Author Topic: Project Status Update 14-06-2015  (Read 3998 times)

Artur D'Assumpção

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Project Status Update 14-06-2015
« on: June 14, 2015, 08:28:10 PM »
Hi guys,

It's been a while I have made an update but rest assured we've been working hard on bringing you this new computer system.

As I said on an early report we weren't very happy with the results and overall feeling of the first beta revision of the Ultimation card design. We tried to keep it simple and use the same approach than SSL used back in the days, but when we were bench testing we realized, among other things, they really were reaching the limits of the technology, and that showed on the tests we did. We knew we could do much much better!!

So, we got back to the design board and decided to introduce the new design ideas directly on the VCA card which we now have finished and are printing in the end of the next week. If everything goes as planned we will eventually merge back this new design to the Ultimation card also.
 
We have addressed all the "issues" we have found before and are now confident we have a very robust and reliable design. What we have addressed:

  • We are now using one AD/DA + Opamp per channel (instead of using the Sample&Hold approach)
  • We now have an independent microcontroler per card
  • We now have power rails for 5v and 12v which are isolated and self-regulated directly on each card
  • Motherboard now has power up/power down control over the card
  • VCA Cuts are now detected by digital threshold and are set by a fast relay (instead of detector+transistor circuit) - VCA ONLY
  • Card can now be totally tested and driven without the need of motherboard (for testing purposes)
  • Card can now have a serial interface which will allow for comprehensive testing/debugging interface


The PCB ended up a bit more populated/dense but we believe the final result pays off.

More news in the next couple weeks.

Cheers,

Artur

« Last Edit: June 14, 2015, 08:35:39 PM by Artur D'Assumpção »

Artur D'Assumpção

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Re: Project Status Update 14-06-2015
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2015, 10:32:14 AM »
Hi guys,

Just to let you know we should receive the new Beta 1 cards for VCA consoles during this week! ;) **cross fingers**

Cheers,

Artur
« Last Edit: July 27, 2015, 10:33:54 AM by Artur D'Assumpção »

marcmozart

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Re: Project Status Update 14-06-2015
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2015, 11:14:20 PM »
Very excited!
1992 SSL 4048 G-Series
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