Let's made a PC-base metal detector with usb interface !!!

[Davor]

Looks smart

[Aziz]

Looks smart

Yes, indeed. This is the reason, why I like it (all the previous controllers were too big and too heavy, although providing high power).

I can at least publish this simple and cheap version and some of you could work on it. I am quite surprised, that this simple controller isn't much worser than my former controllers (not disclosed). The software can easily cope with the occuring problems.

Aziz

[simonbaker]

Hi all,

I have finished the simple & smart (true digital) metal detector controller (no name yet). Fully functional but not connected to the coil yet.

Coil? Oh yes, I have to make some more coils.
(Was it the #127 or #128? )

Cheers,
Aziz

Pretty! Looking forward to more reports.

-SB

[Aziz]

What's Next Step?

Hi guys,

What are the next steps?
Open issues:
- Input impedance of the amplifiers
- Gain of the amplifiers (in the range of 10x - 100x)
Well, these issues can be solved later too. It's just soldering appropriate resistors.

I need at least two additional more control boxes for different configurations and I do not favour in soldering the bread-board again (spaghetti-wiring and routing). So I will draw the schematics and make the PCB (Eagle routing). When finished this step, I'll let the cat out of the bag (except the software part). LTSpice files will be included too.

Please be patient.
Aziz

[Aziz]

True Hybrid VLF/PI Mode

Hi all,

*LOL*
I'm again surprised, that the new controller allows a true hybrid VLF/PI mode. Both modes are working at the same time and does not require any configuration changes or mode switches.
And it gives interesting possibilities too.

Aziz

[Mechanic]

Hi Aziz,

Good work! That is a very neat job indeed! Whenever I use that type of board the end result is not pretty! I hope all goes well, good luck and better engineering

Cheers Mick

[Aziz]

Good News

Hi all,

it seems, that you can use the basic controller platform for various and interesting configurations. It gives a lot of experimenting possibilities. Due to the simplicity of the controller, it is limitted to the induction balanced (IB) coil configurations of course.

I have started to draw the Eagle schematics. I obviously need some time. Well, the weather is getting warm and fine and it is delaying the work a bit.
Please be patient.

Aziz

[Aziz]

Preliminary Controller Schematics

Hi all,

you will find the very trivial schematics below in the pdf-file just to give you an impression of how simple it is. Note, it is a preliminary version only. (Open issues haven't been fixed yet.)

It seems, I need a two layer PCB to fit all the parts into the restricted PCB area, which is fixed to the plastic case I have. I will work on an optimal PCB layout next time. Please, be patient.

Cheers,
Aziz

[WM6]

Bravo Aziz. Things are going real.

[Aziz]

Bravo Aziz. Things are going real.

Thanks WM6.

This little circuit is a power beast too. It can deliver high power to the coil if required. Or it can be used as a smart and power efficient controller device.

Due to it's simplicity, the software must cope with all the problems:
- drift
- noise
- instability
- IB mismatch
- ground balance
and so on.

But these problems can be solved easily in the software.
I wish I had it many years before.

Cheers,
Aziz

[Aziz]

Killer App or a Dud?

BTW,

the ability and willingness of the software engineer (who writes the software for the controller) decides, whether the application is becoming a killer app or a dud.


I might develop and release a special software version later to control the:
- greed in the market
- to force innovation
- to fight against the patent trolls
and so on...

If you are able and willing to make the killer app by yourself, well I can't prevent you from doing it now.

Aziz

[Aziz]

PCB Layout (Preliminary Version)

Hi all,

this is the first version of the PCB layout. I'm not happy. Unfortunately, it does not fit four times into a 160 mm x 100 mm Euro size format. I thought, I could get four PCB's for the price of one EURO-format PCB manufacturing.
Well, I'll think of it further..
Aziz

[Mechanic]

Hi Aziz,

Why not go for surface mount components where possible?

Are you going to make the boards yourself at home or send them off for manufacturing?

If I can make my own smt 3 layer boards at home I see no reason why you can't There is a lot less drilling using surface mount.

Nice job on the board btw....

Cheers Mick

Just re-read your post and you are sending them off. Go SMT!

[Aziz]

Hi Aziz,

Why not go for surface mount components where possible?

Are you going to make the boards yourself at home or send them off for manufacturing?

If I can make my own smt 3 layer boards at home I see no reason why you can't There is a lot less drilling using surface mount.

Nice job on the board btw....

Cheers Mick

Just re-read your post and you are sending them off. Go SMT!

Hi Mick,

the reason, why I don't go for SMT board is simple: the price & availability.
I want to realise this project as cheap as possible and as easy as possible with through hole PCB. SMT devices aren't available everywhere too. SMT is very trivial and I have made several projects before (including professional PCB manufacturing). But I'm following strictly the K.I.S.S.-principle however.

The current PCB has two layers and is not intended to make it DIY. It is intended for professional manufacturing only. BTW, I can't do it by myself.

Well, if someone wants to make the SMT PCB, I will provide the Eagle files (zipped current preliminary stage). BTW, the current PCB layout is purely the output of the auto router! There is a Eagle script file to make it:
mytinybrd-autoroute.scr (run this script for the PCB board and press always yes button)

# Tiny Board Autoroute script
#
# Auto route supply signals first
rip;
rats;
rip;
auto vcoil;
auto vb;
auto clk;
auto vcc;
auto txout;
ripup gnd;
auto;
auto;
#Window Fit;
move

Not bad outcome. The PCB is optimized for my small and very cheap plastic case (1 EUR only!).


Cheers,
Aziz

[Mechanic]

Hi Aziz,

Sounds like a good reason to go for the through-hole components as you have!

Hmmmm a netbook with a good sound card hey?

What programs would you recommend for making the program for the laptop detector? Last programming I did on a pc(for pc programs) was using turbo pascal 8, and that was just database stuff so nothing flash there!

Cheers Mick