Function generators and some other things - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: McMonster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2011, 02:53:06 pm
content: Hi,Here are some of my suggestions for future blogs. Some of the things were partially mentioned before, but I think they deserve separate videos. If I missed some video on one of the things then please post a link.Function generators- how to use them in testing and designing circuits, especially in cooperation with oscilloscopes, different modes of operations (FM sweep, gated etc.), AWGs, traps for beginners, maybe some buying guide,coax cables- how to connect circuits to your gear, cable quality, high frequency problems, impedance matchingChoosing an op amp- what do different parameters mean, what are the types and what are they used to, some basic and interesting op amp circuitsMore buying guidesDesigning low power circuitsMore ranting on fanboys- people who put all they effort to convince others (mostly beginners) that one micro family is better than some other, analog scopes are better than digital ones, autoranging meters better than non-autoranging etc. etc. I see those people all the times on electronics forums and it's really annoying to see the same long discussions again and again.A minor thing,blue LEDs- why do people put them in their products? I've seen three labs full of new PCs and LCD screens all having blinding blue LEDs. Why?

author: PStevenson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2011, 10:19:52 am
content: he covered blue LEDs in episode 28 but I agree they are dam annoying, there are 2 on my amplifier that I've covered up with tape but the first time I turned it on it gave me an instant migraine, the bastards almost took my retinas out.if he did op-amps the video would probably be 24 hours long however I would love to see a video on op-amps, maybe a 300 parter haha

author: McMonster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2011, 11:30:37 am
content: Quote from: PStevenson on September 26, 2011, 10:19:52 amI have long and boring shifts, I wouldn't mind.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2011, 12:57:57 pm
content: Quote from: McMonster on September 26, 2011, 11:30:37 amacademia have one (or several) thick book specifically only for this. yet only cover basic and classic op amp. with current fruits and juices of modern opamp (cfb, vfb, high speed, fet, cmos feedback and control terminology etc) i dont think 24 hours talk will be enough, not to mention how many GB i have to download for the video, i wouldnt bother. more practical way imho is do your own homework and ask specific question. just look at a single op amp datasheet, how many parameters it has, you ask general thing, its like solving many simultaneous equations, the more unknown, the more time needed to fullfill the equation (your need). though i'd love to see dave doing the video on the general thing (like his capacitor video), kind of"tips and tricks" and "rule of thumb"stuff. but dont expect it will fullfill all or your specific your need.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2011, 01:13:20 pm
content: Quote from: McMonster on September 25, 2011, 02:53:06 pmthis is another thing that sounds too easy on the surface. you may look at my thread hereHow to Better Wire the BNC Connector and GHz issue., i got more than what i ask/expect there. at the end you will never know how to do proper high freq and Z matching stuff unless you have the proper equipment (and knowledge of course, math or practical). look at jahonen's post, he is master of hi freq stuff here, but again, he still rely on his reliable (hi priced) DSO and VNA to be sure. maybe this is the reason dave wont bother, 24 hours talk is simply not enough for this. even if he try to do "tips and tricks", it will easily violate your system if you change it slightly, hi freq stuff is too sensitive. but if you search dave's quote, he already did... "point your finger at the ground!" and jim william's "anything longer than an inch is a suspect". but i believe those simple quotations come from extensive of experimentations and experiences, which cannot be replaced.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2011, 02:18:51 pm
content: Quote from: McMonster on September 25, 2011, 02:53:06 pmIn many applications Analog 'scopesarebetter than digital ones because they have the same frequency response no matter what time/div setting is used,whereas many digital units drop their sample rate as the time/div becomes longer.Amplitude linearity of analog 'scopes is not as good as digital units when the whole vertical space of the screen is in use.Both types of device have their disadvantages,but the cheapest digital 'scopes are pretty dire,& are outperformed in basic functions by the cheapest of new analog units.On the other hand, Rigols & others in that class are good instruments by any standards,& aren't really that costly.VK6ZGO

author: McMonster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2011, 04:36:55 pm
content: Thanks for the info Mechatrommer. I didn't really think about a single blog covering fully even the basics (well, maybe for function generators, they had almost no cover in the blog as far as I can recall) as it would certainly "fill up Youtube", this was just a set of things I would certainly like to see in future videos. What I had in mind was somethink like Dave when describing chopper amplifiers, a short description of some small but interesting topics, how it works, what is it good for etc. or maybe some less known, but still interesting things you won't find directly in "The Art of Electronics".@vk6zgoI am aware of this, the point is that different things are suitable for different applications while fanboys would always argue thattheirway of doing things is always better and would defend this at all costs.