HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: lig@eskimo.com (Arthur Liggett)
Subject: Re: HELP! Adding Battery Back-up
Organization: >>> Eskimo North (206)-FOR-EVER <<<
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 06:19:00 GMT

In article <1993Jan7.160527.8155@ultb.isc.rit.edu> mxd7977@ultb.isc.rit.edu (ELECTRONIC MUSICIAN) writes:
>I am trying to add battery backup to one of my sound modules, and I was
>wondering just how difficult or more precisely what the best way is to
>go about it.  From what I understand, you locate all temporary memory
>IC's disconnect the +5 from them, and then attach their power lines to a
>circuit which switches between normal operating voltage during power up
>situations and a 3.3 volt lithium during power down situations....is
>this a correct assumption?

The general idea is correct - there are some things to watch out for:

  - The memory IC's should be low power static devices, preferably CMOS (check
    the spec. sheet).

  - The IC's should be parts guaranteed to retain their memory at the
    battery voltage (~3 volts for lithium) (again, check the spec sheet).

  - The circuit must be configured so that the memory device outputs are
    tri-stated when the +5 volt power is off. Otherwise, you will run down
    the backup battery in a hurry as the memory(s) source current to the 
    other circuitry through any outputs trying to drive high.

  - All of this may be of no use if the device software automatically clears
    memory on power-up, runs a memory test routine that destroys memory
    contents, etc. (Assuming you have microprocessor-based module.)


>  And if so what do you think the best
>configuration is? Should I use a zener with a voltage comparator which
>switches off the normal power and on the battery by way of diodes when
>the voltage drops too low?  Any insight would be much appreciated.  I am
>a computer engineer, but haven't had much exposure with battery backed
>up ram systems (at least not at this level...)
>

Use a battery of lower voltage than the regular power supply. Feed the battery
voltage and the +5 volts through separate diodes to the memory devices. Watch
out for voltage drops through the diodes - Schottkeys work OK, but some have
large reverse (leakage) currents, so check the spec sheets for the diodes to
be sure. Germainium works too, but also check for leakage. Lithium batteries
will work well as long as you use them every few weeks or so. The only caveat
is if the circuit will be powered from the +5 for a long time (months), so there
is no drain from the battery, some types of lithium cells exhibit 'voltage
delay'. One of the electrodes oxidizes, and the battery doesn't put out full
voltage for a few seconds after you start drawing power while the oxidation
is absorbed. I don't think this is critical for your application, and the likely
current drains, but has been a consideration with some equipment. Voltage delay,
if any, should be specified on the battery spec sheet.

>
>Thanks,
>E. M.

Happy engineering!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Arthur Liggett                       lig@eskimo.com (preferred)
Liggett & Liggett Consulting         lig@polari.online.com
(206) 483-4000
From: george@sol1.lrsm.upenn.edu (George Jefferson -Bassani)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: NEED SOLENOID ACTUATED WATER VALVE.....
Date: 7 Jan 93 16:57:16 GMT
Organization: Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter, University of Pennsylvania

:Editorial comment follows:

:The idea of using several thermostats in a house is VERY OBVIOUS to anyone 

: I don't understand why it isn't obvious to the people who build houses


my house is zoned baseboard.( three thermostats ).  While this was not an
overly expensive system ( see 'this old house' for those... ) it
clearly uses _alot_ more copper than an non-zoned system.
I'll also add the ( somewhat obvious ) point that there is no gain
by having zones that are not pretty well isolated from each other.

if you missed the TOH heater episode, they did up a house with
some 20 zones.  The distribution 'manifold' took up one wall in 
the basement.  I think they had a Cray controling it ( donated of course ).


-- 
george     --    george@mech.seas.upenn.edu
From: jfw@ksr.com (John F. Woods)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Do I need FCC approval for small devices?
Date: 6 Jan 93 16:21:15 EST

washer@sequent.com (Jim "Throw it over the wall" Washer) writes:
>I have designed a small micro-contoller based product. It contains the 
>micro-controller, a DTMF tone decoder, and some glue chips. I am
>considering marketing this in both kit form, and as an assembled product.
>Do I need to get some sort of an FCC approval on this? It is a computer
>of sorts... and I understand that all computers must meet FCC standards..

If it has a clock frequency over some low value (tens of KHz?) it needs to
meet FCC emissions requirements.
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
From: ctdonath@mothra.syr.EDU (Carl T. Donath)
Subject: Re: Info on CO2lasers wanted
In-reply-to: wouter@blade.stack.urc.tue.nl's message of 5 Jan 93 11:34:20 GMT
Organization: Syracuse University
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 93 12:15:57 EST

Info on building lasers (CO2, HeNe, N2, dye, others) is available in a 
Scientific American reprint book "Light and Its Uses: Making and using 
lasers, holograms, interferometers, and instruments of dispersion" by
Jearl Walker, published by W.H.Freeman & Co.

Some of the lasers described:

HeNe: Your basic low-power red laser.
Argon: Multiple colors.
Dye: Tune thru a range of colors.
CO2: Infrared output of around 8 watts (a serious power that "quickly chars
     wood")
Diode: How to use diode lasers (this field has improved since this article)
N2: ~75 kilowatt ultraviolet output in 10-nanosecond pulses.

Side note: air-based lasers can be built. There's enough nitrogen in air to
produce a lasing action. I'm still kicking myself for not
taking up Peter Dowben (Syracuse University physics professor)'s offer to
help me build one out of, as he put it, $0.25 in materials.


--
  __________/ ctdonath@rodan.acs.syr.edu  Carl T Donath \________________
 / Why do people assume that this is the first time things have ever     \
/ been this way and things will stay this way forever?                    \
From: garyg@warren.mentorg.com (Gary Gendel)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: PC VLSI Design package
Date: 5 Jan 1993 18:36:56 GMT
Organization: Mentor Graphics Corp. -- IC Group
Distribution: world
Reply-To: garyg@warren.mentorg.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: garyg.warren.mentorg.com

In article 12546@galileo.cc.rochester.edu, nsus_ss@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Nick Susch) writes:
>Does any one know of a VLSI design and layout package for the PC that is
>either freeware or shareware? I have used Magic on Sun workstations, but was
>wondering if there is anything on the net that I could try out on my PC.
>Thanks for any help!


There are some stuff for the PC, but I wouldn't handle any big designs with them.
As an example, there is an EE drawing program on SIMTEL:

	pd1:<msdos.graphics>EEDRAW24.ZIP

Besides consulting for a number of the leading CAE companies around the world,
my company makes a number of advanced design verification tools commercially that
run on Engineering Workstations and 386 (or better) PCs.  These are too expensive
for the hobbiest, however, we have been toying with releasing a restricted version
(no more than 500 elements) of out logic simulator, SIMIC for no charge.  This
simulator has been claimed by many as the best gate/switch level simulator available
anywhere.  The biggest hurdle is condensing our 300+ user manual into a small text
file.

Since SIMIC elements range from simple gates to large functional blocks (RAMS, PLAS,
etc) the 500 part limit should allow most hobby and educational designs, but prevent
competition with our commercial product.

We just need to determine if there is enough interest to warrant this effort.

Gary Gendel
VP Customer Relations
Genashor Corp
9 Piney Woods Drive
Belle Mead, NJ 08502
(908) 281-0164
From: cmh@eng.cam.ac.uk (C.M. Hicks)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: .
Date: 7 Jan 93 12:46:19 GMT
Organization: cam.eng

dino@inqmind.bison.mb.ca (Tony stewart) writes:

>lsg001@cck.coventry.ac.uk (Graham Wilson) writes:


  << STUFF ABOUT POWER SAVER DELETED >>


>The only power saver device is called a power factor correction circuit. 
>It adds capacticance to the line to reduce the pahse shift in current 
>caused by inductive loads (motors, power supplies etc). Since utilities 
>charge according to meters which measure Volt-Amps, this can be reduced 
>by reducing the phase shift towards zero. thus making reducing the V-A's 
>towards the Wattage .. or in other words reducing the  reactive power so 
>that only only REAL power is measured.
>This is usually done by using large caps or solid state methods used i  
>switcher technology.

In the UK domestic users are charged for WATTS and not VA, thus power-
factor correction will not reduce the electricity bill. I have to say
I am sceptical that this device will be of any benefit at all when conn-
ected to a domestic appliance in the UK.

If you are charged for electricity in VA, then the thing may well help in
the manner mentioned above.

>I can't speak for your device or its claims whoever, but this sounds like 
>what it is trying to accomplish.

Yes, ditto.

>dino@inqmind.bison.mb.ca
>The Inquiring Mind BBS, Winnipeg, Manitoba  204 488-1607

Christopher Hicks
--
 ==============================================================================
 Christopher Hicks    |    If it doesn't fit...
 cmh@uk.ac.cam.eng    |                        ...you need a bigger hammer.
 ==============================================================================
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
From: wtm@uhura.neoucom.edu (Bill Mayhew)
Subject: Re: MouseSystems Mice
Organization: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
Date: Thu, 07 Jan 1993 14:51:20 GMT

On converting Mouse Systems mice:  it depends...

The orginal Mouse Systems mice for the PC did have three buttons
and used only a 200 cpi pad.  There were two versions of the three
button mice.  "Very old" (~1987) units required a small battery
eliminator transformer.  The slightly newer 3B mice were self
powered.  (Incidentally, I suspect this might have had something to
do with devices that are self-powered from the serial port; there
is a patent out on the technique -- I forget who holds it at the
moment.)  The three button mice send a five byte protocol that is
the same as Summagraphics devices (and I think Logitech).

The newer Mouse Systems two button mice are self powered and use a
three byte protocol that is the same as Microsoft mice.  The newer
mice can sense either a 200 or 400 cpi mouse board.  There have
been several different types of mouse boards: metal and plastic.
The best boards were the 400 cpi boards that came with the later
Sun-3 models (my opinion).  The mouse boards are available in
several different sizes.  One used to be able to get mouse boards
from Mouse Systems directly, but last time I talked to them, they
didn't want to sell in less than OEM quantities.  I like the Sun
verision that is about 15 cm * 15 cm.

I haven't had a chance to try out latest Mouse Systems PC mouse.
It looks like it comes with a very high resolution board made of
aluminum.

The only bad thing about MS mice is that I've had several old ones
that blew a CCD line sensor.  I'd have thought the LEDs would go
out, but I haven't had that happen yet.


-- 
Bill Mayhew      NEOUCOM Computer Services Department
Rootstown, OH  44272-9995  USA    phone: 216-325-2511
wtm@uhura.neoucom.edu (140.220.1.1)    146.580: N8WED
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
From: wout@dutentb.et.tudelft.nl (Wout Serdijn)
Subject: call for papers AICSP
Keywords: low-voltage low-power analog integrated circuits
Organization: Delft University of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering
Date: Thu, 07 Jan 1993 12:41:25 GMT


CALL FOR PAPERS

ANALOG INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
AND SIGNAL PROCESSING
An International Journal

SPECIAL ISSUE
ON
LOW-VOLTAGE LOW-POWER ANALOG 
INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

Low-Voltage Low-Power Analog Integrated Circuits are circuits that operate from a single (1-1.5 V) 
battery and consume as little current as possible. They have evolved into an important class of 
integrated circuits to be used in e.g. hand-carried radiotelephones, pagers, hearing instruments, etc. 
New circuit techniques and applications are being developed at an increasing rate. To address this 
growing field, which is of both practical and theoretical interest, a special issue will be published on 
all aspects of low-voltage low-power analog integrated circuits. Topics of interest include, but are not 
limited to:

*	Low-voltage low-power circuit theory
*	Low-voltage low-power technologies
*	Applications (e.g. in filters, amplifiers, AGCs)
*	Systems (e.g. handcarried radiotelephones, pagers, hearing instruments)
*	Low-voltage low-power sensors and actuators

Prospective authors should submit five copies of their complete manuscript before November 1, 1993. 
All manuscripts are subject to review and should be submitted to one of the three Guest Editors:



Mr. Wouter Serdijn
Delft University of Technology
Department of Electrical 
Engineering
Electronics Research Laboratory
P.O.Box 5031
2600 GA  Delft
The Netherlands
Phone: +31-15-78-15-79
Fax: +31-15-78-59-22
Email: W.A.Serdijn@et.tudelft.nl

Dr. Albert van der Woerd
Delft University of Technology
Department of Electrical 
Engineering
Electronics Research Laboratory
P.O.Box 5031
2600 GA  Delft
The Netherlands
Phone: +31-15-78-15-79
Fax: +31-15-78-59-22
Email: A.C.vdWoerd@et.tudelft.nl

Mr. Jeroen Kuenen
Delft University of Technology
Department of Electrical 
Engineering
Electronics Research Laboratory
P.O.Box 5031
2600 GA  Delft
The Netherlands
Phone: +31-15-78-17-15
Fax: +31-15-78-59-22
Email: J.C.Kuenen@et.tudelft.nl


Instructions for Authors are regularly published in the Journal and may also be obtained from the 
Guest Editors or by contacting Karen S. Cullen, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 101 Philip Drive, 
Assinippi Park, Norwell, MA 02061, or by Tel: (617) 871-6300, Fax: (617) 871-6528, or Email: 
<karen@world.std.com>. Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing is an archival, peer 
reviewed journal publishing research papers on the design and applications of analog integrated 
circuits and signal processing circuits and systems. It is published quarterly with worldwide 
distribution to engineers, researchers, educators and libraries. Readers interested in subscribing to this 
journal should contact Kluwer Academic Publishers, Journal Department, P.O. Box 358, Accord 
Station, Hingham, MA 02018-0358, USA.
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
From: jgd@dixie.com (John De Armond)
Subject: Re: Thermocouple based temperature controller
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 93 10:16:07 GMT
Organization: Dixie Communications Public Access.  The Mouth of the South.

danube@max.physics.sunysb.edu writes:

>   I need to control the temperature of a small infrared window to 
>0.1 degrees C or better.  The actual value need not be so precise, but
>changes in temperature must be kept to a minumum.  At present, the
>window is heated by a ring of brass wrapped with heater wire. Adjusting
>the current changes the temperature, which is typically 100-200 C.
>The temperature is measured with a thermocouple (5 mil Chromel-Alumel wire,
>"type K").  Heater current is about 200 mA.

You can buy from Omega Engineering for about $180 an 1/16th DIN sized
intelligent self-tuning PID controller capable of either analog 
proportional output or duty-cycle on-off control.  It comes complete
with a nice digital display and the ability to enter the setpoint
from a keypad.  Settability in the unit I use (0-2000 deg F) is to
0.1 degree and in my experience with our kilns, is capable of maintaining
control to +- one count.  Numerous options are available including 
voltage input so you could amplify the thermocouple voltage 10X if the
resolution is not enough.  The unit I use is Omega part #CN9111A.
The minor digits specify options so you'd need to look in the 
catalog.  Much more sophisticated controllers are available from them
for less than $500.

Unless part of your experimental goals is to learn how to design
a control circuit, I'd recommend buying one of these so you can 
concentrate on your experiment.

John
-- 
John De Armond, WD4OQC               |Interested in high performance mobility?  
Performance Engineering Magazine(TM) | Interested in high tech and computers? 
Marietta, Ga                         | Send ur snail-mail address to 
jgd@dixie.com                        | perform@dixie.com for a free sample mag
Need Usenet public Access in Atlanta?  Write Me for info on Dixie.com.
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
From: stlucas@gdwest.gd.com (Joseph St. Lucas)
Subject: Genesis A/V connector pinout wanted.
Organization: General Dynamics Corp.
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 17:49:24 GMT

I bought the kids a Sega Genesis this Christmas, and  am in dire need of
finding out the pinout of the 8-pin DIN connector on the console.
The manual describes it as a Video Jack (RGB output p.11), but on p 10
says "If your composite TV or monitor has Video and Audio input jacks,...
you can use the optional Sega A/V cable for inproved (their spelling)
graphics and sound. No other connectors are necessary."
CUrrently the set is hooked up to the big TV, and the kids have a
monitor for their computer just waiting to have this 
hooked up.
With the other info that has been put on the list, does anyone have this?
I suppose I could buy one, get the ohmmeter out, then return it. But I'd
rather not.  Thanks.

-- 
Joe St.Lucas    stlucas@gdwest.gd.com        Standard Disclaimers Apply
General Dynamics Space Systems, San Diego
My blood runs Husker red.
From: tomb@hplsla.hp.com (Tom Bruhns)
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 00:14:00 GMT
Subject: Re: Tube Amplifier Design Questions
Organization: HP Lake Stevens, WA
Newsgroups: sci.electronics

kludge@grissom.larc.nasa.gov (Scott Dorsey) writes:

>You won't get 200 watts out of the 6550s by any means, unless you
>parallel a bunch of them.  Even the 4CX150 isn't going to give you
>that much power when you start running it in class A.

Huh??  I have some 4X150A's and some 4CX250B's but suspect the
4CX150 is a product of someone's dreams...   A pair of the 4CX250's
would give you 500 watts of plate dissipation and if you can't get
200 watts of audio out of that, even class A, you're probably doing
something wrong!  But the forced air cooling is a real drag; the
833's have such a pretty glow, too, and don't take the forced air.
833's were used in old broadcast transmitters, and a pair in CCS
would be happy to supply the 700 or so watts of audio required for
a 1kW output AM transmitter.  In fact, the modulation transformer
for a broadcast transmitter, rewound, might make a decent output
transformer.  They are big enough physically (though not so big as
the modulation choke ;-) ...
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
From: matt@scrc.umanitoba.ca
Subject: PC based scope, spectrum analyzer for med student course
Organization: University of Manitoba
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 19:38:31 GMT

We are looking for a reasonably priced (<$1500 ) PC based oscilloscope
[/spectrum analyzer] for an electronics course for graduate 
electrophysiology students, with the following features:

	minimum 2 channels
	the more samples/second the merrier
	full triggering capabilities (+/-, external, pre, post)
	good software, i.e. well-thought-out user interface
	spectrum analysis, if we can get it in this price range.

Any suggestions, comments, with manufacturer addresses would be appreciated.
Please E-mail.
Thanks in advance,

Matt Ellis

--
Matt Ellis                            Internet: <matt@scrc.umanitoba.ca>
Rocket Scientist
Spinal Cord Research Centre
University of Manitoba                Tel:      (204) 788-6576
Winnipeg, MB  R3E 0W3  Canada         FAX:      (204) 786-0932
Newsgroups: sci.electronics,rec.games.programmer
From: tayloe@rtsg.mot.com (Dan Tayloe)
Subject: Re: Sort of a Joke - sad though...
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 17:09:29 GMT

behnke@FNALF.FNAL.GOV writes:

>In article <1993Jan5.200745.27696@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>, cwatters@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Coyt D Watters) writes:
>>While working at a large retail store this Xmas (why?  the ca$h), I 
>>overheard a customer telling another sales associate that Nintendos should
>>not be sold, "because they kill the color from your tv, starting with the
>>weakest."
>>


>What's the name of this sorry a**ed store.  If they have any stores in the
>Windy City area, I'll be sure to steer clear.  No reflection on you though !!

I was surprised with I read in the manuals of my sons new Super NES that it
recommended *not* using it with a projection tv.
Xref: sparky sci.electronics:22447 sci.energy:6800 rec.autos:31520
From: lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics,sci.energy,rec.autos
Subject: Re: Flywheel batteries as EV power source
Date: 12 Jan 93 02:07:36 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corporation

>In article <1993Jan11.163152.542@ke4zv.uucp> gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman) writes:
>>Consult the Hazmat database, or the DOT classification schedule. Black
>>powder is most definitely classed as an explosive while nitrocellulose
>>propellant powder is classed as a flamable solid...
>
In article <2968@tau-ceti.isc-br.com> jimc@tau-ceti.isc-br.com (Jim Cathey) writes:
>Then again, the DEA classifies Marijuana as a narcotic, although it isn't.
>Not that this proves anything about black powder.  :-)
>
   Actually its cocaine that is a bit harder to believe as a
   "narcotic"...but then maybe they have to toot a couple lines to
   go to sleep..... >:-)
From: dino@inqmind.bison.mb.ca (Tony stewart)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: .
Date: Thu, 07 Jan 93 01:24:09 CST
Organization: The Inquiring Mind BBS  1 204 488-1607

lsg001@cck.coventry.ac.uk (Graham Wilson) writes:

> 
> ** I was wondering whether people might be able to answer a question for
>    me ?
> 
>    While walking around Texas (DIY store) the other day I came across a 
>    "power saver" device. This box, the size of a double-adaptor plug, is
>    designed to replace the conventional plug on a domestic fridge / freezer.
> 
>    According to the blurb on the back, the device helps to save 40 - 60 %
>    of the electricity which the freezer would normally use. When the unit
>    is "saving" electricity a red light on the front of the saver plug 
>    comes on.
> 
>    The unit costs 25 pounds and according to the cost saving information 
>    printed on the carton this unit would pay for itself in approximately
>    one year.
> 
>    What I wanted to know was how does this unit operate the freezer 
>    while using less electricity ? If the unit does work, why don't they
>    fit these devices as standard to freezers and other equipment ? 
> 
>    Thanks.
> 
> 
>    
> -- 
>          *********************************************************
>          *      Graham Wilson      *  lsg001@cck.coventry.ac.uk  *
>          *     LL.B.  Law  III     *     Coventry  University    *
>          *********************************************************

The only power saver device is called a power factor correction circuit. 
It adds capacticance to the line to reduce the pahse shift in current 
caused by inductive loads (motors, power supplies etc). Since utilities 
charge according to meters which measure Volt-Amps, this can be reduced 
by reducing the phase shift towards zero. thus making reducing the V-A's 
towards the Wattage .. or in other words reducing the  reactive power so 
that only only REAL power is measured.
This is usually done by using large caps or solid state methods used i  
switcher technology.

I can't speak for your device or its claims whoever, but this sounds like 
what it is trying to accomplish.

dino@inqmind.bison.mb.ca
The Inquiring Mind BBS, Winnipeg, Manitoba  204 488-1607
Newsgroups: sci.electronics