brittle. Yet glaciers, large
masses of ice, flow down the sides of
mountains. In the polar regions huge
sheets of ice flow out towards the
oceans. The significance of such flow is
brought home when something unusual
happens as, for example, when the Hub-
bard Glacier in Alaska advanced rapidly
during 1986 and blocked an inlet from
the sea.
Engineers who work in the ice -bound
regions of the world erecting buildings
or drilling for oil have a great interest in
the mechanical properties of ice, while
ice physicists seek to understand the fun-
damental principles of its behaviour.
With ice, or any other solid, there is still
a great deal to be done before we can
answer the question "Given the
crystalline structure of a material and The process of slip by which plastic deformation occurs in crystals. The original block at the
left is deformed to the shape on the right by one horizontal layer of atoms slipping over
the properties of a single molecule, how another by the spacing between two atoms. This does not take place all at once: in the in-
fast will the material deform when a termediate state shown here, slip starting at A has reached the broken line BC. This is called
stress is applied to it?" At that point the a dislocation line and is a region of distortion in the crystal. The deformation of crystals oc-
problems of engineering and of physics curs by the movement of such lines.
interact and progress in either field can
be of benefit to the other.
We can tell from the regular forms of
snowflakes or the patterns formed by Dislocation
line
frost that ice is crystalline. This means
that the molecules within it are arranged
in a regular pattern. Bulk ice consists of - ray beam
many crystals or grains of different
Central spot
orientation, all joined together to form a (very bright)
solid mass. When such polycrystalline
ice is deformed, several processes may
occur. With each grain, layers of mol-
ecules may slide over one another; this is Crystal
known as slip. In addition, grains may Topographs
move relative to their neighbours. Dur-
ing deformation the structure suffers
damage, which can be annealed out by ..--Screen
the diffusion of molecules or by the
nucleation and growth of new grains.
These processes occur in all crystalline Formation of images of a crystal by X-ray topography using the beam from the Synchrotron
materials, but their relative importance Radiation Source. Because the beam is highly parallel, each point on the crystal diffracts the
depends on the material and on the tem- X-rays to the corresponding point in each of the diffraction spots formed on the film.
perature. The basic process is slip; but
when ice is close to its melting point the realized that one layer of a crystal can- a region of distortion in the crystal. It is
other processes are important, too. not slip over another as a rigid whole. If called a dislocation line or, for short,
we imagine that slip over one atomic just a dislocation. Arrangements of the
Dislocations spacing starts at a corner, for example atoms near B and C are then as il-
point A in the first diagram, and con- lustrated. The plastic deformation of a
It is a little over 50 years since it was tinues up to the line BC, this line marks single crystal takes place through the
 EE
January 1988

Three topographs from a sequence showing the movement and multiplication of dislocations during the plastic deformation of a single crystal
of ice at -20 °C. These illustrations are negative prints, so dislocations appear bright against a dark background. The width of the region
shown is 4 mm on the crystal.

movement of these dislocation lines. periments the diffraction spots are dislocations increases, as seen in the
How much stress is required to move recorded on photographic film, thereby series of topographs making up the third
them and the way in which they move providing images of the crystal known as illustration. This increase is essential to
have been extensively studied in metals topographs. Dislocations are clearly vis- the process of deformation. The dislo-
and many other materials: the most ible within them, usually as dark lines. A cation line is the boundary on the slip
powerful technique for observing dislo- sequence of such topographs taken while plane between the region which has
cation lines is transmission electron the crystal is under stress reveals the mo- slipped and the region which has not;
microscopy. A limitation of this tech- tion of dislocations as the crystal the rate at which the boundary moves
nique, however, is that the samples have deforms. Compared with a normal X- corresponds to the rate of deformation,
to be very thin foils held in a vacuum, ray source the synchrotron radiation but if all the dislocations that were pres-
and it has so far proved impossibly diffi- beam is very intense and exposure times ent to begin with merely moved across
cult to study the properties of dislo- are comparatively short (typically 15 s). their slip planes and out of the surface
cations in ice in this way. This makes proper dynamic experiments the deformation would stop. New dislo-
A different technique, which has in the a realistic proposition for the first time. cation lines are created by a process of
past been used successfully to observe multiplication, the mechanism of which
the dislocations in ice, is known as X-ray was first suggested in 1950 by F.C. Frank
topography. Great improvements to this Multiplication of Bristol University and W.T. Read of
technique have recently been achieved Crystals used in these experiments must Bell Telephone 'Laboratories. If a dislo-
through the use of X-rays from a syn- be of very high quality because the in- cation line does not lie entirely on one
chrotron radiation source. By using the itial density of dislocations has to be low slip plane, but makes a step from one
source at the UK Science and Engineer- enough for them not to obscure one plane to another, the dislocation lines on
ing Research Counsil's Daresbury Lab- another in the topographs. Large, single the separate planes form a spiral around
oratory we have been able to investigate crystals are specially grown in Birm- the step as shown in the fourth illus-
the motion of dislocations in crystals of ingham for the experiments. In the tration. This means that the dislocations
ice several millimetres in size in a degree course of deformation, the density of do not pass out of the crystal but con-
of detail that has not previously been
possible.
The Synchrotron Radiation Source is a
large installation in which a beam of
electrons with an energy of 2 GeV (giga-
electronvolts) is bent by magnets to cir-
culate in an orbit of diameter 30 m. As
it does so it emits intense electromag-
netic radiation in the plane of the orbit,
with a spectral range from infra -red to
X-rays. When the X-ray beam falls on a
suitably oriented single crystal, as shown
in the second diagram, the crystal dif-
fracts the X-rays to produce a number of
beams in accordance with Bragg's law of
diffraction. When the beams fall on a
screen behind the crystal they form
spots. In topography experiments at
Daresbury the X-ray beam travels 80 m
before it reaches the crystal, so it is virtu-
ally parallel. Because of this, every point
on each diffracted spot corresponds to a
particular position in the crystal. How-
ever, the diffraction from any point Dislocation multiplication by the so-called Frank -Read mechanism. The dislocation line is in-
itially at ABCD, with the sections AB and CD lying on different slip planes. Under stress the
where the crystal is distorted will be step BC does not move, but as AB and CD move forward to All and CD' and then to A"B
slightly altered in such a way as to pro- and CD" they generate spirals around B and C. Seen in projection on the slip plane it appears
duce contrast at the corresponding point as if loops are being generated from the point corresponding to BC. These are the 'loops' seen
in the diffraction spot. In our ex- in the lower right of the sequence of topographs.
 EE
36
January 1988
tinuously grow longer. Near the centre of
the spiral, slip amounts to as many
atomic spacings as there are turns in the
spiral.
In the sequence of topographs, a pair of
opposite spirals can be seen developing
Shuffle
in the lower right-hand corner. The pos- plane
ition of the step from which they
originate is marked by the arrow in the
first topograph. Often, the multipli- Basal slip
- Glide plane
planes
cation is more complicated as is shown
in the topograph on the front page.
When we recall that the dislocation line
is the boundary of the region which has
slipped, it is remarkable how convoluted
the boundary can become. These
topographs of ice are some of the
clearest images of dislocations moving in
crystals of this size ever obtained in any
material; the study promises to yield an
understanding of the processes of
dislocation multiplication in bulk Prismatic
samples which will be significant in the slip planes
understanding of other materials, too.
The crystal structure of ice has a hex- Diagram of the crystal structure of ice. The circles represent water molecules, each of which
agonal axis of symmetry which is easily is linked to four others by hydrogen bonds. The hexagonal axis of symmetry is vertical and
seen in the shapes of snow flakes, and the normal slip planes (the basal planes) are horizontal. There are two sets of such planes,
deformation of single crystals is know to the glide set and the shuffle set, between which slip may occur. Possible prismatic slip planes
occur almost entirely by the slip of are shown as vertical. As in the case of basal slip, the slip direction on these prismatic planes
planes, called the basal planes, lying is horizontal, approximately into or out of the plane of the diagram.

This image shows part of a single crystal of ice after a small amount of plastic deformation. It is an X-ray topograph, formed diffraction
of X-rays from the Synchrotron Radiation Source al the UK Science and Engineering Research Council's Daresbury Laboratory. Deformation
takes place through the movement of defects in the crystal known as dislocations, seen here as bright lines. Dense bands of them are spreading
from the left-hand side and are just beginning to do so from the right, generated by a process of dislocation multiplication which can be seen
happening more clearly in the formation of the tangled loops at the lower right. The spiral to upper right of centre was formed by diffusion
of defects prior to deformation. Taken by scientists from Birmingham University, the topograph is of an area of crystals one centimetre across.
 EE
January 1988
perpendicular to this axis. The final stances, dislocations on prismatic planes so learn more about the processes which
diagram of the structure shows that there move as fast as or faster than those on limit the rate of movement of the
are two kinds of basal planes between basal planes. This comes as a surprise to dislocations.
which slip might occur, in two sets called anyone who knows how difficult it is to A proper understanding of the physics
the glide set and the shuffle set. It has deform ice along the prismatic planes, governing dislocation movement in a
not yet been possible to find out by ex- and it looks as though the preference for material is necessary for a theoretical in-
periment which set slips. By comparison basal slip arises not because it is difficult terpretation of the strength of that
with other materials of similar structure, to move dislocations along other planes material. Metallurgists have made great
and for theoretical reasons, the glide set but because multiplication is easier in use of knowledge gained from electron
seems the more likely. From the diagram the basal plane. microscopy in developing new alloys for
it is far from obvious why ice should not Another effect that is important poten- use in aircraft, nuclear reactors and
deform just as easily by slip on vertical tially is that the strength of ice is very elsewhere under other extreme con-
planes known as prismatic planes. But sensitive to the presence of minute traces ditions. A similar understanding of the
experiment shows that it takes about 50 of certain impurities. Some years ago, physics of ice is needed to predict or
times more stress to deform ice in that Dr S.G. Jones ans Dr J.W. Glen in our modify the behaviour of ice in the en-
way. laboratory found that one part in a vironment. It is even more necessary
To deform a polycrystalline mass of ice,million of hydrogen fluoride reduces the when we wish to forecast how ice will
slip within the grains must take place in
stress needed to deform a single crystal behave in less familiar conditions. For
more than one set of parallel planes if of ice to as little as one -quarter of nor- example the recent discovery that some
the grains are not to come apart at the mal. It may be significant that small ad- of the moons of the planets Jupiter and
boundaries. This is the main reason why ditions of hydrogen fluoride also pro- Saturn are composed mainly of ice has
polycrystalline ice is stronger than a duce large changes in the electrical led to questions about how ice would
single crystal. From our topographs we properties. We hope to use X-ray top- deform on a geological time scale at high
have found that, in certain circum- ography to investigate these effects, and pressures and at low temperatures.

EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS

IEE meetings this month agencies, as well as all those involved in 26-29 London and Paris (in French)
6 Computer -based diagnosis the information industry. Real-time operating systems
7-8 Mathematical modelling of semi- Details from Focus Events Ltd 19-22 London
conductor devices and processes Greencoat House Francis Street Hands-on programming in C
11 The impact of ASICs on equipment LONDON SW1P 1DG. 26-29 Paris (in French) and Stockholm
design (in Swedish)
Frost & Sullivan events this Details from ICS Publishing Company
12 Military aircraft satellite communi-
cations month (all in London) (UK) Ltd Telephone 0800 282 353
14 Industrial LANs-the real issues 11-12 Voice Network Design & Optimiz- (UK only) or +44 372 379211 (outside
14 Gallium -arsenide: a new generation ation UK); France: Integrated Computer
of devices and integrated circuits 13-15 Evaluating and Implementing Systems Telephone (1) 48 39 88 00;
19 Speech processing Local Area Networks Sweden: ICSP Utbildning AB Tele-
20 Satellite instrumentation 18-19 An Introduction to Data Com- phone (08) 18 99 00.
21 Electronically scanned antennas munications and Networking for
26 Advances in technology for solid- the IBM PC Electrex '88
state broadcast transmitters 20-22 The OSI Reference Model and Electrex '88, the XXIV International
26 Engineers in management Network Architectures Electrotechnical Exhibition, will be held
27 Towards optical integrated circuits 25-27 X.25 and Packet Switching Net- at the National Exhibition Centre, Birm-
28 The role of highly elliptical orbits in works ingham, from 29 February to 4 March
satellite communications Frost & Sullivan Ltd Sullivan House next. BEAMA's annual dinner will be
29 Managing ASIC design projects 4 Grosvenor Gardens LONDON held during the exhibition on 2 March
Fulldetails from The Institution of SW1W ODH Telephone 01-730 3438. when the principal speaker will be the
Electrical Engineers Savoy Place Rt. Hon. Cecil Parkinson, MP, Secretary
LONDON WC2R OBL Telephone British Computer Society of State for Energy.
01-240 1871 meetings Details from Cavanagh Associates 10
A Data Protection Seminar will be held Vaughan Road HARPENDEN ALS
Information Showcase at the Green Park Hotel, London, on 19 4ED Telephone (05827) 68219.
Information Showcase, a new event January; at The Grand Hotel, Birm-
which will seek to bring together the ingham, on 16-18 February, and in the International Broadcasting
various aspects of information-from George Hotel, Edinburgh, on 3 March. Convention
creation, organization and handling to Plenary and Working Group Meetings The Call for papers and exhibition infor-
transmission, use, display and of the International Standards Organiz- mation for IBC 88 has been issued:
exploitation-is planned for the Bar- ation will be held from 25 January to 4 copies can be obtained from the IBC
bican Centre, London, from 15 to 17 February at the St. Pierre Park Hotel in Secretariat The Institution of Elec-
March 1988. It is being organized by Guernsey. trical Engineers Savoy Place LON-
Focus Events in association with the In- Details of these events from The British DON WC2R OBL Telephone 01-240
titute of Information Scientists. The Computer Society 13 Mansfield 1871.
event is aimed at computer managers, Street LONDON W1M OBP Tele- The convention will be held at the
government officials, professional phone 01-637 0471. Metropole Conference and Exhibition
groups, such as financial managers, Centre, Grand Hotel, and the Brighton
market researchers, solicitors, stock- ICS courses this month Centre, BRIGHTON from 23 to 27
brokers, publishers and advertising Expert systems: design & development September next.
 EE:
38

janua V REVOLUTIONIZE
1981VIMICS
WIDEBAND RF AMPLIFIER
DESIGN
A small 4 -pin device that, together with a few external passive components, can be used for building an
unconditionally stable RF amplifier which guarantees a moderate noise figure and high amplification
from DC (yes!) to well over 1,000 MHz, without the need of extensive bias circuits, decoupling, and
cable matching at input or output.
The latest dream of an RF designer? No, an MMIC from Avantek of Santa Clara.

Recently, Avantek added 4 devices to

their existing series of monolithic
microwave integrated circuits (MMICs).
Up to then, MMICs had found appli- ASO - stfo 14H -a.
RI(
cations mainly in the RF sections of pro-
fessional telecommunication equipment.
The new devices are the MSA01xx G.ta 46
through MSA04xx, plastic encapsu- F -2
trAtt
lated-and, therefore, less expensive- 411

versions of the existing ceramic (Micro -

X) chips.
The aim of this introductory article is to
show that these new devices enable any
designer with a reasonable knowledge of G---= 13 a E
applied electronics to build a wideband, LIB:e...200;mouarapoioN
high performance RF amplifier with
hardly more effort than necessary for
getting, say, an LM386 based AF ampli-
fier to work.
secin.kur.
raap,-A,-"

What is an 111MIC?
,,..,,...:-..,...--
Avantek's MODAMP1) series of
MMICs is essentially a family of silicon 0$1.0":300 lOw.0 wourery Prtx--46
Si MIMS
bipolar wideband amplifiers that are elk0.....110411. dale Csscadabte 41.616,..1
,d A..re 194,1
available in a variety of ceramic and-
recently-plastic packages. MivIICs are 1.5 dBm), high gain (18.5 dB), and package for minimum parasitic in-
fabricated using nitride self alignment, moderate noise figure (WF=5 dB). ductance and capacitance.
ion implantation for precise control of 02: Medium output power 70: 70 mil, square, gold plated package.
doping, and nitride passivization for (PUB= 4 dBm), medium gain for high -reliability applications.
high reliability. They house an accurately (c. 11 dB), and moderate noise figure 85: low cost, 85 mil, round, plastic
engineered darlington transistor con- (NF= 6 dB). package similar to Micro -X.
figuration with extremely low stray in- 03: High output power (Pi dB =10 dBm), 86: surface mount package; decreased
ductance and capacitance. Internal series medium gain (c. 11 dB), and RF performance with respect to style
and shunt feedback ensures high re- moderate noise figure (NF = 6 dB). 85.
peatability from amplifier to amplifier. 07: 02 series with lower supply voltage
The complete family of Avantek MMICs and lower NF. I Digit 5. Supply voltage:
is listed in numerical order in Table 1. It 08: special device optimized for highest
is seen that the devices can be selected gain (30 dB) and lowest noise figure. 1: MMIC has an on -chip series bias re-
for highest amplification, lowest noise Medium output power sistor, and can be fed from +12 V
figure, and optimum 3rd order intercep- (Pup =12 dBm). Requires a non- via a small choke. Device has 1

tion point, as required for the appli- standard bias decoupling network to ground terminal.
cation in question. ensure stability. 2: MMIC requires an external series
The performance of the MMIC can be bias resistor plus choke to ensure an
deduced from the 4 or 6 digits following Digits 3 and 4. Package style: operating voltage of 5 to 6 V. Device
the letters MSA in the type number (re- has 2 ground terminals.
fer to Table 1): 04: low cost, 145 mil, round, plastic
package. Digit 6. Performance indication:
Digits 1 and 2. Electrical perform- 20: 200 mil, square, ceramic (BeO)
ance: package for optimum therMal con- 1: Premium device with extended fre-
ductivity. quency range.
01: Low output power (Pidg = 1 35: 100 mil. square, Micro -X glass sealed 2: Standard device.
 EE
39
January 1988
1
The photograph of Fig. 3 shows the dif- voltage standing wave ratio, Zo/R) is
TYPICAL GAIN vs. FREOUENCY
20
ference in size between the plastic encap- never worse than 2:1 when the device is
18 I 1111=11111111111 sulated MMICs Types MSA0204 and fed with the recommended supply
16
MA 01
-imummull MSA0304, and 2 MSA0435s housed the voltage.
TT,.

Z 10
14

12 _ II MI ER111111
-03)0( 1111111111
SASA 0270071 NIMBI
Micro -X package. Note the type indi-
cation on the plastic MMICS; the
The blocking capacitors should present a
reactance of the order of a few ohms,
08 MSA 04XX
NEMPfflil_ I_ AIM Micro -X types are so small that a col- and have good RF properties. Silver
6 BUM oured band around the ceramic body is mica types can be used with satisfactory
111111111111111111MINIZEll used for type reference. Fortunately, results for HF and VHF, but leadless cer-
2
11111111M111111111111111
Avantek supplies all MMICs in separate amic chip, or SMA, types are a must
-5 2 10
plastic enclosures with the type indi- when frequencies higher than 1 GHz are
FRED GH2 cation printed clearly on the back. involved. Due care should be taken to
The performance of the MMICs in the allow for the stray capacitance at the
OUTPUT POWER AT 103 GAIN COMPRESSION
vs_ JUNCTION TEMPERATURE MSA series, excluding the special 07xx MMIC input and output.
Fo = 500 MHz, Ica TYPICAL VALUE
+20
and 08xx types, is shown in Figs. la and It is, of course, possible to dimension the
MSA O4XX b. The curves enable ready selection of a blocking capacitors such that a low fre-
suitable device for a given application. quency roll -off is created, purposely
+15
The gain of all devices exhibits a limiting the bandwidth of the amplifier
037JC remarkable flatness from 100 MHz up at the lower end of the spectrum. With
+10
to I GHz. Types MSA03XX and Zi=Z,=R =50 Q, and C fitted at the
MSA04XX reach up to 2 GHz with a input and output of the amplifier, the
+5
MSA 02XX
gain ripple of ±1 dB. In a standard 6 dB cut off frequency, fc, is calculated
MSA 01XX amplifier based on discrete components, from
0
-75 -2s +25 +75 +125
this son of performance is almost im-
possible to achieve without resorting to fc= 1/(2700C)
eleborate feedback networks and expens-
Fig. I. These curves enable quick selection of ive, gain controlled, active devices. Although MMICs work fine below, say,
an MMIC for a given application. MMICs are well suited to cascading in 30 MHz, some discrete or integrated
2- or 3 -stage wideband amplifiers with a VHF/UHF power amplifiers may re-
gain of up to 25 dB. In general, the RF quire bandwidth limiting capacitors to
input stage will be dimensioned for avoid spurious oscillation due to the
lowest noise figure, while the second high gain -bandwidth product.
stage is set up with an \IMIC that en-
sures high gain.
Figure 2 shows the remarkably simple Drop -in amplifiers
basic configurations of amplifiers based
on MMICs. The difference between the
circuits is mainly the connection of the MMICs are often referred to as drop -in
chip to the supply voltage, as dis- amplifiers by virtue of their direct
cussed above (Digit 5). The value of the matching to 50 Q sources and loads,
bias resistor in the circuit of Fie. 2b is their unconditional stability and im-
calculated from munity to source or load impedance
variations (filter drivers!), and the
R = (Vcc- Vmmic)/Immic absence of alignment points. Single or
cascaded MMICs enable quick and cost
effective building of accurately tailored
where VNIMIC and Immic are the optimum RF and IF sections in VHF, UHF and
values taken from the relevant data SHF receivers. In transmitters and
sheet. The resistor is preferably a carbon transverters, the more powerful MMICs
type to ensure an total reactance of the of Table 1 can be used in driver stages
Fig. 2. Basic connection diagrams for R -L combination greater than 500 Q at
MMICs with (a) and without (b) an on -chip and oscillator buffers. A wideband ac-
the frequency of operation. Without the tive probe for use with an 1 GHz oscillo-
bias resistor. The version is indicated by digit
5 in the part number. choke, the MMIC would see the supply scope or a frequency meter is yet another
resistor connected in parallel with the of the many applications that come to
load impedance, because the decoupled mind considering the low cost and ease
positive supply rails is simply ground for of use. The simple supply voltage ar-
RF signals. It is recommended to ensure rangement for MMICs makes it possible
a mimimum drop of 2 V across the re- to power the amplifier via the coax cable
sistor.
that carries the output signal to the in-
The only other components required to strument.
make a functional wideband amplifier
are 2 suitable RF sockets (BNC, SMA,
TNC) and 2 blocking capacitors. One of More power: more MMICs
the most striking characteristics of the
MMIC based amplifier is the absence of
11111111111111111111 \ 111111111\11 \1 any form of impedance matching cir- Identical MMICs with a high output
cuitry at the input and output. This ob- power compression figure may be con-
viates the need of difficult -to -make in- nected in parallel to increase the
ductors, and decoupling of the bias available power output. All MMIC out-
potential applied to the amplifier input. puts are simply connected and fed from
Fig. 3. The new plastic encapsulated MMICs The input and output impedance of any a common RF choke and biasing re-
Type MSAXX04 are considerably larger than MMIC in the MSA series is 50 Q, and sistor. This set up requires only I output
Micro -X types in a ceramic enclosure. the VSWR (reflection coefficient; the blocking capacitor between the supply
 EE
40
January 1988

5
AVANTEK 04 PLASTIC PACKAGE TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CURVES. TA .25°C
090350 7.7177, 401117771.477
pass. vs 1.01.111.04

_030 75.

INPUT
RF OUTPUT
& BUS
.169
429
4 PLCS

.466 4 N
1 23-9
2 PLCS
020
Si ADO
047140 40.117 alt
254 GU% C010.4.74C7 11.1.0.771.774

1COT .145
I
L _006, of
3 65 AS. 02
ft.-. PEWS.
1

.747,6777017
14 .7.

155E9710N POWER GAIN

vs. FREQUENCY AT 1: 57 r-:*
Fig. 4. Connecting MMICs in parallel ar- 14
.10 n 0..71,773
rangements to achieve higher output power.
. 12
10
5
1 ,
sa74301/77, .140,

junction and the RF output. Each T.,

MMIC input, however, needs its own 4 t .

2 Gan am io 73 c
blocking capacitor to the amplifier in- 13:15 1 .2 2A5 7 2 3 4I
put. With n MMICs in parallel, the in- FREQUENCY. GHz
0,1

put and output impedance is simply

50,n Q. Figure 4a shows the use of 4
MMICs in parallel, with 4:1 step up
baluns (balance -to -unbalance trans-
formers) to maintain 50 Q input and 7777771754 004 Ga, .1
RAMAT 00 rn67,4 ; 06711VT 70117 Al 70 GUN COOOSSIS.0.1
output impedance. It should be noted 3C. a
C7.777400.46 7A475,7071

that the parasitic capacitance of the I I

1041.7

baluns may have a limiting effect on the On:

03CH
overall bandwidth of the amplifier.
Another example of a multi-NINIIC i
I

amplifier is shown in Fig. 4b. This is the AE a 74 90 SC 174 'so

N C SC Sp Ns 772

so-called unilateralized push-pull ampli-

fier. Unilateralization is a technique in
which the imaginary as well as the real
term of the feedback elements is can-
celled. This creates an amplifier with
high isolation between the input and the TYPICAL SCATTERING PARAMETERS
output. The technique differs from 90. . 5.311. I, = 50 .7.A
neutralization as a means of stabilizing F req S, Su 5,7 577
um, lug Arlo e61 Ang dB ansj Mag Any
an amplifier. In neutralization, only the 10000 '62 1755 9273 .745 151.0 5 te 14
*2
imaginary terms of the feedback reac- 50041
100000
120000
162
155
158 9
1423
5017
:967
1537
125.1
15990
15368
34
55
770
20,
733
103 6
tances are cancelled because the 170002 155
1130
1357
7 682
7521
7157
1069
IS 151
la 72.
64
70
226
753
117 5
116 7
160303 172 132 5 7269 967 It 112
necessary inverse feedback is provided 180003
2001 0)
17?
193
132 3
1315
7 176
6 912
562
67
14 035
137x4
17
65
5.
251
337
1374
.454
MO
through a small inductor or capacitor, 720200
2.0000
207
230
729.
1282
6 791
6.53
55 5
7
13 257
73 739
.3
35
356
375
156 5,
165 7
173 9
which does not track the reactance of the 70:00)
250000
754
713
125 5
1236
6 273
5 616
.7Ea 0
77 7
12616 17
72586-12 228
470
777 9
1710
30[003
inductive or capacitive feedback over 317 121 1 55515 233 12 177 -33 431 1616

frequency. Consequently, the conven-

tional neutralized amplifier is only stable
over a relatively small frequency range. ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS. TA = 257C
In the circuit of Fig. 4b, each MMIC Pansanalas,Tesl Cceefaans
$1,6001 Typical Currant alas
forms the active, negating element in the Volts
!

lenA)
I

1 (GM)
152,12
reactance of the other's feedback circuit. Insen.on PD.*, Gav; 5 50 05 a8 70 85:

The inductors in the circuit serve the

15002 Insevben Pc27367 Gan 55 ; 50 10 -
vsmi Stect at VSWR 2 I 55 50 - GPO - 2
dual purpose of 4:1 impedance transfor- P7d3 Output Power al 1 073 Gan Compres.s.on 55 50 10 r cam - 12

mation and balun. The reason that NF50 5011 Vase FL7L-i
71,40 07667
55 I 50 70 ea - 6
- - - 55 50 05 023,n 7 26 7
MMICs are so easily unilateralized is
;

Seco-70 - P0.0t SS 50 OS 0617 - 53

-
,

has Fseq,^
that their internal feedback network is Mae 1 litsze,-3 3: v-
' 707917
elf 1701.11 100 5.2747
55 I 50 GPO I .

of very low Q compared to that of con-

88015-5
ventional amplifiers, ensuring a
predominantly resistive rather than reac-
tive feedback. It should be noted, how- Fig. 5. Main technical specifications of the Type MSA0404 monolithic microwave integrated
ever, that unilateralization in push-pull circuit from Avantek.
 EE
January 1988
circuits is only useful for providing
slightly higher gain or substantially more
isolation between the amplifier input
and output.
The main technical specifications of the
Type MSA0404 are given in Fig. 5. It is
seen that this device provides a virtually
flat power gain of about 8 dB from
50 MHz right up to 2 GHz. The noise
figure of the MSA0404 makes the device
less suitable as an RF preamplifier, but it
is ideal for building a wideband signal Fig. 6. Component arrangement for an
MMIC based RF amplifier in microstripline
distribution amplifier for use in, say, technique.
CATV or satellite TV systems.
in Fig. 7 can be used for building 1, 2, or
Construction: general 3 -stage microstripline MMIC amplifiers
considerations , based on Micro -X devices with external
bias networks.

The scope of this introductory article

allows only general considerations on Conclusions
the construction of MMIC based
amplifiers. The subject will, therefore,
be reverted to in greater detail in a forth- The introduction of the plastic MSA0104
coming issue of Elektor Electronics. through MSA0404 MMICs is sure to
An experimental HF or VHF amplifier boost the interest in these extremely
simple -to -use RF amplifiers, since these
based on MMICs is readily built on a are now available at affordable cost, and
piece of double -sided, unetched glass - in an easy to handle package. MMICs
epoxy circuit board material. All ter- are, however, not always the best choice
minals that require grounding are
soldered direct onto the copper surface, for designing an RF input stage. Their Fig. 7. Suggested PC board layouts for
and the blocking capacitors are fitted noise figure of 3 to 6 dB is still relatively microstripline amplifiers using the
with flying leads between the MMIC and high compared to GaAs FETs (0.5 - MSA0X35 series of cascadable MMICs in
the respective RF socket. The circuit 2 dB) at frequencies higher than about Micro -X style.
board can be secured in a small alu-
minium enclosure. A hole is drilled in Tab'e 1
the circuit board to enable the ground MSA SERIES 17-01,1cal Spe,-.5hcations a 25°C Case TeMperalule)
leads of the MMIC to be soldered to the 118.4... Sr,. ft.i
copper surface with the shortest possible thew. Gain Fiski.e P,. s.,
c1/4.1 - Here.. l', e Li Mu 1, a C. 0.5 GK. 5 03 000 5 0.5 Gift Case

length. MMICs have substantial gain at 14amber 40410 gel Kiiiii tai ta-,,,, tAs.1 Toe
15 150
low frequencies, requiring due attention LISA -0104
1.1511.0204
2.5
25
183
125
03
08
5.5
60 40 170
4 -Pat- 530040
4 -1140 c4. -W-4-

to be paid to the dimensioning of the 119543304

MSA-0404
25
3_0
11.5
82
09
1.5
60
65
10 0
17 0
23 0
260
4 -Lac 1:41-1-,C
4.-.Pac, 04a5z...-

supply decoupling. A 4.7 pF tantalum 1151A44207 30 8_5 25 6. 39 0 34-0 203 rrii Beta119A-0135-11

--05 54 10 145 rn.cro-X

bead capacitor and a 1 nF disc ceramic 1455-0135-12
2.0
15
18.5
16.5 03 5.0 1.0 14$ Plvii-X
type in parallel should work satisfac- USA -0135.21
113.A.0136-22
30
25
19.0
19.0
07
04
50
50
15
1.5
150
150
micto-X
mczy-X
torily in most cases. The use of metal 1151-0235-11
1151-0235.12
2.0
1.5
115
11.5
11
09
60
60
30
3.0
160
160
r...7,c-X
riiizro-X
film resistors for powering the MMIC is 0353-0735-21
1055-023512
3.0
25
125
115
1/
14
60
60
40
4.0
710
17.0
rracro-X
tr-o-3.
not recommended. Some inductance USA -0335-11
1495-0335-12
2-0
15
115
11.5
1.1
09
60
6.0
90
90
22.0
220
'micro -1
mcro-X
should be provided, so that a common 315A-0335-21
115A-033522
3_0
2.5
125
12.5
17
IA
60
60
100
100
230
230
0005-X
mpe00.2
\V or VAV carbon resistor gives far 1151-04351 30 65 22.5 60 130 28.0 11iao-IC
40 135 15 200
better results. 115A -0735i
115A-01351 50 330 -
17
30
5.0
125 250
mom-%
41-1:4LX

Microstripline techniques are a must for --- 115.1-0170-11

1455-0170-12
2.0
15
185
185
0.6
04
2-0
50
1.0
1_0
145
145
70 rr:1
701.11
maintaining the correct input and out- 149A-0170-21
6/31-0 I 70-22
3.0
25
190
150
0.7
05
5.0
50
15
1.5
15.0
15.0
70 m-...1
70 rril
put impedance of 50 Q when MMICs 1153-027311
5131-0270-12
2_0
19
11.5
11.5
1.5
1.1
60
60
30
30
160
16.0
70 Psi
70 nti
are used at frequencies higher than 1455-027041
5151-0270-22
30
2.5
125
125
1.9
15
60
60
40
4.0
173
17.0
701x9
70.,1
1 GHz. Figure 6 shows the rec- USA -037041 2.0 115 1.4 6.0 90 220 70 mi
1x51,0370-12 15 11.5 11 60 93 220 70 00
ommended lay -out of an amplifier based 1435-037041 3.0 125 1.9 6.0 10_0 230 7012
1453-0370-22 25 125 I5 60 100 230 70 0J
on a single MMIC with external bias re- M5511470, 30 85 22 ,..- T 130 280 70 ,00
17 50 200
sistor (types -21 and -22). The PC board 4, 5 A-07704
1055.0370=
4.0
60
735
33 0 - 12 5 22-0
70,00
70 ms
material is preferably RTE Duroid 155.4031557
1155-02851
25
2.5
15 5
130
05
Iz
== 15
4.0
150
180
35 0017570.7
65 ml va47.4
which ensures a uniform dielectric con- USA -03357
1435-04651
25 110
85
' 10.0
130
: 23.0
22.0
85 and gilasic
115 rr 534.e.-
3_0
stant, and low loss at frequencies up to
4 GHz. The bypass and blocking
1.155-0735=
1451.01551
5151,31161
40
60
135
330 - 70
2-0
115
17.0
27.0
85 00 534111.--
85 .7.3 r-,.....-
yEastc surface mass
capacitors are leadless ceramic or SMA MSA-02161
1455-03551
111517 Solace mairs!
025L,C 14,17".311,14.4-1
types, and the rectangular copper areas 1055-04357
/1SA-0735=
pkar.:c 3,015:4 e3c5474
FA4ste 3.10ce rnoura
at the input and output of the MMIC 5151,0156.1 034E4 urtece r5a.84

form the 50 Q matching microstriplines. NOTES:

1 1573e1 IX 13.041 Gro74,73-repi--eE 5.7 a ilarr tral 04434.0 14 .*137.4 at 0* 904901 R141415 51414,110 844w,11
The centre pins of the RF connectors are -174 51sgie viir,-...1--ez...
Dkiai 6451x41 Orgy.
.. 12 .:, 51 511435 4. Refer 10 5,./*, -31:c (Paw:4n
2
soldered straight onto the input and out- 3 tie. 94.040 S,..4.4 7.....7I p...401, .1.x C.0,-5,.01 y7"...4t7 2354.1 kran%4 Neve:v1.1e ke hult-v 800Li3 of irdoemaicei.
put areas.
The layouts of the printed circuit boards
 EE
42
January 1988
1 GHz. A GaAs FET is fairly difficult to
configure as a wideband amplifier, how-
ever, and that is the application par eX-
ellence Of the new monolithic microwave
integrated circuits. Bu
References:
Avantek product application infor-
mation:
Recommended Mounting procedures Si
MMIC cascadable amplifiers.
Paralleling & unilateralization of
MODAMP'', silicon MMIC amplifiers.
Filter design using MDDAMP! silicon
ALIIIC amplifiers.

Monolithic Microwave Integrated Cir-

cuits. By Al Ward, WB5LUA. QST,
February & March 1987.

Table 1, Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and the photo-

graph opposite were reproduced for this
article by courtesy of Avantek Inc.
Fig. 7 was reproduced by courtesy of
Focus GMBH, Kaisheim.

Avantek worldwide
[lead office: INDIA REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA WEST GERMANY -AUSTRIA
3175 Bowers Avenue Hinditron Services Pvt. Ltd. South Continental Devices (Pty.) Ltd. Focus Electronic GmbH
Santa Clara, CA 95054-3292 69-A.L. Jagmohandas Marg P.O. Box 56420 Pinegowrie, 2123 Nimrodstr, 1 Bergstetten
U.S.A. Bombay 400 006, India Republic of South Africa
Tel. (408) 727-0700.
8851 Kaisheim, West Germany
Phone: 8221529 or 8229677 Phone: (49)-9-09009/591
Semiconductor Customer Service: 5th Floor Randover House
Tel. (408) 970-2659. INDONESIA Dover Street YUGOSLAVIA
TWX: 310-371-8717 P.T. Subur Sakti Putera Randburg, Republic of South Africa Belram S.A.
J1 Cideng Timur 68A, P.O. Box 4467 Jkt. Phone: (27)-11-789-2400 83 Avenue des Mimosas
AUSTRALIA Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia 1150 Brussels, Belgium
G. Bendixen and Associates Pty. Ltd. Phone: (62) 359163 or (62) 359764 SWEDEN, NORWAY Phone: (32)-2-343-332
Suite 9, Level 5 FINLAND, DENMARK
10 Help Street ISRAEL Visitron All
Chatwood, Sydney ma -.1. Engineering Ltd. P.O. Box 6063
NSW 2067, Australia 182 Ben Yehuda Street Krosseatan 40
Phone: (02) 411-8005 P.O. Box 16349 S-16206 Vaellineby, Sweden
Tel -Aviv 61162, Israel Phone: (46)-8-38-01-30
Graphic Electronic Industries Pty. Ltd. Phone: (972)-3-249-273
168 Payneham Road SWITZERLAND
Evandale, So. Australia 5069 ITALY
Phone: (06) 363-0277 Walter Electronics AG
Sistrel Elettronica Micro-Onde S.P.A. Bruehlwiesenstrasse 17
BELGIUM Via Luigi Chiarelli N. 19 CH -9545 Waengi
00137 Rome, Italy Switzerland
Simac Electronics S.P.RPL Phone: (39)-6-827-8551 through 8554 Phone: (41)-5.1-512-277
Rue du Progres, 52 Boite 2
1000 Brussels. Belgium JAPAN
Phone: (32)-2-2192453 TAIWAN
Sogo Electronics, Inc.
3-13-15 Minami Karasuyama Evergo Corporation
CANADA 4th Floor, 75, Section 3
Setaeava-KU
Sheppard Agencies Ltd. Tokyo, 157 Japan P.O. Box 96-546
P.O. Box 8 Nan King East Road
Georgetown, Ontario 170 4T1, Canada Taipei 104, Taiwan
(416) 877-9846 Phone: (886)2-536-7451

FRANCE
Simac Electronics B.V. THAILAND
Serrgop Veenstraat 20
4, rue Paul Bert G Simon Radio Co.. Ltd.
5503 HR Wldhoven 30 Patpong Avenue
92150 Suresnes, France The Netherlands Bangkok, Thailand
Phone: (33) 45 06 3303 Phone: (31)-40-582911 Phone: (6)-2-340-9913
HONG KONG PHILIPPINES UNITED KINGDOM
Enrich Transworld Ltd. "Y Engineering Corporation Wave Devices
240M, 7 Seas Shopping Centre 2212 Marconi Street Laser House
121 Kings Road P.O. Box 3355 132/140 Goswell Road
Hong Kong Makati, Metro Manila London EC1V 7LE
Phone: 852-5-663-062 or Philippine Islands England
852-5-663-087 Phone: (63)-89-51-28 Phone (44)-1-251-5181
 EE
43.
January 1988

APPLICATION NOTES
The contents of this column are based on information obtained from
manufacturers in the electronics industry, or their representatives,
and do not imply practical experience by Elektor Electronics
or its consultants.

AUTOMATIC MAINS VOLTAGE

SELECTOR
by K Wetzel

A newly developed opto-triac (SITAC) obviates the need for manual line voltage selection any time
mains powered equipment is transferred between 110/117 and 220/240 VAC networks.

The application circuit discussed here is BUZ74, which in turn interrupts the Source:
a high voltage DC power supply as used trigger current for the SITAC. The pro-
in TV sets. With reference to the circuit posed control circuit accepts line volt- Siemens Components no. 25 (1987),
diagram of Fig. 1, the SITAC Type ages between 50 and 300 VAC. The issue 1,
BRT12 is turned off when the HV supply toggle point for the conductive or non- Siemens distributors in the UK are listed
is powered from a line voltage between conductive SITAC is reached at an input on InfoCard 509-sec EE May 1987.
180 and 270 VAC. This means that the 4 of about 165 VAC, and is determined by
diodes in GI form a full -wave rectifier the potential divider at the base of the Mr K Wetzel is with Siemens A.G., Com-
that provides about 300 VDC across the BC237. ponents Division.
series connected smoothing capacitors at The output power of the circuit is
the output of the circuit. governed by the SITAC type, the bridge
When the circuit is connected to a rectifier and the smoothing capacitors.
110 VAC mains network, however, the The application circuit as shown can
SITAC is conductive, causing a low re- supply a maximum continuous output Mr K Wetzel is with Siemens A.G., Com-
sistance connection between the rectifier current of 200 mA at Ta =45 °C. ponents Division.
and the junction of the smoothing
capacitors. The bridge rectifier then 1
functions as a voltage doubler, so that
the output voltage of the circuit is still
about 300 VDC. 85 to 270V
+ 310 V
The SITAC is driven by a simple control
circuit set up around the SIPMOS power V 1N4007 SITAC
FET Type BUZ74. The 22 V zenerdiode _ORTIZ
provides the reference voltage, while the
1N4001 plus the 22 pF capacitor form a 022MS/0220W L-Y-21__LI&j
single-phase rectifier. When a low AC in- 47 uF
put voltage (110 V) is applied, the small 1-3
114- 81E74
signal npn transistor Type BC237 is
switched off by the 220K -18K potential
BC 237
divider at the base. The SIPMOS FET is E 15V
conductive, because the gate is held at 11.- 220F
the zener voltage of 15 V. The source re- 18 kg 05.6 kfl
47 uF
sistor of 5K6 limits the current to about 4x1N4007
2 mA, however, even when the AC input
voltage is relatively high (>240 VAC). E 22 V
The SITAC is triggered by the drain cur- o
rent of the power FET. When more than 0%,

165 VAC is applied to the circuit, the

BC237 is switched on, and effectively
short-circuits the gate voltage for the Fig. I. Automatic line voltage selection using SITAC Type BRTI2 from Siemens.
Mr,
SIR CLIVE SINCLAIR: SUPER
ELECTRONICS ENTREPRENEUR
by Martin Ince

As both a leading developer of original computer for under £100-vastly less

ideas in the electronics industry and a than the price of the Apple machines
businessman who pioneered mass mar- then sweeping the world. The result of
keting of his products well below the Sinclair's computer development pro-
prices of his rivals, Sir Clive Sinclair has gramme was a series of machines of in-
firmly established himself as the best creasing power, starting with the ZX80
known Britain in his field today. and proceeding through the ZX81, the
A public opinion poll a few years ago in Spectrum (regarded by the experts as the
the United Kingdom placed him in a list best Sinclair computer) and the QL (for
of the top ten scientists of all time Quantum Leap).
alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Albert Sir Clive's vital role in British electronics
Einstein, although he has no pro- has been to open up markets for sophis-
fessional academic background and did ticated goods at low prices, sometimes in
not even go to university. After over 25 a way that has benefited competitors
years in business, he is still producing more than himself.
ideas for new electronic products and Fig. 1. Sir Clive Sinclair, electronics genius.
His own computers were not best-sellers
launching the firms to manufacture in the long term, and his interests in this
them. There simply are not millions of people field have now been sold to Amstrad, the
To achieve this, he often drives research wanting to build their own radios. firm that has popularized home comput-
teams to turn his ideas into products However, there was a potential mass ing and word processing in the United
ahead of the competition worldwide. market for his next generation of
Kingdom. Another Sinclair product, the
But his commercial origins lie in techni- products-a range of cheap calculators C5 electric car, which is no longer on the
cal fields far removed from the wafer and digital watches designed (in another market, was even less of a success, this
scale chips and portable telephones that Sinclair hallmark) to make sophisticated time because of technical problems with
now dominate his business plans. equipment available at well below the the vehicle itself.
prices of rival suppliers.

High technology telephones

Early commercial pursuits
It is noteworthy that his early days offer
Low cost computers But he shows no signs of bowing out of
While some satisfied users of Sinclair the high technology business. He is a
little clue that he would become the one director and part owner of a new firm,
individual associated in many people's calculators are still to be found in the
United Kingdom, the increasing com- Shaye Communications, which plans a
minds with the spread of high tech-
nology products into everyday life. He petition from Far Eastern and other new,phone
miniaturized form of portable tele-
for business and private users.
left school at 17, with a less than glitter- major suppliers of cheap consumer elec-
This time
tronics soon meant that these prod- able telephonethe aim is to produce a port-
ing academic record, and before starting at about half the size and
his career as an independent business- ucts-commercial successes when they
man, he was employed on a magazine were launched-ceased to be major awith
fifth of the price of existing machines,
a retail price of about £200.
for amateur electronics enthusiasts, money -spinners. But by now his atten- The idea is to manufacture a telephone
Wireless World . tion was on another market-that for that can be used via a network of public
The publication is famous throughout computers-where his name would be access points, providing a route into the
electronics and communications, and for made on a wider scale.
At this stage, his tactic was to produce a general network and therefore offering
publishing Arthur C. Clarke's 1945 many advantages over cellular telephony.
futuristic article on geostationary com- Because Britain has an acute shortage of
munications satellites-creations that radio spectrum space, the telephones
now dominate international telecom- would economize on radio spectrum
munications. space and would be less prone to inter-
His first company, Sinclair Radionics, ference and eavesdropping than existing
opened its doors in 1962 and in many cellular phones.
ways marked the start of his career as an Moreover, Sinclair recently launched his
electronics entrepreneur. Its business was latest computer, the Z88, a cheap laptop
to supply kits to radio amateurs who machine costing about £230, weighing
wanted to make their own equipment, less than 4 kg and under 3 cm thick. It
but had previously had to go to a variety cannot be sold under his name, however,
of sources for the necessary parts. because Amstrad now has the rights to
The idea was ingenious and worked call a computer a sinclair. Instead, it
comparatively well, but lacked the other is sold by Sir Clive's new firm, the
key ingredient of Sinclair's business Cambridge Computer Company. De-
projects in recent decades-the possi- Fig. 2. Sir Clive Sinclair and his miniature spite missing out on university himself,
bility of a mass market for the product. television receiver. Sinclair has long found Cambridge a
 EE
45
January 1988
congenial site for his high technology live up to its name, which comes from be yet cheaper, smaller and more
companies. the Greek for "faultless". His idea of available.
He also has plans to tackle the highest establishing a British presence in wafer The first market Anamartic wants to
levels of computer technology via a new scale memory technology is undoubtedly tackle is business automation, including
firm called Anamartic, which aims to ambitious. The technology is one that manufacturers of office workstations.
develop a wafer scale electronic memory. other British manufacturers would prob- But anyone who knows Sir Clive's taste
British banks have put several million ably choose to import from Japan or for taking technology to consumer
pounds sterling behind the company, elsewhere, but he did run Europe's markets cannot doubt that this will be
which proposes to produce a practical largest calculator manufacturer at a time his next stop if it proves a success.
memory on which the chips used are when that area was thought to be beyond
connected on a single wafer, allowing the scope of Britain's own electronics in-
more speed and scope than existing dustry.
memory devices. Anamartic bears clear signs of tra-
ditional Sinclair thinking. If the tech-
nology developed at his Metalab devel-
opment centre in Cambridge works, it
Same Sinclair thinking will provide a breakthrough in cost and
Sinclair must hope that Anamartic will simplicity, which will allow computers to

THE RISE AND

RISE OF THE MICRO
by C H Freeman

California's 'Silicon Valley', that conglomerate of many semiconductor and electronic equipment
manufacturers, has its roots in 'the Fairchild takeover'. Fairchild Semiconductor had been bought out in
1959 by Fairchild Camera and Instrument. With the takeover there came the implementation of new,
rigid management structures. The managers of the old style Fairchild found themselves the middle-
management of the 'new' company, and became dissatisfied and disillusioned. Resignations began.
Those who resigned began to set up their own semiconductor manufacturing companies, companies
such as the (now) familiar Signetics, Intersil et al emerged. In total, about 50 IC companies have their
roots in Fairchild.

Birth of the in earnest the switch from magnetic core The Busicom engineers had prepared
microprocessor to IC main memory. It was in the sum- preliminary designs which called for 12
mer of 1969, however, that Intel were ap- chips, performing logic and memory
It was in 1968 that Robert Noyce, general proached by Busicom, a now -defunct functions, in each calculator. By varying
manager at Fairchild, left the company Japanese calculator manufacturer, to de- the 'program' held in the ROM chips, a
to co-found Intel. Noyce had been one velop a set of chips for a new line of pro- whole line of calculators with different
of the founding fathers of Fairchild grammable electronic calculators. Intel capabilities and functions could be pro-
Semiconductor in 1957. He had been in- had recently announced the development duced. Intel assigned Marcian E. Hoff,
timately involved with semiconductor of new IC manufacturing techniques for Jr to the project. Hoff studied the
technology for most of his professional making 2,000 transistor chips and Busicom designs carefully and con-
life and had acquired a very considerable Busicom hoped Intel would be able to cluded that, whilst technically feasible,
expertise in that field. It was Noyce who make even more sophisticated devices. they would be too complicated to pro-
pioneered research and development of duce in a cost-effective manner; there
the monolithic integrated circuit at Fair- were simply too many chips per device.
child Semiconductor, quite literally from The more Hoff considered the problem,
sketchbook to production line in the the more he became convinced that one
early 1960s. Such was his reputation that particular route led to the solution of the
venture capital flooded into the newly - problem. Along that route lay the con-
founded Intel with Noyce's announce- cept of a general-purpose logic chip
ment that the company intended to which, like the central processor of a
specialize in memory chips; very much a computer, could perform any logical
growth sector in the IC market of the task. Such a micro -sized processor-a
day. microprocessor - would be program-
During the next two years, Intel's repu- mable, acting on instructions and data
tation grew, along with the sophisti- held in RAM and ROM.
cation of its products. By 1970 Intel had Fig. I. The IBM 7351 Computer. Photograph The advantages were clear. Busicom's
introduced a 256 bit RAM, stimulating courtesy of PPM Instrumentation. calculators could now be re -designed
 46 EE
January 1988
into cost-effective 4 chip (microproces- far from being 'that'. To everyones sur-
sor, ROM, RAM and an I/O interface 2 prise, the 8008 was a big -seller and,
chip) machines, rather than the original almost overnight, microprocessors
12 chip uneconomic devices initially began to be perceived in a new light: as
mooted. As Hoff critically examined a growth market with attendant impli-
these proposals, he began to see the cations of large capital returns. The
promises such a device held. A reduced changes the 8008 imbued into the semi-
chip count meant fewer interconnections conductor manufacturers manifested
between discrete IC's, a simpler, more themselves in the explosion of 'me
flexible and powerful design specifi- too' microprocessor manufacturers:
cation could be issued. The most ex- Rockwell, Signetics, Motorola etc. all
citing prospect, however, lay in the announced their intentions to market
device's programmability, and program- CUOMO
their own microprocessors. Intel, realiz-
mability meant versatility. This scheme c1111111111111111111111111101 ing they were on to a good thing, hastily
was accepted by Busicom and in late re -assembled their design team and set
1970 the first microprocessor, the Intel them to work on the next processor, the
4004, began rolling off the production 8080. The commercial desirability of
lines. software compatibility had long been
The 4004, as its title suggested, was a 4- realized within the industry and the 8080
bit microprocessor. The 4 -bit architec- was designed to be software compatible
ture was, at that time, state-of-the-art with the 8008. A year after the introduc-
stuff. A wider data bus was not tion of the 8008 the 8080 was launched
technically possible at the time. This to an even more enthusiastic reception.
mattered little, however, as the 4 -bit ar- Fig. 2. Transferring schematics to PCB
layouts by computer. Photograph courtest of Competitors set to design and market
chitecture was perfectly suited to pro- Betroner Ltd. their own processor chips in direct com-
cessing single decimal digits. The other 3 petition with the 8080. It is significant
chips were similarly of limited capa- would have reached research stage had it that the next three years saw the in-
bility. The ROM, containing the not been for a CRT research project troduction of chips now regarded as in-
calculator program, had a capacity of undertaken by the Display Terminal Cor- dustry standards: the 6502, the 6800, the
just 2k bits, whilst the RAM held 320 poration (as they were then known). Z80, the TMSI000 series etc.
bits. The calculators were duly produced Texas Instruments and Intel had entered By 1976 the microprocessor had estab-
by Busicom, using the 4 Intel chips and into an agreement with DTC, the object lished itself in many applications,
the few months after the introduction of of which was to produce a monolithic proving itself a reliable, efficient, cost-
the calculators onto the market saw the processor capable of controlling a CRT effective component. The semiconduc-
chips prove themselves as reliable, flex- terminal. tor manufacturers had come to accept
ible, cost-effective pieces of hardware. A few months after drafting the agree- them as a necessary and lucrative part of
The 4004 had been developed exclusively ment, Texas Instruments pulled out, a manufacturing operation. The micro-
for Busicom and Intel had no marketing leaving Intel to continue development processor was here to stay!
rights to the device whatever. The
alone. Intel came up with the goods:
economics of the calculator business in almost. The chip worked well, but
the summer of 1971 saw Busicom ask In- slowly. Too slowly for its intended appli-
tel for a price cut on its chips. In ex- cation as a CRT controller and the Intel- Enter the minicomputer
change for this cut, Intel were to receive DTC contract was dissolved. This left In-
full marketing rights to the 4004 and its The late 1950s had seen the computer
associated support chips. With the
tel with an (apparently) unsaleable mi- evolve into a useful, if difficult and ex-
croprocessor on their hands; what were pensive, tool. The computer's place in
marketing rights to the chips firmly es- they to do? Almost unbelievably, the
tablished, Intel launched the chips onto the scheme of things seemed clear; scien-
the public market in November 1971. 8008 microprocessor was released on tific research, defence depts., large
general sale in 1972 on the assumption automated accounts depts., educational
The advertising hype used to promote that it would assist sales of memory
the 'new' MCS-4 family belies the uncer- establishments-they all found comfort-
chips! The Intel microprocessor research able uses for their new-found computer
tainty behind the launch. Intel's
marketing division really did have a team were duly disbanded and that, it power. The advent of time-sharing
was thought, was that. However, it was systems saw an even greater degree of
'fingers crossed' attitude towards sales.
No one was really certain if the public computer penetration. Aside from the
would buy the devices. The first advert obvious advantages of allowing many
says much about the type of application users within a single company or organ-
envisaged for the MCS-4 family. To isation to simultaneously 'use' the
quote from the advertisement: organisations computer, a new use for
time-sharing systems was spotted. Com-
mercial time-sharing services began to
"MCS-4 systems provide complete com- appear. Customers of the service would
puting and control functions for test use remote terminals to communicate
systems, data terminals, measuring with the time-sharing computer via
systems, numeric control systems and 'phone lines, buying time on the
process control systems ...MCS-4 machine on a minute -by -minute basis.
systems interface easily with switches, By 1960 time-sharing was very much a
keyboards, displays, printers, growth sector of the computer market
readers..." and was being confidently hailed as the
Orders were slow. The initial sales levels 'way of the future'.
attained by the 4004 were not high Fig. 3. Elektor Electronics' Junior Computer The big machines required to run any
enough to justify further microprocessor announced in May 1980 was built by sort of computing operation were still
development. It was most unlikely that thousands of computer enthusiasts all over costly, however: they were costly in terms
the next Intel microprocessor, the 8008, the world. of full-time operations staff needed,
 EE
January 1988
costly in terms of physical space and other things) new markets for certain byists - people whose primary motiva-
power required and, above all, costly in products. A separate engineering study tion was technical rather than financial.
terms of initial outlay. In the early 1960s was being simultaneously pursued in the The introduction of the Intel 8008 mi-
a new need for a breed of smaller and R&D group, the object being to manu- croprocessor, the 8 bit successor to the
relatively less complex (and hence rela- facture a small business computer. Ahl 4004, stimulated the interest of one
tively inexpensive) machines was begin- became interested in the project and Jonathan A. Titus, an electronics hob-
ning to be identified. Thus it was that in began to eagerly investigate the byist. Studying the specifications of the
1963 the American computer manufac- marketing side whilst the engineering 8008, Titus realized that the chip was
turers Digital introduced the PDP-8. In chaps worked on perfecting two proto- powerful enough to run a microcom-
comparison with the mainframes of the types, which were eventually persuaded puter and set about designing his own
day it was a limited machine. The PDP-8 into working order in early 1974. Details such machine. By Autumn 1973 Titus
ran just one program at a time, pro- of these prototypes remain sketchy, but had a working prototype and, wishing to
cessed data in 12 bit words and had just one was a 'modified computer terminal', share the design with other members of
4K words of memory, but the advantages the circuitry being constructed from the hobbyist fraternity, contacted
the machine offered were obvious. The discrete logic and memory chips; no various amateur electronics periodicals,
PDP-8 was, physically, about the size of microprocessors were involved in its enquiring whether they would care to
a large domestic freezer, did not require
construction. The second prototype, publish his design. The offer was finally
a legion of trained support staff and, however, was quite a different prop- taken up by the (American) 'Radio -
most importantly, cost just 518,000; a osition. More radical and daring in its Electronics' magazine-a publication
fraction of the price of then available design philosophy, this machine was a firmly aimed at the hobbyist. The July
main-frame computers. The PDP-8 sold portable self-contained computer, about 1974 edition carried a constructional
extremely well, penetrating both old and the size of a thick attache case, compris- article on the Mark -8 (as it had been
new markets. Scientists, defence and ing a monitor, keyboard, floppy disc christened) together with a parts source
educational establishments, industrial drive and the main processor itself. guide and approximate costing. The
plants and financial institutions all Microprocessors were incorporated in Mark -8 was a strictly limited machine.
welcomed the new minicomputer with the design of this second machine. In Its innards contained 256 bytes of RAM
open arms. Every drop in the price of the May 1974 a management committee expandable up to 16K and no ROM:
PDP-8 captured new customers, hitherto convened at Digital's headquarters to Titus would have had to pay significant
unable to afford their very own com- discuss the future of the project. The amounts to Intel to produce ROMs to
puter power. technical half of the committee were, his specification. Input/output con-
By the end of the '60s a firm dichotomy understandably, enthusiastic. The sisted of lamp and switch technology.
had been established, with the main- machines worked well (aside from Despite its limitations, interest in the
frame and the minicomputer occupying teething troubles with the floppy disc Mark -8, and subsequent sales of the
two different and well-defined market drive) and could be manufactured econ- bare circuit boards, far exceeded expec-
sectors. A measure of the impact of the omically. The sales department, making tations. Yet, in spite of this, Titus did not
mini can be gained from the fact that by up the other half of the committee, were even consider forming a computer
1971 at least 70 American firms were far less enthusiastic. Why, it was company, regarding the Mark -8 as more
manufacturing them, with estimated reasoned, should educational depart- of an 'educational' project than a com-
sales running into many thousands of ments buy the machines? A time-sharing mercial proposition.
millions of dollars. The minicomputer computer would be much more cost-
had arrived. effective. Why should the ordinary The interest stimulated by the introduc-
householder buy them? There were no tion of the Mark -8, coupled with Intel's
newly released 8080 microprocessor,
conceivable 'home' applications. In the prompted a small electronics company
end the salesmen won the day and the
Birth of the microcomputer project was dropped. The computer in- called MITS to introduce the Altair
dustry, it seemed, was indifferent to the 8800. The 8800 was designed for the
The development of the first microcom- American hobbyist electronics publi-
puter is a story that is, economically prospect of a personal computer. It mat-
tered not that such machines were cation 'Popular Electronics'. The pro-
speaking, quite different from the devel- ject was intented to be printed as a series
opment of the minicomputer. technically feasible and, indeed, could
be manufactured and sold on a cost- of constructional articles in the maga-
The first serious, documented research zine and, like the Mark -8, was aimed
into the possibility of producing a home effective basis: no market for such
devices could be seen. The early develop- firmly at the hobbyist market. The basic
(or personal) computer occured at machine was designed with expand-
Digital (again) in the early '70s. It is ment of the microcomputer thus rested
squarely on the shoulders of the hob - ability very much in mind. The 256 byte
most probable that other companies in - memory supplied with the basic kit
t vestigated the personal computer idea could be expanded right up to the maxi-
also, but the Digital investigation re- mum 64k bytes possible with the 8080
mains the most documented experience. processor by means of slot -in memory
David Ahl joined Digital in 1969 as a boards. Other peripherals, such as a
market researcher. An engineer by trade, CRT terminal, printer, alphanumeric
Ahl became involved in marketing the keyboard and papertape reader were also
company's minicomputers to schools. on the drawing board. Combining
colleges and other 'small' institutions. peripherals, memory expansion boards
In addition to the 'regular' type of and the 8800 itself could produce, for
orders for machines from institutions the first time, a really useful, relatively
and groups, Ahl occasionally received low cost system. Such a system formed
orders from individuals for a Digital the first - the very first - fully fledged
mini. This set a train of thoughts in mo- personal computer on the market. The
tion in Ahl's mind as he began to 8800 made its first appearance in the
wonder if there would be a market for a January 1975 edition of Popular Elec-
simple, low cost personal computer. In Fig. 4. A stimulating application of the tronics and was an instant sensation.
1973 Ahl moved to Digital's research and microcomputer: Mailbox Chess, a British The machine was offered to readers of
development wing, investigating (among Telecom (Prestel) service. the magazine at a cost of S650 fully
 48 EE
January 1988
assembled and 5395 in kit form. Such niak, meanwhile, had demonstrated the computer had arrived.
prices for a machine of such high speci- board to a gathering of other homebrew The establishment of a mass -market for
fication were unheard of and orders enthusiasts and the reception had been the personal computer shook other
poured into MITS, who had great diffi- so enthusiastic that he had approached manufacturers out of their complacency
culty in fulfilling customers orders. Hewlett-Packard, his employer, and tried and, in time-honoured fashion, began to
Customers experienced delays of up to 6 to interest them in manufacturing his jump onto the bandwagon. From here
months (sounds familiar!) before computer. Hewlett-Packard refused, on, market forces begin to take control
delivery of their computers, and the however, doubting the existence of a suf- and the story of further developments in
promised peripherals did not materialize ficiently large market. Jobs thought dif- the field of personal computing becomes
until early 1976: one year later (sounds ferently. He approached several potential less concerned with technical innovation
even more familiar!). The popularity of buyers and eventually signed a contract and more concerned with hard
the hardware stimulated an 8800 based for 100 boards at $500 each. Jobs and economics. One further development,
software market. A BASIC interpreter \Vozniak went into partnership and the however, merits a brief glance. In 1981
was written for the machine and Apple Computer Company was born. IBM entered the fray with its PC, the
marketed, with success, by MITS. The The Apple I (as it has subsequently be- machine becoming an instant success in
8800 can, justifiably, be said to have come known) had no keyboard, ter- its target area (the so-called middle -
been the first 'real' personal computer, minals, disc drives etc. and was clearly business market). With IBM sales of the
and its success helped fuel the belief that targeted at the hobbyist 'tinkerers' PC well established, the familiar
a significant market for personal com- market. In total, Apple sold around 175 scenario of 'me -too' PC clone manufac-
puters might exist after all. boards at $500 apiece, leading Jobs and turers, introducing machines in direct
As interest in the Altair 8800 grew, the Wozniak to consider the project a great competition with IBM appears again.
first 'computer clubs', run by and for success. So much of a success, in fact, The resulting economic morass is a
amateur enthusiasts, were being formed that the pair went to work on a second startlingly familiar cocktail of market
all over America. It was at one such club machine, Wozniak taking care of techni- forces.
in California's Silicon Valley that cal development and Jobs looking after
Stephen \Vozniak, a young self-taught the business side of Apple. In october
computer engineer, became interested in 1976 Jobs received significant help from
the possibility of fabricating a a venture capitalist who decided that the Conclusion
'homebrew' computer. Wozniak exam- newly -developed Apple II was just right With a well established trichotomy of
ined the specifications of available for the mass market. With a firm mainframe/mini/micro the future may
microprocessors and concluded that the business plan and significant financial well see significant technical develop-
comprehensive instruction set of the backing, the Apple II went on sale in ments, but in a capitalistic economy,
newly -introduced 6502 would serve his 1977. Sales of the machine rapidly grew, where market forces reign supreme, it
purposes best. Wozniak set to work, boosted by a hard advertising campaign, will be the businessmen, and not the
writing a BASIC interpreter before going and by the end of 1977 the Apple Com- scientist, who will decide what sees the
on to design and construct the hardware. puter Company's annual sales were light of day. With the benefit of hind-
The finished article was a single board estimated to be in the region of sight it is difficult to imagine that in the
computer with 4K of onboard RAM and S775 000. Next year's sales were even future technical constraints, rather than
circuitry to enable direct connection to a better and Apple were named as the economic ones, will form the sword of
monitor. Wozniaks friend, Stephen fastest -growing company in American Damocles over continued development.
Jobs, saw a market for the computer and history. The software base for the Time alone will tell.
tried to persuade Wozniak to enter into machine grew rapidly, helping to fuel
a business partnership with him. Woz- sales to further heights. The personal

EUROPEAN EDUCATION
SOFTWARE: A NEW APPROACH
TO EFFECTIVE LEARNING
by Christopher Dunn

Considering the growing importance of put matters right. objective of originating and distributing
computers in modern education, it is Fundamentally, the problem is that there relevant computer based learning
ironical that schoolchildren all over are so many different types of computer materials for every level of education,
Europe are currently missing out on the with no standard operating system. from primary schools to in-service in-
vast potential for effective learning now Modifying software to suit each type dustrial training.
made possible by microprocessor tech- puts too heavy a cost on publishing. The company has identified the market
nology. Now all that is changing. in Europe as about 300 million young
The reasons for this are commercial. European Educational Software (E2S), a people in need of computer software to
Despite the millions of young people in bright young British company based in help them get an education that will
need of educational computer materials, Cambridge, has brought together the equip them for living in the 21st century,
the European market is seen as too small resources needed to overcome the prob- not forgetting the 60 million adults
to attract the interest of those who might lems. It is already well on the way to its working in industrial and commercial
 EE 49
January 1988
companies who have urgent need of in- visers who assist in shaping policies and European distribution. Language
service training materials as well. in defining the world's requirements of translation and the adjustment of
education at all levels. specific components to suit individual
The executive is advised by a board that countries, where necessary, are carried
includes British and other European in- out in the relevant country.
The virtual machine dustrialists and investors, and a panel The copying and distribution of soft-
The first task for E2S was to create the bringing together key people from all ware to schools within a local education
enabling technology that would stan- sectors with an interest in promoting authority is governed by a self -policing
dardize microcomputer operation. The educational advancement. This includes licensing system. The education auth-
result of its development work is a education authority advisers, poli- ority buys a master copy, labelled with
unique capability, at the heart of which ticians, industrial training specialists, its own unique code, which it then
are two key products. and representatives of government duplicates as necessary. The code allows
First is the Virtual Machine, a software agencies. the authority to keep a check on any
system that creates a common interface Where appropriate, the company de- unauthorized copying of the software.
between most makes of micro. Machine velops products in association with com- In tune with contemporary thinking in
independence means a single version of mercial and industrial sponsors. This education, many of the company's new
a program can now be run on virtually area of co-operation provides obvious applications programs are designed to be
any microcomputer. promotional attractions for sponsors largely open-ended or content -free. They
Secondly, there is the Author's Toolbox, and, in turn, enhances the relevance of make creative use of simulation and
a suite of utility programs designed to its software to contemporary issues in in- games techniques, designed to bring
help authors design educational soft- dustry and commerce. students to conclusions and solutions by
ware to run on the Virtual Machine. The It also collaborates with academic, reason and not by rote.
Toolbox provides a framework for stan- teaching and training institutions to de- Now that E2S has bridged the gap in
dardizing software and supportive tools velop innovative computer based train- educational software, millions of
which allow users who have limited com- ing materials. children all over Europe can look for-
puting skills to generate their own pro- E2S also works in partnership with ward to the benefits of a wider avail-
grams. leading software publishers in Britain ability of computer aided learning.
With this capability, E2S is now in a pos- and continental Europe, providing two
ition to generate a library of educational way channels through which software is
application programs suitable for each both acquired for development and
of the principal countries of Europe. In- distributed for marketing. Most of these
itial activities are concentrating on seven partnerships include joint development
territories: the United Kingdom, France, projects supported under the Eureka
West Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, scheme, the European government in-
Scandinavia and Spain. itiative set up to foster the development
and marketing of new technological European Educational Software PLC,
products. 8/9 Bridge Street, Cambridge CB2 1UA.
Tel: (0223) 462200.
Innovation and co-operation
In plain business terms, E2S is a perfect European Educational Software PLC,
example of a company identifying a gap Franchise agreement La Santoline, Chemin de Bibemus,
in the market, then setting out with pur- The company draws in software from 13100 Aix en Provence, France. Tel: + 42
pose and dedication to serve that need. Eureka partners and directly from 961554.
What separates it from the more conven- authors, while new programs are also de-
tional business approach, however, is the signed by its own team of software
unique physical structure it has created developers. A franchise agreement gives
as the means to achieve its business ob- partners access to the Virtual Machine
jectives. It aims at breaking totally new and Author's Toolbox, enabling them to
ground in productive co-operation be- convert existing software and to develop
tween industry and education-and be- new programs for use on any computer
tween nations. which has the Virtual Machine interface.
"We are opening up channels between Whether acquired or developed, all
industry, commerce and education on a products are subjected to the same rigor-
pan-European scale", says Christopher ous standardization and approval before
Curry, former managing director of release through its partners for
Acorn Computers and a co-founder of
E2S.
"We have involved representatives of all
professional sectors which have an in-
terest in education and placed them
alongside our own technical skills and
business resources. As a result, we are
rapidly overcoming those obstacles that,
in the past, have discouraged effective
creation of educational software."

Joint development projects

Around its central executive body, it has Schoolchildren learning with the aid of com-
assembled a structure of specialist ad- puter technology.
 50 EE
January 1988

LETTERS LETTERS LETTERS

Letters of a general nature, or expressing an Sir-Reports such as your Translating speech superior to any computer, I cannot believe
opinion, or concerning a matter of common by computer (EE, November 1987) fill me that computers will be able to take over high -
interest in the fields of electronics, telecom- and, no doubt, many of my fellow translators quality translation of complex language for a
munications, computers, and related the world over with dismay as to the way very long time to come. They will, of course,
disciplines, should be addressed to The claims of computer translation capabilities be suitable for translating simple sentences.
Editor. Their publication in Elektor Elec- are presented to the public. No professional Having said that, it is, of course, agreed that
tronics is at the discretion of the Editor. translating agency or organization can poss- systems which enable us to use multilingual
ibly accept or endorse the claims made in fonts, check for consistent use of terms, and
certain promotional literature or adver- compile glossaries are more than welcome.
Sir-I am writing to amend the information tisements.
given on p.48 of the November 1987 issue of It is, of course, true that many organizations in Chris Walters
Elektor Electronics concerning British Europe, Japan, and the USA, working on the Munich
Standards. development of speech translating software
The concluding paragraph, which states that have met some measure of success, but only
British Standards are available from BSI in insofar the basics of a language are concern- As a translator and linguist, I largely agree
London, is incorrect. The BSI Head Office is ed. The translating of one or more words with you, but I look forward with interest to
in London, but the Sales Office is in Linford from one language into another is simple, the Fist reports from the Translating and the
Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6LE. and this is probably behind the system Computer Conference held in London last
Finally, it is not a well-known fact that each developed by British Telecom. November. Ed.
county in the UK has at least one or two large It is, however, quite a different matter to
libraries that keep complete reference sets machine -translate any language to the
of British Standards for general consultation. highest possible standards that human
translators can achieve. English idiom (Gk.
Christine Fowler (Mrs), BSc, ALA "A manifestation of the peculiar") is taxing
Librarian, Plessey Defence Systems Ltd enough for the human brain, and since I con-
sider the human brain to remain always

PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE

BEAMA's Deputy Director -General, Mr Manufacturers' Association (\ISMA), medical leave of absence, has been ap-
Harold Bradshaw, MBE, has retired and the Power Generation Association pointed to the newly -created position of
after 48 years in the industry. He will act (PGA). Senior Director of Eaton Semiconductor
as an advisor until July this year and Technology.
probably for some time thereafter.
Mr Gordon Gaddes, Director -General of
BEAMA, has been elected Deputy Presi-
Mr Geoffrey Wilson, Chairman of the dent of CENELEC, representing the Highland Electronics has appointed
EEC countries. CENELEC is the Patricia Hunt as Regional Sales
Delta Group PLC, has been elected the European Committee for Manager for the South East of England.
Elec-
1987/88 President of BEAMA, in suc- trotechnical Standardization in western
cession to Sir William Barlow.
Europe and is representative of all EEC
and EFTA countries. HHB Europe have appointed Mike
Mr Michael Parkinson, Chairman and Williams, BSc as Major Account
Chief Executive of Crompton Parkinson Manager.
Ltd, Mr T.W.B. Sallit, a director of the Mr Roy Gibson, the former Director -
General of the European Space Agency,
Hawker Siddeley Group PLC, and Mr has joined INMARSAT (International
E.J. Sims, an associate director of the Maritime Satellite Organization) as
General Electric Company PLC, have Grundig International has appointed
special adviser to Director -General, Olaf Gordon Mackay as National Account
been reappointed BEAMA counsellors Lundberg.
for 1987/88. Sales Manager.

Mr W.J. Wordingham has been ap- The Rt Hon. Norman Tebbit, MP, has
been appointed a non -executive director David Palser is the new Head of Test and
pointed Director of three of the associ- of British Telecom.
ations federated in BEAMA: the Elec- Measurement Product Sales for Elec-
trical and Electronic Insulation Associ- tronic Brokers.
ation (EEIA), the Membrane Switch Peter H. Rose, who is returning from
TEST & MEASURING EQUIPMENT
Julian Nolan's discourse on dual -trace oscilloscopes is continued this month with reviews of the Gould
0S300 and the Grundig M020.
Part 1: dual -trace oscilloscopes (B)

Gould 0S300 bration is provided.

Gould have a high reputation for the The trigger performance of the 0S300 is
quality and robustness of their good, with triggering possible on a very
oscilloscopes and the OS300 follows in large range of signals without major ad-
this trend, in spite of it being the justment of the trigger threshold. Com-
cheapest scope manufactured by Gould. plex signal patterns are also handled
The Gould range of oscilloscopes com- without too many problems, although a
prises real-time and digital storage units digitized sine wave with its third MSB bit
at prices well over £18,000 for a complete missing did require some fine adjust-
digital acquisition system. Gould also ment of the triggering level to obtain a
manufacture a wide range of other stable trace. High frequency triggering
specialized electronic products such as was also good with triggering on wave-
digital chart recorders, logic analysers forms with frequencies very considerably
and emulators, etc. Gould also have Fig. 7. Gould 0S300 oscilloscope higher then the 20 MHz Y amplifier
available a wide range of accesories for bandwidth. The triggering selectors con-
its oscilloscopes, such as protective car- crease in ease of use of the scope. sist of a bank of 6 push-button switches,
rying cases, rack mounting kits and of, Curiously, the on/off switch is com- some of which have dual functions, e.g.,
course, probes. bined with the intensity control, which is two being depressed for one function.
The 0S300 is delivered in an easily ident- slightly inconvenient as the intensity This leads to a slight decrease in flexi-
ifiable blue/white box and is well pro- control is reset during each on/off oper- bilty in some modes such as external
tected by the standard polystyrene or ation. Due to the quick heat cathode of triggering or TV sync, although it has to
similar cutouts which surround it. The the CRT, the intensity control can be set be said that this is minimal. Line or
scope is supplied with a comprehensive any time after the 10 seconds or so frame sync. is selected in the TV mode
manual and, I believe, a mains lead (the warm-up time of the CRT, which limits by the timebase switch and, although in
review model was not). Since the mains the inconvenience. The CRT bezel is not theory this may appear again to be
connection is made via a standard IEC equipped with camera mounting facility, somewhat inflexible, in practice this is
style socket, there is no problem should but Gould point out in the manual that not so, as the automatic timebasc selec-
the lead supplied be lost or too short. this problem can be solved by holding a tion is quicker and easier than manual
The scope itself is quite small as far as suitable camera against the tube face. switching. This also applies to chopped
the height and the width are concerned, As can be seen from the specification, or alternate switching, which is also
although the depth is a relatively long the maximum Y amplifier sensitivity is selected by the timebase speed. The
460 mm. It weighs only 5.8 kg. The 2 mV/div, which is effective across the chopping frequency is a notable
OS300 is equipped with a multiposition 20 MHz bandwidth ( -3 dB). This ex- 500 kHz, enabling relatively high fre-
aluminium stand (with plastic handgrip tends upto 10 V/div calibrated or quency signals to be measured more ac-
at centre). However, a price is paid for 25 V/div uncalibrated. The wide at- curately in this mode rather than in the
the multiple positions of the handle in tenuation range allows a good range of alternate mode where, because of its
that the sides have to be pulled out to input signals to be accurately measured. nature, phase comparisons of waveforms
facilitate movement. This is not as easy The good sensitivity permits a x 10 can be inaccurate.
as it sounds when the stand needs to be probe to be used with low voltage high Sensitivity is good across the entire
rotated by 90° or more, owing to the in- impedance sources for the minimum bandwidth ranging from about 1.5 mm
flexible nature of the aluminium. minimum loading. On the whole, the Y at 2 MHz to 4 mm at 20 MHz. The
Voltage selection can be made for a amplifiers performed well, having a OS300 still maintained a reasonable sen-
100 V, 120 V, 220 V or 240 V line by 2 good response up their specified band- sitivity at frequencies above 20 MHz.
slider switches provided on the back width and risetime but it was noticeable Alternate channel triggering of the
panel, on which Z modulation and, that the response did dip sharply after timebase is not available and because of
unusually, ramp -out sockets as well as 25 MHz. As on most modern scopes in this, synchronization of the two input
ground are provided. this price range, the input stage of the waveforms is necessary in dual trace
The front panel is clearly laid out. All pre -preamplifiers is formed by FETs, mode in order to obtain a stable trace.
trigger functions are controlled by seven here in a source follower configuration. Trigger coupling is also limited by the
push-button switches, though the fact The use of FETs obviously helps provide absence of low frequency or high fre-
that two switches have to be latched sim- the high input impedance which is a vital quency filters which are usually provided
ultaneously to enable Ext or TV trigger- quality of any oscilloscope. In common in scopes in this price range. Where these
ing could be initially inconvenient. with those on some oiher oscilloscopes would normally be necessary, typically
Alternate or chopped modes and TV line in this range, the Y amplifiers exhibit a where the required trigger signal has a
or frame triggering is automatically small amount of drift (approximately very high content of LF for an HF wave
selected by the timebase switch, being 1/2 cm), during the 'warm-up' period or HF for an LF wave modulation, the
dependent upon the sweep speed selec- thus making readjustment of the problem can usually be got around by
ted. Although bringing about a slight horizontal trace position necessary, after critical adjustment of the triggering
decrease in versatility when the scope is the initial 10 minutes of operation. An threshold. This is, however, not always
used in these modes, this arrangement is, accuarate 1 V peak to peak (± 2cro), the case and consequently necessitates
however, justified by the resulting in - 1 kHz square wave for x 10 probe cali- the use of the external trigger facility.
111 EE
January 1988
The remaining trigger functions are
fairly standard ones such as AC or DC Table 5. Specification
coupling etc.
The timebase speed selection switch is to ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
the right of the scope and has a total of Designed for IEC 348 Cat. 1.
18 speeds ranging from 0.2 s/div to Line voltage: - 100,120,220,240 VAC
0.5 ;is/div. This can be expanded to ± 10%; externally adjustable. Power
50 ns/div by a x 10 switch, making 50 Watts. Line frequency 45...440 Hz.
viewing of fast risetime waveforms easy.
My main criticism of the 0S300 is its MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION
below average focusing, which is evident Dimensions: -W 305 mm, H 140 mm,
D 460 mm
at most time base speeds, and results in Housing: - Sheet steel
a lack of sharpness and definition that Weight: - approx. 5.8 kg
some other scopes with 2 kV tubes Fig. 8. Close-up of 0S300 controls
possess. This is naturally most Y AMPLIFIER ETC.
noticeable on the x 10 timebase speeds. of a high standard, but I have my doubts Coupling AC, Gnd or DC on both
The 0S300's lack of automatic focusing about the potentiometers used for some channels.
does not help in the matter, so that a of the continuously variable front panel Operating modes: -
slight readjustment of the focusing con- controls, which have a somewhat uneven CH 1 alone
movement, and upon inspection prove to CH 2 alone or inverted
trol is necessary when changing over a CH 2 4- CH 1
wide range of timebase speeds. The be little more than presets. There is, Alternate or chopped (500 kHz)
brightness on the scope is admitedly very however, no reason why these should CH 1/CH 2, switching automatic.
good for a 2 kV accelerating potential prove to be unreliable. On the subject of Frequency range (full deflection)
tube, but even at low intensity levels the presets, allure clearly labelled on the silk 0...20 MHz ( -3 dBi (DC coupled)
trace still insists on appearing slightly screened PCB and all are easily access- Risetime < 17.5 nsec.
defocused-both the focus and ible. Components used in the scope Deflection factor 12 steps;
astigmatism controls level and certainly come from a wide range of manufac- 2 mVidiv...10 V/div ± 3% (Min
the brightness of the Mullard quick - turers ranging from National Semicon- 25 Vidiv, fine control fully anti cw).
heat -cathode CRT is very good. This ductor for some of the ICs to Magnetic Input coupling AC, DC or Gnd.
Shields Ltd for the CRT shield. Input impedance 1 MQ/28 pF; Max input
quick heat cathode, as used in many voltage 400 V DC or pk AC. Input
modern TV's, enables the scope to be- The manual for the Gould is particularly protected.
come operational very much quicker good, totalling 26 pages plus the A3 size Input impedance 1 MQ/28 pF; Max input
(under 10 secs) than other instruments in circuit diagrams. It covers the 0S300 in voltage 400 V DC or pk AC. Input
its class (typically 30 secs). some detail including sections on oper- protected.
The Gould OS300 is also fitted with Z ation, maintenance and calibration.
modulation and, unusually, a ramp out- There is also a detailed circuit descrip- X -Y MODE
put. This output, although being only tion so fault finding, etc., should present CH 1 X-axis, CH 2 Y-axis. Bandwidth DC -
no problems. In addition, there are a 1 MHz ( -3 dB). Less than r phase shift
3.5 V in amplitude (peak) can easily be at 50 kHz.
amplified if necessary and used to drive large number of diagrams, both circuit
such things as, for example, a VCO and mechanical, which should be of help TIMEBASE
which in conjunction with a swept LO in many circumstances. Deflection factor 18 steps:
detector could be used to provide a spec- 0.5 psec . .0.2 sec/div = 3% in
trum analyser type display. This perhaps Conclusion 1/2/5 sequence. Min speed 0.5 sec/div
slightly ambitious application is one of (fine control fully anti cw).
many for which the ramp output can be The Gould 0S300 has its good and bad Expansion x 10, extends max. timebase
used, as it ensures the synchronization points. The good points include the ex- speed to 50 nsec/div. Expansion error
of any external device with the scope cellent quality of construction, its rug- :s ± 2% extra.
thus producing a locked display. It is sur-
gedness, the quick -heat cathode of the
CRT, ease of operation, and the several TRIGGERING
prising that this helpful feature is not in- time saving features. It is also worth Trigger modes: - Auto (bright line),
cluded in more scopes. bearing in mind that the instrument Normal, TV (active line or frame sync.
Internal construction is centred around a undergoes a large number of quality automatically selected from timebase
single large epoxy glass PCB which control procedures during and after con-
speed.)
houses the vast majority of the circuitry, Trigger coupling: - AC, DC.
struction such as the 36 -hour soak test Trigger sources: - CH 1, CH 2, Ext.
while a smaller vertical PCB contains the which is carried out on the completed in- Triggering slope: - positive or negative.
Y amplifiers and some timebase compo- strument. While these are in no way switchable.
nents. The Y amplifiers themselves are unique to Gould, they do appear to be Trigger sensitivity: - Internal (DC) 5 mm
fully screened. Parts of these amplifiers to 20 MHz. External (DC) 400 mV to
are constructed from IC's which are 20 MHz; All modes.
housed in TO88 metal packages for
further noise immunization. Overall in- MISCELLANEOUS
ternal construction is very neat: there are CRT-make Mullard, measuring screen
very few interconnecting wires, and, 100 x 80 mm, accelerating potential
despite the fact that both PCBs are 2 kV, quick -heat cathode. Protective
screen built into bezel.
single -sided, also very few wire links. Compensation signal for divider probe,
The PCBs and other large components amplitude approx. 1 V ± 2%; frequency
such as the tube and the high -quality 1 kHz.
mains transformer are all mounted on a Z modulation-input by 4 mm socket: 2 V
robust steel subframe onto which the visible mod. + 40 V complete blanking.
sheet metal outer housing is fitted. A Ramp out... ± 3.5 V peak from 5 kQ.
large part of the CRT is shrouded to Covered by 2 year warranty.
guard against X-ray radiation etc. Most
of the components used in the 0S300 are Fig. 9. Internal view of 0S3110
 EE
January 1988
particularly stringent in this case, being
backed up by the instrument's two year
guarantee. As to the bad points, my Table 6.
main criticisms are the focusing of the
CRT and the lack of alternate triggering.
Summing up, the Gould 0S300 oscillo- Unsatis- Satis- Very 1

scope is probably best suited to environ- CATEGORY factory factory Good Good Excellent
ments where its high grade of construc- TRIGGER FACILITIES x
tion will be valued, such as educational TRIGGER PERFORMANCE x
establishments or servicing departments, CRT BRIGHTNESS x
and its few shortcomings will not be no- CRT FOCUSING x
ticed. 1' AMP PERFORMANCE x
INTERNAL CONSTRUCTION x
The Gould 0S300 was supplied by EXTERNAL CONSTRUCTION x
OVERALL SPECIFICATION x
Gould Electronics Ltd., Instrument
EASE OF USE x
Systems, Roebuck Road, Hainault, Il- MANUAL x
ford Essex IG6 3UE. It retails at £342 + X!Y PERFORMANCE x
VAT.

No other oscilloscopes under £1,000 are

manufactured by Gould.

Grundig M020 while using a x 10 probe. Both channels

The German company of Grundig has are invertable, making for easier subtrac-
long been renowned for its high quality ting, as no swapping of connectors is re-
consumer products, and, perhaps not quired for changing the subtraction
surprisingly, the Grundig M020 largely waveform. One minor but annoying
keeps to this mould. The M020 is one of point was that both Y amplifiers on the
3 oscilloscopes manufactured by Grun- review model exhibited a small amount
dig aimed at the 'under £1000 market': of drift (about 1/2 cm) over the fist 10
the others being the M022 and the minutes of operation, necessitating an
M053. The M020 is the cheapest in this adjustment in their trace position. This
range retailing at £365 + VAT. This Fig. 10. The Grundig M020 oscilloscope does not, however, affect normal
price, in common with many other measurements outside the 'warm up'
foreign products, has been adversly af- Y amplifier sensitivity 5 mV/cm is time during which I found both channels
fected by the exchange rates: it was £66 although, unusually, the fine adjustment very stable. A 1 V peak -to -peak 1 kHz
pounds lower at £299 in August of 1986. control calibrated to give a maximum probe calibration waveform is provided
The Grundig M020 arrived well packed gain of x 2.5 actually increases the sensi- having a rise time of 5 /IS.
in a cardboard box, substantially larger tivity, resulting in a sensitivity of 2 mV. The M020 boasts an automatic peak
than the instrument itself, which was en- I found this to be accurately calibrated, value trigger, which enables the scope to
cased in a number of polystyrene although the system of using the fine lock on to virtually any repetitive wave-
cutouts. On removal, the Grundig control to increase sensitivity was at first form of above 7 mm in amplitude, with-
turned out to be fitted with a two pin off-putting as on most scopes it out adjustment of the triggering
continental plug, which entails either decreases sensitivity. The Y amps per- threshold. This has advantages in that
using an adaptor or, more preferably, formed well handling an almost full alteration of the manual trigger value is
refitting with a 13 amp plug. The lead height (6 cm) sine wave with little not necessary for variations in waveform
feeds straight into the scope and is not degradation in height over the full amplitude etc. thus making operation
fitted with a socket. This is unfortunate 20 MHz bandwidth of the instrument. easier. Triggering on the M020 is com-
because it is of only average length and When fed with a fast rise time pulse, the prehensive: auto (peak triggering not
in some situations a longer lead may be Y amps responded within the specified bright line); normal, i.e. no bright line;
required. The stand is moulded in a limit of 17.5 ns. It was pleasing to note or auto trigger and TV frame and line
tough plastic and is well up to sup- that the range extends to 20 V/cm, modes. On top of this, it also features
porting the heavier than average which permits the measurement of rela- AC, DC, LF (fs:_-_-.8 kHz) and HF
(81/2 kg) M020, but it has only one pos- tively high voltages in the dual trace (fo -10 kHz) coupling. The source for
t ition. The front panel is clearly laid out, mode without any overlapping of traces, these functions can be selected from
although the vertical mode switches are either CHI, CH2, LINE or an external
initially confusing. However, the method 11 source. A notable exception here is that
of using two switches for the vertical in common with most other
mode pays dividends when in the X -Y oscilloscopes in this price range, alter-
mode, which due to the design is ex- ala Past OuPLIKI wirrim. -MOW. nate triggering from CH.1 and CH.2 is
tremely versatile. Upon inspection of the CY*
C111
not available. This means that when
manual, it would be all too easy to de- COPP
11.1t
both channels are being used both the
scribe the Grundig as a run-of-the-mill On
input wavforms must be synchronized to
oscilloscope, with perhaps the notable e aaa
a single source to enable both trces to be
feature in this price range of having stable.
automatic peak value triggering, but this 'ma .0
a 76 -
,1101. 11.0
aim ga. Selection of the trigger mode is by a
is not the case. A summary of the Nip
L I number of lever operated switched.
specifications is provided in Table 7. These are not only easy and convenient
As can be seen, the maximum calibrated Fig. It Close-up of \1020 controls to operate, but also provide a clear indi-
 EE
54
January 1988
cation of which function has been selec-
ted; they are also used for vertical mode
selection. I found the triggering facilities Table 7. Specification
of the Grundig very good, although a
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS: -
slightly more sensitive auto trigger func- Protection class 1.
tion would have saved adjustment of the Line voltage: - 110,220,240 VAC
Y amps in a few cases. The scope trig- ± 10%; internally adjustable. Power
gered successfully on a large variety of 35 Watts. Line frequency 45... 65 Hz.
waveforms ranging from NRZ pulses to
a heavily modulated sine wave at MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION
20 MHz. In some cases, it was necessary Dimensions: -W 375 mm, H 160 mm.
to switch into normal mode to obtain a D 430 mm
fully stable trace, but this was relatively Housing: - sheet steel
Weight: - approx. 8.5 kg
rare. The auto trigger function does Fig. 12. Internal iew of M020
however take a few tenths of a second to Y AMPLIFIER ETC.
lock onto a signal, and during this time course, have its drawbacks in terms of Operating modes: -
the display is blanked, producing a weight over the more frequently used CH 1 alone or inverted
rather disconcerting flickering if the Y aluminium, but in my view the extra CH 2 alone or inverted
amplifiers range is changed or the trig- CH 1 ÷ CH 2
ger signal falls
strenght obtained compensates for this. alternate or chopped (250 kHz) CH 1/CH 2
the trigger
below On removal of the top cover the internal
threshold. Despite this, the auto trigger Frequency range (6 cm deflection)
function performed very well, y its
layout was found to be very neat, with a 0...20 MHz (-3 dB).
minimum of interconnecting wires. The Risetime s 17.5 nsec.
usefulness extended by the inclusion of a majority of the components are Deflection factor 12 steps:
LED indicator to show the trigger state mounted on two fibreglass PCBs: one 5 mV/div ... 20 V/div ± 3%
of the scope. large board houses the power supplies, Y (Max. 2 mV; fine control full cw).
Time base speed selection is by means of amplifiers, blanking circuit etc, and a Input coupling AC. DC or Gnd.
an 18 -position switch and ranges from smaller board houses the ramp gener- Input impedance 1 MQ/25 pF, Max input
0.2 sec/div to 0.5 ,usec/div, a x 10 switch voltage 400 V (peak including DC
ator, triggering filters etc. Both boards voltage).
increasing this to 50 ns/div. A fine ad- are single sided, the larger of the two
justment control is capable of slowing having a large number of wire links. X -Y MODE
the trace down by a factor of up to 21/2. Connections between the boards are CH 1 X-axis, CH 2 Y-axis. Bandwidth
The focusing and brightness of the made by a thick form of ribbon cable. DC -1 MHz (- 3 dB). Less than 3° phase
VALVO CRT were very good even at Both boards are silk screened, and are shift at 50 kHz.
maximum sweep speeds, although there fitted with numerous test pins, all of
was a small amount of defocusing when which are clearly labelled as to their TIMEBASE
the x 10 control was brought into oper- function and, where appropriate, ex- Deflection factor 0.5 psec/
ation, the intensity control being div...0.2 secidiv + 3% with
pected voltage. The majority of the inte- 1/2/5 divisions.
suitably advanced to compensate for the grated circuits are manufactured by
loss in brightness. Defocusing was also Expansion x 10; extends max. timebase
Texas Instruments, although several, in- speed to 50 nsec/div; expansion error
observed when the intensity control was cluding the input amplifiers, are from. ± 2% extra.
at maximum. These problems are really other manufacturers. The input
to be expected with a 2 kV tube as fitted amplifiers are soundly constructed and TRIGGERING
to virtually every scope under £500. The fully shrouded with sheet metal, as is the Trigger modes: - Auto with peak value
maximum sweep speed ( x 10) proved to CRT. The attenuation range switches ap- triggering from f>10 Hz; Normal; Active
be fast enough for observing signals at TV frame and line sync.
pear to be of a high quality construc- Trigger coupling: - AC, DC,
the full 20 MHz bandwidth, the over- tion, and have a positive action. One
shoot on a 10 MHz square wave being LF (f8=8 kHz), HF (fg=10 kHz).
minor point is that both the attenuation
clearly visible. The CRT is clearly switches and the timebase switch have no Trigger sources: - CH 1, CH 2. Line, Ext.
marked with the appropriate gradua- end stops, so that it is all too easy to ac- Triggering slope: - positive or negative,
tions for rise time measurement, which cidentally switch from the maximum sl.vitchable.
is made easy by the comprehensive trig- range to the minimum or vice versa. Per- Triggering sensitivity: - Internal 5_ 1 cm
gering facilities. There is no filter in sonally, I didn't like this because of the at 20 MHz, External -500 mV at
front of the CRT so that the colour of reason outlined above, but this a purely 20 MHz, Normal mode.
the CRT appears true: greyish white with personal view. The timebase switch, Trigger signal indicator: - green LED.
a red graticule. Although Z modulation which is based around a small vertically
is not fitted as standard I was surprised MISCELLANEOUS
mounted PCB, did not appear to be of CRT -make VALVO, measuring screen
to read in the manual that it can easily such quite good quality as the attenuator 100 x 80 mm; accelerating voltage 2 kV;
be fitted by the addition of one BNC switches, but was still acceptable. All beam rotation by front panel adjustment.
socket connected to a clearly marked other components appeared to be of a Compensation signal for divider probe,
point on the PCB. The bright level is very high quality. amplitude aprox. 1 VP, frequency 1 kHz.
specified as X0.8 V and the dark level as Servicing or calibration of the scope Z modulation -possible by addition of BNC
2.0 V. should be no problem, as most of the socket, bright level .s0.8 V, dark level
Overall the construction of the Grundig a 2.0 V.
components are fairly standard,
M020 appears to be excellent for an os- Covered by 1 year warranty.
although there are several thick film re-
cilloscope in its price range. The case is sistor networks. The large number of
solidly constructed from relatively heavy marked test points greatly eases fault-
gauge steel and, since the instrument finding and calibration. Unfortunately,
only consumes 35 Watts of power, no the manual only gives a brief list of the
ventilation slots are necessary. The front internal presets and suitable calibration
and rear surrounds are cast metal: most procedures. None the less, these are
of the front panel is plastic, and the rear quite helpful and should be sufficient
is of sheet steel. The use of steel does, of for most users requirements. The
 EE
January 1988
manual itself is quite good, covering a
total of 16 pages (plus block and circuit
diagrams), of which 8 pages is in Table 8.
German, the remainder being the
English translation. Overall, the A4 size
manual provided a good, if short, sum- Unsatis- Satis- Very
CATEGORY
mary of the functions, set-up pro- factory factory Good Good Excellent
cedures, and applications of the M020. TRIGGER FACIUTIES x
In addition, details on fitting the Z- TRIGGER PERFORMANCE x
modulation socket, test characteristics CRT BRIGHTNESS x
and detailed specifications were also in- CRT FOCUSING x
cluded. The circuit diagrams themselves Y AMP PERFORMANCE x
INTERNAL CONSTRUCTION
are very clearly laid out and easy to EXTERNAL CONSTRUCTION
x
follow, as is the block diagram. These x
OVERALL SPECIFICATION x
are provided on fairly large pieces of EASE OF USE x
paper which makes reference easy. MANUAL x
X/Y PERFORMANCE x

Conclusion
The Grundig M020 is certainly worth
considering, its particular strengths ly- good, producing a clear and bright trace,
ing in its construction and advanced even at the maximum deflection speed. Other Grundig scopes under
triggering facilities. The construction is To sum up, the Grundig M020 is cer- £1000
very good for an oscilloscope in this tainly worth buying if you require a well- M022-As the M020 plus automatic
price range and the two-year guarantee built oscilloscope with a good range of timebase selection, triggerable second
offered with the scope reinforces this. facilities. timebase, hold off control, Z mod. Cur-
The triggering facilities are good, with The Grundig M020 oscilloscope was rent price £499 + VAT.
the particular bonus of automatic peak supplied by Electronic Brokers and
value triggering, as well as comprehen- retails at £365 plus VAT. Electronic M053-As the M022 plus alternating
sive filtering. It is a pity, however, that Brokers are at 140-146 Camden Street, second timebase, digital timebase dis-
alternate triggering is not available. The London NW1 OPB; telephone 01-267 play, 50 MHz bandwidth, delay time
CRT and drive circuitry are also very 7070. multiplier. Current price £750 + VAT.

FRONT-END FOR SW RECEIVER

There are many conflicting technical re-
quirements for a good -quality front-end
in an SW receiver. The noise figure and
the intermodulation level should be low,
the RF insulation between ports LO, RF
and IF should be high, and some ampli-
fication is desirable. The Type SL6440
high level RF mixer from Plessey ensures
a noise figure of around 10 dB, and of-
fers sufficient suppression of the LO
signal. The signal applied to the RF in-
put (B) of the front-end is passed
through a low-pass filter with a cut-off
frequency of 32 MHz and an output im-
pedance of 500 Q. The open collector
output of mixer IC, has a relatively high
impedance, which necessitates the use of
Tr, and R5 for correct matching to
48 MHz crystal filter FL,. The fixed im-
pedance of this filter for signals outside
its pass -band helps to keep the inter-
modulation distortion low. Trimmers
C13 and Cla are aligned for a maximum
flat pass -band at minimum loss. The
mixer's intermodulation characteristics
can be optimized by careful dimension-
ing of R, and R2, provided the ampli-
tude of the local oscillator signal is The RF transformers are wound as Tr2: the primary winding is 2 turns, the
stable. A third -order intercept point of follows (use 30SWG enamelled wire): secondary 18 turns, on a Type T50-12
33 dBm was achieved in a prototype. Tr,: the primary winding is' 10 +10 ferrite core.
The mixer IC gets fairly warm, and bifilar turns, the secondary is 10 turns, L6: 6 turns through a ferrite bead.
should be cooled with a heat -sink. on a Type T50-12 ferrite core.
 Telecom 87: a preliminary report
Telecom is the quadrennial communi- III 5 Forums, in which press represen- paper. A number of companies used the
cations exposition organized by the In- tatives, experts and officials, and press notice board to criticize com-
ternational Telecommunication Union other Telecom 87 attendants from the petitors' products by means of hurriedly
(ITU). It is the world's largest, most ITU member countries were given a issued information bulletins. Cocktails,
authoritative and comprehensive tele- chance to discuss openly various themes lunches and important speeches were
communications event, attracting exhibi- related to telecommunication; scheduled and again postponed for
tors and visitors from all over the world. maximum impact on the press represen-
In the 4 years since Telecom 83, great the 3rd Book and Audiovisual Fair on tatives.
strides have been made by the telecom- telecommunication, electronics and
munication industry. This could not associated disciplines; The main theme of Telecom 87 was
have been reflected better than by the excellently reflected by the Hall of
main theme of Telecom 87: "The Com- the 5th International Film Festival Nations, in which individual countries
munications age: networks and services culminating in the award of had set up "national pavilions" accom-
for a world of nations". The ITU, as the"Golden Antenna"; modating the stands of many smaller,
part of the United Nations, has a co- and often highly specialized, companies.
ordinating, advisory and regulating the 5th Youth in the Electronic Age The Italian, French, Northern
function as regards worldwide telecom- competition. American, Scandinavian and West
munication. But "a world of nations" is German pavilions were remarkable for
indicative of incompatibility, or, quite The first day, 19 October, was certainly the impressive number of companies ac-
literally, a world of difference, between the most interesting for the numerous commodated. Many companies were
nations' standards and preferences for press representatives, since Telecom was present with their corporate stand, and
expanding existing telecommunications not yet opened for the general public. in addition as part of a national pav-
networks. In spite of the modernmeans Although it was announced that ac- ilion. Examples were Siemens, Motorola
available for global communication, credited press members would have a and Philips/AT&T.
technology in each of the ITU's 162 unique opportunity of arranging
member countries is developing at its meetings and interviews with VIPs and Companies and institutions with related
own pace, often dictated by political and ITU officials, the day (and much of the products and services were located close
economical factors. The ITU organizes evening) saw installation personnel and to one another in the halls. Inmarsat's
Telecom to enable national PTTs and many engineers working frantically to "Great Maritime & Land Mobile
telecommunication companies from all get their company's booth, display, or Show", and the 1:4 scaled model of
over the world to see the latest technical stand ready in time. All this business of- Ariane 4 were successful eye-catchers
achievements. This, hopefully, leads to fered a unique chance to study brand calling visitors in the direction of a
on the ways in which these new equipment and connection tech- number of important representatives in
can be integrated into existing telecom- niques from close by before it was care- the communications satellite field:
munication structures. Again, there is fully tucked away behind attractive look- EuroSatellite, ESA, Inmarsat, Hughes
the risk of incompatibility between exist- ing panels with letters and lighting in Aircraft, Intelsat, ArianeSpace, General
ing and new systems, and this is exactly various colours. Painting, opening Dynamics and EutelSat.
what the ITU strives to eradicate or pre- crates, carpet laying as well as connect-
vent with the aid of a comprehensive ex- ing terminals to mainframes and digital Telecom 87 focused heavily on integrated
position. In this respect, it is interesting exhanges was carried out as "last mi- digital networks (ISDN) and satellite
to quote the Secretary General of the nute" work. Outside the Palexpo communications. NTT (Nippon Tele-
ITU, R. E. Butler: "The successive building, on a specially reserved site, 30 phone & Telegraph Company), Mat-
Telecom exhibitions owe their success to or so dish aerials of widely varying size sushita, NEC, GEC/Plessey and
the fact that the ITU was in a position to were being brought into service to enable AT&T/Philips attracted many visitors
offer, within a neutral framework im- permanent and "live" demonstations of with live demonstrations of ISDN. In an
mune to external influence, facilities for satellite communication for the coming ISDN system, telephone calls, telex, fac-
meeting and interchange which were exhibition days. The signals to and from simile, slow -scan images, and LAN -like
soon recognized as a valuable service the transportable dish stations were car- digital services are all "packed together"
rendered to our member countries as ried to the various stands via cables, or for high-speed transmission via fibre op-
well as to the operating organizations short-range microwave links via the roof tic links or geosynchronous communi-
and the telecommunications industry" of the Palexpo building. cation satellites. System X from
GEC/Plessey is generally expected to
Telecom 87 was held in Geneva, the Telecom is not an exposition where one govern the new technical outlook of all -
headquarters of the ITU, from 19 to 27 has to press through masses of visitors to digital, and ISDN compatible, data ex-
October 1987. The venue was the Palais get a glimpse of the material on display. change systems. In fact, System X equip-
des Expositions (Palexpo), which is The various commercial and technical ment has been in use for a number of
within walking distance of the Geneva representatives of exhibiting companies years in all British Telecom trunk ex-
airport. The total number of exhibitors were eager to demonstrate new equip- changes, but the latest enhancements to
was close to 900, and some 50,000 ment to any interested visitor, although the system as regards the transmission
visitors were received representing some of the questions asked were so speed achievable over satellite links has
200,000 entries. The total net exhibition deeply involved with technical details as aroused the interest of many national
surface was 53,500 m' inside, and 9,000 to require noting separately and for- PTTs looking for ways to extend existing
m' outside Palexpo. These figures mark warding to an expert colleague in the rel- telephone networks. ISDN and satellite
the growth and importance of the tele- evant department "at home". Press re- communication are closely related, and
communications industry when com- leases were not scarce either, making it the relevant products and services of
pared to the net surface of 10,000 m' very difficult, if not impossible, to leave many leading telecommunication
used for the first Telecom exhibition in Palexpo without bags of docunientation companies will be discussed in next
1971. Asociated events during Telecom and souvenirs for the occasion. The month's issue of Elektor Electronics.
87 were: press room was hectic, and cluttered with
 EE
January 1988

STEREO LIMITER
A quality limiter for use in tape recorders, transmitters, public address systems, and discotheques.
A limiter is an electronic volume adjust- buffer and a linearized, temperature provided by the gain cells controls the at-
ment circuit in which AF signals are compensated gain cell. All these operate tenuation introduced by AS and A6. In
amplified up to a predefined level of the independently from the corresponding the present application, the operation of
input amplitude. When this level is section in the other channel. The recti- the gain cells is, therefore, comparable to
reached, the gain of the amplifier is re- fier translates the AF signal from Ai that of a current controlled electronic
duced to ensure that a fixed, maximum, into a direct control current for the potentiometer. Output opamps A2 (L)
output level is not exceeded. In other buffer, which in turn controls the output and A_s (R) are dimensioned for an am-
words, the output amplitude remains current provided by the associated gain plification of about 4.7. The oscillo-
constant irrespective of fluctuations of cell, marked AG in the- circuit diagram. grams of Fie. 3 show the dynamic
the input signal above the limiting The attack and recovery constants of the response of the limiter.
threshold. Limiting is, therefore, often gain controlled buffers are determined It is evident that the technical character-
referred to as dynamic range compres- with the aid of external electrolytic istics of the proposed limiter are a com-
sion. Figure 1 shows the dynamic capacitors Cs -C6 (L) and C12 -C13 (R). promise between what is useful on the
response-U. as a function of LA-of The outputs of the current controlled one hand, and practical for most appli-
the proposed limiter. gain cells AG are connected to the feed- cations on the other. This means that the
The design described here is based on a back resistors of opamps As (L; Rs) and input threshold, the output level, the
pair of standard gain controlled AG (R; R12). Hence, the output current dynamic range and the tracking(gain dis-
amplifiers which ensure a dynamic range
compression of about 46 dB. The 2
limiting threshold is reached at an input
voltage of about 50 mV: the output
voltage is then about 670 mV.

Circuit description 104

40V
With reference to the circuit diagram of C3
252
the stereo limiter in Fig. 2, opamp AI
M CI
sums the signals applied to the L and R
inputs, and provides the gain control
L0,0
= ul
R4

252
_G
9

C6
signal for the limiter chip Type NE572 in RIG
111
position ICs. Although it is economical a 0 221.
to provide a gain control signal common EMI
to both channels, the result is, of course,
the likelihood of mutual and inap- 9 It IC 3
propriate gain reduction on the stereo Al 1_07v
outputs. Fortunately, this effect does not NE572
raise problems for programme material
played at average to loud levels, and the
differences in output volume on the MEI
channels are certainly tolerable at less ------ C

than 5 dB. -E 31
CN
Both channels in the Type NE572 dual I

programmable analogue compander 105

40V
ii .1G
R14

(compressor -expander) from Valvoi 2142

Mullard comprise a full -wave rectifier, a -6V2 212 C's

-1V5
-6V2
111111MMIMIIIIIMIN 011, 0v
MIIMINIIIIIIM111111111111111111
IM1111111111111111n111 *Ste teat
1 tRIPIRTM.TINRIIMIN
UMMIIMEll
41111111111111WIll
..JEMIN11111111111ff 241144148

1111MM11111111111111111ii,
iiIIIIM111111111111MIMEN
31111111111111=111111111MM
c isi D=ic0 ci IC 2
C21 At-A4 = IC 1= TL074; 0P470
11111111111111111MIIIIMMIE AS, A6 = IC 2 = LF353; TL072
1111111111M1111101111111MINI i 0 0 220n 220n

-40 1111111MMI11111111111111111111111111
11111111111111111111111111
-70 C C21
-A -40 -SO -A -30 o 40 .20
47164-,

0 T "r" oN 37163-2
Fig. 1. Dynamic response of the stereo
limiter. Fig. 2. Circuit diagram of the stereo limiter.
 EE
58 January 1988
tribution) of the channels are dimen-
sioned such that the circuit is suitable for b
a wide variety of applications. In some
cases, the technical characteristics may
need altering, however.
Resistor Rs (R12) sets the maximum am-
plification for an optimum signal to
noise ratio in the absence of an input
signal. The maximum usable resistance ,,111111,P1111,1111
is about 680K. The gain cells operate at
a bias potential of about -5 V, while
the + input of the associated oper-
ational amplifier (pin 5; 3) is connected Fig. 3. Automatic level control obtained with t to limiter. Small signal response Iht and large
to ground. This means that the maxi- signal response tat. Upper channel: output: timer channel: input.
mum drive for As (A6) is about 1.4 Vniis.
Both gain controlled opamps function ing, it is recommended to fitpresets v.ith Construction follows the usual pattern
as an alternating voltage amplifier, and a value of, say, 100 K2 at both limiter in- of fitting the components as per the
do not, therefore, need a coupling ca- puts. parts list and the white overlay on the
pacitor to the associated output driver. The tracking (gain balance) of the chan- PCB. Fit the ICs in sockets, and do not
The attack constant is determined with nels is optimized with the aid of Pi. The forget the 2 short wire links between C20
Cu; Cs (R; L), the release constant with correct adjustment is reached after and C21. The capacitors in the corners
Cu; C6 (R; L). checking, noting and comparing the of the PCB arc bipolar (non -polarized)
The main point in the dimensioning of dynamic response curves of the L and R types.
the control circuit concerns the selection channel with the aid of a calibrated sine-
of the control voltage for the gain cells. wave generator, an oscilloscope and a Attention: pin 5 of IC2 is erroneously
In practice, it was found that the :,drive true-rms meter. left unconnected on the PCB. This is
margin can not be set much higher than In the absence of these instruments, ac- readily amended by running a short
- 25 dB, corresponding to the already ceptable results are obtained when Pt is length of light insulated wire from pin 5
stated 50 mV (0 d132--' 1 m\V in 600 Q). set to the centre of its travel. to the ground connection of C20.
The input voltage should, therefore, not
exceed 130 mVinis to avoid overdriving The supply voltages for the limiter can
the limiter, since this would then operate Construction and use be obtained by stepping down ±10, ±12
linearly again, amplifying the input The ready-made printed circuit board or -±15 V rails available in the equip-
signal. To avoid any risk of this happen- for the stereo limiter is shown in Fig. 4. ment to incorporate the stereo limiter.

Parts list

Resistors t=5%):
lit;R3=39K
R2=4K7
R4;R1 1 = 33K
Rs;R12=330K
Ra;1113=4K7
R7;1114=22K
Re;Rts;RicRii=100K
R9 = 2K7
Rio=3K3
Pi = 1K0 preset H

Capacitors:
Ci;C3;C4;C9;Cio;C1i =2p2; 25 V
C2;Ce;C s;Cie= 10p; 16 V
C5;C12= lo; 25 V
Cs;C 13 = 22p; 25 V
C7;C14;C2d;C24=10p; 40 V; bipolar'
C17 ...C22 incl.= 220n
C25;C26 = 47p

e.g. Maplin order no. F806G, or Cirkit stock

no. 04-10613

Semiconductors:
Di;D2= 1N4148
ICI =T1074 or OP -470
IC2=LF353 or TL072
IC3=NE572. (ValvoiPhilips!Mullardi

Available from Universal Semiconductor

Devices Limited.

Miscellaneous:
PCB Type 87168 tsee Readers Services page)
Fig. 4. Track layout and component mounting plan for the printed circuit board. PLEASE
REFER TO THE TEXT FOR THE CONNECTION OF IC2, PIN 5.
 EE
59
January 1988
Zener diodes and discrete regulators are
equally suitable for providing the
regulated ± 7 V supply voltage.
The limiter is best connected perma-
nently between the outputs of a line
driver or mixer, and the inputs of the
power amplifier. After establishing the
drive margin of the system, the output
and input level presets (if used) are
sealed to avoid overdriving the power
amplifier and the limiter, respectively.Gb

SCIENCE MOBILISES TO BEAT

MURDER I[N THE AL -1
by Bill Pressdee, BSc, CEng, ivilEE

The problems confronting airport motion detectors); and infrared, micro- passengers, their baggage and their hand
security are basically the same as those wave and underground pressure detec- luggage, each piece of which may be
involved in the custody of any major in- tors to discover intruders and vehicles in concealing weapons or explosives, or the
dustrial complex of national import- unauthorized areas. means for making or assembling them.
ance. These include theft, ranging from It is at these interfaces that, as the
petty larcency to bullion robbery, illicit criminal and would-be terrorist become
incursion, ranging from unauthorized Searching the public more ingenious, the detectors deployed
entry to military takeover, and specifi- Chubb Alarms is a major British secur- against them need to become more effec-
cally terrorist attack, either in the air- ity company marketing a comprehensive tive.
port or in the air. range of such devices, and has con- CCTV is an important general means of
Combatting these problems calls for ad- siderable expertise to advise how an area monitoring the concourse of the airport
equate surveillance by man or machine can best be protected. and noting irregularities. The recent de-
to discover illegal acts, and the appro- Of more critical concern at present, velopment of charge coupled device
priate detection of illicit devices or however, are the airport areas to which (CCD) cameras using solid state image
materials in sufficient time to apply the public have access-in particular the sensors is a major step towards improved
remedial action. interfaces between the public areas and CCTV surveillance. The units are ex-
Incidents at airports-such as bullion those restricted to passengers and air- tremely small, allowing covert oper-
robbery, the smuggling of drugs, or the port staff. Through these pass the ation; they have a long life, are robust,
discovery of explosives in hand lug- need negligible maintenance and work at
gage-are generally reported in iso- low voltage with power consumption of
lation. However, to be effective, an air- just a few watts.
port system must be comprehensive to
cover every aspect of security. For each
airport, the security system must first
take account of the particular site prob- Finding metal
lems. Coupled via a fibre optic taper to a
There are many security devices available microchannel plate image intensifier,
for use around the airfield, and these they are capable of operation over all
should be deployed to monitor various ranges of ambient illumination from
zones of increasing risk, starting at the bright sunlight to starlight. The English
perimeter fence: microphonic cable to Electric Valve Company Ltd has recently
detect break in; closed circuit television announced a comprehensive range of
(CCTV) cameras to scan various sectors Luggage inspected for explosives using the CCD cameras and sensors manufactured
of the airfield (possibly connected to A.I. Security Type 97. in its new factory at Chelmsford, eastern
 EE
60
January 1988
England, the most advanced CCD fa- way or hand held metal detectors. trolled by a gating grid which allows the
cility in Europe. Accordingly, over the last two decades passage of the ions in discrete samples.
Firearms and most other weapons will several types of explosive detector have The drifting ions become ranged
incorporate a substantial amount of been developed. Explosive compounds, spatially in order of their mobilities,
metal, which may be detected by X-ray their additives and decomposition prod- and, on reaching the collector electrode,
machines or metal detectors. Passengers, ucts emit minute quantities of a charac- present a current waveform character-
on entering the airport's departure area, teristic vapour, which is possible to
istic of the ions in the sample. The
and possibly also before embarking, sample and identify-although with internal air stream is circulated by a
may be required to pass through an arch- some modern military, explosives this is pump and dried. Then certain dopant
way incorporating a metal detector (and far from easy. chemicals are added in minute quantities
perhaps including an explosives detector The simplest sniffer devices available to enhance the sensitivity.
as well, as in the A.I. Security Entry rely on direct ionization of the vapour The waveform received by the collector is
Scan Type 85). from the explosives in air. These include digitized and fed to a microprocessor, in
The threshold sensitivity of the detector typically the Graseby Dynamics PD4C which its characteristics are assessed
will be set to discriminate between, say, and the A.I. Security Model 35, which against patterns for various explosives,
a small pistol and loose coins in the are light, compact and easy to use. while vapours derived from other
passengers' pockets: warnings of signifi- Although they perform a useful func- substances are disregarded. The PD5 has
cant metal detection may then prompt tion, their sensitivity is limited, their a hand-held unit with digital readout
further investigations by means of a discrimination medial, and they are connected by an umbilical to a briefcase,
physical body search or hand held metal unlikely to respond to certain military making it ideally portable.
detector such as the GN,I2 made by explosives. In many aspects the means for ensuring
Graseby Dynamics. good airport security are becoming bet-
Baggage and hand luggage is normally ter and more sophisticated. It remains
inspected via an X-ray machine, tended Finer sampling only for airport authorities to develop
by an operator trained to identify sus- A more sensitive and selective range of security systems that use these means ef-
picious opaque profiles. Recent products instruments is available, based on gas fectively.
from Astrophysics Research, which has chromatography. It includes the A.I.
supplied over 2000 such machines world- Security Model 97. These devices rely on
wide, include a combined check -in desk a constant and very pure supply of inert
and X-ray screening system and mobile gas, and the means for introduction of
systems for spot checks. the atmospheric sample into the gas
stream. The penalties for increased
sophistication, however, appear in terms
Explosives threat of increased size, weight, warm-up time, A.I. Security (Division of Analytical In-
Detection of illegal objects depends at response time, and cost. struments Ltd), Pampisford, Cambridge
present on the operator's alertness and The only other detectors in being are the CB2 4EF.
experience, but the advent of micro- very complex and accurate instruments
processors operating at several million mostly confined by their size and lack of Graseby Dynamics Ltd, 459 Park
instructions per second heralds the de- portability to laboratories, except for a Avenue, Bushey, 'Watford WD2 2BW.
velopment of expert detection systems in recent product of Graseby Dynamics,
which the X-ray responses will be com- the Ion Mobility Spectroscope (ISIS), EEV Solid State Devices, (English Elec-
pared automatically with a multitude of Model PD5 which shows considerable tric Valve Company Ltd), Waterhouse
those from known weapon types. promise. Lane, Chelmsford, Essex CM 1 2QU.
Explosives represent the most deadly of The EMS operates by first drawing an air
the armaments available to the terrorist sample through a probe and over a mem- Chubb Alarms Ltd, 42-50 Hersham
and also, even when made into impro- brane, which excludes dust and moisture, Road, Walton -on -Thames, Surrey
vised bombs, the most difficult to detect. but permits the diffusion of the vapour KTI2 1RY.
The minimal amount of metal in the molecules. The molecules are then ion-
detonator or triggering device is unlikely ized by a weak Nickel -63 beta emitter Astrophysics Research Ltd, 100 Vale
to reach the alarm thresholds for arch- and subjected to a 1000 V DC field, con- Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 SJP.

3
 EE
61
January 1988

NEW PRODUCTS e NEW PRODUCTS NEW

whole range of other applications in- an X -Y recorder. An optional auto -plot
cluding Heads Up Displays, Low -end mode transfers the data at each comple-
CAD stations, and display systems for tion of the acquisition cycle.
radar and sonar. A battery -backed memory facility is in-
RCA International Limited Beech corporated in the OX750B for storing
House 373-399 London Road the captured signal, as well as the mode
CAMBERLEY GUIS 3HR. Telephone: and function settings, in the event of a
(0276) 685911. power failure. This facility can also be
used to acquire waveforms in the field
for subsequent analysis and plotting -out
back at base. Alternatively a reference
DSO features comprehensive waveform can be transported in memory
built-in signal analysis for several years without refreshing.
facilities ITT Instruments 346 Edinburgh
New from ITT Instruments is the Avenue SLOUGH SLI 4TU. Tele-
OX750B, a compact digital storage os- phone: (0753) 824131. Telex: 849808
cilloscope which offers a digital per- ITTCOM G
formance based on two 8 -bit 2 MHz
A/D converters and an analogue per-
Designed to charge both sealedl NiCd, formance of a 20 MHz dual -trace os-
and lead -acid cells and batteries, the new cilloscope.
KOMBI from Bartec Compit also oper- Ideally suited to industrial applications Digital storage unit
ates as a switchable stabilized power or field service, the OX750B is housed in Thandar Electronics are pleased to an-
supply. The NiCd charger can charge up a rugged case weighing only 10kg and nounce the introduction of a truly port-
to 10 cells of any size at a maximum out- able low power digital storage unit.
measuring just 450 x 310 x 160 mm. The
put current of 500 mA. The lead -acid instrument is suitable for users with little The TD201 offers sensitivity down to
charger is a 3 -level constant voltage oscilloscope experience - having an 5 mV and the real time bandwidth is
source for 2.3, 6.9, or 13.8 V. The PSU ergonomically designed front panel and greater than 200 kHz. Operating modes
has the same output voltages, and sup- are real time, refresh, roll and single shot
controls with analogue and digital sec- with selectable pre -trigger of 0%, 50%
plies up to 500 mA. tions as Well as signal acquisition and
Bartec Compit UK Station Road or 100% internal and external triggering,
analysis functions clearly segregated. pen plot and hold facilities are also pro-
Facit Rochdale OL12 8LJ. Tele- vided.
phone: (0706 85) 2224. Telex: 635511
BARTEC G. The maximum sampling rate of 200 kHz
permits fast transients to be captured
whilst the minimum sampling rate
enables events lasting more than 1 hour

Single -chip colour video DAC

An advanced video graphics digital -to -
analogue converter, Type IM2110, is
claimed by Intersil as the first to fully in-
tegrate all the functions needed for a dis-
play system interface.

A major feature of the OX750B is its

comprehensive range of built-in signal
analysis facilities. The memory can hold
up to 2048 samples per channel, 2000 of
which may be displayed on the screen
while the remaining 48 are used for the
reference position. To facilitate analysis,
the OX750B incorporates a horizontal to be acquired. Data is stored in a 1 K
digital expansion of up to x 32 (in six memory and can be retained for up to 4
steps) and an interactive cursor which years when batteries are fitted.
allows the user to select that part of the The TD201 will operate from disposable
The 1M2110 CMOS AVLSI chip includes stored signal required for analysis. or rechargeable cells or from an optional
three 4 -bit DACs, a 256 x 12 dual -ported Luminous intensity of the trace is con- AC adaptor which also serves as a
colour palette, a general purpose micro- stant and remains independent of the ex- charge when rechareable cells are used.
processor interface, a temperature - pansion factor. Also provided are ver- The TD201 is priced at £195.00 + V.A.T.
compensated voltage reference and all tical digital trace shift and digital expan- Thandar Electronics Limited London
the associated sync and control circuits. sion capabilities. Road St. Ives HUNTINGDON
Although designed for use in analogue The whole memory contents, or the sec- PE17 4HJ. Telephone: (0480) 64646.
RGB systems, the IM2110 has functional tion of waveform selected using the Telex: 32250 Test G
capabilities that make it suitable for a signal analysis facilities can be output to
 EE
62
January 1988

NEW PRODUCTS NEW PRODUCTS NEW

correctly configured for the majority of quency and power transmitter instal-
: ii SMT packages currently available. lations where the use of expensive
Ten different types of component can be laboratory equipment would not be
tested and the board will carry up to 30 feasible. The new power heads simply
items. The unit has been manufactured convert a conventional DVM into a
II W-411
FA. . r using SMA PCB production techniques,
including dry film masking between lead
broadband absorption wattmeter.
In essence the device is a rugged
1111111 IV
11111111111110111
-111%11111111
centres of 0.813 mm. Price of the PCB
27-0127 is £4.98 (ex VAT & delivery) and
the component kit costs. £29.28.
bolometer. Power is fed to the unit using
a co -axial connector where it is dissi-
pated in a precision 50 Ohm termina-
OK Industries UK Ltd. Barton Farm tion.
Industrial Estate Chickenhall Lane Cirkit Holdings PLC Park Lane
IIIMIJIl
am

111111111
Ur MI EASTLEIGH SO5 5RR. Telephone:
(0703) 619841.
BROXBOURNE E N10 7NQ.
phone: (0992) 444111. Telex: 22478.
Tele-

NNW
01111111'

11
WIIIII MI
NEWER
M1111111111
WINNER
1111 11 In -field RF power
measurement
New power sensor heads introduced by
Need a BNC connector?
A comprehensive range of BNC connec-
tors is available from Watts for appli-
Cirkit provide an extremely cost-effec- cations up to 4 GHz.
tive and rugged way of measuring RF The Lynics Corporation plugs, recep-
The new, increased frame frequency of powers in the range 0.5 Watt to 75 Watts tacles, jacks, and adaptors can be sup-
100 Hz puts an end to flickering pic- and DC to 2 GHz. The only additional plied with an impedance of 50 or
tures: The upper picture (50 Hz) with an equipment required is a standard 75 ohms. Over 37 different types of con-
exposure of 1/60 second clearly shows 200 mV digital voltmeter (DVM) and nector feature in the range with vari-
the shadow of the blanking interval in leads. ations such as crimp/solder or screw -
which the line -by-line TV picture syn- The new products have been designed lock wiring, straight or right-angled
thesis is restarted each time. The missing specifically for the service engineer or body, and priel or PCB -mounting.
bar on the lower picture is the (in)visible radio amateur who needs to make quan- Adaptors offered include in -line,
sign of this progress (also for videotext) titative measurements of multi-fre- through -panel, and Tee. Body and con-
achieved with nine DRAMs (256 kbits) tact platings can be chosen to suit re-
and the digital. VLSI logic circuits from quirements.
Siemens. The TV concept is suitable for
PAL, SECAM and NTSC.
Siemens AG Zentralstelle fiir Infor-
mation Postfach 103 D-8000
MUNCHEN 1 Federal Republic of
Germany.

SMT trials kit

OK's latest SMT fibre-glas trials board
has been designed in conjunction with
the manufacturing expertise of British
Aerospace and is available with a com-
ponent kit which includes large gull wing
and PLCC in dummy form to save costs.
The board was originally designed to
research and develop OK's own SMT
production and rework systems and is
Using standard coaxial cables areas of
employment include instrumentation
and test equipment, communications
apparatus, computers/peripherals, and
video systems.
Watts International Components
Limited Suite 6 Wyvern House
BOGNOR REGIS West Sussex. Tele-
phone: (0243) 868322.
 EE
63
January 1988

NOISE BLANKER
A noise blanker is indispensable for im- matic gain control) to ensure effective to maintain correct termination of FL!.
proving the reception of very weak suppression of relatively weak inter- Properly constructed, this circuit
signals on the SW bands. In most com- ference also. Preset Pi and poten- achieves noise suppression of the order
munication receivers, the selectivity of tiometer P2 enable precise adjustment of 85 dB. Alterations to suit operation at
intermediate frequency (IF) filters cause of the noise blanker for various levels of an IF other than 455 kHz involve Li
interfering pulses to be widened, blot- interference. The circuit can be con- and FLI, although due account should
ting out the wanted signal. It is useful, trolled digitally via R23; a logic high be taken of the parasitic capacitance of
therefore, to suppress interference before level renders the noise blanker ineffec- the electronic switches at relatively high
this can wreak havoc in the IF sections tive. The interfering pOlses are made frequencies. (B)
of the receiver. logic compatible with the aid of opamp
The 455 kHz IF signal is first buffered in IC2. LED D3 lights when noise is
T2, and then processed separately in two detected.
circuits. In the upper section of the circuit, the IF
The lower section of the circuit is a signal is first delayed in FLI to compen-
TCA440 based receiver for the interfer- sate for the processing time in the pulse
ing pulses. The TCA440 is in itself a vir- receiver. ES1 is opened when a suf-
tually complete receiver, since it com- ficienly strong interfering pulse is recoe-
prises an RF amplifier, a mixer, and an nized, so that the IF sienal is no longer
IF amplifier. All stages in the latter are applied to output buffer T2. Also, the
used since pin 4 is grounded here. The gate of this FET is then grounded for RF
pulse receiver has its own AGC (auto- signals via ES3-C4, while ES2 is closed

15V

FL I
LF - 5 2E ES1 914

U U
T2
5 97 911
C6
0
71 BF 103
BF R13 R12 R15
2E6 C
494 CBE EMI C7

R8 560r
ES2 ES 3

3
C2

560n

ES4
910

ES1...ES4 =1C3 = 4066 B IC3

15
770n
- C3

T003
C4

1007
Cl5V

R32

C19
D T4

R17

41
169931 BC
928
0 560 C
LI 3 ER27
C9 C11
OEM LMCS 4102. 1N
02
4n7 7 4148
5 14 R29
AA 119 R25
3.3
Dl
1C2
1C1 13
R22 CA
TCA 440 r 1
3130
1326

BC
10 '3 11
550 C
R20
P2
4700

CB R30
C13
imm
R19 100n R21 P1
CIO C12 C14 C15 C16
=NI Moo mim 2200 C16

700n 0 47113V 700, moo wpm

4P7
nom
imm9
03
1330^
1

E7492
 EE
64
January 1988

LIGHT POWERED
THERMOMETER
An accurate, automatically operating electronic thermometer that indicates temperature on a digital
readout without the need for batteries or a mains supply.

The thermometer described here is pow-

ered by an amorphous solar cell. In con- 1 glass
substrate
trast to other types of solar cell, this uses
a non -crystalline silicon layer. Amorph-
ous solar cells are produced by con- transparant
electrode
trolled deposition of silicon on a glass
surface, which forms the top of the cell. amorphous
silicon
The production method is relatively
simple and cost-effective, but has the electrode
disadvantage of yielding cells with a
relatively low efficiency. The basic struc- encapsulation
ture of an amorphous solar cell is shown
in the diagram of Fig. 1. The eleTent is
composed of 3 series connected cells
secured on a glass plate. Each photon Fig. 1. Basic structure of an amorphous solar cell.
that enters a cell causes the release of an + 10.0 mV/°C. It does not require any sumption of the circuit whilst avoiding
electron from a silicon atom. The release external calibration or trimming, and yet display flicker. The thermometer read-
generates electric energy, which can be provides an accuracy of ± 0.25 °C at out is calibrated with the aid of Pi.
used for powering the thermometer cir- room temperature, and ± 0.75 °C over Components Di and R II enable the
cuit-provided, of course, there is suf- the full -40 to +110 °C temperature sensor to provide a negative output
ficient incident light on the solar cell. range. The IC is internally calibrated potential when the temperature falls
such that 0 °C corresponds to an output below 0 °C. LEDs Di and 132 do not
voltage of 0 V. The remaining functions function as'., light sources, but as
Circuit description of the thermometer circuit are a volt- reasonably stable 1.6 V references that
With reference to the circuit diagram of meter, a read-out, and a decimal point require a forward current of only a few
Fig. 2, the temperature sensor is formed shifter. All these are combined in a single micro -amps. Standard zener diodes give
by IC_. This is the well-known precision integrated circuit Type ICL7136 (ICI), better regulation, but are not suitable
centigrade temperature sensor Type and a 31/2 digit liquid crystal display here in view of the relatively high for-
LNI35CZ from National Semiconductor. (LCD). The oscillator internal to ICI is ward current required for the stabiliz-
Housed in a plastic TO92 enclosure, this operated at the lowest possible clock ation effect.
device gives a linear output voltage of speed to ensure minimum power con- The circuit around IC3 is a voltage
03
2
AA119
P2 LCD
Bozzi.7..t
18 DPI
T1 0

04
C5
[113 LT fa
=1 23
470P
° 0 0 41 g Th° az
85170
ISV

11 10 3 3 124 15 14 2120 19 18 17
*87 +VSi IE CND 9
Vogt 23. 15 18 11 10 14 4 3. 2 6,
bias n es es es n n et et et et et et
setA Ic 10 0 u- .4 se 0 a a., tr- O< 012 O
20 ABA 7
+Vs POL GI
2
IC2 V. BP 21
P1
TLC 31
271 Vout MEM IN HI TEST 37
L/435 C3
IC 1
2008
4 GNI) ICL7136 REF in
iretItibans
32
C3 30 14 LO C0101
29 a - REF LO 85170
__J 01
-e.
R11
OSCI OSC2 OSC3 C REF C REF P.I2 BUFF INT
40
-a 9 *
39 38 34 33 211 281 27 1

/15 a C5 C2 C4
T2
02 PS 177p CI 77.0- 1124

a 100n
8C547B
0 S 87188-2
*see 1091

Fig. 2. Circuit diagram of the light powered thermometer.

 EE
65
January 1988
Parts list

e E PS. Lttrffirrnfirmnr Resistors (±5%):

Fli;Rz;Ra=1M0

411
. elri .
,

ig .

Re = 220K
R5 = 270K

is Lciv; 1 ,
Re=1M8
R7= 10M
Rs = 1M5
Re =470K
Rto=680K
RI 1=33K
11 (2 Ea.__ PI =200K or 220K multiturn preset
..) .. .__ 9._ P2 = 'IMO preset H
\-_.- _. _./ "'
I 7 'Cl Capacitors:
C i;C2;Ca =100n
C4 =82n
40-$' C2 C3 Cl c5 Cs=47p
CH F43 FO FO 1C)i C6 = 470p; 16 V
01R6 }0 0.11=45 10;
serniCanciuctors:
C40--1 1-0 0 to rn
DI:D2=LED: 3 mm; red
rLEr cti Do;
C<OJ
IC2
la OqR 1-43 11 Da=AA119
Da= zenerdiade 12 V; 0.4 W
Ti=BS170÷
T2 =8C5478
ICt =ICL7136CPL"
IC2=LM35CZ (Maplin order no. UF51F)

-o _ L
E 1 T0--900 0
00 +

Fig. 3. Track layout and component mounting plan. The completed printed circuit hoard can
IC3=TIC271-
available from Cricklewood Electronics
Limited.
"available from Universal Semiconductor
Devices Limited.

Miscellaneous:
be fitted in a transparent Heddic enclosure. LCD= the following types may be used:
LTD221-001 (Multard/Videlec; for distributors
refer to InfoCard 507 in the April 1987 issue
monitor that switches the thermometer supply voltage to 12 V when there is in- of EEl;
off via T2 when the potential supplied tense sunlight on the solar cell. 43D5R03 (Data ModulIXD; 2D Electronics
by the solar cell falls below 7.0 V. This Wellington House 2 Kentwood Hill
protective measure effectively prevents Reading. Tel. (0734) 420440);
erroneous read-outs: for accurate oper- Construction and setting up 3901 or 3902 (Hamlin; Hamlin Electronic Europe
ation sensor IC2 requires a minimum The printed circuit board for the light Limited Park Road Diss Norfolk (P22
supply voltage of 5.5 V, while the refer- 3AY).
powered thermometer is shown in Fig. 3. Solar Cell= Lk 8- 12 V, size: 48 x 96 mm. e.g.
ence source internal to ICI should be The completion of the board should not Solems Type J0887J801
fed with 7.0 V or more. Schmitt -trigger present difficulty, but care should be Enclosure Heddic Type 222-G'.
IC3 in the voltage monitor switches T2 taken handling and mounting the fragile PCB Type 87188 (refer to the Readers Services
on again at an input voltage of 8 V, i.e., LC display. Do not overlook the 2 wire pane).
the circuit is dimensioned for a hysteresis links on the board. PP3 battery (optional).
of 1 V. The switch -on threshold is set at Do not yet fit IC2, and apply +1.000 V Heiland Electronic Design & Development
7.0 V with the aid of preset Pa. The cur- to the points intended for the V.it and Hermann Loens Strasse 11 D-4410
rent consumption of the thermometer in GND terminals of the sensor. Adjust Pt Warendorf 3 West Germany. Telephone:
the de -activated and activated state is for a display reading of 100 °C. Remove +49 (2582) 7550.
about 10 and 200 pA, respectively. Availability in the UK: Chartland Electronics
the voltage source connections, and fit Limited Chartland House Twinoaks
When the circuit is in the de -activated IC2. The completed PCB and the solar Cobham Surrey Kill 2041. Telephone:
state, and there is moderate incident cell are made to fit in a transparent Hed- (037 284) 2553.
light, the solar cell can only supply dic enclosure. The space is quite tight, For further details on distribution: Baorne.s
about 100 pA, so that C6 is charged to and the drop of sealing resin on the LCD Newman International Limit:: o Off,ca Sate
8 V. The thermometer is switched on, may have to be flattened by careful fil- The Square, Forest Rc.. East Sussex
and draws more current than can be sup- ing. One side of the enclosure of ICI is RH18 5ES. ielepho- 04 282) 270& T
plied by the solar cell. This means that treated likewise. Use wire -wrap terminal 95637.
C6 is discharged: the supply voltage strips so that the face of the LCD is
drops below 7.0 V, and the thermometer pressed against the inside of the lid. Drill
is switched off again after a few seconds. a few holes in the enclosure to prevent
This automatic on -off arrangement heat building up inside, The response of
enables taking temperature readings even the sensor to rapid temperature changes
in less favourable weather conditions. can be improved somewhat by glueing a
The hysteresis of 1C3 can be increased small piece of thin metal sheet onto the
by reducing the value of R7, and re- flat side of the 1092 enclosure.
adjusting Pa. It is possible to use a Some spare room is available in the
smaller capacitor for C6, so that the enclosure for an optional 9 V (PP3) ba.
thermometer is switched on rapidly tery. A switch can be fitted to select be- of the light pLIv.erol
when the light intensity increases. Fi- tween the battery or the soL..:cil as the Fig. 4. Promo. pes
nally, the function of D7 is to limit the power supply for the thermometer. Tii- mometer.
 66 EE
Jinuar 1988

WIDEBAND AERIAL BOOSTER

AND SPLITTER
A single transistor amplifier and a matched RF signal distributor ensure that the signal provided by the
aerial or cable network can be fed to several radio or TV sets without loss of quality.

Many people buy a second TV set for "signal" and I µV noise, i.e., the signal
use in a location other than the living to noise (S/N) ratio is 100:1. When the
room. After experiencing the disap- downlead coax has an attenuation of 4,
pointing reception obtained by the use the TV set receives 25 pV "signal" and
of the built-in or set -top aerial, it is often 0.25 pV noise. Thus, the S/N ratio is not
decided to connect the new TV to the affected by the coax cable.
same antenna input as the main set. When the aerial amplifier is fitted at the
However, the assumption that the signal low end of the downlead coax, i.e., close
strength is high enough to feed 2 TV sets to the TV set, it receives a signal of
is immediately proved false by ghost ef- 2.5 yV, which it amplifies to 25 pV. The
fects and considerably increased noise noise level at the output is, again, 1µV,
on...both sets! however, so that the resultant S/N ratio
is only 25:1. The signal amplitude is still
25 ,uV, but the noise level is quadrupled
from 0.25 yV to I pV. The conclusion is
Aerials and coax obvious: the amplifier should be fitted
A good quality directional aerial is the as close as possible to the aerial, and
best RF amplifier. It is often frequency the connection between them should be
selective, consumes no power, introduces made in high quality (low loss) cable. In
no noise, and gives considerable amplifi- general, the amplification of the aerial
cation. A typical multi -element Yagi booster ensures that the available S/N
aerial for UHF TV reception has a half ratio is not ,.affected by the downlead
power opening angle of about 15*, and cable, even if, this has considerable at-
a power gain of 12 to 16 dBi. Since the tenuation.
aerial is usually mounted in the highest
possible location on the roof, its output
signal needs to be fed down to the re-
ceiver via a cable that ensures minimum Wideband aerial booster
signal loss, freedom of induced inter- The amplifier described here is a wide -
ference, and correct matching at both band design with a frequency range of
ends. The loss introduced by a cable of about 80-800 MHz. Its advantages are
any type (coax, twin -feed) is directly mainly the ease of construction, and the
related to its length, and the frequency absence of tuned circuits. Its inherent
of the signal it carries. For coax, the loss disadvantages, are, however, equally im-
is generally lower with increasing cable portant to note. The absence of any
diameter. At 100 MHz, for instance, form of selective filters in the circuit may
Type RG213/U cable has an attenuation give rise to cross -modulation and
of about 5.7 dB per 100 m, while blocking in the vicinity of powerful
RG58/U is specified at 14 dB. RG2I3/U transmitters (mobile radios, TV
(A, = 50 Q) and RG58/U (Zo = 53.5 Q) transmitters, cellular radio repeaters,
have an outside diameter of 10.3 and etc.).
5 mm, respectively. The commonly With reference to the circuit diagram of
used, general purpose, white coax for Fig. 1, the amplifier is based on low
use in the home is certainly not better noise RF transistor Type BFG65 from
than RG58/U. Mullard. Components Pi-Ri-L3-Co are
Although it is assumed here that con- fitted close to a mains adaptor that pro-
structors are familiar with the general vides a regulated output of 12 V. The
rule that an RF amplifier should be fit- amplifier is fed via the core of the
ted as close as possible to the aerial, the downlead coax cable. Choke L3 prevents
following example may prove helpful to the RF signals being short-circuited in
illustrate the practical consequences if the supply, while C6 keeps the ampli-
this is not the case. fier's supply voltage away from the TV
Any electronic amplifier produces noise. input. The RF signal provided by Ti is,
Assuming that the circuit in question therefore, superimposed on the supply
receives an input signal of 10 pV, and voltage.
amplifies this, say, 10 times while adding Zenerdiode Di keeps the base of Ti at
I pV noise, it is readily seen that its out- Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the wideband 4.7 V below the collector potential. In-
put signal is composed of 100 pV aerial booster. ductors Li and L2 prevent RF feedback
 EE
January 1988
67

Parts list

Resistors (±5%):
R1= 270R
P1 =2K5 H

Capacitors:
Ci;C2;Ca = 100; SMD
C4=24,2; 16 V
Cs=47p;16 V
Cs=1n0; ceramic

Semiconductors:
Di = zenerdiode 4V7; 400 mW
Ti=BFG65

Inductors:
1_1;1_2;1.3= see text.

Miscellaneous:
PCB Type 87700X (not available through the
Readers Services).
Mains adaptor, 12 VDC; 100 mA.

Fig. 2. The printed circuit board for the amplifier and its downlead power supply.

3 effective grounding, and the shortest

possible connection of the centre core.
The amplifier is fitted in a waterproof
ABS enclosure for fixing onto the aerial
mast. Drill 2 or 3 small holes in the
underside of the enclosure to prevent
water gathering inside. The supply sec-
tion is fitted iti,a small enclosure, located
on the attic, 'or behind the TV set,
together with the mains adaptor.
Turn the wiper of Pi for maximum re-
sistance. Measure the current drain of
the completed amplifier by connecting
an ammeter between the adaptor output
and the + 12 V input on the supply
board. Pi is carefully advanced until a
weak station is sufficently amplified,
without running into cross -modulation
caused by stronger signals. Do not ex-
ceed 25 mA on penalty of damaging T.
When the amplifier is used for
distributing sienals on the cable network
as discussed above, it is recommended to
replace Ti by a Type BFG96, operated
at a collector current of 75 mA (this may
Fig. 3. The completed amplifier and supply boards connected to the coax cables. require adapting RI).

between the collector and the base whilst glued into position before soldering. In-
passing current through Di. The combi- ductors Lt and L2 are wound as 6 turns
nation of electrolytic and SMD of 00.2 mm (36SWG) enamelled copper
capacitors (Cs -Ca and C4 -C3) ensures wire through miniature (3 mm) ferrite
optimum decoupling for the entire fre- beads. The enamel coating is carefully Signal divider
quency range of the amplifier. scratched off the connecting wires, these The previously described amplifier has
are tinned, pushed through the respec- sufficient gain to enable dividing its out-
The aerial booster plus supply section is tive holes, soldered at the copper side, put signal between a number of TV sets
constructed on the PC board shown in and cut off at the other side of the in the home. All the signal dividers to be
Fig. 2. All parts are fitted at the copper board. The fitting of the zenerdiode and described should obtain their input
side. The PCB is cut to separate the the 2 electrolytic capacitors should not signal from C6, i.e., they must not be
amplifier and the supply section. Drill a present difficulties. Mount a small tin or fitted between the amplifier output and
5 mm hole to receive Ti, whose leads brass screen across the transistor as the supply.
are cut to size, and soldered flat onto the shown on the component overlay. Figure The signal dividers are assumed to be
relevant copper areas. Ascertain the pin- 3 shows the completed aerial 'booster terminated in 75 Q. Figure 4 shows the
nine before fitting the BFG65! SMD plus supply. Note that the coax cables most elementary set-up of a coax signal
capacitors CI, C2 and Ca are carefully are clamped onto the boards to ensure divider. Although the input signal is cor-
 68 EE
January 1988
rectly terminated in 75 Q, both TV sets (25+75)/2=50 Q
at the outputs see a source impedance of
so that the characteristic impedance is
75 + (75//75) =112.5 Q. 50 + 25 = 75 Q. In the circuit of Fig. 5b,
the signal amplitude on each of the 3
A better circuit is shown in Fig. 5a. In outputs is one third of that at the input.
this, there are three 25 Q resistors and 3 For an n -way divider, the value of R is
termination resistors for the input and calculated from
the 2 outputs. Each .signal path has a
Fig. 4. This signal divider is too simple to 25 Q resistor and a parallel combination
give optimum results. with an equivalent resistance of R -nn +1
-1 x 75[Q].

The resistor values obtained from this

equation can be approximated with the
nearest E12 or E96 value; for the 3 -way
and 4 -way dividers of Figs. 5b and 5c,
the respective values of 39 Q and 47 Q
can be used with impunity.
It is possible to further subdivide the
signal with the aid of the circuit shown
in Fig. 6. This forms an alternative to
the circuit in Fig. 5c, and enables
economizing on coax cable, since the
distribution point need no be central to
all 4 connections. It is important to note
that all outputs on the dividers described
here require termination in 75 Q, either
by a TV or radio set, or, if this is not
connected, by a 75 Q resistor. Finally,
Fig. 7 shows a practical version of a 2 -
way divider fitted in a metal enclosure to
prevent stray radiation. B;D

Fig. 5. Signal dividers that maintain the correct termination and source impedance in 75 Q
cable networks.

Fig. 7. Suggested construction of a 2 -way

Fig. 6. An alternative 4 -way signal divider. signal divider in a metal enclosure.
 69

FRONT-END FOR FM RECEIVER

Among the most important technical available of the 3 DBMs stated. Tuneable the fact that the IF output easily delivers
characteristics of a VHF preamplifier local oscillator T2 produces very little 10 mW, which may well give problems if
are the noise figure, and the large signal phase noise, and DG MOSFET T3 pro- the IF amplifier is not properly dimen-
handling capability. Although these are vides a LO power of.50 to 100 mW at a sioned.
in principle conflicting requirements, a drain current of about 25 mA. FET T4
compromise can be found in the use of enables driving a prescaler or a syn- Inductor data for this project:
high -quality RF components. The re- thesizer with the LO signal. Series net- Li ...Ls incl. =E526HNA10014 (Toko).
ceiver's ability to withstand high input work R9 -C20 is fitted at the input of the L6 =E526HNA10013 (Toko).
levels can be enhanced by providing suf- IF amplifier because any passive DBM . . L9;L14 = 6 turns 36SWG
ficient selectivity ahead of the active el- should be correctly terminated on at (0 0.2 mm) enamelled copper wire
ement(s). This is especially important least two of its ports. To compensate for through a ferrite bead.
for the mixer, since it generates most in- the 6 dB conversion loss in the DBM, = 9 turns 24SWG (0 0.6 mm) en-
termodulation products. and to ensure some spare IF gain, amelled copper wire on a T25-12 ferrite
In this FM tunerhead, the aerial signal is medium power RF J-FET Ts is dimen- core; tap at 3 turns from C35-Ri5-Ri6.
first passed through a slightly over - sioned to provide a gain of about 12 dB B
critically coupled band filter, amplified at a drain current of 25 mA.
with the aid of low noise UHF transistor The proposed front-end gives fairly good
Ti, and again filtered. The overall gain results: its third -order intercept point is
between the aerial input and the mixer
better than 0 dB when a mixer is used
input is about 12 dB at 87 MHz, and with IP = +20 dBm, while the noise
17 dB at 108 MHz. The difference is figure is about 4 dB. This sort of per-
caused by the adopted method of filter formance should enable the reception of
coupling. A wideband Schottky DBM quite weak transmissions even with a
(double balanced mixer) is used for the powerful transmitter within a few miles
mixer in this design. The Type SBL-1 from the receiver.
(LO = + 7 dBm) is probably the best Finally, due account should be taken of
15V
( .E100mA;

RS I9
H C21 L12
P 8002

- IHI
17 Iga
LIB
L7
39011
10.
60115

1.1
a 114
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BFG65
BFQ 69
RI BFR 96
C3 CI C5 C9 a
a 15
inn
520 Sy 52 622 470 -IT I
Cz2 2600 COB C23
mim
O
a T- T- 600 411.

RB

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C12 C15 Ct6 TAX Is
C's
TAX 110;

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IHI I 11 3
17 172
-643-
"
L3 LS 15 V I

03 C/9
195
Sy 70 L.

01.. 1:16 = BB 304

C 615 , 622

12 a
II
337 (Lb R16
LII I , C3?
1.
BF

MN=
T
mme
C30

2
256 C T3
BF
256 C
R19

IL
11 3N 211
1323 c3g PR ES CALEB

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C26 Ili? CIS
11
RI2 Rt3
C32
RIB
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7.2
mom
mom
mow
200 72n
a
22; 22m set?
V" 1 M°
 EE
70 January 1988

ktEADERS SERVICES READERS SERVICE

PARTS & BOOKS BOOKS No. Price VAT "ADVERTISEMENTS
In lE1
All orders must be sent BY POST to Eicklar Etectrofpcs is pualisried on the third
our Brentford office using the appro MARCH 1987 Thursday of the month preceding cover
priate form opposite. Please note that The following books are currently hASX EFROLtme.r 37002 9.50 1.43 date. Closing date for copy is five weeks
available: these may bre ordered Valve preamplifier 1 87006-1 8.50 1.28 before publication date for both colour and
we can not deal with PERSONAL 86111.3a 6.90 1.04
from certain electronics retailers ntanotofne-
CALLERS, as no stock is carried at the Stereo VU meter 87022 1.75 0.26 The Publishers will not be liable for any
editorial offices. The postal address is or bookshops; or direct from our 87026 8.20 t.23
Biphaser loss occasioned by the failure of any
given at the back of the form. Brentford office advertisement to appear from any cause
All prices shown are net and customers whatev; nor do they accept liability for
APRIL 1987
in the UK should add VAT where Valve preamplifier -2 87006-2 12.52 1.88 printers' errors, although every care is
shown. ALL customers must add 301 Circuits E6.25
302 Circuits E6.25 Facsimile interface 87038 8.83 1.32 taken to avoid mistakes. Advertisers' prop-
postage and packing charges for orders Lirkwitz filters 84071 7.26 1.09 erty. artwork, etc, is held at owners' risk.
up to £15.00 as follows: UK, £1.00; BINDERS and should be insured by them against fire
Europe, E1.50; other countries, £2.00 or other damage.
MAY 1987 Copy arid illustrations are in all cases sub-
(surface mail) or E3.00 lairmaill. For Elektor Electronics binder E2.95 Capacitance meter 86042 5.15 0.56
orders over E15.00, but not exceeding ject to the Publishers' approval and must
Metal detector 86069 4.25 0.64 comply with the code of advertising prac-
£50.00, these p&p charges should be FRONT PANELS MIDI signal castribution 87012 7_40 1.11 tice in force in the country or countries of
doubled. For orders over £50.00 in Spot save wave publication. The advertiser will indemnify
value, p&p charges will be advised. No. Price VAT ceneratoc 87036.1 not avalehae
1E1 (El the Publishers against arty contravention of
Software is also available from any Trade Act in force in the country or
Indoor unit for sate!. JUNE 1987 coutries of publication. The Publishers
TECHNOMATIC LIMITED (for address,
see inside front coved. lire TV reception 86082-F 3.50 0.53 Intercom for motor reserve the right to refuse. suspend, or
Topof-the.range 86111.F1 5.60 0.84 cyclists 87021 6.85 1.03 cancel any advertisement or series of
In Sweden. printed -circuit boards preamplifier 86111-F2 4.45 0.67 Spot sine wave advernsements. In all cases, the
should be ordered from Digital sine -wave generator 2 87036-2 rat aysiefe Publishers' Standard Terms of Business
ELECTRONIC PRESS generator 87001-F 5.45 0.82 AutorangSng OMNI 87099 6.55 0.98 apply (see reverse of Parts & Books Order
Box 63 Autoranging DADA 87099-F 2.80 0.42 Form opposite/. The placing of space reser-
S182 11 Danderyd Frequency meter 87286.F 10.75 1.61 JULY/AUGUST 1987 vations by the advertisers or their agents is
Telephone: 08.753 03 05 Wien bridge lascallalial 87441 2.15 0.32 deemed by the Publishers to imply accept.
Duty factor analyser 87448 5.85 0.88 once of, and agreement to be bound by.
SOFTWARE these conditions.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Digitd voltageCurrent
Software in IEIPROMs No. Price VAT dieP4Y 87468 6.50 0.98
Subscriptions can be provided 10 1E1 32 K pseudo ROM 87500 4.00 0.60
anywhere in the world: they may be pP-controlled frequency Headphone amplifies 87512 9.00 1.35 Advertisement sizes
ordered on the appropriate form op- meter 1 x 2732 531 9.00 1.35 Halogen tame dimmer 87452 rise asseabile Trim size : 297mm 210mm
posite X -Y plotter 7_ get cc -de 'C.47.31 67463 rot ay -4L; Full page : 265mm x 185mm
1 x 2732 532 9.00 1.35 page : 130mm x 185mm Moral
programmable timer 265mm x 90rrim (vest)
SEPTEMBER 1987
LETTERS 1 r 2732 535 9.00 1.35 3..irface-rnoi:nt stereo
1.1 page : 63mm x 185mm Ihorizl
GHz pre -scaler
FM recenier 87023 3.20 0.46 130mm x 90mm (weft)
Letters of a general nature, or express- 1 r 2732 536N 9.00 1.35 Ye page : 63mm x 90mm
ing an opinion, or concerning a matter 16 Kbyte CMOS RAM
automate your for C64 87062 .1.10 0.62 Classified & semi -display column width:
of common interest in the field of elec- model railway
Active phase linear 60mm
tronics, should be addressed to The 1 2716 537 7.30 1.10
filter 87109 15.00 2.25 Full pagebieed sae: 303mm x 215mm
Editor. Their publication in Elektor Elec- marine computer EPROM emulator 87136 17.50 2.63
tronics is at the discretion of the Editor.
1 x2716 538 7.30 1.10
Jumbo clock Production details
2 v 2716 539 14.60 2.20 OCTOBER 1987
Printing : offset
PAST ARTICLES Graphics card )5E8 -t-dace 87054 Not availatie
Screen : 13W 40.'cm 1100inchl
2 82S123 543 9.60 1.44 SS3 adapter 87145 Not avaaatr.e
A limited number of past issues can be 7.25 1.09
colour 60:cm (150inch)
printer buffer 14 -bit D.A converter 87168 Required material : litho artwork or
supplied at the current cover price plus 1 x 2716 545 7.30 1.10 Recording Playback same sire wrong
postage & packing as detailed above. If MSX EPROMmer amp-4fter 87486 Not available reading negatives
past issues are no longer available, 1 r 27128 552UK 7.30 1.10 Low noise microphone (mono)
photo copies of the relevant article can EPROM emulator amplifier 37058 3.45 0.52 colour separated
always be provided at a price of £1.00 1 8748H 588-AI5.00 2 25 film positives and
per article plus postage and packing as NOVEMBER 1987 progressives
PRINTED CIRCUITS SSB Receiver for 80 m icolourt
detailed abov arid 20 m 87051 14.75 2.21 Agency commission: 10%
Readers who wish to make their own BASIC computer 87192 20.25 3.04
TECHNICAL QUERIES PCBs Hof private and personal use only) Dimmer for inductive
may In many. but not all. cases receive toads 87181 6.00 0.90
Although we are always prepared to the relevant drawings free of charge by IR Transceiver 87179 Not available Advertisement rates
assist readers in solving difficulties they ordering these on the order form opposite Full page E440.00
may experience with projects that have and enclosing a stamped addressed Half pace £245.00
DECEMBER 1987 Quarter page £145.00
appeared in Elektor Electronics during envelope foreferably 9 <6 in or Digital motor driver for
230x 150 men. Eighth page £95.00
the PAST THREE YEARS ONLY, we models 87098 4.50 0.66 Special position
regret that these can not in any cir- Frequency meter 87286-A 12.50 1.8E or facing matter r 15%
cumstances be dealt with by telephone. LCD VU meter 87505 6.75 1.01 Cover position 25%
No. Price VAT 87520 6_75 1.01 Bleed + 10%
(El Additional colour £200.00
COMPONENTS Classified ads 45 p per word
FEBRUARY 1987 JANUARY 1988
Components for projeca, aring in Pitobite studio unit 86047 21.00 3 15 DCF77 Receiver and (min 12 words)
Elektor Electronics are usually available Electron ROM card 86059 5.70 0.85 Frequency Standard 86124-A 8.70 1.31 Semi display ads E10.00 per single
VLF add-on unit for 87105 Not avalable column cm (mill 2.5 cm)
from appropriate advertisers. If difficult- oscilloscopes 86135 5.05 0.76 Stereo limiter 87168 7.25 1.09 Series discounts are available on appli-
ies in supply of components are en- Dioilal sine -wave Light -powered cation.
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advised in the article 9968-5 2.05 0.31 Switch -mode PSU 580001 5.00 0.75 dard rate.

EDITORIAL CALENDAR
Publication Copy deadline
Issue Main theme
date Advertisements* Articles
January 1988 17 Dec. 1987 9 Nov. 1987 26 Oct. 1987 HF & VHF Techniques
February 1988 14 Jan. 1988 4 Dec. 1987 20 Nov. 1987 Telecommunications
March 1988 18 Feb. 1988 15 Jan. 1988 28 Dec. 1987 Sensors
April 1988 17 Mar. 1988 12 Feb. 1988 29 Jan. 1988 Etectrophonics
May 1988 14 Apr. 1988 11 Mar. 1988 26 Feb. 1988 Artificial Intelligence
June 1988 12 May 1988 8 Apr. 1988 25 -Mar. 1988 Electronics & Art
JulyiAugust 1988 16 June 1988 13 May 1988 29 Apr. 1988 Amateur Radio & TV
September 1988 18 Aug. 1988 15 July 1988 1 July 1988 Com:.,.:e.s u Microprocessors
October 1988 15 Sep. 1988 12 Aug. 1988 29 July 1988 Pow-. - - :

November 1988 20 Oct. 1988 16 Sep. 1988 2 Sep. 1988 Optce c_...." :s
December 1988 17 Nov. 1988 14 Oct. 1988 30 Sep. 1985 Corr: _._
. -- ---
_ cect test & measurement
January 1989 15 Dec. 1988 11 Nov. 1988 28 Oct 1988 Aud . .i HA,
February 1989 19 Jan. 1989 5 Dec. 1988 21 Nov. 1985 TV & ,.aeo
March 1989 16 Feb. 1989 13 Jan. 1989 30 Dec. 1988 Knowledge -based systems
April 1989 16 Mar. 1989 10 Feb. 1989 27 Jan. 1989 Telecommunications
May 1989 20 Apr. 1989 17 Mar. 1989 3 Mar. 1989 .
Robotics

One week later for camera-ready copy.

 EE
January 1988

NEW THIS MONTH 1988 CATALOGUE

SB6 AUDIO
OSCILLATOR
£6.00 OUT NOW - 88 pages of bargains front
resistors to disco mixers. Price in-
16111" AS.. A
t5t
Oil' clef
or

Tunable from 500 to 5000Hz cludes latest bargain fist, discount

Switch (al tone alone vouchers, order form. Don't be with-
selection Ibl light alone out your copy - send £1.00 now!! "IIIIIIIIIFI .1 .1%11:0111111111. 11101k iltli till it
(c) tone and light SWITCHED MODE PSU F (31 00)
For use with morse keys.
Dims 160 x 95 x 55mm
Astec type AA7271. PCB 50 x 50mm
has 6 transistor cct providing current GO 11iNSI1
Power
SB1 CAR LIGHT
9V battery
£1.00
overload protection, thermal cut-out
and excellent filtering. Input 8-24V A etlikel Send
Automatic tilt -sensitive lamp for per-
manent attachment to bonnet or boot
DC. Output 5V 2A. Regulation 0.2%.
£5.00 OW0vS 50p* & SAE
lid. Internal mercury switch detects tilt
and switches light on when opened
and off when closed. 5W bulb gives
SPEECH CHIP
2733 SP0256A ÷ index chip ÷ ULA
chip as used in Currah microspeech.
for CATALOGUE
ORDERS. RING /011 567 8510 - 24 HRS.
good overall illumination. Mounting Cct and info for using SP0256 with
hardware and instructions supplied. Spectrum, ZX81, BBC, VIC & C64. No NEW POWER STROBE KIT MICROPROCESSOR TIMER KIT
Dims 59 x38 x 27mm (body) info on other 2 chips. All 3 for £3.00 Designed to prod..ice a Des',)1,-ind to men-
trot 4 outputs in-
' f----)
SB2 Video/Audio dubbing kit £2.50 AUTO DIALLER high Mtensity
1 twin co -axial lead - 2 phono Sloping front case 240 x 145 x 90/50 par. at a variable fm- aeaa'aSaa_._ aY ''...L.ff B
quency of 1 to 15Hr. 'witching on and
plugs to 2 phono plugs 2m contains 2 PCB's: One has 4 keypads ,,,,,des off at preset t
2 adaptors - phono socket to (total 54 switches) + 14 digit LED dis- circuivy to n c-_,.. the over a 7 -day cycle, ifl- .-re-....-
3.5mm jack plug play. 2 x ULN2004. ULN2033 & 4067: strobe ti., ,..e.hai LED display of
2 adaptors - phono socket to BNC the other has 12 chips + 4 power source leg. a loot, -..--, .r -r) via a- ca:_ :tar, tone and day. easy Programmed via 20 we,
devices etc. Case contains speaker. 8 keyboard. [deal for central heating control M-
plug (male) 'nstructions are ; , . supply. i ,1-112
ckecreig different switcl 'Xing tine for week=sids_
f ,a,,,,,
' 2 adaptors - phono socket to core cable 2m long with plug. FT' use tha unit far mar-,, :

Battery back-up circuit. Includes box. 18 tine

with PABX 00 photryee.iii, a.. ___: _ i cr 35 a wernmg
PL259 (UHF) plug teem, in sem:Yr . -... .:,-. cra. The kit in- Palts195-
CT6000K £42.90
2 adaptors - phono socket to "F" 5 2 ,O c,., 1. ..na
. at components. con-
type plug -_
=:.e .and rut easenhiy Ye1114: Relay kit for CT6000, includes PM
cont.extuie and one relay. V. accept up to 4
SB10 BNC LEADS £2.50 nst-c: ;re 51.s....,.. 240V as- Size:
Ways. 3A/240V clo contacts £4.30
4 x BNC plugs to 4 x BNC plugs pro- 75.50.45 £12.50 701 115: Adcfnional relays £1.80
XK124 STROBOSCOPE KIT
fessional RGB hook-up. Colour black. VERSATILE REMOTE
Length 1 2m W41'/FL:181t/orti.'fi CONTROL KIT
One of the best deter.
--.---- rents to a burglar is a
-- -.- gLord dog and this
Thia kit "acia'aes
es comporienz
-
- '! ..-

Z652 Coin acceptor mechanism. Made

n?_r_
i
--
-,g, new kit
.:_,,,,..

._
provides the
sarking without the
(-. transformer)
to mak: a sa°a4- --.

bite! The kit when OW'" reae°e'

Z810 KEYBOARD Really smart alpha by Coin Controls, this will accept 0,,k=-Zi- t,
asserribIed. can be
with 16 loge
various size coins by simple adjust- outputs 40-15V1 which vim ' ' ' t --
numeric standard qwerty keyboard c:- -ec:.; to a rl....:-.ce. cre<s.... -_.:r any CiTC,OITY (relays. Mess, etc a.la _ ..
ment of 4 screws. Incorporates various = = ,

Other totruder cfe:.:7= - - : .... -= ,,, ear--

with separate numeric keypad, from -
can be used ta swath Le' ta 16 °' -
ICL's 'One Per Desk'. Nicely laid out security features - magnet, bent coin dam scler ofth ee.e- - ; :..- a - , -c the
rejector etc. Microswitch rated 5A we. :'= _. a --cruder tr.:, a :a-- ann try h< luck meat on ae off ramatell.' The a'"°'''''-' -. a` -
keys with good tactile feel. Not en- eL.e.,..e.e The kit is a_: complete with latched (to the last received codei or mornen-
coded - matrix output from PCB taken 240V_ Front panel 115 x 64. Depth tary (on during transmission) by specifyirg the
130mm. Cost £10.85. high gra cy pca trar,..-. . a i components decoder tC and a 15V stabiTned Sutpply iS
to 20 way ribbon cable. Made by Alps. end an...inactions. Al[ . :t..
reams
a.sgable to paver external circuits_
Size 333 106mm 73 keys £8.95 Our price £4.00 supply. intiuderdetact:_.,. The
Si--,:c'i 2.20'.' AC or 15-24V DC at lli,4
SOLAR CELLS kit even includes a horn ca., -- which is S.:, , . , -; trensforrned 9 2 ::-== .

essential to produce the for; r- .-; required.

-_-

Giant size. 90mm dia giving 0.45V is rite .' ' , ... - . -
BARGAIN Of THE 1.1A output. £4 each; 10 4 £3.50.
The -deg- ran be ..criu, 5,,
froma Tattier to anA
-....,, barks
and con-
True ::-: a - an transmittercar.
operates f :am a 9V PP3 .. ..--.:. .1,.
.e. . =.7

Mega size - 300 x 300mm. These in- tails circuitry to produce a r-- -_-:-, series es range of LIP to 60ft T.,.= .,21...arl,

my.fable f.11(9 (4 -way) and Y....1. E c.-

:orporate a glass screen and backing barks giving a more realistic .. " -
£21.95 pencftig on the number of outputs to be user:
Panel. with wires attached. 12V XKI25 Complete kit of pats MK12 IR Receiver arid_ transformer)
200mA output. Ideal for charging £14.85
nicads. £24.00 DISCO LIGHTING KITS MK18 Transmitter E7.50
SOLDER MK9 4 -Way Keyboard E2.00
DL1000K - Th.s vaUs-formcnei 4-0,..-ey
£5.95
500g reels resin cored. 18g £5.95 chaser features bi-croectiormi see.ence and MK10 16 -Way Keyboard
601 133 Box for T-e.nann.tter £2.60
500g reels resin cored 22g . £7.95 dimming. 1kW per channel E17.50
LOGIC PROBE
DL21000K -A )Owen cost uni-directional vet- PROPORTVOIAL TEMPERA -
TURF e,NYIOLLER KIT
sion of the above_ Zero switching to redu£9.8ce in -
!=or TTL. CMOS etc. LED and sound in terference 5
aication. Pulse enlargement capability DL.Arl Ito, DL & 01110001(1 Optional opto in- . === 'burst fee"
allows pulse direction down to put allowing auth-o lseat'ilight response 70p :;.--- 4ott to men-
25nsec. Max f = 20 MHz 4-16V. liP DL3000K - 3 -channel sound to Tight kit lea- tam temperature TO
Z:1M £9.99 trees Zero voltage muitching automatic level within 0.5°C. Ideal
Z004 Skeleton Joystick, switch control and bielbin microphone. 1l4V per for photography.
type. Good quality, made by AB. NEWBRAIN PANELS channel. E1425 incubators, wine -
Brass spindle has 44mm long Z494 Motherboard microprocessor making. etc. Max.
aanel 265 x 155rnm Complete. PCB for The DL8000K is an 13 -way sequencer kit With load 31cw(240V ad. Temp. range up to 90.C.
black plastic handle attached. butt in opto-isolated sound to Tight input Sue 7 x 4 .2.5 ems. MK4 E7.10
Body has 1 mounting holes. These zamputer. Z80. char EPROM etc. 68
_nips altogether - other associated whecn comes complete with a OM' HOME LIGHTING KITS
really are a fantastic bargain!! OtOgraffirrt EPROM containing EIGHTY -
components, plugs. skts etc_ _ £5.50 YES 801 different sequences including sten- These kits contain a/ necessary components
3OWATT AMPLIFIER and 6 -Winona -bans & are designed to replace
ONLY E 1.00 Z806 Sturdy steel case 305 x 300 x
dard flashing arid drase routines_ The KIT in-
dudes full instructions and all components a standard wee switch and control up to
300w. of righting.
120mm contains ILP HY6O amp !even the PCB connectors) and requires only a
TDR300K Remote Control
module, control/pre-amp PCB. PSU, Lm and a control knob to complete Other
features include mania/ sequence speed ad- Dimmer E16.45
small monitor amp + speaker E12.50 patmenL zero voltage switching, LED mimic MIC6 for above
Transmitter
+ £3 can tamps and sound to fah[ LED and a 300 W £4.95
Z807 As above but incorporates output per channel 117300K Touchifenmer E8.50
Arid the best din° about it is the c ., TS300K Toucltswitch E8.50
cassette deck built into top of case, Extension kit for 2 -way
also batt. back-up (3 x 6V 1.2AH 4 it #_144,4o-Ly E 28 . 50 Th"
switching for 70300K . _ .
/11:1
_

sealed lead acid bans). Push button

bank on front panel controls cassette, If
_......1/---
power etc. £22 + £3 cart i I

Z811. Cumana Touch Pad for the BBC Full details of these on BIL 33
%-'
computer. This remarkable add-on K568 GIANT PLASTIC PACK .. __
enables you to draw on the screen Approx 1000 pieces - standard and e71 --JA--- _-
using a stylus with the touch sensitive miniature PCB supports, self adhesive
pad. Supplied with 2 stylli, power/data ribbon cable clips, straps, ties, cord SEND 9"x6" SAE & 60p FOR
connecting lead & demo tape with 4 clips. This lot would normally cost ELECTRONICSn CATALOGUE OR CALL AT
progs. Contains state of the art elec- around £50!! Our special priceE12.00 13 BOSTON R' SHOP Mon -Fri 9_5 pm
tronics. Originally being sold at K563 Cable markers fident sleeving) LONDON W7 3SJ Saturday 10-4 pm
£79.95. later reduced to £49.95 - Over 1,000 pieces, all with either letter
but we can offer a limited quantity of or number. Assorted colours and sizes TEL. 01 567 8910
these brand new and boxed for just from 1-5mm dia. Over 50 different! ORDERING INFORMATION:
£19.95 Pack of 1,000 f2.50 WM
ALL PRICES EXCLUDE VAT
AM
MM.
GREENWELD
Ai prig ilidide VAT; just add £1.00 P&P.
bran Access order £10 Ilis rarer. cwo). Ofkrsl.
orders from
come - rnin M.:
Our 9104 has r
et; vi -e -
7:
.
7" f SO.
of CcerpOnantS and it corn
FREE P&P on orders over £20 (UK only), otherwise add 75p + VAT.
Overseas P&P. Europe £2.75. Elsewhere £6.50. Send cheque/PO/
Barclaycard/Access No. with order. Giro No. 529314002.
LOCAL AUTHORITY AND EXPORT ORDERS WELCOME
9-5. - a:. r_:bthe and see _s'"
ELECTRONIC Serd SAE lor = ern Lst GOODS BY RETURN SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY
COMPONENTS
443E Millbrook Road Southampton
SO1 OHX Tel 107031 772501 783740
 1988 BUYER'S GUIDE TO ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
VISIT OUR NEW
SHOP IN BRISTOL
NOW OPEN AT
302 GLOUCESTER ROAD
Tel: (0272) 232014