Design your most expensive LED Blinky! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Zeyneb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2015, 11:34:34 pm
content: Let’s assume you’re working for some big American defense company and experience this Dilbert situation:Instead of the mousepads order you convinced your boss to demonstrate your overengineering skills in the most expensive LED blinky circuit!You are getting the lead in this project as an EE.Please ensure you sent as much money down the drain as possible with your design. Please also add as much unnecessary complexity as possible. I’d suggest you would hire methodology consultants as well for the most trivial elements.However keep it to the field of electronic engineering. How does your design look like and which components would you be using?Let’s have some laughs!

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 03:07:30 am
content: I'd start looking into making an intrinsically safe, explosive environment rated strobe. You think defense stuff is expensive, oil/gas/mining specialized equipment can be even more so due to the smaller market.That being said, luminous devices CBT140 would be a good starting point for a LED.

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 03:15:06 am
content: I'd waste it all on R&D because of my requirements to beWorld Classin green energy. We need to sourcethebest LED and a very precise resistor and low ESR capacitor.In fact, I think we would hire someone to make an ASIC for the LED blink RC timing, then have them make the LED with the tiny ASIC already on them. Given they can meet the specs for the worlds best resistor and capacitor (of course they will! their contract says so after all).Now it's time for me to align with the marketing department, and I'm sure they will have meaningful input for the progress of our product....

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 03:57:35 am
content: Don't forget the internationaljunketstravel- to explore supplier capabilities and new products.(I've done this before!)

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 04:01:46 am
content: Quote from: SL4P on August 25, 2015, 03:57:35 amYou're hired on my imaginary team as Chief #3 Product Officer, how does it feel Mr. C3PO?

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 04:09:42 am
content: I like this post

author: fivefish
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 04:35:32 am
content: Timing signal for the LED blinky will come from a geo-synchronous satellite sending on/off commands.

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 04:44:38 am
content: Quote from: fivefish on August 25, 2015, 04:35:32 amGreat start than have that control a turbine gen-set. than add a 50hp. cyclo drive gear box with a VFD to control flash speed and an encoder ( should add 120k to the job) to trigger the excessively expensive led driver that you guys come up with.

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 04:55:54 am
content: Quote from: fivefish on August 25, 2015, 04:35:32 amCool! Then a change in interval can be used to deduce at which angle the satellite is as well (when moving further away - or close to it on earth). Bonus feature

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 05:00:04 am
content: I promise I'll stop derailing this thread but there is one more take I suddenly realized, and it is EE (though destructive).One way to go about this would be to take part in averyexpensive project, then make a cheap ass LED driver that ends up destroying the thing. Such as making a space shuttle crash or something like that. It would not be the most expensive in terms of buying it, but it would probably be the most expensive in retrospect.I need sleep! It's 7AM and I've not slept yet. 2 hours POWERSLEEP go

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 05:02:51 am
content: Well,first we start with the Fusion Reactor.......

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 05:12:00 am
content: To burn a huge amount of money you have to start out with a fundamentally flawed and impossible premise...We will power blinky with a batteriser!

author: hamster_nz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 05:14:54 am
content: I would demand the best reliability and widest operating environment.So must use MIL-SPEC or Space rated parts, and remember to get it FCC certified.

author: babysitter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 05:17:48 am
content: Use a monitor diode(s) to control brightness in a closed-loop manner. Current control is simply not sufficient!A Trimble Thundertbolt E grade GPSDOCXO is barely sufficient to control blinking frequency as it stability decays when GPS reception degrades. For high-grade customers, consider Microsemi CsIII Model 4310B Cesium frequency standard.make it with pixels, so you can dim certain parts of the beam.Use some kind of radar to measure length of pixel light path, use pixel dimming to guarantee uniform brightnesss everywhere you shine too.HDMI/FBAS/DVI/DisplayPort input too, for use as a b/w (you know, not actually using black light) projectormake the configurator software overpriced.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 05:35:28 am
content: Here is my $20,000,000 solution:Actually this would make a fun eevblog video Dave hint hintQuoteWe need a freq standard:This got me thinking about a Josephson Junction that is needed to maintain the freq of the LED(used by the US bureau of standards)http://web.mit.edu/6.763/www/FT03/Lectures/Lecture11.pdfhttp://www.nist.gov/pml/div686/devices/automated-voltage-standard-ready.cfmIt takes a PHd to operate it, I think the US has two and China one.Lets use round numbers - $10,000,000 for the freq of of the LED (includes the PHd). We now need a power supply and an university to assemble the power supply. Maybe we can get MIT to put it together.Actually there is someone on this forum doing low temp freq standards !So lets add another $10,000,000 for the power supply for a total of $20,000,000Now someone has to furnish the power supply.So I think for $20,000,000 you can get a LED to blink.(I forgot the link to the $1,000,000 oscilloscope needed to test this unit)

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 05:55:29 am
content: Quote from: fivefish on August 25, 2015, 04:35:32 amDuplicated (redundant) of course!

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 06:00:31 am
content: For some reason I cannot leave this riddle, and I think I've got it solved (in terms of most expensive).This is an LED controlled by an AI. This AI has a near perfect model of the worlds finances. It is wired such that one can buy the LED on, and off. Because the AI is omniscient in the field of economics someone will always see value in changing the LEDs state.The LED will not stop until the AI controls half or more than half of the worlds total economy, at which point no one can no longer pay to change the state of the LED.It's been a long time since I've had so much fun! Thank you ZeynebQuote from: Zeyneb on August 24, 2015, 11:34:34 pmIndeed.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 06:10:36 am
content: Code this FPGA to flash a pin $39452http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/XC7V2000T-G2FLG1925E/XC7V2000T-G2FLG1925E-ND/3981901Use this IGBT to switch the led $6117http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PP600T120/PP600T120-ND/3775352Use this bypass cap, and lots off em $9605 x20 = $192100http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/WF165336WQ75233BJ1/WF165336WQ75233BJ1-ND/5086082Use this resistor $778http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/1623821-2/1623821-2-ND/2365856Use this led $1995http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/NV4V41SF-A/NV4V41SF-A-ND/3913162Use this crystal $2585http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/AOCJY7-100.000MHZ/535-11920-ND/3641394Total $243,027And if you made a 4K display using them243027 * 4096 * 2160 = $2,150,147,358,720

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 06:11:16 am
content: How about roughly 8.3 million 1W RGB LEDs to make the world's biggest 4K display? (Or make that 5K if you want.) Install it in Las Vegas and bring back the drive in theater.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 06:13:18 am
content: How about that many of what I just posted

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 06:16:49 am
content: Powered using Batteriser to gain the most from the finite resources of the planet...

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 06:20:26 am
content: Come on guys - you need to add the price tag to your solution.Mine was $20,000,000Give me $20,000,000 and I will put together a very very accurate LED blinker.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 06:43:30 am
content: Quote from: ez24 on August 25, 2015, 06:20:26 amI did mine on the bus, it was hard enough to manage using digikey and webbrowse at the same time. Let alone the calculatorEdited it now.The total is $243,027And if you made a 4K display using it243027 * 4096 * 2160 = $2,150,147,358,720

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 07:18:55 am
content: Quote from: ez24 on August 25, 2015, 06:20:26 amMine is about $120.000.000.000.000+ (half of world capita per 2013, outdated number but hey..) though I know I'm cheating. There would be some EE with designing the hardware to run said AI though ^^Quote from: ez24 on August 25, 2015, 06:20:26 am

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 07:23:05 am
content: QuoteDon't forget the JJ so that adds up to$2,150,167,358,720God I hope the politicians do not hear of this, they will try and convince us that we need this

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 07:33:20 am
content: Quote from: fivefish on August 25, 2015, 04:35:32 amWhat, like this (sort of)https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/966222131/straightedge-a-new-way-to-see-your-planet

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 07:34:53 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on August 25, 2015, 06:11:16 amKickstarter idea - a TV you can see from SPACE!

author: Balaur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:11:53 pm
content: Whatever you are making, don't forget to hire my company to evaluate the reliability of the solution for aerospace and military applications.I'll promise to do a nice job: environmental, radiation (SEE + TID - using neutrons, alpha particles, protons, heavy ions, muons and laser) & ESD testing according to the relevant NASA/ESA/mil standards and requirements.

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:14:07 pm
content: Use Audiophile grade capacitors and Siltech cables:http://www.amazon.de/Siltech-Emperor-Double-Crown-bi-wire/dp/B0089ZHCUEAnd make sure you hire some consultants to manage the project.McBryce.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:24:59 pm
content: The blinky would be controlled by a neural net. Said neural net would of course have to be run on a large cluster using custom silicon with a massive amount of cores per rack, at least 100k cores per rack which would of course need more than adequate cooling and radiation hardening just to be safe. Whether to go with something ARM or PowerPC would depend on theif Freescale/NXP or ARM charge more for licensesI mean whichever best fits the needs of neural net. We couldn't risk not having power so we'd definitely have to look into a small fission generator. To keep it safe it would have to be installed on a submarine or in a bunker as deep as it is possible to go. This installation would of course have to be part of the internet of things...

author: Godzil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:27:14 pm
content: You could add some resistors, invisitors and caps from there:http://studiozey.com/zeyresistor/index.htmlthey will provide better colouration for your LEDs and make the power transient much much better!(yay, I know where the door is)

author: synapsis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:42:59 pm
content: I like this thread idea. hahThe spec just says "Blinky", and doesn't specify a uniform period. I propose a "Higgs Boson Detected" LED indicator that requires an LHC connected to it. It'll blink a couple of times.But we all know that if you *really* want to piss away money, you give it to the sales/advertising dept.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 02:47:31 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on August 25, 2015, 07:34:53 amDid you mean a TV in space that you can watch from here? Going on orbit always above the dark side of the Earth? Also known as Lagrange 2. Now, that would be expensive.

author: Godzil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 03:28:26 pm
content: You 1W RGB LED are about which size? that's really important..But I think that 4K WHXGA (5120 × 3200) would be a better solution.If each LEDs are a square of about 5x5mm, lets see. It would made a screen of 25600mm per 16000 mm so a rectangle of 25.6 meters per 16 meters...I like the idea, and don't forget that we will need an accordingly power supply, and way to cool down all of these LEDs.5120 * 3200 * 1W = 16384000 = 16384 KW or 16MW. I would recommand to build a specific nuclear power plant for this display.

author: ludzinc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 03:50:10 pm
content: I'd use a 555, a billion thermo junctions and a Saturn 5.Fire rocket, heat thermopile, blink led.

author: Zeyneb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 06:09:09 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on August 25, 2015, 06:10:36 amAwesome. Your bypass capacitor has a voltage rating of 22.5kV, while the Virtex-7 FPGA is operating at 1V core voltage. I do think you would qualify for overengineering skills.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2015, 05:44:29 am
content: Just let the state assembly of California have a crack at it. Not only will it be way over budget but the lawsuits alone will take years to resolve and it will become a bottomless sinkhole like every other project in this wretched financial hell hole. The price will cross into the billions well before it is even out of environmental impact study phase.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2015, 06:40:28 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on August 26, 2015, 05:44:29 amI feel your pain in this nanny state

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2015, 06:46:38 am
content: I wonder if there are some ridiculously expensive audiophile tubes that could be used instead of the transistor. Though, $6117 for a transistor is probably hard to beat.You want to use a Darlington pair, of course. Maybe throw in a relay for good measure, a nice solid state DIN mount one.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2015, 06:53:03 am
content: Quote from: Zeyneb on August 25, 2015, 06:09:09 pmI wonder if that cap would even work at 1V. Might have the worst leakage ever and i doubt its capacity will be the same.

author: mzzj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2015, 07:26:30 am
content: Quote from: ludzinc on August 25, 2015, 03:50:10 pmI like your thinking.Saturn 5 1. stage last only for ~ 2 minutes so I assume you were planning to fire more rockets in sequence every 4 minutes to get 50/50% duty cycle for your blinker?

author: Godzil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2015, 10:34:19 am
content: I still think that a nuclear power plant will be more expensive than a non reusable rocket

author: ludzinc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 02:41:34 am
content: Quote from: mzzj on August 26, 2015, 07:26:30 amThanks for correcting my oversight. PEER REVIEW WORKS!

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 03:36:00 am
content: I will be using a Stratix IV FPGA to run my next Nixie clock. I think i'll use a separate CPU core for each digit, and run embedded linux entirely from blockramSeriously, it's sitting here on my desk, just have to make a 4L power board for it!

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 07:49:10 am
content: Every project needs a case, so get Fabergé,Tiffany's and Chanel to manufacture the case jointly, that should burn up some dollars.

author: jimdeane
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 08:15:35 am
content: I'm going to start by powering it with a plutonium radiothermal electric generator.

author: Godzil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 01:26:17 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on August 27, 2015, 07:49:10 amAsk Philip Stark for the product design!

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 01:28:13 pm
content: >> Design your most expensive LED Blinky!No need to design, just make it a government project and the cost will pile up on its own.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 04:58:41 pm
content: been done....Connection machine CM5 :mor einfo :http://people.csail.mit.edu/bradley/cm5/and it will be hard to beat.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 05:17:50 pm
content: Buy experimental time on the LHC at CERN, with a satellite link to your LED, which would blink every time a Higgs Boson is detected.

author: Godzil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2015, 12:27:16 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on August 27, 2015, 04:58:41 pmI would love to see Dave do a teardown of these beasty (and also on of the Cray..)

author: karoru
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 11:16:27 pm
content: I think that since we all agreed on using batteriser on this appliance, we have to customize a pick and place machine to automatically replace discharged batteries (we can hotswap them, because of course we're doing the medical stuff things - 2 batteries in parallel to make hot-swapping easy). That would gild the lily and add few pennies to the total cost.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 11:42:44 pm
content: Quote from: alexanderbrevig on August 25, 2015, 03:15:06 amRC? You HAVE to use a GPS disciplined rubidium clock, if you don't, then what's the point?

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 11:44:45 pm
content: Quote from: alexanderbrevig on August 25, 2015, 04:55:54 amIt needs a satellite tracking system to reduce the effects of doppler shift when the device itself is moved around in a vehicle.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2015, 12:05:56 am
content: Virtex 7 FPGARubidium or Cesium clock sourceRed LED encased in laboratory grade Ruby.Or theres this: